Forced air heater including multiple on-board sources of electric energy

Abstract

A heater includes a housing extending longitudinally between a rear intake end and a front discharge end, a support attached to a lower portion of the housing, and a cylindrical combustion chamber secured within the housing. A control unit is disposed within the support adjacent to the combustion chamber. A heater control panel is disposed on the support and electrically connected to the control unit, the heater control panel including an ignition switch for selective operation of the control unit to power an igniter. An electrical conductor is electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the support is configured to retain a battery for connection with the electrical conductor, to power the control unit. A plug is connected to the support and electrically connected to the control unit by a rectifier to convert AC power from an external power source to DC power to supply to the control unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heater comprising:
 a housing extending longitudinally between a rear intake end and a front discharge end;   a support attached to a lower portion of the housing;   a cylindrical combustion chamber secured within the housing;   a control unit disposed within the support adjacent to the combustion chamber;   a motorized fan assembly disposed in the housing between the intake guard and a rear end of the cylindrical combustion chamber, the motorized fan being electrically connected with the control unit;   a nozzle disposed within the cylindrical combustion chamber and connected with a fuel passage extending into the support, for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber through the nozzle;   an igniter disposed within the cylindrical combustion chamber, the igniter being electrically connected with the control unit;   a heater control panel disposed on the support and electrically connected to the control unit, the heater control panel including an ignition switch for selective operation of the control unit to power the igniter;   an electrical conductor electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the support is configured to retain a battery for connection with the electrical conductor, to power the control unit; and   a plug connected to the support and electrically connected to the control unit by a rectifier to convert AC power from an external power source to DC power to supply to the control unit.   
     
     
         2 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the support defines a compartment configured to retain the battery. 
     
     
         3 . The heater of  claim 2 , wherein the compartment is configured to fully enclose the battery. 
     
     
         4 . The heater of  claim 2 , wherein the compartment is longitudinally aligned with the motorized fan assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The heater of  claim 2 , wherein the compartment includes an aperture sized and positioned to permit access to the battery. 
     
     
         6 . The heater of  claim 5 , further comprising an adjustable panel positionable to conceal or expose the aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The heater of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit is fully enclosed in the compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The heater of  claim 2 , further comprising a battery retained by the compartment and electrically connected with the electrical conductor. 
     
     
         9 . The heater of  claim 8 , wherein the battery comprises a rechargeable lithium ion battery. 
     
     
         10 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery retained by the support and electrically connected with the electrical conductor. 
     
     
         11 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is connected to the support by a corded connection. 
     
     
         12 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the support defines a base. 
     
     
         13 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a fuel tank assembled with the support and connected with the fuel passage to supply fuel to the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The heater of  claim 13 , wherein the fuel tank is secured to a lower portion of the support, wherein the fuel passage extends through the support and into the fuel tank to supply fuel from the fuel tank to the nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the heater control panel includes a temperature control interface rotatable for selective control of a supply of fuel to the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising an intake guard secured to the intake end of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The heater of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical combustion chamber is secured within the housing by a plurality of brackets and positioned within the housing to define a space between the cylindrical combustion chamber and the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The heater of  claim 1 , further comprising a baffle secured within the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         19 . A heater comprising:
 a housing extending longitudinally between a rear intake end and a front discharge end;   an intake guard secured to the intake end of the housing;   a support attached to a lower portion of the housing;   a cylindrical combustion chamber secured within the housing by a plurality of brackets and positioned within the housing to define a space between the cylindrical combustion chamber and the housing;   a control unit disposed within the support adjacent to the combustion chamber;   a baffle secured within the combustion chamber;   a motorized fan assembly disposed in the housing between the intake guard and a rear end of the cylindrical combustion chamber, the motorized fan being electrically connected with the control unit;   a nozzle disposed within the cylindrical combustion chamber and connected with a fuel passage extending into the support, for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber through the nozzle;   an igniter disposed within the cylindrical combustion chamber, the igniter being electrically connected with the control unit;   a heater control panel disposed on the support and electrically connected to the control unit, the heater control panel including an ignition switch for selective operation of the control unit to power the igniter, and a temperature control interface rotatable for selective control of a supply of fuel to the combustion chamber;   an electrical conductor electrically connected to the control unit, wherein the support defines a compartment longitudinally aligned with the motorized fan assembly, the compartment being configured to retain a battery for connection with the electrical conductor, to power the control unit; and   a plug connected to the support and electrically connected to the control unit by a rectifier to convert AC power from an external power source to DC power to supply to the control unit.   
     
     
         20 . The heater of  claim 19 , further comprising a rechargeable lithium ion battery retained by the compartment and electrically connected with the electrical conductor. 
     
     
         21 . The heater of  claim 19 , further comprising a fuel tank assembled with the support and connected with the fuel passage to supply fuel to the combustion chamber.