Heat distribution apparatus and method

Abstract

In one aspect the invention provides a heating apparatus adapted to modify local climatic conditions which includes a base arranged to support the heating apparatus on a support surface. An inlet stage is associated with the base and a mixer stage connected on top of the inlet stage. At least one outlet nozzle is connected to the mixer stage, with the outlet nozzle or nozzles being adapted to rotate relative to the base. At least one heating element is located inside the mixer stage, and an impeller is arranged to drive air through the inlet stage into the mixer stage and out at least one outlet nozzle, where the mixer stage defines an air flow path which elevates air drawn through the mixer stage.

Claims

1. A heating apparatus adapted to modify local climatic conditions, said heating apparatus comprising a base arranged to support the heating apparatus on a support surface, an inlet stage associated with the base, a mixer stage connected on top of the inlet stage, at least one outlet nozzle connected to the mixer stage, said at least one outlet nozzle being adapted to rotate relative to the base, at least one heating element formed from a hydrocarbon gas burner located inside the mixer stage for vertical flow of heated air, and an impeller arranged to drive air through the inlet stage into the mixer stage and out at least one outlet nozzle, said impeller being located adjacent to the inlet stage and below said at least one heating element, the at least one outlet nozzle including a plurality of flow stabilization fins located adjacent to an outlet of the at least one outlet nozzle for stabilizing airflow as the heated air exits horizontally through the at least one nozzle, wherein the mixer stage defines an air flow path which elevates air drawn through the mixer stage.

2. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base defines a plurality of support legs.

3. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one support leg includes hollow portions which enclose at least one utility supply line.

4. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein a support leg encloses a heating element fuel supply line.

5. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein a support leg encloses an electricity supply line.

6. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein exterior surfaces of the support legs define airfoil forms.

7. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the length of each of the support legs can be dynamically adjusted.

8. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a heating element is formed from a hydrocarbon gas burner which defines a ring shape with a plurality of gas outlets deployed along the perimeter of the ring.

9. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein a heater element is located centrally inside the bottom section of the mixer stage.

10. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a plurality of mounting arms used to mount a heater element within the mixer stage, at least one mounting arm enclosing a supply fuel line connected to the heating element.

11. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outlet nozzle projects upwards from an upper region of the mixer stage and terminates in an elbow section or T section configured to distribute heated air laterally away from the top of the heating apparatus.

12. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a drive system configured to rotate said at least one outlet nozzle.

13. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inlet stage is fixed to the base and defines one or more apertures used to draw air into the upper mixer stage.

14. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a controller arranged to issue control signals to modify the behavior of the heating apparatus.

15. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the controller is used to adjust the rate of rotation of an outlet nozzle.

16. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the controller is used to adjust the heat output of the heating element.

17. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the controller is used to dynamically adjust the length of at least one support leg used to form the base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Additional and further aspects of the present invention will be apparent to the reader from the following description of embodiments, given in by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a front cut away section view of a heat distribution apparatus with a single nozzle as provided in one embodiment, and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side cut away section view of the heat distribution apparatus of FIG. 1, and

(4) FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cut away section view of utility supply lines integrated into the heat distribution apparatus of FIG. 1, and

(5) FIG. 4 shows an enlarged cut away section view of a drive system integrated into the heat distribution apparatus of FIG. 1, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cut away section view of a set of mounting arms integrated into the heat distribution apparatus of FIG. 1, and

(7) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the heat distribution apparatus of FIG. 1, and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a side view of a heat distribution apparatus with two opposed nozzles as provided in a further embodiment, and

(9) FIG. 8 shows an example plan of an area to be heated and the location of a number of heat distribution apparatus.

(10) Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which is given by way of example only of particular embodiments.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(11) FIGS. 1 through 6 shows a series of views of a heat distribution apparatus as provided in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 1 through 5 show a series of cut away, cross section and enlarged views illustrating internal components of the apparatus, with FIG. 6 showing an exterior perspective view of the apparatus.

(12) The heat distribution apparatus 1 includes a base 2 which defines an inlet stage 3. The inlet stage provides a low turbulence form used to provide air to the elevated components of the invention. In the embodiment shown the base defines a flat horizontal under surface for the apparatus 1 providing it with a stable seat on a patch of ground.

(13) Attached directly on top of the inlet stage 3 is a mixing stage 4. The mixing stage defines an upper mixing stage 4a and a lower mixing stage 4b. The mixing stage also defines an internal mixing chamber 5 which encloses and locates a heating element in the form of a gas burner ring 6. In other embodiments the heating element may be liquid fuelled.

(14) The increasing width or diameter of the mixing chamber as it extends from the inlet stage 3 works to slow down air flows which maximises heat transfer times and heat distribution as air travels the air flow path defined by the mixing stage.

(15) The mixing chamber 5 also encloses and locates an impeller 7 below the gas burner ring 6. This positioning of the impeller ensures that it works as efficiently as possible, driving against the cooler inlet stage air instead of hot air in the vicinity of the gas burner ring 6.

(16) The apparatus 1 extends upwards to and terminates in a single nozzle 8. The nozzle 8 receives evenly mixed heated air from the upper region of the mixing chamber 5. The airflow passage defined by the nozzle narrows as it extends upwards and then laterally from the base 2. This characteristic of the nozzle 8 accelerates heated air and exhausts it to the side of the apparatus 1.

(17) The nozzle also incorporates a series of flow stabilization fins 9 adjacent to the outlet of the nozzles. These fins act to stabilize the flow of air exiting the nozzle.

(18) The base includes a set of three support legs 10 which have an aerofoil shape or profile. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the aerofoil profile of the terminal end of each leg projecting to the top of a mixing chamber leg mounting bracket 14.

(19) Each support leg 10 is hollow and acts as a conduit for utility supply lines in the form of a gas supply line 11a and an electrical current supply line 11b.

(20) As illustrated by FIG. 4 the apparatus 1 also includes a drive system 12 engaged with the upper mixing stage 4a. The drive system is used to rotate the upper mixing stage 4a and nozzle 8 relative to the lower mixing stage 4b and the remaining components of the apparatus. The drive system includes a controller, motor and drive shaft 12a which operate to rotate a drive belt 12b engaged with a drive gear 12c fixed to the upper mixing stage 4b.

(21) The underside perspective view provided by FIG. 5 also illustrates the provision of a set of mounting arms 13. In the embodiment shown three mounting arms are used to mount the gas burner ring 6 to the lower mixing stage 4b. Each mount arm is also hollow and serves as a conduit to supply combustion fuel gas from the support leg gas supply lines 11a to the gas burner ring 6.

(22) In operation the apparatus 1 draws in cool ground level air through the inlet stage. This cool air is driven upwards into the mixing chamber by the impeller where it is heated and subsequently exhausted laterally by the nozzle 8. The nozzle 8 is rotated by the drive system 12, projecting an exhaust plume of heated air in an elevated layer above the base 2.

(23) In various embodiments where the apparatus 1 is used in an orchard the nozzle 8 is positioned so as to exhaust heated air above the canopy of the orchard. In the embodiment shown the height of the centre of the plume is typically 4m, but can be varied depending on the crop being protected

(24) FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention with essentially the same features as that discussed with respect to FIG. 1A, other than the upper region of the mixing chamber 15 defining two opposed nozzles 18. These nozzles are arranged to generate a reaction force when exhausting hot air to assist in the rotation of the upper region of the mixing chamber.

(25) The reaction forces generated by these two opposed nozzles and the balancing of the weight of material used to form them allows the upper region of the mixing chamber to be rotated at slower speeds and still achieve a suitable return period.

(26) FIG. 8 shows an example plan of an area to be heated and the location of a number of heat distribution apparatus.

(27) In the situation shown with respect to FIG. 2, five units of the apparatus or machines are deployed to distribute heated air over the area of a blackcurrant orchard. Machine 3 is implemented in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 10, with the remaining machines being provided by the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9.

(28) In the situation shown the controlling microprocessor of each machine operates to rotate the nozzles of these machines through a 360 range of motion. The theoretical distribution pattern of air generated by each machine is shown by circular track 19.

(29) FIG. 8 also shows the actual distribution pattern 20 of heated air for each machine. As can be seen in this figure five separate heating machines are able to adequately cover all boundaries 21 of the blackcurrant orchard with heated air. Each heating machine is used to exhaust a plume of heated air just above the canopy of the orchard, providing a protective warm air blanket for the orchard against frost damage.

(30) In the preceding description and the following claims the word comprise or equivalent variations thereof is used in an inclusive sense to specify the presence of the stated feature or features. This term does not preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

(31) It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and further and additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled reader from the examples illustrated with reference to the drawings. In particular, the invention may reside in any combination of features described herein, or may reside in alternative embodiments or combinations of these features with known equivalents to given features. Modifications and variations of the example embodiments of the invention discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departure of the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.