US2153900A

US2153900A - Mobile orchard heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2153900A
Application number: US171417A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ray H Taber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-10-28
Filing date: 1937-10-28
Publication date: 1939-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1956-04-11

Description

Aprilll, 1939. I R 'f 2,153,909

MOBILE ORCHARD HEATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 28, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Aa u H EM)" ATTORNEY.

MOBILE ORCHARD HEATING APPARATUS Filed Oct, 28, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /4 344 mi 10 Eye j /4 Fl m/0 Q INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

My invention relates to a mobile orchard heating apparatus, and theobjects of my invention are:

First, to provide a mobile heating apparatus;

Second, to provide a mobileheating apparatuswhich may be used in orchards susceptible to injury by frosts, to prevent or to minimize such njury;

Third, to provide an apparatus of this class which may be used in place of the large number of stationary orchard heaters normally used in I the citrus growing districts to prevent injury to citrus trees by frost;

Fourth, to provide an apparatus of this class appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination,

and arrangement of parts and portions as'will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of-this application in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my mobile orchard heating apparatus; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mobile orchard heating apparatus; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1 and is on a slightly enlarged scale over the Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig.

3 and is of the same scale as Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of'Fig. 3

of the same scale as Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a flow diagram for this mobile orchard heating apparatus; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of a modified form of firebox and heat mixing and discharge chamber and is of the same scale as Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 of Fig. '7 and is of the same scale as Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of Fig. '7 and is. of the same scale as Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line IIl--I0 of Fig. 9 of the same scale as Fig. 9.

Similar characters of reference referto similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings:

, The frame I, the front castor wheel 2, the

rear wheels

3 and 4, oil tank 5, internal combustion engine 6, air compressor 1, compressed air storage tank 8, gas generating vaporizer 9, fuel oil preheater I0, fuel oilburner I I, centrifugal fan blower I2, firebox I3, and heat mixing and discharge chamber I 4 constitute the principal parts and portions of my novel mobile orchard heating apparatus.

The frame I is supported at its front end by the castor wheel 2. This castor wheel 2 is carried between the fork member 2a, the upper end of which member 2a is journalled within the support member Ia at the front end of the frame I. This front wheel 2 is used for steering this mobile orchard heating apparatus. The rear end of this frame I is secured to the underslung axle 3a which axle extends between the

rear wheels

3 and 4. Transversely positioned across the front end of the frame member I, as seen best in Fig. 1 and to some extent in Fig. 2 of the drawings, are the internal combustion engine 6 and the air compressor 1. Fuel to drive this internal combustion engine 6 is supplied from the tank 6a through the conduit 69. The air compressor I is driven by this internal combustion engine 6 through the flexible coupling member 6]. The centrifugal fan blower I2 is also driven from this internal combustion engine 6 by means of the pulley member 6d which is secured to the shaft 66, which shaft is driven by the internal combustion engine 6, and by the belt I20 which belt extends between the pulley 6b and another pulley I2b positioned upon a shaft I 2a for the blower fan of this centrifugal fan blower I2. To the end of the shaft 6e driven by the internal combustion engine 6 is secured a cooling fan 60. This fan not only serves to direct a draft of air over the block of the internal combustion engine I3 but also serves to create a draft through the radiator member 6b. This radiator member 61) is used in connection with the internal combustion engine 6. The compressor I exhausts directly into tank 8 through pipe 'la.

Mounted upon the support Ib some distance above the frame I is the oil tank 5. Beneath this oil tank and centrally positioned between the sides of the frame I is the centrifugal fan blower I2. This blower I2 discharges directly into the passageway I4a of the heat mixing and discharge chamber I4.

This passageway is directly above the firebox I 3 as may be seen best in Figure 3 of the drawings. The firebox I3 is lined with a refractory material l3a. The fuel oil burner II is positioned within the firebox II as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Positioned at the forward end and on the outside of the firebox I3 is the gas generating vaporizer 9. This vaporizer 9 communicates directly with the fuel oil burner II. in tank 5 is under pressure of compressed air, the compressed air being conveyed from tank 8 through reducing valve 8!) to tank 5 by means of a conduit in. Thus the oil in tank 5 flows by aid of gravity and pressure from the oil tank 5 through pipe Sb'to preheater coils it which preheater coils are positioned as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings, and which are removably positioned in recess I30 in the refractory lining Ha of the firebox iii. The fuel oil after passing through the preheater coils l fiows through pipe iila to the gas generator 9 where it is mixed with compressed air. Compressed air is fed to this generator 9 through reducing valve la from compressed air tank 8 by means of the conduit 80, first being preheated by passing through coils 8d removably positioned in recess [30. The mixture of air and oil then passes directly from this gas generator to a fuel oil burner positioned in the firebox I3 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Figure 6 of the drawings shows the fiow diagram for both the fuel oil and the compressed air.

The heat mixing and discharge chamber member I4 is supported upon the rear end of the frame I as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The forward end of this chamber It connects with the discharge of the blower l2, and the rear or discharge end llh of the chamber H is supported by the rear end of the frame I. The direction of flow of air from the centrifugal fan blower I2 is from the forward end of this chamber II to the rearward discharge end h. So also for the gases discharged from the firebox 13; but the gases from the firebox it do not mix with the air from the blower l2 until the two have passed the point My as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The cross section shape of this chamber II is substantially rectangular at any plane taken transversely through the same between the intake Na. and the discharge llh, but the cross sectional area grows progressively larger as the plane of the cross section is moved toward the discharge end llh. This is indicated best in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Between the points Hf and Ila, this chamber I4 is divided into a plurality of passageways by the vertically standing partitions Hb. In Fig. 4 of the drawings, the passageway within the member I is shown divided into nine of these conduits c and lid. The conduits lld connect directly with the firebox IS, the hot gases discharged therefrom coming up through the opening I 4e in the lower side of this chamber l4 and passing backwardly through the conduits Md. This is indicated in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. The air from the blower l2 passes along the passageway Na and between the conduits lld by passing through the conduits llc. It should be noted that the drawings show five of these conduits c and four of the conduits Md. Thus the hot gases from the firebox l3 and the air from the blower l2 do not mix until both have passed the end of their respective conduits Ho and Nd which is indicated at point Hg in Fig. 3 of the drawings. It should be noted in Fig. 3 of the drawings that the firebox l3 has an opening lib which permits a draft so that the gases from the The fuel oil oil burner H may leave the firebox l3 and pass out into the conduit I Id. These partitions Ilb serve a double purpose. First, they divide the chamber l4 into a plurality of conduits so that the hot gases from the firebox I4 and the air from the blower II are kept separate until they both reach the point Hg, which point is well to the rear of the openings He from the firebox i! in the lower side of this mixing chamber I4. This prevents the air from the blower I2 from passing into the firebox l3 and blowing flame off the burner H. This also induces a draft through the opening IS!) in the firebox l3 that helps to draw the hot gases from the firebox i3 out into the conduits d. Secondly, these partitions Ilb provide a greater heating surface for the hot gases from the firebox l3 so that the air from the blower l2 in scrubbing past these partitions Hb in passing through the conduit I40 will pick up considerable heatjong before the point Hg is reached where the air and hot gases may mix. It should be noted from Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, that the forward end of the chamber I4 is elevated above the discharge end llh and further that this discharge end Ilh is but a very short distance above the surface of the ground so that the hot gases discharged from this chamber ll will be directed downwardly onto and along the surface of the ground The discharge end llh is always open. A pair of deflector members Ht and Mr are positioned at the rear end of member II to deflect the gases as indicated by the arrows shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. A pair of shutters Ni and I47 are positioned, one on each side of the chamber ll near the rear end of said chamber. The shutter Hi is hinged at ilk and the shutter Ila is hinged at llm. These shutters may be opened or closed at will, and when opened permit the hot gases being discharged to travel out transversely from each side of the chamber I4 I due to deflectors lit and Mr as well as fromthe rear end llh thereof.

The operation of the preferred mobile orchard heating apparatus hereinbefore described is as follows:

The apparatus may be towed through an orchard by connecting a chain or cable with the eye 20 on the yoke 2b over the castor wheel 2. As the apparatus is towed, heat will be discharged from the rear end h of the chamber H in a downward direction against and along the ground so as to prevent the formation of frost. The heat may also be discharged laterally from each side of the discharge chamber ll near the rear end thereof by opening the shutters Hi and Ila. Thus the heat may be discharged out along the surface of the ground underneath the trees to be protected as the apparatus is towed between the rows of trees, the fuel consumed in the firebox l3 furnishing the heat necessary therefor, and the blower i2 furnishing the draft necessary to discharge the heat from said discharge chamber ll.

In Figs. 7, 8, 9, and is shown a modified form of this discharge chamber H. The principal difference between the modified and preferred form is that in the modified form the firebox i5 is mounted on the top side of the discharge chamber it about midway between the front end of member I 4 and the discharge end Hh, whereas in the preferred form the firebox is on the under side of this chamber l4 and towards the forward end of said chamber I4; also, in the modified form the direction of travel of the flame and gases from the bumer I i is counter to the direction of travel of air from blower l2 and gases from this firebox 15 through the discharge chamber ll, whereas in the preferred form the direction of travel of the flame and gases within firebox l3'is with the directfon of travel of air and gases in the member I. This is indicated by the arrows in Figs. 3 and 7 of the drawings. The discharge chamber H in the modified form has also the plurality of partitions b as indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The gases exhausted from the firebox I5 pass through the conduits Nd and the air from the blower I2 enters the discharge chamber at Ila. and passes through the conduits I40. The air from the blower l2 and the gases from the firebox l5 do not mix until the same have passed the ends of partitions Mb atthe point My as indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The gases from the firebox '5 pass through openings Us in the upper surface of the discharge chamber l4 directly into the conduits Md. These openings Ms are shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Air is admitted to the firebox l5 through l5b as shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings. This firebox 15 is also lined with a refractory material l5a as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, and the fuel oil preheater coils l and air preheater coils 8d are removably positioned in recess I50 in lining ia as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The member I, in its modified form also has deflectors similar to Mt and Mr, and shutters similar to I41 and Hi.

The operation of the orchard heating apparatus with the modified form of' firebox and discharge chamber is the same as for the preferred form.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions and a certain modification thereof, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, nor to themodification, but desire to include in the scope of my invention, the construction, combination, and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a heat mixing and discharge member, a blower means mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a furnace mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, and a plurality of partitions vertically secured within said heat mixing and discharge member.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a heat mixing and discharge member, a blower means mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a furnace mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a plurality of partitions vertically secured within said heat mixing and discharge member dividing said heat mixing and discharge member into a plurality of conduits, every alternate conduit thus formed communicating directly with the said furnace and the remainder serving as conduits for air from said blower.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a heat mixing and discharge member, a blower means mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, an oil burning furnace mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, and a plurality of partitions vertically secured within said heat mixing and discharge member and extending less than the full length thereof, the ends thereof terminating substantially short of the discharge end of said heat mixing and discharge member.

4. In an apparatus of the class described. a heat mixing and discharge member, a blower means mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, an oil burning furnace mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a plurality of partitions vertically secured within said heat mixing and discharge member and extending less than the full length thereof, the ends thereof terminating substantially short of the discharge end of said heat mixing and discharge member dividing said heat mixing and discharge member into a plurality of conduits, every alternate conduit thus formed communicating directly with the said furnace, and the remainder serving as conduits for air from said blower.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a heat mixing and discharge member, a blower means mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a furnace mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a plurality of partitions vertically secured within said heat mixing and discharge member and extending less than the full length thereof, the ends thereof terminating substantially short of the discharge end of said heat mixing and discharge member dividing said heat mixing and discharge member into a plurality of conduits, every alternate conduit thus formed communicating directly with the said furnace, and the remainder serving as conduits for air from said blower, and a pair of shutter memtioned at the forward end of said heat mixing and discharge member and exhausting thereinto.

7. In a mobile orchard heating apparatus, a heat mixing and discharge member mounted thereon with its exhaust end at the rear of said apparatus and below the level of its intake end, a furnace mounted beneath said heat mixing and discharge member near its forward end, and communicating therewith, a blower means positioned at the forward end of said heat mixing and discharge member and exhausting thereinto, and a plurality of conduits positioned within said heat mixing and discharge member and communicating with said burner.

8. In a mobile orchard heatingapparatus,aheat mixing and discharge member mounted thereon with its exhaust end at the rear of said apparatus and belowthe level of its intake end,and a furnace member mounted on the top side of said heat mixing and discharge member and midway between its forward and its discharge ends.

9. In a mobile orchard heating apparatus, a heat mixing and discharge member mounted thereon with its exhaust end at the rear oi said apparatus and below the level of its intake end, a furnace member mounted on the top side of said heat mixing and discharge member and midway between its forward and its discharge 76 ends and a blower means in connection with the forward end of said heat mixing and discharge member.

10. In a mobile orchard heating apparatus, a heat mixing and discharge member mounted thereon with its exhaust end at the rear of said apparatusand below the level of its intake end, a furnace member mounted on the top side of said heat mixing and discharge member and midway between its forward and its discharge ends, a blower means in connection with the forward end of said heat mixing and discharge member, and a plurality of conduits positioned within said heat mixing and discharge member and communicating with said furnace member.

11. In a mobile orchard heating apparatus, a frame member, a heat mixing and discharge member mounted thereon, an oil burning furnace member mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a blower means in connection with said heat mixing and discharge memberto furnish a draft therethrough, and a pair of deflector members positioned at the middle within said heat mixing and discharge member near its exhaust end to deflect heat out to the sides of said apparatus.

12. In a mobile orchard heating apparatus, a frame member, a heat mixing and discharge member mounted thereon, an oil burning furnace member mounted in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member, a blower means in connection with said heat mixing and discharge member to furnish a draft thierethrough, a pair of deflector members positioned at the middle within said heat mixing and discharge member near its exhaust end to deflect heat out to the sides of said apparatus, and a pair of shutter members, one positioned on each side of said heat mixing and discharge member. near its end to control the discharge of heat from said heat mixing and discharge member.

' RAY H. TABER.