Patent US5807098A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5807098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas heater with alarm system
Assignee: Procom Heating Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-26
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Granted: 1998-09-15
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Expires: 2016-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A heater including a housing, a heating assembly having a burner, and at least one of an oxygen level detection assembly adapted to distinguish between a relatively normal oxygen level, a relatively low oxygen level and relatively unsafe oxygen, a carbon monoxide sensor and a combustible gas sensor. The heater may also include an indicator adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to a detection of a relatively low oxygen level, a detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide, or a detection of combustible gas.
Inventors
- 👤 David Deng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:00
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24H; F24H9/00; F24H9/20; F24H9/2064; F24H9/2085; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/003; F23N5/006; F23N5/24; F23N5/242; F24H15/00; F24H15/20; F24H15/25; F24H15/30; F24H15/305; F24H15/31; F24H15/355; F24H15/36; F24H15/395; F23N2231/00; F23N2231/18; F23N2231/20; F23N2231/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A heater for use in an environment containing air, the air defining an oxygen content, the heater comprising: a housing defining an interior and an exterior; a heating assembly adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and including at least one burner adapted to burn the fuel and a pilot adapted to produce a pilot flame movable between three spaced predetermined locations which correspond to the oxygen level in the environment in which the heater is used; an oxygen level detection assembly adapted to distinguish between at least three predetermined oxygen levels of the air in the environment in which the heater is used by determining which one of the three predetermined locations that the pilot flame is located in, the first oxygen level corresponding to a relatively normal oxygen content, the second oxygen level corresponding to a relatively low oxygen content and the third oxygen level corresponding to a relatively unsafe oxygen content; a carbon monoxide sensor adapted to determine the level of carbon monoxide in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; a combustible gas sensor adapted to detect the presence of combustible gas in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; and an indicator adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to at least one of a detection of the second oxygen level by the oxygen level detection assembly, a detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide by the carbon monoxide sensor, and a detection of combustible gas by the combustible gas sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A heater for use in an environment containing air, the air defining an oxygen content, the heater comprising: a housing defining an interior and an exterior; a heating assembly adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and including at least one burner adapted to burn the fuel and a pilot adapted to produce a pilot flame movable between three spaced predetermined locations which correspond to the oxygen level in the environment in which the heater is used; an oxygen level detection assembly adapted to distinguish between at least three predetermined oxygen levels of the air in the environment in which the heater is used by determining which one of the three predetermined locations that the pilot flame is located in, the first oxygen level corresponding to a relatively normal oxygen content, the second oxygen level corresponding to a relatively low oxygen content and the third oxygen level corresponding to a relatively unsafe oxygen content; a carbon monoxide sensor adapted to determine the level of carbon monoxide in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; a combustible gas sensor adapted to detect the presence of combustible gas in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; and an indicator adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to at least one of a detection of the second oxygen level by the oxygen level detection assembly, a detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide by the carbon monoxide sensor, and a detection of combustible gas by the combustible gas sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel is propane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fuel is natural gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one burner comprises a plurality of burners.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heating assembly comprises a pilot system including a gas nozzle and an ignitor adapted to produce a pilot flame, and wherein the oxygen level detection assembly includes first and second flame sensors disposed in respective predetermined spaced relations to the to the gas nozzle and ignitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heater as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a valve adapted to block the flow of fuel to the heating assembly in response to a detection of the third oxygen level by the oxygen level detection assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a plurality of lights and a speaker mounted on the exterior of the housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A heater, comprising: a pilot having a nozzle; an ignitor having an ignition electrode located in spaced relation to the nozzle; a first temperature sensitive flame detector positioned in a first predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor; and a second temperature sensitive flame detector positioned in a second predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A heater, comprising: a pilot having a nozzle; an ignitor having an ignition electrode located in spaced relation to the nozzle; a first temperature sensitive flame detector positioned in a first predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor; and a second temperature sensitive flame detector positioned in a second predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A heater, comprising: a pilot having a nozzle; an ignitor having an ignition electrode located in spaced relation to the nozzle; a first flame detector positioned substantially between the pilot and the ignitor and facing a first side of the ignition electrode; and a second flame detector positioned in a second predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor and associated with a second side of the ignition electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
A heater, comprising: a pilot having a nozzle; an ignitor having an ignition electrode located in spaced relation to the nozzle; a first flame detector positioned substantially between the pilot and the ignitor and facing a first side of the ignition electrode; and a second flame detector positioned in a second predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor and associated with a second side of the ignition electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heater as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second flame detectors comprises a thermocouple.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A heater as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ignition electrode is substantially L-shaped.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A heater as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ignition electrode defines a first portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the pilot and a second portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the first portion and towards the pilot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A heater as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pilot defines a longitudinal axis which passes through the nozzle and the ignition electrode intersects the longitudinal axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heater as claimed in claim 13, wherein portions of the ignition electrode are respectively located on both sides of the longitudinal axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
134 words
A heater, comprising: a pilot having a nozzle; an ignitor having an ignition electrode located in spaced relation to the nozzle; a first flame detector positioned in a first predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor; and a second flame detector positioned in a second predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor; wherein the nozzle, ignition electrode, first flame detector, and second flame detector are respectively located such that a flame produced by the pilot will remain in a substantially fixed position, for a predetermined period of time, in response to an oxygen level substantially equal to approximately between 19.2% and 19.0%, the substantially fixed position being one in which the first flame detector will not detect a flame and the second flame detector will detect a flame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
A heater, comprising: a pilot having a nozzle; an ignitor having an ignition electrode located in spaced relation to the nozzle; a first flame detector positioned in a first predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor; and a second flame detector positioned in a second predetermined location in spaced relation to the pilot and ignitor; wherein the nozzle, ignition electrode, first flame detector, and second flame detector are respectively located such that a flame produced by the pilot will remain in a substantially fixed position, for a predetermined period of time, in response to an oxygen level substantially equal to approximately between 19.2% and 19.0%, the substantially fixed position being one in which the first flame detector will not detect a flame and the second flame detector will detect a flame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heater as claimed in claim 15, wherein the predetermined period of time is substantially between approximately 8 and 15 minutes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
A heater as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: an indicator operably connected to the first flame detector, the indicator being adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication that an oxygen level is relatively low in response to a failure by the first flame detector to detect a flame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
A heater as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: a valve operably connected to the pilot, a gas source and the second flame detector, the valve being adapted to close in response to a failure by the second flame detector to detect a flame.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
168 words
A heater for use in an environment containing air, the heater comprising: a housing defining an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining an upper portion, a lower portion substantially separated from the upper portion, at least one air outlet associated with the upper portion and at least one air inlet associated with the lower portion; a heating assembly located within the upper portion of the interior and adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and including at least one burner adapted to burn the fuel; a carbon monoxide sensor located substantially within the lower portion of the interior and adapted to determine the level of carbon monoxide in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; and an indicator operably connected to the carbon monoxide sensor, the indicator being adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to a detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide by the carbon monoxide sensor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
168 words
A heater for use in an environment containing air, the heater comprising: a housing defining an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining an upper portion, a lower portion substantially separated from the upper portion, at least one air outlet associated with the upper portion and at least one air inlet associated with the lower portion; a heating assembly located within the upper portion of the interior and adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and including at least one burner adapted to burn the fuel; a carbon monoxide sensor located substantially within the lower portion of the interior and adapted to determine the level of carbon monoxide in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; and an indicator operably connected to the carbon monoxide sensor, the indicator being adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to a detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide by the carbon monoxide sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heater as claimed in claim 19, wherein the indicator is associated with the exterior of the housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A heater as claimed in claim 19, wherein the indicator comprises a numerical display.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heater as claimed in claim 19, wherein the upper portion and lower portion are substantially separated by a plate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
89 words
A heater as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: a combustible gas sensor operably connected to the indicator and adapted to detect the presence of combustible gas in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; wherein the indicator is adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to at least one of a detection of a predetermined level of carbon monoxide by the carbon monoxide sensor and a detection of combustible gas by the combustible gas sensor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
163 words
A heater for use in an environment containing air, the heater comprising: a housing defining an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining an upper portion, a lower portion substantially separated from the upper portion, at least one air outlet associated with the upper portion and at least one air inlet associated with the lower portion; a heating assembly located within the upper portion of the interior and adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and including at least one burner adapted to burn the fuel; a combustible gas sensor located within the lower portion of the interior and adapted to detect the presence of combustible gas in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; and an indicator operably connected to the combustible gas sensor, the indicator being adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to a detection of combustible gas by the combustible gas sensor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
163 words
A heater for use in an environment containing air, the heater comprising: a housing defining an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining an upper portion, a lower portion substantially separated from the upper portion, at least one air outlet associated with the upper portion and at least one air inlet associated with the lower portion; a heating assembly located within the upper portion of the interior and adapted to receive fuel from a fuel source and including at least one burner adapted to burn the fuel; a combustible gas sensor located within the lower portion of the interior and adapted to detect the presence of combustible gas in the air in the environment in which the heater is used; and an indicator operably connected to the combustible gas sensor, the indicator being adapted to produce at least one of an audible indication and a visible indication in response to a detection of combustible gas by the combustible gas sensor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heater as claimed in claim 24, wherein the indicator is associated with the exterior of the housing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A heater as claimed in claim 24, wherein the indicator comprises a numerical display.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heater as claimed in claim 24, wherein the upper portion and lower portion are substantially separated by a plate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heater as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oxygen level detection assembly comprises first and second thermocouples located in spaced relation to one another.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heater as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first and second flame detectors respectively comprise first and second thermocouples.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |