Claims
- 1. An apparatus for generating vapor from a liquid comprising:
- means for supplying liquid to be vaporized to a capillary boiler wick;
- the boiler wick being capable of transferring liquid from a first end to a second end by capillary action, the first end being in liquid transfer contact with the means for supplying liquid to the boiler wick, the boiler wick having a continuous peripheral edge, the second end and the continuous peripheral edge of the boiler wick being contained within a boiler wick containment means that is impermeable to liquids and vapors;
- a heat source for supplying heat of vaporization to liquid in the boiler wick; and
- at least one aperture in the boiler wick containment means in proximity to the second end of the boiler wick for releasing vapor at a pressure higher than the pressure of the liquid entering the first end of the boiler wick from which the vapor is created.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for supplying liquid to the boiler wick comprises a porous, capillary action supply wick.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid is a liquid fuel and the vapor is vaporized fuel.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising means for combusting the vaporized fuel.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising a jet former having a series of jet orifices providing fluid paths for vaporized fuel.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 5, additionally comprising a flame plate mounted in proximity to the jet former and sized to divert flames horizontally outward from the jet orifices.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising a manual control for varying the heat output of the stove.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising a starter assembly for initiating vaporization and combustion of liquid fuel.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the heat source derives heat from combustion of vaporized fuel.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat source is electrical.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat source is capable of providing a variable amount of heat to the boiler wick.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising a liquid reservoir.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for releasing vapor is an adjustable vapor valve.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the boiler wick containment means comprises a shroud in proximity to the continuous peripheral edge of the boiler wick and an aperture plate in proximity to the second end of the boiler wick.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the boiler wick containment means comprises a first member constructed from a material which is a poor conductor of heat and a second member constructed from a heat conductive material.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 14, additionally comprising a hot seat having an upper surface in proximity to a lower surface of the aperture plate, the hot seat deriving heat from combustion of vaporized fuel.
- 17. A stove capable of generating heat by combustion of a vaporized liquid fuel comprising:
- a capillary boiler wick having a first end in liquid transfer contact with a means for supplying liquid fuel to the boiler wick, a second end from which vaporized fuel exits, and one or more peripheral edges;
- a boiler wick containment means in proximity to the second end and one or more peripheral edges at the capillary boiler wick;
- a heat source for supplying heat of vaporization to liquid fuel in the boiler wick; and
- at least one aperture in the boiler wick containment means in proximity to the second end of the boiler wick for releasing fuel vapor from the boiler wick containment means at a pressure higher than the pressure of liquid fuel supplied to the first end of the boiler wick, whereby upon release from the boiler wick containment means, fuel vapor is mixed with oxygen to form a combustible mixture.
- 18. A lamp capable of generating light by combustion of a vaporized fuel comprising:
- a capillary boiler wick having a first end in liquid transfer contact with a means for supplying liquid fuel to the boiler wick, a second end from which vaporized fuel exits, and one or more peripheral edges;
- a boiler wick containment means in proximity to the second end and one or more peripheral edges at the capillary boiler wick;
- a heat source for supplying heat of vaporization to liquid fuel in the boiler wick; and
- at least one aperture in the boiler wick containment means in proximity to the second end of the boiler wick for releasing fuel vapor from the boiler wick containment means at a pressure higher than the pressure of liquid fuel supplied to the first end of the boiler wick, whereby upon release from the boiler wick containment means, fuel vapor is mixed with oxygen to form a combustible mixture.
- 19. An apparatus for generating vapor from a supply liquid and providing the vapor at a pressure higher than the pressure of the supply liquid, the apparatus comprising:
- a boiler wick in which the liquid is heated and vaporized;
- a heat source in thermal transfer relationship with the boiler wick;
- a vapor impermeable shroud in proximity to peripheral edges of the boiler wick; and
- an aperture plate having at least one aperture in proximity to the boiler wick, the aperture plate and the vapor impermeable shroud forming an enclosed space in which the boiler wick operates, and the aperture plate providing passage for vapor to be released from the enclosed space at a pressure higher than the pressure of the supply liquid.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the liquid is a liquid fuel and additionally comprising means for combusting the vaporized fuel.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the heat source derives heat from combustion of vaporized fuel.
- 22. A method for vaporizing a liquid comprising:
- introducing the liquid to a first end of a boiler wick capable of transporting liquid by capillary forces, the boiler wick being contained within a boiler wick containment means;
- establishing a thermal gradient within the boiler wick, wherein the temperature at the first end is generally ambient and the temperature at another area of the boiler wick corresponds to the vaporization temperature of the liquid;
- vaporizing liquid in proximity to the area of the boiler wick at a temperature corresponding to the vaporization temperature of the liquid to produce vapor; and
- pressurizing the vapor within the boiler wick containment means prior to releasing it, whereby vapor is released from the boiler wick containment means at a higher pressure than the pressure of the liquid introduced to the first end of the boiler wick.
- 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the liquid is fuel, additionally comprising releasing vapor from the boiler wick containment means, mixing the vapor to produce a combustible mixture, and igniting and burning the combustible mixture.
- 24. The method of claim 23, additionally comprising returning a portion of the heat generated during burning of the combustible mixture to a portion of the boiler wick for vaporizing the liquid fuel.
- 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the introduction of liquid adjusts itself automatically to the release of vapor.
- 26. The method of claim 22, wherein the location of vaporization within the boiler wick adjusts itself automatically to the release of vapor.
- 27. The method of claim 22, wherein the boiler wick is under control of a thermal servo.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/439,093, filed May 10, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,095 allowed Mar. 20, 1997.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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439093 |
May 1995 |
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