US2143259A

US2143259A - Fluid burner

Info

Publication number: US2143259A
Application number: US149466A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clarkson Alick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-06-21
Filing date: 1937-06-21
Publication date: 1939-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1956-01-10

Description

Jan. 10, 1939. A. CLARKSON 2,143,259

FLUID BURNER Filed June 21, 1937 Imfen b1:

. $111M [Ya/k902i Patented Jan; 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID BURNER Alick Clarkson, Elmhurst, 111.,

Application June 21, 1937, Serial No. 149,466

9 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in an apparatus for burning fluid fuel. This application is a continuation in part of the copending application of Alick Clarkson, Serial No. 99,736, filed September 8, 1936.

This burner assembly is especially designed for use as the heating apparatus of a steam generator of the water-tube type, such as shown for example in said copending parent application, although the improved burner assembly could be used for heating other types of heatexchange apparatus.

Briefly described, the atomized oil or other fluid fuel is projected into the combustion chamber in a fire-pot that is mounted within an air chamber into which the combustion air is forced under pressure. The fuel enters the fire-pot through a reduced opening in one end thereof, the other end of the fire-pot being open to discharge the products of combustion into the heatexchange apparatus. The fire-pot is provided with auxiliary features and air-inlets, and is so formed as to control and direct the supply of pre-heated combustion air to secure the maximum combustion and efficiency of operation and to properly direct the hot gases into the heatexchanger.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved burner apparatus of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specification which follows.

Another object is to provide an improved form of firepot for a fluid-fuel burner.

Another object is to provide improved means for supplying combustion air to a fluid-fuel burner.

Another object is to provide an improved means for controlling the combustion of fuel in a heating apparatus of the type set forth.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of apparatus constructed and operating according to the principles of this invention.

The accompanying drawing is a central vertical section through the improved burner assembly and a portion of a heat-exchange apparatus with which the same is used.

At A is indicated the upper portion of a steam generating apparatus of the water-tube type, said apparatus being more fully disclosed in the parent application hereinabove referred to, and at B is indicated the heater assembly which in the form here shown is mounted on top of generator A, so as to direct its heated gases or products of combustion downwardly into the central heating space I within the generator.

The generator A comprises a plurality of substantially helical pipe loops 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and I arranged coaxially about the central vertical 5 axis a: so as to enclose the central heating space I. The outer coils serve as pre-heating .coils whereas the inner coils are vaporizing coils. The pipe coils are successively connected at al ternate ends of the bank of coils so that feed- 10 water forced under pressure into the outer pipe coil 2 will pass successively through the several coils and a mixture of water and steam will be discharged from the innermost coil 7. The successive turns or loops of adjacent coils are prefl5 erably staggered with relation to one another, as shown, so that the hot gases from central heating chamber I will be forced to take a sinuous path between the several pipe turns, thus insuring a maximum surface contact with the M coils and a maximum heat exchange. The gases, relieved of the greater portion of their heat, finally reach the outer annular space 2 within the outer casing 9 and flow out through a flue, indicated at Ill. As has already been noted, other forms of heat-exchange apparatus could be used to extract the heat from the hot gases delivered from the improved heating assembly, indicated generally at B.

This assembly B comprises a flame-ring ii 3a which partially closes the upper end of the gen erator and directs the heated gases thereinto, this ring including an upper disc or plate M which rests on the generator casing and a centrally downwardly projecting substantially cylindrical portion l3 surrounding the central inlet passage M. The casing indicated generally at It encloses the air-supply chamber I6. Casing l5 comprises the annular bottom wall ll resting on flame-ring H, the substantially cylindrical side wall It and top wall ill, the casing being completely closed except for the inlet port 29, into which air under pressure is delivered from conduit 2! leading from the blower 22.

The atomizer 23 (here shown by way of ex- 4.5 ample if liquid fuel is used), or other device for delivering the fluid-fuel is supported on casing 15 and comprises a discharge nozzle 24 projecting into the casing (preferably in line with the vertical axis x). This nozzle is preferably mounted in an upwardly domed portion 25 of easing l5 which also supports the electrical ignition device 26. Atomizer 23 is preferably of the type including a valve which opens only under a certain predetermined minimum pressure, so that no 5 fluid wfll be discharged from nozzle 24 unless the fuel is supplied under suitable pressure.

The fire-pot indicated generally at 21 is supported centrally within air chamber l6, and preferably symmetrically about the central vertical axis x. This fire-pot is open at its lower end to communicate with the inlet opening I leading to the generator. The fire-pot is preferably metallic and comprises a substantially cylindrical side wall, and is partially closed at the top by the wall or flange 28 which curves upwardly and inwardly and then downwardly to the upper central inlet 29 which is of considerably less diameter than the fire-pot and through which opening the atomized fuel is projected from nozzle 24, as indicated by lines 30. An air-directing ring 3| is interposed betweemthe lower end of fire-pot 21 and flame-ring Air-ring 3| is supported above the flame-ring by spacers 32 so as to provide an annular air passage 33 through which air is projected inwardly and downwardly through passage M in the flame-ring. The flrepct 21 is supported above the air-ring 3| by interposed spacers 34 so as to provide an annular passage 35. The upper surface of air-ring 3| is curved, as indicated at 36, so as to direct combustion air through passage 35 upwardly within the fire-pot adjacent the side walls thereof. This air flow is then directed downwardly again by the curved upper wall 28 of the fire-pot so as to provide eddy currents within the fire-pot, all as indicated by the arrows.

A stabilizing member 31, preferably in the form of a frustum of a cone, is interposed between nozzle 24 and the upper inlet to the fire-pot, and surrounds a primary ignition zone. This stabilizing cone comprises an outer conical ring 38 supported at its larger lower end from the fire-pot by struts 39 so as to provide an intermediate inlet spaceflfl for combustion air. A second inner and upper conical ring 4|, preferably provided with an upper outwardly extending horizontal flange 42, is supported from ring 38 by inter- -mediate spacers so as to provide a passage 63 intermediate the cone members for confining a blanket of air therebetween. The stabilizing cone can be provided with a series of air openings, indicated at M,

It will be noted that the air supply in chamber l6 completely surrounds the fire-pot 27 so that this air will be highly pre-heated before entering the combustion space.

Combustion air flows in through the upper opening in the stabilizing cone 3! and also through the passage B0 below this cone so as to provide a substantially static and protected ignition zone within the cone for maintaining the flame at this point. The atomized fuel is projected downwardly through this ignition zone and through opening 29 into the flre pot, as indicated by lines 39. The outer initially vaporized fuel particles are ignited and burned in this ignition zone, and the heat thus provided in this zone serves to fully vaporize the remainder of the fuel before it is projected into the combustion space within the fire-pot. Combustion air flows into the fire-pot through upper opening 29 and also upwardly within and adjacent the side walls of the pot from lower passages 35, as already described. This producescirculating air currents within the fire-pot including a whirling vortex ring below the upper flange 28 so that the combustion is very largely completed within this combustion chamber. Additional combustion air flows inwardly and downwardly through passage 33 below air-ring 3| (and additional airpassages 45 may also be provided in air-ring 3|) so that all combustion is practically completed before the hot gases are delivered downwardly into the heating space I within the generator. It will be noted that the combustion air is highly pre-heated before entering the combustion zone, and also all metallic parts are protected both inside and out by blankets of incoming air so that these parts will not be subjected to a destructively high temperature. Air holes 46 may also be provided in flange |2 of the air-ring H to provide a flow of cooling air behind the cylindrical flange l3 of the air ring.

It has been found that this improved burner assembly accomplishes practically complete combustion of the fuel, and functions steadily and in a highly efficient manner so as to provide a maximum quantity of heat from the quantity of fuel burned.

I claim:

1. In combination with a heat-exchange apparatus formed with an internal heating Space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end of the heating space, means for forcing air into the chamber, a flame-ring positioned in the open end of the heating space and encircling a passage leading from the chamber to the heating space, a fire-pot positioned in said chamber, said fire-pot having an open inner end directed toward the passage through the flame-ring and having an annular flange partially closing its outer end and encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the fire-pot, a nozzle projecting within the casing in position to discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of the fire-pot, and annular means positioned between the inner open end of the fire-pot and the flame-ring but spaced from both to direct air inwardly through the flame-ring and also into the fire-pot adjacent the wall thereof and toward the partially closed outer end of the pot.

2. In combination with a heat-exchange apparatus formed with an internal heating space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end of the heating space, means for forcing air into the chamber, a flame-ring positioned in the open end of the heating space and encircling a passage leading from the chamber to the heating space, a firepot positioned in said chamber, said fire-pot having an open inner end directed toward the passage through the flame-ring and having an annular flange partially closing its outer end and encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the fire-pot, a nozzle projecting within the casing in position to discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of the fire-pot, and annular means positioned between the inner open end of the fire-pot and the flame-ring but spaced from both to direct air inwardly through the flame-ring and also into the fire-pot adjacent the wall thereof and toward the partially closed outer end of the pot, said annular flange at the outer end of the fire-pot being inwardly concave so as to redirect toward the inner open end of the pot the air flowing outwardly along the wall of the pot.

3. In combination with a heat-exchange apparatus formed with an internal heating space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end of the heating space, means for forcing air into the chamber, a flame-ring positioned in the open end of the heating space and encircling a passage leading from the chamber to the heating space, a firepot positioned in said chamber, said fire-pot having an open inner end directed toward the passage through the flame-ring and having an annular flange partially closing its outer end and encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the fire-pot, a nozzle projecting within the casing in position to discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of the fire-pot, annular means positioned between the inner open end of the fire-pot and the flame-ring flame-ring and also into the fire-pot adjacent the wall thereof and toward the partially closed outer end of the pot, and perforated means for supporting the flame-ring within the open end of the heating space so that an annular passage is provided outside the ring through which an auxiliary flow of cooling air from the supply chamber passes around the outer side of the flame-ring into the heating space.

4. In combination with a heat-exchange apparatus formed with an internal heating space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end or the heating space, means for forcing air into the chamber, a fire-pot positioned in the chamber and having an inner open end directed toward and opposed to the open end of the heating space, the fire-pot being partially closed at its outer end by an annular flange encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the firepot, a nozzle projecting within the casing in position to discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of the fire-pot, and annular means positioned between the opposed open ends of the pot and heating space to direct air into the heating space and also into the fire-pot adjacent the wall thereof and toward the partially closed end of the pot.

5. In combination with a heat-exchange apparatus formed with an internal heating space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end of the heating space, means for forcing air into the chamber, a fire-pot positioned in the chamber and having an inner open end directed toward and opposed to the open end of the heating space, the fire-pot being partially closed at its outer end by an annular flange encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the firepot, a nozzle projecting within the casing in position to discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of the fire-pot. and annular means positioned between the opposed open ends of the pot and heating space to direct air into the heating space and also into the fire-pot adjacent the wall thereof and toward the partially closed end of the pot, said annular fiange at the outer end of the pot being inwardly concave so as to redirect toward the inner open end of the pot the air flowing outwardly along the wall of the pot.

6. In combination with a heat-exchange apbut spaced from both to direct air inwardly through the,

paratus formed with an internal heating space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a. burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end of the heating space, means for forcing air into the chamber, a fire-pot positioned in the chamber and having an inner open end directed toward and opposed to the open end of the heating space, the fire-pot being partially closed at its outer end by an annular flange encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the fire-pot, a nozzle projecting within the casing in position to'. discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of'the fire-pot, annular means positioned between the opposed open ends of the pot and heating space to direct air into the heating space and also into the fire-pot adjacent the wall thereof and toward the partially closed end of the pot, and an annular stabilizing member positioned between the nozzle and the inlet to the fire-pot but spaced from both to enclose a primary ignition space. a

7. In combination with a heat-exchange apparatus formed with an internal heating space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end of the heating space, means for forcing air into the chamber, a ,flre-pot positioned in the chamber and having an inner open end directed toward and opposed to the open end of the heating space, the fire-pot being partially closed at its outer end by an annular flange encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the fire-pot; a nozzle projecting within the casing in position to discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of the fire-pot, annular means positioned between the opposed open ends of the pot and heating space to direct air into the heating space and also into the fire-pot adjacent thewall thereof and toward the partially closed end of the pot, and an annular stabilizing member positioned between the nozzle and the inlet to the fire-pot but spaced from both to enclose a primary ignition space, said stabilizing member being in the form of a frustum of a cone with its larger end directed toward the inlet to the firepot.

8. In combination with a heat-exchange apparatus formed with an internal heating space having an open end through which hot gases are discharged into the heating space, a burner assembly comprising a casing enclosing an air supply chamber beyond the open end of the heating space, means for forcing airinto the chamber, a fire-pot positioned in the chamber and having an inner open end directed toward and opposed to the open end of the heating space, the fire-pot being partially closed at its outer end by an annular flange encircling a central inlet opening of less diameter than the fire-pot, a nozzlev projecting within the casing in position to discharge fluid-fuel through the inlet opening of the fire-pot, annular means positioned between the opposed open ends of the pot and heating space to direct air into the heating.

space and also into the fire-pot adjacent the wall thereof and toward the partially closed end of the pot, and an annular stabilizing member positioned between the nozzle and the inlet to the fire-pot but spaced from both to enclose a primary ignition space, the stabilizing member be- 1o concave toward the open end of the pot, means for forcing air into the pot through the inlet opening and also in the reverse direction through the discharge opening along the inner cylindrical wall of the pot, this latter air flow being redlrected by the concave flange to form an annular vortex within the pot, and means for projecting fuel into the pot through the inlet opening and centrally into the vortex.

.ALICK CLARKSON.