ORNAMENTAL-FLAME BURNER
A burner includes a plurality of end nipples and at least one jet supported by and protruding outwardly from each end nipple. The end nipples and the jets are brass. Each end nipple includes a first end that is threaded and a second end that is closed. Each end nipple includes a wall extending from the first end to the second end and including a bore extending through the first end to the second end. Each end nipple includes a threaded hole extending through the wall to the bore. The first end of the end nipple, the second end of the end nipple, and the wall of the end nipple are unitary. Each jet includes a threaded portion threadedly engaged with the threaded hole and a fuel combustion outlet spaced from the threaded portion. Each jet includes a barrel extending from the fuel combustion outlet toward the threaded portion. The barrel has a larger outer diameter than the threaded portion.
This application is a Patent Cooperation Treaty Application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/987,535, filed on Mar. 10, 2020, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDAn ornamental-flame burner generates a flame that is ornamental for the purpose of viewing. As examples, the burner may be used in a fire pit, fireplace, flame and water feature, etc. During operation of the burner, the flame is visible and the burner may be exposed or may be covered, entirely or partly, by an aggregate substrate (e.g., rock, stone, glass, etc.), faux logs (e.g., ceramic, steel, etc.), water, etc.
In operation, it is desirable to generate a flame that is tall with a natural appearance similar to the appearance of flames of burning logs. Some burners generate short flames that are spaced from each other, thus having a non-natural appearance. These short flames may also be at least partly blue in color, which also deviates from the appearance of a natural fire. In addition, some burners are manufactured from materials that are aesthetically unappealing at initial installation and are subject to corrosion. One such example is black steel pipe.
Other materials may have the benefit of better aesthetic appeal at installation and are resistant to corrosion. However, burners made of such materials are more costly to produce due to higher material cost, higher design and engineering cost, and higher manufacturing costs. Accordingly, it is desirable to design an ornamental-flame burner that maximizes the height and aesthetically pleasing appearance of the flame while reducing the cost to build by minimizing the amount of material used in manufacturing and assembly.
With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a burner 10 includes a plurality of end nipples 12 and at least one jet 14 supported by and protruding outwardly from each end nipple 12. The end nipples 12 and the jets 14 are brass. Each end nipple 12 includes a first end 16 that is threaded and a second end 18 that is closed. Each end nipple 12 includes a wall 20 extending from the first end 16 to the second end 18 and defines a bore 22 extending through the first end 16 to the second end 18. Each end nipple 12 includes a threaded hole 24 extending through the wall 20 to the bore 22. The first end 16 of the end nipple 12, the second end 18 of the end nipple 12, and the wall 20 of the end nipple 12 are unitary. Each jet 14 includes a threaded portion 26 threadedly engaged with the threaded hole 24 and a fuel combustion outlet 28 spaced from the threaded portion 26.
The burner 10 generates a flame that is ornamental for the purpose of viewing. In other words, the burner 10 is an ornamental-flame burner. As examples, the burner 10 may be used in a fire pit, fireplace, water feature, etc. In use, the flame is visible and the burner 10 may be exposed or may be covered, entirely or partly, by an aggregate substrate (e.g., rock, stone, glass, etc.), faux logs (e.g., ceramic, steel, etc.), water, etc.
The burner 10 is configured, as described further below, to generate an ornamental flame that is at least partly yellow and/or orange. In the examples shown in the figures, the burner 10 is configured to generate a flame that is all yellow and/or orange, i.e., from the point of combustion at the jet 14 to a tip of the flame distal to the jet 14. Specifically, the burner 10 is configured to discharge the fuel from the jet 14 at an air-to-fuel ratio to generate a flame that is yellow and/or orange. The burner 10 is configured to burn a fuel-rich combustion mixture at an air-to-fuel ratio to generate the yellow color. Specifically, the fuel-rich combustion mixture generates the yellow and/or orange flame in contrast with a fuel-lean combustion mixture that generates a blue flame. The jet 14 may generate a Venturi effect to mix air with the fuel to feed an air-to-fuel ratio at the point of combustion to generate a flame that is yellow and/or orange. For natural gas and propane, for example, the burner 10 may be configured to burn at approximately 1000-1200° C. to generate the yellow and/or orange color of the flame.
The burner 10 is configured to generate a tall, dancing flame. This is generated, in part, by the flow rate of fuel to the jet 14 and the Venturi effect generated by the jet 14 to discharge the air-fuel combination at a high velocity. In addition, each jet 14 generates a flame and each flame from each jet 14 dances. In other words, the jets 14 are configured to discharge the air/fuel mixture such that the flame fluctuates in width and height during a stable fuel supply rate at an inlet coupling 34. The flames from the individual jets 14 intermingle and/or combine. In some examples, the flames combine together by swirling based on the aim of the jets 14 relative to each other. The flames from all of the jets 14, in combination, dance. The burner 10 described herein may operate, for example, at 60,000-450,000 BTU. For example, the burner 10 in
The burner 10 includes a plurality of intermediate nipples 32, as discussed further below. The end nipples 12, intermediate nipples 32, and jets 14 in combination define a gas passageway to deliver fuel from the inlet coupling 34 to the jet 14. The jet 14 releases the fuel to the atmosphere where the fuel is combusted as an ornamental flame. The burner 10, including the end nipples 12, intermediate nipples 32, and jets 14, may be designed to deliver and burn any suitable type of gaseous fuel, including natural gas and propane.
As described further below, the footprint of the burner 10 provides, at least in part, the generation of the tall, dancing flame. Specifically, the relative location of the jets 14, at least in part, generates the tall, dancing flame. As an example, the elongation of the end nipples 12 and intermediate nipples 32 along straight axes, respectively, that are transverse to each other provides the footprint to locate the jets 14 for generation of the tall, dancing flame. The axes of the intermediate nipples 32 may be perpendicular to the axes of adjacent end nipples 12 to create the footprint of the burner 10 that provides, at least in part, the generation of the tall, dancing flame.
The burner 10 is brass. Specifically, the intermediate nipples 32, the end nipples 12, the jets 14, fittings 50, and the inlet coupling 34 are brass. The brass is corrosion resistant, sustainable, and rust-proof.
One example of the burner 10 is shown in
The end nipples 12, intermediate nipples 32, and jets 14 may be arranged in any suitable shape to position the jets 14 and aim the jets 14 to generate the tall, dancing flame. One example arrangement is shown in
With reference to
The inlet coupling 34 includes at least one threaded outlet (not numbered). For example, as shown in
The inlet coupling 34 may be a standard coupling as known in industry. As an example, the inlet coupling 34 may be ¼-18 National Pipe Thread Taper (NPT) sized coupling available from any standard supplier. In such an example, the threaded outlet of the inlet coupling 34 have ¼-18 NPT threads and a standard corresponding sized and shaped body.
Intermediate NipplesAs set forth above, the burner 10 includes a plurality of the intermediate nipples 32. With reference to
With reference to
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With reference to
The landing 44 includes circumferential surfaces meeting at vertices spaced circumferentially about the longitudinal axis Ai of the intermediate nipple 32, i.e., the circumferential surfaces are angled relative to each other. The circumferential surfaces extend across the width W1 of the landing 44, i.e., the circumferential surfaces extend along the longitudinal axis Ai of the intermediate nipple 32.
The circumferential surfaces may be engaged by a tool to transfer torque from the tool to the intermediate nipple 32 for engaging the threads on the ends 36, 38 of the intermediate nipple 32 with the inlet coupling 34 and/or the fittings 50. Specifically, each intermediate nipple 32 may include flats 46 at the landing 44 (i.e., the circumferential surfaces may be flats 46). The flats 46 are planar. The flats 46 each extend from one vertex to another vertex. The landing 44 may include six flats 46 each meeting at the vertices, i.e., may be hexagonal, as shown in the examples in the Figures. As other examples, the landing 44 may include any suitable number of flats 46 that may meet at vertices or may be separated by round surfaces. As an example, the landing 44 may include two flats 46 parallel to each other and spaced from each other by two round surfaces therebetween.
With reference to
The threaded hole 48 of each intermediate nipple 32 may be disposed at any suitable position along the respective intermediate nipple 32. For example, as shown in
The burner 10 may include any suitable number of intermediate nipples 32. The example in
Each intermediate nipple 32 has a length Li along the longitudinal axis Ai of the intermediate nipple 32. The length Li extends from one end 36 to the other end 38, as shown in
With reference to
The fittings 50 are directly connected to the respective end nipples 12 and intermediate nipples 32, i.e., with the lack of any intermediate component therebetween. In such an example, “directly connected” includes examples in which thread sealant is dispose between the fitting 50 and the respective end nipple 12 and intermediate nipple 32.
The fittings 50 may have any suitable shape. For example, the fittings 50 may be T-shaped, elbow-shaped, cross-shaped, etc. Each fitting 50 includes at least two threaded holes (not numbered). The fittings 50 may be a standard fitting as known in industry. The fittings 50 may be the same size as the inlet coupling 34. For example, the fitting may be ¼-18 National NPT sized fitting available from any standard supplier. In such an example, the threaded holes of the fitting 50 have ¼-18 NPT threads and a standard corresponding sized and shaped body. The fittings 50 are brass, as set forth above. Additionally, one or more fittings 50 may include a threaded opening (not shown) for receiving a jet 14.
End NipplesWith reference to
With reference to
With continued reference to
The first end 16 and the second end 18 of the end nipple 12 are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis An of the end nipple 12. Each end nipple 12 may be straight from the first end 16 to the second end 18. Specifically, the longitudinal axis An of the end nipple 12 may be straight. As set forth above, the end nipple 12 may be cantilevered from the fitting 50. Specifically, the second end 18 is supported only by the connection of the first end 16 to the fitting 50.
With continued reference to
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With continued reference to
With reference to
The circumferential surfaces may be engaged by a tool to transfer torque from the tool to the end nipple 12 for engaging the threads of the first end 16 with a fitting 50. Specifically, each end nipple 12 may include flats 46 at the head 52 (i.e., the circumferential surfaces may be flats 46). The flats 46 are planar. The flats 46 each extend from one vertex to another vertex. The head 52 may include six flats 46 each meeting at the vertices, i.e., may be hexagonal, as shown in the examples in the Figures. As other examples, the head 52 may include any suitable number of flats 46 that may meet at vertices or may be separated by round surfaces. As an example, the head 52 may include two flats parallel to each other and spaced from each other by two round surfaces therebetween.
With reference to
The threaded hole 24 may be disposed at any suitable position along the end nipple 12. For example, as shown in
Each end nipple 12 has a length Ln along the longitudinal axis An of the end nipple 12. The length Ln extends from the first end 16 to the second end 18 of the end nipple 12, as shown in
With reference to
The burner 10 may include any suitable number of jets 14 connected to the end nipples 12 and the intermediate nipples 32. Each end nipple 12 supports at least one jet 14. In the example shown in the Figures, each end nipple 12 and each intermediate nipple 32 support one jet 14. As other examples, each end nipple 12 may support any suitable number of jets 14, i.e., one or more, and each intermediate nipple 32 may support zero or any suitable number of jets 14. As another example, jets 14 may be supported by the fittings 50.
Each jet 14 is connected to the respective end nipple 12, intermediate nipple 32, or fitting 50. For example, each jet 14 is threadedly engaged with the respective end nipple 12, intermediate nipple 32, or fitting 50. In other words, each jet 14 is formed separately from and subsequently attached to the respective end nipple 12, intermediate nipple 32, or fitting 50.
The jet 14 protrudes outwardly from the respective end nipple 12, intermediate nipple 32, or fitting 50. With reference to
The jets 14 may be aimed in any suitable direction to generate the tall, dancing flame. The longitudinal axis Aj of the jet 14 extends upwardly from the common plane at a non-right angle. Accordingly, the flame from all jets 14 combine into a single flame that is generally conical.
With reference to
With reference to
The threaded portion 26 includes a length Lt extending along the longitudinal axis Aj of the jet 14. The length Lt extends from the proximate end 54 towards the fuel combustion outlet 28, as shown in
The jets 14 are in communication with the bores 22, 42 of the end nipples 12 and the intermediate nipples 32. With reference to
The barrel 30 extends from the fuel combustion outlet 28 towards the threaded portion 26. As one example, as shown in
The barrel 30 extends annularly about the longitudinal axis Aj of the jet 14. The barrel 30 defines the bore 60 extending along the longitudinal axis Aj of the jet 14. A diameter Db of the bore 60, e.g., at the fuel combustion outlet 28, is larger than the diameter Di of the inlet bore 56, as shown in
The barrel 30 has an outer diameter ODb, as set forth above. The outer diameter ODb of the barrel 30 may be constant along the longitudinal axis Aj of the jet 14. For example, as shown in
The jet 14 includes a head 62 at the fuel combustion outlet 28, as shown in
With reference to
The circumferential surfaces may be engaged by a tool to transfer torque from the tool to the jet 14 for engaging the threads of the threaded portion 26 with the end nipple 12, the intermediate nipple 32, or the fitting 50. Specifically, each jet 14 may include flats 46 at the head 62 (i.e., the circumferential surfaces may be flats 46). The flats 46 are planar. The flats 46 each extend from one vertex to another vertex. The head 62 may include six flats 46 each meeting at the vertices, i.e., may be hexagonal, as shown in the examples in the Figures. As other examples, the head 62 may include any suitable number of flats 46 that may meet at vertices or may be separated by round surfaces. As an example, the head 62 may include two flats 46 parallel to each other and spaced from each other by two round surfaces therebetween.
With reference to
The barrel 30 has a length Lb along the longitudinal axis Aj of the jet 14. The length Lb of the barrel 30 extends from the fuel combustion outlet 28 towards the threaded portion 26. As shown in
The barrel 30 includes at least one oxygen hole 64 extending through the barrel 30 to the bore 60 of the jet 14. For example, the barrel 30 includes one oxygen hole 64 when the fuel is natural gas, as shown in
The oxygen hole 64 may be disposed at any suitable position along the barrel 30. That is, the oxygen hole 64 may be disposed between the threaded portion 26 and the fuel combustion outlet 28. For example, the oxygen hole 64 may be disposed between the threaded portion 26 and the head 62 of the barrel 30. As another example, the oxygen hole 64 may be disposed on the head 62 of the barrel 30. In such an example, the oxygen hole 64 may extend through one flat of the head 62. The oxygen hole 64 includes a diameter Do. The position and the diameter Do of the oxygen hole 64 may be selected to achieve the yellow flame.
Each jet 14 has a length Lj along the longitudinal axis Aj of the jet 14. The length Lj extends from the proximate end 54 to the fuel combustion outlet 28 of the jet 14. The jets 14 may have any suitable length. For example, each jet 14 may have the same length Lj.
BurnerThe intermediate nipples 32, the end nipples 12, and the jets 14 may be specially manufactured for the burner 10 disclosed herein. As set forth above, in the example shown in the Figures, the end nipples 12, intermediate nipples 32, and jets 14 are formed by machining a brass bar, i.e., to include the bores 22, 42, 60 and the other features. Specifically, the intermediate nipples 32, end nipples 12, and jets 14 may be designed and manufactured to have the size and shape to generate the tall, dancing flame having yellow and/or orange color, as described above. The designs shown in the Figures and the dimensions disclosed herein generate the tall, dancing flame having yellow and/or orange color.
The lengths Li of each intermediate nipples 32 and the lengths Ln of each end nipple 12 create the footprint of the burner 10 that provides, at least in part, the generation of the tall, dancing flame. The length Li of each intermediate nipple 32 may be between 5.5-6.5 inches. For example, In the example shown in
In the example shown in
As set forth above, the outer diameter ODw of the end nipple 12 may be the same as the outer diameter ODs of the intermediate nipple 32, and the inner diameter IDw of the end nipple 12 may be the same as the inner diameter IDs of the intermediate nipple 32. The outer diameters ODw, ODs of the intermediate nipple 32 and the end nipple 12 are between 0.5-0.6 inches. For example, the outer diameters ODw, ODs of the intermediate nipple 32 and the end nipple 12 may be 0.54 inches. The inner diameters IDw, IDs of the intermediate nipple 32 and the end nipple 12 are between 0.3-0.4 inches. For example, the inner diameters IDw, IDs of the intermediate nipple 32 and the end nipple 12 may be 0.375 inches. The wall thickness of each of the intermediate nipples 32 and the end nipples 12 may be between 0.15-0.18 inches. This inner diameter IDw, IDs provides suitable gas flow to generate the tall, dancing flame having yellow and/or orange color, and this outer diameter, inner diameter, and wall thickness advantageously minimizes the material, i.e., brass, of the end nipple 12 and intermediate nipple 32 to reduce material cost in manufacturing.
As set forth above, the threads of the threaded portion 26 may be 1/16-27 NPT threads. In such an example, the threaded portion 26 may have an outside diameter of 0.3125 inches. These dimensions of the threaded portion 26 encourage proper seating of the threaded portion 26 against the respective end nipple 12 or the intermediate nipple 32 of the dimensions described above (e.g., 0.54 inch outer diameter; 0.375 inch inner diameter; and 0.15-0.18 inch wall thickness) when threadedly engaged with the threaded hole 24, 48. The diameter Di of the inlet bore 56 may be between 0.04-0.08 inches. For example, the diameter Di of the inlet bore 56 may be 0.062 inches.
In the example shown in
In addition, with continued reference to
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The diameter Do of the oxygen hole 64 may be between 0.02-0.1 inches. For example, the diameter Do of the oxygen hole 64 may be 0.086 inches. This diameter Do of the oxygen hole 64 provides quiet operation of the burner 10.
The length Lj of each jet 14 is between 0.9-1.1 inches. For example, the length Lj of each jet 14 may be 1.0 inches. The length Lt of the threaded portion 26 is between 0.2-0.3 inches. For example, the length Lt may be 0.26 inches. This length Lj minimizes the material usage in manufacturing the jet 14 while allowing for sufficient gas flow from the fuel combustion outlet 28 to generate the tall, dancing flame having the yellow and/or orange color.
In the example shown in
In the example, shown in
The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims
1. A burner comprising:
- a plurality of end nipples;
- at least one jet supported by and protruding outwardly from each end nipple, the end nipples and the jets are brass;
- each end nipple including a first end that is threaded and a second end that is closed;
- each end nipple including a wall extending from the first end to the second end and including a bore extending through the first end to the second end, each end nipple including a threaded hole extending through the wall to the bore;
- the first end of the end nipple, the second end of the end nipple, and the wall of the end nipple being unitary;
- each jet including a threaded portion threadedly engaged with the threaded hole and a fuel combustion outlet spaced from the threaded portion;
- each jet including a barrel extending from the fuel combustion outlet toward the threaded portion, the barrel having a larger outer diameter than the threaded portion;
- each jet including a tapering portion extending from the threaded portion to the barrel, an outer diameter of the tapering portion tapering from the barrel to the threaded portion; and
- a wall thickness of the tapering portion increasing from the barrel to the threaded portion.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The burner of claim 1, wherein the tapering portion has a full taper angle, the full taper angle is 60 degrees.
5. The burner of claim 1, wherein the threaded portion and the barrel each have a length along a longitudinal axis of the jet, the length of the threaded portion is between 0.2-0.3 inches and the length of the barrel is between 0.6-0.7 inches.
6. The burner of claim 1, wherein each jet includes a length along a longitudinal axis of the jet, the length is between 0.9-1.1 inches.
7. The burner of claim 6, wherein the outer diameter of the barrel is between 0.3-0.5 inches.
8. The burner of claim 6, wherein the threaded portion has 1/16-27 National Pipe Thread Taper (NPT) threads.
9. The burner of claim 1, wherein each jet defines a bore, the size of the diameter of the bore being between 75%-85% the size of the outer diameter of the threaded portion.
10. The burner of claim 1, wherein each jet defines a bore extending through the fuel combustion outlet and an inlet bore extending through the threaded portion, a diameter of the bore is larger than a diameter of the inlet bore.
11. The burner of claim 10, wherein an end of the bore of the jet is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the jet between the tapering portion and the fuel combustion outlet.
12. The burner of claim 11, wherein each jet includes a countersink extending from the bore of the jet to the inlet bore, the countersink terminating at the inlet bore at an end of the countersink aligned with the tapering portion along the longitudinal axis of the jet.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. The burner of claim 10, wherein the diameter of the bore is constant from the fuel combustion outlet to the tapering portion and the diameter of the inlet bore is constant from the tapering portion through the threaded portion.
18. (canceled)
19. The burner of claim 1, wherein the barrel includes a wall extending from the fuel combustion outlet towards the threaded portion and an oxygen hole extending through the wall to the bore, the oxygen hole being between the threaded portion and the fuel combustion opening.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. The burner of claim 1, wherein each end nipple has flats at the second end of the end nipple, the flats being arranged circumferentially about the second end of the end nipple.
26. The burner of claim 1, wherein the first end of each end nipple has ¼-18 National Pipe Thread Taper (NPT) threads.
27. The burner of claim 1, wherein each end nipple has an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the end nipple is between 0.5-0.6 inches.
28. The burner of claim 27, wherein the bore of each end nipple has a diameter, the diameter of the bore is between 0.3-0.4 inches.
29. The burner of claim 12, wherein the countersink terminates at the bore at an end of the countersink aligned with the barrel along the longitudinal axis of the jet.
30. A burner comprising:
- a plurality of end nipples;
- at least one jet supported by and protruding outwardly from each end nipple, the end nipples and the jets are brass;
- each end nipple including a first end that is threaded and a second end that is closed;
- each end nipple including a wall extending from the first end to the second end and including a bore extending through the first end to the second end, each end nipple including a threaded hole extending through the wall to the bore;
- each jet including a threaded portion threadedly engaged with the threaded hole and a fuel combustion outlet spaced from the threaded portion;
- each jet including a barrel extending from the fuel combustion outlet toward the threaded portion, the barrel having a larger outer diameter than the threaded portion;
- each jet including a tapering portion extending from the threaded portion to the barrel, an outer diameter of the tapering portion tapering from the barrel to the threaded portion; and
- a wall thickness of the tapering portion increasing from the barrel to the threaded portion.
31. The burner of claim 30, wherein each jet defines a bore extending through the fuel combustion outlet and an inlet bore extending through the threaded portion, a diameter of the bore is larger than a diameter of the inlet bore.
32. The burner of claim 31, wherein an end of the bore of the jet is aligned along a longitudinal axis of the jet between the tapering portion and the fuel combustion outlet.
33. The burner of claim 32, wherein each jet includes a countersink extending from the bore of the jet to the inlet bore, the countersink terminating at an end aligned with the tapering portion along longitudinal axis of the jet.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 9, 2021
Publication Date: Apr 6, 2023
Inventors: Kevin O'Connor (Parker, CO), Timothy Flaherty (Highlands Ranch, CO), Voni Flaherty (Highlands Ranch, CO), Bryan Small (Littleton, CO), Timothy Allons, Jr. (Highlands Ranch, CO)
Application Number: 17/910,213