Nested-fiber gas burner
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsJames J. Reuther, Robert D. Litt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nested fiber gas burner is formed with a burner body having an inlet on one end and a burner port on the other end. A mat of fibers is formed from discrete fibers of material randomly deposited into a mold having the general configuration of the burner port. After the fibers are deposited in the mold to a depth of about 0.5 inch, they are heated to a temperature of about 1200.degree. C. for about two hours, which causes the fibers to bond together. Thus bonded, the fiber mat is secured in place in the burner port.
Claims17
A method of making a gas burner comprising,
- forming fibers of material having a diameter in the range of about 0.008 in. to about 0.03 in., a length in the range of about 0.3 in. to about 0.7 in. and an aspect ratio in the range of about 15-50,
- depositing said fibers randomly into a mold having a cross-sectional shape to a depth in the range of about 0.3 in. to about 0.7 in.,
- heating said mold to a temperature in the range of about 1000.degree. C. to about 1500.degree. C. to effect a sintering of the fibers together to form a fibrous mat having said cross-sectional shape,
- providing a burner body with an inlet on one end and a burner port on the other end, and
- securing said mat in said burner port.
A method of using a gas burner comprising,
- providing a burner body with an inlet on one end and a burner port on the other end,
- providing a fibrous mat for mounting in said port, said mat being formed by sintering fibers of a diameter in the range of about 0.008 in. to about 0.03 in., a length in the range of about 0.3 in. to about 0.7 in. and an aspect ratio in the range of about 15-50, said mat having a void percentage in the range of about 80% to about 89%,
- mounting said mat in said port to have inner and outer surfaces,
- connecting valve means to said inlet to (1) control the admission of a combustible gas and oxygen from a source to said body and (2) insure that the pressure of the gas and oxygen admitted to said body locates the leading edge of a flame front of said gas oxygen mixture which is ignited within said mat between said inner and outer surfaces.
A burner for burning hydrocarbon gases comprising a hollow burner body with an inlet at one end and a port at the other end, a source of gas, a source of air, valve means connected in fluid communication between said gas source and said inlet, and a fibrous mat mounted in said port to support a flame when gas from said source is ignited at said port;
- said mat having interior and exterior surfaces,
- said valve means being adjusted to insure that ignited gas maintains the leading edge of a flame front within said mat between said surfaces,
- said mat having a void percentage in the range of about 80% to about 89%,
- the fibers of said mat have a aspect ratio in the range of 15-50;
- said mat having the property of supporting the leading edge of said flame front within said mat while said flame is at a temperature in the range of about 1200.degree. C. to about 2000.degree. C. and cooling its outer surface of said mat to a temperature below a temperature which will blister human skin in a time period of less than about 2 sec. following a closing of said valve means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.