Patent Publication Number: US-11653632-B2

Title: Low profile brooder

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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     THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a brooder having a minimized vertical profile and, more particularly, to a brooder with a non-vertical fuel mixing tube and with a baffle in the fuel distribution chamber to optimize the heating distribution. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     The poultry industry uses heaters within poultry houses to raise the interior temperature to levels more favorable for the growth and well-being of the birds therein. Such a heater is referred to in the poultry industry as a brooder. 
     Typically, a plurality of brooders are suspended from overhead, positioned relatively closely above the flock to provide the best heating for the birds. 
     An archetypal brooder is fired by gas fuel. Various fuels are used, including natural gas, propane, butane, and liquefied petroleum gas. 
     A brooder includes a venturi, also known as a mixing tube, in which the gas fuel mixes with ambient air. The fuel and air mixture is conveyed by the venturi to a burner, which sometimes comprises a burner base and a burner cap. That burner often includes corrugations, scalloping, or apertures proximate to or around its perimeter, forming multiple burner ports. At the burner ports, the fuel and air mixture is ignited. The burning fuel heats an emitter located adjacent to and above the burner ports. The flame wicks along the inner side of the emitter where it transfers heat through conduction, radiation, and combustion byproduct transmission through convection. To maximize the efficiency of the brooder, the flame shape emerging from each burner port (or burner section of any shape) needs to be precisely proportioned, which can only be accomplished by tightly controlling the amount of fuel emerging from each burner port. If the flame is too short, it will be unable to effectively realize the heat transfers previously mentioned, which results in relatively cooler surfaces on the emitter that can be seen from the outside as a non-equal, non-uniform glow on the emitter surface. If the flame is too long, it will impinge on the emitter surface and result in poor combustion of the fuel, creating excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, and further will overheat the emitter resulting in reduced lifespan of the components. The heated emitter warms the interior of the poultry house by radiant heat transfer. A canopy is located above the emitter, which reflects heat from the emitter back downwardly toward the flock. 
     Typically, a brooder&#39;s venturi is oriented vertically. This usual vertical orientation provides an advantage in that the fuel and air mixture thereby delivered to the burner has substantially the same velocity across the venturi downstream end cross-section and thus tends to be symmetrically distributed to the perimeter burner ports, which in turn provides the most efficient heating to the emitter and thus the most efficient use of the fuel to heating the interior of the poultry house. 
     The vertical orientation of the brooder&#39;s venturi causes a disadvantage, however, inasmuch as it adds to the vertical height of the brooder. The venturi must be of a length adequate to allow sufficient mixing of the fuel and air between the venturi&#39;s upstream end and its downstream end, and therefore cannot be arbitrarily shortened. As noted, for optimal poultry farming, a brooder in use should be close to the poultry. However, gathering the birds for removal from the poultry house, once they have matured and are ready for further processing, usually involves the use of machinery, or if not then the work of humans, within the interior of the poultry house. Such gathering prerequires raising the brooders within a poultry house to try to allow for sufficient clearance and operation of the machinery and/or movement of humans. But the added brooder dimension from the vertical venturi increases the risk of interference with the gathering machinery and/or creates obstacles for workers within the poultry house. 
     It would thus be an improvement to provide a brooder with a minimized vertical profile. However, reducing the vertical profile of a brooder by orienting the venturi in other than a vertical path risks causing an asymmetrical heating pattern upon the emitter and consequent suboptimal heating and suboptimal use of fuel. For a non-vertical venturi to connect to a horizontal burner base, the fuel flow path must turn. That turn causes the fuel and air mixture to exit the non-vertical venturi, and to enter the burner, at unequal velocities across the cross-section of the downstream end of the non-vertical venturi as a consequence of the fluid dynamics of the path of the mixture having turned. Thus the volume of the fuel and air mixture that passes out of the non-vertical venturi and into the burner, per unit of time, differs across the cross-section of the downstream end of the non-vertical venturi. The differing velocities and flow rate of the fuel and air mixture, if not corrected, causes the flames emerging from the burner ports to be unequal. Because the flame is in communication with an emitter, which is positioned at a precise, equal distance from the burner ports, the flame size from each port must be precisely proportioned. Only when the flames emerging from the burner ports are all of the same length can an even, uniform, and optimum heating of the emitter be achieved. Such an optimal result cannot be accomplished with a non-vertical venturi unless the differing velocities and flow rate of the fuel and air mixture conveyed to the burner from the non-vertical venturi are equalized. 
     In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a brooder with a nonvertical venturi and thus a lower vertical profile, yet still achieve uniform heating of the emitter. It would be also be desirable for such a brooder with a lower vertical profile to have uniform emitter heating even with different fuels, such as natural gas, propane, butane, and liquefied petroleum gas. Ideally, such a brooder would maximize the use of existing components, such as the canopy, emitter, burner cap, and burner base, both to save redesign costs and to enable easier repairs and/or component replacement. Of course, minimizing the expense of such a design would be an advantage. And, recognizing that poultry houses tend to be dusty environments and that therefore brooders therein require periodic cleaning such as by air blowers, preferably such a brooder would have simplified, easy-to-clean components. 
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention relates to an improvement upon the known systems and methods of brooders, and provides distinct advantages over the conventional systems and methods. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A low profile brooder is provided. As revealed in the following description and the figures herein, this invention discovers a minimized vertical brooder profile having an equal, uniform heating of the emitter in a simplified, efficient design. This invention achieves such performance even with different fuels, maximizes the use of existing components, and is simplified and easy to clean. This invention discovers that, to accomplish such functionality with the use of a non-vertical venturi, the needed precision in flame size control requires a purposely configured and positioned baffle interacting with the fuel and air mixture flow to each burner port. 
     In accordance with certain aspects of certain embodiments of the present technology, a low profile brooder may comprise a burner base, the burner base having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, and defining a central axis. A venturi with an upstream end and a downstream end may be disposed with its downstream end proximate the lower surface of the burner base. The venturi may define a fuel flow path between the upstream end and the downstream end, the fuel flow path residing at least partially at an angle divergent from the central axis. The brooder may include a baffle, the baffle residing proximate to the upper surface of the burner base. Additionally and/or alternatively, in various embodiments one or more of the following features may also be included:
         (a) the fuel flow path may reside at least in part radial to the central axis, the radiant defining a first polar direction from the central axis;   (b) the baffle may be attached to the upper surface at a location in the first polar direction from the central axis;   (c) the baffle may be attached to the upper surface;   (d) the baffle may include a lower opening;   (e) the baffle may be at least partially planar, the at least partial plane disposed perpendicular to a radiant extending from the central axis; and/or   (f) the baffle may be rectangular and further may include first and second corner chamfers.       

     In accordance with additional aspects of other embodiments of the present technology, a low profile brooder may comprise a burner base, the burner base defining a central axis. A distribution chamber may be defined above the burner base. A baffle may reside in the distribution chamber. A venturi may at least in part extend away from the central axis, the venturi being in fluid communication with the burner base at the central axis. Additionally and/or alternatively, in various embodiments one or more of the following features may also be included:
         (a) the baffle may be attached to the burner base;   (b) the venturi may extend away from the central axis at least in part in a first direction, and the baffle may reside apart from the central axis and in the first direction from the central axis;   (c) the venturi may extend away from the central axis at least in part in a first direction, the baffle may be at least partially planar, the baffle may reside in the distribution chamber apart from the central axis in the first direction from the central axis, and the at least partial plane may be perpendicular to a radiant from the central axis;   (d) the baffle may be at least partially planar, the at least partial plane being parallel to the central axis;   (e) the baffle may be at least partially planar, may be rectangular, and may include first and second chamfered upper corners; and/or   (f) the baffle may include a lower opening proximate the burner base.       

     In accordance with still further aspects of other embodiments of the present technology, a low profile brooder may comprise a venturi, a burner base, a burner cap, and a baffle. The burner base and the burner cap may reside adjacent to each other, with the burner cap disposed above the burner base, may define a central axis, and may define between them a distribution chamber. The burner base and the burner cap may also define a periphery, the periphery defining a burner port. A venturi may also be included, residing below the burner base and in fluid communication with the distribution chamber at the central axis. The venturi may have an upstream end and a downstream end, and may define a fuel flow path between the upstream end and the downstream end. The fuel flow path may reside at least partially at one or more of an acute angle, a perpendicular angle, and an obtuse angle to the central axis. A baffle may reside in the distribution chamber between the central axis and the periphery. Additionally and/or alternatively, in various embodiments one or more of the following features may also be included:
         (a) the baffle is attached to the burner base.   (b) the baffle is perpendicular to at least a portion of the burner base.   (c) the baffle is at least partially parallel to the central axis.   (d) the baffle includes a panel, the panel being at least partially planar, and the at least partial baffle plane is disposed perpendicular to a radiant extending between the central axis and the periphery.   (e) the baffle includes a lower opening and opposing upper corner chamfers.       

     Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
     The purpose of the Abstract hereinabove is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the public generally, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature of the technical disclosure. The Abstract is not provided for interpreting the scope of the claims herein, nor to define the invention or the application, nor to be limiting in any way as to the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The details of the present invention, as to both its structure and its operation, can be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a side elevation view of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view, from a lower perspective, of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view, taken at A:A in  FIG.  1   , of a canopy, emitter, burner cap, burner base, and venturi of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a venturi, burner base, and baffle of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a top plan view of a venturi, burner base, and baffle of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a side elevation view of a venturi, burner base, and baffle of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a baffle of a low profile brooder according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It should be noted that the drawings discussed above and below are not to scale in all instances, but may have exaggerated dimensions in some respect to illustrate the principles of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and is not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with a second embodiment to yield a third embodiment. It is intended that the present application include such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention. Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. 
     It is to be understood that the phraseology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of formatives of the words “include,” “comprise,” and “have” is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items. 
     Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “connected” and “carried by” are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, or couplings. Further, such phraseology is not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative location of components in a fluid pathway. Thus, for example, in the context of a venturi in a brooder, “upstream” is relatively closer to the fuel supply and “downstream” is relatively closer to the burner base. 
     As used herein, the terms “above” and “below” are with gravitational reference. Thus, a component is “above” another if, when the present technology is in regular use, that component is gravitationally higher than the other. 
     A brooder  10  is disclosed. The brooder  10  includes a burner base  30 , a burner cap  40 , and emitter  60 , a venturi  20 , a baffle  50 , and a canopy  80 . 
     The burner base  30  may have an upper surface  31  and an opposing lower surface  32 . The burner base  30  may define a central axis  11 , the central axis  11  extending from the upper surface  31  to the lower surface  32 . Within the upper surface  31 , the burner base  30  may define a depression  33 . The burner base  30  may be round or of any other advantageous shape. 
     The burner cap  40  may be disposed above the burner base  30 . The burner cap  40  may be round or of any other advantageous shape. In some embodiments, the burner cap  40  and the burner base  30  may reside adjacent to each other. The burner base  30  and the burner cap  40  may define between them a distribution chamber  45 , in which the fuel is distributed. In certain configurations, the burner base  30  and the burner cap  40  may define a periphery, and in some examples the periphery may define a burner port  46  and/or  47 . The burner base  30  and burner cap  40  assembly may also include corrugations  43 ,  44  around its perimeter, forming multiple burner ports  46 ,  47 . 
     In some embodiments, the burner base  30  and the burner cap  40  may be aspects of an integral burner, or a burner in which a burner base  30  and a burner cap  40  have been welded or otherwise joined together to form an integral burner. As to those embodiments, for clarity the within disclosure will refer to the lower aspect of such a burner as the burner base  30  and the upper aspect of such a burner as the burner cap  40 , it being understood that the burner so configured is nevertheless integral and/or welded or otherwise joined together. Further, in some examples of those embodiments, burner ports  46  and/or  47  may be molded, drilled, or otherwise made proximate to or about the periphery of such a burner. 
     As described herein, a burner port  46  and/or  47  is an aperture defined in the burner through which the fuel and air mixture may pass from the interior of the burner to the exterior of the burner. 
     The emitter  60  may have an inner surface  64  and an outer surface  63 . Likewise, the emitter  60  may have an upper edge  61  and an opposing lower edge  62 . The lower edge  62  may reside proximate to the burner cap  40  and the burner base  30 . In some instances, the emitter  60  may be shaped as an inverted frustoconical, but other shapes may be used as beneficial in other instances. 
     The venturi  20  is also sometimes referred to as a mixing tube. The venturi  20  may be understood to have an upstream end  21  and a downstream end  22 . Fuel is introduced into the venturi  20  at the upstream end  21 , and mixes with ambient air that is drawn into the venturi  20  at the upstream end  21 . The venturi  20  may be of any length adequate to allow sufficient mixing of the fuel and air between the upstream end  21  and the downstream end  22 . The venturi  20  may also define one or more cross-sections along its length, including round, oval, elliptical, square, polygonal, curvilinear, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing. 
     Along its length, the venturi  20  may be straight, or curved, or of any other shape or combination of shapes, depending on the needs of the particular application. 
     The venturi  20  may reside, at least in part, below the burner base  30 . Its downstream end  22  may be disposed proximate to the lower surface  32  of the burner base  30 . In some instances, the venturi  20  downstream end  22  may be attached directly to the burner base  30 , and in other instances it may be attached indirectly to the burner base  30 ; in either instance, the venturi  20  may be attached to the burner base  30  at any angle. 
     The venturi  20  may be in fluid communication with the burner base  30 . In particular embodiments, the venturi  20  may be in fluid communication with the burner base  30  at the central axis  11 . 
     The venturi  20  extends away from the central axis  11  at least in part in what may be defined as a first direction. 
     The venturi  20  may define a fuel flow path  25  between the upstream end  21  and the downstream end  22 . The fuel flow path  25  may extend, at least in part, away from the central axis  11 . Selective, nonlimiting illustrations provide the fuel flow path  25  residing at least partially at an angle divergent from the central axis  11 . Other examples include fuel flow path  25  residing at least in part radial to the central axis  11 , the radiant  12  defining a first polar direction  27  from the central axis  11 . Certain configurations provide that the fuel flow path  25  resides at least partially at one or more of an acute angle, a perpendicular angle, and an obtuse angle to the central axis  11 . 
     A venturi  20  mounting arm  23  may also be provided, for attachment of other devices. 
     A venturi  20  orifice adaptor mount  24  may also be included, and adapted for receipt of an orifice adaptor  70  at the distal end of the burner tube  91 . 
     The baffle  50  may be of polygonal shape, a curvilinear shape, U-shaped, V-shaped, inverted U-shaped, inverted V-shaped, asymmetrical, or any combination of two or more of the foregoing, as found useful in particular applications. In some uses, the baffle  50  may be at least partially planar. In particular examples, the baffle  50  may be at least partially planar and the at least partial plane may be perpendicular to a radiant  12  from the central axis  11 . In some examples, the baffle  50  may be at least partially planar and the at least partial plane may be parallel to the central axis  11 . 
     In a specific example, the baffle  50  may be rectangular. Certain uses of a baffle  50  may also include first and second chamfers  55 ,  56  of the baffle  50 . In particular configurations, the upper corners of the baffle  50  may be chamfered. In all such instances, the chamfers  55 ,  56  may be linear, polygonal, curvilinear, or irregular, as particular uses may deem advantageous. 
     The baffle  50  may include one or more opening through the baffle  50 . Some configurations provide that the one or more opening resides lower in the baffle  50 . In a particular configuration, the one or more opening may reside at the bottom of the baffle. 
     Certain baffles  50  may include a first leg  52 , and other baffles  50  may include a first leg  52  and a second leg  53 . Other baffles  50  may be understood to include one or more panels  51 . 
     The baffle  50  may be positioned anywhere inside the distribution chamber  45 , including proximate the downstream end  22  of the venturi  20  at the burner base  30 . In some designs, the baffle  50  may reside in the depression  33  in the burner base  30 . The baffle  30  may reside proximate the upper surface  31  of the burner base  30 . Some examples locate the baffle  50  in the distribution chamber  45  between the central axis  11  and the periphery. 
     The baffle  50  may be oriented at any angular orientation. Depending on the application, (a) the baffle  50  may be at least partially parallel to the central axis  11 , (b) the baffle  50  may be perpendicular to at least a portion of the burner base  30 ; and/or (c) the baffle  50  may reside in the distribution chamber  45  apart from the central axis  11  in the first direction from the central axis  11  defined by the venturi  20 . 
     Some designs include the baffle  50  having a panel  51 , the panel  51  being at least partially planar, and the at least partial baffle  50  plane is disposed perpendicular to a radiant  12  extending between the central axis  11  and the periphery. 
     Regarding attachment, the baffle  50  may be attached to the burner base  30 . It may be attached to the upper surface  31  of the burner base  30 . Still further, it may be attached to the upper surface  31  of the burner base  30  at a location in the first polar direction  27  from the central axis  11  defined by the venturi fuel flow path  25 . 
     In a certain example, the baffle  50  is rectangular and includes first and second linear chamfers  55 ,  56  at its opposing upper corners. The baffle  50  also has a lower opening  57  disposed between two legs  52 ,  53  that are attached to the burner base  30  within the depression  33 . The baffle  50  is at least partially parallel to the central axis  11 , is perpendicular to at least a portion of the burner base  30 ; and resides in the distribution chamber  45  apart from the central axis  11  in the first direction from the central axis  11  defined by the venturi  20 . The baffle  50  is disposed perpendicular to a radiant  12  extending between the central axis  11  and the periphery, and resides directly vertically above the centerline of the venturi  20 . Flow of the fuel/air mixture has been found to be tightly controlled and precisely delivered by use of this design, including the baffle of this design, in providing an optimum symmetrical pattern to the burner ports  46 ,  47 , by interaction of the mixture with the functionality of the baffle  50  as so configured. The resulting flames at the burner ports  46 ,  47  is thus uniform in heating of the emitter  60 . The brooder  10 , with the baffle so configured and positioned, is functional even with different fuels, such as natural gas, propane, butane, and liquefied petroleum gas. 
     Other components of the brooder  10  may include a control box  92  and gas valve  95  for controlling the function of the brooder  10 , the gas valve  95  regulating the flow of fuel to the brooder  10  and the control box  92  directing the gas valve  95 . The control box  92  may be entirely manually operated, or it may be entirely automatic (including with timers for given fuel supply chronologies, or both). A burner tube  91  may have a valve end  911  attached to the gas valve  95 , in some instances with a compression fitting  94 , and an orifice end  912  residing proximate the upstream end  21  of the venturi  20 , conveying fuel to the venturi  20 . An orifice adapter  70  may be included at the downstream end  912  of the burner tube  91 ; different sized orifices may be used or switched with orifice adaptor  70 , to provide optimal functionality of the brooder  10  depending on the type of fuel used, such as natural gas, propane, butane, and liquefied petroleum gas—different sized orifice adaptors  70  may be used with each type of fuel. An air restrictor cup  90  may be positioned at the upstream end  21  of the venturi  20 , optionally including one or more apertures such as apertures  901 ,  902 , to allow tuning of the fuel/air mixture as a function, for example, of atmospheric or other conditions. An electrode  93  may reside at or near the burner base  30 /burner cap  40  periphery, for igniting the fuel/air mixture, the electrode  93  being electrically energized by an ignition cable  96 ; in other examples of the present technology, a pilot light (not shown) may instead be included in place of the electrode  93  and the ignition cable  96 . The brooder  10  may include a manifold support bracket  97  and a label plate holder  98 . A hanging bracket  99  may be included at the top of the brooder  10 , to facilitate suspending the brooder  10 . 
     The appended drawings illustrate embodiments of the brooder  10  of the present invention.  FIGS.  1  and  2    illustrate various such components. As depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a central axis  11  is defined. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the emitter  60  has an inverted frustoconical shape. The emitter  60  has an outer surface  63 , an upper edge  61 , and an opposing lower edge  62  (see  FIG.  3   ). The venturi  20  has an upstream end  21  and a downstream end  22 , and resides at least in part below the burner base  30 . Its downstream end  22  is disposed proximate to the lower surface  32  of the burner base  30  (not shown). Along its length, the venturi  20  in this embodiment is straight proximate the upstream end  21 , straight along its middle, and curved in its approach to the burner base  30  (not shown). As illustrated, the venturi  20  extends away from the central axis  11  at least in part in what may be defined as a first direction. 
     Other components of the brooder  10  are also illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , including a control box  92  and gas valve  95 . A burner tube  91  is attached to the gas valve  95 , with an orifice end  912  end residing proximate the upstream end  21  of the venturi  20 . An air restrictor cup  90  is positioned at the upstream end  21  of the venturi  20 , including apertures  901 ,  902 . The brooder  10  includes a manifold support bracket  97  and a label plate holder  98 . A hanging bracket  99  is included at the top of the brooder  10 , to facilitate suspending the brooder  10  from overhead. 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    also illustrate various components of embodiments of the brooder  10 . The control box  92  and the gas valve  95  are depicted. A burner tube  91  leads from the gas valve  95  to the venturi  20 . An orifice adapter is included at the downstream end  22  of the burner tube  91 , with an orifice sized to provide optimal functionality of the brooder  10  depending on the type of fuel used, such as natural gas, propane, butane, and liquefied petroleum gas. An air restrictor cup  90  has been positioned at the upstream end  21  of the venturi  20 , optionally including apertures  901 ,  902 . An electrode  93  is likewise included, for igniting the fuel/air mixture, the electrode  93  being electrically powered by an ignition cable  96 . The brooder  10  includes a manifold support bracket  97  and a label plate holder  98 . A hanging bracket  99  positioned at the top of the brooder  10  facilitates suspending the brooder  10  from overhead. 
     The venturi  20  is disposed below the burner base  30  and has an upstream end  21  and a downstream end  22 . Its downstream end  22  resides proximate to the lower surface  32  of the burner base  30 . Fuel introduced into the venturi  20  at the upstream end  21  from the downstream end  22  of the burner tube  91 , and mixes with ambient air drawn into the venturi  20  at the upstream end  21  of the venturi  20 . The venturi  20  in this embodiment is straight from its upstream end  21  and along its length, but curves as it nears the burner base  30 . 
     The burner base  30  has an upper surface  31  and an opposing lower surface  32 . The burner base  30  defines a central axis  11 , the central axis  11  extending from the upper surface  31  to the lower surface  32 . The burner cap  40  is disposed above the burner base  30  and resides adjacent to the burner base  30 . The burner base  30  and the burner cap  40  define between them a distribution chamber  45 . They also define a periphery. The burner cap  40  also includes corrugations  43 ,  44  around its perimeter, forming multiple burner ports  46 ,  47 . 
     The emitter  60  has an inner surface  64  and an outer surface  63 , an upper edge  61  and an opposing lower edge  62 . The lower edge  62  resides proximate to the burner cap  40  and the burner base  30 . The emitter  60  in this example is shaped as an inverted frustoconical. 
     The venturi  20  is in fluid communication with the burner base  30  at the central axis  11 . The venturi  20  extends away from the central axis  11  at least in part in what may be defined as a first direction. 
     A venturi  20  orifice adaptor mount  24  is also included, and has received an orifice adaptor  70  at the distal end of the burner tube  91 . 
     A baffle  50  is also included (see  FIG.  4   ). The baffle  50  is positioned inside the distribution chamber  45 , proximate the downstream end  22  of the venturi  20  at the burner base  30 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the baffle  50  resides in the depression  33  in the burner base  30 . 
       FIGS.  5 ,  6 , and  7    illustrate embodiments of the burner base  30 , baffle  50 , venturi  20 , and orifice adaptor mount  24 . The burner base  30  has an upper surface  31  and an opposing lower surface  32 , and defines a central axis  11 , the central axis  11  extending from the upper surface  31  to the lower surface  32 . Within the upper surface  31  the burner base  30  is defined a depression  33 . The burner base  30  as illustrated is round. 
     The venturi  20  has an upstream end  21  and a downstream end  22 . The venturi  20  in these embodiments defines a circular cross-section along its length. The venturi  20  is straight along its length from the upstream end  21 , and turning upward near its downstream end  22 . Its downstream end  22  is disposed proximate to the lower surface  32  of the burner base  30 , in these embodiments, and is attached directly to the burner base  30 . The venturi  20  is in fluid communication with the burner base  30  at the central axis  11 . 
     The venturi  20  extends away from the central axis  11  at least in part in what may be defined as a first direction. The venturi  20  defines a fuel flow path  25  between the upstream end  21  and the downstream end  22 , and the fuel flow path  25  extends, at least in part, away from the central axis  11 . As illustrated, for example, in  FIG.  6   , the fuel flow path  25  resides at least in part radial to the central axis  11 , the radiant  12  defining a first polar direction  27  from the central axis  11 . As illustrated, for example, in  FIG.  7   , the fuel flow path  25  resides at least partially at an angle divergent from the central axis  11 . Also as illustrated, for example, in  FIG.  7   , the fuel flow path  25  resides at least partially at one or more of a perpendicular angle. 
     The baffle  50  in these embodiments is rectangular and at least partially planar. The at least partial plane is perpendicular to a radiant  12  from the central axis  11 . Likewise, in these embodiments the at least partial plane is parallel to the central axis  11 . The baffle  50  includes first and second chamfers  55 ,  56  at the upper corners of the baffle  50 ; the chamfers  55 ,  56  in these embodiments is linear. The baffle  50  also includes a lower opening  57 . Lower legs  52 ,  53  are included, and panel  51  is incorporated. 
     The baffle  50  is positioned proximate the downstream end  22  of the venturi  20  at the burner base  30 , and resides in the depression  33  in the burner base  30 . It will be noted that, in these embodiments, the baffle  50  resides proximate the upper surface  31  of the burner base  30  and is located in the distribution chamber  45  between the central axis  11  and the periphery. 
     In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  5 ,  6 , and  7   , the baffle  50  is at least partially parallel to the central axis  11 , is perpendicular to at least a portion of the burner base  30 , resides in the distribution chamber  45  apart from the central axis  11  in the first direction from the central axis  11  defined by the venturi  20 , is disposed perpendicular to a radiant  12  extending between the central axis  11  and the periphery, and resides directly vertically above the centerline of the venturi  20 . 
     The baffle  50  is attached to the upper surface  31  of the burner base  30  at a location in the first polar direction  27  from the central axis  11  defined by the venturi  20  fuel flow path  25 . 
     A mounting arm  23  is provided, as is an orifice adaptor mount  24 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an embodiment of the baffle  50 . The baffle  50  in this embodiment is rectangular and at least partially planar. The baffle  50  includes first and second linear chamfers  55 ,  56  at the opposing upper corners, as well as a lower opening  57 . Lower legs  52 ,  53  are included, panel  51  is incorporated, and upper limit  54  is also noted. 
     In operation, the brooder  10  is suspended from above by use of the hanging bracket  99 . Fuel supplied to the brooder  10  is regulated by the gas valve  95 , as controlled by the control box  92 . The fuel is conveyed via the burner tube  91  to the upstream end  21  of the venturi  20 . There ambient air is drawn into the venturi, and the fuel/air mixture may be advantageously controlled with the air restrictor cup  90 . The fuel/air mixture flows through the venturi  20  along a fuel flow path  25  to the burner base  30  and into the distribution chamber  45  defined between the burner base  30  and the burner cap  40 . Flow of the fuel/air mixture is precisely delivered and tightly controlled, in an optimum symmetrical pattern to the burner ports  46 ,  47 , by interaction of the mixture with the prescribed interference of the baffle  50 . The resulting flames at the burner ports  46 ,  47  is thus uniform in its heating of the emitter  60 , providing the most advantageous performance of the brooder  10  in use of the fuel to provide heat to the flock of poultry below. 
     Accordingly, the brooder  10  aforedescribed provides a nonvertical venturi  20  and thus a minimized vertical profile, yet still achieving uniform heating of the emitter  60 . The brooder  10  is functional even with different fuels, such as natural gas, propane, butane, and liquefied petroleum gas. The brooder  10  likewise maximizes the use of existing components, such as the canopy  80 , emitter  60 , burner cap  40 , and burner base  30 , minimizing the expense of such a design. The brooder  10  has simplified, easy-to-clean components. The brooder  10  accomplishes such functionality with a purposely configured and positioned baffle  50  interacting with the fuel and air mixture flow to each burner port  46 ,  47 . 
     It should be appreciated that, in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than are expressly recited in that claim. Moreover, any components, features, or steps illustrated and/or described in a particular embodiment herein, can be applied to or used with any other embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that may issue from the benefit of the within disclosure.