Touchless Fill Torch with Baffled Port and Wick Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Filling and maintenance of liquid fueled torches are inconvenient due to the need to handle a sooty wick and risk of spilling flammable fuel, and the wick size often results in inadequate combustion leading to small, smoky, or inefficient flames.

Innovation Solution

A touchless fill system with a fuel container, flame bowl, and wick holder, featuring a baffled fuel filling port that prevents ignition sources from entering while allowing liquid fuel to flow in, and a ventilation system to control vapor escape, ensuring safe and efficient refueling without manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the top of the canister is removed for filling, then fuel can be added to the torch, but the user must handle the sooty wick and risk spilling flammable fuel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel filling convenienceVSAvoidrisk of fuel spill and exposure to sooty wick

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filling port is segmented into multiple functional components: an open port for fuel addition, baffled barriers to prevent spills, and ignition source blocking mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to address specific safety concerns while maintaining the overall filling function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Baffled barriers and ignition source blocking mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the filling port and the fuel container. These intermediaries prevent direct contact between the user and harmful elements (sooty wick, flammable fuel) while still allowing the necessary fuel transfer to occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a funnel is used to prevent spilling, then fuel spillage is reduced, but the filling process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel spillage preventionVSAvoidfilling process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel function is merged into the baffled barriers that are already part of the filling port structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate funnel components while maintaining spill prevention functionality, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The baffled barriers are designed to automatically prevent spills through their structural configuration, requiring no additional user action or external tools. The structure itself provides the spill prevention function, simplifying the filling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If the wick diameter is increased to provide larger combustion surface area, then more fuel can be burned, but air and flame control becomes problematic resulting in small or smoky flame

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel combustion capacityVSAvoidflame quality and air control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wick holder provides localized support and positioning for the wick, ensuring optimal exposure to oxygen and flame. This localized control of wick positioning allows larger wicks to burn efficiently without compromising flame quality or air control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for changes in wick parameters (diameter, material properties) while maintaining reliable combustion through the optimized wick holder structure and airflow design. The system adapts to different wick configurations while preserving flame quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables safe and convenient refueling without touching the torch, enhances flame size and efficiency by allowing larger wick surface area, and improves light and insect repellent capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The open fuel filling port comprises at least one baffled barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBaffled barrier flow separation: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 2

The means for preventing entry of ignition sources may comprise a foam insert. In another embodiment, the means for preventing entry of ignition sources comprises steel wool, ball bearings, packing material, or wicking material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIgnition source blocking: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The torch may further comprise a ventilation tube connecting the fuel container to the flame bowl.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor flow control: Convection

Implementation Method 4

a wick holder disposed proximate the flame bowl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS8435029B2Touchless fill large flame torch

Publication Date: 2013.05.07 LAMPLIGHT FARMS INC

AI summary

An apparatus having a fuel container, a flame bowl, and a wick holder disposed proximate the flame bowl is disclosed. An open fuel filling port disposed in the flame bowl prevents entry of ignition sources into the fuel container but allows for the flow of liquid thereinto, whereby a user of the torch may refuel the torch without need to touch the torch.