US2155238A - Torch - Google Patents

Description

April 1939- s. E. PETERS 2,155,238

TORCH Filed NOV. 5, 1937 'JMDMAA/W altar/19s and Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENTTOFFICE TORCH Stanley Earle Peters, Chicago, Ill. Application November 5, 1937, Serial No. 172,927

- 11 Claims. (01. 158-a5 This invention relates to improvements in torches.

One object of the invention is to provide a torch adapted for using gasoline or other vaporizable fluid as a fuel, and so constructed that a definite ignition or combustion zone is provided within a flame tube so as to insure adequate heating of the tube and by conduction of heat to a fuel supply or vaporizing chamber to effect generation of gas which is conducted to the flame.

tube.

Another object of the invention is to provide a torch having a nozzle or flame tube into which preheated air is admitted at a point or points therein for admixture with vaporized fuel flowing thereto for establishing a combustion zone within the tube, the arrangement being such that the air is drawn into the tube by the flow of vaporized fuel through the tube.

A further object of the invention is to provide a torch of the wick-feed type which can be adjusted for self-support in various positions for convenience in use andwhich may be inverted, if desired, without interruption of the flow of fuel to a flame tube. V

Other objects of the invention relate to various features of construction and arrangement of parts, which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawing whereinr Fig. 1 is a broken side elevation of a torch embodying the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view through the upper portion of the torch;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of an improved valve construction taken on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view through a flame tube showing a modified form of air induction and preheating conduit;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view ofa torch resting upon a support in angular position.

In the drawing, I is a tank or receptacle for holding a supply of the liquid fuel, such as gasoline or other vaporizable fluid. The top of the tank is provided with a threaded passage for receiving a nozzle head indicated generally by the numeral ll, having a lower threaded portion l2 by means of which the head is detachably secured to the tank It). The head H comprises a tubular portion I3 into which extends a wickcarrying tube I 4, the wick being indicated by the numeral l5. The wick protrudes from the lower end of the tube #4 and up into the upper portion of the tubular member [3; The passage of member 13, which is indicated by the numeral l3a, communicates at the upperendthereof with a horizontal gaseous fuel passage l6, as shown in Fig. 2, which inturn communicates with a vertical passage H. A valve passage I 8 is provided ,in the end of the head for receivinga needle valve 10 I9 having an operating knob'Zil, the stem of the valve passing through a conventional packing nut 2|. The'pointed end 22 of the valve can be retracted or moved forwardly by means of a threaded portion 23 for opening or closing a vapor fuel 5 passage'in a valve seat 24, the passage 24a communicating with the interior of a flame tube 25.

It will be noted that the valve seat 24 seats snugly in the forward end of the valve passage I8 and that the needle point 23a of the valve operates within the passage 24a of the seat. The surface 23b of the forward end of the valve stem, at the rear of the needle 23a, is shapedcomplementarily with reference to the valve seat surface 24d, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby, when the 5 valve is closed, an annular shoulder 230 of the stem engages the annular end 24c of the seat. Pressure exerted on the seat by the stem when the latter is tightly closed and the contraction of the surrounding metal of the head as it cools v causes the softer metal of the seat to be compressed or flow into close contact with the needle point and thus maintain a precise fit between the needle 23a and the wall of passage 24a. whereby the flow of gas can be nicely regulated. In other words, the arrangement is such thatthe seat is re-seated around the needle by pressure exerted on the seat after each use of the torch, which greatly prolongs the proper functioning ofthe valve over prior constructions where no compensation is made for the expanding and wearing action of the needle on its seat. It will be seen that fuel vaporized within the passage I3a may pass through passages I 6, l1, and 240. into the interior of the flame tube under conr trol of the valve.

For the purpose of generating gas from the liquid fuel which rises in the passage I 1a through the. wick I5, heat is conducted from the flame tube to the portion 13 which in effect constitutes a vaporizing chamber. To insure an adequate suply of heat from the combustion of fuel flowing through the flame tube 25, arrangement is made for establishing an ignition or combustion zone within the tube itself whereby an adequate supply vaporizing chamber or passage I311.

combustion within the tube.

of heat from the tube is conducted to the generating or vaporizing portion of the head. It will be noted that the tube 25 is provided with opposite air intake passages 26 adjacent the rear end of the tube but forwardly of the valve passage 24. As fuel is injected into the'tube, some air is drawn through the ports 26 for admixture with the gas, but such ports are of insufiicient area to provide adequate oxygen for supporting Forwardly of the ports 26 an additional pair of opposite openings or ports 21 is provided, extending through which;

transversely of the tube, is a tubular conduit 28 having an opening 28a in the forward face thereof, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The conduit 28 may be a copper or like tube which, being open at its ends, admits the flow air air thereinto and the discharge of the same through the opening or port 280. directly into the stream of vathrough the flame tube porized fuel passing The passage of the stream of fuel around the conduit 28 produces a siphonic effect which posie tively draws air into the ends 'of the conduit, the quantity varying with the flow of the gaseous fuel through the'flame tube; This additional quantity of air is sufficient to support combustion of the admixture of fuel and air within the flame tube. TI'his combustion zone lies just forwardlyof theair induction conduit 28. Additional air inlets 29 and 30 arranged'in opposite pairs may be provided for admitting supplemental air in'to'the-tube. 1

It is important, however, that combustion take place within the tube itself so that adequate heat from the tube 25 may be conducted to the The vaporizationof the fuel by the heat builds up sufficientpressure to provide an adequate stream of gaseous 'fuel through the passage '24 and the projection of the flame Well beyond the forward, end of the flame tube whereby the torch is adapted for the various purposes for "In Fig. 5 of ing of the conduits "which blow torches commonly are employed. In

Figsaland 2, a shield 30a is shown attached to the flame tube for preventing entrance of foreign matter through the air intake passages provided in the tube. v

the drawing a modified airinducrtion conduit is illustrated. This conduit, indicated by the numeral 3| is generallyshaped like the letter M. The conduit is disposed transversely of the flame tube 25 and has its lower ends. disposed within opposite openings 32 formed in the wall of the flame tube. The ends maybe spun over-to secure the conduit, in place after the legs of the tube have been compressed, to enable the ends to be inserted throughthe openings. A plurality of air outlet ports 33 are provided in the tube for delivering air into the stream of gaseous fuel flowing through the tube. The heat conductive contact of the conduit 3|, as well as of thepreviously described conduit 28, with the flame tube causes a heatduring the operation of the torch, with resultant preheating of airfflowing through the same into the fuel stream, and thus affords more complete combustion of the fuel. u v V I As shown in Fig. 6, the tank l0-is provided with a surrounding band 34 connected by any suitable clamping device.35, to which a handle '36 is attached. The band 34 is slidable cirhandle is shown disposed at approximately right angles to the axial disposition of the flame tube. The torch can thus be tilted back upon the edge of the base and supported in that position by the end of the handle and the knob 20, the base, handle, and knob cooperating to providea three-point support. It is possible to, support the torch in numerous other positions also, whereby a user can adjust it as may be required in performing a particular operation which leaves both his hands free. The torch can be held manually in completely inverted position over protracted periods of time, if desired. The tube M, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with openings Ma therein which admit liquid fuel tothe wick when the torch is inverted,

for attachment of a soldering tip'31 or the like, u

when desired. Other devices such as a'solder melting pot may also be attachedto the flame tube if desired.

In starting the torch, gasoline, alcohol, or

other'combustible liquid is poured upon the top wall lila of the tank H) where it is retained by the upwardly extending flange I01), and ignited. The heat generates gas within the passage l3a, also within the tank, .and upon opening the valve the vaporized fuel is ignited either by a match or by the flames arising from the burning fuel on the top 1a.. The flame in theflame tube thereafter supplies sufl'icient heat for maintaining an adequate supply of gaseous fuel" for the operation of the torch; The conduction 'of heat from the flame tube to the vaporizing por tion ll of the head and thence to the tank, except where the torch is being used under low temperature conditions, is adequate, for generating sufiicient gaseous fuel for the operation of the torch. However, the wick elevates the liquid into the duct l3a where 'sufflcient' heat is 7 tube heat conductively associated with said chamber for supplying heat thereto for effecting vaporization of fuel therein for delive-ry to said tube, a wick for supplying liquid fuel to'sa id chamber from saidreceptacle, and an air induction member in said tube for preheating air and supplying the same to the interior of 'said tube for supporting combustion within the tube. 2. A torch comprising alliq'uidv fuel recepta cle, a head connected thereto comprising a'ju'el vaporizing chamber anda communicating flame tube heat conductively associated withsaid chamber for supplying heat thereto for; effecting vaporization of fuel therein, a valve for. con. trolling the flow of vaporizedfuel from said chamber to said tube, and. a ported airinduction conduit extending into said tubewhereby the flow of vaporized fuel past the same induces the flow of air through the conduit for admix- .ture with the fuel for supporting combustion within the tube.

3. A torch comprising a liquid fuel receptacle, a head connected therewith comprising a fuel vaporizing chamber and a communicating flame tube arranged in heat exchange relation with respect to said chamber, means for supplying liquid fuel from the receptacle to said chamber for vaporization therein and discharge therefrom into said tube, and a ported air supply conduit extending into the interior of said tube in air flow inducing relation with a stream of vaporized fuel therein for supplying preheated air to the fuel stream for supporting combustion within the tube.

4. A torch having a flame tube, means for supplying vaporized fuel to the same, and an air induction conduit arranged within said tube and communicating with the exterior thereof for admitting air thereto for admixture with the vaporized fuel for supporting combustion within the tube.

5. A torch having a flame tube, means for supplying a stream of vaporized fuel tothe same, and an air induction conduit having a ported portion disposed within the fuel streamv for delivering air to said stream for admixture therewith.

6. A torch comprising a tank for liquid fuel, a head comprising a flame tube carried by the tank, ducts for conveying fuel from the tank to said tube, a valve for regulating the flow of fuel to said tube comprising a stem projecting beyond the lateral limits of the tank, and a handle for the tank adjustable circumferentially about the same and cooperable with the projecting portion of said valve stem and a marginal portion of the base of the tank to provide a three-point support for retaining the torch in tilted position.

'7. A torch having a flame tube, means for supplying a stream of vaporized fuel to the same, and an air induction conduit extending into said tube and communicating with the exterior for delivering air thereto for supporting combustion of the fuel within the tube, said conduit being arranged in heat absorbing position for effecting the preheating of the delivered air.

8. A torch having a flame tube, means for discharging a stream of vaporized fuel longitudinally into the same, and an air induction conduit disposed in said tube in the path of said fuel stream and having open ends disposed in apertures in the wall of said tube and provided with one or more air outlet passages in a side thereof remotefrom said fuel-discharge means whereby the flow of fuel past said conduit induces a flow of air into said conduit for discharge through said aperture 01' apertures into said fuel stream.

9. A torch nozzle for gaseous fuel provided I with an air preheating conduit extending into the path of gaseous fuel flowing through the same for inducing a flow of air through the conduit for delivery thereby into the fuel stream for supporting combustion within the nozzle.

10. A valve for controlling the flow of fluid comprising a valve seat of deformable material having a valve passage therethrough a housing, for said seat provided with walls for supporting the seat, a valve stem having a needle point movable with reference to said passage for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, and complementary surfaces formed on said seat and stem arranged to coact with the supporting walls of said housing whereby the pressure exerted by the stem on the seat upon closing the valve tends to compress the wall of the passage into close contact with the needle.

11. A torch having a nozzle head provided with a valve passage therein for receiving and supporting a valve seat, a valve seat of deformable metal in said passage having a needle orifice therethrough, a valve having a needle operable in said orifice for opening and closing the same, and complementary formations in said seat and valve stem whereby the pressure exerted on said seat by said stem and by the contraction of the head around said seat so compresses the latter as to effect a contraction of the same upon the needle. STANLEY EARLE PETERS.

Images