EP0895029A2

EP0895029A2 - An apparatus with gas burner having safety device against impacts and tilting

Info

Publication number: EP0895029A2
Application number: EP98107133A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Iolli Vittorio Filippo Jenner
Original assignee: Star Progetti Tecnologie Applicate SpA
Current assignee: Star Progetti Tecnologie Applicate SpA
Priority date: 1997-07-31
Filing date: 1998-04-20
Publication date: 1999-02-03
Also published as: EP0895029A3; ITMI971847A1; IT1294297B1

Abstract

A gas-fuelled infrared heat radiator, or in general gas-fuelled heating apparatus, comprises, on an electrical control circuit of a supply valve of the burner, a so-called "tip-over switch", that interrupts the electrical continuity and thus the supply of fuel to the main burner, if the apparatus is tilted further than an established inclination, or is knocked.

Description

The invention refers to apparatuses that comprise a gas-fuelled burner, equipped with an electrical control on the gas supply, controlled from a thermocouple. In particular, reference will be made hereinunder to an apparatus that consists in an infrared heat radiator, it being understood that the invention can none the less also be applied to other apparatus.
Widespread success with the public has currently been achieved by so-called infrared heat radiators or heaters, which generally comprise a base suitable to accommodate a gas cylinder, a post and a radiating head situated on top of the post; the head comprises a gas burner, a cage that is able to heat up when the burner is operating and an aluminium reflector cap that reflects the heat downwards. Such devices allow localized heating to be obtained outdoors or in very large environments. They are therefore used particularly in open air spaces of bars and restaurants or to heat localized parts of very large environments, such as workshops and the like.
Since possible shaking or overturning of one of these apparatuses could lead to fire risks, safety standards have been established for them at a national and international level. For example, one standard establishes that the apparatus should not overturn if it is placed on a plane with an inclination of 15°: For this purpose it is normally prescribed that the apparatus must be weighted at the foot. Some types of apparatus therefore comprise a heavy tile integral with the base, but the user finds it awkward to move them. For other apparatuses it is recommended that the user should weight them with sand, but this rule is often eluded.
The object of the present invention is therefore to achieve a safeguard against knocking or tilting for such apparatuses, such as to allow the apparatus to be kept light and that is independent of the user's actions. A further object is to achieve such a safeguard that operates both in the case of tilting of the apparatus and in the case of bumping, as well as in the event of earthquakes.
These objects have been achieved with an apparatus as stated in claim 1. Further new and useful features are stated in the subsequent claims.
The new apparatus comprises, on an electrical circuit of the thermocouple next to the pilot flame, a switch of the so-called "angular" or "tip-over" type, that interrupts the circuit in the event of an inclination angle thereof greater than a preset angle.
Safety of the gas supply is provided regardless of the actions of the user, who may or may not remember to weight the apparatus; furthermore, the apparatus remains light and easy to transport.
An embodiment of the invention will be described below purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an infrared radiator;
Figure 2 is vertical section of a the head of the radiator;
Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the lighting and control devices of the burner of the radiator;
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 3.
An infrared gas fuelled heat radiator 1 generally comprises a base 2, generally shaped as a container for a gas cylinder (not shown) and possibly mounted on a base plate 2a. From the base 2 a post or column 3 rises, bearing at the top a head 4. Said head is shaped in its upper part with a steel net and an upper parabolic reflector 6. The head 4 contains a main burner 7 supplied with gas from the cylinder through a pipe (not shown) in the column 3.
A gas supply regulating and control device is denoted as a whole by reference numeral 10 and is illustrated in Figure 3. It essentially comprises a valve or tap 12, per se known, comprising an inlet 14 for the gas supply, connected to the pipe of the tank; an outlet to the burner, referenced 16, an outlet to the pilot flame, referenced 18, an electrical control means for opening and closing, referenced 20, and a manual control means, comprising a spindle 22 with a knob 24. The device 10 also comprises a piezoelectric lighting device, referenced 26, joined to its operating means 28 by a line 29; a pilot device 30 supplied with gas from the outlet 18 of the tap 12 through a line 31, and a control thermocouple 32 connected to the electrical control 20 of the tap by means of an electrical circuit 34. According to the invention, a further safety device 36 is mounted on the electrical circuit 34 of the thermocouple 32 and comprises a valve or switch of a type known as "angular" or "tip-over" switch, which is able to interrupt an electrical contact when the device is tilted at an angle greater than a threshold angle, or due to an impact. These switches generally comprise a container in which a mercury bubble or globule is mobile between a position in which it connects two contact terminals and a position in which it does not connect them. The contact terminals of the angular switch are soldered to the conductors which lead to the thermocouple, which are held by a plastic box referenced 42.
Although the invention has been explained with reference to an infrared heater or radiator it can be effectively applied to other gas apparatuses such as cookers, camping stoves and the like.

Claims

A gas apparatus comprising a burner, a gas supply to the burner through a tap, an electrical control circuit for the tap, characterized in that it comprises, on said electrical control circuit, a tip-over type switch (40) able to interrupt said electrical circuit in the event of an inclination greater than a pre-established angle.
An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a pilot flame, a thermocouple sensitive to the heat of the pilot flame, a thermocouple circuit characterized in that said tip-over type switch is mounted on the thermocouple circuit (34).
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said apparatus is an infrared radiator.
An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said switch is a mercury bubble type switch.