CA2130371A1 - Combustion apparatus - Google Patents
Combustion apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA2130371A1 CA2130371A1 CA002130371A CA2130371A CA2130371A1 CA 2130371 A1 CA2130371 A1 CA 2130371A1 CA 002130371 A CA002130371 A CA 002130371A CA 2130371 A CA2130371 A CA 2130371A CA 2130371 A1 CA2130371 A1 CA 2130371A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fibers
- thread
- fuel
- combustion apparatus
- flow rate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
- F23Q2/00—Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
- F23Q2/16—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase
- F23Q2/162—Lighters with gaseous fuel, e.g. the gas being stored in liquid phase with non-adjustable gas flame
- F23Q2/163—Burners (gas valves)
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Disclosed is a combustion apparatus which comprises a nozzle for injecting flammable fuel retained in a fuel container through an openable/closable valve, and flow rate control means provided upstream of the value and having a wick member, made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines, and a fuel impenetrable member arranged around the wick member. The flammable fuel in the fuel container is supplied using capillarity of the thread or thin lines or clearances between the fibers of the thread or between the thin lines as a fuel passage. The fibers of the thread are continuous elongated fibers and are any one of synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers or a hollow thread.
Disclosed is a combustion apparatus which comprises a nozzle for injecting flammable fuel retained in a fuel container through an openable/closable valve, and flow rate control means provided upstream of the value and having a wick member, made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines, and a fuel impenetrable member arranged around the wick member. The flammable fuel in the fuel container is supplied using capillarity of the thread or thin lines or clearances between the fibers of the thread or between the thin lines as a fuel passage. The fibers of the thread are continuous elongated fibers and are any one of synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers or a hollow thread.
Description
COMBUSTION A.PPAR~TUS
BACRGROUND OF TIIE INVRNTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combustion apparatus which burns flammable fuel, such as a gas lighter, and is equipped with flow rate regulating means for regulating the flow rate of the flammable fuel, and, more particularly, to a combustion apparatus whose assumability and workability can be improved and which ca~
ensure stable combustion.
Description of the Related Art Combustion apparatuses which burn flammable fuel ;~
include a lighter, various types of ignition devices, a portable hot plate and a lamp, for example. Among them is a lighter equipped with flow rate regulating means for regulating the flow rate of injected flammable fuel, and lighters of this type are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication Nos. 5061311988 and 21092/1988 and Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication Nos. 18852/1991 and 35969/1991. The lighter in the Japanese Examined Patent Publication No~ 21092/1988 is illustrated in FIG. 12. This lighter has a lighter body 101 with a cylindrical pocket portion 103 formed in the lighter body 101. The interior of the lighter body 101 around the outer surface of the pocket portion 103 serves as a fuel tank 105. This fuel tank 105 is filled ~.ith flammable fuel.
. ~ . .. .. , .. .. , . ,, - - - - - -- 2 - 2130~
A valve body portion 107 of is securely retained in the pocket portion 103 by means of a hinge structure. A
valve burner 109 is attached inside this body portion 107 in such a way as to be movable in the up and down direction in the diagram. A packing 111 is located at the bottom end portion of this valve burner 109. Those valve burner 109 and packing 111 are normally urged downward in the diagram by a coil spring 113, the packing 111 pressed against a valve seat 115. The valve seat 115 is formed at the top end of a cylindrical member 117. A passage 119 is formed in the center portion of this cylindrical member 117, and its lower end defining space 121.
A support member 123 is located under the cylindrical member 117, with depressurizing means 125 intervening between the cylindrical member 117 and the support member 123. This depressurizing means 125 is so-called flow rate regulating means which comprises a semi-porous film 125a and a porous film 125b closely placed on this semi-porous film 125a.
The semi-porous film 125a has holes with a radius of 20 to 500 angstroms, and is formed, for example, stretchable polyolefin, particularly, polypropylene or polyethlene.
The flammable fuel in the fuel tank 105 flows into the spacQ 121 and the passage 119 while being depressurized by or under the flow-rate control of this depressurizing means 125. As the valve burner 109 moves -` - 3 - Z~30371 upward against the spring force of the coil spring 113, the flammable fuel flows into the valve burner 109 via a hole lO9a in the valve burner 109 and is injected from the distal end of the valve burner 109.
Besides the lighter shown in FIG. 12, an apparatus which controls the flow rate of flammable fuel by film type flow rate regu].ating means that is constituted utilizing the porous property of ceramics has b~ proposed as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 19448/1992.
The above conventional structures have the fol].owing shortcomings. With regard to the flow rate regulating :~
means of the type shown in FIG. 12, since the thickness of the filter or each of the films 125a and 125b of the depressurizing means 125 is very thin (about 25 um and about lOO um even with a non-woven fabric stuck on the film), the filter should be handled very carefully.
Further, the edge portion of the effective area portion is sandwiched between the upper and lower members (the cylindrical member 117 and support member 123 in the structure shown in FIG. 12), or the edge portion is secured and sealed on the resin member by thermal melting or similar means in some cases. Even with the filter attached in the above manner, the flow rate regulating means or filter itself i5 very thin, so that it has low ~:~
mechanical strength and low thermal strength. The flow rate regulating means may therefore damaged carelessly at -_ 4 _ ~1303 the time of assembling or processing it, or may be damaged with the passage of time. In other words, since the individual films 125a and 125b of the depressurizing means 125, it is disadvantageously very difficult to handle the depre~surizing means and to continuously meet the safety requirements.
In addition to this problem, the conventional lighter lacks the safe combustibility. Generally speaking, the effective area of the gas lighter used at the time of ignition has a small diameter of about 2 mm. Since the diameter of the through holes in the film 125a shown in FIG. 12 is as small as about 20 to 500 angstroms, the flow rate of the gas may considerably change depending on the variation range, causing a variation in the size of the produced flame. That is, when the diameter of the through holes vary within a range of 20 to 500 angstroms within the very narrow effective area with a diameter of 2 mm, the flow rate of the gas passing the holes and thus the produced flame may vary accordingly.
The second method of regulating the flow rate using the porous proper~y of ceramics needs that considerably small holes be managed, and, like the structure shown in FIG. 12, causes a large variation in gas flow rate. With the ceramic filter, 3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness, liquid gas stays inside the ceramic filter so that when the valve is open, the liquid fuel is transformed to gas whose volume is about 220 times that of _ 5 _ 2~037~
the liquid fuel. The burning flame therefore becomes considerably larger, which is very dangerous to the user.
Solutions to the a~orementioned problems are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication Nos. 151666/1979, 162762/1980, 72069/1981, 66264/1983, -~
61659/1993 and 117635/1994. Of the conventional apparatuses, those disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication Nos. 151666/1979, 162762/1980, 72069/1981, 66264/1983 and 61659/1993 are designed in such a way that an adjusting member having a wick member formed of natural fibers, such as cotton threads, covered with a gas impenetrable coat, is provided between the fuel tank portion and the combustion portion to control the amount of gas flowing out to a constant level. The solution disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 117635/1994 is designed in such a way that an adjusting member having a wick member formed by several soft copper lines covered with a gas impenetrable coat, is ~ ~;
provided between the fuel tank portion and the combustion portion to ensure the steady amount of gas flow.
Those disclosed in Japanese Vnexamined Utility Model Publication Nos. 151666/1979, 162762/1980, 72~G9/1981, 66264/19~3 and 61659/1993 use, as the wick member, cotton threads formed of natural fibers whose vary greatly, thus making it difficult to always provide a steady gas flow rate. The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 117635J1994 adjusts a large 6 - 2~30~
amount of gas flow, and is thus inappropriate for the adjustment of the gas flow rate for a disposable gas lighter, for example. That is, if this conventional apparatus is used directly as the flow rate regulating means for a disposable gas lighter and no other member is provided to regulate the flow rate, a considerable amount of liquid gas flows out without being properly vaporized.
SIJMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is tllerefore an object of the present invention to provide a combustion apparatus equipped with flow rate regul~ting means which can ensure stable combustion while meeting the safety requirements over a long period of time.
To achieve the above object, a combustion apparatus according to this invention comprises a nozzle for injecting flammable fuel retained in a fuel container through an openable/closable valve; and flow rate control means provided upstream of the value and having a wick member, made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines, and a fuel impenetraLie member arrallged around the wick member, whereby the flammable fuel in the fuel container is supplied using capillarity of the thread or thin lines or clearances between the fibers of the thread or between the thin lines as a fuel passage, the fibers of the thread being continuous elongated fibers and one of synthesized fiber.;, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers and a ~', . .. .
~ 7 ~ Z~30371.
hollow thread.
More specifically, the flow rate control means whose wick member made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines is covered with a fuel impenetrable member controls the flow rate of flammable fuel. The fibers of the thread may be any one ;
of synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, and a hollow thread to prevent a variation in quality which probably occurs in the case of natura]
fibers.
The fuel impenetrable member may be provided integrally with the thread or the thin lines by extrude molding.
The fuel impenetrable member may have a hole formed in the center where the thread or thin lines are inserted.
L~ch of the fibers may have a thickness of 0.2 to 100 deniers or 0.1 um to 50 um.
The fibers may be of one kind.
The fibers may consist of two or more kinds of fibers.
The thread may be formed by bundling a plurality of fibers.
The thread may have a strand structure having a bundle of a plurality of fibers.
The thread may have a strand of a plurality of thread elements each having a strand structure having a bundle of a plurality of fibers.
. . . . - :
- 8 Z1~03~
A metal wire of a size of 10 um to 500 um may be placed in the center portion of the thread.
The combustion apparatus may further be provided with adjusting means for adjusting a flame size.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a lighter according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an elastic member oL fuel flow rate control means according to the first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a thread of fuel flow rate control means according to the first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the thread and a portion around the thread according to the first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the thread and a portion around the thread according to a second embodinlent of this invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional v.iew showing a part of a lighter according to a sLxth embodiment of this invention;
FlG. 7 is a cross-sectional view ~f fu~l flow rate control means according to a seventh embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the fabrication process of the fuel flow rate control means according to ` 2130371 g :.
the seventh embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of fuel flow rate control means according to an eighth embodiment of this ~ -invention; :
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of fuel flow rate control m~ans according to a ninth embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a lighter according to a tenth embodiment of this invention;
and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a lighter according to prior art.
DETAILED D~CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4.
In this embodiment, the present invention is adapted for a gas lighter which uses flammable fuel. The gas lighter has a lighter body 1 with a pocket portion 3 formed in the lighter body 1. The interior of the lighter body 1 around the outer surface of the pocket portion 3 serves as a fuel tank 5 where the flammable fuel is reserved. The flammable fuel in use is liquid petroleum gas which essentially consists of commercial butane and commercial propane (commercial butane: 90% and commercial propane:
10%)-Besides the liquid petroleum gas, other flammable :::
fuels may also be used, such as hexanoic liquid fuel and ~ " , ~ . ' ' " . . ' ' ' ' ' .~" ' . " ~' ' ' " '"; ,' ' '" ' ~ " ' ' ' ' , 5 . ' ;~
Z~3037~
alcoholic liquid fuel. Attached to the pocket portion 3 is a nozzle case 7 which has an almost cylindrical shape with an internal thread portion 3a formed on its outer surface. The pocket portion 3 is provided with an internal thread portion 3a, which engages with the internal thread portion 7a. With the internal threa-' portion 7a engaging with the internal thread portion 3a, the nozzle case 7 is secured to the pocket portion 3. A
nozzle valve seat is disposed inside the nozzle case 7.
A noz~le 11 is disposed through and inside the nozzle case 7, and is movable in the up and down direction in the diagram. A gas passage lla and a gas intake hole llb are formed in the center portion of the nozzle 11. A valve assembly (of, e.g., rubber) 13 is attached to the lower end of the nozæle ll. More specifically, the valve assembly 13 is shaped like a projection 13b protruding from the center portion of a disk 13a. The projection 13b ;
is inserted into the gas passage lla of the nozzle 11 from -~
the lower end. A valve seat 9a is formed at the center portion of the nozzle valve seat 9, with the valve assembly 13 seating on the valve seat 9a.
The nozzle 11 and the valve assembly 13 are normally urged downward by a coil spring 15, so that the valve assembly 13 is seated on the valve seat 9a. When an actuator 17 indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 1 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 to shift the nozzle 11 upward against the force of the coil spring 15, the valve ~ .
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assembly 13 rises to be open due to the ~as pressure.
That is, the valve assembly 13 moves away from the valve seat 9a to allow the gas to flow in via a gas passa~e 9b of the nozzle val~-e seat 9, and the gas is thus injected through the gas intake hole llb and gas passage lla of the nozzle 11.
Fuel flow rate control means 19 is provided at the pocket portion 3 below the nozzle valve seat 9. This fuel flow rate control means 19 has a cylindrical elastic member lga as a fuel impenetrable member, and a thread l9b inserted in the center portion of the elastic member l9a.
The elastic member l9a is made of, for example, nitrile butadiene rubber (NsR) which has a strength of 70 degrees.
As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic member l9a has a length (Lj of 2.5 mm in the axial direction. Bored in the axial center position of the elastic member l9a is a hole 21 in which the thread l9b is inserted, as shown in FIG. 2. The boring of the hole 21 is carried out by using a needle-like member, for example, and the diameter (Dl) of the hole 21 is made slightly smaller than the outside diameter (D2) of the thread l9b. It is not desirable that the hole diameter (D1) be larger than the outside diameter (D2) of the thread l9b, providing a clearance therebetween from which the gas leaks.
Instead of using a needle-like member to bore the hole, a crack may be formed. ~
The thread l9b has a strand structure having a --- 12 - X~30371 plurality of synthesized fibers like polyester fibers 22 (shown in FIG. 4) stranded.
Other synthesized fibers than polyester fibers that may also be used include vinylidene chloride, acrylic and nylon, for example.
Each fiber 22 is a long fiber having a size of 1.3 deniers (one denier: lg/9000 m). There a total-of about 630 of fibers 22. (It is to be noted that FIG. 4 exe ,plarily shows the cross section of the strand and the number of the illustrated fibers 22 should not necessarily match with the mentioned quantity in this embodiment.) The thread 19b with such a structure is inserted in the hole 21 of the elastic member l9a and is set as illustrated in FIG. 4. The gas flows through the clearances between the stranded fibers while its flow rate is regulated, as shown in FIG. 4.
According to the experiments, the burning flame rose to the height of about 30 mm at the measured room temperature of 23 C. ~ ;
As shown in FIG. 1, a wick 23 is placed below the fuel flow rate control means 19 so that the flammable fuel in the fuel tank 5 is sucked up through this wick 23 while its flow rate is regulated by the fuel flow rate control means l9 having the above-described structure.
In FIG. l, reference numeral "25" denotes a rotary file, reference numeral "27" is a guide member located on either side of the rotary file 25, and reference numeral , . . ~ .
- 13 - 21303~
29' is a flint.
The action of the gas lighter with the above-described structure will now be discussed. First, a user places tha thumb on the pair of guide members 25 a~d rotates the guide member 25 clockwise in FIG. 1 and thus rotates the actuator 17 also clockwise in the successive action. As a result, the nozzle 11 is lifted upward against the force of the coil spring 15. Accordingly, the valve assembly 13 lifts upward due to the gas pressure acting from below, and is thus opened. The gas flows through the gas passage 9b and into the gas passage lla via the gas intake hole llb of the nozzle 11. The gas is then injected from the distal end of the nozzle 11. As the guide members 25 rotate, the rotary file 25 rotates, causing the flint 29 to produce sparks. The sparks ignite the gas injected from the nozzle 11. In this se~uential action, the flammable fuel in the fuel tank 5 flows toward the valve with its flow rate regulated by the fuel flow rate control means 19.
This embodiment has the following advantages. First, the fuel flow rate control means 19 has a certain ~-thickness, unlike the conventional type which is a thin film type, so that this control means 19 becomes easier to handle at the time it is worked or the gas lighter is assembled. More specifically, as the elastic member l9a, the outer portion of the fuel flow rate control means 19, has a sufficient thickness as compared with the - 1 4 - 213037~
conventional thin fil~l type, one can grab the elastic member l9a when handling the control means 19. The control means 19 can therefore be handled easily at the time it is worked or the gas lighter is assembled. As the provision of the elastic member l9a improves the mechanical strength and the thermal strength of the fuel flow rate control means 19, allowing the control means 19 to perform the stable function over a long period of time.
Further, the fuel flow rate control means 19 is not damaged carelessly at the time it is worked or the gas lighter is assembled or due to a change with time. The proper flow rate regulating characteristic can be obtained by altering the structure of the thread 19b (e.g., the type, the number and the length of the fibers, and the like) as needed. This contributes to eliminating a variation in the thread l9b, thus improving the stable combustibility. In addition, unlike in the prior art, natural fibers are not used, also eliminatillg a variation in characteristic and ensuring highly accurate flow rate control.
A second embodiment will now be explained with reference to FIG. 5. Although the thread l9b has a strand of polyester fibers as syll~hesi~ed fibers in the first embodiment, vinylidene chloride hollow threads of synthesized fibers may be used as shown in FIG. 5. For example, eight hollow threads 24 each consisting of long fibers of 50 deniers are stranded. In this case, it was -: . : .~ - . : :
,, : :. ~ . ~ ~ . . :
- 15 - ~13037 confirmed through the experiments that the burning flame rose to the height of about 30 mm at the measured room temperature of 23 C. The thread l9b consisting of the hollow threads 24 may be dipped in the fuel tank 5 so that the flalr~able fuel runs up through a hollow portion 24a of each hollow thread 24, thus regulating the gas flow rate.
In this case, the thread l9b serves as the wick 23 shown in FIG. 1.
A third embodiment will now be explained with reference to FIG. 4. Whila the thread l9b is constituted of synthesized fibers in the first and second embodiments, ~-the thread l9b is formed of carbon fibers in this embodiment. More specifically, about lOO threads 22 each consisting of elongated fibers having a size of about 15 um (diameter of the fibers 22) were stranded.
Accordingly, it was confirmed that the burning flame rose to the height of about 25 mm at the measured room temperature oE 23 C.
A fourth embodiment will be described below with refelance to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the thread l9b is formed of metal fibers (copper in this embodiment).
More specifically, about 12 threads each conslsting of elongated fibers having a size of about 60 um were stranded. Accordingly, it was confirmed that the burning flame rose to the height of about 35 mm at the measured room temperature of 23 C.
A fifth embodiment will now be explained with '. ~
reference to FIG. 6. This embodiment has the structure of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 from which the wick 23 is eliminated. When liquid petroleum gas is used as flammable fuel, for example, the wick 23 should not necessarily be provided and may be omitted as shown in FIG. 6.
A sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the first through fifth embodiments, the thread l9b is fitted in the through hole :
21 of the elastic member l9a as a support, thus constituting the fuel flow rate control means 19. Tn the sixth embodiment, however, the support member l9a and the thread 19b are formed integrally in advance. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, thermal plastic resin, thermal hardening resin, rubber or the like may be extruded from the extrusioll molding around the thread 19b (although l~ot illustrated, an extrusion molding machine and predetermined molds are used at the time of extrusion molding), thus forming an article indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 8. This article is to be cut to the desired length to provide the fuel flow rate control means 19 (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8). In this case, the fuel impenetrable member l9a need not be an elastic member. To put the thread l9b through the fuel impenetxable member l9a later, the member l9a should be an elastic member to keep the airtightness between the tread 8 and the fuel impenetrable member 19b. When the thread :
21~0~71 l9b and the fuel impenetrable member l9b are formed integrally, no consideration need to be given to the air-tightness. The fuel impenetrable member l9b need not therefore be an elastic member. This structure can also produce the same advantages as described above.
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the thread l9b of the fuel flow rate control ~
m~ans 19 has a different structure. A single (or more) -metal wire 31 is placed in the center portion, and fibers 33, selected from among synthesized fibers, regenerated fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers and glass fibers, are placed around the metal wire 31. The tread l9b having this structure can have the same advantages.
This structure will be described in more detail. The metal wire 31 is a soft copper wire plated with tin, for example, and has an outside diameter of 0.18 mm (180 um) and has a length of 3.5 mm. This metal wire 31 imparts heat to the liquid gas that flows along this wire 31 and vaporizes the gas, thus ensuring efficiency vaporization.
That is, the latent heat the metal wire 31 has is given to the liquid gas. The thread l9b has a bundle of 1600 glass fibers. More specifically, 400 glass fibers of 6 um are bundled and stranded, and four such strands are stranded in the opposite direction to the stranding direction of each strand.
The fabrication process will be described step by r -step. First, 400 glass fibers of 6 um are made into a single bundle while being stranded. Four such bundles are then stranded around the metal wire 31 in the opposite direction to the stranding direction of each strand to be a single fiber bundle. The resultant bundle of fibers is placed in a feedable manner at the center of the nozzle of the extrusion molding machine, molten polyethylene is supplied there, and all are integrated by the extrusion molding machine.
In this case, the passage where t~ liquid fuel passes runs mainly through the clearances between the thread l9b and the metal wire 31, and the clearance in the thread 19b itself (clearances between the individual glass fibers) can serve as a gas passage though slightly. A
polyethylene resin comes between the thread l9b and the support member 19a at the time of extrusion molding, shielding the clearances so that only a few clearances serve as the passage. The clearances between the thread l9b and the metal wire 31 are allowed to serve as the main passage because the heat to vaporize the liquid gas can efficiently be applied to the gas traveling along the metal wire 31.
An eighth embodiment of this invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the structure of the thread l9b of the fuel flow rate control means 19 is also modified. A single (or more) metal wire 31 is placed in the center portion, and hollow i.~. .i , , , , . . ~ .
~,, ~: - . . ..... . . .
... . . .
-9 2~30371.
threads 33 are placed around this metal wire 31. The tread 19b having this structure can have the same advantages.
A ninth embodiment of this invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 11. This embodiment is designed to be able to adjust the flame height as needed.
An internal thread portion 7a is provided at the outer surface portion of the nozzle case 7, and an internal thread portion 3a is formed on the pocket portion 3 of the lighter body 1. The nozzle case 7 is attached to the pocket portion 3 by the engagement of the internal thread portion 7a with the internal thread portion 3a. The structure up to this point is the same as that of the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 1). A rotary actuator 41 is attached to the top end of the nozzle case 7. As the user turns this rotary actuator 41 with the thumb, for example, in the proper direction, the nozzle case 7 rotates, so that the nozzle case 7 and nozzle valve seat 9 can be lifted up. The upward movement of the nozzle case 7 and nozzle valve seat 9 adjusts the space between the nozzle valve seat 9 and the fuel flow rate control means 19. A porous member 43 is provided between the nozzle valve seat 9 and the fuel flow rate control means 19.
l'his porous member 43 may be formed of urethane foam.
With the above structure, when one wants to increases the flame height, the user should turn the rotary actuator 41 in one direction. This moves the nozzle case 7 up, - 20 - Z13037~ :
increasing the space between the nozzle valve sea~ 9 and the fuel flow rate control means 11. The porous member 43 therefore expands accordingly, and the bubble density in the porous member 43 is thus increased. Therefore, the amount of the flammable fuel passing there increases and the flame height rises eventually. To reduce the flame height, on the other hand, the user should turn the rotary actuator 41 in the other direction. This moves the nozzle case 7 downward, narrowing the space between the nozzle valve seat 9 and the fuel flow rate control means ll. The porous member 43 is compressed accordingly, reducing the bubble density in the porous member 43. Therefore, the amount of the flammable fuel passing there decreases, lowering the flame height.
The provision of the porous member 43 can change the flow rate of the flammable fuel. By setting the amount of the porous member 43 to a predetermined amount, therefore, the flame height can be restricted to a given height.
Further, the porous member 43 when properly expanded or compressed can adjust the flame height to the desired ~;~
level.
The present invention is not limited to the above~
described embodiments. First, although a gas lighter has been explained as a combustion apparatus for flammable fuel in the foregoing description of those embodiments, this invention can applied to various types of ignition devices beside the gas lighter, a portable hot plate, a ~ ~-.. . .
,~:. ~ . ..
;,.~,, ,.. - - : - ~ - :
~*
- 21 - Z~30~71 lamp, etc. The fibers constituting the thread l9b of the fuel flow rate control means 19 may be surface-treated glass fibers or the like beside the aforementioned types, regenerated fibexs, carbon fibers or glass fibers whose surfaces are plated with gold. Any two types of fibers among the synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers and glass fibers may be combined. Alternatively, ordinary fibers may be combined with a hollow thread. Although the thread has a strand structure in the above-described embodiments, the thread is not limited to this particular type, but may be formed by bundling raw threads. The specific values given in the description of the individual embodiments are to be considered as just illustrative and not restrictive.
BACRGROUND OF TIIE INVRNTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a combustion apparatus which burns flammable fuel, such as a gas lighter, and is equipped with flow rate regulating means for regulating the flow rate of the flammable fuel, and, more particularly, to a combustion apparatus whose assumability and workability can be improved and which ca~
ensure stable combustion.
Description of the Related Art Combustion apparatuses which burn flammable fuel ;~
include a lighter, various types of ignition devices, a portable hot plate and a lamp, for example. Among them is a lighter equipped with flow rate regulating means for regulating the flow rate of injected flammable fuel, and lighters of this type are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication Nos. 5061311988 and 21092/1988 and Japanese Examined Utility Model Publication Nos. 18852/1991 and 35969/1991. The lighter in the Japanese Examined Patent Publication No~ 21092/1988 is illustrated in FIG. 12. This lighter has a lighter body 101 with a cylindrical pocket portion 103 formed in the lighter body 101. The interior of the lighter body 101 around the outer surface of the pocket portion 103 serves as a fuel tank 105. This fuel tank 105 is filled ~.ith flammable fuel.
. ~ . .. .. , .. .. , . ,, - - - - - -- 2 - 2130~
A valve body portion 107 of is securely retained in the pocket portion 103 by means of a hinge structure. A
valve burner 109 is attached inside this body portion 107 in such a way as to be movable in the up and down direction in the diagram. A packing 111 is located at the bottom end portion of this valve burner 109. Those valve burner 109 and packing 111 are normally urged downward in the diagram by a coil spring 113, the packing 111 pressed against a valve seat 115. The valve seat 115 is formed at the top end of a cylindrical member 117. A passage 119 is formed in the center portion of this cylindrical member 117, and its lower end defining space 121.
A support member 123 is located under the cylindrical member 117, with depressurizing means 125 intervening between the cylindrical member 117 and the support member 123. This depressurizing means 125 is so-called flow rate regulating means which comprises a semi-porous film 125a and a porous film 125b closely placed on this semi-porous film 125a.
The semi-porous film 125a has holes with a radius of 20 to 500 angstroms, and is formed, for example, stretchable polyolefin, particularly, polypropylene or polyethlene.
The flammable fuel in the fuel tank 105 flows into the spacQ 121 and the passage 119 while being depressurized by or under the flow-rate control of this depressurizing means 125. As the valve burner 109 moves -` - 3 - Z~30371 upward against the spring force of the coil spring 113, the flammable fuel flows into the valve burner 109 via a hole lO9a in the valve burner 109 and is injected from the distal end of the valve burner 109.
Besides the lighter shown in FIG. 12, an apparatus which controls the flow rate of flammable fuel by film type flow rate regu].ating means that is constituted utilizing the porous property of ceramics has b~ proposed as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 19448/1992.
The above conventional structures have the fol].owing shortcomings. With regard to the flow rate regulating :~
means of the type shown in FIG. 12, since the thickness of the filter or each of the films 125a and 125b of the depressurizing means 125 is very thin (about 25 um and about lOO um even with a non-woven fabric stuck on the film), the filter should be handled very carefully.
Further, the edge portion of the effective area portion is sandwiched between the upper and lower members (the cylindrical member 117 and support member 123 in the structure shown in FIG. 12), or the edge portion is secured and sealed on the resin member by thermal melting or similar means in some cases. Even with the filter attached in the above manner, the flow rate regulating means or filter itself i5 very thin, so that it has low ~:~
mechanical strength and low thermal strength. The flow rate regulating means may therefore damaged carelessly at -_ 4 _ ~1303 the time of assembling or processing it, or may be damaged with the passage of time. In other words, since the individual films 125a and 125b of the depressurizing means 125, it is disadvantageously very difficult to handle the depre~surizing means and to continuously meet the safety requirements.
In addition to this problem, the conventional lighter lacks the safe combustibility. Generally speaking, the effective area of the gas lighter used at the time of ignition has a small diameter of about 2 mm. Since the diameter of the through holes in the film 125a shown in FIG. 12 is as small as about 20 to 500 angstroms, the flow rate of the gas may considerably change depending on the variation range, causing a variation in the size of the produced flame. That is, when the diameter of the through holes vary within a range of 20 to 500 angstroms within the very narrow effective area with a diameter of 2 mm, the flow rate of the gas passing the holes and thus the produced flame may vary accordingly.
The second method of regulating the flow rate using the porous proper~y of ceramics needs that considerably small holes be managed, and, like the structure shown in FIG. 12, causes a large variation in gas flow rate. With the ceramic filter, 3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness, liquid gas stays inside the ceramic filter so that when the valve is open, the liquid fuel is transformed to gas whose volume is about 220 times that of _ 5 _ 2~037~
the liquid fuel. The burning flame therefore becomes considerably larger, which is very dangerous to the user.
Solutions to the a~orementioned problems are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication Nos. 151666/1979, 162762/1980, 72069/1981, 66264/1983, -~
61659/1993 and 117635/1994. Of the conventional apparatuses, those disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication Nos. 151666/1979, 162762/1980, 72069/1981, 66264/1983 and 61659/1993 are designed in such a way that an adjusting member having a wick member formed of natural fibers, such as cotton threads, covered with a gas impenetrable coat, is provided between the fuel tank portion and the combustion portion to control the amount of gas flowing out to a constant level. The solution disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 117635/1994 is designed in such a way that an adjusting member having a wick member formed by several soft copper lines covered with a gas impenetrable coat, is ~ ~;
provided between the fuel tank portion and the combustion portion to ensure the steady amount of gas flow.
Those disclosed in Japanese Vnexamined Utility Model Publication Nos. 151666/1979, 162762/1980, 72~G9/1981, 66264/19~3 and 61659/1993 use, as the wick member, cotton threads formed of natural fibers whose vary greatly, thus making it difficult to always provide a steady gas flow rate. The apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 117635J1994 adjusts a large 6 - 2~30~
amount of gas flow, and is thus inappropriate for the adjustment of the gas flow rate for a disposable gas lighter, for example. That is, if this conventional apparatus is used directly as the flow rate regulating means for a disposable gas lighter and no other member is provided to regulate the flow rate, a considerable amount of liquid gas flows out without being properly vaporized.
SIJMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is tllerefore an object of the present invention to provide a combustion apparatus equipped with flow rate regul~ting means which can ensure stable combustion while meeting the safety requirements over a long period of time.
To achieve the above object, a combustion apparatus according to this invention comprises a nozzle for injecting flammable fuel retained in a fuel container through an openable/closable valve; and flow rate control means provided upstream of the value and having a wick member, made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines, and a fuel impenetraLie member arrallged around the wick member, whereby the flammable fuel in the fuel container is supplied using capillarity of the thread or thin lines or clearances between the fibers of the thread or between the thin lines as a fuel passage, the fibers of the thread being continuous elongated fibers and one of synthesized fiber.;, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers and a ~', . .. .
~ 7 ~ Z~30371.
hollow thread.
More specifically, the flow rate control means whose wick member made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines is covered with a fuel impenetrable member controls the flow rate of flammable fuel. The fibers of the thread may be any one ;
of synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers, and a hollow thread to prevent a variation in quality which probably occurs in the case of natura]
fibers.
The fuel impenetrable member may be provided integrally with the thread or the thin lines by extrude molding.
The fuel impenetrable member may have a hole formed in the center where the thread or thin lines are inserted.
L~ch of the fibers may have a thickness of 0.2 to 100 deniers or 0.1 um to 50 um.
The fibers may be of one kind.
The fibers may consist of two or more kinds of fibers.
The thread may be formed by bundling a plurality of fibers.
The thread may have a strand structure having a bundle of a plurality of fibers.
The thread may have a strand of a plurality of thread elements each having a strand structure having a bundle of a plurality of fibers.
. . . . - :
- 8 Z1~03~
A metal wire of a size of 10 um to 500 um may be placed in the center portion of the thread.
The combustion apparatus may further be provided with adjusting means for adjusting a flame size.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a lighter according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an elastic member oL fuel flow rate control means according to the first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a thread of fuel flow rate control means according to the first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the thread and a portion around the thread according to the first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the thread and a portion around the thread according to a second embodinlent of this invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional v.iew showing a part of a lighter according to a sLxth embodiment of this invention;
FlG. 7 is a cross-sectional view ~f fu~l flow rate control means according to a seventh embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the fabrication process of the fuel flow rate control means according to ` 2130371 g :.
the seventh embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of fuel flow rate control means according to an eighth embodiment of this ~ -invention; :
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of fuel flow rate control m~ans according to a ninth embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a lighter according to a tenth embodiment of this invention;
and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a lighter according to prior art.
DETAILED D~CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A first preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4.
In this embodiment, the present invention is adapted for a gas lighter which uses flammable fuel. The gas lighter has a lighter body 1 with a pocket portion 3 formed in the lighter body 1. The interior of the lighter body 1 around the outer surface of the pocket portion 3 serves as a fuel tank 5 where the flammable fuel is reserved. The flammable fuel in use is liquid petroleum gas which essentially consists of commercial butane and commercial propane (commercial butane: 90% and commercial propane:
10%)-Besides the liquid petroleum gas, other flammable :::
fuels may also be used, such as hexanoic liquid fuel and ~ " , ~ . ' ' " . . ' ' ' ' ' .~" ' . " ~' ' ' " '"; ,' ' '" ' ~ " ' ' ' ' , 5 . ' ;~
Z~3037~
alcoholic liquid fuel. Attached to the pocket portion 3 is a nozzle case 7 which has an almost cylindrical shape with an internal thread portion 3a formed on its outer surface. The pocket portion 3 is provided with an internal thread portion 3a, which engages with the internal thread portion 7a. With the internal threa-' portion 7a engaging with the internal thread portion 3a, the nozzle case 7 is secured to the pocket portion 3. A
nozzle valve seat is disposed inside the nozzle case 7.
A noz~le 11 is disposed through and inside the nozzle case 7, and is movable in the up and down direction in the diagram. A gas passage lla and a gas intake hole llb are formed in the center portion of the nozzle 11. A valve assembly (of, e.g., rubber) 13 is attached to the lower end of the nozæle ll. More specifically, the valve assembly 13 is shaped like a projection 13b protruding from the center portion of a disk 13a. The projection 13b ;
is inserted into the gas passage lla of the nozzle 11 from -~
the lower end. A valve seat 9a is formed at the center portion of the nozzle valve seat 9, with the valve assembly 13 seating on the valve seat 9a.
The nozzle 11 and the valve assembly 13 are normally urged downward by a coil spring 15, so that the valve assembly 13 is seated on the valve seat 9a. When an actuator 17 indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 1 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 to shift the nozzle 11 upward against the force of the coil spring 15, the valve ~ .
~ . . . i. , ~ , , :
. .. . .
r~
- 11 Z13~)37~ ~
assembly 13 rises to be open due to the ~as pressure.
That is, the valve assembly 13 moves away from the valve seat 9a to allow the gas to flow in via a gas passa~e 9b of the nozzle val~-e seat 9, and the gas is thus injected through the gas intake hole llb and gas passage lla of the nozzle 11.
Fuel flow rate control means 19 is provided at the pocket portion 3 below the nozzle valve seat 9. This fuel flow rate control means 19 has a cylindrical elastic member lga as a fuel impenetrable member, and a thread l9b inserted in the center portion of the elastic member l9a.
The elastic member l9a is made of, for example, nitrile butadiene rubber (NsR) which has a strength of 70 degrees.
As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic member l9a has a length (Lj of 2.5 mm in the axial direction. Bored in the axial center position of the elastic member l9a is a hole 21 in which the thread l9b is inserted, as shown in FIG. 2. The boring of the hole 21 is carried out by using a needle-like member, for example, and the diameter (Dl) of the hole 21 is made slightly smaller than the outside diameter (D2) of the thread l9b. It is not desirable that the hole diameter (D1) be larger than the outside diameter (D2) of the thread l9b, providing a clearance therebetween from which the gas leaks.
Instead of using a needle-like member to bore the hole, a crack may be formed. ~
The thread l9b has a strand structure having a --- 12 - X~30371 plurality of synthesized fibers like polyester fibers 22 (shown in FIG. 4) stranded.
Other synthesized fibers than polyester fibers that may also be used include vinylidene chloride, acrylic and nylon, for example.
Each fiber 22 is a long fiber having a size of 1.3 deniers (one denier: lg/9000 m). There a total-of about 630 of fibers 22. (It is to be noted that FIG. 4 exe ,plarily shows the cross section of the strand and the number of the illustrated fibers 22 should not necessarily match with the mentioned quantity in this embodiment.) The thread 19b with such a structure is inserted in the hole 21 of the elastic member l9a and is set as illustrated in FIG. 4. The gas flows through the clearances between the stranded fibers while its flow rate is regulated, as shown in FIG. 4.
According to the experiments, the burning flame rose to the height of about 30 mm at the measured room temperature of 23 C. ~ ;
As shown in FIG. 1, a wick 23 is placed below the fuel flow rate control means 19 so that the flammable fuel in the fuel tank 5 is sucked up through this wick 23 while its flow rate is regulated by the fuel flow rate control means l9 having the above-described structure.
In FIG. l, reference numeral "25" denotes a rotary file, reference numeral "27" is a guide member located on either side of the rotary file 25, and reference numeral , . . ~ .
- 13 - 21303~
29' is a flint.
The action of the gas lighter with the above-described structure will now be discussed. First, a user places tha thumb on the pair of guide members 25 a~d rotates the guide member 25 clockwise in FIG. 1 and thus rotates the actuator 17 also clockwise in the successive action. As a result, the nozzle 11 is lifted upward against the force of the coil spring 15. Accordingly, the valve assembly 13 lifts upward due to the gas pressure acting from below, and is thus opened. The gas flows through the gas passage 9b and into the gas passage lla via the gas intake hole llb of the nozzle 11. The gas is then injected from the distal end of the nozzle 11. As the guide members 25 rotate, the rotary file 25 rotates, causing the flint 29 to produce sparks. The sparks ignite the gas injected from the nozzle 11. In this se~uential action, the flammable fuel in the fuel tank 5 flows toward the valve with its flow rate regulated by the fuel flow rate control means 19.
This embodiment has the following advantages. First, the fuel flow rate control means 19 has a certain ~-thickness, unlike the conventional type which is a thin film type, so that this control means 19 becomes easier to handle at the time it is worked or the gas lighter is assembled. More specifically, as the elastic member l9a, the outer portion of the fuel flow rate control means 19, has a sufficient thickness as compared with the - 1 4 - 213037~
conventional thin fil~l type, one can grab the elastic member l9a when handling the control means 19. The control means 19 can therefore be handled easily at the time it is worked or the gas lighter is assembled. As the provision of the elastic member l9a improves the mechanical strength and the thermal strength of the fuel flow rate control means 19, allowing the control means 19 to perform the stable function over a long period of time.
Further, the fuel flow rate control means 19 is not damaged carelessly at the time it is worked or the gas lighter is assembled or due to a change with time. The proper flow rate regulating characteristic can be obtained by altering the structure of the thread 19b (e.g., the type, the number and the length of the fibers, and the like) as needed. This contributes to eliminating a variation in the thread l9b, thus improving the stable combustibility. In addition, unlike in the prior art, natural fibers are not used, also eliminatillg a variation in characteristic and ensuring highly accurate flow rate control.
A second embodiment will now be explained with reference to FIG. 5. Although the thread l9b has a strand of polyester fibers as syll~hesi~ed fibers in the first embodiment, vinylidene chloride hollow threads of synthesized fibers may be used as shown in FIG. 5. For example, eight hollow threads 24 each consisting of long fibers of 50 deniers are stranded. In this case, it was -: . : .~ - . : :
,, : :. ~ . ~ ~ . . :
- 15 - ~13037 confirmed through the experiments that the burning flame rose to the height of about 30 mm at the measured room temperature of 23 C. The thread l9b consisting of the hollow threads 24 may be dipped in the fuel tank 5 so that the flalr~able fuel runs up through a hollow portion 24a of each hollow thread 24, thus regulating the gas flow rate.
In this case, the thread l9b serves as the wick 23 shown in FIG. 1.
A third embodiment will now be explained with reference to FIG. 4. Whila the thread l9b is constituted of synthesized fibers in the first and second embodiments, ~-the thread l9b is formed of carbon fibers in this embodiment. More specifically, about lOO threads 22 each consisting of elongated fibers having a size of about 15 um (diameter of the fibers 22) were stranded.
Accordingly, it was confirmed that the burning flame rose to the height of about 25 mm at the measured room temperature oE 23 C.
A fourth embodiment will be described below with refelance to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the thread l9b is formed of metal fibers (copper in this embodiment).
More specifically, about 12 threads each conslsting of elongated fibers having a size of about 60 um were stranded. Accordingly, it was confirmed that the burning flame rose to the height of about 35 mm at the measured room temperature of 23 C.
A fifth embodiment will now be explained with '. ~
reference to FIG. 6. This embodiment has the structure of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 from which the wick 23 is eliminated. When liquid petroleum gas is used as flammable fuel, for example, the wick 23 should not necessarily be provided and may be omitted as shown in FIG. 6.
A sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the first through fifth embodiments, the thread l9b is fitted in the through hole :
21 of the elastic member l9a as a support, thus constituting the fuel flow rate control means 19. Tn the sixth embodiment, however, the support member l9a and the thread 19b are formed integrally in advance. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, thermal plastic resin, thermal hardening resin, rubber or the like may be extruded from the extrusioll molding around the thread 19b (although l~ot illustrated, an extrusion molding machine and predetermined molds are used at the time of extrusion molding), thus forming an article indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 8. This article is to be cut to the desired length to provide the fuel flow rate control means 19 (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8). In this case, the fuel impenetrable member l9a need not be an elastic member. To put the thread l9b through the fuel impenetxable member l9a later, the member l9a should be an elastic member to keep the airtightness between the tread 8 and the fuel impenetrable member 19b. When the thread :
21~0~71 l9b and the fuel impenetrable member l9b are formed integrally, no consideration need to be given to the air-tightness. The fuel impenetrable member l9b need not therefore be an elastic member. This structure can also produce the same advantages as described above.
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the thread l9b of the fuel flow rate control ~
m~ans 19 has a different structure. A single (or more) -metal wire 31 is placed in the center portion, and fibers 33, selected from among synthesized fibers, regenerated fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers and glass fibers, are placed around the metal wire 31. The tread l9b having this structure can have the same advantages.
This structure will be described in more detail. The metal wire 31 is a soft copper wire plated with tin, for example, and has an outside diameter of 0.18 mm (180 um) and has a length of 3.5 mm. This metal wire 31 imparts heat to the liquid gas that flows along this wire 31 and vaporizes the gas, thus ensuring efficiency vaporization.
That is, the latent heat the metal wire 31 has is given to the liquid gas. The thread l9b has a bundle of 1600 glass fibers. More specifically, 400 glass fibers of 6 um are bundled and stranded, and four such strands are stranded in the opposite direction to the stranding direction of each strand.
The fabrication process will be described step by r -step. First, 400 glass fibers of 6 um are made into a single bundle while being stranded. Four such bundles are then stranded around the metal wire 31 in the opposite direction to the stranding direction of each strand to be a single fiber bundle. The resultant bundle of fibers is placed in a feedable manner at the center of the nozzle of the extrusion molding machine, molten polyethylene is supplied there, and all are integrated by the extrusion molding machine.
In this case, the passage where t~ liquid fuel passes runs mainly through the clearances between the thread l9b and the metal wire 31, and the clearance in the thread 19b itself (clearances between the individual glass fibers) can serve as a gas passage though slightly. A
polyethylene resin comes between the thread l9b and the support member 19a at the time of extrusion molding, shielding the clearances so that only a few clearances serve as the passage. The clearances between the thread l9b and the metal wire 31 are allowed to serve as the main passage because the heat to vaporize the liquid gas can efficiently be applied to the gas traveling along the metal wire 31.
An eighth embodiment of this invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the structure of the thread l9b of the fuel flow rate control means 19 is also modified. A single (or more) metal wire 31 is placed in the center portion, and hollow i.~. .i , , , , . . ~ .
~,, ~: - . . ..... . . .
... . . .
-9 2~30371.
threads 33 are placed around this metal wire 31. The tread 19b having this structure can have the same advantages.
A ninth embodiment of this invention will now be explained with reference to FIG. 11. This embodiment is designed to be able to adjust the flame height as needed.
An internal thread portion 7a is provided at the outer surface portion of the nozzle case 7, and an internal thread portion 3a is formed on the pocket portion 3 of the lighter body 1. The nozzle case 7 is attached to the pocket portion 3 by the engagement of the internal thread portion 7a with the internal thread portion 3a. The structure up to this point is the same as that of the first embodiment (shown in FIG. 1). A rotary actuator 41 is attached to the top end of the nozzle case 7. As the user turns this rotary actuator 41 with the thumb, for example, in the proper direction, the nozzle case 7 rotates, so that the nozzle case 7 and nozzle valve seat 9 can be lifted up. The upward movement of the nozzle case 7 and nozzle valve seat 9 adjusts the space between the nozzle valve seat 9 and the fuel flow rate control means 19. A porous member 43 is provided between the nozzle valve seat 9 and the fuel flow rate control means 19.
l'his porous member 43 may be formed of urethane foam.
With the above structure, when one wants to increases the flame height, the user should turn the rotary actuator 41 in one direction. This moves the nozzle case 7 up, - 20 - Z13037~ :
increasing the space between the nozzle valve sea~ 9 and the fuel flow rate control means 11. The porous member 43 therefore expands accordingly, and the bubble density in the porous member 43 is thus increased. Therefore, the amount of the flammable fuel passing there increases and the flame height rises eventually. To reduce the flame height, on the other hand, the user should turn the rotary actuator 41 in the other direction. This moves the nozzle case 7 downward, narrowing the space between the nozzle valve seat 9 and the fuel flow rate control means ll. The porous member 43 is compressed accordingly, reducing the bubble density in the porous member 43. Therefore, the amount of the flammable fuel passing there decreases, lowering the flame height.
The provision of the porous member 43 can change the flow rate of the flammable fuel. By setting the amount of the porous member 43 to a predetermined amount, therefore, the flame height can be restricted to a given height.
Further, the porous member 43 when properly expanded or compressed can adjust the flame height to the desired ~;~
level.
The present invention is not limited to the above~
described embodiments. First, although a gas lighter has been explained as a combustion apparatus for flammable fuel in the foregoing description of those embodiments, this invention can applied to various types of ignition devices beside the gas lighter, a portable hot plate, a ~ ~-.. . .
,~:. ~ . ..
;,.~,, ,.. - - : - ~ - :
~*
- 21 - Z~30~71 lamp, etc. The fibers constituting the thread l9b of the fuel flow rate control means 19 may be surface-treated glass fibers or the like beside the aforementioned types, regenerated fibexs, carbon fibers or glass fibers whose surfaces are plated with gold. Any two types of fibers among the synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers and glass fibers may be combined. Alternatively, ordinary fibers may be combined with a hollow thread. Although the thread has a strand structure in the above-described embodiments, the thread is not limited to this particular type, but may be formed by bundling raw threads. The specific values given in the description of the individual embodiments are to be considered as just illustrative and not restrictive.
Claims (11)
1. A combustion apparatus comprising:
a nozzle for injecting flammable fuel retained in a fuel container through an openable/closable valve; and flow rate control means provided upstream of said value and having a wick member, made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines, and a fuel impenetrable member arranged around the wick member, whereby said flammable fuel in said fuel container is supplied using capillarity of said thread or thin lines or clearances between said fibers of said thread or between said thin lines as a fuel passage, said fibers of said thread being continuous elongated fibers and one of synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers and a hollow thread.
a nozzle for injecting flammable fuel retained in a fuel container through an openable/closable valve; and flow rate control means provided upstream of said value and having a wick member, made of a thread consisting of a plurality of fibers or made of a plurality of thin lines, and a fuel impenetrable member arranged around the wick member, whereby said flammable fuel in said fuel container is supplied using capillarity of said thread or thin lines or clearances between said fibers of said thread or between said thin lines as a fuel passage, said fibers of said thread being continuous elongated fibers and one of synthesized fibers, metal fibers, carbon fibers, glass fibers and a hollow thread.
2. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fuel impenetrable member is provided integrally with said thread or said thin lines by extrude molding.
3. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fuel impenetrable member has a hole formed in a center where said thread or thin lines are inserted.
4. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein each of said fibers has a thickness of 0.2 to 100 deniers or 0.1 um to 50 um.
5. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fibers is of one kind.
6. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fibers consists of two or more kinds of fibers.
7. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said thread is formed by bundling a plurality of fibers.
8. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said thread has a strand structure having a bundle of a plurality of fibers.
9. A combustion apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said thread has a strand of a plurality of thread elements each having a strand structure having a bundle of a plurality of fibers.
10. A combustion apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a metal wire of a size of 10 um to 500 um is placed in a center portion of said thread.
11. A combustion apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said combustion apparatus is further be provided with adjusting means for adjusting a flame size.
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP22651593 | 1993-08-19 | ||
| JP5-226515 | 1993-10-22 | ||
| JP5-287556 | 1993-10-22 | ||
| JP28755693 | 1993-10-22 | ||
| JP6-79957 | 1994-03-24 | ||
| JP6079957A JPH07167431A (en) | 1993-08-19 | 1994-03-24 | Combustion device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2130371A1 true CA2130371A1 (en) | 1995-02-20 |
Family
ID=27303148
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002130371A Abandoned CA2130371A1 (en) | 1993-08-19 | 1994-08-18 | Combustion apparatus |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0640795A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07167431A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR950006310A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7037594A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9402771A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2130371A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH11223339A (en) * | 1998-02-06 | 1999-08-17 | Tokai:Kk | Fuel retaining member for liquid fuel burning instrument |
| KR200275113Y1 (en) * | 1999-06-21 | 2002-05-10 | 배한성 | Cigarette-type lighter |
| JP3691433B2 (en) * | 2001-12-05 | 2005-09-07 | 社団法人日本喫煙具協会 | Hydrocarbon gas flow rate adjusting method and apparatus |
| CN113154469B (en) * | 2021-05-21 | 2023-04-14 | 中山市金艺金属制品有限公司 | Double-linkage valve fire control switch embedded in gas stove |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1343832A (en) * | 1962-06-19 | 1963-11-22 | Samao S A | Gas lighter valve |
| FR2044258A5 (en) * | 1969-05-28 | 1971-02-19 | Grudzinski Richard | |
| FR2371633A1 (en) * | 1976-11-19 | 1978-06-16 | Dupont S T | LIQUEFIED GAS APPLIANCE, ESPECIALLY GAS LIGHTER FOR SMOKERS |
| ES2005639A6 (en) * | 1987-10-15 | 1989-03-16 | Sandaco Sa | Liquified gas lighter |
-
1994
- 1994-03-24 JP JP6079957A patent/JPH07167431A/en active Pending
- 1994-08-18 EP EP94306105A patent/EP0640795A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-08-18 CA CA002130371A patent/CA2130371A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-08-19 KR KR1019940020486A patent/KR950006310A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-08-19 AU AU70375/94A patent/AU7037594A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-08-19 BR BR9402771A patent/BR9402771A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR9402771A (en) | 1995-04-04 |
| KR950006310A (en) | 1995-03-20 |
| AU7037594A (en) | 1995-03-02 |
| EP0640795A3 (en) | 1995-11-29 |
| EP0640795A2 (en) | 1995-03-01 |
| JPH07167431A (en) | 1995-07-04 |
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