Dual flow heating apparatus

Claim 2

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location physically spaced from said first location, air flow means operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and for enabling establishment of a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, a divider baffle positioned parallel to and spaced from a wall of said heating compartment, said divider panel having an opening centrally located therein for enabling the through flow of the recirculated forced air flow, said air flow means comprising an air fan positioned between said panel and said wall of said heating compartment and having its plane of rotation disposed parallel to said divider panel, and said air fan having means for drawing two air streams there into along opposite axial directions and for centrifugally ejecting and mixing the two air streams within said heating compartment in the space between said divider baffle and said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said air flow means has a first means operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish the recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment, and wherein said first and second air fan means enable mixing of said heated air stream and said internal forced air flow within said heating compartment.

Claim 4

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said associated air conduit means and said heating compartment have at least one wall in common for enabling indirect transfer of heat from said air conduit means into said heating compartment.

Claim 5

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said first air fan means is located at the exit end of said air conduit means.

Claim 6

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said first air fan means is located at the exit end of said air conduit means and is rotatably positioned within said heating compartment.

Claim 7

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said first air fan means is located within said apparatus at said second location.

Claim 8

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said heater means is a gas combustion element, and said air stream transported from said heater means to said second location contains gas combustion products, and wherein said heated air stream is mixed with said recirculated forced air flow solely within said heating compartment by said air flow means.

Claim 9

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein an air valve means is located within said air conduit means to enable variable flow of said heated air stream into said heating compartment.

Claim 10

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said air conduit means is connected to a heat collector duct at a position contiguous to said second location, and wherein said heat collector duct enables circulation of said heated air stream into said air flow means.

Claim 11

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said air conduit means comprises flueways located adjacent to a plurality of the outer walls of said heating compartment and a heated air chamber connected to said flueways and extending therefrom into said second location whereby heat exchange is enabled from said flueways and from said heated air chamber into said heating compartment indirectly through the walls thereof.

Claim 12

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said air fan has first and second axial intakes located on opposite sides thereof and first and second sets of centrifugal outflow vanes associated therewith for enabling the simultaneous inflow and mixing of two air streams at the peripheral edge of said fan, and wherein a rotational motive means is connected to said air fan for enabling rotation thereof.

Claim 13

The improvement according to claim 11 wherein said air fan comprises a circular plate, and wherein said outflow vanes comprise a first and a second set of impeller blades affixed perpendicularly on opposite faces of said plate, said impeller blades curved with respect to the direction of rotation to enable the centrifugal forced intake of two air streams, one flowing along the fan axis in a first direction and a second air stream flowing along the fan axis in the opposite direction, both inwardly toward said plate.

Claim 14

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto, comprising heating means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location physically spaced from said first location, air flow means operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream into a portion of said heating compartment and for enabling the establishment of a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow in said air conduit, a divider baffle positioned parallel to and spaced from a wall of said heating compartment, said divider panel having an opening centrally located therein for enabling the through flow of the recirculated forced air flow, said air flow means comprising an air fan positioned between said divider baffle and said wall of said heating compartment and said air fan having its plane of rotation disposed parallel to said divider panel, said air fan having means for drawing two air streams thereinto in opposite axial directions and for centrifugally ejecting and mixing the two air streams within said heating compartment in the space between said divider baffle and said heating compartment wall, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 15

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto, comprising heating means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location physically spaced from said first location, air flow means operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream into a portion of said heating compartment and for enabling the establishment of a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow in said air conduit, a divider baffle positioned parallel to and spaced from a wall of said heating compartment, said divider panel having an opening centrally located therein for enabling the through flow of the recirculated forced air flow, said air flow means comprising an air fan positioned between said divider baffle and said wall of said heating compartment and said air fan having its plane of rotation disposed parallel to said divider panel, said air fan having means for drawing two air streams thereinto in opposite axial directions and for centrifugally ejecting and mixing the two air streams within said heating compartment in the space between said divider baffle and said heating compartment wall, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 16

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first air fan means is located adjacent to the exit end of said air conduit means and is rotatably positioned within said heating compartment.

Claim 17

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first air fan means is located at said second location and adjacent to the exit end of said conduit means.

Claim 18

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an outer housing formed of a plurality of connected side, bottom, top and rear walls, said outer housing arranged about said heating compartment in a manner to form an associated air conduit between at least one of the walls of said heating compartment and said outer housing, and said air conduit enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means to said second location.

Claim 19

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said heater means is a gas combustion element, and said air stream transported from said heater means to said second location contains gas combustion products, and wherein said heated air stream is mixed with said recirculated forced air flow solely within said heating compartment by said air flow means.

Claim 20

The improvement according to claim 13, wherein said heater means is an electric resistance element, and wherein said heated air stream is mixed with said recirculated forced air flow solely within said heating compartment by said air flow means.

Claim 21

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein an air valve means is located within said air conduit means to enable variable flow of said heated air stream into said heating compartment.

Claim 22

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said air conduit means is connected to a heat collector duct at a position contiguous to said second location, and wherein said heat collector duct enables circulation of said heated air stream into said air flow means.

Claim 23

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said air conduit means comprises flueways located adjacent to a plurality of the outer walls of said heating compartment and a heated air chamber connected to said flueways and extending therefrom into said second location whereby heat exchange is enabled from said flueways and from said heated air chamber into said heating compartment indirectly through the walls thereof.

Claim 24

The forced air heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said air fan has first and second axial intakes located on opposite sides thereof and first and second sets of centrifugal outflow vanes associated therewith for enabling the simultaneous inflow and mixing of two air streams at the peripheral edge of said fan, and wherein a rotational motive means is connected to said air fan for enabling rotation thereof.

Claim 25

The forced air heating apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said air fan comprises a circular plate, and wherein said outflow vanes comprise a first and a second set of impeller blades affixed perpendicularly on opposite faces of said plate, said impeller blades curved with respect to the direction of rotation to enable the centrifugal forced intake of two air streams, one flowing along the fan axis in a first direction and a second air stream flowing along the fan axis in the opposite direction, both inwardly toward said plate.

Claim 26

The heating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said air flow means comprises a first means for forcibly drawing said heated air stream through said air conduit means and a second means operable to establish the recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment, and wherein said first and second air fan means enable mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow within said heating compartment.

Claim 29

The method according to claim 25, comprising the additional step of: controlling the flow of the heated air stream within the air conduit to enable variable proportions of the mixture of the heated air stream with the recirculated forced air flow within the heating compartment.

Claim 30

The method according to claim 25, wherein said heating step is carried out by contacting the intake ambient air stream with an electric resistance heating element located within the associated air conduit means.

Claim 31

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location physically spaced from said first location, and air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a divider baffle positioned parallel to and spaced from a wall of said heating compartment, said air fan means having its plane of rotation disposed parallel to said divider panel and being rotatably supported within said heating compartment, said first and second means of said air fan means drawing two air streams thereinto along opposite axial directions and centrifugally ejecting and mixing the two air streams within said heating compartment in the space between said divider baffle and said heating compartment wall, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 32

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location physically spaced from said first location, and air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a divider baffle positioned parallel to and spaced from a wall of said heating compartment, said air fan means having its plane of rotation disposed parallel to said divider panel and being rotatably supported within said heating compartment, said first and second means of said air fan means drawing two air streams thereinto along opposite axial directions and centrifugally ejecting and mixing the two air streams within said heating compartment in the space between said divider baffle and said heating compartment wall, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 33

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, an air valve means located within said air conduit means to enable variable flow of said heated air stream into said heating compartment, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 34

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, an air valve means located within said air conduit means to enable variable flow of said heated air stream into said heating compartment, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 35

The improvement according to claim 8 or 29, wherein said valve means is positioned within said air conduit means adjacent to said second location.

Claim 36

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a heat collector duct connected to said air conduit means at a position contiguous to said second location, said heat collector duct enabling circulation of said heated air stream into said air flow means, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 37

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a heat collector duct connected to said air conduit means at a position contiguous to said second location, said heat collector duct enabling circulation of said heated air stream into said air flow means, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 38

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, said air conduit means comprising flue ways located adjacent to a plurality of the outer walls of said heating compartment and a heating air chamber connected to said flue ways and extending therefrom into said second location whereby heat exchange is enabled from said flue ways and from said heated air chamber into said heating compartment indirectly through the walls thereof, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 39

In a forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; the improvement comprising heater means disposed within said conduit means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, said air conduit means comprising flue ways located adjacent to a plurality of the outer walls of said heating compartment and a heating air chamber connected to said flue ways and extending therefrom into said second location whereby heat exchange is enabled from said flue ways and from said heated air chamber into said heating compartment indirectly through the walls thereof, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 40

The improvement according to claims 28, 29, 31 or 32 wherein said first and second air fan means have axial intakes located on opposite sides of said air fan means and wherein each means has a set of centrifugal outflow vanes associated therewith for enabling the simultaneous inflow and mixing of two air streams at the peripheral edge of said fan, and wherein a rotational motive means is connected to said air fan means for enabling rotation thereof.

Claim 41

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location physically spaced from said first location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a divider baffle positioned parallel to and spaced from a wall of said heating compartment, said air fan means having its plane of rotation disposed parallel to said divider panel and being rotatably supported within said heating compartment, said air fan means having means for drawing two air streams thereinto in opposite axial directions and centrifugally ejecting and mixing the two air streams within said heating compartment in the space between said divider baffle and said heating compartment wall, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 42

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location physically spaced from said first location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a divider baffle positioned parallel to and spaced from a wall of said heating compartment, said air fan means having its plane of rotation disposed parallel to said divider panel and being rotatably supported within said heating compartment, said air fan means having means for drawing two air streams thereinto in opposite axial directions and centrifugally ejecting and mixing the two air streams within said heating compartment in the space between said divider baffle and said heating compartment wall, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 43

The heating apparatus according to claim 19 or 34 wherein said air conduit means is connected in communication with a flue outlet positioned adjacent to said second location, and wherein said valve means is arranged to selectively and variably close said air conduit means and said flue outlet.

Claim 44

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, an air valve means located within said air conduit means to enable variable flow of said heated air stream into said heating compartment, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 45

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, an air valve means located within said air conduit means to enable variable flow of said heated air stream into said heating compartment, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 46

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a heat collector duct connected to said air conduit means at a position contiguous to said second location, said heat collector duct enabling circulation of said heated air stream into said air flow means, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 47

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, a heat collector duct connected to said air conduit means at a position contiguous to said second location, said heat collector duct enabling circulation of said heated air stream into said air flow means, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 48

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, said air conduit means comprising flue ways located adjacent to a plurality of the outer walls of said heating compartment and a heated air chamber connected to said flue ways and extending therefrom into said second location whereby heat exchange is enabled from said flue ways and from said heated air chamber into said heating compartment indirectly through the walls thereof, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 49

A forced air heating apparatus having a heating compartment and an associated air conduit means connected thereto; comprising heater means for heating an intake ambient air stream drawn into said conduit means at a first location, said conduit means enabling transport of a heated air stream from said heater means into said heating compartment at a second location, an air fan means disposed within said apparatus and having a first means thereof operable to forcibly draw said heated air stream through said air conduit means and having a second means thereof operable to establish a recirculated forced air flow internally within said heating compartment without entry of said internal forced air flow into said air conduit, said first and second air fan means enabling mixing of said heated air stream with said internal forced air flow, said air conduit means comprising flue ways located adjacent to a plurality of the outer walls of said heating compartment and a heated air chamber connected to said flue ways and extending therefrom into said second location whereby heat exchange is enabled from said flue ways and from said heated air chamber into said heating compartment indirectly through the walls thereof, and vent means formed in said heating compartment to enable the outflow of heated air from said heating compartment.

Claim 50

The forced air heating apparatus according to claims 34, 36, 37 or 38 wherein said first and second air fan means have axial intakes located on opposite sides of said air fan means and wherein each means has a set of centrifugal outflow vanes associated therewith for enabling the simultaneous inflow and mixing of two air streams at the peripheral edge of said fan, and wherein a rotational motive means is connected to said air fan means for enabling rotation thereof.