Means Supplying Fuel For Passage Through The Flame Holding Structure, E.g., Radiant Surface Burner Patents (Class 431/328)
  • Patent number: 5088919
    Abstract: The invention relates to a burner membrane (1) for radiant burner comprising a porous sintered web of inorganic fibres that are resistant to high temperatures, wherein at least the membrane surface (3) opposite from the fuel supply side (2) has been provided with grooves (4) in the shape of a grid and which grooves bound the meshes (5) of the grid. Preferably, the meshes are regular polygons with a surface area of between 4 and 400 mm.sup.2. The porosity is between 70% and 90% and the permeability variation over its surface is less than 25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: N. V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Roger De Bruyne, Ronny Losfeld
  • Patent number: 5080577
    Abstract: Low NO.sub.x combustion is effected by a method wherein a fuel, e.g., natural gas, and a source of oxygen, e.g., air, are mixed and the mixture is combusted in at least two successive combustion zones filled with a porous matrix, the void spaces of which provide sites at which substantially all of the said combustion occurs; viz. a first zone wherein the mixture is fuel-rich, and a second zone wherein the mixture is fuel-lean. Preferably, the method utilizes an additional combustion zone which precedes or is upstream of the first zone and is filled with a said porous matrix, wherein the mixture is fuel-lean. Apparatus for low NO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Inventors: Ronald D. Bell, William C. Gardiner, John R. Howell, Ronald D. Matthews, Steven P. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5073106
    Abstract: A gas burner having first flame openings for discharging a stable and self-combustible high-concentration gas and second flame openings for discharging an unstable and non-self-combustible low-concentration gas, with the first and second flame openings being disposed alternately with each other. The effect of stable flame formations at the first flame openings assists stabilization of flame formations at the second flame openings adjacent thereto. Consequently, the gas burner as the whole may have a high air excess ratio to reduce its NOx generation and to prevent incomplete combustion. Further, if a rectifying member is provided in the second flame opening, it becomes possible to enlarge the opening area of the second flame opening without disturbing its flame formation, whereby the burner will achieve further reduction in NOx generation and combustion noise and also improvements in its combustion load and ignition performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Toyonaga, Toshio Nishida, Yasuo Takeishi, Masao Shiomi
  • Patent number: 5062788
    Abstract: A high efficiency linear gas burner assembly having a mixture manifold assembly for delivering a combustible gas and air mixture to a burner. The mixture manifold assembly supports an elongate, channel-shaped, secondary air plenum which receives therein a burner housing. The burner housing supports two, spaced, parallel plates, each having apertures therethrough. The gas/air mixture is delivered through the mixture manifold assembly and secondary air plenum to the burner housing where the mixture passes first through the apertures of the lower plate, then between the plates, then through the apertures of the upper plate or burner surface. The size and number of apertures in the upper plate and the space between the plates ensures that the flame remains stable during a wide range of turndown, and that the flame does not retrogress through the burner apertures. Secondary air ports are provided along the interior of the secondary air plenum to provide additional air for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Haden-Schweitzer Corporation
    Inventor: Willie H. Best
  • Patent number: 5059115
    Abstract: A fuel fire burner has a plenum chamber to which fuel and air are supplied. One of the walls of the plenum chamber is generally flat and has a plurality of substantially rectangular slots extending therethrough, the slots serving as combustion ports for the fuel. The wall also has an integral rim extending therefrom on a side thereof opposite the plenum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: British Gas plc
    Inventor: David M. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5057006
    Abstract: A flat burner plate having fuel gas passages distributed over the surface and formed of Al.sub.2 TiO.sub.2 and a method of making such by compacting and sintering the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrike Follert, Jochen Jacobitz
  • Patent number: 5057007
    Abstract: A low NO.sub.x atmospheric gas burner is provided, which includes at least one burner tube having a plurality of gas outlet orifices terminating in a burner bed, and a plurality of plates disposed above the burner tube within the reach of the flame, which plates lower the temperature and effect a stepped combustion. According to the invention, the plates extend parallel to, and on opposite sides of, the orifices provided in the burner tube, and the orifices are arranged in a line parallel to the burner axis. The plates are connected direct to the burner tube substantially throughout the entire length of their lower edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Remeha Fabrieken
    Inventors: Willem W. Andringa, Terence A. Devlin, Hermanus J. Meuleman
  • Patent number: 5049065
    Abstract: The present specification relates to a ceramic plaque burner and to its method of construction. The plaque burner is formed as a generally planar plate with a number of parallel, narrow slit burner apertures extending therethrough. The present invention provides a ceramic plaque burner comprising a number of elongate ceramic members which are arranged parallel to each other with spacers located therebetween, a bezel engaging around the elongate ceramic members and said spacers to hold the assembly together. This construction is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and avoids the problem of thermal stress cracking at the end regions of the burner slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Valor Limited
    Inventors: Martin L. Smith, Alan Constable, Alan V. Hinton
  • Patent number: 5046944
    Abstract: Gas-fired burner having porous ceramic face through which gaseous combustion mixture emerges and on the emerging surface of which the mixture burns, can heat substrate with help of streams of air or recycled combusted gas sweeping across substrate to help remove moisture or other volatiles being driven from substrate. Burner body can have pilot ignition compartment. Ceramic face can be large ceramic fiber mat the back of which is supported to burner body back. Combustion mixture can be controlled to essentially stoichiometric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5044353
    Abstract: A liquid fuel combustion type infrared ray irradiating apparatus includes a base having a generally rectangular-shaped framework, each corner of which is provided with a wheel, a fuel tank fixed to the base, and a pump disposed on the base and adapted to pump fuel from the fuel tank. A combustion chamber is connected to a burner which receives fuel from the pump for combustion. An irradiation pipe is connected to the combustion chamber for guiding combustion gas from the combustion chamber into an upper chimney, receiving heat from the combustion gas, and irradiating infrared rays. Reflecting plates are disposed to forwardly reflect rearwardly directed radiant heat which has been radiated from the irradiation pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Shizuoka Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Mizuno, Hiroshi Komai, Toshio Ina, Tadao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5037293
    Abstract: In general, catalytic heaters which rely on ambient air for operation are self limiting. A simple, effective solution to the problem includes a casing with an open front end, a screen on such front end, a catalyst pad in the casing behind the screen, and diffuser pads for receiving a gas/air fuel mixture from a mixer which creates the mixture and introduces the mixture through the rear wall of the casing. Channels or dikes in the diffuser pads ensure even distribution of the gas/air fuel mixture to the catalyst pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Alan Kirby
  • Patent number: 5026273
    Abstract: There has thus been provided a highly efficient metal-ceramic catalytic combustor for a gas turbine/catalytic combustor assembly. The catalyst zone is formed of a high temperature resistant metal wire mesh, e.g., palladium coated tungsten or ferritic stainless steel screen, e.g., 40 mesh, which is aluminized with metallic aluminum, and heated to convert the outermost layer of aluminum to aluminum oxide and encourage the diffusion of the inner layer of aluminum into the body of the metal wire, desirably forming a thin metal/aluminum alloy layer. The outer surface because of the Kerkendall Effect is porous and readily accepts and strongly bonds to a metal oxide coat, e.g., a magnesia/alumina, or magnesia/alumina/yttria, or barium oxide/alumina, or barium oxide/alumina/yttria wash coat. There may also be included a catalyst deposited on the ceramic outer coat, e.g., a noble metal catalyst, for enhancement of the combustion of an air/fuel mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Richard C. Cornelison
  • Patent number: 5024596
    Abstract: Fibrous mat type burners with elongated mats can be packaged strapped together in pairs face-to-face and enclosed in telescoping carton halves that allow for packaging burners of different lengths. Mat edges can be impregnated to block escape of combustion mixture. Burners with hat-shaped mats for enveloping and brazing heat-exchange tubes to tube sheet can be used individually or in pairs to effect such brazing on tube-and-sheet assemblies secured on rotating table and indexed into position under burners. Substrates can be heated by gas-fired burners with or without the added heating effects of the hot combusted gases generated by the burners, and with or without the flushing effects of separate gas streams. Burners can have ceramic fiber mat held over shallow combustion mixture plenum essentially completely spanned by baffle. Mats can have folded-in edges to permit close packing. Plenum can have partition forming small ignition compartment with igniter against covering portion of mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5020991
    Abstract: A heating device, especially a motor vehicle heating device operated by means of liquid fuel, has a vaporization burner with an absorbent body that can be acted upon by liquid fuel. To effect equalization of heat distribution and fuel pretreatment, there is provided a cover of a high temperature and corrosion resistant sheet steel. The cover has a plurality of openings and covers at least a major portion of that surface of the absorbent body which faces a combustion chamber of the heating device. When the absorbent body has a through-opening to promote vaporization of the liquid fuel, the cover likewise can have a through-opening coordinated thereto, thus exposing the through-opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Klaus Schaale, Hermann Schoenberger, Johann Sperl
  • Patent number: 5017129
    Abstract: A porous ceramic gas burner constructed from ceramic blocks associated with each other to form a hollow chamber to receive naturally aspirated gas and air mixture from a venturi with the ceramic blocks including a plurality of small holes enabling passage of the gas and air mixture to the outer periphery of the burner for ignition and combustion with the structural characteristics of the small holes preventing flashback of the flames even though the velocity of the air and gas mixture is less than the flame propagation rate thereby reducing the noise level of the burner by reducing the velocity of the air mixture passing through the burner. The burner is associated with a forced air heater including a fan and a duct associated therewith to direct forced secondary air over the periphery of the burner with the periphery of the burner including a surface generally parallel to the flow path of the secondary air and the holes in the burner being perpendicular to the flow path of the secondary air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Scheu Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wallace W. Velie, William T. Lewis, Donald C. Haney
  • Patent number: 5000676
    Abstract: Process for heating a catalyst used for the catalytic high-temperature oxidation of a mixture of a combustible gas and air or oxygen which is introduced in the cold state. The mixture is ignited on the input side at a point which is so close to the catalyst that the mixture is burning when it reaches the surface of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Inventor: Werner Fiala
  • Patent number: 4981434
    Abstract: A dryer or oven of the type utilizing radiant burners having a heating chamber extending therethrough with opposed sides in which radiant burner units are arranged in spaced rows with enclosure panels therebetween. The burner units face opposed panels and the panels are formed with radiantly refelective surfaces for re-radiation of heat from the burner units into the heating chamber. In one form, a dryer is formed with T-shaped modules, each having narrow vertical sections and top cross-sections for joining in face-to-face relation to adjacent units, with exterior access spaces between the vertical sections and with the burner units having back sides exteriorly exposed in the spaces for convenient access. In another form, an oven is formed with burner units and enclosure panels extending in a longitudinal horizontal heating chamber that is open along its top for passage therethrough of articles suspended from a conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Inventor: H. Chandler Arndt
  • Patent number: 4979491
    Abstract: A hanger for use in a low intensity radiant energy heating system. The hanger is used both for supporting the emitter tube/reflector assembly and as an air dam to prevent convection currents from flowing along the emitter tube due to temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Combustion Research Corporation
    Inventor: Paul A. DeMeritt
  • Patent number: 4977111
    Abstract: Means and methods for enhancing the output of radiant energy from a porous radiant burner by minimizing the scattering and increasing the adsorption, and thus emission of such energy by the use of randomly dispersed ceramic fibers of sub-micron diameter in the fabrication of ceramic fiber matrix burners and for use therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventors: Timothy W. Tong, Sanjeev B. Sathe, Robert E. Peck
  • Patent number: 4976609
    Abstract: A flashback inhibiting fuel fired infrared burner has a housing with a base wall, a side wall section extending outwardly from the base wall periphery, and a side opening positioned opposite the base wall. Retained in and covering the housing side opening is a foranimous burner plate structure. An air-fuel mixture supply pipe extends forwardly into the housing interior through a front end of the side wall section into a rear end portion of the housing interior and has an open outlet end. A discharge end portion of the supply pipe is received in an open front end portion of a flow reversing tube having a closed rear end. The supply pipe and flow reversing tube are laterally shrouded within the housing by an elongated baffle member having outlet openings formed in longitudinally extending front and rear wall portions thereof, the total cross-sectional area of the outlet openings in the front longitudinal wall portion being greater than that of the outlet openings in the rear longitudinal wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: The Frymaster Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Grob, Richard N. Caron
  • Patent number: 4964797
    Abstract: The heater includes a jacket unit connectable to the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, the jacket unit forming a central cavity in which a catalytic burner unit is suspended by means of a bolt that extends upwardly through an upper opening in the jacket unit. Overlying the jacket unit is a perforated dome-shaped cap having a hole through which the bolt extends so that a nut applied to the upper end of the bolt clamps the perforated cap against the upper end of the jacket unit, at the same time suspending the burner unit within the jacket unit's cavity. Within the cavity is a fixedly positioned ring through which the bolt extends, the bolt having a collar that abutts the underside of the ring when the nut is fully tightened. The catalytic burner unit also includes a feed tube extending downwardly therefrom. A second perforated dome-shaped cap underlies the jacket unit having a hole through which the feed tube extends. A sleeve of catalytic material is included in the burner unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Chester W. Hilton
  • Patent number: 4952492
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating the surface area of a radiant infrared burner over which combustion occurs as a function of burner heat output rate. This modulation serves to maintain the heat flux density on the surface of the burner at or near an optimum value over a range of heat output rates. The modulation is effected by means of a piston disposed in the internal cavity of a burner which blocks the passage of combustible gas to areas of the burner downstream of the piston from the gas inlet to the burner. The piston is displaced further downstream with increased gas flow rate resulting in combustion occuring over an increased area of the burner surface as burner heat output rate is increased. In its simplest embodiment, the invention comprises a burner oriented vertically with the combustible gas entering the bottom of the burner and a free piston which floats on the incoming gas stream at a level within the burner which is proportional to the gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Clark, Ian M. Shapiro, David A. Lindstrand
  • Patent number: 4940406
    Abstract: An improved incomplete combustion preventing gas burner is disclosed, the improvement comprising: a venturi having a narrow passage and installed downstream of a mixing room in such a manner that the mixed combustible gas from the mixing room should be spouted with a high velocity through the flame holes, and a V shaped guide portion provided on the mixed combustible gas path leading from the mixing room to the flame holes. Thus, if an unstable mixing ratio occurs in the mixing room to cause an incomplete combustion, a lifting phenomenon for the flame is induced through the utilization of the high velocity of the mixed combustible gas, so that the thermal interaction between the flame 5 and the thermo-electric couple 7 should be halted, and that the combustible gas supply should be blocked, thereby extinguishing the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heu-Tae Kee
  • Patent number: 4927353
    Abstract: A catalytic combustion device has a fuel supply means communicated with a fuel supply source, an air supply passage communicated with an air supply source, a premixing chamber for mixing together fuel supplied from the fuel supply means and combustion air supplied from the air supply passage to form a fuel-air mixture, a catalyst installed in a combustion chamber to cause oxidation reaction of the fuel-air mixture supplied thereto, thereby effecting catalytic combustion, and an exhaust passage for discharging combustion gas from the catalyst in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nomura, Yoichiro Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 4923393
    Abstract: A fuel-fired burner of the gas-fired fully premixed type comprises a plenum chamber 2 formed by walls 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, the wall 11 having an inlet port 4 to enable the plenum chamber 2 to receive a mixture of gas and air from a mixing chamber 3 and the wall 5 comprising a plate having therein several through-going rectangular slots 6 which communicate with the chamber 2. The mixing chamber 3 has an inlet end 15 for connection to a source of pressurized air and a further inlet opening 17 in a wall 13 formed with a stub pipe 18 by means of which the chamber 3 can be connected to a source of fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: British Gas Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Sutton
  • Patent number: 4919609
    Abstract: An improved gas-fueled ceramic tile burner capable of maintaining a stable flame at very high surface heat loading of a high porosity ceramic body. The improved ceramic tile burner includes a coarse steel mesh which is positioned abutting the downstream side of the ceramic body and upon which a pressurized mixture of air and fuel is ignited. The mesh helps to generate gas regeneration zones which stabilize the flame. Optionally, the disclosed ceramic tile burner has a secondary retaining mesh below the ceramic body which can be connected to the coarse steel mesh and to a burner housing in order to ground the meshes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Paul H. Sarkisian, Frederick E. Becker
  • Patent number: 4917599
    Abstract: A combustible gas burner having simple, effective safety features. The burner head is made of ceramic to provide insulation between the flame and the gas inlet, thereby preventing autoignition. The ceramic head is formed with a multiplicity of passages therethrough, which are sufficiently small to function as a flame arrester. This multiple passage structure also functions to reduce flame-out when a lean combustible gas mixture is subject to external dilution air. The ceramic burner head is secured to the gas inlet opening by means of a bonding agent which expands as it cures, thereby providing a positive mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Detley E. M. Hasselmann
  • Patent number: 4906180
    Abstract: A gas fired infrared burner ceramic tile retainer for securing ceramic burner tiles within a plenum including a one-piece cut-and-form stamped tile retainer made of continuous sheet metal includes a top portion which is substantially horizontal for engaging the burner tile edge and a transverse portion which is substantially perpendicular to the top portion which includes a plurality of tabs extending downwardly from the transverse portions. These tabs are placed at intervals around the bottom of the tile retainer and are adapted to be bent under the plenum which contains the burner tile. The plenum has a tile receiving lip around its upper outer perimeter, and the tabs are bent underneath this lip to secure the burner tile by sandwiching the outer edges of the burner tile between the tile retainer and the plenum tile receiving lip. The disclosed tile retainer furthermore helps to maintain a substantially gas tight seal between the ceramic tile and the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Solaronics
    Inventor: John A. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 4906178
    Abstract: Embodiments of gas-fired appliances which generate sufficient electricity to be self-powered include water heaters, space heaters, air conditioning units, and electric power and steam cogeneration systems. In such apparatus, gas is burned in a porous ceramic surface combustion burner. The high temperature surface of the burner includes a narrow band quantum emitting substance such as a rare earth metal oxide and preferably ytterbium oxide. Relatively shorter wavelength radiation from this quantum emitting surface illuminates photovoltaic cells having an absorption spectrum matched to the emission spectrum of the burner surface for generating sufficient electricity for powering the appliance. An infrared absorbing filter removes relatively longer wavelength radiation which would otherwise heat the photovoltaic cells. The cells are cooled, preferably by a portion of the utility fluid heated by the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Quantum Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Goldstein, Earl M. Dolnick, John C. Bass
  • Patent number: 4899696
    Abstract: A commercial storage water heater process including a storage tank which is heated by a fiber matrix radiant burner positioned within an upright combustion tube at the lower end of the tank. A mixture of natural gas and air is forced by a blower at the upper end of the tank down through an inlet conduit and into the burner with combustion taking place flamelessly along the outer surface of the burner to radiate thermal energy to the combustion tube which is turn heats the water. Exhaust gases from the burner are directed along a path leading upwardly through a plurality of flue tubes which transfer a part of the residual energy of the gases into the water. Exhaust gases exiting the flue tubes are directed through an outlet port and vented to a stack. The combustion tube and outlet port are positioned radially offset and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the tank to facilitate access to the combustion tube and burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Jeffery M. Kennedy, Andrew C. Minden
  • Patent number: 4900244
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for flaring a gas stream such as the gas mixtures formed in landfills while retarding the backward propagation of flame thereto are provided. The method comprises conducting the gas stream to a burner structure having a plurality of flow passages therein configured such that the gas stream can flow through the passages, but the backward propagation of flame therethrough is retarded; flowing the gas stream through the flow passages of the burner whereby the gas stream is jetted therefrom and initially mixed with air; igniting the gas stream; and mixing the ignited gas stream with additional air by confining the jetted and ignited gas mixture within a stack configured to allow the admission of air around the burner structure and to discharge products of combustion into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: John Zink Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Keller, Roger K. Noble, Dale W. Pressnall
  • Patent number: 4900245
    Abstract: An infrared heater for fluid immersion apparatus is disclosed and includes a cylindrical ceramic foam radiant gas burner, the burner being made from retriculated ceramic foam having a porosity of about 40 to about 100 pores per linear inch. Also disclosed is a high emissivity coating on the reticulated ceramic foam burner element for substantially decreasing the likelihood of backflashing. In conjunction with the burner element, a cylindrical baffle having unevenly spaced openings distributes the gas mixtures within the burner element to enhance uniform burning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Solaronics
    Inventor: Farshid Ahmady
  • Patent number: 4895513
    Abstract: A process of making a combustion element and the resultant element which includes heating a body of felted graphite fibers to a temperature of between 1500 degrees and 2100 degrees F. in an inert atmosphere and thereafter contacting the body at the elevated temperature with an atmosphere of a decomposable gaseous source of silicon atoms for a time and at a concentration to in situ convert the graphite fibers to silicon fibers and silicon carbide fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: BR Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Bodh R. Subherwal
  • Patent number: 4890601
    Abstract: Gas burner for a liquid petroleum gas artificial log or coal fire comprises a first tube having holes at spaced intervals along its length and a second tube housed within the tube, and means by which a combustible mixture of gas and air can be introduced into the second tube at a first end thereof. The second tube is open at its end remote from its first end and suitably spaced from an end wall closing the tube so that the combustible mixture travels along the second tube leaving its remote end and back along the first tube which it leaves through the holes. The tube extends lengthwise in a tray in which heat-resistant material e.g. mineral fibres dissipate gas so that flames rise between logs supported on a frame in the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Gas Logs (Brailsford) Ltd.
    Inventor: Barry C. Potter
  • Patent number: 4889481
    Abstract: A surface combustion radiant heat burner having an inlet plenum for receiving fuel and oxidant gas mixtures and a burner body in communication with the inlet plenum. The burner body has an inlet side facing the plenum and an outlet side defining a radiating surface. The burner body consists of a first layer of porous ceramic material adjacent the inlet side of the plenum and a second layer of porous ceramic material defining a radiating surface. At least the outer surfaces of the first porous layer and substantially all surfaces of the second porous layer are provided with a fully dense ceramic coating applied by chemical vapor deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Hi-Tech Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Morris, Nicholas H. Burlingame
  • Patent number: 4887963
    Abstract: A gas burner is provided of the type distributing, through multiple nozzles (12), the flames (13) generated by the combustion of a pressurized fuel gas in air, comprising an air-fox (1) one wall (3) of which is perforated with a large number of closely spaced orifices (5), a gas feed-tank (7) connected to a pressurized fuel gas source and a plurality of hollow needles (11) each connecting the inside of the feed-tank (7) to the central zone of the inlet of an orifice (5) in the perforated wall (3) so as to define with this orifice one of the flame production sites (12). The air-box is connected to a pressurized air source, the orifices are cylindrical and a mechanical obstacle (16) is provided in the centre of the outlet of each orifice, for deflecting the gas jet leaving the needle and mixing it with the air stream which surrounds it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Assignee: Chaffoteaux Et Maury
    Inventor: Joseph LeMer
  • Patent number: 4883423
    Abstract: An infrared burner with an extremely low pressure drop is described. The burner comprises a corrosion resistant mesh screen having a thick porous coating of ceramic fibers deposited thereon. In addition to a low pressure drop the burner has structural integrity and ability to generate radiant energy at a high rate. The burner is produced by admixing alumina and ceramic fibers with a clathrate-forming halocarbon material which is removed upon drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Alex Holowczenko
  • Patent number: 4878837
    Abstract: An infrared burner with an extremely low pressure drop is described. The burner comprises a corrosion resistant mesh screen having a thick porous coating of ceramic fibers deposited thereon. In addition to a low pressure drop the burner has structural integrity and ability to generate radiant energy at a high rate. The burner is produced by admixing ceramic fibers with a polymeric material which burns off upon heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Nancy M. Otto
  • Patent number: 4875850
    Abstract: Gas burner of relatively low power of the blown air and premixture type comprising separate intakes for air and for combustible gas passing into a premixing chamber discharging into a combustion chamber at the level of which the premixture is ignited by means of a lighting electrode, the air intake and combustible gas intake each comprising at least one flow regulating valve. The burner is characterized in that a device having a calibrated orifice of the injector type is provided on the combustible gas intake while a passage of relatively small cross-section, of the diaphragm type, is provided on the air intake. The invention is particularly applicable to installations comprising this burner to serve as a pilot lighting burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Gaz de France
    Inventors: Francois Cagnon, Denis Di Paola, Georges Austruy, Andre Vinchon
  • Patent number: 4870824
    Abstract: A catalytic combustor unit for a stationary combustion turbine includes a substrate composed of a plurality of intersecting walls defining a series of generally parallel passages aligned in rows and columns, open at their opposite ends and exposed to a heated flow of fuel and air mixture therethrough. The walls have sections which border and define the respective passages. Each wall section is in common with two adjacent passages and has a pair of oppositely-facing surface regions, one of which is exposed to one of the two adjacent passages and the other exposed to the other of the two adjacent passages. A catalyst coating is applied on selected ones of the wall surface regions exposed to certain ones of the passages, whereas selected others of the wall surfaces exposed to certain others of the passages are free of the catalyst coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: William E. Young, Dan E. Carl
  • Patent number: 4869230
    Abstract: Radiant tube space heating appliance includes a burner assembly (12), air flow therethrough being induced by a fan (14) by way of a restricted air inlet orifice (34) communicating with a stabilizing chamber (32) leading to the burner head (26) for smoothing and silencing the air flow; the burner head including a flame stabilizing matrix (40), conveniently formed from windings of flat and corrugated stainless strips (42,43) which define through apertures of substantial axial length. The appliance may further include a turbulator insert (50) in the radiant tube formed as a corrugated strip (52) of stainless steel or similar material which is twisted to form a helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Ambi-Rad Limited
    Inventors: John E. Fletcher, William Yale
  • Patent number: 4869664
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas burner for a solid fuel effect gas fire. The burner comprises an integrally formed metal casing defining a gas/air mix chamber. A gas/air mix supply pipe connects with the chamber and a number of burner bores are provided in a wall of the casing. Simulated solid fuel elements can then be located above or on the said wall of the casing so as to not close said burner bores. Age will not affect the performance of the burner as can happen in prior art burners where the casing is formed by an open trough closed by a ceramic plaque where gas/air mix bores extend through the ceramic plaque which is moulded with a number of simulated fuel elements on its upper surface, and sealed by mastic or filler to the rim of the trough which mastic deteriorates with age.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Valor Heating Limited
    Inventors: Peter Wright, Alan Hinton, Alan Constable, Charles Moran, Martin Smith
  • Patent number: 4861261
    Abstract: In order to adapt a gas-infrared radiator (a radiant burner) to operating conditions in a particularly efficient manner, the energy delivered is reduced by intermittently reducing a controlled supply of gas so that the energy delivery is below about 40% or even less of the maximum energy delivery of the infrared radiator, and a flame supplied separately from the controlled gas supply is maintained in the combustion chamber of the gas-infrared radiator, at least when operating in the aforementioned range. This is achieved more particularly by providing at least one nozzle (22) for a pilot light, directed towards the combustion chamber (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Kurt Krieger
  • Patent number: 4850859
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating air using a regenerable hydrogen containing liquid fuel. The apparatus includes a hydrogen reduction catalyst, a semipermeable membrane through which hydrogen may pass and an oxidation catalyst which forms a combustion area. The hydrogen reduction catalyst is proximate to the combustion area. A displacement means transfers the hydrogen containing liquid fuel to the reduction catalyst where combustion heat decomposes the liquid fuel into hydrogen and decomposition products. The hydrogen passes through the semipermeable membrane mixes with air and is combusted at the oxidation catalyst. The decomposition products are transferred to a condensing means whereby they are condensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur S. Kesten, H. Ezzat Khalifa
  • Patent number: 4850862
    Abstract: A high efficiency, high temperature radiant heating system utilizing regeneratively coupled combustors. The combustor/regenerator units each comprise a porous body with combustion supported in one layered zone and regeneration occurring in an adjacent layered zone in a subsequent cycle. Each combustor/regenerator unit cycles between combustion and regeneration operational modes and is gas flow coupled with a similar unit operating simultaneously in a mode opposite that of the former. Heat in the combustion products produced at one combustor/regenerator unit is received at the regenerator zone of the other coupled unit and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Bjerklie
  • Patent number: 4848318
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus having a frypot or assembly for heating a quantity of cooking oil including well center section arranged to have enclosed burner assemblies disposed on each side of the center section and forming combustion chambers for the combustion of a fuel-air mixture introduced into combustion chambers under a forced air flow system. The combustion chambers are charged with a forced flow of a fuel-air mixture under positive pressure by a blower assembly mounted on a manifold on the front of the frypot assembly. The manifold includes respective air flow control valve gates which may be selectively adjusted to balance the charging air flow to the respective burner assemblies. The frypot has opposed sidewalls and a rear wall which form parts of respective flow passages for combustion gases leaving the combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: The Frymaster Corporation
    Inventor: Edward L. Brewer
  • Patent number: 4838241
    Abstract: A burner assembly suitable for use in the fireplace is shown. The burner is operative with either natural gas or propane gas to produce a flame pattern closely resembles to that of a natural wood log fire yet there is virtually no formation of carbon monoxide gas in the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Heinz H. Rieger
  • Patent number: 4830602
    Abstract: Gas range with at least one burner covered by a glass ceramic plate, wherein the burner has a gas cock and a timed-ignition and monitoring device, such that the output of the burners is adjustable. A gas cock is used with plugs rotatable between a high and a low position with the aid of a knob and a knob shaft, with a spindle connected to the knob shaft, with a valve plate under the gas inlet opening in the plug housing, with a microswitch for the ignition device and with the use of an electromagnet under the valve plate, in the area of the gas supply connection of the further housing. The knob with the knob handle and the spindle is pressable against the action of a return spring in the high position of the plug. This way, the microswitch for the timed ignition device becomes actuatable and the valve plate becomes pressable on the electromagnet against the action of a return spring, thereby opening the combustion gas inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Cramer GmbH & Co., Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Dietmar G. Kaselow
  • Patent number: 4830600
    Abstract: A premix furnace burner for a gas combusting furnace. The furnace burner includes a premix chamber and a burner plate assembly. The burner plate assembly is comprised of a burner plate with a plurality of relatively small apertures for the passage of a mixture of combustible gas and air and an annular ring for retaining the burner plate. The annular retaining ring determines the capacity of the furnace burner by appropriately sizing of the opening in the annulus of the retaining ring to sealingly overlay a selected portion of the burner plate apertures. The retaining ring further secures the burner plate in the correct operational position while simultaneously permitting the burner plate to expand and contract in response to temperature changes induced by combustion of the gas and air mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: James T. VerShaw, John A. Beasley
  • Patent number: 4828481
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for high temperature combustion in a combustion chamber comprising two opposed porous plates is provided whereby increased combustion temperatures are achievable by means of internal radiant energy recuperation. The high temperature combustion apparatus and process may achieve super-adiabatic combustion temperatures and is especially suitable for applications such as waste disposal and incineration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Sanford A. Weil, Tian-yu Xiong, Donald K. Fleming