WO2007100930A2

WO2007100930A2 - Propane canister manifold assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2007100930A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/060281
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clyde R. Schulte; Stuart L. Meether; Robert F. Ii Mosher
Original assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-01-10
Filing date: 2007-01-09
Publication date: 2007-09-07
Also published as: WO2007100930A3

Abstract

A propane canister manifold assembly (20). The propane canister manifold assembly (20) includes a housing (21) for supporting and/or protecting one or more propane canisters (22), such as sixteen fluid ounce propane cylinders. The housing (21) includes threaded openings (52) onto which canisters may be attached. These threaded openings (52) open to a manifold (30), which is in turn connected to a fitting (26) adapted to be connected to a fuel burning appliance.

Description

PROPANE CANISTER MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY

REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS

(0001) This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application Number 60/758,276, filed January 10, 2006, and U.S. patent Application Number 11/279,949, filed April 17, 2006, both of which are incorporated herein by reference .

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

(0002) The present invention generally relates to liquid fuel appliances, and more specifically to fuel canisters for use with outdoor liquid fuel appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(0003) Liquid fuel is used for a variety of outdoor fuel burning appliances. As examples, many users own grills, lanterns, stoves, and many other appliances that may be used in an outdoor environment and that utilize liquid fuel as a fuel source.

(0004) For many backyard applications, a home owner may use a twenty pound propane cylinder to supply liquid propane fuel to an outdoor fuel burning appliance. These twenty pound cylinders may be easily refilled or exchanged at many hardware or convenience stores. An inconvenience arises, however, when the twenty pound cylinder is empty and the user needs more propane. Often, the user may have to stop in the middle of cooking and go refill or replace a 20 pound propane cylinder.

(0005) When tailgating or camping, a user often does not want to transport a large twenty pound propane cylinder. More often, a user will use 16.4 or 14.1 fluid ounce propane cylinders, such as the well-known 16.4 ounce green cylinders marketed by The Coleman Company, Inc., assignee of the present invention. The 16.4 and 14.1 fluid ounce propane cylinders are often referred to as "disposable propane cylinders," and include a Compressed Gas Association (CGA) 600 fitting at a top of the cylinder for fitting into a CGA 600 high pressure propane connection port.

(0006) Although the disposable propane cylinders work well for their intended purpose, they require care in transport. In addition, the disposable propane cylinders may require one or two replacements in a long cooking job or for prolonged use of a fuel-burning appliance. Replacing a disposable propane cylinder requires shutting off the fuel appliance, removing the empty cylinder, installing a new cylinder, and restarting the fuel appliance.

(0007) In addition to the foregoing, one problem associated with using the disposable propane cylinders is that, in propane fueled appliances that utilize a large number of British Thermal Units (BTU' s), a propane appliance may draw fuel from the cylinder at a rate that causes the propane in the cylinder to drop dramatically in temperature. The dramatic drop in temperature is often referred to as "freezing" of the propane cylinder, as frost may form on the outside of the cylinder. This phenomenon occurs because the propane in the cylinder changes phase, from liquid to gas, without the input of significant amounts of heat. This in turn causes the temperature of the liquid propane to drop. When a propane cylinder "freezes," the rate at which propane gas can be withdrawn drops substantially, hindering normal operation. The cylinder must be allowed to thaw before normal operation can resume.

SUMN[ARY OF THE INVENTION

(0008) The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

(0009) The present invention provides a propane canister manifold assembly. The propane canister manifold assembly in one embodiment includes a housing for holding one or more propane canisters, such as the sixteen fluid ounce propane cylinders. In an embodiment, a manifold is provided in the housing for connecting to the one or more propane canisters.

(0010) In accordance with an embodiment, the housing for the propane canister manifold assembly includes threaded openings onto which canisters may be attached. These threaded openings open to a manifold, which is in turn connected to a fitting adapted to be connected to a fuel burning appliance. In an embodiment, the fitting is a Type

1 (QCCl) fitting or equivalent that may be fit to a Type 1 (QCCl) coupling on a regular outdoor appliance. The threaded openings may be for the same or another size of a connector, such as the threaded end of a disposable propane cylinder .

(0011) In an embodiment, the connection for each canister to the manifold is one-way check valve that allows flow into the manifold but not from the manifold into a canister. This feature prevents flow of gas back into the canisters, and prevents use of the manifold to fill propane canisters .

(0012) The propane canister manifold assembly allows easy transport of multiple propane cylinders. In addition, more than one propane cylinder may be connected to a fuel burning appliance, and one of the cylinders may be replaced while the other is being used. In this manner, continuous fuel is supplied to the fuel burning appliance. In addition, by using multiple cylinders, fuel flow to the fuel appliance may be distributed over multiple cylinders, reducing the possibility of one of the cylinders freezing because fuel is exiting too fast.

(0013) Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(0014) FIGURE 1 is a side perspective view of a propane canister manifold assembly in accordance with an embodiment;

(0015) FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing details of a manifold assembly for the propane canister manifold assembly of FIG. 1 ;

(0016) FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a connection for a fuel canister or bottle for the manifold assembly of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment;

(0017) FIG. 4 is cut-away view of a fitting for use with the manifold assembly of FIG. 2, with the fitting shown in a closed position;

(0018) FIG. 5 is a cut-away view, similar to FIG. 4, with the fitting shown in an open position; and

(0019) FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an alternate manifold in accordance with an embodiment; and

(0020) FIG. 7 is a cutaway view, taken along the section lines 7—7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(0021) In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well- known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.

(0022) Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a propane canister manifold assembly 20 in accordance with an embodiment. Briefly described, the propane canister manifold assembly 20 includes a housing 21 designed to fit two or more fuel canisters or bottles 22. The housing 21 includes side walls 24, a top wall 25, and a rear wall (not shown) that protect and/or support the bottles 22 while the bottles are in the housing. A fitting 26 (better shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), such as a Type 1 (QCCl) fitting or an equivalent, is provided on the outside of the housing for attaching to a Type 1 (QCCl) coupling 94 on a propane hose 27 for a fuel burning appliance (not shown, but known) . The housing 21 includes a handle 28 positioned at a top portion of the housing for permitting easy transport of the propane canister manifold assembly 20.

(0023) In accordance with an embodiment, the concepts of the present invention may be used for fuel canisters of any kind, and are not limited to propane bottles such as the bottles 22. However, the specific embodiment described herein is for use with standard disposable propane cylinders, such as are described in the background section of this document. These cylinders are described herein as "canisters," "bottles," and/or "cylinders." A person of ordinary skill could modify the concepts of this invention to fit a different size or shape of fuel canister.

(0024) Moreover, although shown in a particular configuration in FIG. 1, the fuel canister housing 21 may be designed in a different way, for example with an open top, a closed bottom, a panel to close over the front, a cage instead of side walls 24, and/or brackets to otherwise support the bottles 22. In addition, in accordance with an embodiment, the propane canister manifold assembly 20 may not include a housing at all, but instead may just provide the manifold functions described herein. However, the specific embodiment described herein is particularly suitable for supporting, protecting, and transporting canisters, such as disposable propane cylinders. (0025) Turning now to FIG. 2, the propane canister manifold assembly 20 includes a manifold 30 connected to the fitting 26. The manifold 30 includes a common conduit 31 that extends to two one-way check valves 32, 34. A shut-off valve 33 is positioned between the fitting 26 and the conduit 31.

(0026) In accordance with an alternate embodiment, more than two canisters may be attached to a manifold and may be mounted in a housing together. In such an alternate embodiment, additional one-way check valves, such as the one way check valves 32, 34, may be provided.

(0027) In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the one-way check valves 32 and 34 are similar, and thus, for ease of description, the structure of only one, the check valve 34, is described herein. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the one-way check valve 34 includes a gasket 36 on the underside of a shoulder 38 of a valve stem 40. The valve stem 40 is biased downward in FIG. 3 by a spring 42.

(0028) In FIG. 3, details of one of the one-way check valves 34 are shown. The one-way check valve 34 includes a standard probe 46 having a top 50 that engages the gasket 36 of the valve stem 36. The probe 46 inserts into an opening on a top of one of the bottles 22 when a threaded top of the bottle is screwed into a threaded sleeve 52 on the one-way check valve 34. As is known, propane cylinders, such as the propane bottles 22, include an internal valve (not shown) that is structured so that when a probe, such as the probe 46, is inserted into the top opening of the bottle 22, gas is released from the bottle 22.

(0029) When a bottle 22 is threaded onto the cylinder sleeve 52, the cylinder sleeve 52 stabilizes and supports the bottle 22. A gasket 53 seats the top of the bottle 22 against the top of the cylinder sleeve 52. During attachment of the bottle 22, the probe 46 is automatically inserted into an opening at the top of the fuel bottle 22. This insertion of the probe 46 into the opening opens the internal valve (previously described, but not shown) on the propane bottle 22.

(0030) With the bottle 22 in place, fuel in the fuel bottle 22 is free to escape out of the bottle 22, creating gaseous fuel. This fuel flows up a conduit 54 that extends through the center of the probe. This conduit 54 extends to the valve stem 40. The pressure of the fuel flow out of the bottle 22 drives the valve stem 40 away from the top 50 of the probe 46 against the bias of the spring 42, moving the gasket 36 away from the top 50 of the probe 46. Thus, the gaseous fuel is free to flow into the conduit 31 for the manifold 30. The spring 42 is a light duty spring and is chosen so that it is sufficient to drive the gasket 36 against the top 50 of the probe 46 only when a bottle 22 attached to the one-way check valve 34 is empty or is substantially empty. Thus, under normal conditions, when the bottle 22 is not empty, fuel within the bottle 22 is free to flow out of the bottle and into the manifold 30 as soon as the bottle is attached to the one-way check valve 34. Likewise, when the bottle 22 is disconnected from the one-way check valve 34, the spring 42 closes the opening in the one-way check valve 34 by driving the valve stem 40 and the gasket 36 into contact with the top 50 of the probe 46.

(0031) Any attempt of fuel or air to flow in the opposite direction (i.e., into the bottle 22 from the manifold 30) is prevented because, for fuel to flow in that direction, the air and/or gas pressure in the manifold 30 must be greater than the pressure within the bottle 22. However, when such a pressure differentiation is present, the spring 42 is free to drive the valve stem 40 and the gasket 36 to close the opening at the top 50 of the probe 46, preventing the flow of gas into the bottle. This feature prevents the manifold 30 from being used to fill propane canisters.

(0032) In accordance with an embodiment, a manifold 330 (FIGS. 6 and 7), similar to the manifold 30, may be provided for connecting two or more propane cylinders 22 to a female connector (not shown) for any burning appliance that is designed for direct connection with a small, disposable propane cylinder 22. To this end, the manifold 330 includes two or more one-way check valves 232, 234 (only two are shown in FIG. 6, but additional check valves may be provided if more than two propane cylinders 46 are to be attached to the manifold 330) . In addition, the manifold 330 includes an outlet connector 340 in fluid communication with the interior of the manifold. The outlet connector 340 includes exterior threads 342 for connecting to a female connector of a burning appliance that is configured to receive the threaded top of a small, disposable propane cylinder, such as the propane cylinders 22. The outlet connector 340 may directly connect to the burning appliance, or may be connected to something such as a hose that is in fluid communication with the burning appliance. In addition, the outlet connector 340 includes an interior SCHRADER valve 344 (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7) or other sealing device.

(0033) In use, the exterior threads 343 are threaded into a female connector for a fuel burning appliance (not shown, but described above) . The female connector is designed to receive a threaded top of a propane cylinder, such as the propane cylinders 22. The female connector includes a probe, similar to the probe 46 in FIG. 2, that engages the SCHRADER valve 344, opening access to the interior of the manifold 330. One or more propane cylinders 22 are connected to the one-way check valves 232, 234. These propane cylinders provide propane to the interior of the manifold 330 and out of the outlet connector 340. The one-way check valves 232, 234 permit one or more of the propane cylinders 22 to be removed during operation, with the remaining cylinders that are attached to the manifold 330 continuing to supply propane to the manifold 330 and the outlet connector 340.

(0034) By using the manifold 330, multiple cylinders 22 may be connected to a single coupling on a burning appliance. In the present case, the outlet connector 340 is designed the same as a mouth of one of the cylinders 22. Thus, the manifold 330 serves to provide attach multiple cylinders to a coupling designed to fit only one of the cylinders. By increasing the number of cylinders 22 attached to the appliance, the flow of propane out of each propane cylinder 22 that is attached to the manifold 330 is decreased with respect to a single cylinder that would be attached to the coupling. For example, if two propane cylinders 22 are attached to the manifold 330, then the flow rate is cut in half. If a manifold is provided to which three propane cylinders 22 may attach, then the flow rate is cut to approximately a third, and so forth. In this manner, fuel burning appliances that require a large amount of propane are less likely to "freeze" a propane cylinder 22.

(0035) Details of the fitting 26 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The fitting 26 includes external threads 68 for fitting a typical QCCl coupling, such as the coupling 94 in FIG. 1. A large internal bore 70 is positioned within the fitting 26. A valve stem 72 is mounted within the internal bore 70 and is capable of movement longitudinally along the bore. A rubber seal 74 is seated at a rear (left in FIG. 4) part of the valve stem. At the end of the internal bore 70 is a small chamber 76 having a larger diameter portion 78 at a distal end. The valve stem 72 extends to the start of the large diameter portion 78 when the fitting 26 is closed, such as is shown in FIG. 4. A groove 80 is positioned at the distal tip of the valve stem 72 and receives an O-ring 82. The O-ring 82 and the end of the valve stem 72 close the opening to the small chamber 76 when the valve stem 72 is in the position shown in FIG. 4. Another O-ring 83 is positioned around the outside of the valve stem 72.

(0036) The valve stem 72 includes an internal bore 84 extending the majority of its length. The bore 84 is open to a rear (left in FIG. 4) side, and closed to a front, small chamber, side. A cross drill hole 86 extends across and through the bore 84.

(0037) The internal bore 70 of the fitting 26 includes a groove 88 at a rearward portion. A steel ring 90 fits in the groove, and prevents the valve stem 72 from sliding rearward. A spring 92 is positioned against an opposite side of the valve stem 72, and biases the valve stem 72 toward the steel ring 90.

(0038) In use, without an appliance attached to the fitting 26, the fitting is in the position shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the spring 92 pushes the valve stem 72 against the steel ring 90. The O-ring 82 at the end of the valve stem 72 closes the opening of the smaller chamber 76, and prevents the flow of gaseous fuel from the manifold 30 and out of the fitting 26.

(0039) To attach a fuel appliance to the fitting 26, the coupling 94 (FIG. 1) is threaded onto the external thread 68 of the fitting 26. As the coupling 94 is threaded onto the fitting 26, a nipple (not shown, but known) on the end of the body of the coupling engages a rear portion of the valve stem 72, for example the rubber seal 74. This nipple is sometimes referred to as a "POL type nipple."

(0040) Further rotation of the coupling 94 onto the fitting 26 causes the nipple to drive the valve stem 72 to the right in FIG. 4, to the position in FIG. 5. At this position, the O-ring 82 no longer closes the opening of the small chamber 76, and gaseous fuel is free to flow around the O-ring and into the gap between the valve stem 72 and the walls of the small chamber 76. From there, the gaseous fuel flows through the cross drill hole 86 and into the bore 84, and then out of the fitting 26 and into the hose for the appliance. As such, fuel is free to flow from the bottles 22, through the manifold 30, and out of the fitting 26. The 0-ring 83 prevents the gaseous fuel from flowing around the valve stem 72.

(0041) The cross drill hole 86 and/or the gap between the valve stem 72 and the walls of the small chamber 76 may be sized appropriately for a desired fuel flow. As such, the fuel flow provided by the manifold 30 may be limited as desired.

(0042) The one-way check valves 32, 34 permit use of the propane canister manifold assembly 20 with a single fuel bottle 22. For example, a single bottle 22 may be connected to only one of the check valves 32, 34. Alternatively, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, two fuel bottles 22 may be attached. As described earlier, alternate embodiments may include more than two connections so that more than two bottles 22 may be connected. In addition, only one connection may be provided. A single connection permits only one bottle 22 to be used, but that bottle is protected and/or supported by the housing and is connected to the manifold 30 so that the bottle may be used with an appliance that uses a coupling that is compatible to the fitting 26, such as the coupling 94 or an equivalent. (0043) By permitting one or more bottles 22 to be connected to the manifold 30 at a time, one bottle may be removed from the manifold 30 while another bottle is still supplying gaseous fuel to the manifold 30. In this manner, a continuous flow of gaseous fuel is supplied through the fitting 26 while a user replaces a bottle. Thus, the user does not have to stop operation of a fuel appliance to replace a fuel bottle.

(0044) In addition, because there are multiple bottles, at times when there is a high demand for fuel, the fuel flow is distributed over multiple bottles. For example, for the embodiment shown in the drawings, the fuel flow from each bottle is halved. If more bottles are used (i.e., in an embodiments have more connections to a manifold) , fuel flow from each bottle may be even more reduced. As such, the risk of freezing of one of the bottles is reduced because the fuel flow is significantly slower out of each of the bottles.

(0045) The propane canister manifold assembly 20 may be used to transport fuel bottles 22, for example to a camp site or to a tailgating party. During such transport, the bottles 22 are supported and protected. The propane canister manifold assembly 20 may then be used as is, by simply connecting the fitting 26 to coupling, such as the coupling 94. (0046) In addition, the propane canister manifold assembly 20 may be used with conventional backyard outdoor fuel burning appliances, such as with a grill. As an example, the propane canister manifold assembly 20 may be used as a backup propane fuel source for an outdoor grill.

A user may cook primarily with a twenty pound fuel canister. When the twenty pound fuel canister has emptied, the user may replace the twenty pound fuel canister with the propane canister manifold assembly 20 with multiple bottles 22 attached. In this manner, the propane canister manifold assembly 20 acts as a temporary backup fuel system. If desired, a hook or bracket 100 (FIG. 1) may be provided for hanging the propane canister manifold assembly 20 from the grill, for example from the handle 28.

(0047) Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. (0048) All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein .

(0049) The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including, " and "containing" are to be construed as open- ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

(0050) Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above- described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An assembly, comprising: a manifold; two or more inlet connectors in fluid connection with the manifold, each inlet connector being adapted to connect to a fuel canister; a fitting in fluid communication with the manifold and designed to connect to a burning appliance; and a housing connected to the manifold and configured to receive at least a portion of fuel canisters that are connected to said at least two or more inlet connectors.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fuel canister to which the inlet connectors are adapted to connect is a disposable propane cylinder.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the fitting is a Type 1 (QCCl) fitting or equivalent.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the fitting is shaped to connect to a coupling that is designed to connect to a disposable propane cylinder.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fitting is a Type 1 (QCCl) fitting or equivalent.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising, for each inlet connector, a one-way check valve that allows flow into the manifold but not from the manifold into a fuel canister attached to the inlet connector.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle on the housing so that the assembly may be carried by the handle with fuel canisters attached to said at least two inlet connectors, at least a portion of each of the fuel canisters being received in the housing.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the manifold is mounted within the housing.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the fitting is exposed on an outside of the housing.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the inlet connectors are mounted inside the housing.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fitting is shaped to connect to a coupling that is designed to connect to the fuel canister.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to fully receive fuel canisters that are connected to said at least two or more inlet connectors.

13. An assembly, comprising: a manifold; two or more inlet connectors in fluid connection with the manifold, each inlet connector being adapted to connect to a fuel canister; and a fitting in fluid communication with the manifold and designed to connect to a burning appliance; wherein the fitting is shaped to connect to a coupling that is designed to connect to the fuel canister.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the fuel canister to which the inlet connectors are adapted to connect is a disposable propane cylinder.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the fitting is a Type 1 (QCCl) fitting or equivalent.

16. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the fitting is a Type 1 (QCCl) fitting or equivalent.

17. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising, for each inlet connector, a one-way check valve that allows flow into the manifold but not from the manifold into a fuel canister attached to the manifold.

18. An assembly, comprising: a manifold; two or more inlet connectors in fluid connection with the manifold, each inlet connector being adapted to connect to a disposable propane cylinder; and a Type 1 (QCCl) fitting or equivalent in fluid communication with the manifold and designed to connect to a burning appliance.