Curvilinear burner tube

Details Curvilinear burner tube Curvilinear burner tube

2002-05-06

2004-03-02

Basichas, Alfred (Department: 3743)

Combustion

Mixer and flame holder

C126S04100R, C126S0390BA

Reexamination Certificate

active

06699036

ABSTRACT:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a burner tube for use with a cooking chamber. More specifically, the present invention relates to an elongated curvilinear burner tube having a union region that forms a continuous, multi-directional passageway for the flow of fuel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The popularity of gas barbecue grills and gas outdoor cooking devices has increased tremendously over the last twenty-five years. In contrast to charcoal barbecue grills, gas barbecue grills employ a burner assembly that requires a combustible fluid, for example, propane or natural gas, as a fuel source. Barbecue grills with gas burner elements have proven extremely popular with consumers because they provide controlled, uniform heat distribution. In addition, gas burner assemblies are relatively simple to operate and generally require less maintenance and clean-up time.
Conventional gas burner assemblies typically include a plurality of linear burner tubes, control valves, and a manifold. Each burner tube has a first end and a second end, and a plurality of fuel outlet ports spaced between the first and second ends. The first end of the burner tube is connected to a control valve which meters the flow of fuel. The first end and the control valve are connected to the manifold which is linked to a fuel source, for example, a propane tank. Therefore, multiple burner tubes extend from the manifold. The second end of the burner tube is closed or crimped such that fuel cannot flow past the second end. Accordingly, fuel from the fuel source flows in only one linear path, from the first end to the second end of the burner tube.
Conventional burner assemblies require specific construction and assembly that are susceptible to higher cost and related limitations. First, due to the fact multiple burner tubes are required to form a burner assembly, the material, labor, and assembly costs are significant. These costs are compounded by the fact that each burner tube may require a separate inlet assembly, including a venturi element and a control valve. Further, because the second end of burner tubes are closed or crimped, the first end of each burner tube must be connected to a manifold, thereby limiting the configuration of the burner assembly. Consequently, the versatility of conventional burner assemblies is reduced because such assemblies cannot be uniquely configured or utilized in a wide variety of cooking chambers.
An example of a burner assembly susceptible to the limitations identified above is U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,048 to Schroeter et al. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 11
therein, a burner assembly
17
is formed from the combination of a linear burner tube
18
and two “L-shaped” burner tubes
24
. The linear burner tube
18
has a first end
19
and a closed or crimped second end
20
. Referring to
FIG. 12
, the L-shaped burner tube
24
has a primary member
25
, a secondary member
28
, and a curved elbow segment
31
. The first end
26
of the L-shaped burner tube
24
is open, while the second end
30
is closed. Consequently, in either burner tube
18
,
24
, fuel is constrained to flow in a single path—from the first end to the closed second end.
Another example of a burner assembly with the concerns identified above is U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,482 to Farnsworth et al. As shown in
FIG. 2
, the burner assembly is formed from the combination of six (6) burner tubes
14
. Each burner tube has a venturi element, an inlet valve assembly, a first series of outlet ports, and a second series of outlet ports. Referring to
FIG. 3
, the burner tube
14
has a first segment
44
, a second segment
42
, and a curved elbow segment
46
. The first segment
44
is open while the second segment
42
has a closed end. Accordingly, in the burner tubes
14
, fuel flows from the first end to the closed second end.
Yet another example of a burner assembly of the prior art construction is U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,029 to Schlosser et al., which is assigned to the Assignee of the present invention. As shown in
FIGS. 3-5
, the burner assembly
10
generally comprises a first burner tube
21
, a second burner tube
22
, a third burner
23
, and a crossover tube
24
. The second burner tube
22
is positioned between the first and second burner tubes
21
,
23
to form a burner grid
20
. Each burner tube
21
,
22
,
23
has a first end with a venturi assembly
32
connected to a control valve
30
of the manifold
16
. The second end
25
of the first, second, and third burner tubes
21
,
22
,
23
is closed. A crossover tube
24
ports with an orifice
28
located upstream of the second end
25
in the first and second burner tubes
21
,
22
. The crossover tube
24
is in fluid communication with only the first burner tube
21
and the third burner tube
23
. Accordingly, the crossover tube
24
serves as a pilot tube for either the first or third burner tube
21
,
23
. The closed, second end
25
of the second burner tube
22
has a flange
40
that is adapted to be received by a stock connection
42
attached to the crossover tube
24
. Since the second burner tube
22
is not in fluid communication with the crossover tube
24
, the second burner tube
22
only receives fuel from the manifold
16
. Therefore, in the second burner tube
22
, fuel can only flow from the first end to the second end.
Therefore, there is a need for a continuous burner assembly formed from a burner tube wherein fuel can flow in multiple paths or directions throughout the burner tube. Also, there is a definite need for a continuous burner assembly which is compact and capable of being employed in a wide variety of cooking chambers. In addition, there is considerable need for a continuous burner assembly with a single inlet valve assembly to minimize the overall size of the burner assembly while providing an enlarged burner flame area.
The present invention is provided to solve these and other deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a burner for use with a cooking chamber. More specifically, the present invention relates to a continuous burner constructed from an elongated burner tube having a proximal segment, a distal segment, and a terminal end in fluid connection with a union region of the proximal segment. Due to the fluid connection between the terminal end and the union region, the burner has a curvilinear configuration and defines a multi-directional passageway for the flow of fuel throughout the burner.
The proximal segment is adapted to be connected to a fuel source, i.e., a fuel tank. The distal segment is downstream of the proximal segment. The terminal end is connected to the burner tube at a union or interference region of the proximal segment. The connection between the terminal end and the union region forms a continuous burner tube with a multi-directional passageway. This means that fuel from the fuel source can flow throughout the burner tube, including the proximal segment, the distal segment, the union region, and the terminal end. Specifically, fuel can flow from the proximal segment through the union region and into and through the terminal end. The burner tube has a plurality of fuel outlet ports or apertures from which flames extend. An ignitor is used to ignite fuel that has exited the outlet ports along the burner tube to form a burner flame area.
The burner tube can have a variety of configurations, including a generally obround or rectangular configuration. Preferably, the distal segment has at least one curvilinear portion, which facilitates the connection of the terminal end with the union region. Due to the mating of the terminal end with the proximal segment, the burner tube defines an enclosed central region. The terminal end is connected to the union region whereby the continuous, integral burner tube is formed. The connection between the terminal end and the union region is facilitated by the curvilinear portion. The terminal end can have a nec

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Curvilinear burner tube does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Curvilinear burner tube, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Curvilinear burner tube will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3257569