U.S. patent application number 13/738240 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-10 for multi-ring gas burner for an appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Paul Bryan Cadima.
Application Number | 20140190467 13/738240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51060022 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140190467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cadima; Paul Bryan |
July 10, 2014 |
MULTI-RING GAS BURNER FOR AN APPLIANCE
Abstract
A multi-ring gas burner for an appliance is provided. The burner
includes an inner burner ring and an outer burner ring. The outer
burner ring has a regulator positioned within a fuel chamber of the
outer burner ring. The regulator controls a flow of fuel to outlets
of the outer burner ring adjacent the regulator. The regulator can
improve a uniformity of fuel flow through the outlets and thereby
improve a uniformity of flames at the outlets.
Inventors: |
Cadima; Paul Bryan;
(Prospect, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
51060022 |
Appl. No.: |
13/738240 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/39E |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23D 2900/14062
20130101; F23D 14/06 20130101; F24C 3/085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/39.E |
International
Class: |
F24C 3/08 20060101
F24C003/08 |
Claims
1. A multi-ring gas burner for an appliance, the gas burner
defining a radial direction and a circumferential direction, the
gas burner comprising: an inner burner ring; an outer burner ring
spaced apart from said inner burner ring along the radial
direction, said outer burner ring defining an inlet, a fuel
chamber, and a plurality of outlets, the inlet configured for
directing fuel into the fuel chamber, the outlets spaced apart from
one another along the circumferential direction and configured for
directing fuel out of the fuel chamber; and a regulator mounted to
said outer burner ring within the fuel chamber of said outer burner
ring, said regulator positioned adjacent the inlet of said outer
burner ring, said regulator disposed between the inlet and at least
one of the plurality of outlets along the radial direction, said
regulator defining at least one slot; wherein said regulator and
said outer burner ring define a regulating chamber, said regulator
configured for directing fuel from the fuel chamber of said outer
burner ring through the at least one slot of said regulator into
the regulating chamber, the regulating chamber configured for
directing fuel out of the regulating chamber through the at least
one of the plurality of outlets of said outer burner ring.
2. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein the at least one
slot of said regulator and the at least one of the plurality of
outlets are unaligned along the radial direction.
3. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein said outer burner
ring comprises a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet
spaced apart from the second inlet along the circumferential
direction, said regulator positioned adjacent the first inlet.
4. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 3, further comprising an
additional regulator mounted to said outer burner ring within the
fuel chamber of said outer burner ring, said additional regulator
positioned adjacent the second inlet of said outer burner ring,
said additional regulator disposed between said second inlet and at
least one of the plurality of outlets along the radial direction,
said additional regulator defining at least one slot.
5. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein said regulator
hinders fuel from entering the regulating chamber except through
the at least one slot of said regulator.
6. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein each slot of the
at least one slot of said regulator has a cross-sectional area in a
plane that is perpendicular to the radial direction and each outlet
of the at least one outlet of said outer burner ring has a
cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the radial
direction, a total cross-sectional area of the at least one slot
being between about forty percent and about sixty percent of a
total cross-sectional area of the at least one outlet.
7. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein said inner burner
ring defines an entrance and a plurality of exits, the exits spaced
apart from one another along the circumferential direction, the
entrance configured for directing fuel to the exits.
8. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein the at least one
slot of said regulator is positioned adjacent the inlet.
9. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein the inlet
comprises a Venturi mixing tube.
10. The multi-ring gas burner of claim 1, wherein fuel exits each
outlet of the plurality of outlets at a substantially uniform
pressure and velocity.
11. A cooktop appliance, the cooktop appliance defining a radial
direction and a circumferential direction, the cooktop appliance
comprising: a panel having a top surface for supporting food items
for cooking; and a multi-ring gas burner mounted to said panel at
the top surface of said panel, said multi-ring gas burner
configured for heating food items, said multi-ring gas burner
comprising an inner burner ring; an outer burner ring spaced apart
from said inner burner ring along the radial direction, said outer
burner ring defining an inlet, a fuel chamber, and a plurality of
outlets, the inlet configured for directing fuel into the fuel
chamber, the outlets spaced apart from one another along the
circumferential direction and configured for directing fuel out of
the fuel chamber; and a regulator mounted to said outer burner ring
within the fuel chamber of said outer burner ring, said regulator
positioned adjacent the inlet of said outer burner ring, said
regulator disposed between the inlet and at least one of the
plurality of outlets along the radial direction, said regulator
defining at least one slot; wherein said regulator and said outer
burner ring define a regulating chamber, said regulator configured
for directing fuel from the fuel chamber of said outer burner ring
through the at least one slot of said regulator into the regulating
chamber, the regulating chamber configured for directing fuel out
of the regulating chamber through the at least one of the plurality
of outlets of said outer burner ring.
12. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the at least one
slot of said regulator and the at least one of the plurality of
outlets are unaligned along the radial direction.
13. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein said outer burner
ring comprises a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet
spaced apart from the second inlet along the circumferential
direction, said regulator positioned adjacent the first inlet.
14. The cooktop appliance of claim 13, wherein said multi-ring gas
burner further comprises an additional regulator mounted to said
outer burner ring within the fuel chamber of said outer burner
ring, said additional regulator positioned adjacent the second
inlet of said outer burner ring, said additional regulator disposed
between the second inlet and at least one of the plurality of
outlets along the radial direction, said additional regulator
defining at least one slot.
15. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, said regulator hinders fuel
from entering the regulating chamber except through the at least
one slot of said regulator.
16. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein each slot of the at
least one slot of said regulator has a cross-sectional area in a
plane that is perpendicular to the radial direction and each outlet
of the at least one outlet of said outer burner ring has a
cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the radial
direction, a total cross-sectional area of the at least one slot
being between about forty percent and about sixty percent of a
total cross-sectional area of the at least one outlet.
17. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein said inner burner
ring defines an entrance and a plurality of exits, the exits spaced
apart from one another along the circumferential direction, the
entrance configured for directing fuel to the exits.
18. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the at least one
slot of said regulator are positioned adjacent the inlet.
19. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the inlet comprise a
Venturi mixing tube.
20. A multi-ring gas burner for an appliance, the gas burner
defining a radial direction and a circumferential direction, the
gas burner comprising: an inner burner ring; an outer burner ring
spaced apart from said inner burner ring along the radial
direction, said outer burner ring defining at least two inlets, a
fuel chamber, and a plurality of outlets, the inlets spaced apart
from one another along the circumferential direction and configured
for directing fuel into the fuel chamber, the outlets spaced apart
from one another along the circumferential direction and configured
for directing fuel out of the fuel chamber; and a plurality of
regulators mounted to said outer burner ring within the fuel
chamber of said outer burner ring, each regulator of said plurality
of regulators positioned adjacent a respective one of the inlets of
said outer burner ring, each regulator of said plurality of
regulators disposed between the respective one of the inlets and at
least one of the plurality of outlets along the radial direction,
each regulator of said plurality of regulators defining at least
one slot; wherein each regulator of said plurality of regulators
and said outer burner ring define a respective regulating chamber,
said regulators configured for directing fuel from the fuel chamber
of said outer burner ring through the at least one slot of said
regulators into the regulating chambers, the regulating chambers
configured for directing fuel out of the regulating chambers
through the respective at least one of the plurality of outlets of
said outer burner ring.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to gas burners
for appliances, such as cooktop appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Certain cooktop appliances include multi-ring gas burners.
Such burners can include a center burner surrounded by one or more
concentric burner rings. Fuel and air mixtures are generally
introduced into such burners utilizing either of two methods.
Certain multi-ring burners include vertically oriented mixing
tubes, and other multi-ring burners include horizontally oriented
mixing tubes. Each design has certain drawbacks.
[0003] Multi-ring burners with horizontally oriented mixing tubes,
e.g., the one shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 2012/0070791,
can generally accommodate larger/longer mixing tubes thereby
improving air and fuel mixing. Further, such burners can have a
relatively low pressure gradient within the burners due to the
relatively low velocity of the air/fuel mixture entering the burner
head. However, multi-ring burners with horizontally oriented mixing
tubes are generally costly to construct and difficult to service.
Further, despite the relatively low pressure gradient within such
burners, the air/fuel mixture exiting such burners' outlets can
have uneven or non-uniform flames along the outlets.
[0004] Multi-ring burners with vertically oriented mixing tubes can
be easy to construct and service. However, such burners can occupy
more depth below the cooktop appliance's cooking surface. Further,
such burners generally have a higher pressure gradient within the
burners due to the relatively high velocity of the air/fuel mixture
exiting the vertically oriented mixing tubes. Thus, the air/fuel
mixture exiting such burners' outlets can have different flow rates
and pressure drops thereby leading to uneven flames along the
outlets.
[0005] To alleviate such non-uniformity, certain multi-ring burners
include outlets having varying sizes. Such multi-ring burners can
have relatively smaller outlets positioned adjacent the mixing
tubes where the pressures are highest. The smaller outlets adjacent
the mixing tubes can reduce the velocity of the air/fuel mixture
exiting such outlets, particularly at higher air/fuel flow rates.
However, at relatively low air/fuel flow rates where the internal
pressure is substantially uniform, such multi-ring burners can have
similar problems described above with the air/fuel mixture exiting
such burners' outlets with different flow rates and pressures
thereby leading to uneven flames along the outlets.
[0006] Alternatively, various multi-ring burners include a baffle
positioned within the multi-ring burners adjacent the mixing tubes.
Such baffles can decrease the speed of the air/fuel mixture
entering the outlets adjacent the mixing tube(s). However, baffles
can cause turbulence and recirculation of the air/fuel mixture
proximate the adjacent outlets within the burner and have proven to
have limited effectiveness in practice.
[0007] Accordingly, a multi-ring gas burner with features for
improving uniformity of flames along outlets of the burner would be
useful. In particular, a multi-ring gas burner with features for
efficiently or economically improving uniformity of flames along
outlets of the burner would be useful. Further, a multi-ring gas
burner with features for improving uniformity of flames along
outlets of the burner at both relatively high and relatively low
fuel flow rates would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present subject matter provides a multi-ring gas burner
for an appliance. The burner includes an inner burner ring and an
outer burner ring. The outer burner ring has a regulator positioned
within a fuel chamber of the outer burner ring. The regulator
controls a flow of fuel to outlets of the outer burner ring
adjacent the regulator. The regulator can improve a uniformity of
fuel flow through the outlets and thereby improve a uniformity of
flames at the outlets. Additional aspects and advantages of the
invention will be set forth in part in the following description,
or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through
practice of the invention.
[0009] In a first exemplary embodiment, a multi-ring gas burner for
an appliance is provided. The gas burner defines a radial direction
and a circumferential direction. The gas burner including an inner
burner ring and an outer burner ring spaced apart from the inner
burner ring along the radial direction. The outer burner ring
defines an inlet, a fuel chamber, and a plurality of outlets. The
inlet is configured for directing fuel into the fuel chamber. The
outlets are spaced apart from one another along the circumferential
direction and are configured for directing fuel out of the fuel
chamber. A regulator is mounted to the outer burner ring within the
fuel chamber of the outer burner ring. The regulator is positioned
adjacent the inlet of the outer burner ring. The regulator is also
disposed between the inlet and at least one of the plurality of
outlets along the radial direction. The regulator defines at least
one slot. The regulator and the outer burner ring define a
regulating chamber. The regulator is configured for directing fuel
from the fuel chamber of the outer burner ring through the slots of
the regulator into the regulating chamber. Fuel within the
regulating chamber flows out of the regulating chamber through the
at least one of the plurality of outlets of the outer burner
ring.
[0010] In a second exemplary embodiment, a cooktop appliance is
provided. The cooktop appliance defines a radial direction and a
circumferential direction. The cooktop appliance includes a panel
having a top surface for supporting food items for cooking A
multi-ring gas burner is mounted to the panel at the top surface of
the panel. The multi-ring gas burner is configured for heating food
items. The multi-ring gas burner includes an inner burner ring and
an outer burner ring spaced apart from the inner burner ring along
the radial direction. The outer burner ring defines an inlet, a
fuel chamber, and a plurality of outlets. The inlet is configured
for directing fuel into the fuel chamber. The outlets are spaced
apart from one another along the circumferential direction and are
configured for directing fuel out of the fuel chamber. A regulator
is mounted to the outer burner ring within the fuel chamber of the
outer burner ring. The regulator is positioned adjacent the inlet
of the outer burner ring. The regulator is also disposed between
the inlet and at least one of the plurality of outlets along the
radial direction. The regulator defines at least one slot. The
regulator and the outer burner ring define a regulating chamber.
The regulator is configured for directing fuel from the fuel
chamber of the outer burner ring through the at least one slot of
the regulator into the regulating chamber. Fuel within the
regulating chamber flows out of the regulating chamber through the
at least one of the plurality of outlets of the outer burner
ring.
[0011] In a third exemplary embodiment, a multi-ring gas burner for
an appliance is provided. The gas burner defines a radial direction
and a circumferential direction. The gas burner including an inner
burner ring and an outer burner ring spaced apart from the inner
burner ring along the radial direction. The outer burner ring
defines at least two inlets, a fuel chamber, and a plurality of
outlets. The inlets are spaced apart from one another along the
circumferential direction and are configured for directing fuel
into the fuel chamber. The outlets are spaced apart from one
another along the circumferential direction and are configured for
directing fuel out of the fuel chamber. A plurality of regulators
is mounted to the outer burner ring within the fuel chamber of the
outer burner ring. Each regulator of the plurality of regulators is
positioned adjacent a respective one of the inlets of the outer
burner ring. Each regulator of the plurality of regulators is also
disposed between the respective one of the inlets and at least one
of the plurality of outlets along the radial direction. Each
regulator of the plurality of regulators defines at least one slot.
Each regulator of the plurality of regulators and the outer burner
ring define a regulating chamber. The regulators are configured for
directing fuel from the fuel chamber of the outer burner ring
through the at least one slot of the regulators into the regulating
chambers. Fuel within the regulating chambers flows out of the
regulating chambers through the at least one of the plurality of
outlets of the outer burner ring.
[0012] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a cooktop appliance
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0015] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a multi-ring gas
burner 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the multi-ring gas
burner of FIG. 2 with a cover of the burner removed to reveal a
fuel chamber of the burner.
[0017] FIG. 4 provides a top, plan view of the multi-ring gas
burner of FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 5 provides a section view of the multi-ring gas burner
of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cooktop
appliance 100 as may be employed with the present subject matter.
Cooktop appliance 100 includes a top panel 104. By way of example,
top panel 104 may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled
steel, and combinations thereof.
[0021] For cooktop appliance 100, a utensil holding food and/or
cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be placed onto grates
116 at a location of any of burner assemblies 106, 108, 109, and
110. As shown in FIG. 1, burners assemblies 106, 108, 109, and 110
can be configured in various sizes so as to provide e.g., for the
receipt of cooking utensils (i.e., pots, pans, etc.) of various
sizes and configurations and to provide different heat inputs for
such cooking utensils. Grates 116 are supported on a top surface
118 of top panel 104.
[0022] Burner assemblies 106, 108, 109, and 110 provide thermal
energy to cooking utensils on grates 116. In particular, burner
assemblies 106, 108, 109, and 110 extend through top panel 104
below grates 116. Burner assemblies 106, 108, 109, and 110 are also
mounted to top panel 104.
[0023] A user interface panel 112 is located within convenient
reach of a user of the cooktop appliance 100. For this exemplary
embodiment, panel 112 includes knobs 114 that are each associated
with one of burner assemblies 106, 108, 109, and 110. Knobs 114
allow the user to activate each burner assembly and determine the
amount of heat input provided by each burner assembly 106, 108,
109, and 110 to a cooking utensil located thereon. Panel 112 may
also be provided with one or more graphical display devices that
deliver certain information to the user such as e.g., whether a
particular burner assembly is activated and/or the level at which
the burner assembly is set.
[0024] Although shown with knobs 114, it should be understood that
knobs 114 and the configuration of cooktop appliance 100 shown in
FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only. More specifically, user
interface 112 may include various input components, such as one or
more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or
electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push
buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 112 may include other
display components, such as a digital or analog display device
designed to provide operational feedback to a user.
[0025] Cooktop appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Thus, although
described in the context of cooktop appliance 100, the present
subject matter may be used in cooktop appliances having other
configurations, e.g., a cooktop appliance with one, two, or more
additional burner assemblies. Similarly, the present subject matter
may be used in cooktop appliances that include an oven, i.e., range
appliances.
[0026] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a multi-ring gas
burner 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter. FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of multi-ring
gas burner 200 with a cover 222 of burner 200 removed to reveal a
fuel chamber 226 of burner 200. Multi-ring gas burner 200 may be
used in any suitable appliance, e.g., a range appliance or a
cooktop appliance such as cooktop appliance 100 as one of burner
assemblies 106, 108, 109, and 110 (FIG. 1). Burner 200 defines an
axial direction A, a radial direction R, and a circumferential
direction C.
[0027] Burner 200 includes multiple burner rings. In particular,
burner 200 includes an inner burner ring 210 centrally disposed
relative to an outer burner ring 220 that concentrically surrounds
inner burner ring 210. Although shown with a single outer burner
ring in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in
alternative exemplary embodiments, burner 200 may include multiple
outer burner rings that concentrically surround inner burner ring
210. By providing multiple burner rings (e.g., inner and outer
burner rings 210 and 220), heating of cooking utensils can be
improved. For example, multiple burner rings can apply heat more
evenly or uniformly to such cooking utensils.
[0028] Inner burner ring 210 has a top 212 and defines an inlet or
entrance 214 (FIG. 5) and a plurality of outlets or exits 216.
Exits 216 are spaced apart from one another along the
circumferential direction C. Entrance 214 receives fuel from a fuel
supply (not shown) and directs such fuel to exits 216. At exits 216
such fuel may be combusted, e.g., to heat cooking utensils and food
items located therein.
[0029] Outer burner ring 220 is spaced apart from inner burner ring
210 along the radial direction R. Outer burner ring 220 includes
cover 222 and defines at least two inlets 224, fuel chamber 226,
and a plurality of outlets 228. Inlets 224 are spaced apart from
one another along the circumferential direction C. Further, inlets
224 are configured for receiving fuel from the fuel supply and air
and directing such fuel/air mixture into fuel chamber 226. Outlets
228 are spaced apart from one another along the circumferential
direction C and are configured for directing fuel out of fuel
chamber 226. At outlets 228 such fuel may be combusted, e.g., to
heat cooking utensils and food items located therein.
[0030] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, inlets
224 include a first inlet 240 and a second inlet 242. First inlet
240 is spaced apart from second inlet 242 by about one-hundred and
eighty degrees along the circumferential direction C. In
alternative exemplary embodiments, first inlet 240 may be spaced
apart from second inlet 242 by any suitable amount, e.g., about
ninety degrees, about sixty degrees, or any other suitable
angle.
[0031] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a
velocity of the fuel entering fuel chamber 226 through first and
second entrances 240 and 242 can induce a pressure gradient within
fuel chamber 226 such that fuel exiting fuel chamber through
outlets 228 has different velocities and/or flow rates at various
outlets of outlets 228. For example, fuel exiting certain outlets
of outlets 228 can have a greater velocity and/or flow rate
relative to fuel exiting other outlets of outlets 228. Burner 200
includes features for regulating and/or controlling a flow of fuel
through outlets 228. Such features can improve a uniformity of fuel
flow through outlets 228 and thereby improve a uniformity of flames
at outlets 228.
[0032] In particular, burner 200 includes a regulator 230 for
regulating and/or controlling a flow of fuel through outlets 228 as
discussed in greater detail below. Regulator 230 is mounted to
outer burner ring 220 within fuel chamber 226 of outer burner ring
220. Regulator 230 is positioned adjacent one of inlets 224. In
particular regulator 230 is positioned adjacent first inlet 240.
Regulator 230 is disposed between first inlet 240 and at least two
outlets 236 of outlets 228 along the radial direction R. Regulator
230 defines at least two slots 232. Slots 232 are positioned
adjacent first inlet 240 and, in particular, between the at least
two outlets 236 and first inlet 240 along the radial direction
R.
[0033] Regulator 230 is configured such that fuel from fuel chamber
226 is hindered from entering a regulating chamber 234 and the at
least two outlets 236 except through slots 232. Thus, regulator 230
extends upwardly from an interior surface 221 of outer burner ring
220, e.g., along the axial direction. Regulator 230 extends
upwardly from interior surface 221 to cover 222 when cover 222 is
positioned on outer burner ring 220 as shown in FIG. 2, e.g., in
order to hinder fuel from entering fuel chamber 226 except through
slots 232.
[0034] Burner 200 also includes an additional regulator 250 mounted
to outer burner ring 220 within fuel chamber 226 of outer burner
ring 220. Additional regulator 250 is spaced apart from regulator
230 along the circumferential direction C. Additional regulator 250
is positioned adjacent second inlet 242 and, in particular, between
second inlet 242 and at least two other outlets 254 of outlets 228
along the radial direction R. Additional regulator 250 also defines
at least two slots 252 that function in a similar manner to slots
232 of regulator 230. Operation and function of regulator 230 is
discussed in greater detail below; however, additional regulator
250 operates and functions in a similar manner and includes similar
features.
[0035] FIG. 4 provides a top, plan view of burner 200. As may be
seen in FIG. 4, regulator 230 and outer burner ring 220 define a
regulating chamber 234, e.g., therebetween. Regulator 230 is
configured for directing fuel from fuel chamber 226 of outer burner
ring 220 through slots 232 of regulator 230 into regulating chamber
234. Fuel within regulating chamber 234 can flow out of regulating
chamber 234 through the at least two outlets 236 of outlets
228.
[0036] Slots 232 of regulator 230 can impart friction losses to a
velocity of fuel passing through slots 232 and entering regulating
chamber 234, thereby reducing the pressure within the regulating
chamber 234. By reducing the pressure of fuel within regulating
chamber 234 and allowing it to expand, the pressure within
regulating chamber 234 becomes substantially uniform, e.g., about
equal to the pressure within fuel chamber 226. Thus, fuel can exit
each outlet of outlets 228 at about a uniform pressure and velocity
and flames at each outlet of outlets 228 can be uniform as well.
Certain features of regulator 230 can assist with reducing the
velocity and/or pressure of fuel within regulating chamber 234.
[0037] In particular, slots 232 of regulator 230 and the at least
two outlets 236 of outlets 228 are unaligned along the radial
direction R such that slots 232 and the at least two outlets 236
are non-collinear along the radial direction R. Further, slots 232
may be sized relative to the at least two outlets 236 of outlets
228 to assist with reducing the pressure of fuel within regulating
chamber 234. In particular, each slot of slots 232 has a
cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the radial
direction R, and each outlet of the at least two outlets 236 has a
cross-sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the radial
direction R. A total cross-sectional area of slots 232 may be less
than a total cross-sectional area of the at least two outlets 236
of outlets 228. In particular, the total cross-sectional area of
slots 232 may be between about forty percent and about sixty
percent, between about forty-five percent and about fifty-five
percent, or about fifty percent of the total cross-sectional area
of the at least two outlets 236 of outlets 228.
[0038] FIG. 5 provides a section view of burner 200. As may be seen
in FIG. 5, inlets 224 of outer burner ring 220 and entrance 214 of
inner burner ring 210 include Venturi mixing tubes 260 for
assisting with mixing of fuel and air entering outer burner ring
220 and inner burner ring 210. As discussed above, burner 200
includes features for regulating and/or controlling a flow of fuel
through outlets 228.
[0039] As an example, during operation of burner 200, a fuel and
air mixture can flow into burner 200. In particular, such fuel and
air mixture can enter inner burner ring 210 at entrance 214 of
inner burner ring 210 and outer burner ring 220 at inlets 224 of
outer burner ring 220. Venturi mixing tubes 260 can assist with
mixing of fuel and air within entrance 214 of inner burner ring 210
and inlets 224 of outer burner ring 220. However, such fuel and air
mixture can exit Venturi mixing tubes 260 at a relatively high
velocity. Further, a pressure of such fuel and air mixture can
increase upon impacting top 212 and cover 222.
[0040] Entrance 214 of inner burner ring 210 is symmetrically or
concentrically positioned relative to exits 216 of inner burner
ring 210 such that the fuel and air mixture can flow uniformly out
of exits 216 of inner burner ring 210. However, inlets 224 of outer
burner ring 220 are non-symmetrically or non-concentrically
positioned relative to outlets 228 of outer burner ring 220. Thus,
without regulator 230 and additional regulator 250, the fuel and
air mixture entering fuel chamber 226 at inlets 224 can exit
outlets 228 adjacent inlets 224 at a higher velocity and flow rate
relative to outlets 228 not positioned adjacent inlets 224.
[0041] Regulator 230 and additional regulator 250 assist with
reducing a velocity and/or flow rate of the fuel and air mixture
entering the at least two outlets 236 of outlets 228 and the at
least two other outlets 254 of outlets 228, respectively, e.g.,
proportional to the pressure in fuel chamber 226. Thus, regulator
230 and additional regulator 250 can assist with regulating or
controlling the velocity and/or pressure of fuel within outer
burner ring 220 such that fuel and air can exit each outlet of
outlets 228 at about a uniform pressure and velocity and flames at
each outlet of outlets 228 can be uniform as well over a range of
inlet flows.
[0042] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
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