Patents Examined by Carl D. Price
  • Patent number: 7563094
    Abstract: A utility lighter includes a handle casing, a gas releasing valve, a bendable extension arm, a torch nozzle, a piezoelectric unit and an actuation device. The bendable extension arm has an upper end and a lower end extended from the handle casing, wherein the extension arm has a deformable receiving channel which is extended from the lower end to the upper end and is adapted to be curved when the extension arm is selectively bent between the upper end and the lower end. The torch nozzle is provided at the upper end of the extension arm to communicate with the gas releasing valve through the receiving channel for releasing the gas through the torch nozzle when the actuation device is actuated to depress the piezoelectric unit. The result is that a torch flame is generated at the torch nozzle at a distance from the handle casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: John Yang
  • Patent number: 7562654
    Abstract: A barbecue stove includes a bowl for installment on the ground, a food tray for supporting food, a coal tray for supporting coal and an elevator for adjusting the elevation of the coal tray. The food tray is installed on the bowl. The coal tray is positioned in the bowl below the food tray. The elevator is provided between the coal tray and the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Kiosky Chung
  • Patent number: 7527495
    Abstract: A multiple gas burner assembly has two burners spaced apart by a bridge burner. An axis extending through the first and third burner intersects the perimeter of the bridging second burner. The second burner provides a means for providing a substantially continuous flame perimeter and continuous heating intermediate the first burner and third burner when the three burners are lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Burner Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Siu Hun P. Yam, William M. Pryor, Bernard Dane
  • Patent number: 7524186
    Abstract: A low emissions burner includes a diffusion burner surrounded by an annular array of premix burners. The diffusion burner operates at maximum swirl air flow and at a low constant fuel rate to reduce NOx emissions. The diffusion burner provides a stable swirling diffusion flame. An annular array of premix burners surrounds the diffusion burner and provides a non-swirling premix flame about the diffusion flame to advantageously provide a higher heat content about the periphery of the burner flame to facilitate industrial drying processes using the burner. The diffusion burner flame maintains the premixed flame stabilized. Water injection nozzles are provided each of the premix and diffusion burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Gencor Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Brashears, Grover T. Butler, Joseph T. Mollick
  • Patent number: 7503761
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for generating steam, comprising oxidizing a fuel to generate heat via a flameless reaction; and using the heat generated via the reaction to convert water to steam. In an embodiment, the amount of NOx present is flue gas from the reaction is less than about 10 PPMv. In an embodiment, the reaction temperature is less than about 2600° F. (1430° C.). In an embodiment, the method further comprises controlling the reaction temperature to minimize the formation of NOx. In an embodiment, controlling the reaction temperature further comprises sensing one or more process variables and adjusting a process controller in response to the sensed process variable. Also disclosed herein is a steam generator comprising a reaction zone wherein fuel is oxidized to generate heat via a flameless reaction and a heating zone wherein water is converted to steam via heat from the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Fina Technology Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Butler
  • Patent number: 7494337
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing multiple stages of fuel. A burner assembly having a face for production of a flame and a plurality of longitudinally adjacent chambers opening to the face. A divider is provided that splits the burner chambers into two separate sections in such a manner that one section includes burner chambers greater in number than the other section. The first section can be ignited solely. Thereafter, the second section can be ignited. Once the second section is ignited, the first section may be optionally turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Specht, Steve Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7490601
    Abstract: A fireplace afterburner is presented including a shell having a first open shell end for receiving fireplace emissions and a second open shell end for expelling fireplace emissions, a flue inside said shell having a first flue end which can be closed, and a second flue end which is open, wherein when the first flue end is closed fireplace emissions flow around said flue, and wherein when said first flue end is open fireplace emission flow through said flue, a heating element connected to said shell and encircling said flue, wherein said heating element heats emissions that pass in proximity to the element, and a catalyst bed connected to said shell and encircling said flue. A method for reducing products of incomplete combustion in fireplace emissions is presented including receiving fireplace emissions into a shell, heating said fireplace emissions to at least 1501° F. (816° C.), reacting said fireplace emissions with a catalyst substrate, and releasing the results of said reaction from said shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Paul E. Tiegs
  • Patent number: 7481650
    Abstract: A direct gas-fired burner assembly is disclosed in which a two-stage flame is produced. A gas manifold is attached to two baffles with apertures disposed therein. The apertures are designed such that a fuel rich zone occurs near the manifold, while a lean zone occurs away from the manifold. At high fire, the apertures create a negative pressure zone which draws the gas away from the burner thereby allowing a primary flame to burn. The primary flame in the fuel rich zone ignites a secondary flame in the lean zone. Because a flame is burning throughout the entire combustion zone, the flame does not move out past the baffles, the flame remains smaller and cooler, and a lower output of pollutants is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Midco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Pawel Mosiewicz, Ceji Li
  • Patent number: 7435081
    Abstract: A gas valve includes a gas inlet in fluid communication with a first chamber, a second chamber in selective fluid communication with the first chamber, a gas outlet in selective fluid communication with the second chamber, a pilot light outlet in fluid communication with the second chamber, and a bypass channel in fluid communication with the second chamber and in fluid communication with the first chamber. The bypass channel limits bypass gas flow to an amount that is insufficient to ignite a pilot flame at the pilot light outlet when the second channel is in fluid communication with the gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Sybrandus B. V. Munsterhuis
  • Patent number: 7430970
    Abstract: A new burner apparatus and method of combusting fossils fuels for commercial and industrial application is provided wherein the new burner apparatus achieves low NOx emissions by supplying oxygen to the center of the burner flame in as manners so as to create a fuel rich internal combustion zone within the burner flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventors: Albert D. LaRue, Alan N. Sayre, William J. Kahle, Hamid Sarv, Daniel R. Rowley
  • Patent number: 7415979
    Abstract: A barbeque grill unit is provided with at least one removable handle that is readily removed and attached to the grill body to provide a grill unit having a reduced overall length when the removable handle is detached, thus promoting the convenient packing, shipping, storing, and use of the barbeque grill unit. In one embodiment, the cooking equipment apparatus comprises a grill body having an outer surface and an interior and at least one removable handle adapted for selective attachment with the grill body to facilitate handling of the cooking equipment apparatus. A first coupling member is located on the outer surface of the grill body and a second coupling member is located on the handle, with the first and second coupling members adapted to being selectively engaged such that the handle is attached with the grill body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: ASC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory G Macri, Darren L Eby
  • Patent number: 7377772
    Abstract: A candle container with a holder and burn control cover. The burn control cover and holder are configured in such a manner to create air intake vents for more efficient burning of a candle. The burn control cover includes a lower ring and an exhaust hole. A removable fitment attaches to the burn control cover through the exhaust hole for safe shipping and sealing of the candle container. A wax warmer container may attach to the candle container for scent distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Anchor Hocking Operating Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory R. Thune, James P. Wang, Jeffrey D. Accursi
  • Patent number: 7347685
    Abstract: A manifold for a torch including a gas distribution portion for distributing gas directed into the manifold to two or more gas channels, a nozzle in each gas channel, an air passage in the manifold proximate each nozzle, and a flame tube portion including a channel for mounting each flame tube adjacent a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: General Regulator, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Baranowski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7341448
    Abstract: The gas-fired heating apparatus, especially a water heater, has a combustion chamber (2a); an atmospheric gas burner (5) within the combustion chamber (2a); a combustion gas/air supply system (18) having an intake device (16) for combustion gas and primary air to be mixed with the combustion gas, which is arranged outside of the combustion chamber, and an oscillation-damping air supply chamber (11) provided with at least one air inlet (12), which is connected upstream to the intake device (16) and is constructed as a Helmholtz resonator to reduce noise and stabilize combustion. To provide sufficient primary air under adverse spatial conditions the air supply chamber (11) has an exterior wall (11?) and a pattern (13, 14) of perforations in the exterior wall, which are formed as additional air inlets for additional supply of the primary air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ceramat, S.Coop.
    Inventor: Alexander Groehl
  • Patent number: 7341054
    Abstract: A raised-level built-in cooking appliance, such as a wall-mounted oven, has a muffle and a bottom-side muffle opening. The latter can be closed with a lowerable bottom door. A drive device produces a lifting movement of the bottom door. In order to determine the weight of a cooking item, the wall-mounted cooking appliance has a weight detection device that determines the weight load on the bottom door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Edmund Kuttalek
  • Patent number: 7338280
    Abstract: An interchangeable piezoelectric lighter includes a casing having a switcher cavity and a valve switcher rotatably received in the switcher cavity wherein the valve switcher includes at least two gas nozzles axially provided therein. The gas nozzles are adapted for selectively and coaxially aligning with a gas valve for producing different types flames. Therefore, by rotatably switching the valve switcher, the gas valve is adapted to align with the respective gas nozzle for a releasing gas passing therethrough, so as to produce a desired type of flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Colibri Corporation
    Inventor: Ming King Wong
  • Patent number: 7335016
    Abstract: An evaporative burner, particularly for a vehicle heating device, includes a combustion chamber housing and, in the combustion chamber housing, an evaporative medium for receiving liquid fuel and for delivering fuel vapor into a combustion chamber. A heating coil arrangement is on a side of the evaporative medium remote from the combustion chamber, and an ignition region of the heating coil arrangement extends over the evaporative medium into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michäel Kramer, Walter Blaschke
  • Patent number: 7335017
    Abstract: A lighter includes a flint igniter igniting a flame positioned adjacent to a torch nozzle thereof to light up gas emitted from the torch nozzle to form a torch in which the gas released from a gas container of the lighter is distributed to have portion emitted from a flame outlet for producing the flame while the other portion is emitted from the torch nozzle and ignited by the flame produced at the flame outlet. After lighting up the gas to form the torch, the gas from the flame outlet is blocked to stop the ignition flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Chi Lam Wong, Lian Wang
  • Patent number: 7322820
    Abstract: A multiple fingered burner includes controls for continuity of gas flow and ignition throughout all of the ports peripherally positioned around the contoured wall of the burner body. A plurality of burner parts are nested together with an indexer limiting insertion to at least one predetermined alignment in order to avoid improper fit or alignment between adjacent burner parts. In addition, the peripherally positioned ports are covered by a laterally extending lip of a cap, and at least one of the parts includes recesses adjacent the laterally extending lip to provide ignitable gas flow passages along the peripheral wall of the burner that maintain continuity of ignition at adjacent burner ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Welton, Ralph E. Jennings, Hans Daerendinger
  • Patent number: RE40590
    Abstract: The present invention includes a universal combustion chamber preferably shipped from a factory as a separate unit for field installation into a plurality of different fireplace units and includes a top panel and a floor panel connected to sidewall panel to form a complete ready to use gas tight structure. The combustion chamber is fabricated from flat and/or curved panels which are preferably molded from a thick paste slurry of mixed vitreous alumina silicate fibers combined with an aqueous solution of silica binder and fired to form non-porous gas tight panels which are interconnected to form a gas tight combustion chamber. The connecting joints are preferably reinforced by the addition of a high temperature adhesive added to the mating joints. The joints may be further reinforced and/or sealed by mechanical reinforcing at or in the joints. The joints may be eliminated by forming a one piece combustion chamber on forming molds that are designed to be separated from a formed but uncured combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hearth Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia J. Shimek, Daniel Curtis Shimek, Ronald John Shimek