Multi-dimensional ceramic burner surface

Abstract

A plaque for a radiant heating system can include a main body defining an outer surface and a plurality of pores defined within the main body, wherein at least some of the plurality of pores are disposed in a non-parallel relationship with at least some others of the plurality of pores, or wherein at least some of the pores are parallel with each other. A burner assembly including a plurality of adjacently arranged plaques reduces the ignition time and delay for adjacent plaques after the central plaque has been ignited.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A heating element for a radiant heating system comprising:
 a) a ceramic plaque forming a main body defining an inner surface and a curved outer surface separated by a first width; and   b) a plurality of elongate pores extending through the first width between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein a length of at least some of the plurality of pores are disposed in a parallel relationship with a length of at least some others of the plurality of pores.   
     
     
         22 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein the entire outer surface is curved. 
     
     
         23 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein the outer surface is curved along a constant radius. 
     
     
         24 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein the inner surface is curved. 
     
     
         25 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein the outer surface is curved in two directions. 
     
     
         26 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein at least some of the plurality of pores are disposed in a non-orthogonal relationship with the outer surface. 
     
     
         27 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein all of the plurality of pores are disposed in a parallel relationship with each other. 
     
     
         28 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein the curved outer surface has a diamond radiant surface pattern. 
     
     
         29 . The heating element of  claim 21 , wherein the curved outer surface has a radius about a center point passing through a longitudinal axis of the main body 
     
     
         30 . A portable heater comprising:
 a) a housing assembly including a housing and a handle for transporting the housing;   b) a burner located within the housing; and   c) the heating element of claim  1  located within the housing proximate the burner.   
     
     
         31 . A method for forming a heating element comprising:
 a) providing an uncured ceramic material;   b) shaping the uncured ceramic material to define a curved outer surface;   c) forming a plurality of elongate pores in the uncured ceramic material that extend through the curved outer surface; and   d) curing the uncured ceramic material.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the step of forming a plurality of elongate pores includes forming at least some elongate pores that are disposed in a non-orthogonal relationship with the outer surface. 
     
     
         33 . The heating element of  claim 31 , wherein the step of forming a plurality of elongate pores includes forming at least some elongate pores in a parallel relationship with each other. 
     
     
         34 . The heating element of  claim 33 , wherein the step of forming a plurality of elongate pores includes forming all of the elongate pores in a parallel relationship with each other.