Fluid heating apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Thus, it is one object of this invention to provide a fluid heating apparatus, such as a fryer, which is capable of operating at improved efficiency compared to conventional such apparatuses while maintaining substantially the same heat input rate per combustion space or tube.
It is another object of this invention to provide a fluid heating apparatus which is capable of operating at improved efficiency compared to conventional such apparatuses wit hout having to alter the dimensions of the apparatus--in the case of a fryer, the oil capacity, cooking zone, number of combustion spaces or tubes and overall appliance dimensions.
These and other objects of this invention are ad dressed by a fluid heating apparatus comprising a housing enclosing at least a portion of a material or fluid heating container (tank) and at least one combustion space or chamber in heat exchange relation with the material heating container and extending from a heat inlet side of the housing to a combustion products outlet side of the housing.
A downward angled burner is disposed on the heat inlet side of the housing and comprises a burner outlet or face in fluid communication with a heat inlet to the at least one combustion space, whereby a flame resulting from combustion of a fuiel flowing through the burner has a downward velocity component.
For removal of the combustion products from the at least one combustion space, a natural draft combustion products exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the at least one combustion space proximate the heat outlet side of the housing is provided.
In accordance with one particularly preferred embodiment of this invention, the burner is angled at least 10.
degree.
above horizontal.