U.S. patent application number 13/205134 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-15 for high efficiency combustion stove.
Invention is credited to Larry Hunt, Henry B. Schur.
Application Number | 20120060819 13/205134 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45805438 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120060819 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunt; Larry ; et
al. |
March 15, 2012 |
High Efficiency Combustion Stove
Abstract
The invention is a stove system that is portable, has a double
walled external structure for the passage of air used in combustion
of the fuel, which air also maintains the external surface at a
cool enough temperature that it can be touched, and which air flow
prevents the waste of heat laterally to the ambient air from a hot
outer surface. This increases cooking efficiency, because almost
all heat that reaches the air flow between the two walls is drawn
right into the combustion chamber in the form of preheated air by
reason of the chimney effect. Thus almost no heat can escape the
outside wall except by reaching the cooking pot bottom and pot
sides after passing out the cover vents as exhaust. An internal
heat concentrator ring improves the overall efficiency of the
burner. The stove is preferably powered with coal, and uses about
half as much coal as a conventional coal fired stove resulting from
cooking efficiency. Provision is made for generation of electrical
energy from the excess stove heat. Additionally, special thermally
designed cook pots add to the stove system to decrease food cooking
time while reducing the fuel required.
Inventors: |
Hunt; Larry; (Coral Springs,
FL) ; Schur; Henry B.; (Hallandale Beach,
FL) |
Family ID: |
45805438 |
Appl. No.: |
13/205134 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12005212 |
Dec 27, 2007 |
8006686 |
|
|
13205134 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/1R ;
220/573.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24B 1/182 20130101;
F24B 1/022 20130101; F24B 5/021 20130101; A47J 36/2477 20130101;
A47J 36/26 20130101; F24B 1/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/1.R ;
220/573.1 |
International
Class: |
F24C 1/00 20060101
F24C001/00 |
Claims
1. A stove comprising: a double walled exterior having at least one
port for drawing combustion air into a passageway between the
walls; a bottom attached about its periphery to the double walled
exterior; a combustion chamber in communication with the passageway
to receive combustion air there from, the chamber being surrounded
by the double walled exterior and passageway to minimize loss of
heat laterally to ambient air and increase heating efficiency and
containing a grate to support combustible fuel; and a cover to
support a cooking container and allow venting of exhaust gases.
2. The stove of claim 1 which further comprises a removable bucket
concentric with and disposed within the double walled exterior.
3. The stove of claim 1 in which the grate is disposed within the
removable bucket and at the bottom of the combustion chamber
wherein the grate forms a combustion air flow venturi to increase
heating temperature.
4. The stove of claim 1 in which the cover further comprises: an
annular ring having a large open center, the open center being
covered when the stove is in use by a cooking container to heat it;
and the venting occurring through at least one vent from which
heated air exits the stove adjacent sides of the cooking container
to further heat it.
5. The stove of claim 1 which further comprises a substantial
opening in the center of the bottom of the stove suitable for
removal of products of combustion such as ash, and which is
substantially sealed off during use of the stove by its placement
on a flat horizontal surface.
6. The stove of claim 1 in which the interior of the double wall
exterior is shaped as a truncated cone having its largest diameter
at the top, and in which the removable bucket is comprised of a
tapered portion at its top and a lower cylindrical portion, the
cylindrical portion being perforated by at least one aperture, and
the tapered portion fitting snugly in the lower portion of the
truncated cone such that the cylindrical portion projects beneath
the bottom of the truncated cone and into the passageway and the at
least one aperture is immersed in combustion air flow in the
passageway.
7. The stove of claim 4 in which the grate is disposed at an
intersection of the tapered portion and the cylindrical top of the
air inlet portion of the removable bucket on tabs projecting into
the bucket.
8. The stove of claim 1 which further comprises an externally
adjustable air flow regulator disposed within the passageway.
9. The stove of claim 8 in which the externally adjustable air flow
regulator comprises a stationary horizontal annular plate which
includes a plurality of perforations and an adjustable horizontal
annular plate having an adjusting tab that projects through a slot
in an outer surface of the double walled exterior and having a
plurality of perforations wherein a number of perforations in the
stationary portion equals a number of perforations in the
adjustable portion.
10. The stove of claim 1 which is sized to be portable even in use
and which is cool enough in use to be carried with bare hands
because of the combustion air flow in the passageway.
11. A stove comprising: an outer wall having at least one port for
drawing in combustion air; a bottom attached about its periphery to
the outer wall; an inner wall disposed within and substantially
concentric with the outer wall, forming between the outer wall and
the inner wall a passageway for combustion air flow, the inner wall
surrounding a combustion chamber, the combustion air flow in the
passageway minimizing heat loss and increasing heating efficiency;
a removable bucket concentric with and disposed within the inner
wall; a grate disposed within the removable bucket and at the
bottom of the combustion chamber for supporting combustible fuel
and forming a combustion air flow venturi increasing heating
temperature; and an annular ring cover having a large open center,
the open center covered when the stove is in use by a cooking
container to heat it, and the annular ring having at least one vent
from which heated air exits the stove adjacent sides of the cooking
container to further heat it.
12. The stove of claim 11 in which the inner wall is shaped as a
truncated cone with the largest diameter as the top.
13. The stove of claim 11 which further comprises a substantial
opening in the center of the bottom of the stove suitable for
removal of products of combustion such as ash, and which is
substantially sealed off during use of the stove by its placement
on a flat horizontal surface.
14. The stove of claim 11 in which the removable bucket is
comprised of a tapered portion at its top and a lower cylindrical
portion, the cylindrical portion being perforated by at least one
aperture, and the tapered portion fitting snugly in the lower
portion of the truncated cone of the inner wall such that the
cylindrical portion projects beneath the bottom of the cone of the
inner wall and the at least one aperture is immersed in combustion
air flow between the inner and outer walls. Tabs along the
circumference of the bucket at the juncture of the taper and the
cylinder portion that protrude outward to provide stand-off points
to center the bucket and to reduce intimate contact with the inner
wall of the stove to reduce the heat transfer to the inner
wall.
15. The stove of claim 14 in which the grate is disposed at an
intersection of the tapered portion and the cylindrical top of the
air inlet portion of the removable bucket on tabs projecting into
the bucket portion of the removable bucket.
16. The stove of claim 11 which further comprises an externally
adjustable air flow regulator disposed within the passageway
between the inner and outer walls on the top cap to cover the
exhaust ports and acting as a damper as fuel and weather conditions
require.
17. The stove of claim 16 in which the externally adjustable air
flow regulator comprises a stationary horizontal annular plate
which includes a plurality of perforations and an adjustable
horizontal annular plate having an adjusting tab that projects
through a slot in the outer wall and having a plurality of
perforations wherein a number of perforations in the stationary
portion equals a number of perforations in the adjustable
portion.
18. The stove of claim 11 which is sized to be portable even in use
and which is cool enough in use to be carried with bare hands
because of the combustion air flow in the passageway.
19. The stove of claim 11 fitted with a thermoelectric generator to
produce an electric current during stove use. Said generator
consisting of a heat pipe conductor, a hot side heat sink, a
thermoelectric module, a cold side heat sink and a means of
dissipating the heat from the cold side and a control module.
20. A control module of claim 19 containing the electronic
regulation circuit, the storage battery, the output regulator and
the input and output attachment means along with the visual status
and mode indicators.
21. Cook pot specifically mated and designed to a stove to allow
the stove to take full advantage of its design features of
increased efficiency and reduced fuel consumption comprising a
series of annular rings dispersed around the bottom of the pot to
act as heat collectors.
22. The cook pot of claim 21 having heat collector rings of such
that the pot bottom and the ring tops are in direct contact with
each other to allow for the maximum heat transfer.
23. The Pot of claim 22 wherein said heat collector rings are
concentric with each other and having openings spaced around each
ring to allow for even heat flow distribution to all rings.
24. The stove of claim 1, having a removable chute for adding fuel
to the stove during use without removing the cooking pot.
25. A chute according to claim 24 that is inserted into the top cap
of the stove and is positioned over the heat concentrator ring from
which fuel pellets may be dispensed.
26. A stove according to claim 25 that has a reservoir for fuel
that can be dispensed either manually or via an electro-mechanical
control means.
26. A stove of claim 1 with a support means to raise the stove off
the ground and allow for ease of use while in operation.
27. The grate of claim 3 where the grate opening size (mesh) is
adjusted for the type of fuel being used.
28. The bucket of claim 2 wherein is disposed a support shelf
raised above the grate upon which a heat concentrator ring is held.
Said concentrator ring serves to direct the heat to the center of
the stove and to increase the venturi effect.
29. A heat concentrator ring of claim 3B wherein as a heat
sink/radiator provides more even heat release and distribution,
said ring has a central opening to focus the heat and is sized to
fit snuggly to the interior diameter of the stove, and further, the
heat concentrator is concave shaped to allow for proper addition of
fuel pellets.
30. The stove of claim 4, wherein exhaust vent regulators attach to
said cover of and allow for the selection of vent openings as a
means of adjusting the draft.
31. The grate of claim 15 which is placed in its center a
perforated, cylindrical chimney section which focuses the draft and
allows for proper distribution of the fuel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application continues in part from a patent
application and claims the benefit thereof from U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/005,212 filed Dec. 27, 2007, and claims the
filing dates thereof as to the common subject matter therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the general field of
heating apparatus, such as stoves for cooking. More specifically,
it concerns a stove that combines cooking with a combustion source
of heat such as coal and very high efficiency in doing so. In fact,
the efficiency is so high that consumption of coal in the invention
is a little more than half of that in prior art coal fired stoves.
The invention is further distinguished from prior art coal fired
stoves by being portable and cool enough to hold with bare hands.
The efficiency and cool outer surface both result from a double
walled exterior structure through which all combustion air is
ingested.
[0004] The present invention also solves the problem that is
prevalent in many parts of the world that rely on solid fuel open
flame cook stoves of not having any means of effectively generating
electricity for use in lighting and battery charging of small
devices such as radios. The incorporation of the thermo-electric
generator module into the stove to generate electricity while
cooking solves this problem.
[0005] The goal of the present invention is to reduce the use of
fuel used for cooking and thus aid in the reduction of emissions
effecting both climate change and health. The design of a new more
efficient cookware to be used with the stove adds to this goal of
overall fuel economy.
[0006] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0007] The art and science of cooking goes back many thousands of
years. Art work by cavemen shows knowledge of cooking with fire.
When coal was discovered, a highly concentrated combustible fuel
source that provided very high temperatures with slow fuel
consumption became available. Over time, it was learned that using
coal for cooking dictated construction of cooking apparatus from
materials that could withstand high temperatures, such as iron and
steel.
[0008] But iron and steel have two significant drawbacks when
viewed in the context of the present invention. First of all, they
readily absorb radiated and conducted heat, and in turn radiate
that heat to the ambient atmosphere. Second, they make the cooking
apparatus very heavy. The result is significant wasteful loss of
heat that is intended for cooking, and essentially no
portability.
[0009] It is well known that hot air is less dense than cold air.
This causes hot air such as created by a combustion source to rise.
In a closed structure containing a heat source and having openings
at the bottom and at the top, a tower of rising air is created.
This phenomenon is known as the chimney effect.
[0010] Another well known physical principle is that the velocity
of a gas such as air passing through a walled structure such as a
cylinder increases as the cross section of the structure decreases.
Thus if the structure is a cylinder, as its diameter decreases, the
velocity of the air increases. The presence of a throat, or
narrowed cross section, creates what is known as a venturi.
[0011] It is known in the prior art to make heat containing
structures with a double walled construction. Two examples of that
are U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,761,160 and 5,203,316. The latter is a double
walled oven. Once, the double walled construction was in part done
to make the outer wall cooler to the touch, U.S. Pat. No.
5,921,229. But so far as is currently known to the present
inventors, the combination of chimney effect, a venturi, and a
double walled construction has never been employed in a stove to
increase the efficiency of the heating or cooking. Efficiency is
increased because the combustion chamber is surrounded by a double
walled structure through which all the combustion air moves,
preheating it, and preventing the loss of nearly all the heat from
escaping laterally. Rather nearly all heat generated by combustion
is radiated to the bottom of the cooking pot or exhausted along the
pot's walls to heat it by conduction.
[0012] It is documented in the prior art that waste heat can be
used to generate electricity, US Patent Application, Publication
No. 20060016446, from a furnace and that the technology to do so
has been shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,656 for a thermoelectric
module.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Bearing in mind the foregoing, it is a principal object of
the present invention to combine the principles of the chimney
effect, a venturi, and a double walled construction to both
increase the heating efficiency and maintain the outer wall of a
stove cool enough to touch.
[0014] It is a related object of the present invention to use the
increased efficiency to economize on the consumption of fuel. Given
that an efficient combustion cooking apparatus will necessarily be
completely enclosed making it difficult or almost impossible to add
fuel during the cooking of a meal, it is a further related object
of the invention to employ the efficiency of the present invention
to increase the cooking time available for a given amount of
fuel.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to include a
provision for adding fuel during a long cooking time period by the
use of a pellet fuel addition chute which does not require the
removal of any cooking pots.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to employ the
efficiency and relatively cool outer wall of the present invention
to make the apparatus portable, even movable when in use.
[0017] An additional object of the present invention to make the
apparatus easy to clean by providing an open bottom through which
expended fuel can drop, and with a grate disposed at the bottom of
a handle equipped removable bucket to readily dump out remaining
expended and unexpended fuel.
[0018] It is another object of this invention is the use of a
chimney on the upper face of the fuel grate to further improve the
combustion of the fuel and add to the efficiency of the stove. A
further object of this invention is to have a heat concentrator
ring disposed above the combustion area such that it focuses the
heat to the bottom of the cook pot and improves the heat transfer
to the thermo-electric heat collection pipe below it.
[0019] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the
following descriptions and the appended drawings.
[0020] In accordance with a major aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a cooking apparatus that is portable, has a
double walled external structure for the passage of air used in
combustion of the fuel, which air also maintains the external
surface at a cool enough temperature that it can be touched, and
which air flow prevents the waste of heat laterally to the ambient
air from a hot outer surface thereby contributing significantly to
cooking efficiency of the apparatus. Basically almost all heat that
reaches the air flow between the two walls is drawn right into the
combustion chamber in the form of preheated air by reason of the
chimney effect. Thus almost no heat can escape the outside wall
except by reaching the cooking pot bottom and pot sides after
passing out the cover vents as exhaust as intended. The device also
includes an externally adjustable air flow regulator disposed
within the double wall structure. The stove is preferably powered
with coal, and uses approximately half as much coal as a
conventional coal fired stove because of its cooking
efficiency.
[0021] More specifically the structure of the invention is
comprised of an outside cylindrical wall, an inside wall in the
shape of a truncated cone, a bottom having a large opening in the
center, and a vented removable cover. Combustion air is drawn in a
multiplicity of rectangular ports from the chimney effect of the
combustion further down line. The air passes between the outside
wall and cone shaped inside wall after entering the ports. This
preheats the air, but it still keeps the outside wall cool enough
to handle with bare hands.
[0022] The cover includes a multiplicity of vents, from which hot
air is exhausted. The cover is an annular ring with a large open
center is where the bottom of a pot containing food is exposed to
the radiation of the fire and the hot air inside the stove. The hot
air then exits the vents and heats the outside of the walls of the
pot. The exhaust air flow can be regulated by the sliding dampers
placed along the rim of the exhaust vent cover. Disposed within the
cone is a removable bucket described next.
[0023] The removable bucket is comprised of a tapered portion at
its top and a lower cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion is
perforated by a plurality of apertures. When the removable bucket
is disposed in the stove, a part of the cylindrical portion
projects beneath the bottom of the cone. The apertures are thus
exposed to the air flow between the outside wall and the cone. At
the intersection of the tapered portion and the cylindrical portion
of the bucket is disposed a grate. The grate supports a combustible
fuel such as coal in the air flow that passes through apertures.
The grate represents the narrowest cross section of the entire
route of air flow through the apparatus, and thus acts as a
venturi, which increases the temperature at the point of
combustion.
[0024] The bucket additionally has riser tabs placed about its
circumference to which a narrow support shelf is affixed. This
support shelf is to provide a stable platform for the heat
concentrator shield and to make a tight fitting closure between the
fire box and the inner stove wall. Said shield is a concave dished
metal plate with an opening in its center through which the
combustion heat is concentrated. This shield also acts as a funnel
in the re-fueling process by directing the fuel pellets to the fuel
grate in an even manor.
[0025] The stove is also optionally fitted with a thermo-electric
generator (TEG) module which is capable of producing sufficient
power to charge a battery which in turn can provide useful energy
for lighting, cell phone recharging, radio operation and the
like.
[0026] The heat collection pipe of the TEG is inserted into an
opening disposed in the side of the stove at a height above the rim
of the fire box and below the underside of the heat concentrator
ring. A fixture on one of the support tabs of the fire box is used
to secure the heat transfer pipe of the TEG unit. A ceramic bushing
is inserted in through the walls of the stove through which the TEG
heat pipe is inserted and remains thermally insulated from the
stove walls. The output of the TEG is plugged into its control box
which is mounted on the stove platform base.
[0027] The stove base provides a means to support the control box
whose function is to regulate the battery charging and the power
distribution as well as provide operational status indicators.
Additionally the stove base provides a more stable base for the
stove, if required, as well as adding a safety factor in the event
that hot ash falls out the bottom.
[0028] The stove system incorporates specially designed cookware
which takes full advantage of the stove design. The pots have
concentric metal rings protruding from their bottom such that the
rings act as heat absorption and transmission devices. The pots
have ears on the periphery of the pot to allow for the pot to nest
inside the heat chamber of the stove to maximize the heat
transfer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Various other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following discussion taken in conjunction with the appended
drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the high efficiency
combustion stove of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a broken cross sectional view of the present
invention showing the perforated bottom, the air flow regulator,
removable bucket, grate, double walled construction and vented
cover.
[0032] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the perforated bottom,
outer wall, the plates of the air flow regulator, truncated cone
that forms the inner wall of the double wall construction,
removable bucket with handle, grate and vented cover.
[0033] FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing the air flow through the
structure of the stove and the combustible fuel on the grate.
[0034] FIG. 4B is a top view of the stove.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the inventive
stove with filtration means in the exhaust vents of the cover, to
remove carbon monoxide and other pollutant discharges from
combustion.
[0036] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, shows the Thermo-electric generator
and its control module.
[0037] FIG. 7. is the Control module flow diagram.
[0038] FIGS. 8A, 8B is the cook pot showing its concentric
rings.
[0039] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9F shows the firebox 40.
[0040] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F shows the exhaust
damper.
[0041] FIGS. 11A, 11B shows opening 108 in side of Pot 10.
[0042] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the stove.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0044] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like
characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the
various figures are designated by the same reference numerals.
[0045] In summary, the invention is a cooking apparatus that is
portable, has a double walled external structure for the passage of
air used in combustion of the fuel, which air also maintains the
external surface at a cool enough temperature that it can be
touched, and which air flow prevents the waste of heat to the
ambient air from a hot outer surface thereby contributing
significantly to cooking efficiency of the apparatus. The device
also includes an externally adjustable air flow regulator disposed
within the double wall structure. The stove is preferably powered
with coal, and uses approximately half as much coal as a
conventional coal fired stove because of its cooking efficiency.
The stove has an electrical generator module that converts the heat
within the stove to electricity for charging a battery system to
provide for useful work. Additionally the stove incorporates
specifically designed cookware to take advantage of the stoves
design and add to its overall fuel and cooking efficiency.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the high efficiency
combustion stove 10 of the present invention. Seen is the outer
wall 12, rectangular ports 14 and removable cover 16. The cover 16
includes a multiplicity of exhaust vents 18, from which hot air is
exhausted. The cover 16 is actually an annular ring. The large open
center 24 is where the bottom of the pot (not shown until FIG. 5)
containing food is exposed to the radiation of the fire and the hot
air inside the stove. The hot air then exits the vents 18 and heats
the outside walls of the pot.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a cross section view of FIG. 4B showing the
assembled double walled stove 10. It is comprised of an outside
wall 12, inside wall in the shape of a truncated cone 26, a bottom
28 with a large central perforation 30, and a removable cover 16
having exhaust vents 18. When the stove 10 is in use, central
perforation 30 in bottom 28 is substantially sealed off by the
stove 10 being placed on a flat surface. Combustion air is drawn in
a multiplicity of rectangular ports 14 as a result of the chimney
effect of the combustion. The combustion air passes between outside
wall 12 and cone 26 after entering ports 14. This preheats the air,
but it still keeps the outside wall 12 cool enough to touch with
bare hands. It also prevents wasted heat loss to the ambient air
around the stove. This objective is further aided by the presence
of insulation 32 around the outside of the cone 26. Disposed within
the cone 26 is a removable bucket 36. It is comprised of a handle
38, tapered portion 40 and a lower cylindrical portion 42. The
cylindrical portion is perforated by a plurality of apertures 44.
When removable bucket 36 is assembled in the stove, a part of the
cylindrical portion 42 projects beneath the bottom of cone 26. The
apertures are thus exposed to the air flow between outside wall 12
and cone 26. At the intersection 46 of the tapered portion 40 and
cylindrical portion 42 of bucket 36 is disposed a grate 48. Grate
48 supports a combustible fuel such as coal (not shown until FIG.
4) in the air flow that passes through apertures 44. Chimney 80 is
a cylindrical, perforated metal tube that is fastened to the center
of the grate 48 such that it acts as a defined air path that
improves the venturi flow and helps in the fuel pellet
distribution.
[0048] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the bottom 28 with
central perforation 30, above which is shown outer wall 12. Further
up is truncated cone 26 that forms the inner wall of the double
wall construction, and removable bucket 36 with handle 38 upper
tapered portion 40 lower cylindrical portion 42, apertures 44, and
intersection 46. Above that is grate 48 and removable cover 16 with
exhaust vents 18. It should be noted at this point that the
diameter of grate 48 has the smallest diameter of any of the
components through which combustion air passes, and this results in
a venturi effect at the point of the grate, accelerating air flow.
The effect is to supply more oxygen to the fuel that is supported
on the grate, increasing the temperature of the combustion. Tabs 83
are placed so as to support a shelf 84 that itself supports the
heat concentrator 82.
[0049] FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing the air flow through the
structure of the stove and the combustible fuel on the grate.
Combustion air is drawn into the stove 10 by the chimney effect of
combustion through rectangular ports 14 in outer wall 12. The
combustion air then travels downwardly in passageway 60 between
outer wall 12 and truncated cone inner wall 26. Air flow then
proceeds to enter apertures 44 in the lower cylindrical portion 42
of removable bucket 36. Therein lies combustible fuel 66 which is
on fire giving off heat shown at 68. This causes the air to rise at
70 in what is commonly referred to as the chimney effect. This in
turn caused more combustion air to be drawn in rectangular port 14,
travel down passageway 60, and around to the fuel 66 for continued
combustion. Tabs 83 support shelf 84 on which rests heat
concentrator 82. Damper 81 is used to control the exhaust stream
and is placed over the exhaust ports as required to control the
heat. FIG. 4B is a plan view of pot 10.
[0050] Turning to FIG. 5, it shows an alternative embodiment of the
inventive stove with filtration means 72 in the exhaust vents 18 of
removable cover 16, to remove carbon monoxide and other pollutant
discharges from combustion. It is within the contemplation of the
inventors that the filtration means is not limited to a passive
filter media, but can extend to a powered system such an
electrostatic collector or other powered antipollution systems.
Lastly, a cooking pot 74 with lid 76 and handle 78 is shown in
phantom to illustrate how a cooking pot would be supported on the
top of cover 16. Ceramic bushing 109 is inserted through hole 108
going through both walls of the stove and is used to allow the TEG
heat pipe 106 to enter the combustion area while being thermally
insulated from the stove walls.
[0051] FIG. 6A (composite 6A,6B,6C, and 6D) shows the
thermoelectric generator and its controller. TEG control box 91
contains the electronics for the charging and distribution of the
generated power. The generator output plugs into socket 92 to
supply the generated electricity to the electronics within the
controller box. Socket 93 and USB outlet 94 are used to power the
devices that are plugged into them. Jack 95 us the power outlet for
the cooling fan on the stove mounted TEG unit.
[0052] FIG. 6B shows the controller 91 mounted on the stove base
99. The stove attaches via the tabs 102 which screw into the stove
legs. Controller support stand 100 slips into base socket 110 and
allow the controller to be removed when not in use. Volt meter 96
is used to check the battery voltage and is activated by pressing
momentary switch 97. Switch 98 is the master on/off switch for the
controller.
[0053] FIG. 6C is a top view of the TEG module showing the shroud
cover 105 which is used to protect the TEG module from any spills
that may occur during cooking and it also acts as a means to
increase the efficiency of the cooling fan. The heat pipe 106 is
inserted through the stove walls at opening 108, into the
combustion chamber to absorb the heat energy and transmit it to the
TEG generator module. Power cord 107 is connected to the controller
91 to convey the generated power to the controller for battery
charging and distribution.
[0054] FIG. 6D is a rear view of the TEG module showing the fan 104
which provides the cooling air that the TEG module requires in
order to maintain the temperature differential across the generator
module.
[0055] FIG. 7 is the block diagram for the functionality of the
controller 91.
[0056] FIG. 8A (composite 8A and 8B) is the cookware pot 74 (bottom
view) showing the design of the support tabs 88 which are used to
maintain the pot at the proper height above the combustion chamber.
The heat rings 89 are fused to the pot bottom to allow for maximum
heat conduction to the pot bottom and are spaced such that the
openings 90 are offset from each other. This positioning allows for
the maximum heat absorption while maintain a good heat circulation
beneath the pot improving the evenness of the cooking while
increasing the speed of same.
[0057] FIG. 9A is a top view of fire box 49 showing the support
tabs 83 the pot 36 and the pot handle 38.
[0058] FIG. 9B (composite 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D) is an isometric view of
the fire box 49 showing the shelf support tabs 83 and the support
shelf 84 which is used to support the heat concentrator ring 82.
Inverted V clip 85 is used to support and hold the terminal end of
the TEG heat pipe and aligns it at the proper height from the
combustion grate. Tabs 103 are used to support the burner grate and
openings 44 are where the combustion air enters the lower part of
the combustion chamber. This FIG. 9B is a view of the fire box 40
showing the air entry openings 44 and the bottom 42 along with the
lifting handle 38. Tab 103 is a shelf support tab and shelf 84 is
used to support the heat concentrator ring. Inverted V clip 85 is
used to support and hold the terminal end of the TEG heat pipe 106
and aligns it at the proper height from the combustion grate. Bent
tab 103 is used to support the combustion grate.
[0059] FIG. 9C--The combustion grate 48 is a concave perforated
metal with a chimney like cylinder 80 device placed in the center
of the grate which aids in the even distribution of the fuel
pellets and acts as a true chimney to improve the air flow through
the fuel and direct the heat in a more concentrated column. FIG. 9D
is a cross section of FIG. 9C.
[0060] FIG. 9E is the heat concentrator ring 82 is shown with its
handle 111 and the handle attachment ears 112. The ring 82 is
placed on the support shelf 84 of the fire box 40 and acts as a
heat concentrator and heat buffer due to it mass. The ring is
concave in design to facilitate the addition of fuel. FIG. 9F is a
cross section of FIG. 9E.
[0061] FIG. 10A (composite 10A,10B,10C) Exhaust damper 81 fits over
the exhaust vents in the stove cover and is held in place with
clips 87 so as to permit the damper to slide around the perimeter
of the cover to control the exhaust flow and thus the temperature
as required.
[0062] FIG. 10B is an upright view of damper 81 showing the clips
87. FIG. 10C is a view of damper 81 on cover 16.
[0063] FIG. 10D shows the pellet chute 86 showing the chute stop
114 projecting from the sides to prevent the chute from sliding
into the stove when inserted into the stove vent opening during
use. Deflector 115 aims the pellet to the center of the heat
concentrator ring as they slide down the chute. The deflector also
prevents pellet breakage by slowing them down as the exit the
chute. The break in the chute 113 is to allow the chute to be
adjusted to a convenient angle for pellet addition by bending the
chute at this location. FIG. 10E is a cross-section taken from FIG.
10D. FIG. 10F shows the relationship of the chute 86 to the heat
concentrator 82 and the top 16.
[0064] FIG. 11A composite 11A, 11B) this view of the stove shows
the ceramic bushing 109 placed in the TEG insertion hole 108 in the
side of the stove 10 penetrating through wall 12 into the
combustion chamber. This allows the TEG heat probe to enter into
the stove combustion chamber without contacting the stove walls
directly. This prevents any heat transfer loss to from the heat
probe to the stove wall which will reduce the TEG efficiency.
Insulation 32 is visible through the intake air holes 14 as it sits
between the inner and outer stove walls.
[0065] FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of the stove showing
the bushing 109 penetrating the inner stove wall. The inner
truncated cone 26 of the inside wall along with the stove bottom 28
and the bottom opening 30 and the legs 101 are also clearly visible
in this view.
[0066] FIG. 12 this view is of the complete stove system showing
the major components which are: The stove 10 the TEG module 116
(with shroud removed) the TEG controller 91 with its stand 100. The
intake holes 14 with the insulation 32 to separate the inner and
outer walls of the stove and to provide additional heat shielding
to the outer wall. The exhaust cover 16 with the exhaust vents 18
and the pellet chute 86 inserted into the stove through one of the
vents. The cook pot is visible sitting on top of the stove and held
in proper position by the tabs 88. The entire stove system assembly
sits on the base 99 and is attached through the legs 101 to provide
a secure and stable platform for the cooking tasks.
[0067] While the invention has been described, disclosed,
illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or
modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the
invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be,
limited thereby Such other modifications or embodiments as may be
suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved,
especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims
here appended.
* * * * *