Patent ID: 7455060

Claim:
A startup burner assembly for use in a snow melting apparatus, the startup burner assembly comprising: a fuel burner having adjustable combustion output and including a nozzle to facilitate the emergence of products of combustion, a combustion chamber having a first portion in substantially air-tight communication with the fuel burner and enclosing the nozzle, and a second portion shaped and dimensioned for disposition into a snow melting receptacle or pit, the combustion chamber having a plurality of discharge holes formed at least on the second portion thereof to permit the egress of products of combustion from the fuel burner into the tank or pit, and thereby permit agitation and melting of snow loaded therein, and an air cooling assembly for supplying air to cool at least the first portion of the combustion chamber the air cooling assembly comprising an air injection manifold and an air supply tube for supplying air from an air supply to the air injection manifold, the manifold being formed around the first portion of the combustion chamber and having holes facilitating the emergence of air to cool the first portion of the combustion chamber.