US3822657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fuel feeding method and apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-10
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-04-10
Abstract
Abstract The height of a cone, mound, or pile of fuel in the combustion area of a furnace is controlled by arranging a temperature sensor on a portion of a probe normally penetrating the burning fuel. When the fuel burns down sufficiently to expose the sensor to direct heat from the pile, a signal is sent from the sensor to a relay which opens a valve mechanism to feed fuel into the furnace. A timer may be used to limit the amount of fuel delivered.
Inventors
- 👤 C Midkiff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:38
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23K; F23K3/00; F23K3/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A thermostatic control for a furnace fuel feeding system comprising, in combination: a. a probe arranged inserted into a combustion area of a furnace and normally penetrating a pile of burning fuel in the combustion area; b. means carried by the probe for sensing a temperature in the combustion area; and c. means regulated by the sensing means for feeding fuel into the combustion area in response to a signal from the sensing means, the signal being indicative of the pile having decreased to a predetermined height, the sensing means being a thermocouple arranged on a portion of the probe normally penetrating the pile of burning fuel, and the predetermined height exposing the thermocouple to direct heat from the pile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A thermostatic control for a furnace fuel feeding system comprising, in combination: a. a probe arranged inserted into a combustion area of a furnace and normally penetrating a pile of burning fuel in the combustion area; b. means carried by the probe for sensing a temperature in the combustion area; and c. means regulated by the sensing means for feeding fuel into the combustion area in response to a signal from the sensing means, the signal being indicative of the pile having decreased to a predetermined height, the sensing means being a thermocouple arranged on a portion of the probe normally penetrating the pile of burning fuel, and the predetermined height exposing the thermocouple to direct heat from the pile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the probe includes a tube having spaced ends and filled with a heat insulating material, and the thermocouple is arranged adjacent an end of the tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for feeding fuel includes: i. a valve mechanism arranged for selectively blocking and unblocking a fuel flow path to the furnace; and ii. a relay connected to the valve mechanism and the probe thermocouple, and arranged for actuating the valve mechanism to unblock the fuel flow path in response to a signal from the thermocouple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the valve mechanism includes a gate, a fluid motor connected to the gate, fluid lines connected to the fluid motor for actuating same, and a solenoid operated fluid valve connected to the relay and fluid lines and arranged for controlling flow in the lines as a function of aN operating mode of the relay.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the means for feeding fuel further includes a timer selectively connectible to the relay and arranged for interrupting the relay a predetermined time after a signal from the thermocouple causes fuel to pass by the valve mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein the timer and relay are mounted on the tube at the end spaced from the end adjacent the thermocouple to form a unit with the probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the means for feeding fuel further includes a timer selectively connectible to the relay and arranged for interrupting the relay a predetermined time after a signal from the sensing means causes fuel to pass by the valve mechanism.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for controlling the feed of fuel into a furnace, comprising the steps of: a. placing a signal-transmitting temperature sensor in a pile of burning fuel arranged in a combustion area of a furnace; and b. supplying fuel to the furnace when the sensor transmits a signal indicative of the fuel pile being reduced to a level beneath the sensor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for controlling the feed of fuel into a furnace, comprising the steps of: a. placing a signal-transmitting temperature sensor in a pile of burning fuel arranged in a combustion area of a furnace; and b. supplying fuel to the furnace when the sensor transmits a signal indicative of the fuel pile being reduced to a level beneath the sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as set out in claim 8, wherein placing step (a) includes the step of penetrating the sensor into an upper portion of the fuel pile, and the supplying step (b) includes the step of terminating the fuel supply after a predetermined length of time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |