Liquid fuel cell

a fuel cell and liquid fuel technology, applied in the field of liquid fuel cells, can solve the problems of noxious vapors, fire hazards, and time required to ignite the burner wick of a fuel cell containing a high flash point fuel, and achieve the effects of shortening the ignition time of a liquid fuel cell, high flash point, and improving the safety of the fuel cell

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-03-22
HOLLOWICK
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about improving liquid fuel cells used for table lighting. The invention aims to shorten the ignition time of the fuel cell, especially when using fuels with a high flash point. The invention includes a canister with a reservoir for holding fuel, a burner with a wick, and a number of strands in the wick that create a small island for faster ignition of the fuel. The invention makes the use of higher flash point fuels safer and more efficient."

Problems solved by technology

Many of these fuel cells presently utilize fuels that have a relatively low flash point and are thus highly volatile or become excessively volatile when heated, and can create a fire hazard.
In addition, many of the low flash point fuels give off noxious vapors when burned which may be unpleasant when many fuel cells are burning at the same time within an enclosed hall or dining area.
The time required to ignite the burner wick of a fuel cell containing a high flash point fuel, however, is considerably longer than that needed to light a fuel cell containing a fuel having a lower flash point.
Although the difference in ignition time might be measured in seconds, the total time needed to light all the table lamps in a fair sized restaurant or hall can be considerable.
The chance of producing a mislight is also greater due to the longer ignition time.

Method used

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  • Liquid fuel cell
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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0014] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a lamp, generally referenced 10, for providing intimate lighting for a table or the like. The lamp assembly in this embodiment is a relatively small unit for producing intimate table lighting which now enjoys wide popularity in restaurants, banquet halls, and the like. The lamp is equipped with a disposable liquid fuel cell 12 that is removably fitted into a seat (not shown) located in the base 13 of the lamp. Although the present invention will be described with specific reference to a disposable fuel cell providing intimate table lighting, it should be obvious to one skilled in the art that the invention can be utilized in both disposable and reusable fuel cells that employ a wick type burner that can be used for other purposes such as chafing dish applications. The lamp itself may take any form that is aesthetically pleasing, as well as being able to function for its intended purpose. In this embodiment, the lamp includes...

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Abstract

A liquid fuel cell that includes a canister having a fuel reservoir and a burner assembly mounted upon the canister. The burner assembly contains a wick holding aperture that opens into the fuel reservoir and a wick that is made up of continuous fiber strands mounted in the tube. The wick is doubled over to create a crown that is vertically disposed above the top of the wick holding aperture and the two ends of the wick are arranged to pass down through the wick burner into the fuel reservoir. A number of fiber strands are severed in the crown region to create a small island of bristles which greatly enhances the wick's ability to be rapidly and efficiently ignited.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a liquid fuel cell and, in particular, to a liquid fuel cell that provides for more rapid and efficient lighting of the burner wick. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Liquid fuel cells which contain a wick-type burner are widely used in restaurants, banquet halls, and the like to provide intimate table lighting for the customers or attendees and for heating or warming food. Many of these fuel cells presently utilize fuels that have a relatively low flash point and are thus highly volatile or become excessively volatile when heated, and can create a fire hazard. In addition, many of the low flash point fuels give off noxious vapors when burned which may be unpleasant when many fuel cells are burning at the same time within an enclosed hall or dining area. [0003] As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,633 to Bandel, fuels have been developed for use in liquid fuel cells that overcome many of the disadvantages associated with the lo...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F23D3/24
CPCF23D3/24F23D3/08
InventorMITCHELL, CHARLES R.K.
OwnerHOLLOWICK