Patent ID: 8297271

Claim:
A combustion device comprising: a combustion chamber comprising an inner wall defining a combustion space that contains, and is in communication with, a biomass fuel source and an outer wall having a side-mounted interface port allowing access of airflow into the combustion space enclosed within the outer wall; a thermoelectric generator (TEG) located outside the outer wall and including at least one thermally connected heat-conducting probe on a hot side thereof that extends into the combustion space, the TEG further including a heat sink thermally connected to a cold side thereof; and a motorized airflow driver electrically connected to the TEG and constructed and arranged to drive air from an ambient source, over the heat sink and into the interface port so as to generate a positive pressure in the combustion space; wherein the TEG is provided in a TEG housing having a vent thereon upstream from and confronting the heat sink and an airflow interface remote and downstream from the motorized airflow driver, the airflow interface being constructed and arranged to engage the interface port on the outer wall.