Radiant energy heating system with power exhaust and excess air inlet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention contemplates the combination of a burner unit having a combustion chamber wherein a chemically correct fuel/air mixture; i.
e.
, a Stoichiometric fuel/air ratio, is burned, an elongate heater tube connected to the burner to receive the products of combustion and heated air, a power exhaust means for positively drawing air through the heater tube from the burner end to the exhaust end and means for admitting excess air, typically ambient, to the inlet end of the heater tube such that said excess air tempers the products of combustion which are entered into the tube but without actually entering into the combustion volume itself.
Advantages which arise from this specific combination include cooling of inlet air without disturbing the air/fuel ratio necessary for good combustion, a reduction in the strength and heat and oxidation resistant characteristics of the heater tube thus allowing the use of lighter, less expensive materials such as aluminized steel, and the increased useability range of the burner over an expanded BTU range; i.
e.
, a large capacity burner is specified and is tuned down to the specific heat requirement by controlling the admitted quantity of excess air.
The emitter tube is thus operated at lower temperatures from inlet to exhaust reducing or eliminating oxidation and maintaining maximum structural strength with lighter materials.
Reduced overhead clearance requirements and facilitated installation also result.
Many other features and advantages of the invention including the configuration of the combustion chamber and interior liner thereof and the design of the excess air control means will become apparent upon reading of the following specification which is to be taken with the accompanying drawings.