Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02234503 1998-04-09
Burner
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a novel burner. More specifically, the burner
features a novel
type of combustion chamber that is capable of sustaining a flame without the
aid of an
intermediate medium. This combustion chamber is designed to burn kerosene,
diesel fuel or
heating oil. The combustion chamber or set of chambers is able, by means of
its novel
configuration, to promote a near stoichiometric fuel-air mixture that can be
burned
completely and have near zero emission of toxic gases making the apparatus
suitable for
inside use.
Background of the Invention
Conventional oil or kerosene burners are designed to burn their fuel through
an
intermediate medium, namely a wick very much like that of an oil lamp. One
side of the wick
is seated in the combustible fluid while its other side is exposed to the air.
This wick
promotes the transfer of the combustible fluid from its dipped end to its
other end which is
exposed to the air where this fluid can be burned. Many problems arise from
this
configuration. For instance, the fluid-air mixture ratio is less than ideal.
It is a very rich
mixture which causes the combustion of the fluid to be incomplete therefore
releasing large
quantities of toxic gases to its surroundings, making this type of burner
dangerous when used
indoors. Another problem arising from the use of these wicks is that these
wicks will
eventually consume themselves in the combustion process, especially if these
wicks are not
replenished with combustible fluid and are allowed to go dry.
Object and Statement of the Invention
One object of the present invention is to provide a combustible fluid burner
including
a novel combustion chamber that does not require an intermediate medium to
burn its
combustible fluid.
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Another object of the present invention is to provide a combustion chamber
that is
able to achieve a near stoichiometric fuel-air mixture that can be burned
completely and have
nearly zero emission of toxic gases, making the burner safe for indoor use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a combustible fluid
burner that is
easy to clean and maintain and does not require replacement of any of its
components.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a combustion
chamber comprising at least one wall defining a volume, said at least one wall
capable of
retaining a combustible fluid suitable for sustaining combustion without the
use of an
intermediate medium.
The primary advantage of the present invention is that the combustion chamber
has no
wick. Since it has no wick, the combustion is hotter and cleaner (fewer
noxious fumes are
emitted). Since combustion is hotter and cleaner, the burner itself does not
become encrusted
with dirty carbon deposits and thus requires less cleaning and maintenance.
The invention also provides a burner comprising a combustion chamber as above.
In
a preferred embodiment, the burner further comprises a plurality of concentric
annular
combustion chambers. By configuring the annular combustion chambers
concentrically, the
burner is able to concentrate the heat produced by the combustion chambers,
which is ideal
for heating a hot-water tank or for cooking, for example.
In a most preferred embodiment, the burner further comprises a plurality of
concentric
separating walls, a perforated lid or cover, an adjustable three-legged
support for leveling the
burner, and a fuel control system including a thermostat, carburetor and an
overflow detection
system. To optimize the operation of the burner, a fuel control system,
activated by a
thermostat regulates the flow of fuel into the burner via a carburetor.
Furthermore, an
overflow detection system senses if fuel is spilled and takes corrective
measures such as
alerting the user or shutting off the fuel supply via the carburetor. Finally,
the cover and the
separating walls protect the combustion from the deleterious effects of wind
and rain and
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provide a support upon which a pot, for example, may be placed for cooking
without
scorching the underside of the pot.
Brief Descr~tion of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the burner in accordance with the present
invention showing
a cut-away of the combustion chambers;
Figure 2 is a side view of the burner of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the combustion chamber formed as a channel
having a
rectilinear configuration;
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the combustion chamber of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the combustion chamber of Figure 3,
shown with two
adjacent air holes, illustrating the probable flow of air and vaporized
combustible fluid;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the combustion chamber of Figure 3 formed as a
channel
having a rectilinear configuration;
Figure 7 is a top plan view of the combustion chamber of Figure 3 formed as a
channel
having a curvilinear configuration;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of the combustion chamber of Figure 3 formed as a
channel
having an annular configuration;
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the combustion chamber of Figure 3 formed as a
channel
having a spiral-like configuration;
Figure 10 is a schematic view of a burner in accordance with the present
invention used in a
hot-water tank;
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Figure 11 is a top plan view of the three annular combustion chambers of
Figure l; and
Figure 12 is a top plan view of a variant of Figure 11, wherein the annular
combustion
chambers further include small striations.
The present invention should not be interpreted to be limited strictly to the
specific
embodiments illustrated by the aforementioned figures since variations and
refinements are
possible which are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the annexed drawings, the present
invention
provides a novel independent portable heating system for indoor and outdoor
use designated
comprehensively by the reference numeral 60. A combustion chamber 10 formed as
a
plurality of channels, said channels having an annular configuration 11.
Between each
annular combustion chamber is disposed a series of breathing holes 12 for
bringing air into
the annular combustion chambers 11. The independent portable heating system 60
is
supported rigidly by at least three leg-like supporting members 61 that can be
individually
adjusted for height using adjustment members 62 which are typically threaded
shafts. The
combustion chamber 10 is preferably made of stainless steel, ordinary steel,
cast iron or a
ceramic-coated material. The combustion chamber 10 can be fabricated by
casting, stamping
or machining.
Mounted on the annular combustion chambers 11 are a series of separation walls
66.
These walls, of generally cylindrical configuration, are preferably embedded
directly above
the annular combustion chambers 11. The upper walls of the combustion chambers
11
preferably have extensions 40 to accommodate the positioning of the separation
walls 66 and
these extensions also serve to prevent the overflow of fuel. On top of the
separation walls 66
is a cover 67 having a series of vent holes 68. A fuel tank 63 is connected to
the combustion
chambers by a fuel line 69 that brings fuel into the annular combustion
chambers 11. The
fuel line 69 is connected to each individual combustion chamber. A control
system 64 having
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a flow regulator and a thermostat is connected to the fuel line. Mounted
underneath the
annular combustion chambers is a start-up heating source 70, preferably made
of an electric
resistor element that is connected to a battery (not shown).
Fuel is drawn into the annular combustion chambers 11 from the fuel tank
through the
fuel line 69 preferably by gravity or a fuel pump (not shown). Once the first
portion 20 of the
annular combustion chambers 11 is filled with fuel, the start-up heating
source 70 ignites the
fuel-air mixture contained in the second portion 30 of the annular combustion
chambers 11.
Air is delivered into the second portion 30 of the annular combustion chambers
11 through a
series of breathing holes 12 located between each annular combustion chambers
to provide
the necessary fuel-air mixture for an effective combustion. Once the fuel-air
mixture is
properly ignited, the start-up heating source 70 is shut off and the
combustion continues
unaided. This shut-off sequence can be controlled by the control system 64.
As the combustion occurs in the annular combustion chambers 11, the fuel in
the first
portions 20 is maintained at a constant level by the evaporative process
inside the chambers
and by the control system 64 supplying fuel as needed into the chambers. The
control system
can also select to deliver fuel to a limited number of combustion chambers
when the desired
temperature is reached.
Prior art heating systems utilize a wick dipped in the fuel to maintain the
fuel level
and to provide the necessary fuel-air mixture for the combustion. These wicks
do not provide
an optimum fuel-air mixture. Therefore, the combustion is incomplete, making
these types of
heating systems unsuitable for interior use because of the large quantity of
toxic gases
rejected into the surroundings of these systems. Another problem encountered
by these
systems is that the wick eventually consumes itself and has to be replaced
frequently.
The structure of the independent portable heating system 60 is supported with
preferably three supporting members 61 that can be individually adjusted for
height using
adjustment members 62. The adjustment is necessary to prevent spillage of fuel
when the
independent portable heating system 60 is placed on an uneven surface as on
the ground or an
uneven floor. Adjustment of the level of the independent portable heating
system 60 to a
CA 02234503 1998-04-09
level as near as horizontal as possible also enables an even distribution of
fuel in the annular
combustion chambers 11 to create an even flame throughout. An air-bubble level
can be
added to the structure of the independent portable heating system 60 to assist
the operator in
leveling the heating system for optimal combustion.
The flames from the annular combustion chambers 11 rise into separation walls
66.
These walls are generally of cylindrical configuration. The separation walls
66 isolate the
flames from exterior disturbances such as wind gusts, dirt, dust and water.
The separation
walls 66 also allow entry of fresh air coming from the breathing holes 12 into
the flames via a
series of holes located on the sides of the separation walls 66. The
separation walls 66 direct
the rising heat upwardly and radiate heat radially outwards. A cover 67 closes
the tops of the
separation walls 66 further isolating the flames from exterior disturbances.
The cover 67 has a
series of vent holes 68 that allows heat to escape above the independent
portable heating
system 60. In the combustion chambers 11, it is also possible to add small
striations 65,
illustrated in Figure 12, to alter the dynamics of the fuel flow inside the
combustion chambers
11.
As illustrated in Figures 6-9, the combustion chamber 11 can be protruded into
any of
a number of possible shapes, depending upon the desired application. The
shapes presented
in Figures 6-9 can be combined with one another, arranged parallel to one
another (where
applicable) or arranged concentrically (again where applicable).
Many variations and refinements of the invention are possible without
departing from
the spirit of the invention. More specifically, the independent portable
heating system 60 can
be fitted with a grill and be used as a portable cooking unit. Alternatively,
the invention can
be used as the heating element in a hot-water tank 80 as shown in Figure 10.
Alternatively,
the invention can be the heating source of a central heating system, of a
house furnace or of
an industrial furnace. Alternatively, the invention can be installed in a gas
fireplace. Many
other applications of the invention not listed here are possible and are well
within the reach of
a person skilled in the art.
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The above description of a preferred embodiment should not be interpreted in
any
limiting manner since variations and refinements are possible which are within
the spirit and
scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the
appended claims
and their equivalents.
