Importance

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Abstract

A self-regulating forced-air heater includes a housing in which is located an air passageway. A blower forces air through the air passageway, including into and out of a combustion chamber. A burner disposed within the combustion chamber combusts a fuel and air mixture to heat the air exiting of the combustion chamber. A venturi effect is used to draw the fuel and air mixture through the burner and into the combustion chamber. An adjustable venturi plate assembly is positioned between the blower and the burner, and expands or contracts in surface area to increasingly or decreasingly block the center of the air passageway. A control assembly includes an electronically controlled valve, an electronic controller, an electrical actuator, and a temperature sensor. The electronic controller monitors the temperature sensor, determines if an adjustment is needed in heat output, and in response thereto, adjusts the temperature of the air exiting the self-regulating forced-air heater. In so doing, the electronic controller signals the electrical actuator to increase or decrease of the surface area of the venturi plate, signals the electrically controlled valve to increase or decrease the volume of fuel supplied to the burner, and signals the blower to increase or decrease the rate at which air is forced through the passageway.

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First Claim