Head assembly for liquid fuel catalytic beater

Claim 1

In a portable liquid fuel catalytic heater, the improvement comprising: a catalytic element having an upright frusto-conical side wall defining a vertical axis of symmetry and a top integral therewith for partially defining said fuel vapor chamber, the outer surface of said side wall being substantially straight along upright paths defining the direction of combustion air flow and comprising between 50 and 75 percent of the total combustion surface of said catalytic element and lines on the outer surface of said side wall extending parallel to said axis defining an included angle with the vertical in the range between 0.degree. and 15.degree., the combustion per unit area being appreciably greater on said side wall than on said top; a protective canopy over said catalytic element and spaced outwardly therefrom to provide a space for the flow of combustion air, said canopy defining a plurality of apertures extending along substantially the entire height of and spaced about the circumference of the side wall portion of said catalytic element, the total area of said apertures comprising at least 50 percent of the area of said canopy adjacent said side wall element to facilitate lateral heating by radiation; and means including a wick for supplying liquid fuel to said chamber where said fuel is vaporized.