US2530486A - Forced flow portable air heater for mounting upon the exterior walls of rooms to be heated - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1950 A. H. STEINMETZ 2,530,486

FORCED FLOW PORTABLE AIR HEATER FOR MOUNTING upon THE EXTERIOR WALLS 0F ROOMS TO BE HEATED Filed April e, 1948 2 Sheets-Shet 1 [I II II HF o N o l 1 l O Q I o i I I I i o E i k l O I I I 0 I l I l l l l l "3 INVENTOR. 4414 000 SI'El/VMETZ, $9 BY ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 21, 1950 A. H. STEINMETZ 2,530,486

FORCED now PORTABLE AIR HEATER FOR MOUNTING UPON THE EXTERIOR WALLS 0F ROOMS TO BE HEATED Filed April 6, 1948 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 HEATER mews/a T/IERMOSTAT INVEN TOR. AL W000 H STE/NMETZ,

47' 7'02 NE Y5.

. Patented Nov. 21, 1950 [TE D s TATES PATENT oFF ca f anneal) FLowBon'rABLEAm HEAEIJER FOR: Y

MOUNTING UPON THE EXTERIQR WALLS. o1 RooMsv TO BE HEATED Alwood H. Steinmetz, Watertown; S. Dak.

Application April 6, 1948,. Serial No. 19,362

My invention relates to portable heaters for rooms or the like, and more, particularly to such heaters as are adaptedto be detachably secured to the outer side of the exterior walls of such rooms with means carried by the heater and extending. into the. room for heating the same. One use. for the heater. according to the invention is to provide a unit for heating the commodity compartment of trucks, trailers, semitrailers or, freight cars.

All of suchvehicles at times. carry goods which require protectionagainst sub-freezing temperatures and/or perishables which require refrigeration. Indeed,v many such vehicles are already equipped withportable refrigerating units to protect such goods in warm weather. However, such refrigerating; equipment is dead weight in the winter time andis not readily adaptable or satisfactory when attempts are made to convert them to heating units,

With the foregoing in view, it. is an object of my invention to provide anovel portable heating unit for rooms. or the like.

A further object isto provide a novel portable heating unit for rooms or the like which is readily adaptable for attachment to the exterior wall of aroom or compartment, such as a vehicle body, without material alteration of such wall.

Aufurther object is to provide a portable-heatingunit such as that last described which is selfcontained. and which is adapted to be initially actuated by remote control and thereafter operatedas needed by a thermostatic control.

A further. object is to provide a novel portable heating unitfor. vehicle bodies which is adapted to provide a winter replacement for a portable refrigerating unit.

Other objects and advantages reside in the pars ticular structure of the invention, combination and; arrangement of the several parts thereof, and will be readily understood'by those skilled in, the art upon reference to the attached drawing-inconnection'with the following specification, wherein: the invention isshown, described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 isa transverse vertical section through a preferred form of the invention and taken substantially on the plane of the line l-i of Figure 2 Fi ure 2 is a front elevation of the invention, parts. beingbroken away and shown in vertical section;

Figure 3. is an, elevationion a reduced scale and 4 Claims. (Cl. 126-410) showing the unitaccording to the inventionv applied to; a trailer'truck;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of, the trailer truck body of Figure. 3 on a slightly. larger scale;

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the plane of. the line 5-5 of Figure 3,,but ona slightly enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View like Figure 1, but showing a. slightly modified, form of the invention;

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view showing aacircuit for. controlling the unit.

Referring specifically to. the drawing,.wherein.

like reference characters have been used throughout. the severalyiews to designate like parts, as. illustrated in Figure 3, I0 designates a tractor truck including a, cab I I fora semi-trailer cargo body [2. The semi-trailer body l2 has afront in the forward wall l3- of thetrailer by any: suitable means, such as the bolts which extend through the frame-providing members l5. Av

body of insulating mater ial Isis secured; to the" rear surface of the panel I?! by any suitable;-

frame members is and, a rear panel 20. The. frame members l9 areformed to be complements ary to the openingformed by the first-mentionedframe members [5, whereby to provide a tight fit in such opening. In this'connection, it should be stated now that the opening in the front wall of the trailer is adapted in the summertime to have mounted therein'a portable refrigerating unit. In the. form of invention illustrated. in

Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the heating unit is, adapted to comprise a: winter-time'replacements for such refrigerating'unit.

The forward surface of the panel I'd-is covered with a suitable sheath of sheet metallic material 2d, the edge'portions of which are rearwardly di- I rected to-overlie the joint between" the panel '46 and the frame-providing members I 5, whereby to prevent the entrance of water or dust.

A housing 221s secured in any suitable manner to the forward surface'of the sheath 21 and comprises a: roof 23. whichi preferably downwardly sl pinaesshown. aliorward walbzl'; sidewalls- 2s;

3 and a floor 26. A partition 21 divides the housing 22 into upper and lower compartments 2B and 29, respectively.

The upper compartment 28 has mounted therein in any suitable manner, as by the brackets 33, a fuel tank which is provided with a filler neck and cap 3I which extends through the roof 23 of the housing with a waterproof fit provided by any uitable gasket means 32 surrounding such neck or spout.

A fuel line 34 extends downwardly from a lower part of the tank 38 through the partition 21 and into the compartment 29. Inwardly of the compartment 29, the fuel line 34 is provided with a cut-off valve 35 of any suitable or well known form. The compartment 29 has mounted therein on any suitable brackets 31 a combined fluid fuelburning air heater and hot air-distributing blower generally indicated at 36. Such combined unit 39 includes a fuel pump 38, a fuel burner 39, a blower Y 40 and a housing M for heating hot air. The combined unit just described is of standard make, with the exception of the fuel. pump 38 which has been added to provide a more efficient operation of the device. At the same time, the fuel pump 38 is a pump of well known make, although not generally associated with the combined burner and blower. Air heated in the housing 4| is discharged through a conduit 42 through the panel I6 and insulating material I8 into the interior of the semi-trailer I2. As shown in Figure and also Figure l, the conduit 42 is upwardly directed interiorly of the semi-trailer to the roof thereof and discharges adjacent a rear portion of the trailer. That portion of the conduit 42 which extends along the roof of the trailer may be supported on any suitable brackets 43, Figure 5. Cooled air from the interior of the semi-trailer I3 is returned to the housing M by means of a conduit 44 which is located adjacent the floor of the trailer and extends downwardly from the panel I5 to the region of the floor of the semi-trailer. A frame 45 is secured to the inner panel 2I in any suitable manner and overlies portions of the conduits 42 and 44 to protect the same against being damaged by cargo contained in the interior of the semi-trailer in the event that the same moves about in transit. Such frame 45 is adapted to be detachably secured to the rear panel 20, or so formed that it may be passed through the opening in the front wall I3 without being detached from the unitary structure. In this connection, it is noted in Figure 1 that by a simple downward rocking of the housing and connected parts after the bolts I! have been disconnected, the entire assembly may be removed from the trailer. However, it may be necessary to disconnect several sections of the conduits 44 and 42.

An exhaust conduit 46 extends downwardly through the floor 26 of the housing to discharge products of combustion of the heater 39 outwardly of the trailer. In like manner, an intake conduit 41 is carried by the under surface of the panel I6 and furnishes air to the burner 39 through openings 49 in the floor 25 and the intake 59 of the burner. In thi connection, the entrance to the conduit 41 is rearwardly directed and opens adjacent the forward surface of the panel I6, whereby to protect the conduit from being clogged with snow and to limit the entrance of dust, mud or the like to the interior of the housing. If desired, an air filter, not shown, may be associated with the intake conduit 4?. That portion of the front wall 24 of the housing which overlies the compartment or section 29 is provided with a, door 51 which is laterally slidable in upper and lower guideways 52 formed on the front wall 24. Any suitable combined lockproviding means and handle 53 is formed on the door 5| for actuating the same in opening and closing directions.

Any suitable temperature-taking means 54, Figure 5, is carried by the frame interiorly of the semi-trailer I2 to take the temperature of the interio thereof. Such thermometer 54 is mechanically connected to a dial 55 carried by the forward wall I3 of the trailer, whereby it will be visible from the cab II of the tractor I0. Thus, the driver of the tractor It) may look through the rear window of the cab and determine the temperature of the interior of the semi-trailer without leaving the cab or even stopping the vehicle. Likewise, a tell-tale light 56, Figure 4, is mounted on the front wall I3 of the semi-trailer, whereby it is visible throughthe rear window of the cab to indicate whether or not the heater blower unit 36 is operating. Means now to be described control the light 56.

As shown in Figure 7, the circuit for actuating the heater blower unit 36 is diagrammatically shown. Such circuit is connected in series with the tractor battery 5?, ignition switch 58 and a heater switch 59. The ignition switch 58 is, as usual, on the dashboard of the tractor I0 and it is contemplated that the heater switch 59 will likewise be so located. A lead 69 extends to the ignition circuit, not shown, of the vehicle, while a second lead 6! extends to a thermostat 62, which controls the operation of the heater blower unit 33 after the same has been initially actuated by the heater switch 59. Such thermostat 62 may be of any suitable well known form. A lead 63 connects the thermostat to the heater blower unit 36 and the tell-tale light 55 is connected in shunt series between the heater blower unit 35 and the ground 65 therefor.

In the operation of the device, when the driver of the vehicle It determines by the dial 55, registering the interior temperature of the semi-trailer, that the temperature is too low for safety of the goods contained therein, he actuates or closes the heater switch 59, whereby to initially actuate the heater blower unit 36. Such operation automatically lights the burner 39 to heat air in the housing 4 I. The blower 43 may be actuated when sufficient heated air is in the housing 4| to feed the same to the interior of the semi-trailer or the blower 49 may be operated simultaneously with the heater 39. In any event, actuation of the heater blower unit 38 continues until the interior temperature of the semi-trailer I 2 has been raised to a point where further actuation of the unit is temporarily out ofi by the thermostat 62. Thereafter, as long as the heater switch 59 is on, the thermostat 62 will control the operation of the heater blower unit 35 and maintain the interior temperature of the semi-trailer at substantially whatever temperature has been previously set on the thermostat. When further need for heating of the interior of the semi-trailer I2 is not required, the operator of the tracor It may cut off operation of the heater blower unit by opening the heater switch 59.

By providing a unitary structure as described above, the unit according to the invention may be moved from trailer to trailer as needed, may be substituted for a refrigerating unit, not shown, used on the trailer during the summer months, and may, likewise, be used to heat small houses or rooms thereof by attaching the same to the exterior wall. In this connection, the form of invention shown in Figure 6 is adapted to be mounted on the exterior wall. In this connection, the form of invention shown in Figure 6 is adapted to bemounted on the exterior wall 65 of a room which has no opening formed therein. Such wall 65 need be modified only to the extent of providing a pair of spaced openings therethrough for the passage of the conduits 42 and 44. Obviously, there is no need for the body of insulating material l8 or the mount therefor which has been previously described. Likewise, the frame 45 may be eliminated unless the device is used with a trailer or other movable vehicle wherein shifting cargo is likely to damage the conduits 42 and d4. Otherwise, however, the unit is identical to that previously described and need not be specifically described further at this time. However, in the event that the device is used apart from a motor vehicle, it will be necessary to provide a suitable battery or other source of electric current for actuating the motors for the heater and blower.

While I have shown and described what is now thought to be a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, I do not limit myself to the precise structure as shown and described hereinabove, except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A portable heater for rooms, comprising a panel adapted to be mounted on an exterior wall of a room, across an opening in such wall, a body of insulating material carried by said panel rearwardly thereof and adapted to fill said opening, a housing carried by said panel forwardly thereof, a partition in said housing and providing two compartments therein, a fuel tank in one of said compartments, 2, combined fluid fuel-burning air heater and hot air distributing blower in the other compartment, a fuel line extending through said partition and operatively connecting said tank and heater, a hot air conduit connected to said blower and extending through said panel and insulating body interiorly of said room, a cold air return conduit connected to said blower and extending through said panel and insulating body interiorly of said room, and means for detachably connecting said panel to said wall of said room.

2. A portable heater for rooms, comprising a panel adapted to be mounted on an exterior wall of a room, across an opening in such wall, a body of insulating material carried by said panel rearwardly thereof and adapted to fill said opening, a housing carried by said panel forwardly thereof, a partition in said housing and providing two compartments therein, a fuel tank in one of said compartments, a combined fluid fuel-burning air heater and hot air distributing blower in the other compartment, a fuel line extending through said partition and operatively connecting said tank and heater, a hot air conduit connected to said blower and extending through said panel and insulating body interiorly of said room, means for detachably connecting said panel to said wall of said room, a relatively rigid frame carried by said panel interiorly of said room, and said frame enclosing portions of said conduits to protect the same.

3. A portable heater for rooms, comprising a panel, means for mounting said panel on an exterior wall of a room across a pair of spaced openings in said wall, a housing carried by said panel exteriorly of the same and said wall, a partition in said housing providing a pair of sections therein, a fuel tank in one of said sections, a combined fluid fuel-burning air heater and hot air-distributing blower in the other section, a fuel line extending through said partition and operatively connecting said tank and heater, a hot air conduit connected to said blower and extending through said panel and one of said openings in said wall to the interior of said room, a cold air return conduit extending from the interior of said room through the other opening in said wall, through said panel and operatively connected to said blower, a relatively rigid frame carried by said wall interiorly of said room, and said frame enclosing portions of said conduits to protect the same.

4. A portable heater for rooms, comprising a panel adapted to be mounted on an exterior wall of a room, a housing carried by said panel, a partition in housing providing upper and lower compartments, a fuel tank in said upper compartment, a combined fluid fuel air heater and hot air-distributing blower in said lower compartment, a fuel line connecting said tank to said heater, hot air intake and outlet conduits operatively connected to said blower and adapted to be positioned in said room, said lower compartment including front wall and a floor, a means mounting said front wall for lateral sliding movement to permit access to said lower compartment, an exhaust for said heater extending through said floor, an air intake for said heater extending through said floor, and said intake being directed toward the panel side of the heater, whereby when said panel is applied to a room wall the intake is adapted to face the room wall.

ALWOOD H. STEINME'IZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,853,333 Bates Apr. 12, 1932 2,037,857 Fox Apr. 21, 1936 2,269,387 Weaver June 6, 1942 2,372,897 Holthouse Apr. 3, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 264,282 Great Britain June 20, 1927

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