PORTABLE HEATING UNIT

• US 20140284022A1
• Filed: 03/25/2013
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Blockhead International LLC
• Original Assignee: Blockhead International LLC
• Inventors: Maxbauer, Reuben, Maxbauer, Samson, Maxbauer, Rachel
• Application Number:
  US13/850,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20140284022A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/41
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2218 controlling the operation of electric heaters
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2234 when vehicle is parked, preheating
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2253 related to an operational state of the vehicle or a vehicle component
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2262 related to the period of on/off time of the heater
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 2240/01 Batteries, electrical energy storage device
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0417 portable or mobile
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 3/0429 For vehicles

Abstract

A portable heating system includes a rechargeable power source and a heating element electrically connected to the rechargeable power source. The system may include a power management element configured to selectively electrically connect the heating element to one of the rechargeable power source and an external power supply to power the heating element to generate heat. The system may be remotely controlled by a transmitting unit in communication with a receiving unit via a wireless communication path. The receiving unit is configured to receive command signals from a transmitting unit and communicate with a controller configured to control activation of the heating element. The power management element may be configured to monitor incoming voltage of an external power supply used to charge the rechargeable power source and to terminate use of the external power supply when the incoming voltage reaches a cut-off level.

Claims

1. A portable heating system comprising:

a rechargeable power source;

a heating element; and

a power management element configured to selectively electrically connect the heating element to the rechargeable power source to power the heating element to generate heat.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable power source is one of a lithium ion type battery and a nickel-cadmium type battery.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power input configured to selectively electrically connect an external power supply to the power management element;

wherein the power management element is configured to;

charge the rechargeable power source using the external power supply; and

switch the electrical connection of the heating element between the rechargeable power source and the external power supply.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the external power supply is configured as a vehicle power supply; and

the power input is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the vehicle power supply.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the power input includes a power input interface configured to be selectively electrically connected to the external power supply; and

the power input interface is configured as one of a universal serial bus (USB) plug and a cigarette lighter plug.

6. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a housing configured to house the power management element, the heating element, and the rechargeable power source;

wherein the power input includes;

a power input interface configured to be selectively electrically connected to the external power source; and

a connector configured to electrically connect the power input interface to the power management element; and

wherein the connector is configured to position the power input interface a distance from the housing.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the connector is configured to position the power input interface a distance at least ten feet from the housing.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the connector is configured as a retractable connector.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the power input is configured for outdoor use.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the power management element is configured to:

monitor incoming voltage of the external power supply; and

terminate use of the external power supply when the incoming voltage reaches a cut-off level.

11. A portable heating system comprising:

a controller;

a rechargeable power source;

a heating element electrically connected to the rechargeable power source;

a receiving unit in electrical communication with the controller and configured to receive at least one command signal from a transmitting unit;

the transmitting unit configured to transmit the at least one command signal to the receiving unit via a wireless communication path;

wherein the controller is configured to receive the at least one command signal from the receiving unit and to generate a controller signal corresponding to the at least one command signal; and

wherein the at least one command signal includes a command signal to activate the heating element to generate heat.

12. The portable heating system of claim 11, further comprising:

a housing configured to house at least the controller, the heating element, and the rechargeable power source;

a connector configured to electrically connect the receiving unit to the controller; and

wherein the connector is configured to position the receiving unit a distance from the housing.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the connector is configured to position the power input interface a distance at least ten feet from the housing.

14. The portable heating system of claim 11, wherein the transmitting unit includes a signal booster to boost the command signal.

15. The portable heating system of claim 11, further comprising:

a housing configured to house at least the controller, the heating element, and the rechargeable power source;

wherein the housing includes a compartment configured to store the transmitting unit.

16. The portable heating system of claim 11, further comprising:

a power management element; and

a power input configured to selectively electrically connect an external power supply to the power management element;

wherein the power management element is configured to;

charge the rechargeable power source using the external power supply; and

switch the electrical connection of the heating element between the rechargeable power source and the external power supply.

17. A portable heating system adaptable to preheat an interior space of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a controller;

a rechargeable power source;

a heating element electrically connected to the rechargeable power source;

a power management element configured to selectively electrically connect the heating element to the rechargeable power source to power the heating element to generate heat;

a receiving unit in electrical communication with the controller and configured to receive at least one command signal from a transmitting unit;

the transmitting unit configured to transmit the at least one command signal to the receiving unit via a wireless communication path;

wherein the controller is configured to receive the at least one command signal from the receiving unit and to generate a controller signal corresponding to the at least one command signal; and

wherein the at least one command signal includes a command signal to activate the heating element to generate heat.

18. The portable heating system of claim 17, further comprising:

a power input configured to selectively electrically connect a vehicle power supply to the power management element;

wherein the power management element is configured to;

monitor incoming voltage of the vehicle power supply;

charge the rechargeable power source using the vehicle power supply;

switch the electrical connection of the heating element between the rechargeable power source and the vehicle power supply; and

terminate use of the vehicle power supply when the incoming voltage reaches a cut-off level;

wherein the cut-off level is above the vehicle power supply voltage required to start the vehicle.

19. The portable heating system of claim 17, further comprising:

a housing configured to house at least the controller, the rechargeable power source, the power management element, and the heating element;

a power input configured to selectively electrically connect a vehicle power supply to the power management element;

wherein the vehicle defines a power output interface electrically connected to the vehicle power supply;

wherein the power input includes a power input interface configured to be selectively connected to the power output interface;

a support member operatively connected to the housing;

wherein the support member includes the power input and is configured to position the housing relative to the power output interface when the power input interface is connected to the power output interface;

wherein the support member is repositionable to adjust the position of the housing relative to the power output interface between a first position and at least a second position.

20. The portable heating system of claim 17, further comprising:

at least one sensor configured as at least one of;

an overheat sensor configured to detect an overheat condition of the portable heating system and to send a shut-off signal to the controller in response; and

a tip-over sensor configured to detect send a tip-over condition of the portable heating system and to send a shut-off signal to the controller in response;

wherein the controller is configured to automatically deactivate the heating element upon receipt of a shut-off signal from the at least one sensor.