Patent ID: 8863736

Claim:
A portable heater supplied by an associated fuel source, comprising: a housing, said housing defining an interior region of the heater, comprising a top and a bottom, comprising an air inlet adapted to provide communication between the interior of the housing and the environment and adapted to provide a flow path to allow air to enter the housing; a fuel connection fitting adapted to provide fluid communication between said associated fuel source and said heater; an orifice; a burner assembly within the housing, said burner assembly comprising a fuel valve adapted to control communication between the burner assembly and the associated fuel source, a venturi for mixing air from the air inlet and fuel from the fuel valve into a fuel-air mixture; and a combustion region adapted for the combustion of said air-fuel mixture to produce combustion products and heat, said combustion region comprising, a rear face in communication with said venturi, and a radiant surface; a regulator operatively engaged between said fuel connection fitting and said burner assembly, said regulator adapted to provide a flow path adapted to pass fuel therethrough; a controller for selectively switching among operation states of the portable heater, wherein said operation states comprise, a first operational state wherein the heater is adapted to produce at least 4000 BTUs per hour, and a second operational state wherein the heater is adapted to produce at least 9000 BTUs per hour; a power source, wherein said power source comprises, a thermopile, a thermoelectric generator, or combinations thereof, said power source being adapted to generate electrical power from said heat; and a detector system adapted to detect the level of a particular gas in the atmosphere, wherein said particular gas in the atmosphere is carbon dioxide, said detector system adapted to interrupt combustion of said air-fuel mixture if levels of the particular gas in the atmosphere are within a predetermined range, said detector system adapted to use electrical power generated by said power source, said detector system comprising a standing pilot.