Patent ID: 6062210
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: F24V

Abstract:
A portable heat generating device, comprising:(a) an envelope with an inlet and an outlet, having a plurality of internal channels for directing the flow of a gaseous fuel mixture to specific sites within said envelope, a plurality of said channels containing an elongated heat element;(b) said elongated heat element comprising a reaction promoting catalyst that reacts with a gaseous fuel mixture producing heat, a micro-porous hydrophobic membrane surrounding said reaction promoting catalyst, whereby said micro-porous hydrophobic membrane prevents condensed water vapor within said channels from contacting said reaction promoting catalyst but allows said gaseous fuel mixture to penetrate said micro-porous hydrophobic membrane and contact said reaction promoting catalyst resulting in gaseous combustion products and heat, said gaseous combustion products escape said elongated heat element through said micro-porous hydrophobic membrane;(c) a fuel source coupled to the inlet of said envelope; and(d) an oxygen source admixing with said fuel source to form said gaseous fuel mixture and transport said gaseous fuel mixture to the inlet of said envelope where said fuel mixture reacts with said elongated heat element producing said gaseous combustion products that are expelled through the envelope outlet.