×

Self-contained heating unit for thermal pest control

  • US 8,479,439 B2
  • Filed: 04/06/2011
  • Issued: 07/09/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2011
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for killing pests, comprising:

  • positioning a heating unit in an affected area, the heating unit comprising;

    a fuel source, the fuel source comprising a fuel tank;

    a first air inlet configured to receive a first air flow from an affected area;

    a second air inlet configured to receive a second air flow from an unaffected area;

    a premix system operable to generate an air-fuel mixture by mixing a fuel flow received from the fuel source with the second air flow received from the second air inlet;

    a burner operable to generate combustion air by combusting the air-fuel mixture; and

    a thermostat positioned in the first air inlet, the thermostat operable to measure an air temperature at the first inlet; and

    a controller configured to communicate with the thermostat;

    wherein the fuel tank, the premix system, the burner, the thermostat, andthe controller are housed in a moveable cabinet;

    orienting the heating unit in the affected area such that the first air inlet of the heating unit may receive the first air flow from the affected area;

    connecting a first end of an air duct to the second air inlet of the heating unit;

    positioning a second end of the air duct outside the affected area such that the second air inlet may receive the second air flow from outside the affected area;

    connecting the fuel source to the heating unit, the fuel source providing the fuel flow to the heating unit, the heating unit configured to;

    mix the fuel flow with the second air flow via the premix system to generate an air-fuel mixture;

    combust the air-fuel mixture via the burner to generate combustion air;

    mix the combustion air with the first air flow subsequent to combustion to generate a heated air flow; and

    discharge the heated air flow into the affected area; and

    measuring the air temperature at the first air inlet using the thermostat positioned in the first air inlet; and

    controlling the discharge of the heated air flow into the affected area with the controller, based on the measured air temperature at the first air inlet, such that the affected area is heated to a target temperature.

View all claims
  • 13 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×