Flame-less infrared heater

Abstract

A heating apparatus including a housing having a radiant energy output side and an oppositely disposed burner side. The radiant energy output side includes at least one re-radiating surface. Disposed within the housing proximate the burner side and having a burner outlet facing the radiant energy output side is a burner. At least one concave reflector is disposed around the burner and is oriented to reflect heat from said burner toward said radiant energy output side of said housing.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A heating apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a radiant energy output side and an oppositely disposed burner side, said radiant energy output side comprising at least one re-radiating surface;    a burner disposed within said housing proximate said burner side and having a burner outlet facing said radiant energy output side; and    at least one concave reflector disposed around said burner oriented to reflect heat from said burner toward said radiant energy output side of said housing.    
     
     
         2 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said burner outlet comprises a convex surface suitable for sustaining combustion of a mixture of fuel and oxidant.  
     
     
         3 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said housing is lined with an insulating material.  
     
     
         4 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said insulating material is a refractory.  
     
     
         5 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said re-radiating surface comprises a material suitable for providing substantially uniform heat distribution across said re-radiating surface.  
     
     
         6 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said re-radiating surface comprises a sintered metal fiber web.  
     
     
         7 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said burners are disposed within said housing.  
     
     
         8 . A heating apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having at least one side comprising a re-radiating surface and a bottom region, said bottom region disposed opposite said re-radiating surface;    at least one burner disposed within said bottom region having a burner outlet facing said re-radiating surface; and    at least one concave reflector disposed around said burner oriented to reflect heat toward said re-radiating surface.    
     
     
         9 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said burner outlet comprises a convex surface suitable for sustaining combustion of a mixture of fuel and oxidant.  
     
     
         10 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein an interior side of said housing is lined with an insulating material.  
     
     
         11 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein said insulating material is a refractory material.  
     
     
         12 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said re-radiating surface comprises a material suitable for providing substantially uniform heat distribution across said re-radiating surface.  
     
     
         13 . A heating apparatus in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said material is a sintered metal fiber web.  
     
     
         14 . A method for heating an article comprising the steps of: 
 providing a housing adjacent said article;    positioning a burner within said housing, said burner having a natural gas supply and a burner surface area;    operating said burner at a temperature in a range of about 1400° F. and 2200° F.;    positioning a re-radiating surface above said burner, said re-radiating surface having a re-radiating surface area; and    positioning at least one concave reflector having a reflecting surface within said housing around said burner, said reflecting surface facing in a direction of said re-radiating surface.    
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said natural gas is premixed with an oxidant.  
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said re-radiating surface has a temperature in a range of about 700° F. to about 1500° F.  
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein said re-radiating surface area is substantially uniformly heated.  
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said re-radiating surface comprises a sintered metal fiber web.