Patent ID: 7037036

Claim:
An asphalt seam heater comprising: an articulated frame movable between a collapsed position and an extended position; a main wheel assembly attached to the frame and movable about a vertical axis, between a support position wherein the main wheel assembly supports the frame and enables the asphalt seam heater to be towed behind a towing vehicle when the articulated frame is in the collapsed position, and a retracted position wherein the main wheel assembly does not support the frame; at least one heater disposed within and supported by the frame, the heater comprising: a housing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber; a gas-permeable refractory material disposed in the housing to define a closed upper chamber and an open-ended lower chamber; a fuel line for introducing a combustible fuel-air mixture in to the upper chamber; a venturi disposed between the fuel line and the upper chamber; and an igniter disposed in the lower chamber, wherein fuel introduced into the upper chamber diffuses through the gas-permeable refractory material and into the lower chamber, where it is ignited by the igniter.