Space heater

Abstract

A space heater comprising a fuel reservoir, a primary combustion chamber having an exhaust gas outlet, an exhaust gas re-circulation duct, and a chimney. The exhaust gas re-circulation duct captures at least a portion of the exhaust gas exiting from the primary combustion chamber through the exhaust gas outlet and delivers the captured exhaust gas back to the primary combustion chamber. The chimney receives exhaust gas that is not captured by the exhaust gas re-circulation duct and expels the non-captured exhaust gas into the atmosphere surrounding the space heater.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A space heater comprising: 
 (i) a fuel reservoir;    (ii) a primary combustion chamber having an exhaust gas outlet;    (iii) an exhaust gas re-circulation duct, said exhaust gas re-circulation duct capturing at least a portion of the exhaust gas exiting from said primary combustion chamber through said exhaust gas outlet and delivering said captured exhaust gas back to said primary combustion chamber; and,    (iv) a chimney, said chimney receiving exhaust gas that is not captured by said exhaust gas re-circulation duct and expelling said non-captured exhaust gas into the atmosphere surrounding said space heater.    
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  including a secondary combustion chamber, said secondary combustion chamber receiving said exhaust gas from said primary combustion chamber and subjecting said exhaust gas to secondary combustion.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said primary combustion chamber includes an air intake assembly to allow for entry of combustion air into said combustion chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said secondary combustion chamber is positioned generally vertically above said primary combustion chamber, said secondary combustion chamber including a plurality of air intake aperatures to allow for the entry of combustion air into said secondary combustion chamber.  
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  including a damper positioned between said primary and said secondary combustion chambers, said damper having an open and a closed position, when in said open position said damper permitting generally unabated movement of exhaust gas from said primary combustion chamber to said secondary combustion chamber, when in said closed position said damper impeding the movement of exhaust gas from said primary combustion chamber to said secondary combustion chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said secondary combustion chamber includes a pre-heater to elevate the temperature of said secondary combustion chamber.  
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said pre-heater comprises a secondary fuel reservoir positioned about said secondary combustion chamber, said secondary fuel reservoir receiving a quantity of fuel for combusting therein.  
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said pre-heater comprises an electric heating element.  
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said exhaust gas re-circulation duct includes an afterburner, said afterburner assisting in the combustion of hydrocarbons and other compounds in said captured exhaust gas.  
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said afterburner comprises a catalytic converter.  
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said afterburner includes one or more high energy electrodes, said electrodes creating a high energy plasma arc within said exhaust gas re-circulation duct.  
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said chimney includes an afterburner, said afterburner assisting in the combustion of hydrocarbons and other compounds in said exhaust gas passing through said chimney.  
     
     
         13 . The devices claimed in  claim 12  wherein said afterburner comprises a catalytic converter.  
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said afterburner includes one or more high energy electrodes, said electrodes creating a high energy plasma arc in said chimney.  
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said exhaust gas re-circulation duct and said chimney each include afterburners, said afterburners assisting in the combustion of hydrocarbons and other compounds passing therethrough.