New Flagro Radiant Heater - The Sunbelt Edition

The New Flagro Radiant Heater

This design has increased reliability, reduced assembly cost, and easier service procedures.

Some notes about this heater.
1. This design was first developed and tested in 2016.
2. The heater pictured here has been built from scrap units and spare parts.
Consequently, its appearance is not perfect but it is fully operational.
3. Some minor adjustments might be considered for full-scale production, but overall the
most efficient design elements have been taken into account.

At first glance this heater doesn't look much different from the regular production units currently being marketed.
That is one of the benefits of this design.
It doesn't require major changes to the production line.

Notice that there are no screws holding the Emitter grid or Screens in place.
The Grid and the Screens are welded in place.
This is a great advantage during assembly.
There is no need for hole patterns. There are no screws to strip.
With welded legs, the Emitter Grid is stronger and more stable.
The entire Cage assembly is stronger and less likely to bend under stress.

BUT, the heater is still easily serviced.

To inspect or service the heater, turn it upside down and remove the four bolts.
On this prototype M6 x 20mm bolts have been used.
The nuts have been tack-welded in place.

Now the Burner Plate can be removed from the Cage assembly.

Let's look at the Cage Assembly first.

The new design uses all the same parts as the existing radiant heater.
Changes are limited to the keyhole in the Cage Base, and the added support bars.

These Cage assemblies can be manufactured by the hundreds - by the thousands - and stored until needed.
They don't become a specific heater - Propane or Natural Gas - until the customer has placed
an order, and the necessary burner plate is installed.

This system can also reduce the number of spare parts in stock.
The cages can be sold as a one-piece unit. If a cage is severely damaged
the burner plate can be removed and installed in a new cage.

Now, the Burner Plate.
In production this part is easy to assemble, easy to test, and requires less room to store.
All the active components are accessible for inspection or repair.

Note: This design can be easily modified to accept the newer pilot assembly that
contains the igniter system. The system is flexible.

This burner uses all the same active components as the existing designs.
The changes are limited to the main jet supply line. The 3/8" low pressure fire line
is attached using straight flare fittings, making installation and removal easier.

A brass pipe Tee is used instead of an elbow, and it is mounted on a section of 3/8" pipe.
The pipe is welded closed, then welded to the burner plate.
This makes the main burner pipe extremely strong and simple to assemble.

A thin metal "Frill" has been added. It covers the keyhole in the cage bottom plate, and
protects the active components from the radiant heat of the operating burner.
It also helps locate the pilot tube and thermocouple line during assembly.

The frill is not welded in place. It surrounds the burner pipe, and rests on the Tee.
The other end is supported by a small metal strip that is attached to the plate.

In addition to all the advantages during production, this design simplifies maintenance.
By removing 4 bolts all the components are easily accessed.
Repair and testing have never been easier.

Also, because all the same active components are being used, re-certification should be simple.
The original FRHR-100 is a solid & reliable design. This is simply the next step.

With this design almost all the same parts in stock at various branches and outlets are
still useable. It isn't necessary to discard existing inventory.
The exception is the Low Pressure Fire Line, and those can still be used on the existing fleet.

With reduced production costs, increased strength and durability, and ease of maintenance,
this design will sweep the market, and establish Flagro as the unquestioned Industry Leader.