Pellet heater

Abstract

A solid pellet fueled heater having a base unit with forced air blowers and a dual tube chimney structure is disclosed. The dual tube chimney structure may be used to warm incoming air for distribution around the heater. The pellet heater may also include a dual auger system and multi/high speed auger motor. The dual auger may include first and second auger blades mounted on a single auger shaft having blade pitches configured to convey solid fuel in opposite directions.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An outdoor heater, comprising:
 a base structure;   a chimney structure extending upward from the base structure, said chimney structure including an outer tube and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube;   an outer tube passage defined by a space between the outer tube and the inner tube;   an inner tube passage defined by an interior of the inner tube;   an intake housing disposed within the base structure, said intake housing in communication with the outer tube passage;   one or more blowers disposed within the base housing; and   one or more heat vents provided in the base housing,   wherein said one or more blowers are configured to draw air through the outer tube passage and direct said air out of the one or more heat vents.   
     
     
         32 . The outdoor heater of  claim 31  further comprising a fuel source included in the base structure. 
     
     
         33 . The outdoor heater of  claim 32 , wherein the fuel source is configured to store solid fuel. 
     
     
         34 . The outdoor heater of  claim 32 , wherein the fuel source is configured to store pellet fuel. 
     
     
         35 . The outdoor heater of  claim 32 , further comprising a fuel combustion system disposed in the base structure. 
     
     
         36 . The outdoor heater of  claim 35  wherein the fuel combustion system comprises a burn pot. 
     
     
         37 . The outdoor heater of  claim 35 , further comprising a fuel delivery system disposed between the fuel source and the fuel combustion system. 
     
     
         38 . The outdoor heater of  claim 37  wherein the fuel delivery system includes an auger. 
     
     
         39 . The outdoor heater of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 an opening in the outer tube; and   a center housing attached to the outer tube above the base housing and adjacent to the opening in the outer tube, said center housing having a mid-station inlet vent communicating with the outer tube passage through the opening in the outer tube.   
     
     
         40 . The outdoor heater of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a battery pack disposed within the base structure, said battery pack electrically connected to the one or more blowers.   
     
     
         41 . The outdoor heater of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 a readout panel/controller electrically connected to the battery pack.   
     
     
         42 . The outdoor heater of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 one or more electrically powered lights electrically connected to the battery pack.   
     
     
         43 . The outdoor heater of  claim 31  wherein said one or more blowers are configured to draw the air through said intake housing. 
     
     
         44 . An outdoor heater, comprising:
 a base structure;   a chimney structure extending upward from the base structure, said chimney structure including an outer tube and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube;   an outer tube passage defined by a space between the outer tube and the inner tube;   an inner tube passage defined by an interior of the inner tube;   an intake housing disposed within the base structure, said intake housing in communication with the outer tube passage;   an electrical power supply;   a fuel combustion system disposed in the base structure, said fuel combustion system including a spark generator electrically connected to the electrical power supply;   one or more blowers disposed within the base housing; and   one or more heat vents provided in the base housing,   wherein said one or more blowers are configured to draw air through the outer tube passage and direct said air out of the one or more heat vents.   
     
     
         45 . The outdoor heater of  claim 44  wherein the fuel combustion system comprises a burn pot. 
     
     
         46 . The outdoor heater of  claim 44 , further comprising a fuel delivery system disposed in the base structure. 
     
     
         47 . The outdoor heater of  claim 44 , further comprising:
 an opening in the outer tube; and   a center housing attached to the outer tube above the base housing and adjacent to the opening in the outer tube, said center housing having a mid-station inlet vent communicating with the outer tube passage through the opening in the outer tube.   
     
     
         48 . The outdoor heater of  claim 44  wherein the electrical power supply includes a battery pack disposed within the base structure. 
     
     
         49 . The outdoor heater of  claim 44  further comprising:
 a first electrode electrically connected to the spark generator, said first electrode having a first metallic tip extending into the fuel combustion system; and 
 a second electrode electrically connected to an electrical ground, said second electrode having a second metallic tip extending into the fuel combustion system, 
 wherein a gap space is provided between the first metallic tip and the second metallic tip, and 
 wherein the spark generator is configured to create a continuous spark in the gap space between the first metallic tip and the second metallic tip for a duration greater than 2 seconds. 
 
     
     
         50 . The outdoor heater of  claim 44  wherein the outer tube is at least partially transparent or translucent and extends at least thirty (30) inches away from the base housing.