EP0816758A1 - Flame distributing device intended for a burner of a hot water appliance - Google Patents

Flame distributing device intended for a burner of a hot water appliance Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0816758A1
EP0816758A1 EP97201744A EP97201744A EP0816758A1 EP 0816758 A1 EP0816758 A1 EP 0816758A1 EP 97201744 A EP97201744 A EP 97201744A EP 97201744 A EP97201744 A EP 97201744A EP 0816758 A1 EP0816758 A1 EP 0816758A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
distributing plate
distributing
flame
burner
burner deck
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP97201744A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0816758B1 (en
Inventor
Jacob Jozeph Marijnen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Original Assignee
Radson Alutherm NV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Radson Alutherm NV filed Critical Radson Alutherm NV
Publication of EP0816758A1 publication Critical patent/EP0816758A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0816758B1 publication Critical patent/EP0816758B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23D—BURNERS
    • F23D14/00—Burners for combustion of a gas, e.g. of a gas stored under pressure as a liquid
    • F23D14/46—Details, e.g. noise reduction means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23D—BURNERS
    • F23D14/00—Burners for combustion of a gas, e.g. of a gas stored under pressure as a liquid
    • F23D14/46—Details, e.g. noise reduction means
    • F23D14/48—Nozzles
    • F23D14/58—Nozzles characterised by the shape or arrangement of the outlet or outlets from the nozzle, e.g. of annular configuration
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23D—BURNERS
    • F23D2900/00—Special features of, or arrangements for burners using fluid fuels or solid fuels suspended in a carrier gas
    • F23D2900/00003—Fuel or fuel-air mixtures flow distribution devices upstream of the outlet

Abstract

A flame distributing device (1) intended for a burner (2) of a hot water appliance (3) for the purpose of water heating, which flame distributing device (1) comprises a burner deck (4) with a regular hole pattern and a distributing plate (5) with a specific hole pattern (6), the burner deck (4) and the distributing plate (5) extending substantially parallel to each other, with a space between the distributing plate (5) and the burner deck (4) being divided into a number of segment chambers (7), between which segment chambers (7) no flow or substantially no flow of fuel/air mixture is possible, while at each segment chamber (7) the distributing plate (5) has a specific hole pattern (6).

Description

This invention relates to a flame distributing device intended for a burner of a hot water appliance for the purpose of water heating, which flame distributing device comprises a burner deck with a specific hole pattern and a distributing plate with a specific hole pattern, the burner deck and the distributing plate extending substantially parallel to each other.
Such a flame distributing device is known from practice and is already being used by applicant in its central heating boilers and marketed. In the known flame distributing device the distributing plate is arranged at a very short distance from the burner deck. The distributing plate is primarily intended for regulating the supply of the fuel/air mixture to the burner deck. In order to prevent undesired resonances and vibrations, such as whistling and rumbling, the combustion load should not be uniform over the entire burner deck. In the known burner deck this is effected by making the hole pattern in the distributing plate of irregular design. In some areas of the distributing plate there are large holes spaced apart a short distance, while in other areas the distributing plate is provided with small holes spaced apart a large distance. What is thus accomplished is that the supply of the fuel/air mixture over the surface of the burner deck is non-uniform, so that the chance of resonances and vibrations is kept to a minimum. In order to obtain this effect in an optimum manner, it is necessary that the distributing plate be disposed at a very short distance from the burner deck. When the distance between the distributing plate and the burner deck is too large, the fuel/air mixture will spread in the space between the distributing plate and the burner deck, which will still result in a uniform fuel/air mixture outflow velocity over the entire burner deck surface and hence in a uniform combustion over the entire burner deck.
A requirement for preventing resonances and vibrations in the known flame distributing device is therefore a very short distance between the distributing plate and the burner deck. This slight distance, however, has a number of drawbacks. Firstly, a flame distributing device of such design constitutes a high flow resistance, so that a powerful fan is needed to force the fuel/air mixture through the flame distributing device. A second drawback is that from the point of view of manufacturing technique it is not easy to manufacture such a flame distributing devide. In fact, the product tolerances require great precision, since a narrow gap across a large surface must be created.
Other functions of the distributing plate are cooling the burner deck and preventing flashback into the mixing chamber arranged upstream of the flame distributing device. Both functions are obtained in an effective manner only if between the burner deck and the distributing plate a gap is indeed present. Especially in the case of the very small gap width, there is a chance that the gap is sometimes partly lost and the distributing plate is in abutment with the burner deck. Under those circumstances the two last-mentioned functions of the distributing plate are undone.
The object of the invention is to provide a flame distributing device which has a lower flow resistance and which requires less precision in terms of the product tolerances and with which further a variable combustion load over the surface of the burner deck is created.
To that end, the flame distributing device of the type described in the preamble is characterized in that a space between the distributing plate and the burner deck is divided into a number of segment chambers, between which segment chambers no flow or substantially no flow of fuel/air mixture is possible, and at each segment chamber the distributing plate has a specific hole pattern.
Owing to the space between the distributing plate and the burner deck being divided up into segment chambers, the distance between the burner deck and the distributing plate can be greater, and a flame distributing device with a lower flow resistance is obtained. Additionally, owing to the greater distance between the burner deck and the distributing plate, greater product tolerances will suffice, which enables a simpler manufacturing process. The only way out for the fuel/air mixture from a segment chamber is formed by the burner deck segment that covers the segment chamber in question. The combustion load of a relevant burner deck segment is therefore entirely dependent on the supply of the fuel/air mixture to the segment chamber associated with that burner deck segment. Thus a highly specific combustion load per segment can be chosen.
According to a further elaboration of the invention, the segment chambers can be formed by recesses in the distributing plate, the distributing plate being substantially in abutment with the burner deck apart from the distributing plate segments formed by the recesses, so that at each recess a segment chamber is formed between the burner deck and the distributing plate.
A flame distributing device of such design can be manufactured economically.
The walls bounding the recesses constitute only a small portion of the surface of the distributing plate and can therefore abut safely against the burner deck without the cooling function and the flashback prevention function being lost. These walls prevent fuel/air mixture from flowing from one segment chamber to another segment chamber.
According to a further elaboration of the invention, the respective specific hole patterns of at least a number of the various segment chambers differ from each other. As a consequence, for each segment chamber a specific combustion frequency is obtained, these frequencies being mutually different for at least a number of the various segment chambers. The presence of these different frequencies prevents the occurrence of resonances or vibrations and hence of phenomena such as whistling and rumbling.
According to a further elaboration of the invention, the hole patterns of two diametrically opposite segment chambers, which segment chambers are each disposed at a corner of the flame distributing device, correspond to each other, these hole patterns being chosen such that at that point a burner load is obtained which is suitable for ignition using a spark. A flame distributing device of such design can never be mounted incorrectly. That is, the hole pattern in the distributing plate that is suitable for ignition using a spark is located adjacent the spark generating element in both possible mounting positions of the flame distributing device.
Preferably, the flame distributing device comprises a housing with a distributing plate mounting opening, which distributing plate mounting opening is covered up by the distributing plate which has been connected to the housing by welding so as to form a gap, in which gap the edges of the burner deck are slidably received so that the burner deck can expand and shrink freely. A flame distributing device of such design can be manufactured economically and is particularly durable in that the burner deck does not undergo any particular stresses resulting from expansion or shrinkage.
The invention will be further clarified on the basis of an exemplary embodiment which is hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
  • Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional elevation of a hot water appliance comprising a flame distributing device according to the invention;
  • Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line II-II of Fig. 3, of an exemplary embodiment of a flame distributing device;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, taken along line III-III in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 shows a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a distributing plate; and
  • Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional elevation of the distributing plate represented in Fig. 4, taken on line V-V in Fig. 4.
    • Fig. 1 shows a partial cross-sectional elevation of a hot water appliance 3 comprising a heat exchanger 10 which includes a burner 2. The heat exchanger 10 comprises flue ducts 11 and water-conveying channels 12. The burner 2, which comprises a fuel/air mixture chamber 13, is supplied with air and fuel, in the present case gas, by means of a fan 16. The air is sucked in via an air suction channel 14 and the gas is supplied via a gas supply channel 15. The gas/air mixture formed in the fan 16 is blown into the mixture chamber 13 of the burner 2 via the gas/air mixture supply pipe 17. Then the gas/air mixture passes the flame distributing device 1 which is represented in detail in Figs. 2 and 3.
    Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section of the flame distributing device 1 and Fig. 3 shows a transverse section of the flame distributing device 1 as well as a detail thereof. The flame distributing device 1 comprises a housing 8, a distributing plate 5 and a burner deck 4. The distributing plate 5 is provided with recesses 5a which, together with the burner deck 4, define segment chambers 7. The recesses 5a are separated from each other by walls 5b which substantially abut against the burner deck 4. The walls 5b form the boundaries of the segment chambers 7. In the present exemplary embodiment the burner deck 4 is provided with a regular hole pattern which ensures a good combustion of the gas/air mixture.
    The distributing plate 5, however, has a specifically designed hole pattern 6 for each segment chamber 7. The specific hole patterns 6 in the distributing plate 5 of at least a number of the various segment chambers 7 differ from each other. Thus a different combustion load over the surface of the burner deck 4 is obtained, so that different combustion frequencies occur over the burner deck 4. This prevents the occurrence of resonances and vibrations which cause whistling or rumbling.
    The differently designed hole patterns in the distributing plate are clearly depicted in the top plan view of the distributing plate shown in Fig. 4. At some segment chambers 7, the distributing plate has many large holes and few small holes, while at other segment chambers 7, by contrast, it has many small holes and few large holes. It is clear that it is also possible to choose more than two different diameters for the hole pattern or to choose holes of different shapes and/or dimensions.
    In the present exemplary embodiment, the hole patterns 6' and 6" of two diametrically opposite segment chambers 7', 7", which segment chambers 7', 7" are each located in a corner of the distributing plate 5, are of equal design and chosen so as to yield a burner load that is suitable for ignition using a spark. As a consequence, the flame distributing device can never be assembled incorrectly, since in both assembly positions the hole pattern that is desired for ignition is located adjacent the spark generating element.
    As is clearly represented in the detail in Fig. 3, the housing 8 is provided with a distributing plate mounting opening 8a. The distributing plate mounting opening 8a is covered up by the distributing plate 5 which has been connected to the housing 8 by welding so as to form a gap 9. In this gap 9 the edges of the burner deck 4 are slidably received, so that the burner deck can freely expand and shrink. This prevents the occurrence of undesired stresses in the burner deck 4 resulting from expansion or shrinkage due to temperature fluctuations.
    It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described. The segment chambers which, in the embodiment described, are formed by the recesses in the distributing plate according to the invention can also be formed in a different manner. Thus, for instance, the burner deck can be provided with recesses and the distributing plate can have a substantially level surface. Another possibility is that between a distributing plate and a burner deck each having a substantially level surface, walls are included which extend substantially perpendicularly to the main surfaces of the burner deck and the distributing plate, which vertical walls bound a number of segment chambers.

    Claims (5)

    1. A flame distributing device (1) intended for a burner (2) of a hot water appliance (3) for the purpose of water heating, which flame distributing device (1) comprises a burner deck (4) with a specific hole pattern (6) and a distributing plate (5) with a specific hole pattern (6), the burner deck (4) and the distributing plate (5) extending substantially parallel to each other, characterized in that a space between the distributing plate (5) and the burner deck (4) is divided into a number of segment chambers (7), between which segment chambers (7) no flow or substantially no flow of fuel/air mixture is possible, and at each segment chamber (7) the distributing plate (5) has a specific hole pattern (6).
    2. A flame distributing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the segment chambers (7) are formed by recesses (5a) in the distributing plate (5), the distributing plate (5) being substantially in abutment with the burner deck (4) apart from the distributing plate segments (5a) formed by the recesses (5a), so that at each recess (5a) a said segment chamber (7) is formed between the burner deck (4) and the distributing plate (5).
    3. A flame distributing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the specific hole patterns (6) in the distributing plate (5) of at least a number of the various segment chambers (7) differ from each other.
    4. A flame distributing device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the hole patterns (6', 6") in the distributing plate (5) of two diametrically opposite segment chambers (7', 7"), which segment chambers (7', 7") are each disposed at a corner of the flame distributing device (1), correspond to each other, these hole patterns (6', 6") being chosen such that at that point a burner load is obtained which is suitable for ignition using a spark.
    5. A flame distributing device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized by a housing (8) with a distributing plate mounting opening (8a), which distributing plate mounting opening (8a) is covered by the distributing plate (5) which has been connected to the housing by welding so as to form a gap (9), in which gap (9) the edges of the burner deck (4) are slidably received, so that the burner deck (4) can expand and shrink freely.
    EP97201744A 1996-06-10 1997-06-09 Flame distributing device intended for a burner of a hot water appliance Expired - Lifetime EP0816758B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    NL1003311A NL1003311C2 (en) 1996-06-10 1996-06-10 Flame distribution device intended for a burner of a hot water appliance.
    NL1003311 1996-06-10

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP0816758A1 true EP0816758A1 (en) 1998-01-07
    EP0816758B1 EP0816758B1 (en) 2001-11-14

    Family

    ID=19762995

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP97201744A Expired - Lifetime EP0816758B1 (en) 1996-06-10 1997-06-09 Flame distributing device intended for a burner of a hot water appliance

    Country Status (4)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP0816758B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE208879T1 (en)
    DE (1) DE69708212T2 (en)
    NL (1) NL1003311C2 (en)

    Cited By (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6461150B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2002-10-08 Centre D'etude Et De Realisation D'equipment Et De Materiel (Cerem) Very low pressure gas-fired overhead radiant heater with atmospheric primary air supply by means of a venturi
    NL1018054C2 (en) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-12 Dejatech Bv Assembly of a burner and a burner housing.
    ITMI20110390A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-12 Bertelli & Partners Srl GAS BURNER PERFECTED FOR PREMIXED COMBUSTION
    ITUA20164076A1 (en) * 2016-06-03 2017-12-03 Worgas Bruciatori Srl BURNER
    WO2019201600A1 (en) * 2018-04-19 2019-10-24 Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V. Premix gas burner

    Citations (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP0314897A1 (en) * 1987-10-31 1989-05-10 Ruhrgas Aktiengesellschaft Excess-air premix gas burner for gas heating devices
    EP0472270A1 (en) * 1990-06-21 1992-02-26 Furigas (U.K.) Limited A gas burner
    WO1994016269A1 (en) * 1993-01-15 1994-07-21 Joseph Le Mer Method for producing a gas burner element, burner element and burner using same
    EP0698766A2 (en) * 1994-08-26 1996-02-28 Caradon Ideal Limited Gas burner
    US5520536A (en) * 1995-05-05 1996-05-28 Burner Systems International, Inc. Premixed gas burner

    Patent Citations (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    EP0314897A1 (en) * 1987-10-31 1989-05-10 Ruhrgas Aktiengesellschaft Excess-air premix gas burner for gas heating devices
    EP0472270A1 (en) * 1990-06-21 1992-02-26 Furigas (U.K.) Limited A gas burner
    WO1994016269A1 (en) * 1993-01-15 1994-07-21 Joseph Le Mer Method for producing a gas burner element, burner element and burner using same
    EP0698766A2 (en) * 1994-08-26 1996-02-28 Caradon Ideal Limited Gas burner
    US5520536A (en) * 1995-05-05 1996-05-28 Burner Systems International, Inc. Premixed gas burner

    Cited By (10)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US6461150B1 (en) * 1999-10-29 2002-10-08 Centre D'etude Et De Realisation D'equipment Et De Materiel (Cerem) Very low pressure gas-fired overhead radiant heater with atmospheric primary air supply by means of a venturi
    US6612834B2 (en) 1999-10-29 2003-09-02 Centre D'etude Et De Realisation D'equipment Et De Materiel Very low pressure gas-fired overhead radiant heater with atmospheric primary air supply by means of a venturi
    NL1018054C2 (en) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-12 Dejatech Bv Assembly of a burner and a burner housing.
    EP1256760A1 (en) * 2001-05-11 2002-11-13 Dejatech B.V. Assembly of a burner and a burner housing
    ITMI20110390A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-12 Bertelli & Partners Srl GAS BURNER PERFECTED FOR PREMIXED COMBUSTION
    WO2012123805A1 (en) * 2011-03-11 2012-09-20 Bertelli & Partners S.R.L. Improved gas burner for premixed combustion
    CN103443544A (en) * 2011-03-11 2013-12-11 贝尔泰利联合公司 Improved gas burner for premixed combustion
    ITUA20164076A1 (en) * 2016-06-03 2017-12-03 Worgas Bruciatori Srl BURNER
    WO2017208107A1 (en) * 2016-06-03 2017-12-07 Worgas Bruciatori S.R.L. Burner
    WO2019201600A1 (en) * 2018-04-19 2019-10-24 Bekaert Combustion Technology B.V. Premix gas burner

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    ATE208879T1 (en) 2001-11-15
    DE69708212T2 (en) 2002-07-25
    EP0816758B1 (en) 2001-11-14
    DE69708212D1 (en) 2001-12-20
    NL1003311C2 (en) 1997-12-17

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    EP0695911B1 (en) A gas burner with an improved diffuser
    KR0126901B1 (en) Method of preventing burning resonance noise and a burner plate
    GB2206197A (en) Heating apparatus
    CN104541103A (en) Surface-combustion gas burner
    EP0816758B1 (en) Flame distributing device intended for a burner of a hot water appliance
    US7322820B2 (en) Controlled flame gas burner
    US5879154A (en) Flame spreader-type fuel burner with lowered NOx emissions
    KR940007432A (en) Gas burner and manufacturing method
    CA2220564C (en) Two piece multiple inshot-type fuel burner structure
    US20020055079A1 (en) Tubular burner
    EP0003177B1 (en) A gas burner system
    JPH0585805B2 (en)
    US4006728A (en) Room heating apparatus using combustion
    EP1584868B1 (en) Cylindrical burner
    CA2174198A1 (en) Gas fireplace burner systems
    EP0306072A1 (en) Ceramic gas burner for a combustion chamber of a hot-blast stove
    KR100242970B1 (en) Premixed burner of gas boiler
    EP0451923B1 (en) Burner
    EP0547641B1 (en) Burner which may or may not be integrated into a heat exchanger
    KR102365634B1 (en) Metal fiber burner for boiler
    EP0355953A1 (en) Premix type multiport burner
    JPH0212423Y2 (en)
    EP0810404A2 (en) Improvements relating to fuel/air fully pre-mixed burners
    KR960000448Y1 (en) Gas burner
    GB2213924A (en) Burner for fuel-effect fire

    Legal Events

    Date Code Title Description
    PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 19971008

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A1

    Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB GR IT NL PT

    AX Request for extension of the european patent

    Free format text: AL;LT;LV;RO;SI

    AKX Designation fees paid
    RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)
    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 19991210

    GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

    GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

    Owner name: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: B1

    Designated state(s): AT BE DE DK ES FR GB GR IT NL PT

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20011114

    Ref country code: BE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20011114

    Ref country code: AT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20011114

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 208879

    Country of ref document: AT

    Date of ref document: 20011115

    Kind code of ref document: T

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 69708212

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20011220

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: IF02

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: PT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20020214

    Ref country code: DK

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20020214

    ET Fr: translation filed
    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GB

    Payment date: 20020527

    Year of fee payment: 6

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: ES

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20020530

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FR

    Payment date: 20020622

    Year of fee payment: 6

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Payment date: 20020625

    Year of fee payment: 6

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Payment date: 20020802

    Year of fee payment: 6

    PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

    STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

    Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

    26N No opposition filed
    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GB

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20030609

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20040101

    Ref country code: DE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20040101

    GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

    Effective date: 20030609

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20040227

    NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

    Effective date: 20040101

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: ST

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20050609