Patents Examined by D. Price
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Patent number: 7650882Abstract: A pot support for a ceramic glass cooktop having integrally formed grates. The pot support is formed of a material able to withstand gas cooking temperatures without substantial alteration of its shape or composition. The pot support is configured to rest in a stable position over a gas burner head to support a relatively small diameter utensil centered over the burner head and to cooperate with the integrally formed grate to support large or small diameter utensils that are supported over the burner off-center relative to the grate.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Derrick Douglas Little, Kevin Laundroche, Meghin Elizabeth Davis
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Patent number: 7640929Abstract: The present invention provides a barbecue grill assembly comprising a cooking chamber with a cover and a firebox. The cover is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The cover has an inner surface and an internal lip extending from a lower edge region of the inner surface. The firebox has a rim at an upper portion of the firebox wherein the rim defines a periphery of the firebox. When the cover is in the closed position, the internal lip is positioned inward of the firebox periphery. This means that the internal lip is positioned within the perimeter of the firebox, as defined by the rim. The grill assembly further comprises a burner element positioned in the firebox, a cooking grate positioned in the firebox above the burner element, and a frame assembly adapted to support the cooking chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.Inventors: Mark Johnson, Adrian A. Bruno, Mohammed Shoeb
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Patent number: 7631640Abstract: A highly efficient radiant burner assembly (100) for use in a patio heater or the like in areas where people prefer or require low NOX emissions. The efficiencies are created through the use of a spherical burner element (116) that is either formed of a high temperature steel wire mesh or stamping containing apertures of a predetermined size to allow combustion to remain within the burner element and to not cause the temperature of the burner element to exceed the temperature at which NOX are developed. Coating the burner with a catalyst also aids the low emission combustion process. Additional efficiencies are provided by atomizing the fuel before it is mixed with air and by the use of a laminar flow heat exchanger (940) that utilizes a fluid media flowing in a helical coil condenser unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter Hofbauer, Yue Xin Huang
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Patent number: 7628610Abstract: A method and device for improved efficiency in thermal oxidation is presented which uses a cyclonic flame to combust a stream of hydrocarbons drawn to the flame source by a pressure differential. The improved burner and method are particularly suited for combusting volatile organic compounds that are a derivative result of another waste management process mechanically attached to a thermal oxidizer. The improved burner is formed by configuring a burner basket into a conical shape with openings that allow a combustible gas to travel along the interior of the basket frame. The gas travels spirally within the basket frame as it is assisted by forced air and when ignited, creates a cyclonic flame effectively combusting material such as volatile organic compounds that are manipulated into contacting the flame.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Simeken, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Gehring, Juan Antonio Caballero, James Sipprelle, William Sweet
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Patent number: 7628609Abstract: A burner assembly for a gas powered cooking appliance is provided. The burner assembly may include a burner body including a central region and a plurality of radiating extensions extending radially outward from the central region. The burner assembly may include a burner cap with a central region and a plurality of radiating extensions extending radially outward from the central region. The burner cap is positioned on top of the burner body when the burner is assembled. The burner cap may include at least one overhang positioned on the outer perimeter of the central region and between an adjacent pair of radiating extensions. The at least one overhang forms a gap between the exterior wall of the burner body and the interior wall of the overhang. This gap, or flame stabilization chamber, provides for collection of gases and flame that aid in maintaining the flame during low temperature operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: William Michael Pryor, Hector Jose Donastorg, John Thurl Pottenger, Michael Dennis Padgett
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Patent number: 7625202Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable cigarette lighters which have a latch member which is intended to resist inadvertent operation and to make undesirable operation by unintended operators more difficult. The lighter preferably includes a latch member which in its initial condition blocks movement of the actuator in order to resist operation of the lighter. The latch member is movable to a ready position so that the actuator may be depressed in order to produce a flame. It is preferred that the lighter contain additional or alternative forces on the latch member to improve the ability of the latch member to return to the blocking position over the life of the lighter and to improve the consistency of the latch member's movement and return. In some of the embodiments, this additional or alternative force is provided by a bending moment or flexing force preferably applied to the latch member through a flexing mechanism to flex the latch along at least a portion of its length.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: BIC CorporationInventors: Enrique Nollas Amoros, Michel Doucet
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Patent number: 7625201Abstract: The present application relates in general to an apparatus and to methods for testing the performance of an automotive catalytic converter under conditions simulating those which occur in motor vehicles over extended driving conditions. The application provides a novel swirl plate and a novel fuel injector which enable the burner to run stoichiometric for extended periods of time.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Melvin N. Ingalls, Jr., Gordon J. Bartley, Cynthia C. Webb
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Patent number: 7618254Abstract: A method for igniting a fuel/oxidant mixture in an industrial furnace. At least one fuel supply conduit and at least one oxidant supply conduit is provided, each conduit having an opening that opens on a side of the burner head that faces the furnace interior space. Fuel and oxidant are supplied to the burner head, and a light detector for detecting ultraviolet light, or other light wavelengths, is provided for detecting light that indicates the presence of a flame. A laser is positioned to emit a laser beam onto a point on the burner head adjacent the conduit outlets and to heat that point to a temperature exceeding the ignition temperature of the fuel/oxidant mixture. When the burner has ignited, the detector emits a signal to a control circuit that extinguishes the laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: AGA ABInventor: Mats Gartz
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Patent number: 7614396Abstract: A self-cleaning exhaust system including a top, a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls extending between the rear wall and the front wall. A baffle depending from the top intermediate the front wall and the rear wall. A plate extending forwardly from the rear wall to forwardly of the baffle. A first filter is located in an air flow path. A first spray outlet is located in the air flow path before the first filter for providing a first cleaning spray into the air flow so that the air flow draws the cleaning spray onto a first surface of the first filter. A method of removing contaminants is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Inventor: Kim Lui So
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Patent number: 7607914Abstract: A combustion type waste gas treatment system capable of oxidatively decomposing a hazardous combustible waste gas while heating efficiently with a structure which allows the waste gas to mix with an auxiliary burning gas efficiently without the occurrence of backfire in a waste gas inlet pipe. The combustion type waste gas treatment system has a burner part and a combustion chamber. Combustion flames are formed to extend from the burner part toward the combustion chamber, and a combustible waste gas is introduced into the combustion flames from waste gas inlet pipes thereby oxidatively decomposing the waste gas. A flow velocity accelerating device makes the flow velocity of the combustible waste gas flowing through the waste gas inlet pipe higher than the burning velocity of the combustible waste gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Tetsuo Komai, Kohtaro Kawamura, Takeshi Tsuji, Rikiya Nakamura, Kazutaka Okuda, Keiichi Ishikawa, Tomonori Ohashi, Yoshiro Takemura, Yasutaka Muroga, Tadakazu Nishikawa, Yuji Shirao
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Patent number: 7604478Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fuel-fired appliance is provided. The appliance enters a wait state in which burner operation ceases if a sensor indicates the presence of flammable vapors that are above an acceptable and/or safe vapor level. The appliance returns to a run state if the vapor level returns to an acceptable and/or safe vapor level within a period of time, but enters a lockout state if the vapor level does not return to an acceptable and/or safe vapor level within the period of time.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Peter M. Anderson, Robert M. Ruhland
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Patent number: 7600510Abstract: A small, lightweight, portable cooking stove that utilizes alcohol as fuel and is suitable for backpacking, hunting, camping and similar activities. The cooking stove includes a combustion chamber which encloses, contains and regulates the entire combustion process. The stove also includes an efficient fuel vaporizer, which is adapted to perform in unison with the combustion chamber, to effect the metered and efficient mixing of the air and fuel vapor. An integral, simple and convenient means is provided to vary the intensity and pattern of the heat output, thereby controlling the cooking performance of the stove. The stove achieves high heat output and efficiency, low fuel consumption, and superior cooking performance in a small, lightweight, portable, convenient, simple and integrated assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Inventor: Timothy G. Huggins
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Patent number: 7600996Abstract: A safety gas lighter with a loosely mounted striking wheel, comprises a lighter body, topped by a lighter head, an gas release valve, a pressing lever for gas release, a spring, a flint, and a wheel assembly with an axle. The diameter of the axle integrated with the first side wheel is smaller than the diameter of the inner opening of the striking wheel, and the diameter of side wheels are larger than diameter of striking wheel. When in use, because and the diameter of side wheels are larger than diameter of striking wheel, the thumb would strike the side wheels first. For children, because their hands are small, and their strengths cannot be compared with the adults, they can only rotate side wheels, but cannot rotate steel wheels, so the children cannot light fire using the lighter. When adults are using the lighter, their hands will strike the side wheels as well as the striking wheel, to make the side wheels and striking wheel rotate simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Toyo Lighter Co.Inventor: Jun Jun Ruan
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Patent number: 7594812Abstract: The present invention refers to a double burner for gas cookers, of the type provided with multiple concentric flame crowns (FE, FC), which comprises two gas inlet (3, 4) that reach the centre of the body (1) at a slightly different height, so that communication can be provided between the gas inlets, if necessary, by simply drilling a hole (15) with vertical axis from the upper inlet (3) to the lower inlet (4).Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: SO. M. I Press - Societa′ Metalli Iniettati, SpAInventor: Piero Armanni
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Patent number: 7588028Abstract: A burner comprising a fuel reservoir, a primary combustion zone located at the lower end of the fuel reservoir, a secondary combustion zone located underneath the primary combustion zone, a passage providing communication between the primary and secondary combustion zones, a flue for discharging products of combustion from the secondary combustion zone, the primary combustion zone having a peripheral wall incorporating air hole means to provide combustion air to the primary combustion zone, wherein the cross-sectional area of the air hole means is substantially equal to the combined minimum cross-sectional area of the passage and the minimum cross?sectional flow area of the flue.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Inventor: Franklin Scott
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Patent number: 7585170Abstract: An animal and vegetable oils combustor, wherein primary air is introduced into a burner tile in the form of straight-ahead air flow moving straight ahead along the axial direction of the burner tile and secondary air is introduced in the form of swirl air flow moving along the inner surface of the side wall of the burner tile, whereby perfect combustion is liable to occur since a centrifugal force acts on liquid-drop fuel by swirl air flow to diffuse the fuel in the radial direction and the liquid-drop fuel does not take such a route as to be adhered to the inner wall even if char is included in the liquid drop fuel since the fuel is jetted after the grain size thereof is adjusted to small one beforehand.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignees: Yamaichi Metal Co., Ltd., Yamaichi New Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Oga, Hiromitsu Iwasaki, Toshikazu Oga, Makoto Oga
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Patent number: 7568908Abstract: A direct gas-fired industrial air heater low fire start control, includes circuitry for simulating a resistant circuit which bypasses the discharge temperature sensors, the remote temperature selector, and a space temperature controls, that has the effect of driving the modulating valve to a fixed open setting which in turn changes the valve voltage in order to obtain desired gas flow. In a further embodiment, an isolated DC voltage source which normally bypasses the voltage input to the system of the modulating valve can be inserted into the circuitry to effectively drive the modulating valve to a fixed open setting to obtain the desired gas flow rate. Various circuitry, and bypass gas flow arrangements, are further shown to increase the efficiency of ignition of the burner assembly, when started.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Cambridge Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Gary J. Potter
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Patent number: 7568913Abstract: An oil lamp and fragrance release apparatus for providing a unique flame formation usable in a variety of decorative applications. The lamp includes a body that has an open upper end and that defines a chamber for carrying a combustible liquid. The lamp further includes a sheet wick having a lower end located in the chamber of the body, for contacting the combustible liquid, and an upper end projecting upwardly from the open upper end. The wick of inorganic material may be positioned between first and second plates arranged in a spaced, confronting relationship to enhance capillary action, may be freestanding stone of fibrous, permeable material or may be wrapped about a rigid plate. The wick provides a unique horizontal flame formation, while displaying décor on the outer surface of the flat wall. Optionally, the lamp may include scented oil and a conductive element to promote the release of fragrance upon heating, and the wick can be configured of material having high heat fragrance emanation.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Lumetique, Inc.Inventors: DayNa M. Decker, Steven Dodson
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Patent number: 7568911Abstract: A stove has a fuel tank with a flat top and bottom and a side wall to define a fuel chamber. A fuel feed path includes a vertical pipe assembly. The fuel feed path also includes a horizontal pipe assembly functioning as a vaporizer. The fuel feed path also includes a generally C-shaped pipe assembly. An associated warming coil is in a generally circular configuration to direct a flow of some of the fuel from one part of the horizontal pipe assembly to another part of the horizontal pipe assembly. A generally cylindrical ignition chamber is at the terminal end of the C-shaped pipe assembly. Apertures are provided for cooking purposes and are adapted to preheat the fuel in the horizontal pipe assembly and the warming coil.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Inventors: Diana Clifton Draper, George E. Draper, Jr.
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Patent number: 7565903Abstract: The invention aims at reducing the beating noise generated from motors of equipments placed in a galley unit of an aircraft. A galley unit 1 of an aircraft includes a cabinet 10 formed of honeycomb panels and the like. The cabinet 10 has a counter 50 for cooking, and a compartment 20 formed under the counter 50 for storing service carts 30. A plurality of ovens 100 for heating warm dishes are provided above the counter 50. Each oven 100 has a fan motor for making the inner heat even. If all the fan motors of the ovens are driven at the same rotation frequency, a beating noise will be generated from the motor and amplified through the compartment 20. Therefore, the rotation frequencies of the fan motors are slightly varied.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Jamco CorporationInventors: Shuichi Sasaki, Shigeo Suzuki