PORTABLE STOVE

Abstract

A portable stove is provided. The stove includes a frame including an upper portion with an opening and a lower portion. A combustion chamber is positioned directly below the opening of the upper portion of the frame. The combustion chamber is defined by an inner wall, and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall to define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall includes a plurality of holes spaced about a periphery. A tank for oil is provided. Any oil, such as vegetable oil, can be used. A feed line directs the oil from the tank into the combustion chamber. A fan is connected to the frame and is in communication with the cavity. The fan blows air into the cavity that travels through the holes and into the combustion chamber to provide air for combustion of the oil. An ignition element is provided for igniting the oil.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application is generally related to a portable stove and more particularly related to a portable oil burning stove.

BACKGROUND

Portable stoves are widely used for cooking foods and heating in remote locations. Existing portable stoves typically require propane, gas, charcoal, or some other combustible material to provide enough heat to cook food. These combustible materials produce large amounts of undesirable byproducts, such as carbon monoxide. Additionally, access to some of these combustible materials may be limited in developing areas of the world.

Wood burning stoves have become increasingly popular in developing areas. These types of stoves require trees to be chopped down in order to produce enough wood. Vegetable oils, such as olive oil, can be extracted from the fruits of a living plant during a harvest period. Due to concerns over deforestation, it would be desirable to use vegetable oils as a fuel source for portable stoves instead of wood.

SUMMARY

It would be desirable to provide a portable stove that reduces the number of undesirable byproducts associated with portable stoves and that uses oil, such as vegetable oil, as fuel.

A portable stove is provided. The portable stove includes a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes an opening. A combustion chamber is positioned directly below the opening of the upper portion of the frame. The combustion chamber is defined by an inner wall, and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall to define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall includes a plurality of holes spaced about a periphery. The combustion chamber further includes a base with an opening at a first axial end and a cover at a second axial end. A tank for oil is provided. A feed line directs the oil from the tank into the combustion chamber. A fan is connected to the frame and is in communication with the cavity. The fan blows air into the cavity that travels through the holes and into the combustion chamber to provide air for combustion of the oil. An ignition element is provided for igniting the oil.

Preferred arrangements with one or more features of the invention are described below and in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing Summary as well as the following Detailed Description will be best understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a portable stove according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the portable stove according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the portable stove according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combustion chamber of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the wick assembly of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “inner,” “outer,” “inwardly,” and “outwardly” refer to directions towards and away from the parts referenced in the drawings. A reference to a list of items that are cited as “at least one of a, b, or c” (where a, b, and c represent the items being listed) means any single one of the items a, b, c or combinations thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivates thereof, and words of similar import.

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of a portable stove 1 according to the present invention. The stove 1 includes a frame 2 including an upper portion 3 and a lower portion 4. The upper portion 3 includes an opening 5. A combustion chamber 6 is positioned directly below the opening 5 of the upper portion 3 of the frame 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the combustion chamber 6 is defined by an inner wall 7, and an outer wall 8 is spaced apart from the inner wall 7 to define a cavity therebetween. The inner wall 7 includes a plurality of holes 9, for example spaced about an entire periphery of the inner wall 7. The combustion chamber 6 includes a base with an opening at a first axial end and a cover at a second axial end. A tank 10 for oil is provided. Any oil, including vegetable oil, may be used as a fuel. Vegetable oil has a high flash point as compared to other types of oil. The combustion chamber 6 provides sufficient aeration to the oil to allow for improved combustion. A feed line 11 directs the oil from the tank 10 into the combustion chamber 6. A fan 12 is connected to the frame 2 and is in communication with the cavity of the combustion chamber 6. The fan 12 blows air into the cavity that travels through the plurality of holes 9 and into the combustion chamber 6 to provide air for combustion of the oil. The fan 12 can include a volume control switch that regulates the flow of air from the fan 12. The fan 12 can also include a switch to control power from a power source, for example a battery or an external power source.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall has a 2.5 in. diameter and is 2.25 in. tall. Preferably, nine holes are provided that each have a ⅛ in. diameter. The fan 12 preferably delivers 22 cfm. An ignition element 13 is provided for igniting the oil. The ignition element 13 is preferably a wick assembly or could be an electrical resistance ignition element. Preferably, the fan 12 provides enough air to produce an optimal air-fuel ratio for efficient combustion.

In another embodiment, an air chamber may be provided below the combustion chamber 6 that is in communication with the fan 12. The air chamber may include a wall portion with at least one opening in communication with the cavity between the inner and outer walls 7, 8 for allowing the fan 12 to blow air through the plurality of holes 9 in to the combustion chamber 6.

In another embodiment, the feed line 11 may include a spray nozzle at an end feeding into the combustion chamber 6. The spray nozzle preferably creates a fine spray or mist of the oil as the oil enters the combustion chamber 6. The spray characteristics may be optimized to improve combustion of the oil.

The feed line 11 can include a control valve that prevents excess oil from entering the combustion chamber 6. A sensor can be located on the bottom of the combustion chamber 6 and can actuate the control valve. If the sensor detects excess oil is filling the combustion chamber 6, the sensor closes the control valve and no more oil will be supplied to the combustion chamber 6. In another embodiment, a drain line 23 can be provided in the bottom of the combustion chamber 6. The drain line 23 directs excess oil from the combustion chamber 6 back into the tank 10.

In one embodiment, the tank 10 is provided inside the frame 2 and a pump 14 directs the oil from the tank 10 into the combustion chamber 6. The pump 14 is preferably powered by a battery 15 also positioned within the frame 2 or by any power source. The battery 15 can also provide energy to the fan 12. The battery 15 is preferably a 12 volt rechargeable battery and can include a cable to charge from an external power source. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery 15 can be powered via a solar panel 21 arranged outside of the frame 2. In another embodiment, the stove 1 can include an electric plug and is powered by an external power source. A valve can be arranged in the feed line 11 between the tank 10 and the pump 14. Another valve can be arranged in the feed line 11 between the pump 14 and the combustion chamber 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the tank 10 is provided outside the frame 2 and above the combustion chamber 6 such that the oil is directed into the combustion chamber 6 by gravity. A control valve can be provided along the line from the tank 10 to the combustion chamber 6 to regulate the amount of oil entering the combustion chamber 6.

The lower portion 4 of the frame 2 can include a base including a plurality of holes for ventilation of the stove 1. The frame 2 can also include openings for controls and switches for the battery, fan, or pump. The lower portion 4 is preferably hollow and may house the tank 10, fan 12, pump 14, battery 15, or other components of the stove 1. The upper portion 3 includes a top surface with an annular hole in the center of the top surface for the flame of the stove 1. The upper portion 3 may include a cooking grate 22 positioned above the top surface of the upper portion 3 for supporting pots or pans.

As shown in FIG. 3, a converter 16 can be provided for converting heat from the stove 1 into electrical energy, which may then be stored in the battery 15. The converter 16 can include a heat collecting element positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber 6 for absorbing excess heat from the stove 1. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes there are several ways to convert heat energy to electrical energy, such as a steam turbine generator, or a thermocouple. The converter 16 can also include a thermoelectric generator 24. Known thermoelectric generators include Seebeck generators. The power generated by the thermoelectric generator 24 can then be stored in the battery 15 or used to power any device. The converter 16, thermoelectric generator 24, battery 15, and/or the solar panel 21 can be in communication electrically in any manner. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes known electrical wiring and circuits can be used for connecting the electrical components of the portable stove 1. The battery 15 can power any electrical component within the portable stove 1 or external from the portable stove 1. The battery 15 can include an electrical plug outlet for connecting any external electrical device. The portable stove 1 can include an electrical system that includes the solar panel 21 and/or the thermoelectric generator 24 and the converter 16. The battery 15 stores energy from the converter 16, and the battery 15 supplies energy to the fan 12, the pump 14, or any other electrical device.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ignition element 13 can comprise a wick assembly 17 that can be positioned within the combustion chamber 6. Preferably, the wick assembly 17 includes a handle portion 18 and an ignition portion 19. In another embodiment, the wick assembly 17 only includes the ignition portion 19 and does not include the handle portion 18. The ignition portion 19 preferably includes a lattice structure and ceramic fibers. A retaining disc 20 is provided along the handle portion 18. The retaining disc 20 preferably includes a ridge that rests within the annular hole in the upper portion 3 of the frame 2. The ignition portion 19 is dipped into the oil to saturate the ceramic fibers. The wick element 17 is then removed from the combustion chamber 6 and ignited externally from the combustion chamber 6. Once ignited, the wick element 17 is placed back into the combustion chamber 6. In another embodiment, the ignition element 13 is an electrical resistance ignition element comprising an electrical resistor that generates heat when a current is applied.

A heating element (not shown) can be provided adjacent to the feed line 11 for heating the oil as the oil enters the combustion chamber 6. The heating element may comprise an electrical resistive coil through which electric current is applied to heat the heating element and the oil.

Having thus described various embodiments of the present portable stove in detail, it will be appreciated and apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description above, could be made in the portable stove according to the invention without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Portable Stove

2 Frame

3 Upper Portion of Frame

4 Lower Portion of Frame

5 Opening of Upper Portion of Frame

6 Combustion Chamber

7 Inner Wall of Combustion Chamber

8 Outer Wall of Combustion Chamber

9 Plurality of Holes on Inner Wall

10 Tank

11 Feed Line

12 Fan

13 Ignition Element

14 Pump

15 Battery

16 Converter

17 Wick Element

18 Handle Portion

19 Ignition Portion

20 Retaining Disc

21 Solar Panel

22 Cooking Grate

23 Drain Line

24 Thermoelectric Generator

Claims

1. A portable stove, comprising:

a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including an opening;

a combustion chamber positioned directly below the opening of the upper portion of the frame, the combustion chamber defined by an inner wall, and an outer wall spaced apart from the inner wall to define a cavity therebetween, the inner wall includes a plurality of holes spaced about a periphery, the combustion chamber includes a base with an opening at a first axial end and a cover at a second axial end;

a tank for oil and a feed line that directs the oil from the tank into the combustion chamber;

a fan connected to the frame and in communication with the cavity that blows air into the cavity that travels through the holes and into the combustion chamber to provide the air for combustion of the oil; and

an ignition element for igniting the oil.

2. The portable stove of claim 1, wherein the ignition element is a wick element positioned in the combustion chamber.

3. The portable stove of claim 1, wherein the ignition element is an electrical resistance heating element.

4. The portable stove of claim 1, further comprising a pump that directs the oil from the tank into the combustion chamber through the feed line.

5. The portable stove of claim 1, wherein the feed line includes a spray nozzle at an end feeding into the combustion chamber.

6. The portable stove of claim 1, wherein the feed line includes a control valve that prevents excess oil from entering the combustion chamber.

7. The portable stove of claim 6, wherein a sensor located on the bottom of the combustion chamber actuates the control valve.

8. The portable stove of claim 4, further comprising a battery that provides power to the fan and the pump.

9. The portable stove of claim 1, wherein the oil is vegetable oil.

10. A portable stove, comprising:

a frame including an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including an opening;

a combustion chamber positioned directly below the opening of the upper portion of the frame;

a tank for oil and a feed line that directs the oil from the tank into the combustion chamber;

a fan connected to the frame and in communication with the combustion chamber to provide air for combustion of the oil; and

an ignition element for igniting the oil.