Patent Application
20250189137
Patio heaters (e.g. heaters for use outdoors) are a popular way to enjoy the outdoors during colder months as they provide heat to the area surrounding the patio heater producing more comfortable conditions. Patio heaters may utilize a variety of fuel sources, such as, gas, wood, or electric heat. A wood fuel source is often preferred as it provides a larger heat profile (i.e. heat delivered to the area surrounding the patio heater), as compared to gas or electric fuel sources.
Conventional wood-fueled patio heaters utilize stoves for combustion of the fuel (i.e. wood). The drawbacks to utilization of wood-fueled patio heaters include the efficiency of fuel consumption compared to the heat profiles of such patio heaters, and the production of smoke as a byproduct of wood combustion.
Conventional wood-fueled patio heaters include cartridges to hold fuel, where the fuel combusts on and above the cartridge. These cartridges are susceptible to accumulation of ash, where this accumulation leads to inefficient or arrested combustion. This requires the cleaning of the combustion chamber, which is time consuming and does not allow use of the heater. Additionally, continued exposure to combustion leads to wear and tear on the cartridge, which requires replacement. This requires disassembling at least portion of the heater to replace the cartridge.
Conventional patio heaters have heat profiles that include a laminar flow of heat from the top of the patio heater. The laminar heat flows leads to a heat profile that disperses heat from the top of the patio heater away from individuals using the patio heater. This leads to a larger use of fuel to create a heat profile that impacts individuals surrounding the patio heater.
It is therefore desirable to have a wood pellet patio heater that has increase efficiency and an increased heat profile as compared to other wood-fueled patio heaters. It is further desirable to have a wood pellet patio heather that has a cartridge that does not require disassembly to replace. Finally, it is further desirable to have a wood pellet-fueled patio heater that minimizes production of smoke from the consumption of the fuel.
In aspects a wood pellet patio heater, the wood pellet patio heater including a heat reflector, the heat reflector having a dome shape, wherein the heat reflector is in mechanical communication with a chimney at a top of the chimney, the chimney having a tubular shape, where the chimney directs heat from secondary combustion of a fuel source to the heat reflector, wherein the chimney is in mechanical communication with a chimney ledge on an air mixing manifold of a rocket stove; the rocket stove including, a primary combustion chamber, where the primary combustion chamber initially combusts the fuel source, wherein a first end of the primary combustion chamber is open to atmosphere, and a second end of the primary combustion chamber is received perpendicularly by the air mixing manifold, a replaceable cartridge, where the replaceable cartridge receives the fuel source for combustion, the replaceable cartridge removably residing in an interior of the primary combustion chamber, the replaceable cartridge including rods, the rods sloping downward from a back of the replaceable cartridge to a front of the replaceable cartridge terminating in a barrier, the rods being are parallel to each other, and where the rods are spaced to prevent the fuel source from falling between the rods during combustion, and supports, the supports are on each side and the back of the replaceable cartridge to provide structural support to the rods, and the barrier, the barrier at the front of the replaceable cartridge, perpendicular to the rods, and the air mixing manifold, the air mixing manifold configured to promote secondary combustion, wherein the air mixing manifold is in mechanical communication with a base; and a hopper, where the hopper delivers the fuel source to the replaceable cartridge of the primary combustion chamber, wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with a top of the primary combustion chamber and is in mechanical communication with the air mixing manifold via the primary combustion chamber.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0006], wherein the replaceable cartridge does not include any flat surfaces.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0006], wherein the slope of the rods of the replaceable cartridge is from 40 to 75 degrees.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0006], wherein the space between the rods is configured to allow the fuel source being wood pellets to combust without falling between the rods, where the space is from 0.3 to 0.6 centimeters.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0006], wherein the air mixing manifold further includes a heat riser, where the heat riser promotes secondary combustion and draws flames of the combustion upward to the chimney, and four fins, the four fins configured to modify air flow velocity within the air mixing manifold creating a vortex in the chimney, and wherein the chimney is made of glass; and a secondary air control, the secondary air control in sliding communication with the air mixing manifold to allow varying levels of atmosphere into the air mixing manifold; and the base, the base in mechanical communication with a bottom of the air mixing manifold, where the base is configured to stabilize the wood pellet patio heater.
In aspect, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0006], wherein the hopper has a first portion, the first portion being vertical and in mechanical communication with a second portion, the second portion being angled diagonally downward to deliver the fuel source to the primary combustion chamber, wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with the primary air combustion chamber at the second portion, and the hopper is in mechanical communication with a support ring at the first portion of the hopper, the support ring being in further mechanical communication with the chimney.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0011], wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with the primary combustion chamber partially inside the air mixing manifold and partially outside of the air mixing manifold.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0006], further including a safety cage formed of stainless steel woven mesh, the safety cage being cylindrical in shape and partially enclosing the chimney, rocket stove, and base, wherein the safety cage is in removable mechanical communication with safety cage rings, and a door, where the door provides access to the primary combustion chamber, the door is in mechanical communication with a support ring and the base.
In aspects, a wood pellet patio heater, the wood pellet patio heater including a heat reflector, the heat reflector having a dome shape, wherein the heat reflector is in mechanical communication with a chimney at a top of the chimney, the chimney having a tubular shape, where the chimney directs heat from secondary combustion of a fuel source to the heat reflector, wherein the chimney is in mechanical communication with a chimney ledge on an air mixing manifold of a rocket stove; the rocket stove including, a primary combustion chamber, where the primary combustion chamber initially combusts the fuel source, wherein a first end of the primary combustion chamber is open to atmosphere, and a second end of the primary combustion chamber is received perpendicularly by the air mixing manifold, a replaceable cartridge, where the replaceable cartridge receives the fuel source for combustion, the replaceable cartridge removably residing in an interior of the primary combustion chamber, and the air mixing manifold, the air mixing manifold configured to promote secondary combustion, wherein the air mixing manifold is in mechanical communication with a base; a hopper, where the hopper delivers the fuel source to the replaceable cartridge of the primary combustion chamber, wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with a top of the primary combustion chamber and is in mechanical communication with the air mixing manifold via the primary combustion chamber; a secondary air control, the secondary air control is in sliding communication with the air mixing manifold to allow varying levels of atmosphere into the air mixing manifold, the secondary air control is a three-sided rectangular tube, where a bottom does not have a wall to provide air flow into the air mixing manifold when the secondary air control is in an open position; and the base, where the base is configured to stabilize the wood pellet patio heater, the base in mechanical communication with a bottom of the air mixing manifold.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0014], wherein the secondary air control further includes a handle to slide the secondary air control into open and closed positions.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0014], wherein the air mixing manifold further includes a heat riser, where the heat riser promotes secondary combustion and draws flames of the combustion upward to the chimney, and four fins, the four fins configured to modify air flow velocity within the air mixing manifold creating a vortex in the chimney.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0014], wherein the hopper has a first portion, the first portion being vertical and in mechanical communication with a second portion, the second portion being angled diagonally downward to deliver the fuel source to the primary combustion chamber, wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with the primary air combustion chamber at the second portion, and the hopper is in mechanical communication with a support ring at the first portion of the hopper, the support ring being in further mechanical communication with the chimney.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0017], wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with the primary combustion chamber partially inside the air mixing manifold and partially outside of the air mixing manifold.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0014], further including a safety cage formed of stainless steel woven mesh, the safety cage being cylindrical in shape and partially enclosing the chimney, rocket stove, and base, wherein the safety cage is in removable mechanical communication with safety cage rings, and a door, where the door provides access to the primary combustion chamber, the door is in mechanical communication with a support ring and the base.
In aspects, a wood pellet patio heater, the wood pellet patio heater including a heat reflector, the heat reflector having a shape that disrupts laminar flow of the heat from a chimney to direct the heat downward around the wood pellet patio heater, the heat reflector having wherein the heat reflector is in mechanical communication with the chimney at a top of the chimney, the chimney having a tubular shape, where the chimney directs heat from secondary combustion of a fuel source to a heat reflector, wherein the chimney is in mechanical communication with a chimney ledge on an air mixing manifold of a rocket stove; the rocket stove including, a primary combustion chamber, where the primary combustion chamber initially combusts the fuel source, wherein a first end of the primary combustion chamber is open to atmosphere, and a second end of the primary combustion chamber is received perpendicularly by the air mixing manifold, a replaceable cartridge, where the replaceable cartridge receives the fuel source for combustion, the replaceable cartridge removably residing in an interior of the primary combustion chamber, and the air mixing manifold, the air mixing manifold configured to promote secondary combustion, wherein the air mixing manifold is in mechanical communication with a base; and a hopper, where the hopper delivers the fuel source to the replaceable cartridge of the primary combustion chamber, wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with a top of the primary combustion chamber and is in mechanical communication with the air mixing manifold via the primary combustion chamber.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0020], wherein the air mixing manifold further includes a heat riser, where the heat riser promotes secondary combustion and draws flames of the combustion upward to the chimney, and four fins, the four fins configured to modify air flow velocity within the air mixing manifold creating a vortex in the chimney; and a secondary air control, the secondary air control is in sliding communication with the air mixing manifold to allow varying levels of atmosphere into the air mixing manifold; and the base, where the base is configured to stabilize the wood pellet patio heater, the base in mechanical communication with a bottom of the air mixing manifold.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0020], wherein the hopper has a first portion, the first portion being vertical and in mechanical communication with a second portion, the second portion being angled diagonally downward to deliver the fuel source to the primary combustion chamber, wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with the primary air combustion chamber at the second portion, and the hopper is in mechanical communication with a support ring at the first portion of the hopper, the support ring being in further mechanical communication with the chimney.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0022], wherein the hopper is in mechanical communication with the primary combustion chamber partially inside the air mixing manifold and partially outside of the air mixing manifold.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0020], further including a safety cage formed of stainless steel woven mesh, the safety cage being cylindrical in shape and partially enclosing the chimney, rocket stove, and base, wherein the safety cage is in removable mechanical communication with safety cage rings, and a door, where the door provides access to the primary combustion chamber, and the door is in mechanical communication with a support ring and the base.
In aspects, the wood pellet patio heater of paragraph [0020], wherein the heat reflector is a dome shape having a diameter of from 15 to 25 centimeters and a depth from 51 to 91 centimeters.
A wood pellet patio heater having a rocket stove with a replaceable cartridge, secondary air control, and a heat reflector is described. The rocket stove having the replaceable cartridge of the wood pellet patio heater provides increased efficiency (i.e. less consumption of fuel over time). The secondary air control of the wood pellet patio heater facilitates combustion, and thus provides temperature control, where temperature control will require varying amounts of air depending on the quality of the fuel source. The heat dome provides increased heat profile.
The rocket stove 102 of the wood pellet patio heater 100 includes a primary combustion chamber 108, a replaceable cartridge 200, and an air mixing manifold 122. The rocket stove 102 is configured for combustion of a fuel source (i.e. wood pellets) in a manner that provides increased efficiency and heat profile compared to a conventional wood fueled patio heater. The replaceable cartridge 200, the secondary air control 104, and the chimney 110 contribute to the rocket stove 102 providing an increased fuel efficiency of 300%, where the rocket stove 102 consumes 1.8 kilograms (4.0 pounds (lbs.)) of fuel compared to a conventional wood pellet patio heater stove (e.g. conventional wood stove with a hopper that may include an electric fan) that consumes 5.4 kilograms (12.0 lbs.) of fuel. Further, the replaceable cartridge 200, the secondary air control 104, and the chimney 110 contribute to the wood pellet patio heater 100 producing minimal smoke and ash. For example, the wood pellet patio heater products 1.5-4 grams of ash every 3 hours depending on the wood pellet fuel source quality, while a conventional patio stove burning the same wood pellets products 300-500 grams of ash every 3 hours. Thus the conventional patio stove produces 100-200 times for ash than the wood pellet patio heater.
The primary combustion chamber 108 of the rocket stove includes the replaceable cartridge 200 (as described in
The air mixing manifold 122 of the rocket stove 102 provides for air mixing to promote combustion between the primary combustion chamber 108 and the chimney 110, with secondary combustion occurring in the air mixing manifold 122 and chimney 110 contributing the increased efficiency of the wood pellet patio heater noted above. The air mixing manifold 122 is formed from a material that is sustainable against combustion temperatures of 371 C, such as steel, stainless steel, and metal alloys. For example, the air mixing manifold 122 may be formed from 0.205 cm (0.120 inch) thickness wall steel. The air mixing manifold 122 is a shape that promotes air mixing between the primary combustion chamber 108 and the chimney 110, such as a cylinder. For example, the air mixing manifold 122 may have dimensions of a diameter of 11.4 cm (4.5 in.) in diameter and 36 cm (14 in.) in height.
The air mixing manifold 122 receives the secondary air control 104 (as described in
The secondary air control 104 of the wood pellet patio heater 100 provides modifiable air flow to the primary combustion chamber 108 and air mixing manifold 122 (as further described in
The hopper 116 of the wood pellet patio heater 100 delivers fuel to the primary combustion chamber 108. The hopper 116 is formed from a material that is sustainable against combustion temperatures of 371 C, such as steel, stainless steel, and metal alloys. For example, the hopper 116 may be formed from 0.305 cm (0.120 inch) thickness wall steel. The hopper 116 is a shape that facilitates delivery of the fuel to the primary combustion chamber 108 via gravity, such as a cuboid. For example, the hopper 116 may include a first portion 124 that is substantially vertical, and a second portion 128 that is angled on a diagonal to contact the air mixing manifold 122, where overall length of the hopper 116 is 90-120 cm and the ratio of length of the first portion 124 to the length of the second portion 128 is 2:1. The dimensions of the hopper 116 are configured to hold a volume of fuel for approximately a 2 hour burn time. The hopper 116 is in mechanical communication with the air mixing manifold 122 and the primary combustion chamber 108 as described in
The chimney 110 of the wood pellet heater 100 provides a secondary combustion chamber. The chimney 110 is made of a material that that is sustainable against combustion temperatures of 371 C, such as glass, steel, stainless steel, and metal alloys. For example, the chimney 110 may be formed from borosilicate, quartz glass, or the like. The chimney 110 is a shape that provides secondary combustion and air flow upwards, such as a tube. For example, the chimney may have a diameter of 10 cm (4 in.) and a height of 125.4 cm (49 in.). In addition to the mechanical communication of the chimney 110 with the air mixing manifold 122 where the chimney 110 rests upon the chimney ledge 302, the chimney 110 is supported by a support ring 132. The support ring 132 is a bracket that is around the chimney 110 and in mechanical communication with the hopper 116 to stabilize both the chimney 110 and the hopper 116.
The base 112 of the wood pellet patio heater 100 provides stability to the wood pellet patio heater 100 to reduce the potential that the wood pellet patio heater 100 tips over. The base 112 may be of any shape to reduce the potential that the wood pellet patio heater 100 tips over. Preferably, the base includes a shallow inverted dome portion of a circumference wider than the heat reflector 106 and a rod portion. The base 112 is of a material that is capable of supporting the wood pellet patio heater 100, such as steel, stainless steel, and metal alloys. The base 112 is in mechanical communication with a bottom of the air mixing manifold 122, such as through fabrication, bolts, screws, or the like.
The heat reflector 106 of the wood pellet patio heater 100 provides an increased heat profile of the wood pellet patio heater 100 through disruption of laminar flow of heat from the chimney 110 (as described in
The rods 202 of the replaceable cartridge 200 hold wood pellets from the hopper 116 for combustion, where the minimal ash that accumulates during combustion falls in between the rods 202. The rods slope downward from a back of the replaceable cartridge 200 to a front, where the rods round upward and terminate in a barrier 204. The slope of the rods 202 facilitates movement of the pellets from the hopper 116 to the replaceable cartridge 200 during combustion and minimize congestion of the wood pellets and buildup of ash on the rods 202. The slope may be from 40 to 75 degrees. This minimized ash accumulation contributes to the increased fuel efficiency of the wood pellet patio heater 100.
The rods 202 are parallel to each other and do not include any perpendicular rods 202. The rods 202 are at intervals that facilitate ash falling between the rods 202, but maximize combustion of the wood pellets without the wood pellets falling between the rods 202. For example, the rods may be placed 0.3 to 0.6 cm apart. Most preferably, for example, the rods may be placed 0.4763 centimeters ( 3/16 inches) apart. The rods 202 are a shape that reduces accumulation of ash, such as a cylinder. Preferably, the replaceable cartridge 200 includes no flat surfaces to minimize ash accumulation. This minimized ash accumulation contributes to the increased fuel efficiency of the wood pellet patio heater 100.
The barrier 204 of the replaceable cartridge 200 provides a breaker for wood pellets so that they do not move into the air mixing manifold 122. The barrier 204 is perpendicular to the rods 202.
The supports 206 of the replaceable cartridge 200 provide structural support to the rods 202. The supports are on each side and back of the replaceable cartridge 200 and are formed to provide for open space underneath the supports 202 to allow for ash to fall between the supports 202 and to also allow lighting of the fuel from underneath the supports 202.
