Mobile heating apparatus and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile heating units for bed bug eradication are inefficient, cumbersome, and pose safety risks due to overheated ducts or fuel source overheating, and require excessive fuel volume for prolonged treatment times.
Innovation Solution
A mobile heating apparatus with an air mixture chamber that recirculates heated air and introduces fresh air to increase temperature, utilizing a heat exchanger with a coiled tube and gas burner outside the treated area, and a power vent to manage combustion gases, along with sensors and controllers for safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a heating unit is placed within the desired location with fuel inside the unit, then the system is self-contained and portable, but the fuel source will be heated at the same time as the desired location which could lead to unanticipated damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel source is extracted from the heating chamber and placed in a separate location. The system uses a remote fuel tank connected via tubing, allowing the fuel to remain outside the heated area while still providing fuel to the burner inside the treatment space. This eliminates the risk of fuel overheating and damage while maintaining self-contained operation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a heating unit operates for the length of time needed to treat infestations, then bed bugs are effectively eradicated, but the volume of fuel required is prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous recirculation of heated air through the treatment space, maintaining consistent high temperatures throughout the prolonged treatment period. The recirculation system ensures that heat is continuously distributed and maintained, allowing for effective bed bug eradication over extended periods without requiring excessive fuel consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ducts are used to provide heated air from an external heater, then the heating unit can be located outside the room, but the system is not efficient, is cumbersome to operate and requires extensive setup and takedown time
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into modular components: a removable burner assembly, separate fuel tank, independent recirculation system, and detachable air distribution components. This segmentation allows for easy setup and takedown without requiring complex duct installation, while still preventing overheating damage by keeping the fuel source external.
4Ease of operation
If external ducts are used to deliver heated air, then the heating unit can be positioned outside, but unintended damage caused by ducts which become overheated is a concern
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses recirculated air as an intermediary to transfer heat from the burner to the treatment space without requiring external ducts. The heated air is distributed through the room's existing air circulation paths, eliminating the need for separate ductwork that could overheat and cause damage, while still allowing the heating unit to be positioned outside the immediate treatment area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides efficient and safe heating of treated areas by maintaining high temperatures without overheating risks and reducing fuel consumption, effectively eradicating bed bugs while ensuring safe CO and NO2 levels and extending electronic component life.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger having a coiled tube located within the air heating chamber and having a first end in communication with the heat source and a second end in communication with the heated air outlet. The heat source, such as a gas burner, provides heated combustion gas/air through the coiled tube such as that the coiled tube increases in temperature. As the coiled tube is located within the air heating chamber, when the mixed fresh air/recirculation air passes across the coiled tube, the mixed air increases in temperature.
Implementation Method 2
when the mixed fresh air/recirculation air passes across the coiled tube, the mixed air increases in temperature. By routing the heated air mixture and the heated combustion gas/air flow into the area to be heated
Implementation Method 3
The heat source, such as a gas burner, provides heated combustion gas/air through the coiled tube
Implementation Method 4
This apparatus can include a circulating fan and a motor and can be configured to create an air flow from air mixture chamber through the air heating chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for a mobile heating apparatus for heating an enclosed space to a temperature sufficient to kill bed bugs. The mobile heating apparatus has a recirculation chamber having a fresh air inlet configured to receive fresh air from a fresh air area and a recirculation air inlet configured to receive recirculation air from a heated air area. The fresh air area is located outside of the area to be heated. The heated air area is located within the area to be heated. The apparatus also has an air mixture/circulation apparatus configured to mix the fresh air and the recirculation air and an air heating chamber having a heat exchanger. A mixed air inlet is in communication with the air mixture/circulation apparatus. A heated air outlet is configured to route the heated air into the heated air area. A heating apparatus is configured to provide heated combustion flow to the heat exchanger. The present invention also provides for a related method.