FR3119726A1 - Heating device for combating frost in crops - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an air heating device for combating frost in crops. This device is remarkable in that it comprises: - a main body (2) which consists of two coaxial cylindrical tubes, namely an outer tube open at its two upper and lower opposite ends, and an inner tube open at its upper end, its lower end being partially closed off by an openwork bottom; - a chimney (4) formed of a cylindrical tube open at its upper and lower opposite ends, the external diameter of which is smaller than the internal diameter of said internal tube of the main body (2), this chimney (4) being shaped to selectively occupy a first so-called "working" position in which it extends above and in the extension of said main body (2), or a second so-called "storage" position in which it is engaged inside said internal tube of the main body (2) without protruding beyond the upper end of the latter. Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Heating device for combating frost in crops

GENERAL TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention is in the general field of the fight against frost in crops such as vineyards or orchards.

STATE OF THE ART

With the climate changes we are currently experiencing, winter temperatures are generally milder and spring arrives prematurely, so plants and buds appear and develop relatively early in the year.

However, in these relatively early periods, periods of frost are still possible and threaten in particular repeatedly certain fruit crops such as vineyards and orchards in relatively large geographical areas.

Some solutions have already been thought of to locally increase the temperature of the air surrounding these crops, so as to avoid this risk of frost.

The solutions that currently exist make use of candles, burners, heaters sometimes associated with large fans. There are also sprinkling techniques with large quantities of water, because the gel protects the buds. Sometimes, the winegrowers use helicopters to stir the air.

All of these solutions use natural resources (water or carbon energy). The present invention responds to ecological imperatives by drawing on renewable resources.

Moreover, in the field of cooking and more particularly of cooking food, a barbecue is known which makes use of granules (“pellets”) or wood chips. Such a barbecue comprises two coaxial cylindrical tubes. The outer tube is provided opening out at its two ends. The inner tube has a perforated bottom that is raised above the lower end of the outer tube. This outer tube has openings at its base to channel surrounding fresh air towards the aforementioned perforated bottom, so as to contribute effectively to the combustion of the wood pellets. In addition, the inner tube has, near its top, openings which contribute to the implementation of a second combustion, thus reducing the proportion of unburned gases and at the same time increasing the combustion temperature obtained.

The present invention aims to provide an air heating device for combating frost in crops, which is based on the operating principle of this barbecue, while improving it particularly in this particular application, and by making it simple and convenient to use.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the present invention relates to an air heating device for combating frost in crops, characterized in that it comprises:

- A main body which consists of two coaxial cylindrical tubes, namely an outer tube open at its two upper and lower opposite ends, and an inner tube open at its upper end, its lower end being partially closed off by a perforated bottom;

- a chimney formed of a cylindrical tube open at its upper and lower opposite ends, the outer diameter of which is less than the inner diameter of said internal tube of the main body, this chimney being shaped to selectively occupy a first so-called "working" position in which it extends above and in the extension of said main body, or a second so-called "storage" position in which it is engaged inside said internal tube of the main body without protruding beyond the end superior of the latter.

Thanks to these characteristics, once you have finished using the device, all you have to do is grab the chimney and insert it into the main body. A particularly compact storage position is thus achieved.

In addition, for later use, you do not have to ask yourself the question of where the fireplace is stored since it is stored in the same place as the main body.

Furthermore, according to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or according to any combination of at least two of them:

- the upper end of said main body and the lower end of said chimney are each provided with a peripheral collar, the peripheral collar of the main body forming a support plane for the peripheral collar of the chimney in said first position, while that it constitutes a retaining plane in the suspended position for the peripheral collar of the chimney in said second position;

- said chimney comprises a frustoconical deflector which is open at its two opposite ends, this deflector extending, from the lower end of said chimney, entirely inside the cylindrical tube which constitutes it, the conicity of said converging deflector towards the upper end of the chimney;

- said collars include means of mutual immobilization;

- Said immobilization means comprise a blade forming a projection formed in one of the collars, as well as a slot of complementary shape to said blade, formed in the other collar;

- at least one of said collars comprises at least one opening for the passage of the fingers of an operator for the manipulation of said main body and/or of said chimney;

- the inner tube of said main body comprises, near its upper end, a set of through holes and said frustoconical deflector is dimensioned such that in the "storage" position of said chimney, its end of reduced dimensions extends facing or below said through holes;

- It comprises a base on which said main body rests;

- the lower end of the outer tube of said main body is crenellated, alternately forming openings and tabs, said openings allowing the passage of air inside said main body, while the tabs are partially received in complementary openings formed in said base;

- It comprises a removable cap which cooperates with said chimney.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which will now be made of it, with reference to the appended drawings, which represent, by way of indication but not limitation, one possible embodiment.

In these drawings:

there is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, in a so-called “working” position;

there is a view analogous to , the device being presented from the front;

there is a detail view, in perspective, of the upper part of the device;

there is a perspective view of the device of the , in a second so-called “storage” position;

there is a view similar to the previous one, the interior of the outer tube of its main duct being visible by transparency;

there is a view, along a vertical sectional plane, of the device in a so-called “storage” position, its base not being shown, however;

there is a view similar to the previous one, in which only the main duct is shown;

there is a view, along a vertical sectional plane, of the upper part of the main duct of the device, with its chimney which is in the storage position;

there is a perspective and low angle view of the chimney of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The heating device 1 according to the invention is shown in a first so-called "working" position in the appended Figures 1 and 2, that is to say in a position such that it can be used to heat the ambiant air.

Unless otherwise stated, the elements that constitute it are made of a thin metal that is resistant to heat and corrosion, such as galvanized or stainless steel.

The terms “upper” and “lower”, when they will be used below in relation to the various elements of this device, are understood when the latter occupies the “working” position of figures 1 and 2.

The heating device represented in the embodiment illustrated here essentially comprises a main body 2 as well as a chimney 4.

However, in this specific illustrated embodiment, it is also provided with a base 3 and a chimney cap 5. These two pieces of equipment, although preferred, are not mandatory.

In the illustrated embodiment, these elements are cylindrical in shape. However, it is possible to envisage variations, for example with a square, rectangular or polygonal base.

As is particularly visible in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the main body 2 consists of two coaxial cylindrical tubes 20 and 21, with a longitudinal axis X-X'.

The outer tube 20 is open at its two upper and lower opposite ends. Its lower end is cut out and crenellated, alternately forming openings 200 and lugs 201, these slotted cutouts fulfilling functions that will be explained later in the description.

The inner tube 21 extends a short distance from the outer tube 20, so that there remains an annular space between them. It is fixed therein in its lower part by retaining lugs 211 in particular visible at the .

This inner tube 21 is shorter than outer tube 20 and extends from the top of outer tube 20 to a level slightly set back from its lower end.

This inner tube 21 is open at its upper end, while its lower end is partially closed off by a perforated bottom 210 which has the overall shape of a grid. In other words, this background is openwork.

Finally, the inner tube 21 of the body 2 comprises, near its upper end, a set of opening orifices 212, the function of which will also be explained.

Again with reference to the , it can be seen that the main body 2 is provided at its upper end with a peripheral annular flange 22 which rests on and is fixed to the two tubes 20 and 21, and which therefore projects outwards in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X'.

The thickness of this collar is preferably the same as that of the tubes 20 and 21.

In the embodiment shown here, the flange 22 has prominent lugs 23 diametrically opposed, in which are formed openings 230 in arcs of a circle, for the passage of the fingers of an operator who wishes to manipulate the main body 2.

Furthermore, we note the presence of two diametrically opposed vertical legs 24, which form projections vertically above the plane in which the collar 22 extends. Their function will be explained later.

The chimney 4 is itself essentially made up of a cylindrical tube 40 of reduced length compared to that of the main body 2. Their respective lengths are chosen according to the crops in which the device is to be used. Thus, for example, in trellised vines, use will be made of a device whose total height is greater than that of a device intended to be used in an untrained vineyard, so that the hot air emitted by the device can circulate above the crops.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the external diameter of the tube 40 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the internal tube 21 of the body 2.

Opposite upper and lower ends of tube 40 are open. However, as shown particularly in , the lower end of the tube 40 is provided with a collar 41 of similar shape and dimensions to those of the collar 22 of the main body 2.

Thus, this flange 41 has two ears 42 in which are formed openings 420 identical to openings 230, and which are also intended to allow the passage of the fingers of an operator who wishes to manipulate the chimney 4.

Furthermore, this flange 41 comprises two diametrically opposed slots 43 whose dimensions are provided to allow the engagement of the blade 24 of the main body 2 through them.

As is particularly visible at the , the chimney 4 is provided with a frustoconical deflector 44 which is open at its opposite ends. This deflector 44 extends, when considering the “working” position mentioned above, entirely inside the tube 40, from its lower end. The conicity of this deflector 44 converges towards the upper end of the chimney 4.

In practice and in this embodiment, the deflector 44 is in one piece with the flange 41 which has been described above. We will also explain later the interest and the function of this deflector.

Of course, in an embodiment not shown, the deflector and the collar could form two separate parts.

As specified above, the embodiment of the device 1 presented here comprises a base 3 formed by a base 30 which is globally inscribed in a triangular shape. It will be noted that the points of this triangle are folded down to form three support feet 31 on a support such as the ground.

The base 30 is provided with slots 300 which are arranged in a circle and whose position and dimensions correspond to those of the tabs 201 of the main body 2.

Although this is not visible in the figures, the tabs 201 have, not far from their base, a transverse cutout, so that after partial engagement of the tabs 201 inside the slots 300 of the base and partial rotation , it is possible to maintain the main body 2 in the vertical and stable position of Figures 1 and 2. In doing so, there remains a free passage at the level of the openings 200, between the base of the body 2 and the base 30.

Finally, the chimney 4 is provided with a removable cap 5 which is formed of a folded sheet to form a flat top 50 and two symmetrical side wings 51. It is noted that the free edge of the wings 51 has cutouts 510 which delimit three flaps 511 and 512, the intermediate flap 512 being folded inwards to be able to be inserted into the top of the tube 40 of the chimney 4.

According to a preferred embodiment, the template of this chimney 5 is provided so that it can be inserted inside the internal tube 21 of the body 2, as shown in .

We will now explain how the device according to the invention is used.

A storage position is shown in , the base 3 not being shown, however.

Before or after having installed the main body 2 on this base 3, the chimney 5 is removed, after having extracted the chimney 4 from the main body.

The chimney 4 is then repositioned in its initial position of the .

A combustible material such as pellets or wood chips can then be poured into the main body 2 via its upper end.

The chimney 4 being in a way suspended from the main body 2 by its collar 41 which rests on that of the body 2, and the deflector 44 here plays the role of a funnel which facilitates the operation of pouring out the combustible material.

Preferably, the dimensions of the deflector 44 are such (see ) that its opening 440 of reduced size extends opposite or below the through holes 212 of the inner tube 21 of the body 2. This end 440 of reduced size constitutes a visual cue to stop the spillage of the combustible material so that it does not do not block the orifices. The reason for this will be explained later.

After extracting chimney 4 from body 2, the combustible material is ignited.

Immediately after this operation, the chimney 4 is turned over on itself and positioned above the body 2 so that their flanges 22 and 41 overlap. To do this, the operator grasps the chimney 4 through the openings 420 and takes care to make the slots 43 coincide with the blades 24 of the body 2. Preferably and although this is not visible in the figures, the blades 24 have, not far from their base, a transverse cut, so that after partial engagement of the blades 24 inside the slots 43 and partial rotation, it is possible to lock the chimney 4 on the body 2.

Finally, cap 5 is positioned on chimney 5.

The fact that the lower end of the body 2 has openings 200 allows outside ambient air to circulate inside the body 2, to supply the fuel with air, thus promoting immediate and regular ignition. In addition, the perforated bottom 210 also contributes to air circulation.

The hot gases progress inside the inner tube 21 and the chimney 5.

Part of the ambient air which has entered the base of body 2 flows between tubes 20 and 21 then enters tube 21, via orifices 212.

Because these holes were not sealed during the fuel filling operation, this additional air circulation is not impeded. It contributes to implementing additional combustion of the unburned gases.

In this working position, the deflector 44 whose convergent end 440 is directed upwards as shown in , and contributes to the creation of a venturi effect which makes it possible to obtain a better circulation of the gases and a better combustion of the combustible material, as well as a rise in temperature.

When you have finished using the device and it has cooled down, you disassemble it to put it in the storage position.

To do this, the cap 5 and the chimney 4 are removed, and care is taken to empty the body 2 of the ashes of combustible material.

After this operation, the chimney is turned over so as to engage the tube 40 inside the body 2 by its upper end.

Thus, in the storage position, the chimney 5 is always arranged with and close to the body 2 so that the risk of loss of this chimney is reduced.

Claims (10)

Air heating device (1) for combating frost in crops, characterized in that it comprises:
- a main body (2) which consists of two coaxial cylindrical tubes (20, 21), namely an outer tube (20) open at its two upper and lower opposite ends, and an inner tube (21) open at its end upper, its lower end being partially closed off by an openwork bottom (210);
- a chimney (4) formed of a cylindrical tube (40) open at its upper and lower opposite ends, the external diameter of which is smaller than the internal diameter of said internal tube (21) of the main body (2), this chimney (4 ) being shaped to selectively occupy a first so-called "working" position in which it extends above and in the extension of said main body (2), or a second so-called "storage" position in which it is engaged at the inside said inner tube (21) of the main body (2) without protruding beyond the upper end of the latter. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper end of the said main body (2) as well as the lower end of the said chimney (4) are each provided with a peripheral flange (22, 41), the peripheral collar (22) of the main body (2) forming a support plane for the peripheral collar (41) of the chimney (4) in said first position, while it constitutes a retaining plane in the suspended position for the collar device (41) of the chimney (4) in said second position. Device (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said chimney (4) comprises a tapered deflector (44) which is open at its two opposite ends, this deflector extending from the lower end of the said chimney (4), entirely inside the cylindrical tube (40) which constitutes it, the conicity of said deflector (44) converging in the direction of the upper end of the chimney (4). Device (1) according to one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the said flanges (22, 41) comprise mutual immobilization means (24, 43). Device (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said immobilizing means (24, 43) comprise a blade (24) forming a projection formed in one of the collars (22), as well as a slot (43 ) of complementary shape to said blade (24), formed in the other collar (41). Device (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the said flanges (22, 41) comprises at least one opening (230, 420) for the passage of the fingers of a operator for the manipulation of said main body (2) and/or of said chimney (4). Device (1) according to one of Claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the internal tube (21) of the said main body (2) comprises, near its upper end, a set of through orifices (212) and that said frustoconical deflector (44) is dimensioned such that in the "storage" position of said chimney, its end (400) of reduced dimensions extends opposite or below said through orifices (212). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base (3) on which the said main body (2) rests. Device (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the lower end of the outer tube (20) of the said main body (2) is crenellated, alternately forming openings (200) and lugs (201), the said openings ( 301) allowing the passage of air inside said main body (2), while the lugs (300) are partially received in complementary openings (30) formed in said base (3). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a removable cap (5) which cooperates with the said chimney (4).