US2417314A

US2417314A - Portable range unit with separately controlled flues

Info

Publication number: US2417314A
Application number: US478275A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mallan Jane
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1943-03-06
Filing date: 1943-03-06
Publication date: 1947-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 1964-03-11

Description

March 1l, 1947. R. MALLAN 2,417,314

PORTABLE RANGE UNIT WITH SEPARATELY CONTROLLED FLUES Filed March e, -1945y 2 Sheetsshee-r l f6, 54\-- 70) I 'l Mmmm R. MALLAN March 11, 1947.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 194;v

-INVENTOR x l /amMALm/v Patented Mar. 11, 1947 PRTABLE RANGE UNIT WTITH SEPA- RATELY CNTRLLEB FLUES Robert Mallard. New York, N. Y.; Jane Malian executrix of said Robert Mallen, deceased Application March 6, 1943, Serial No. 478,275

10 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus commonly referred to as ranges, and particularly to a portable unit of this kind mounted on wheels to facilitate transportation or movementI of the range from place to place, thus adapting it for practical military purposes in providing all necessary equipment for the preparation of food supply to the army. The object of the invention is to provde units of the class described having containers, compartments, pots, tanks or the like whereby all kinds and descriptions of foods can be prepared, including the supply of hot water. A further object being to provide units of the class described in which the burner and source of fuel, compressed air and steam all constitute an integral part of the portable unit as more fully hereinafter described.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following descriptions when taken together with the accompanying drawing in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a unit made according to my invention.

Fig. 2` is a cross section substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is a sectional View substantially on the line S- of Fig. 2, Y v

Fig. 4 is a sectional View substantially on the line 4-3 of Fig. 2, and v Fig. la is a partial section on the line doi-4a of Fig. 4.

While my improved range is adaptable for many uses, either as a portable or stationary apparatus, for the purposes of this description, and to illustrate one adaptation of the invention, the range will be described from a military standpoint and identified as a field range unit.

With field ranges which have been put into military use, it has recently been practiced to employ rather large cumbersome ranges iired by gasoline burners. Theseranges in addition to being very inefficient have also been extremely objectionable by reason of the danger of explosion, and by a lack of mobility in rough terrain. Further, e'Xpert care and constant cleaning has been necessary in the attempt to maintain a reasonable 'degree of efficiency in such type of apparatus.

It is the purpose of my invention to construct a very simple and highly efficient range made in the form of a portable unit, which can be quickly and easily shifted from place to place. Further, it is my purpose to employ a unit of this kind having a fuel oil burner using fuel oil, whereby in addition to providing a high degree of efliciency and practicabilityresulting from the simple construction and portable characteristics of the range, also effects a material saving in fuel consumption. It is also well to mention that a unit of thekind under consideration will operate efficiently with a minimum amo-unt of care, and will not require the cleaning and alterations as usually found necessary with other apparatus of this kind.

With my range unit, many of the containers, pans and the like are removable to facilitate periodic cleaning of the interior of the range. Further, the range is so designed, that the pots and pans partially form the heat circulating chambers of the range, baille or partition walls being employed to control circulation of the heat units l through the range, and iinally through the smoke stack or chimney. It is also well to point out that the fuel oil burner employed is generally of the type and kind disclosed in my Patent 2,304,468, dated kDecember 8, 1942, and for this reason, no specific disclosure of the burner will herein be made. This type of burner operates without the use of any electric motor or similar secondary power source.

The illustrations in the raccc'impanying drawings are somewhat diagrammatic, particularly from the standpoint of showing the detailed construction of the various insulated and other walls of the range in order to simplify the present illustration. A l l The range unit comprises an oblong rectanlgular range body la, and for purposes of this description, the wall i l will be regarded as the front wall, the wall l2 the back wall, and I3 and lli will represent the side walls. Suitably supported on the side walls i3ili are axles l5, on which are mounted a yoke shaped hauling frame I6, note Fig, l., and outwardly of the frame I6, are large wheels il by means of which the range unit may be moved over a surface in the transportation thereof.

I-Ingedly supported on lower corners of the body ill 'are feet i3 normally held in raised positions in the transportationV of the unit and adapted to be lowered when the unit is at rest to maintain the body it against swinging movement.

Central of the lower portion of the body I is a rire box I9, the greatest depth of which extends between the front and the back walls. This re box flares upwardly to the side walls l3-l4, as will clearly appear from a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing. Means is provided as at to support a grate inthe lower portion of the nre box in the event that it is desirable to use wood or coal as fuel.v -In which event, the lower part 2l below the re box becomes an ash pit. For military purposes, a grate 22 may be installed to haveV the same in readiness for instantaneous use by simply removing the oil burner 23. When the burner is in use, it is also preferred that an asbestos or other facing 22-a be arranged over the grate, as indicated in Fig. 2 only. This facing is omitted from Figs. 3 and 4,.

The burner 23 is suitably mounted on the front wall Il of the range body, and supported on the l,

wall above the burner is a fuel oil supply tank 24,

which provides a gravity feed to the burner. *Atv V 25 is shown the boiler or steam generator for supplying steam to the nozzle 23-a of the burner. The burner is of the general type and'kind identied in the patent above mentioned.

In the present adaptation of the invention the nozzleY 2lia opens into a mixing chamber 23-12 in which is arranged a primer or booster 23.c, used to start the burner and in generating initial steam supply. The ame of this primer extends into-the mixing chamber and out through the discharge 25--a, which'is built within the steam generator 25. With this construction the heat of the flame will maintain the generator 25 in constant operation. The above structure is only diagrammatically illustrated for purposes of clarity in understanding of the complete apparatus.

Adjacent the Vside I4 of the body I0 is a compartmentz, inwhich a water pressure tank 21, is mounted, and this compartment may also be used as a'storage means for tools and equipment. At'23 is shown a handle of a hand pump for supplyingthe required pressure tothe tank 2'! for VApressure feed of the water to the boiler.V At the other side of the body lil, adjacent thewall i3 is a tool or other storage compartment 2B.

The main control for the burner 1s indicated 50 by the knob :mand arranged'around the burner inwardly of the knob is an air housing or jacket 3l, which prevents high winds from materially effecting burner operations.v In many instances,

Vthe range unit will be operated out of doors, and 55 apparentwhen high winds prevail, it is desirable to shield `the burner from the wind. i

In the construction shown, a hot water tank s2 is exposed to the re box, and water may vbe supplied to this tank through an inlet, as at 60 k33,` and discharged therefrom through a faucet or valve 3d. This water may be used in the preparation of foods, in Ithe making of tea and othervhot drinks, and in delivering hot water for cleaning andv other purposes.

In Yaddition to the water tank, the dpper portion of the body lli is divided into different types ofcompa'rtments for the preparation of diierent foods. For example, a large soup pot 35 is supported in the front portion `of the body adjacent theiw'all I3, whereas a coiee pot or kettlel is Y supported just rearwardly of the pot 35. At the Vtop of the body Il), adjacent theV wall i4, .and extending between the front and back walls i l and l2; is a large frying pan 31.

. may be provided to retain as the pan 3i all have removable covers to render 'Y the interior of the various receptacles accessible through the top of the unit, and suitable means cidental displacement, particularly in transportation of the unit with food in the various receptacles. As is well known in otherarts, Ymeans may be provided to seal the coverssothat any duid contents will not be discharged. As these y Y circulating chambers, the circulating chambers of the pot are generally indicated by the reference character 3d. The baffles 39 and partition Bea are employed, noteV Figs. 2, 4 and 4a, to provide a back and forth retarded circulation substantially as indicated by the arrows liti in Figs.

2 and 4, as well as in Fig. 3.

' At is shown a baking oven, more or less built in structure, and so arranged with respect to the water kettle `andthe frying pan as to provide a circulating chamber ft2 .below the oven, a circulatingV chamber .d3 above ,the oven, other chambers 44, at each side of the oven,

Vand a chamber at the Lback of the, oven. vA

hinged door 45 is arranged upon the front wall l i to control admission to the ovenvchamber.

Sub-dividing the pot side from the frying pan side is a back and lforth partition di, and this partition is oiset at the back of the water tank 32, as seen at d8, and where it opens into a iiue discharge t9 at the back of the ire box i9.

PivotedV at one side of the wall VM--l is a damper 593, which controls the discharge of products of combustion from the fire box through the discharge 49 up into theoven side Yof the range. Another damper Ell-a is arranged at theother V side of the wallV all-d8, and voperates between the 45 range in which the pots 35, @t are disposed'. rEhe dampers have suitably operated knobs outwardly of the wall l2,as indicated in Figs. .3 and 4 of the drawing. At 5l is shown an openingcontrolled bythe damper 58 so that products of combustion from the fire box can rise upwardly for circulation around the

pots

35, 36. Y. i

By throwing the damper Eil-d into damper 55, all of the heat may be directed through thedischarge 5l with the damper E30- a inropen Of course, when both dampers are in position. open position the Yheat will be circulated around all of the compartments, containers and so forth.V Y The exposure of both of the bottoms of .the

f pots

35, 36 to the Afire box vwill naturallyv heat any food products or beverages that may be contained therein. kThis would operate to keep them warm while baking or frying, or these pots or compartments thereof may simpl?)7 be kept idle.

Built into the upper central portion of. the range in line with the partitions il are two Vflue discharges 52. These discharges terminate shortof the front wall El, as indicated at 53', inrFig. 3

The potv35, as ,well pSSagS of the drawing, and products of combustion from lone side of the range pass out through one passage 52, kand from the other side of the range throughthe other passage 52, .and these--two these covers against acthis is also'a closed position, all of the heat will be circulated around the s Y oven and beneath vthe frying pan, -as will -be v On the'other hand, by closing Vthe lead into a single, vertical'stack dis "stack communicating with the ot charge '54, which is comparatively short in height.

This is made possible by virtue of the length of the iiue formed by the two passages 52 which actually constitute part of the stack. By being built into the upper portion of the range, the horizontal flue discharges 52 also will radiate heat to produce eicient range operation.

The circulation of the products of combustion indicated by the arrows lill produces in the resulting range a very high eiciency in operation for cooking, baking and frying, and this has been verified by carefully checked tests made on the range unit.

Instead of operating the burner unit with the heavier types of fuel, such as Number 2, or Number 3 furnace oil, lighter grades of fuel may be used, including gasoline. With some of these lighter fuels, and particularly gasoline, I find it desirable to put the fuel in the tank 2d, under pressure, and this is done by simply adding an air hand pump 55, the discharge 5t of which opens into the upper part of the tank, and suitable well known valves willV be employed to hold the pressure in the tank, appropriate pressure gages and the like may be employed.

I have also found that mixtures of light and heavy fuels can be employed, as well as a mix ture of gasoline and lubricating oils.

It will, of course, be apparent that in the use of the different types and kinds of fuel, the burner will be adjusted to control the various feeds and the relative positions of the nozzles.

It will be apparent that location and arrangement of the various tanks, pots, pans and so forth may be varied to suit different users, and when it is desired to concentrate the `unit on the preparation of certain types and kinds only of food, that the more general combination as herein indicated can be dispensed with, but in all instances, the general structure of the range will be the same.

It will be understood that the outer walls of the range body will be suitably insulated, andthe re box will be lined with suitable material, as is common with structures of this type and kind.

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

1. A range comprising an insulated body, a nre box at the lower portion of said body, the body above the fire box having a partition. wall intermediate the side walls and substantially centrally of the body, receptacles in said body in spaced relation to the outer walls thereof and said partition wall to form at each side of the partition wall independent circulating passages, part of said circulating passages being disposed at opposite sides of said partition wall, the rear portion of the fire box havingV an outlet cornmunicating with the circulating passages at each side of said partition, manually operated means adjacent the partition controlling circulation of products of combustion in each of said circulating passages, baffles in said circulating passages for retarding circulation of products of combustion upwardly through said passages and around said receptacle, the upper portion of said body having a horizontal flue comprising flue passages adjacent and at opposite sides of said partition,

means discharging products or combustion from each of saidcirculating passages into one end ofthehorizontal flue passages, and a vertical her end of said horizontal flue passages.

2. A range comprising an insulated body, a ilre box at the lower portion of said body, the body above the rire box having a partition wall intermediate the side walls and substantially centrally of the body, receptacles in said body in spaced relation to the outer walls thereof and said partition wall to form at each side of the partition wall independent circulating passages, part of said circulating passages being disposed at opposite sides of said partition wall, the rear portion of the lire box having an outlet communicating with the circulating passages at each side of said partition, manually operated means adjacent the partition controlling circulation of products of combustion in each of said circulating passages, baffles in said circulating passages for retarding circulation of products of combustion upwardly through said passages and around said receptacles, the upper portion of said body having a horizontal iiue comprising flue passages adjacent and at opposite sides of said partition, means discharging'products of combustion from each of said circulating passages into one end of the horizontal flue passages, a vertical stack communicating with the other end of said horizontal flue passages, and said circulating passages extending to substantially completely envelope wall portions of said receptacles.

3. A range comprising an insulated body, a fire box at the lower portion of said body, the body above the fire box having a partition wall intermediate the side walls and substantially centrally of the body, receptacles in said body in spaced relation to the outer walls thereof and said partition wall to form at each side of the partition wall independent circulating passages, part of said circulating passages being disposed at opposite sides of said partition wall, the rear portion of the fire box having an outlet communicating with the circulating passages at each side of said partition, manually operated means adjacent the partition controlling circulation of products of combustion in. each of said circulating passages, baffles in. said circulating passages for retarding circulation of products of combustion upwardly through said passages and around said receptacles, the upper portion of said body having a horizontal flue comprising flue passages adjacent and at opposite sides of said partition, means discharging products of combustion from each of said circulating passages into one end of the horizontal flue passages, a vertical stack communicating with the other end of said horizontal flue passages, said circulating passages extending to substantially completely envelope wall 'portions of said receptacles, one of said receptacles at one side of the body comprising a baking oven, and the circulating passages of said side of the body completely enveloping all but the front wall of said oven.

4. A range comprising an insulated body, a fire box at the lower portion of said body, the body above the lire box having a partition wall intermediate the side walls and substantially centrally of the body, receptacles in said body in spaced relation to the outer walls thereof and said partition wall to form at each side of the partition wall independent circulating passages, part of said circulating passages being disposed at opposite sides of said partition wall, the rear portion of the f re box having an outlet communicating with the circulating passages at eachside of said partition, manually operated means adjacent the partition controlling circulation of products of vmunicating with the circulating istering with the circulating combustion in each of said circulating passages, baliles in said circulating passages for retarding circulation of products of combustion upwardly through said passages and around said receptacles, the upper portion of said body having a horizontal flue comprising flue passages adjacent and at opposite sides of said partition, means discharging products of combustion from each of said circulating passages into one end of the horizontal flue passages, a vertical stack communicating with the other end of said horizontal iue passages, said circulating passages extending to substantially completely envelope Wall portions of said receptacles, and one of said receptacles vcomprising a frying pan.

5. A range comprising an insulated body, a

viire box at the lower portion of said body, lthe body above the fire box having a partition Wall intermediate the side walls and substantially centrally of the body, receptacles in said body in spaced relationV to the outer walls thereof and said partition wall to form at each side of the partition wall independent circulating passages, part of said circulating passages being disposed Vat opposite sides or said partition Wall, the rear the fire box having an outlet comn passages at each side of said partition, manually operated means adjacent the partition controlling circulation of portion of products of combustion in each of said circulat- .L

ing passages, baiiles in said circulating passages for retarding circulation of products of combustion upwardly through said passages and around said receptacles, the upper portion of said body having a horizontal fiue comprising iiue passages adjacent,v and at opposite sides of said partition, means discharging products of combustion from each of said circulating passages into one end of the horizontal flue passages, a vertical stack communicating with the other end of said horizontal ue passages, said circulating passages extending to substantially completely envelope wall porv tions of said receptacles, and one of said receptacles comprising a kettle.

6. In a range having a lire box at the lower portion thereof with a discharge from the re box at the rear of the range, the range above the fire box being divided by a substantially central vertical partition wall and by receptacles in the range, in spaced relation to the walls of the range and said partition Wall, into independent circulating passages with which the discharge from the iire box communicates, ahorizontal flue passage at each side of the partition at the top of the range, onerend of each flue passage registering with the circulating passage on the corresponding side ci said partition for providing exhaust of products of combustion therefrom, and a vertical Ydischarge at the other end of the horizontal flue passage.`

'7. 1n a range having a fire box at the lower portion thereof with a discharge from the fire box at the rear of the range, the range above the fire box being divided by a substantially central vertical Ypartition wall and by receptacles in the range, in spaced relation to the walls of the Arange and -said partition wall, into independent circulating passages with which the discharge from the iire box communicates, a horizontal flue passage at each side of the partition'at the top of the range, one end of each nue passage regpassage on the 'corresponding side of said partition for providing exhaust ofv products of combustion therefrom, a vertical discharge at the other end of the horizontal ue passage, and manually adjustable means for controlling circulation of products of combustion from Vthe i'lrebox to the circulating passages at each side of said partition.

8. In a range having a re box at the lower portion thereof with a discharge from the re box at the rear of the range, the range above the re box being divided by a substantially central verticalrpartition Wall and by receptacles in the range, in spaced relation to the walls of the range and said partition wall, into independent circulating passages with which the discharge from the re box communicates, a horizontal flue passage at each side of the partition at the top of the range,one end of eachflue passage registering with the circulating passage on the corresponding side of said partition for providing exhaust of products of combustion therefrom, a vertical discharge at the other end of the horizontal flue passage, manually adjustable means for controlling circulation of Vproducts of combustion from the Vflre box to the circulating passages at each 'side of said partition, and means retarding circulation of products of combustion through said passages and around said receptacles.

9. A portable range unit comprising a Wheeled body, a nre box at the Alower portion of said body with a discharge from the fire box at the rear of of the partition at the top of the range, one end e oi each flue passage registering with the circulating passage on the corresponding side of said partition for providing exhaust of products of combustion therefrom, a vertical discharge at the other end of the horizontal ue passage, and a damper controlling the discharge of products of combustion from thefire box to the circulating passages of said unit.

l0. In a self-red portable field range unit employing a burner and fuel, water and compressed air suppliesV thereto; Va range body, a fire box in the lower portion of said body fired by said burner, the range body above the re box having, a central vertical partition and receptacles at each side of the partition spaced therefrom and from vthe walls of said body to form independent circulating passages at each side of the body, meansV including a manually actuated member for cone trolling passage of products of combustion from the rear portion ef the fire box into said circulating passages, the circulating passage at each side of said partition havinga horizontal discharge flue adjacent the partition at the top of the range body with an exhaust vfrom the circulating passage to the flue at one end thereof, the other end of each flue communicating with a vertical stack, and means retarding ycirculation of products of combustion through each of vsaid circulating passages,

i ROBERT, MALLAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oiarecord in the file of this patent:

Number 929,089 1,144,002 1,383,213 1,499,373 1,673,558 2,173,522 2,307,465 434,126 No number Number Number Name Date Seeds Sept. 1, 1903 Calkins Aug. 6, 1889 Pickup Mar. 2, 1937 Underwood May 23, 1939 March Aug. 13, 1907 McCarty Feb. 26, 1918 Polhemus Apr. 12, 1932 Maul Aug. 19, 1924 Busiek Feb. 8, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Brtsh Aug. 20, 1928 German Apr. 14, 1903 Sykes (British) 1887