Combustion apparatus and combustion / fuel control valve used for the same

Abstract

To provide a combustion apparatus capable of warming a fuel vaporization tube through a simple operation.SOLUTION: A combustion apparatus includes: a combustion burner 4 for burning fuel gas; a fuel vaporization tube 6 for heating and vaporizing fuel to be supplied to the fuel burner 4; a gas cylinder 16 filled with first fuel (LP gas) that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure; a fuel tank 12 filled with second fuel (kerosene) that is vaporized by heating; and a fuel changeover valve 8 for switching the fuel. In a flame out state, communication between the combustion burner 4, the gas cylinder 16 and the fuel tank 12 is shut off, and in an ignition state, the LP gas from the gas cylinder 16 is supplied to the combustion burner 4, ignited and burned. In a combustion state, kerosene from the fuel tank 12 is supplied to the fuel vaporization tube 6 and vaporized, and the vaporized kerosene is supplied to the combustion burner 4 and burned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a combustion device that can be used as an outdoor stove for warming outdoors, for example when camping or mountain climbing, as a cooking burner for cooking or boiling water, or as a lighting device for illuminating indoors and outdoors (so-called lighting lantern), and a fuel switching valve (also called a "combustion / fuel control valve") used therein.

[0002] For example, a known combustion device used for camping, mountain climbing, etc. includes a fuel tank containing fuel, a fuel vaporization tube that heats and vaporizes the fuel from the fuel tank, and a combustion burner that burns the fuel (fuel gas) vaporized by the fuel vaporization tube (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this combustion device, the fuel vaporization tube is disposed above the combustion burner, and therefore, combustion heat from the combustion burner acts on the fuel vaporization tube, and this combustion heat is used to vaporize (i.e., gasify) the fuel (liquid) flowing through the fuel vaporization tube, and the vaporized fuel is supplied to the combustion burner and burned.

[0003] The fuel tank is also provided with a pressure pump (e.g., a piston type). This pressure pump is used to increase the pressure inside the fuel tank and is configured to be manually operated to feed outside air into the fuel tank. By manually operating this pressure pump, the pressure acting on the liquid surface of the fuel (e.g., gasoline, kerosene, etc.) in the fuel tank is increased, and this increased pressure is used to force the fuel in the fuel tank toward the fuel vaporization tube. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3880891 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Such combustion devices have the following problems to be solved. First, during combustion by the combustion burner, the fuel vaporization tube is heated by the combustion heat from the combustion burner, and this combustion heat vaporizes the fuel flowing through the fuel vaporization tube, allowing the vaporized fuel (fuel gas) to be supplied to the combustion burner and burned as desired. However, at the start of combustion, the fuel vaporization tube is cold and it is difficult to vaporize the fuel. Therefore, in the past, it was necessary to warm the fuel vaporization tube by burning alcohol or solid fuel before burning the fuel in the tank, but this warming operation was complicated and time-consuming.

[0006] Second, a pressure pump is provided to pressurize the fuel (e.g., gasoline, kerosene, etc.) in the fuel tank, but because this pressure pump is manually operated, its operation is cumbersome and it is difficult to maintain the pressure applied by this pressure pump at a predetermined pressure. When the pressure from this pressure pump is high, the amount of fuel delivered from the fuel tank (vaporized fuel delivered to the combustion burner) increases, and the combustion power of the combustion burner becomes stronger, but when this pressure is low, the amount of fuel delivered from the fuel tank decreases, and the combustion power of the combustion burner becomes weaker.

[0007] A first object of the present invention is to provide a combustion device that can heat a fuel vaporization tube with a simple operation.

[0008] A second object of the present invention is to provide a combustion device that can apply a predetermined pressure to the fuel in the fuel tank.

[0009] Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a combustion / fuel control valve that can be advantageously applied to a combustion device that can heat a fuel vaporization tube. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In response to the first object described above, a combustion apparatus of the present invention is a combustion apparatus including a combustion burner for burning a fuel gas, a fuel vaporization tube for heating and vaporizing a fuel to be supplied to the fuel burner, a first fuel supply source filled with a first fuel that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure, a second fuel supply source filled with a second fuel that is vaporized by heating, a fuel switching valve for switching the fuel to be supplied to the combustion burner, and an operating member for operating the fuel switching valve, When the second fuel is combusted by the combustion burner, the operating member is configured to be positioned from an extinguishing position at which the combustion burner is extinguished, through an ignition position at which the combustion burner is ignited, to a combustion position at which the combustion burner is combusted, The fuel switching valve is characterized in that it blocks communication between the first and second fuel supply sources and the fuel vaporization tube when the operating member is positioned at the extinguishing position, connects the first fuel supply source and the fuel vaporization tube when the operating member is positioned at the ignition position, and connects the second fuel supply source and the fuel vaporization tube when the operating member is positioned at the combustion position.

[0011] In this combustion device, the fuel switching valve is preferably configured to include a flow path switching valve element and a valve housing that accommodates the flow path switching valve element, and the flow path switching valve element and operating member are preferably configured to rotate integrally, so that the flow path switching valve element can be rotated by operating the operating member to switch the flow path. Also, it is preferable to provide a valve position holding mechanism in association with the operating member, so that the flow path switching valve element can be held in the extinguishing position and / or the ignition position by this valve position holding mechanism.

[0012] In addition, the valve position holding mechanism can be composed of a control cam having a fire-extinguishing recess and an ignition recess, a swing lever equipped with a driven roller, and an elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the driven roller against the circumferential surface of the control cam.By configuring it in this way, the operating member can be held in the fire-extinguishing position by engaging the driven roller of the swing lever with the fire-extinguishing recess of the control cam, and the operating member can be held in the ignition position by engaging the driven roller of the swing lever with the ignition recess of the control cam.

[0013] It is also preferable to provide a reverse rotation prevention mechanism in association with the valve position holding mechanism, which prevents the operating member from rotating in the reverse direction from the extinguishing position to the combustion position.By configuring in this manner, when combustion is performed with the combustion burner, the fuel (second fuel) will always be positioned at the combustion position via the ignition position, and it is possible to prevent the fuel (second fuel) remaining liquid from burning in the combustion burner without the fuel vaporization tube being preheated (so-called flaming).

[0014] It is also preferable that the first fuel supply source be a gas cylinder filled with fuel gas, and the second fuel supply source be a fuel tank filled with kerosene, and that the fuel gas from the gas cylinder be supplied into the fuel tank via the fuel switching valve.By configuring in this way, the pressure in the gas cylinder can be applied to the fuel in the fuel tank when the operating member is positioned at the ignition position or the combustion position.

[0015] Alternatively, the first fuel supply source may be a gas cylinder filled with fuel gas, and the second fuel supply source may be a fuel tank filled with kerosene, with the fuel gas in the gas cylinder being supplied to the fuel tank via a communication on-off valve separate from the fuel switching valve. In this case, when the communication on-off valve is opened, the gas cylinder and the fuel tank are connected to each other, allowing the pressure in the gas cylinder to act on the fuel tank.

[0016] Furthermore, a regulator can be disposed on the supply side of the first fuel supply source, and this regulator can adjust the gas pressure of the fuel gas from the first fuel supply source, and the pressure-adjusted fuel gas can be sent downstream.

[0017] Furthermore, in response to the second object, the combustion device of the present invention comprises a combustion burner for burning fuel gas, a fuel tank filled with fuel to be burned by the fuel burner, a gas cylinder filled with gas to be fed into the fuel tank, a gas feed line connecting the fuel tank and the gas cylinder, and a communication on-off valve disposed in the gas feed line, wherein when fuel from the fuel tank is combusted by the combustion burner, the communication on-off valve is held open to connect the gas cylinder and the fuel tank, thereby allowing the pressure of the gas from the gas cylinder to act on the liquid surface of the fuel in the fuel tank through the gas feed line.

[0018] The gas acting on the liquid surface of the fuel may be a fuel gas (gas) such as LP gas, air, nitrogen gas, etc. In the case of fuel gas, the fuel gas is filled into a gas cylinder as a gas tank, and the filled fuel gas can be used for ignition combustion in addition to pressurizing the fuel tank. In the case of air, etc., the gas tank is filled with air, etc., and the filled air, etc. is used to act on the liquid surface of the fuel.

[0019] In such a combustion device, a regulator can be provided in the gas supply line, and by configuring it in this way, the pressure of the gas supplied into the fuel tank can be adjusted. Furthermore, the regulator is preferably configured as follows: It is preferable that the outlet side of a relief valve disposed in the secondary chamber of the regulator is connected to the combustion burner via a relief line. By configuring it in this way, the relief valve opens when the pressure in the secondary chamber of the regulator is reduced, and the gas in this secondary chamber (in other words, the gas in the fuel tank) is supplied to the combustion burner through the relief valve and the relief line, and can be combusted by the combustion burner.

[0020] In this combustion device, it is preferable to provide a pressure adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure in the secondary chamber of the regulator, and to configure the pressure adjustment mechanism of the regulator so that rotation of the operating member for adjusting the combustion power is linked to the pressure adjustment mechanism of the regulator. With this configuration, when the operating member is rotated to increase the combustion power, the rotation of the operating member is transmitted to the pressure adjustment mechanism, thereby increasing the pressure of the gas supplied to the fuel tank, and as a result, the amount of fuel supplied from the fuel tank to the combustion burner can be increased.

[0021] In this combustion device, the fuel tank can be filled with kerosene as fuel, and the gas cylinder can be filled with liquefied petroleum gas (e.g., LP gas) as gas. In this case, the liquefied petroleum gas can be fed to the combustion burner at the time of ignition and can be ignited and burned, and the liquefied petroleum gas can be fed to the fuel tank at the time of ignition and combustion of the combustion burner, and can act on the liquid surface of the fuel.

[0022] Furthermore, in response to the third object, the combustion and fuel control valve of the present invention comprises a valve housing having first to fourth ports, a flow path switching valve body rotatably mounted within the valve housing, and an operating member that rotates integrally with the flow path switching valve, wherein the first port is connected to a first fuel supply source filled with a first fuel that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure, the second port is connected to a lower part of a second fuel supply source filled with a second fuel that can be vaporized by heating, the third port is connected to a fuel vaporization tube for heating and vaporizing fuel to be supplied to a fuel burner, and the fourth port is connected to an upper part of the second fuel supply source, the operating member is configured to be positioned from an extinguishing position at which the combustion burner is extinguished, through an ignition position at which the combustion burner is ignited, to a combustion position at which the combustion burner is ignited, The flow path switching valve element is characterized in that, in the extinguishing position, it blocks communication between the first and second ports and the third port, and communicates the third port with the fourth port, in the ignition position it communicates the first port with the third and fourth ports, and in the combustion position it communicates the first port with the fourth port and communicates the second port with the third port.

[0023] In such a combustion / fuel control valve for a combustion device, a regulator for adjusting the pressure of the first fuel from the first fuel supply source can be attached to the valve housing, and the secondary side of this regulator can be connected to the first port of the valve housing.By configuring it in this way, it is possible to adjust the pressure of the first fuel delivered from the first fuel supply source to the first port of the valve housing.

[0024] Furthermore, this combustion / fuel control valve can use a gas cylinder filled with fuel gas as the first fuel supply source and a fuel tank filled with kerosene as the second fuel supply source. In this configuration, at the ignition position, fuel gas from the gas cylinder can be fed to the fuel vaporization tube to ignite and burn, and can also be fed to the fuel tank to act on the liquid fuel level in the fuel tank, and at the combustion position, fuel gas from the gas cylinder can be fed to the fuel tank to act on the liquid fuel level in the fuel tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to a combustion device corresponding to the first object of the present invention, fuel to be supplied to a fuel burner is supplied to a fuel vaporization tube, where the fuel is vaporized, and the vaporized fuel is burned in the combustion burner. The fuel vaporization tube is selectively supplied with a first fuel supply source filled with a first fuel that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure (for example, relatively expensive liquefied petroleum gas), and a second fuel supply source filled with a second fuel that is vaporized by heating (for example, relatively inexpensive kerosene), and the fuel is switched by a fuel switching valve.

[0026] When the operating member is moved from the extinguishing position to the ignition position, the fuel switching valve communicates the first fuel supply source with the fuel vaporization tube, and the first fuel from the first fuel supply source is supplied to the combustion burner through the fuel vaporization tube. At ignition, the first fuel, which is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure, is burned. When the operating member is moved from the ignition position to the combustion position, the fuel switching valve communicates the second fuel supply source with the fuel vaporization tube, and the second fuel from the second fuel supply source is vaporized in the fuel vaporization tube and then supplied to the combustion burner. At the time of combustion after ignition, the fuel vaporization tube is warmed, so the fuel from the second fuel supply source is easily vaporized, and the vaporized fuel is supplied to the combustion burner and burned.

[0027] Furthermore, a combustion device corresponding to the second object of the present invention comprises a fuel tank filled with fuel to be burned in a fuel burner, a gas cylinder filled with gas to be fed into the fuel tank, and a communication on-off valve arranged in a gas feed line that connects the fuel tank and the gas cylinder; when combustion is performed in the combustion burner, the communication on-off valve is held open to connect the gas cylinder and the fuel tank, so that the gas pressure from the gas cylinder acts on the fuel tank through the gas feed line, and this gas pressure can be used to feed the fuel in the fuel tank to the combustion burner.

[0028] Furthermore, according to a combustion / fuel control valve corresponding to the third object of the present invention, the first port of the valve housing is connected to a first fuel supply source filled with a first fuel, the second port is connected to the lower part of a second fuel supply source filled with a second fuel, the third port is connected to a fuel vaporization tube for heating and vaporizing fuel, and the fourth port is connected to the upper part of the second fuel supply source.

[0029] In this combustion / fuel control valve, when the operating member is in the extinguishing position, communication between the first and second ports and the third port is blocked, so the first fuel from the first fuel supply source and the second fuel from the second fuel supply source are not supplied to the fuel vaporization tube. Also, communication between the third port and the fourth port is established, so atmospheric pressure acts on the liquid surface of the fuel filled in the second fuel supply source.

[0030] In addition, when the operating member is in the ignition position, the first port is connected to the third and fourth ports, so that the first fuel from the first fuel supply source is fed to the fuel burner through the fuel vaporization tube and ignited and burned, and the pressure of the first fuel can be applied to the top of the fuel tank to the liquid surface of the second fuel.

[0031] Furthermore, since the first port and the fourth port are connected at the combustion position, and the second port and the third port are connected, the second fuel from the second fuel supply source is fed to the fuel vaporization tube, where it can be vaporized and then burned in the fuel burner, and the first fuel from the first fuel supply source is fed to the top of the fuel tank, where the pressure of the first fuel can be applied to the liquid surface of the second fuel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a simplified overall view showing an example of a combustion apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the angular position of the operating knob of the operating member and the combustion state in the combustion device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the angular position of the operation knob in the combustion device of FIG. 1 and the communication state of each port of the fuel switching valve (combustion / fuel control valve). FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a first embodiment of a combustion device that is a specific product of the simplified combustion device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the control cam and related components when the operation knob is in the extinguishing position. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view for explaining the positional relationship between a control cam and a driven roller. [Figure 8] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a fuel switching valve (combustion / fuel control valve) applied to the combustion device of FIG. 4. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the fuel switching valve and the regulator attached thereto in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state of the fuel selector valve when the operation knob is positioned at the extinguishing position. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state of the fuel selector valve when the operation knob is positioned at an ignition position. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state of the fuel switching valve when the operation knob is positioned at the combustion position. [Figure 13] FIG. 3 is a simplified overall view showing another example of a combustion device according to the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side view showing a second embodiment of a combustion device that is a specific product of the simplified combustion device of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] 14 is a diagram showing the relationship between the angular position of the operation knob and the communication state of each port of the fuel switching valve and the communication on-off valve, as well as the open / close state of the needle valve in the combustion device of FIG. 13. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of a combustion apparatus and a fuel switching valve (combustion / fuel control valve) used therein according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of a combustion apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the illustrated combustion apparatus 2 includes a combustion burner 4 for burning fuel, a fuel vaporization tube 6 for vaporizing the fuel supplied to the combustion burner 4, a fuel switching valve 8 (combustion / fuel control valve) for switching the fuel supplied to the fuel burner 4, and a fuel tank 12 filled with fuel 10 (e.g., kerosene) to be vaporized by heating. In this embodiment, the combustion burner 4, the fuel vaporization tube 6, the fuel switching valve 8, and the fuel tank 12 constitute a combustion apparatus main body 14. The combustion apparatus 2 further includes a gas cylinder 16 filled with a fuel (e.g., LP gas) that is easily vaporized at room temperature and pressure.

[0034] In this embodiment, the gas cylinder 16 constitutes a first fuel supply source, and the fuel filled in this gas cylinder 16 is supplied as a first fuel to the combustion burner 4 upon ignition. Also, the fuel tank 12 constitutes a second fuel supply source, and the fuel 10 filled in this fuel tank 12 is supplied to the combustion burner 4 upon combustion.

[0035] In this embodiment, gas cylinder 16 and fuel switching valve 8 are connected via gas supply line G (which functions as a gas supply flow path), and regulator 18 is provided in gas supply line G to adjust the pressure of the gas flowing therethrough. A lower portion of fuel tank 12 is connected to fuel switching valve 8 via fuel supply line P (which functions as a fuel supply flow path), and one end of fuel supply line P is immersed in fuel 10 in fuel tank 12. An upper portion of fuel tank 12 is connected to fuel switching valve 8 via gas supply line A (which functions as a gas supply flow path), and one end of gas supply line A is located in the space above fuel 10 in fuel tank 12.

[0036] This fuel switching valve 8 and the fuel vaporization tube 6 are connected via a fuel supply line B (which functions as a fuel supply flow path), and this fuel vaporization tube 6 and the combustion burner 4 are connected via a vaporized fuel supply line K (which functions as a vaporized fuel supply flow path).

[0037] In this embodiment, the regulator 18 (specifically, the outlet side of the relief valve arranged in the secondary chamber described later) is further connected to the combustion burner 4 via a relief line R (which functions as a relief flow path).

[0038] In this embodiment, an operating member 20 is further provided for switching the fuel selector valve 8, and this operating member 20 has an operating dial 22. When this operating dial 22 is turned, the fuel selector valve 8 is switched as described below, and the gas pressure of the fuel (for example, gas such as LP gas) flowing downstream through the regulator 18 is adjusted.

[0039] The operation dial 22 and its periphery are marked, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 . An angle indicator 26 is provided on the surface of the operation dial 22 using a triangle 24, and an operation indicator 28 indicating the operation status is provided around the operation dial 22, for example, on a display member 25 (described later with reference to FIG. 4 ) on the combustion device main body 14 side. The operation indicator 28 has, for example, display sections for "extinguish," "ignite," and "combustion," and the "combustion" display section further includes display sections for "high" and "low." The angle indicator 26 (triangle 24) on the operation dial 22 and the operation indicator 28 on the display member 25 on the combustion device main body 14 side indicate the operation status of the combustion device 2, and the operation status of the combustion device 2 can be visually confirmed by looking at the display of the angle indicator 26. Note that in this embodiment, the angle indicator 26 on the operation dial 22 is a triangle 24, but instead of the triangle 24, a circle, a square, a line, an arrow, or various other symbols may be used.

[0040] 2, when the triangular mark 24 of the operation dial 22 of the operating member 20 is positioned at an extinguishing angle position (also referred to as the "extinguishment position") that matches the "extinguishment" display section of the operation display 28, the fuel switching valve 8 is switched to the extinguishing state and the combustion device 2 is in the extinguishing state, as will be described later. When the triangular mark 24 of the operation dial 22 is positioned at an ignition angle position (also referred to as the "ignition position") that matches the "ignition" display section of the operation display 28, the fuel switching valve 8 is switched to the ignition state and the combustion device 2 is in the ignition state, as will be described later. When the triangular mark 24 of the operation dial 22 is positioned at a combustion angle position (this combustion display section is provided over a predetermined angle range) that matches the "combustion" display section of the operation display 28, the fuel switching valve 8 is switched to the combustion state and the combustion device 2 is in the combustion state, as will be described later.

[0041] The relationship between the angle position of angle indicator 26 of operation dial 22 (i.e., the operation state indicated by triangle mark 24) and the switching state of fuel selector valve 8 is configured to be as shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 3 together with Fig. 1, when triangle mark 24 of operation dial 22 is positioned at the extinguishing angle position (extinguished position) indicating the "Extinguished" indicator of operation indicator 28, fuel selector valve 8 is maintained in the extinguished state. In this extinguished state, gas delivery line G and fuel supply line P are closed by fuel selector valve 8, and fuel (first fuel) from gas cylinder 16 and fuel 10 (second fuel) from fuel tank 12 are not delivered to combustion burner 4 through fuel vaporization tube 6. At this time, the gas supply line A and the fuel supply line B are connected, and the outside atmosphere (atmospheric pressure) acts on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12 through the combustion burner 4, the vaporization combustion supply line K, the fuel vaporization tube 6, the fuel supply line B, and the gas supply line A.

[0042] When this triangular mark 24 is positioned at the ignition angle position (ignition position) indicating the "ignition" display section of the operation display 28, the fuel switching valve 8 is maintained in the ignition state, and in this ignition state, the gas supply line G and the gas supply line A are connected, and the fuel (first fuel) from the gas bottle 16 is supplied to the top of the fuel tank 12 (i.e., the space above the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12) through the fuel switching valve 8 and the gas supply line A, and the gas pressure of the fuel from the gas bottle 16 acts on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12. In addition, in this ignition state, the gas supply line G and the fuel supply line B are connected, and fuel (first fuel) from the gas cylinder 16 is supplied to the fuel vaporization tube 6 through the fuel switching valve 8 and the fuel supply line B, and further supplied to the combustion burner 4 through the vaporized fuel supply line K, and the fuel from the gas cylinder 16 is ignited and burned in the combustion burner 4.

[0043] At this time, the pressure of the fuel from the gas cylinder 16 is adjusted by the regulator 18, as described below, and the pressure-adjusted fuel is supplied to the top of the fuel tank 12 through the fuel switching valve 8 and also supplied to the combustion burner 4 through the fuel vaporization tube 6.

[0044] When the triangular mark 24 is positioned at a combustion angle position (combustion position) that indicates the "combustion" indicator on the operation display 28, the fuel switching valve 8 is maintained in a combustion state, and in this combustion state, the gas delivery line G and the gas delivery line A are connected, and as described above, fuel (first fuel) from the gas bottle 16 is delivered to the top of the fuel tank 12 through the fuel switching valve 8 and the gas delivery line A, and the gas pressure of the fuel from the gas bottle 16 acts on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12. Also, in this combustion state, the fuel supply line P and the fuel delivery line B are connected, and the fuel (second fuel) from the fuel tank 12 is delivered to the fuel vaporization tube 6 through the fuel switching valve 8 and the fuel delivery line B, and after being vaporized in the fuel vaporization tube 6 as described below, is delivered to the combustion burner 4 through the vaporized fuel delivery line K, and the fuel from the fuel tank 12 is combusted in the combustion burner 4.

[0045] At this time, as in the above, the pressure of the fuel from the gas cylinder 16 is adjusted by the regulator 18, and the pressure-adjusted fuel is supplied to the top of the fuel tank 12 through the fuel selector valve 8. For example, when the operation dial 22 is turned a small amount and the triangle mark 24 points to the "strong" indicator of the "combustion" indicator, the pressure in the secondary chamber (not shown) of the regulator 18 is adjusted to be higher, and when the operation dial 22 is turned a large amount and the triangle mark 24 points to the "weak" indicator of the "combustion" indicator, the pressure in the secondary chamber (not shown) of the regulator is adjusted to be lower, and the pressure of the fuel supplied from the gas cylinder 16 to the fuel tank 12 is adjusted in accordance with the amount of rotation, as described below.

[0046] For example, when the pressure of fuel from the gas cylinder 16 is adjusted by the regulator 18 to be higher (or lower), the fuel with increased (or decreased) pressure acts on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12 through the fuel switching valve 8 and the gas supply line A. This increases (or decreases) the force pushing out the fuel in the fuel tank 12, and more (or less) fuel 10 is sent out through the fuel supply line P, thereby adjusting the amount of fuel supplied through the fuel supply line P.

[0047] The fuel device main body 14 shown in Figures 1 to 3 can be realized, for example, as shown in Figures 4 to 7. In Figures 4 to 7, members corresponding to those in Figures 1 and 2 will be described using the same reference numerals.

[0048] 4 and 5, the fuel system main body 14 of the illustrated fuel system 2 includes a substantially cylindrical fuel tank 12, which is installed on the ground, floor, or the like. The upper portion of the fuel tank 12 is tapered into a conical shape, and an operation control unit 32 including a fuel switching valve 8 (combustion / fuel control valve) and a regulator 18 is provided at this tapered upper end, and a combustion unit 34 including a combustion burner 6 and a fuel vaporization tube 6 is provided above the operation control unit 32. Note that gas cylinders are omitted from the illustration in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0049] The illustrated combustion section 34 includes a combustion burner 4 formed in an inverted cone shape, and a number of flame holes (not shown) are provided on the surface (top) of the combustion burner 4. The fuel vaporization tube 6 is made of a metal tube and is arranged in a U-shape above the combustion burner 4. One end of the fuel vaporization tube 6 is connected to a fuel delivery line (not shown) (e.g., a fuel delivery pipe) and the other end is connected to a vaporized fuel delivery line (not shown) (e.g., a vaporized fuel delivery pipe). One end of the fuel vaporization tube 6 may be directly connected to a fuel delivery port (a third port, described later) of the fuel switching valve 8, or the other end may be directly connected to an inlet-side connection portion of the combustion burner 4.

[0050] Ring-shaped heat dissipation members 36, 38 are provided above the combustion burner 4 and the fuel vaporization tube 6, and the heat dissipation members 36, 38 are heated by combustion from the combustion burner 4. The combustion section 34 further includes a cylindrical transparent cover 40 that defines a combustion space 42, and the combustion burner 4, the fuel vaporization tube 6, and the heat dissipation members 36, 38 are housed within the combustion space 42 inside the transparent cover 40. A metal top plate 44 is provided on the upper end of the transparent cover 40.

[0051] Because of this configuration, the heat dissipation members 36, 38 are heated by the heat from the combustion burner 4, and the heat from these heat dissipation members 36, 38 is dissipated to the surroundings through the transparent cover 40 and also dissipated upward through the top plate 44. This dissipated heat can be used to warm the surroundings as a portable stove (for outdoor use, camping, etc.), and can also be used as a cooking or heating tool by placing pots, frying pans, etc. on the top plate 44. Furthermore, the light irradiated by the combustion of the combustion burner 4 can be used as an indoor or outdoor lighting device (a so-called lighting lantern), and the device can be used as a combustion device for outdoor use, camping, etc., such as a portable stove, cooking or heating tool, lighting device, etc.

[0052] Next, the operation control unit 32 will be described. The operation control unit 32 includes a fuel switching valve 8 (combustion / fuel control valve) for controlling the supply of fuel fed to the combustion burner 4. As shown in Fig. 8, the fuel switching valve 8 includes a valve housing 48 and a flow path switching valve element 50 housed in the valve housing 48, and the flow path is switched by the valve housing 48 and the flow path switching valve element 50 as will be described later. The specific configurations of the valve housing 48 and the flow path switching valve element 50 will be described later.

[0053] 4 and 5 as well as FIG. 8, in this embodiment, a shaft 52 is provided integrally with the flow path switching valve element 50, and one end (tip) of the shaft 52 penetrates one end face of the valve housing 48 (the left end face in FIG. 4 and the right end face in FIG. 8) and protrudes outward. The protruding end of the shaft 52 is attached to the operation dial 22 of the operation member 20, and the angle indicator 26 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the surface of the operation dial 22. The indicator member 25 is attached from the bottom surface of the combustion section 34 to the valve housing 48, and is disposed between the fuel tank 12 and the combustion section 34. An opening (not shown) is provided in the approximate center of the indicator member 25, and the shaft 52 from the flow path switching valve element 50 extends outward through this opening, and the operation dial 22 is attached to the tip of the shaft 52 from the outside of the indicator member 25. The operation indicator 28 shown in FIG. 2 is provided on the surface of the indicator member 25.

[0054] The fuel switching valve 8 is provided with a valve position holding mechanism 54 for holding the flow path switching valve element 50 at an extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position) and an ignition angle position (ignition position). Referring to Fig. 6, the valve position holding mechanism 54 has a control cam 56 attached to a shaft portion 52 extending from the flow path switching valve element 52, a swing lever 58 attached so as to be able to swing freely, a driven roller 60 attached to the swing lever 58, and a torsion coil spring (not shown) (constituting elastic biasing means) for example, that elastically biases the swing lever 58 toward the control cam 56.

[0055] In this embodiment, the base of the swing lever 58 is swingably attached to the valve housing 48 via a pin 62, and a support pin 64 is attached to the tip of the swing lever 58. The driven roller 60 is rotatably mounted on this support pin 64. A torsion coil spring (not shown) is disposed so as to fit over the pin 62, with one end of the spring engaged with the valve housing 48 and the other end of the spring engaged with the swing lever 58. The torsion coil spring (not shown) elastically biases the driven roller 60 toward the circumferential surface of the control cam 56, as shown by arrow 66 in FIG. 6.

[0056] The control cam 56 is attached to the flow path switching valve element 50 side, and in this embodiment, is fixed to a shaft 52 extending from the flow path switching valve element 50 (specifically, to a portion between the valve housing 48 and the operating member 20) (see FIG. 8). Because of this configuration, when the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is rotated, the control cam 56 also rotates integrally therewith, and the driven roller 60 of the swing lever 58 moves relatively along the circumferential surface of the control cam 56 as it rotates.

[0057] A fire-extinguishing recess 68 is provided on the peripheral surface of this control cam 56 in correspondence with the fire-extinguishing angle position (fire-extinguishing position) of the operating member 20 (operating dial 22), and an ignition recess 70 is provided in correspondence with the ignition angle position (ignition position). The fire-extinguishing recess 68 and the ignition recess 70 are formed in an arc shape that roughly corresponds to the outer shape of the driven roller 60, and when the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is positioned at the fire-extinguishing angle position (fire-extinguishing position), as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the driven roller 60 of the swing lever 58 fits into and engages with the fire-extinguishing recess 68 of the control cam 56, and the operating member 20 (and the flow path switching valve body 50 integrated therewith) is maintained in the fire-extinguishing state. Furthermore, when the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is positioned at the ignition angle position (ignition position), the driven roller 60 of the swing lever 58 fits into and engages with the ignition recess 68 of the control cam 56, and the operating member 20 (and the flow path switching valve body 50 integral with it) is maintained in the ignition state.

[0058] In this embodiment, both the fire-extinguishing recess 68 and the ignition recess 70 are provided in the control cam 56, but instead of this configuration, only the fire-extinguishing recess 68 (or the ignition recess 70) may be provided to maintain the extinguishing state (or the ignition state).

[0059] In this embodiment, an end face cam 73 is provided on the end face (the end face opposite to shaft portion 52) of flow path switching valve element 50, and end face cam 73 is configured to adjust the pressure in a secondary chamber (described later) of regulator 18. Specifically, when triangular mark 24 (see FIG. 2) of operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is rotated toward the "strong" display portion of the "combustion" display portion of display member 25 (see FIG. 4), the pressure in the secondary chamber (described later) of regulator 18 is adjusted to increase, and when triangular mark 24 (see FIG. 2) is rotated toward the "weak" display portion of the "combustion" display portion of display member 25 (see FIG. 4), the pressure in the secondary chamber (described later) of regulator 18 is decreased; a specific configuration thereof will be described later.

[0060] In this embodiment, the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) can be relatively rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 72 from the extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position) toward the ignition angle position (ignition position), but is configured so that it cannot be rotated in the opposite direction from the extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position) toward the combustion angle position (combustion position), and a reverse prevention mechanism 75 is provided to prevent rotation in this opposite direction.

[0061] In this embodiment, the reverse prevention mechanism 75 is formed by enlarging a portion of the extinguishing recess 68 of the control cam 56, and in Fig. 7, the ridge 77 on the combustion side of the extinguishing recess 68 is protruded so that the driven roller 60 cannot move beyond the extinguishing angle position toward the combustion angle position. By configuring it in this way, it is not possible to position the driven roller 60 directly from the extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position) to the combustion angle position (combustion position), and erroneous operation during combustion can be prevented.

[0062] This operating member (operating dial 22) is configured so that it can be rotated in a forward direction from the ignition angle position (ignition position) to the combustion angle position (combustion position), and can also be rotated in a reverse direction from this ignition angle position to the extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position).In order to allow for forward and reverse rotation from the ignition angle position (ignition position), the extinguishing side crest and combustion side crest of the ignition recess 70 of the control cam 56 are rounded so that the driven roller 60 can ride over them, thereby returning the combustion burner 4 from its ignition state to its extinguishing state and forcibly ending the ignition combustion of the combustion burner 4.

[0063] Furthermore, this operating member (operating dial 22) is configured so that it can be rotated in the forward direction from the combustion angle position (ignition position) to the extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position), and can also be rotated in the reverse direction from this combustion angle position to the ignition angle position (ignition position).In order to allow rotation in the forward and reverse directions from the combustion angle position in this way, the extinguishing side (forward direction side) of the combustion part of the control cam 56 does not have a ridge to be overcome, and the ignition side ridge is formed round so that the driven roller 60 can overcome it.By configuring it in this way, it is possible to return the combustion burner 4 from its combustion state to its ignition state and ignite it again.

[0064] The relative positional relationship between the driven roller 60 and the control cam 56 when the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) has rotated once is as shown in Figure 7. At the extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position), the driven roller 60 is located at the relative position shown by the solid line in Figure 7 and engages with the extinguishing recess 68 of the control cam 56, the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is held at this extinguishing angle position, and the flow path switching valve element 50 is held in the extinguishing state, which will be described later. At the ignition angle position (ignition position), the driven roller 60 is located at the relative position shown by the dashed-dotted line 60A in Figure 7 and engages with the ignition recess 70 of the control cam 56, the operating member 20 is held at this ignition angle position, and the flow path switching valve element 50 is held in the ignition state, which will be described later.

[0065] 7, the operating member 20 is held at this combustion angle position, and the flow path switching valve body 50 is held in a combustion state (strong combustion state, medium combustion state, weak combustion state) described below. In the strong combustion state, the driven roller 60 is held at the relative position shown by the dot-dash line 60B, in the medium combustion state, the driven roller 60 is held at the relative position shown by the dot-dash line 60C, and in the weak combustion state, the driven roller 60 is held at the relative position shown by the dot-dash line 60D.

[0066] Next, the fuel switching valve 8 (combustion / fuel control valve) used in this combustion device 2 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 12. The illustrated valve housing 48 has a housing main body 79 and a housing half 81 attached to this housing main body 79, and the valve housing 48 is composed of two members 79, 81. Note that this valve housing 48 may also be composed of three or more members.

[0067] The valve housing 48 (housing main body 79 and housing half 81) has four ports, i.e., first to fourth ports 82, 84, 86, and 88. The first port 82 is connected to a gas supply line G (i.e., the gas cylinder 16 as a first fuel supply source), the second port 84 is connected to a fuel supply line P (i.e., the bottom of the fuel tank 12 as a second fuel supply source), the third port 86 is connected to a fuel supply line B (i.e., the combustion burner 4 via the fuel vaporization tube 6), and the fourth port 88 (88a, 88b) is connected to a gas supply line A (i.e., the upper space in the fuel tank 12). In this embodiment, there are two fourth ports, and one fourth port 88a is connected to the gas supply line A, and the other fourth port 88b is connected to the upper space in the fuel tank 12.

[0068] When the fuel switching valve 8 (combustion / fuel control valve) is in the extinguished state, its flow path switching valve element 50 is maintained in the state shown in Fig. 10. That is, the first port 82 and the second port 84 are closed by the flow path switching valve element 50, thereby blocking communication between the gas delivery line G and the fuel supply line P and the fuel delivery line B, and the fuel (first fuel) from the gas cylinder 16 and the fuel (second fuel) from the fuel tank 12 are not delivered to the combustion burner 4 through the fuel delivery line B. At this time, the fourth port 88b and the third port 86 are connected through the flow path 90 (flow path sections 90a, 90b and 90c) of the flow path switching valve body 50, and the upper space in the fuel tank 12 is connected to the combustion burner 4 through the gas supply line A, the flow path 90 (flow path sections 90a, 90b and 90c) of the flow path switching valve body 50 of the fuel switching valve 8, the fuel supply line B, the fuel vaporization tube 6 and the vaporized fuel supply line K, thereby maintaining the inside of the fuel tank 12 at atmospheric pressure (i.e., atmospheric pressure acts on the fuel in the fuel tank 12).

[0069] When this fuel switching valve 8 (combustion / fuel control valve) is in the ignition state, its flow path switching valve element 50 is maintained in the state shown in Fig. 11. That is, the first port 82 and the fourth port 88a are communicated through the flow path 92 (flow path portions 92a, 92b, and 92c) of the flow path switching valve element 50, and the fourth port 88b and the third port 86 are communicated through the flow path 90 (flow path portions 90a, 90b, and 90c) of the flow path switching valve element 50.

[0070] Since the flow path switching valve body 50 is switched in this manner, the fuel (first fuel) supplied from the gas cylinder 16 through the gas supply flow path G and the regulator 18 to the first port 82 is supplied to the upper space of the fuel tank 12 through the flow path 92 (flow path sections 92a, 92b, and 92c) of the flow path switching valve body 50 and the gas supply line A, and as a result, the pressure of the fuel supplied through the first port 82 acts on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12.

[0071] Furthermore, the fuel delivered to the upper space within the fuel tank 12 is delivered from the fourth port 88b through the flow path 90 (flow path portions 90a, 90b, and 90c) of the flow path switching valve body 90, the third port 86, the fuel delivery line B, the fuel vaporization tube 6, and the vaporized fuel delivery line K to the combustion burner 4, where the fuel (first combustion) from the gas cylinder 16 is ignited and burned by the combustion burner 4. Since the fuel (first fuel) supplied from the gas cylinder 16 is a fuel that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure, such as LP gas, it is possible to easily ignite and burn the fuel (first fuel) by bringing a flame close to the fuel (first fuel) ejected from the flame hole of the combustion burner 4 without preheating it in the fuel vaporization tube 6, and the fuel vaporization tube 6 can be warmed by this ignition and combustion.

[0072] 12. That is, the first port 82 and the fourth port 88a are communicated through a flow path 92 (flow path portions 92a, 92b, and 92c) of the flow path switching valve element 50, and the second port 84 and the third port 86 are communicated through a flow path 94 (flow path portions 94a and 94b) of the flow path switching valve element 50. At this time, the fourth port 88b is closed by the flow path switching valve element 50.

[0073] Since the flow path switching valve body 50 is switched in this manner, the fuel (first fuel) supplied from the gas cylinder 16 to the first port 82 through the gas supply flow path G and the regulator 18 is supplied to the upper space of the fuel tank 12 through the flow path 92 (flow path sections 92a, 92b, and 92c) of the flow path switching valve body 50 and the gas supply line A, just as in the ignition state, and as a result, the pressure of the fuel supplied through the first port 82 acts on the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12.

[0074] In addition, the fuel (second fuel) in the fuel tank 12 is supplied from the second port 84 through the flow path 94 (flow path sections 94a and 94b) of the flow path switching valve body 50, the third port 86, the fuel supply line B, the fuel vaporization tube 6 and the vaporized fuel supply line K to the combustion burner 4, and is combusted in this combustion burner 4.

[0075] In this combustion device 2, the operating member 20 is positioned at the ignition angle position (ignition position) to ignite and burn the fuel (first fuel) from the gas cylinder 16, and then positioned at the combustion angle position (combustion position) to burn the fuel (second fuel) from the fuel tank 12. During this combustion, the combustion vaporization tube 6 is heated, and therefore the fuel (second fuel) from the fuel tank 12 is vaporized by the heat from the fuel vaporization tube 6, and the vaporized fuel is delivered to the combustion burner 4 through the vaporized fuel delivery line K and burned.

[0076] A fuel that is vaporized by heating, such as kerosene, is used as the fuel (second fuel) supplied from the fuel tank 12, and this fuel (second fuel) is vaporized in the combustion vaporization tube 6 that is heated by ignition combustion before being sent to the combustion burner 4, so that it is stably burned in the combustion burner 4. After this fuel is vaporized, the fuel vaporization tube 6 is heated by using the combustion heat of the fuel (second fuel), and the fuel from the fuel tank 12 is vaporized.

[0077] This combustion device 2 has the following features. First, when burning the fuel (second fuel) in the fuel tank 12 with the combustion burner 4, the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is positioned at the ignition angle position (ignition position) to perform ignition combustion (preheating combustion), and after the fuel vaporization tube 6 is warmed by this ignition combustion, it is positioned at the combustion angle position (combustion position) to perform combustion. Therefore, the operation for burning the combustion burner 4 is easy and simple, and a user-friendly combustion device 2 can be provided.

[0078] Second, since the first fuel (such as LP gas) that is easily vaporized at room temperature and pressure is used during ignition and combustion, ignition and combustion can be easily performed, and since the second fuel (such as kerosene) that is vaporized by heating is used after ignition and combustion, fuel costs can be reduced. Generally, fuels that are easily vaporized at room temperature and pressure (such as LP gas) have high fuel costs, whereas the second fuel (such as kerosene) that is vaporized by heating has low fuel costs. Therefore, by using the first fuel only during ignition and combustion to facilitate ignition and combustion, and using the second fuel for combustion after ignition and combustion (in other words, after the fuel vaporization tube 6 has warmed up), the total cost of fuel used can be reduced, and the cost of fuel used can be reduced.

[0079] In this combustion device 2, the operation control unit 32 is provided with a regulator 18, which can adjust the pressure of the fuel (first fuel) fed to the first port 82 of the fuel switching valve 8. Referring again to Figures 8 and 9, the illustrated regulator 18 includes a regulator body 100, to which an attachment member 102 is attached, and by screwing the attachment member 102 into the other end of the valve housing 48 (the end on the left side in Figures 8 and 9), the regulator 18 is attached to the other end of the fuel switching valve 8.

[0080] This regulator 18 has the same basic configuration as commonly known regulators, and includes a primary chamber 106, a secondary chamber 108, and an atmospheric chamber 110, with the secondary chamber 108 and the atmospheric chamber 110 separated by a diaphragm 112. The primary chamber 106 is defined by a regulator body 100, and a gas cylinder 16 is detachably attached to a connection part 114 provided at one end of the regulator body 100. This connection part 114 has a built-in on-off valve 116, and when the gas cylinder 16 is attached, the on-off valve 116 is opened and the fuel (first fuel) in the gas cylinder 16 is supplied to the primary chamber 106 of the regulator 18. When the gas cylinder 16 is removed, the on-off valve 116 is closed.

[0081] The secondary chamber 108 is defined on one side (the left side in Figures 8 and 9) of the diaphragm 112, and a valve means 118 is provided between this secondary chamber 108 and the primary chamber 106. The atmospheric chamber 110 is defined on the other side (the right side in Figures 8 and 9) of the diaphragm 112, and a pressure adjustment spring 122 is provided on this atmospheric chamber 110 side, and this pressure adjustment spring 122 is configured to act on the other side of the diaphragm 112. In this configuration, one end of the pressure adjustment spring 122 is held in contact with a flange portion 126 of the adjustment member 124, and the other end is held in contact with the other side of the diaphragm 112.

[0082] Furthermore, an action protrusion 128 that protrudes toward the flow path switching valve element 50 is provided on one end side of the adjustment member 124, and is configured so that the end face cam 73 of the flow path switching valve element 50 abuts against the end face of this action protrusion 128. Because of this configuration, when the operating member 20 (operation dial 22) is operated so that the convex portion (or concave portion) of the end face cam 73 of the flow path switching valve element 50 acts on the action protrusion 128, the adjustment member 124 is moved in a direction approaching (or away from) the diaphragm 112 via this convex portion (or concave portion), whereby the pressure adjustment spring 122 is elastically deformed in the direction in which it contracts (or extends), and the adjustment pressure acting on the diaphragm 112 is adjusted to be larger (or smaller).

[0083] Furthermore, a valve spring 130 is provided on the primary chamber 106 side, and this valve spring 130 elastically holds the valve means 118 in a closed state via a transmission mechanism 134 including a slide member 132.

[0084] In this regulator 18, the valve means 118 is controlled to open and close depending on the pressure difference between the elastic force of the pressure adjustment spring 122 and the pressure (secondary pressure) in the secondary chamber 108. When the secondary pressure in the secondary chamber 108 is balanced with the set pressure of the pressure adjustment spring, the valve means 118 is closed, and the flow of fuel (first fuel) from the primary chamber 106 to the secondary chamber 108 stops. However, when the secondary pressure in the secondary chamber 108 becomes smaller than the set pressure of the pressure adjustment spring, the valve means 118 is opened, and the fuel (first fuel) flows from the primary chamber 106 to the secondary chamber 108. By controlling the opening and closing of the valve means 118 in this manner, the pressure of the fuel (first fuel) flowing from the primary chamber 106 to the secondary chamber 108 can be set to the set pressure.

[0085] Then, when the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is operated so that the convex portion of the end cam 73 of the flow path switching valve element 50 acts on the action protrusion 128, this convex portion moves the adjustment member 124 in a direction approaching the diaphragm 112, compressing the pressure adjustment spring 122. When the pressure adjustment spring 122 is compressed in this manner, the adjustment pressure acting on the diaphragm 112 increases, and by operating in this manner, the pressure of the fuel flowing into the secondary-side chamber 108 is adjusted to be higher.

[0086] Furthermore, when the operating member 20 is operated so that the recessed portion of the end cam 73 of the flow path switching valve element 50 acts on the action protrusion 128, this recessed portion moves the adjustment member 124 in a direction away from the diaphragm 112, and the compressed state of the pressure adjustment spring 122 is restored. When the pressure adjustment spring 122 is restored in this manner, the adjustment pressure acting on the diaphragm 112 decreases, and by operating in this manner, the pressure of the fuel flowing into the secondary-side chamber 108 is adjusted to be lower.

[0087] In this embodiment, when the operating member 20 (operating dial 22) is positioned at the ignition angle position (ignition position) or on the strong combustion side of the combustion angle position (combustion position), the convex portion of the end face cam 73 of the flow path switching valve body 50 is configured to act on the action protrusion 128 of the adjustment member 124, and further when it is positioned at the extinguishing angle position (extinguishing position) or on the weak combustion side of the combustion angle position (combustion position), the concave portion of this end face cam 73 is configured to act on the action protrusion 128 of the adjustment member 124.

[0088] By configuring the end surface cam 73 in this way, it is possible to supply a large amount of fuel (first fuel) from the gas cylinder 16 to the combustion burner 4 during ignition and combustion, thereby causing strong combustion, and in a strong combustion state during combustion, it is possible to increase the pressure acting on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12, thereby increasing the amount of fuel 10 (second fuel) supplied from the fuel tank 12, thereby causing strong combustion in the combustion burner 4. In addition, in a weak combustion state during combustion, it is possible to decrease the pressure acting on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12, thereby decreasing the amount of fuel 10 (second fuel) supplied from the fuel tank 12, thereby causing weak combustion in the combustion burner 4.

[0089] 1, in this regulator 18, the secondary-side chamber 108 and the combustion burner 4 are connected via a relief line R (which functions as a relief flow path), and a relief valve (not shown) is provided on the inlet side of this relief line R. In this embodiment, the relief valve (not shown) is configured by a part of the diaphragm 112, and when the pressure in the secondary-side chamber 108 (secondary-side pressure) becomes higher than the set pressure set by the pressure adjustment spring 122, the diaphragm 112 elastically deforms to open a relief hole (not shown), and the fuel (first fuel) in the secondary-side chamber 108 is fed from the outlet side of the relief hole through the relief line R to the combustion burner 4 and is combusted by the combustion burner 4.

[0090] For example, when the combustion state of the combustion burner 4 is changed from a strong combustion side to a weak combustion side during combustion, the pressure acting on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 in the fuel tank 12 (the secondary pressure of the regulator 18) is adjusted from a high state to a low state. In such a case, the gas (first fuel) in the fuel tank 12 is supplied to the combustion burner 4 through the relief line R so that the gas pressure acting on the liquid surface of the fuel 10 (i.e., the pressure of the first fuel) is lowered, and the gas from the fuel tank 12 is burned together with the fuel (second fuel) from the fuel tank 12. By burning in this manner, the gas (first fuel) in the fuel tank 12 is not released into the surroundings, making it possible to provide an environmentally friendly combustion device.

[0091] Next, a second embodiment of a combustion apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 15. In the first embodiment described above, one valve means (switching valve) was used to switch the fuel supplied to the combustion burner and to apply pressure to the fuel (its liquid level) in the fuel tank. However, in this second embodiment, two valve means are used to switch the fuel supplied to the combustion burner and to apply pressure to the fuel in the fuel tank: a first valve means (switching valve) for switching the fuel, and a second valve means (communication on-off valve) for applying pressure to the fuel tank. Furthermore, a needle valve is used to supply fuel and control the amount of fuel supplied. Note that Figure 13 shows a simplified diagram of another example of a combustion apparatus, and Figure 14 shows a second embodiment of a combustion apparatus that is a specific product of the simplified combustion apparatus of Figure 13.

[0092] 13 and 14, the illustrated combustion device 202 includes a combustion burner 204, a fuel vaporization tube 206, and a fuel cylinder 212, similar to the first embodiment described above, and this fuel cylinder 212 (second fuel supply source) is filled with fuel (second fuel) that is vaporized by heating. Although this combustion device 202 differs in form from the combustion device described above (shown in FIGS. 1 to 12), the combustion burner 204, the fuel vaporization tube 206, and the fuel cylinder 212 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment described above, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, similar components to those described above are assigned the same reference numerals to facilitate understanding.

[0093] This combustion device 202 further includes a gas tank 216 (first fuel supply source) filled with fuel (e.g., LP gas) that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure (first combustion), and in this second embodiment as well, the fuel (first fuel) from the gas tank 216 is supplied to the combustion burner 204 and burned at the time of ignition and combustion, and the fuel 210 (second fuel) from the fuel cylinder 212 is supplied to the fuel burner 204 and burned at the time of combustion after ignition and combustion, and the pressure of the fuel in the gas tank 216 acts on the liquid surface of the fuel 210 in the fuel cylinder 212.

[0094] In the second embodiment, the first fuel supply source is constituted by a gas tank 216, which is filled with a first fuel such as LP gas, and the second fuel supply source is constituted by a fuel cylinder 212, which is filled with a second fuel such as kerosene, but as in the first embodiment, the first fuel supply source may be constituted by a gas cylinder and the second fuel supply source may be constituted by a fuel tank.

[0095] In this embodiment, two valve means are used as valve means for controlling the opening, closing, and switching of the flow paths: a fuel switching valve 208 and a communication switching valve 209. The fuel switching valve 208 switches the fuel supplied to the combustion burner 204, and the communication switching valve 209 supplies and stops the supply of fuel from a gas tank 216.

[0096] 13, gas tank 216 and communication on-off valve 209 communicate with each other via gas feed line G (gas feed flow path), and although a regulator for adjusting the fuel pressure is omitted in this embodiment, a regulator may be provided in this gas feed line G. This communication on-off valve 209 communicates with the upper space of fuel cylinder 212 via gas feed line A (gas feed flow path), and this communication on-off valve 209 communicates with fuel switching valve 208 via first fuel feed line B1 (first fuel feed flow path). Furthermore, the lower part of the fuel cylinder 212 is connected to the fuel switching valve 208 via a fuel supply line P (fuel supply flow path), the fuel switching valve 208 is connected to the fuel vaporization tube 206 via a second fuel delivery line B2 (second fuel delivery flow path), and this fuel vaporization tube 206 is connected to the combustion burner 204 via a vaporized fuel delivery line K (vaporized fuel delivery flow path).

[0097] Fuel selector valve 208 includes a valve housing (not shown) and a flow path switching valve element (not shown) housed in this valve housing, and the valve housing and flow path switching valve element are built into housing main body 217. A shaft portion 252 extends outward from the flow path switching valve element, and an operating member (operating dial) 220 (see FIG. 13) is attached to this shaft portion 252. By rotating this operating member 220, the flow path switching valve element is rotated and fuel selector valve 208 is switched.

[0098] For example, the same markings as in the first embodiment are provided on the operating member 220 and around this operating member 220. For example, an angle marking (not shown) such as a triangle marking is provided on the surface of the operating member 220, and a display member 225 is attached to the housing main body 217, and an operation marking (not shown) is provided on the surface of this display member 225. This operation marking (not shown) has display sections for "extinguishing," "ignition," and "combustion," as described above, and the angle marking (for example, a triangle marking) on ​​the operating member 220 side and the operation marking (not shown) on the display member 225 indicate the operating state of the combustion device 202.

[0099] In this combustion device 202, a needle valve 221 is arranged in the second fuel supply line B2, and by rotating an operating part 223 of this needle valve 221, the flow path of the fuel supply line B2 (fuel supply flow path) can be closed or the opening degree of this flow path can be adjusted. By operating in this manner, it is possible to start and stop the supply of fuel (fuel from the gas tank 216 and fuel 210 from the fuel cylinder 212) supplied through the second fuel supply line B2, and to adjust the flow rate of the fuel flowing through this second fuel supply line B2.

[0100] In addition, a manual pressure pump 227 is provided in the housing main body 217, and this manual pressure pump 227 is connected to the fuel tank 212 through a pressurized gas supply line S. By manually operating this manual pressure pump 227, pressurized gas from the manual pressure pump 227 can be applied to the fuel 210 in the fuel cylinder 212.

[0101] The relationship between the angle position of the angle indicator (not shown) of the operating member 220 and the open / closed / switched states of the fuel switching valve 208 and the communication on-off valve 209 is configured to be as shown in Fig. 15. Referring to Fig. 15, when the angle indicator of the operating member 220 is located at the extinguishing angle position (extinguished position) indicating the "extinguished" indicator of the operation indicator of the display member 225, the fuel switching valve 208 is maintained in the extinguished state. In this extinguished state, the fuel supply line P is closed by the fuel switching valve 208, and the fuel 210 (second fuel) from the fuel cylinder 212 is not supplied to the combustion burner 204 through the fuel vaporization tube 206.

[0102] Also, at this time, the communication on-off valve 209 is manually held in a closed state, the gas feed line G is closed by the communication on-off valve 209, and the fuel (first fuel) from the gas tank 216 is not fed to the flow path switching valve 208 and the fuel cylinder 212. In this extinguishing state, the gas feed line A and the first gas feed line B1 are communicated via the communication on-off valve 209, and the first fuel feed line B1 and the second fuel feed line B2 are communicated via the fuel switching valve 208.

[0103] When the angle indicator of this operating member 220 is at an ignition angle position (ignition position) that indicates the "ignition" indicator portion of the operation indicator of the display member 225, the fuel switching valve 208 is maintained in an ignition state. In this ignition state, the first fuel delivery line B1 and the second fuel delivery line B2 are communicated via the fuel switching valve 208. Furthermore, by manually maintaining the communication on-off valve 209 in an open state, the gas delivery line G and the first fuel delivery line B1 are communicated via the communication on-off valve 209, and the gas delivery line G and the gas delivery line A are also communicated.

[0104] During ignition operation, this communication state is established, and fuel (first fuel) from the gas tank 216 is fed to the second fuel feed line B2 through the gas feed line G, the communication on-off valve 209, the first fuel feed line B1, and the fuel switching valve 208. When the needle valve 221 is opened in this state, the second fuel feed line B2 is opened, and the fuel (first fuel) from the gas tank 216 is further fed to the combustion burner 204 through the fuel vaporization tube 206 and the vaporized fuel feed line 204, where it is ignited and burned. During ignition and combustion, the flame of ignition and combustion can be adjusted to be stronger (or weaker) by increasing (or decreasing) the flow path opening of the needle valve 221.

[0105] Also, in this ignition state, fuel (first combustion) from the gas supply line G is supplied to the fuel cylinder 212 through the communication on-off valve 209 and the gas supply line A, whereby the pressure of the fuel in the gas tank 216 acts on the fuel 210 in the fuel cylinder 212.

[0106] Furthermore, when the angle indicator of this operating member 220 is located at a combustion angle position (combustion position) that indicates the "combustion" indicator portion of the operation indicator of display member 225, fuel switching valve 208 is maintained in the combustion state. In this combustion state, fuel supply line P and second fuel delivery line B2 are communicated via fuel switching valve 208. Furthermore, since communication on-off valve 209 is maintained in an open state, gas delivery line G and gas delivery line A are maintained in communication via communication on-off valve 209.

[0107] In the combustion state, since the fuel switching valve 208 is in this state, the fuel 210 (second fuel) from the fuel cylinder 212 is fed to the fuel switching valve 208 and the second fuel feed line B2, and the vaporized fuel vaporized in the fuel vaporizing tube 206 is fed to the combustion burner 204 through the vaporized fuel feed line 204, and in this way the fuel 210 (second fuel) from the fuel cylinder 212 is combusted. During this combustion, the flame strength during combustion can be adjusted by increasing (or decreasing) the flow path opening of the needle valve 221.

[0108] Furthermore, fuel (first fuel) from gas tank 216 is supplied to fuel cylinder 212 through gas supply line G, connecting valve 209, and gas supply line A, whereby the pressure of the fuel in gas tank 216 acts on fuel 210 (second fuel) in fuel cylinder 212, and in this way, pressure can be applied to fuel cylinder 212 using the fuel (first fuel) in gas tank 216.

[0109] In this second combustion device 202, to perform combustion in the combustion burner 204, the operating member 220 is positioned at the ignition angle position (ignition position), then the communication on-off valve 209 is opened, and then the neutral valve 221 is opened to perform ignition and combustion, and thereafter the operating member 220 is positioned at the combustion angle position (combustion position).

[0110] When the operating member 220 is positioned at the ignition angle position (ignition position), the first fuel delivery line B1 and the second fuel delivery line B2 are communicated via the fuel switching valve 208. When the communication on-off valve 209 is opened in this state, the gas delivery line G and the first fuel delivery line B1 are communicated, and when the needle valve 221 is further opened, the second fuel delivery line B2 is opened.

[0111] By operating in this manner, fuel (first fuel) from the gas tank 216 is fed to the combustion burner 204 through the communication on-off valve 209 and the fuel switching valve 208, the fuel (first combustion) from the gas tank 216 is ignited and burned, and the combustion heat warms the fuel vaporization tube 206. In addition, fuel from the gas tank 216 is fed to the fuel cylinder 212 through the communication on-off valve 209, and the gas pressure in the gas tank 216 acts on the liquid surface of the fuel (second fuel) in the fuel cylinder 208.

[0112] After the fuel vaporization tube 206 is warmed by this ignition combustion, the operating member 220 is positioned at the combustion angle position (combustion position), and the fuel supply line P and the second fuel delivery line B2 are communicated with each other while pressure from the gas tank 216 acts on the liquid surface of the fuel (second fuel) in the fuel cylinder 208. As a result, the fuel (second fuel) in the fuel cylinder 212 is supplied to the fuel vaporization tube 206 through the fuel gas supply line P and the second fuel delivery line B2, vaporized in the fuel vaporization tube 206, and then delivered to the combustion burner 204. In this way, the fuel from the fuel cylinder 212 is combusted in the fuel burner 204. In this way, the combustion device of the second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0113] The above describes embodiments of the combustion device and the combustion / fuel control valve used therein according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0114] For example, in the above-described embodiment, two types of fuel are used: a first fuel that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure, and a second fuel that is vaporized by heating. The first technology burns the first fuel during ignition and combustion, and the second fuel burns during combustion (so-called main combustion). The second technology applies a combination of the first and second technologies, which apply gas pressure to the liquid surface of the fuel in the fuel tank (fuel cylinder). However, it is not necessary to apply these two technologies (the first and second technologies) in combination; either the first or second technology can be applied independently. When applying the second technology, pressure from the first fuel supply source can be applied to the liquid surface of the fuel in the fuel tank (fuel cylinder), or a gas other than fuel, such as air filled in a cylinder, can also be applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 2,202 Combustion equipment 4,204 Combustion burner 6,206 Fuel vaporizer tube 8,208 Fuel switching valve (combustion / fuel control valve) 10 Fuel tank (second fuel supply source) 16 Gas Cylinder (First Fuel Source) 18 Regulator 20 Operating member 32 Operation control section 34 Combustion section 48 Valve housing 50 Flow path switching valve body 54 Valve position retention mechanism 56 Control Cam 82 Port 1 84 Second Port 86 Third Port 88, 88a, 88b 4th port 209 Connecting on-off valve 212 Fuel Cylinder (Second Fuel Supply Source) 216 Gas Tank (First Fuel Source) A Gas supply line (gas supply flow path) B, B1, B2 Fuel supply line (fuel supply flow path) G Gas supply line K Vaporized fuel delivery line (vaporized fuel delivery flow path) P Fuel supply line (fuel supply passage)

Claims

1. A combustion device comprising: a combustion burner for burning fuel gas; a fuel vaporization tube for heating and vaporizing fuel to be supplied to the fuel burner; a first fuel supply source filled with a first fuel that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure; a second fuel supply source filled with a second fuel that is vaporized by heating; a fuel switching valve for switching the fuel to be supplied to the combustion burner; and an operating member for operating the fuel switching valve, When the second fuel is combusted by the combustion burner, the operating member is configured to be positioned from an extinguishing position at which the combustion burner is extinguished, through an ignition position at which the combustion burner is ignited, to a combustion position at which the combustion burner is combusted, The combustion device is characterized in that the fuel switching valve blocks communication between the first and second fuel supply sources and the fuel vaporization tube when the operating member is positioned at the extinguishing position, connects the first fuel supply source and the fuel vaporization tube when the operating member is positioned at the ignition position, and connects the second fuel supply source and the fuel vaporization tube when the operating member is positioned at the combustion position.

2. 2. The combustion device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel switching valve comprises a flow path switching valve element for switching between the first fuel from the first fuel supply source and the second fuel from the second fuel supply source, and a valve housing that accommodates the flow path switching valve element, the flow path switching valve element being configured to rotate integrally with the operating member, and a valve position holding mechanism being provided in association with the operating member for holding the flow path switching valve element in the extinguishing position and / or the ignition position.

3. 3. The combustion device according to claim 2, wherein the valve position holding mechanism comprises a control cam that rotates integrally with the operating member, a swing lever attached so as to be swingable, a driven roller attached to the swing lever, and elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the driven roller toward the circumferential surface of the control cam, wherein the circumferential surface of the control cam is provided with a fire-extinguishing recess corresponding to the extinguishing position and an ignition recess corresponding to the ignition position, and when the operating member is positioned at the fire-extinguishing position, the driven roller of the swing lever engages with the fire-extinguishing recess of the control cam, and when the operating member is positioned at the ignition position, the driven roller of the swing lever engages with the ignition recess of the control cam.

4. The combustion device according to claim 3, characterized in that a reverse prevention mechanism is provided in association with the valve position holding mechanism to prevent the operating member from rotating in a reverse direction from the extinguishing position to the combustion position, and a part of the extinguishing recess of the control cam functions as the reverse prevention mechanism.

5. 2. The combustion device according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel supply source is a gas cylinder filled with fuel gas, the second fuel supply source is a fuel tank filled with kerosene, the fuel gas from the gas cylinder is supplied to the fuel tank via the fuel switching valve, and the fuel switching valve blocks communication between the inside of the gas cylinder and the inside of the fuel tank when the operating member is positioned at the extinguishing position, and connects the inside of the gas cylinder and the inside of the fuel tank when the operating member is positioned at the ignition position or the combustion position.

6. 2. The combustion device according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel supply source is a gas cylinder filled with fuel gas, the second fuel supply source is a fuel tank filled with kerosene, and in addition to the fuel switching valve, a communication on-off valve is further provided for feeding the fuel gas in the gas cylinder into the fuel tank, and the communication on-off valve blocks communication between the inside of the gas cylinder and the inside of the fuel tank when in a closed state, and communicates between the inside of the gas cylinder and the inside of the fuel tank when in an open state.

7. 7. The combustion device according to claim 5, wherein a regulator is provided on the supply side of the first fuel supply source, and the regulator adjusts the gas pressure of the fuel gas from the first fuel supply source and delivers the fuel gas downstream.

8. a communication valve disposed in the gas supply line; and a combustion burner for burning fuel gas. The communication valve is held open to communicate the gas cylinder with the fuel tank when fuel from the fuel tank is burned by the combustion burner, thereby allowing the pressure of the gas from the gas cylinder to act on the liquid surface of the fuel in the fuel tank through the gas supply line.

9. 9. The combustion device according to claim 8, wherein a regulator is provided in the gas supply line, and the regulator adjusts the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas cylinder to the fuel tank.

10. 10. The combustion device according to claim 9, wherein the regulator includes a primary chamber communicating with the gas cylinder, a secondary chamber communicating with the fuel tank, and an atmospheric chamber acting on the atmosphere, the atmospheric chamber and the secondary chamber being separated by a diaphragm, and further, an outlet side of a relief valve disposed in the secondary chamber is connected to the combustion burner via a relief line.

11. The combustion device according to claim 10, characterized in that an operating member for adjusting the combustion power of the combustion burner is provided in association with the combustion burner, the regulator is provided with a pressure adjustment mechanism for adjusting the pressure of the secondary chamber, and the rotational operation of the operating member is linked to the pressure adjustment mechanism of the regulator, so that when the operating member is rotated to increase the combustion power of the combustion burner, the rotational operation of the operating member is transmitted to the pressure adjustment mechanism of the regulator, and the pressure adjustment mechanism increases the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas cylinder to the fuel tank.

12. The combustion device described in claim 8, characterized in that the fuel filled in the fuel tank is kerosene, the gas filled in the gas cylinder is liquefied petroleum gas, the liquefied petroleum gas is supplied to the combustion burner when the combustion burner is ignited and burned, and the liquefied petroleum gas is supplied to the fuel tank when the combustion burner is ignited and burned, and acts on the liquid surface of the fuel.

13. a valve housing having first to fourth ports, a flow path switching valve element rotatably mounted within the valve housing, and an operating member that rotates integrally with the flow path switching valve, wherein the first port is connected to a first fuel supply source filled with a first fuel that is easily vaporized at room temperature and normal pressure, the second port is connected to a lower part of a second fuel supply source filled with a second fuel that is vaporized by heating, the third port is connected to a fuel vaporization tube for heating and vaporizing fuel to be supplied to a fuel burner, and the fourth port is connected to an upper part of the second fuel supply source, The operating member is configured to be positioned from an extinguishing position at which the combustion burner is extinguished, through an ignition position at which the combustion burner is ignited, to a combustion position at which the combustion burner is ignited, a flow path switching valve body that, at the extinguishing position, blocks communication between the first and second ports and the third port, and communicates the third port with the fourth port; that, at the ignition position, communicates the first port with the third and fourth ports; and that, at the combustion position, communicates the first port with the fourth port, and communicates the second port with the third port.

14. 14. The combustion and fuel control valve for a combustion device according to claim 13, wherein a regulator is attached to the valve housing to adjust the pressure of the first fuel from the first fuel supply source, and a secondary side of the regulator is connected to the first port of the valve housing.

15. 14. The combustion and fuel control valve of a fuel system according to claim 13, wherein the first fuel supply source is a gas cylinder filled with fuel gas, and the second fuel supply source is a fuel tank filled with kerosene.

Images