Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A heat exchange system comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a solid structure surrounding a central plenum; means for supplying the products of combustion to said central plenum of said heat exchanger; conduit means for directing a fluid to be heated through said heat exchanger; and electrical heater means adjacent to and in heat exchange relationship with said conduit means and means for energizing said heater when said burner is not in operation for maintaining said fluid in said heat exchanger surrounding said central plenum of said heat exchanger above a predetermined temperature during periods when said products of combustion are not being supplied to said heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A heat exchange system comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a solid structure surrounding a central plenum; means for supplying the products of combustion to said central plenum of said heat exchanger; conduit means for directing a fluid to be heated through said heat exchanger; and electrical heater means adjacent to and in heat exchange relationship with said conduit means and means for energizing said heater when said burner is not in operation for maintaining said fluid in said heat exchanger surrounding said central plenum of said heat exchanger above a predetermined temperature during periods when said products of combustion are not being supplied to said heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The heat exchange system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the area of the surface in heat exchange relationship with the products of combustion is substantially greater than the area of the surface thereof in heat exchange relationship with said fluid to be heated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The heat exchange system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said heat exchanger comprises a plurality of tubular members positioned in a locus surrounding a central plenum, at least a plurality of said tubular members being interconnected with adjacent tubular members by rigid thermally conductive members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
148 words
A heat exchange system comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a solid structure surrounding a central plenum; means for supplying the products of combustion to said central plenum comprising a burner having an apertured surface and means for supplying a fuel-air mixture through the apertures in said surface at a rate providing a flame front substantially spaced from said surface and extending across regions between jets of said fuel-air mixture issuing from said ports; conduit means for directing a fluid to be heated through said heat exchanger; and electrical heater means adjacent to and in heat exchange relationship with said conduit means and means for energizing said heater when said burner is not in operation for maintaining said fluid in said heat exchanger and the walls surrounding said central plenum above a predetermined temperature during periods when said products of combustion are not being supplied to said heat exchanger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
148 words
A heat exchange system comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a solid structure surrounding a central plenum; means for supplying the products of combustion to said central plenum comprising a burner having an apertured surface and means for supplying a fuel-air mixture through the apertures in said surface at a rate providing a flame front substantially spaced from said surface and extending across regions between jets of said fuel-air mixture issuing from said ports; conduit means for directing a fluid to be heated through said heat exchanger; and electrical heater means adjacent to and in heat exchange relationship with said conduit means and means for energizing said heater when said burner is not in operation for maintaining said fluid in said heat exchanger and the walls surrounding said central plenum above a predetermined temperature during periods when said products of combustion are not being supplied to said heat exchanger.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The heat exchange system in accordance with claim 4 wherein said burner comprises a curved apertured sheet metal structure positioned in a plenum in said heat exchanger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
142 words
A package heat exchange system comprising: a fluid heater having a central plenum comprising a plurality of tubular members surrounding said central plenum and rigidly interconnected by a plurality of fins; a sheet metal burner having a plurality of ports positioned in said plenum and supplied with a gaseous fuel-air mixture through a blower to produce a flame front extending across regions between jets of fuel issuing from said ports and producing combustion of said fuel-air mixture in a region spaced from the sheet metal wall of said burner, said fuel being supplid to the input of said blower through a gas pressure regulator; and means responsive to an electrical control system controlling actuation of said blower for changing the total aperture area in the input of said blower through which said gaseous fuel and said air are supplied to said blower.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A package heat exchange system comprising: a fluid heater having a central plenum comprising a plurality of tubular members surrounding said central plenum and rigidly interconnected by a plurality of fins; a sheet metal burner having a plurality of ports positioned in said plenum and supplied with a gaseous fuel-air mixture through a blower to produce a flame front extending across regions between jets of fuel issuing from said ports and producing combustion of said fuel-air mixture in a region spaced from the sheet metal wall of said burner, said fuel being supplid to the input of said blower through a gas pressure regulator; and means responsive to an electrical control system controlling actuation of said blower for changing the total aperture area in the input of said blower through which said gaseous fuel and said air are supplied to said blower.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The package heat exchange system in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for changing said aperture areas comprises means for enlarging said aperture areas a predetermined time after actuation of said burner.