Gas-powered tool

• US 7,766,650 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arlo Lin
• Original Assignee: Arlo Lin
• Inventors: Lin, Arlo
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart; Kenneth B
• Assistant Examiner(s): NDUBIZU, CHUKA CLEMENT
• Application Number:
  US11/466,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20060278213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 251/11, 236/48.R, 431/344, 126/226, 126/238, 126/234, 126/52
• US Class Current: 431/344
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 3/022 using a gaseous fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/28 in association with a gaseous fuel source, e.g. acetylene generator, or a container for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 14/72 Safety devices, e.g. operative in case of failure of gas supply
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 1/007 using mechanical means F23N1/04 - F23N1/10 take precedence

Abstract

A controller includes a shell, a valve, a temperature-sensitive regulator and a cover. The shell defines an intake, a first space in communication with the intake, a second space in communication with the first space and an outlet in communication with the second space. The valve is installed in the first space for shutting the intake. The temperature-sensitive regulator is installed in the second space for contact with the valve. The cover is used to shut the second space and contact the temperature-sensitive regulator.

Claims

1. A controller installed to a gas powered tool, with the controller comprising:

a combustor;

a shell defining an intake, a first space in communication with the intake and formed with an annular ridge, a second space interconnected to the first space and an outlet in communication with the second space and with the combustor, with the first space being defined by an annular wall having cross sections, with the second space being defined by an annular wall having cross sections larger than and parallel to the cross sections of the first space;

a valve received in the first space, with the valve moveable between a lifted position, a mid-position and a stop position, with the valve in the lifted position creating a gap with the inlet, with the valve in the mid-position reducing the gap and the gas going into the combustor through the controller at a reduced rate, with the valve in the stop position eliminating the gap with and shutting the intake, with the first and second spaces being intermediate the inlet and the outlet, with the inlet being in communication through the first space, then through the second space and then to the outlet with the valve in the lifted position;

a temperature-sensitive regulator installed within the second space for contact with the valve, with the temperature-sensitive regulator having a free peripheral edge, with the free peripheral edge located within the annular wall of the second space and free of interconnection with the shell; and

a cover for shutting the second space and contacting the temperature-sensitive regulator, with the cover having an annular ridge for contact with the temperature-sensitive regulator;

wherein while the gas goes into the first space and lifts the valve, the gap between the valve and the annular ridge of the first space has a first width, with the valve lifting the temperature-sensitive regulator and being in the lifted position, and with the gas going into the combustor through the controller at a first rate;

wherein when temperature of the temperature-sensitive regulator reaches a first predetermined value, the free peripheral edge of the temperature-sensitive regulator begins to bend upwards and contact with the annular ridge of the cover and the gap between the valve and the annular ridge of the first space has a second width which is reduced from the first width for driving the valve to the mid-position, with the gas going into the combustor through the controller at the reduced rate which is reduced from the first rate;

wherein when the temperature of the temperature-sensitive regulator reaches a second predetermined value which is larger than the first predetermined value, the edge of the temperature-sensitive regulator is in firm contact with the annular ridge of the cover while a center of the temperature-sensitive regulator is in firm contact with the valve, wherein the gap between the valve and the annular ridge of the first space is eliminated for driving the valve to the stop position, and the gas is not going into the combustor through the controller at all.

2. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the shell defines a channel communicating the intake with the first space.

3. The controller according to claim 2 wherein the shell comprises the annular ridge on a floor of the first space around the channel, with the annular ridge being in contact with the valve.

4. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the shell defines a channel communicating the second space with the outlet.

5. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the temperature-sensitive regulator is a laminate consisting of two metal layers with different coefficients of thermal expansion.