Variable flow nozzle for a burner assembly

Abstract

A nozzle for a burner assembly has a nozzle body, a valve member, and a spring. The nozzle body has an inlet, an outlet, and a fuel passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet. The valve member is positioned within the fuel passageway and is movable between a closed position, in which fuel flow through the outlet is substantially obstructed, and an open position, in which fuel flow through the outlet is permitted. The spring is disposed within the nozzle body and biases the valve member toward the closed position. The valve member moves to the open position in response to a predetermined fuel pressure applied to the valve member. The nozzle operates mechanically and has a variable flow area based on the fuel pressure applied. This increases the dynamic turndown ratio compared to fixed orifice nozzles to provide optimal fuel-air mixing over dynamic flow ranges.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.