Pellet burning heating assembly

• US 20080060632A1
• Filed: 09/07/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grillson GmbH
• Original Assignee: Patrick A. Leverty
• Inventors: Leverty, Patrick A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,530,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/1R
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/07 Roasting devices for outdoor use; Barbecues
• CPC Class Codes: F23B 50/06 the flue gases being removed downwards through one or more openings in the fuel-supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: F23B 60/02 with combustion air supplied through a grate
• CPC Class Codes: F23B 80/00 Combustion apparatus characterised by means creating a distinct flow path for flue gases or for non-combusted gases given off by the fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F23H 15/00 Cleaning arrangements for grates not forming part of the grate F23J1/00; Moving fuel along grates grates with bars rocked about their longitudinal axes and specially adapted for moving fuel along the grate F23H9/10; for travelling-grates F23H11/22
• CPC Class Codes: F23L 17/16 Induction apparatus, e.g. steam jet, acting on combustion products beyond the fire
• CPC Class Codes: F23L 3/00 Arrangements of valves or dampers before the fire
• CPC Class Codes: F23L 9/04 by discharging the air beyond the fire, i.e. nearer the smoke outlet

Abstract

A portable pellet fired heating element for mounting to a grill or stove and comprising a gravity fed pellet holder, a unitary tubular structure having a burner, an air intake and an exhaust chute. Fuel may be supplied to the pellet holder by various supply means such as a conveyer, ramp, scooped, held in bulk in a hopper, and like pellet supply structures and methods. Fuel is fed to the air-cooled insulated burner area onto a decomposer grate, which defines the primary combustion area and which is partially open to the atmosphere for air intake. An adjustable high-pressure flow of gas or vapor is introduced to the primary exhaust chute below the decomposer grate to create a low pressure flow above the grate and which upon ignition, cause flames to be pulled into the pellet mass on the grate. In operation, air from the primary air intake maintains hot charcoal in the primary combustion area, and the secondary combustion area provides a steady flow of wood gas that mixes with a predetermined or adjustable amount of air supplied by the secondary air intake to maintain the flame. The super heated gasses and any ash are provided to the grill or stove by means of the exhaust chute. For cleaning purposes, an electrical/mechanical device may be provided to move the decomposer grate or to provide a sudden burst of high gas pressure.

Claims

1. A portable burner assembly for burning pellets having a unitary burner housing having an open top and being constructed and arranged for mounting to an existing grill or stove comprising:

a) a pellet holding and delivery portion having a generally tubular insulated structure extending downward from said open top of said unitary burner housing;

b) a primary combustion portion positioned below and being in communication with said pellet holding and delivery portion;

c) a primary air intake means in communication with said primary combustion portion;

d) a pellet decomposing region positioned within said primary combustion portion;

e) a tubular exhaust portion extending from said pellet decomposing region and having an end for communicating with a grill or stove; and

f) a pressure differential means active in said tubular exhaust portion below said pellet decomposing region.

2. The portable burner assembly of claim 1, wherein said pressure differential means is selected from a pressure differential source consisting of a gas or vapor pressure source, a convection source and a mechanical generation structure in said tubular exhaust portion.

3. The portable burner assembly of claim 2, wherein said pellet decomposing region comprises a grate assembly and wherein cleaning means are provided for said grate assembly, said gas or vapor pressure source and said tubular exhaust portion.

4. The portable burner assembly of claim 1, wherein an automatic heating member is provided for said pellet decomposing region.

5. The portable burner assembly of claim 1, wherein diffuser means are provided and wherein a secondary exhaust tube is mounted to said diffuser means and extends beyond said end of said tubular exhaust portion.

6. The portable burner assembly of claim 1, wherein an electrical enclosure is attached to said unitary burner housing and wherein power means are provided in said electrical enclosure.

7. The portable burner assembly of claim 1, wherein a cover member is provided for the open top of said housing to cover said pellet holding and delivery portion.

8. The portable burner assembly of claim 1, wherein a pellet flow valve is provided in said pellet holding and delivery portion.

9. The portable burner assembly of claim 1, wherein a flame diffusing and directing means is in communication with said tubular exhaust portion.

10. A portable pellet fired heating element for grilles and stoves comprising:

a) a pellet holder having an open top;

b) a burner assembly having a housing with a decomposer grate providing a primary combustion area, said burner assembly having a plurality of cooling plates extending outward above said housing and a primary air intake communicating with said primary combustion area; and

c) an exhaust chute extending from said housing below said decomposer grate, said exhaust chute having an adjustable pressurized flow of gas or vapor in communication with said exhaust chute to provide a secondary combustion area and to provide a stream of heated air flow for use in grilles and stoves.

11. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein said pellet holder, insulated burner assembly and exhaust chute form a unitary, generally L-shaped structure.

12. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein said primary air intake includes an air nozzle assembly, a pump and an air supply line.

13. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein said exhaust chute comprises a primary exhaust chute and a secondary exhaust chute.

14. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein said cooling plates are spatially aligned and wherein insulators are interposed between said cooling plates.

15. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein said decomposer grate comprises a plurality of formed grate members.

16. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein an electrical enclosure is provided and wherein an air pump, motor and an electrical circuit are mounted within said electrical enclosure.

17. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein a secondary air intake is provided below said decomposer grate.

18. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 12, wherein cooling fins are provided on said air nozzle assembly.

19. The portable pellet fired heating element of claim 10, wherein said pellet holder has a hinged cover and wherein battery power is provided and wherein said primary air intake includes an electric starter.

20. A pellet fired heating assembly comprising:

a) a pellet holder;

b) a burner housing assembly communicating with said pellet holder and having a decomposer grate providing a primary combustion area and a primary air intake communicating with said primary combustion area;

c) an exhaust chute extending from said burner housing; and

d) an adjustable pressurized flow of gas or vapor introduced to said burner housing assembly to provide a pressure differential across said decomposer grate and to provide a stream of heated air flow from said exhaust chute.