Torch system with predictive control of automatic fuel replenishment

An automatically refueled liquid fuel burning torch system comprising:

• a central fuel reservoir configured to contain a combustible liquid fuel;
• at least one torch:
• each of said torches having a substantially enclosed interior and a local fuel reservoir located within said enclosed interior, the local fuel reservoir being configured to contain a local quantity of said fuel;
• each of said torches further comprising a combustion area exterior to the torch and configured for burning said fuel when drawn by a wick from said local quantity into said combustion area;
• and
• each of said torches having a fuel overfill prevention valve (FOP valve) installed therein, said FOP valve being configured to be mechanically controlled by a local fuel level of the local quantity of fuel within the enclosed interior, and to be automatically closed when the local fuel level reaches a determined maximum height within the enclosed interior, thereby preventing further ingress of fuel into the local fuel reservoir;
• a fuel plumbing system configured to convey said fuel from the central fuel reservoir to the local reservoirs of each of said torches;
• a refueling system comprising a pump, an electronically actuated shutoff valve, and a controller, the controller being able to actuate the pump and the shutoff valve, the controller being configured to:
• A) initiate a refueling period by activating said pump and opening said shutoff valve, thereby establishing a fuel pressure within the fuel plumbing system that is above ambient pressure, and thereby causing fuel to flow from the fuel plumbing system into each of said torches until the local fuel level within each of said torches reaches the determined maximum height and the FOP valve within each of the torches is closed;
• B) terminate the refueling cycle by stopping the pump and closing the shutoff valve, the shutoff valve thereby preventing fuel from flowing out from the fuel plumbing system;
• C) wait for a pre-calibrated time Tr during which the local fuel levels in the torches are predicted to fall from the determined maximum height to a determined minimum height due to burning of the fuel by the torches;
• and
• D) repeat steps A) through C);
• wherein the torches do not include fuel level sensors or remotely controlled electronic valves;
• and wherein the torches, while interconnected with each other and with the central reservoir by the fuel plumbing system, are otherwise structurally independent and separate from each other and from the central reservoir.