Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2025-07-14)

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1\. A blast tube comprising:
an external wall creating a hollow interior;
an inlet end;
a blast end;
a diffuser disposed within the hollow interior proximate the blast end and having a primary passage configured to allow fluids to pass through the diffuser;
an auxiliary passage disposed radially between the diffuser and the external wall; and a shutter that is disposed within the hollow interior and is configured to be selectively moved between a plurality of selectable positions, including a first position and a second position, wherein, when the shutter is in the first position, the primary passage and auxiliary passage are both open such that a fluid is permitted to flow through both the primary passage and auxiliary passage, and
wherein, when the shutter is in the second position, the primary passage is open but the auxiliary passage is closed such that the fluid is permitted to flow exclusively through the primary passage.

2\. The blast tube of claim 1 wherein the shutter comprises:
a mounting plate disposed within the hollow interior of the blast tube proximate the blast end,the mounting plate having:
a central passage;
a plurality of ring guides disposed radially about the central passage; and
a plurality of blade mounts disposed radially about the central passage;
a mounting ring configured to rotate about an axis X relative to the central passage and having:a plurality of ring guide contact surfaces that are each configured to contact at least one of the ring guides; and
a plurality of blade guides;

a plurality of blades each having an inner edge that, in combination with one another, define an opening that is substantially circular in shape, each blade having a mounting hole and an elongate guide path,
wherein the mounting hole of each of the plurality of blades engages one of said blade mounts of the mounting plate such that each blade is configured to independently rotate about the mounting hole,
wherein the elongate guide path of each of the plurality of blades slidably engages a separate blade guide of the plurality blade guides,
wherein, as the mounting ring rotates about the axis X, rotation of the mounting ring is translated to the plurality of blades via the blade guides thereby causing the blades and each of their respective inner edge to move in unison between a plurality of rotational positions, including a first rotational position and a second rotational position and, thereby, maintaining a substantially circular opening while altering a diameter of the substantially circular opening from a first diameter to a second and different diameter,
wherein, when the plurality of blades is in the second rotational position, the auxiliary passage is closed by the plurality of blades and fluid is prevented from flowing into the auxiliary passage.

3\. The blast tube of claim 2 wherein, the blast tube is cylindrical in shape, wherein:
the diffuser comprises a circular exterior, concentric with the blast tube, and when the shutter is in the closed position, the substantially circular opening is substantially coincident with the circular exterior of the diffuser such that the inner edge of each of the plurality of blades contacts the circular exterior of the diffuser to close the auxiliary passage.

4\. The blast tube of claim 1 wherein the shutter comprises an adjustable venturi having:
a venturi tube disposed within the interior of the blast tube and having an entry cone opening in an upstream direction and an exit cone opening in a downstream direction; and
a linear motion device attached to the venturi tube and configured to move the venturi tube upstream and downstream within interior of the blast tube between a plurality of selectable positions, including a first selectable position to a second selectable position that corresponds to the closed position, and
wherein, when the venturi tube is in the second selectable position, the exit cone contacts the diffuser to close the auxiliary passage to prevent fluid from flowing into the auxiliary passage.

5\. The blast tube of claim 1 further comprising a flame shaping device disposed at the blast end.

6\. A burner including the blast tube of claim 1 comprising:
an air intake having an inlet and an outlet;
a windbox configured to alter a flow characteristic of air, the windbox fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air intake such that air from the outlet of the air intake flows into the windbox;
a premix manifold disposed downstream of the windbox and configured to mix fuel and air to form a premixed air/fuel mixture, the premix manifold having:an internal cavity created by an inner wall;
a first fuel channel;
a plurality of fuel orifices connected to the first fuel channel and disposed radially in the inner wall and configured to allow a first fuel to pass from the first fuel channel into the internal cavity; and
a first fuel inlet configured to provide the first fuel to the fuel channel,
the blast tube having the inlet end disposed proximate a downstream end of the premix manifold;
a rich fuel manifold disposed radially about the blast end having:a central void disposed at the blast end,
a second fuel channel;

a plurality of fuel nozzles fluidly connected to the second fuel channel and disposed radially about the central void on a front wall and configured to allow a second fuel to pass from the second fuel channel and through the front wall; and
a second fuel inlet configured to provide the second fuel to the fuel channel, and a pilot.

7\. The burner of claim 6 further comprising a liquid fuel nozzle disposed within the blast tube and configured to deliver an atomized air/fuel mixture to the blast end, the liquid fuel nozzle having:
a liquid fuel passage configured to provide a liquid fuel;
a fuel nozzle head fluidly connected to the liquid fuel passage and configured to atomize liquid fuel, the fuel nozzle head having:an atomizing chamber;
a liquid fuel nozzle inlet manifold located in the atomizing chamber and fluidly connected to the liquid fuel passage;
a liquid fuel diffuser located in the atomizing chamber and fluidly connected to the liquid fuel nozzle inlet manifold, the liquid fuel diffuser configured to provide a liquid fuel into the atomizing chamber;
an atomizing air passage for providing atomized air to the atomizing chamber of the fuel nozzle head, the atomizing air passage including an atomizing air nozzle inlet and an atomized air/fuel outlet;
wherein, as the atomizing air enters the atomizing chamber via the atomizing air passage, the liquid fuel is emulsified with the atomizing air to create the atomized air/fuel mixture, and wherein the atomized air/fuel mixture exits the atomizing chamber through the atomized air/fuel outlet.

8\. The burner of claim 6 wherein the air intake further includes a damper having a plurality of adjustable damper blades disposed at the inlet, each adjustable damper blade being infinitely adjustable between a first position and second position to move the damper between a plurality
of selectable positions, including a selectable open position and a selectable closed position, and wherein airflow through gaps between adjacent pairs of the plurality of adjustable damper blades varies based on the position of the plurality of adjustable dampers.

9\. The burner of claim 8 further comprising a variable speed blower that is configured to pull air through the inlet and push the air out of the outlet.

10\. The burner of claim 6 wherein the shutter comprises:
a mounting plate disposed within the hollow interior of the blast tube proximate the blast end,the mounting plate having:
a central passage;
a plurality of ring guides disposed radially about the central passage; and
a plurality of blade mounts disposed radially about the central passage;
a mounting ring configured to rotate about an axis X relative to the central passage and having:a plurality of ring guide contact surfaces that are each configured to contact at least one of the ring guides; and
a plurality of blade guides;
a plurality of blades each having an inner edge that, in combination with one another, define an opening that is substantially circular in shape, each blade having a mounting hole and an elongate guide path,
wherein the mounting hole of each of the plurality of blades engages one of said blade mounts of the mounting plate such that each blade is configured to independently rotate about the mounting hole,
wherein the elongate guide path of each of the plurality of blades slidably engages a separate blade guide of the plurality blade guides,
wherein, as the mounting ring rotates about the axis X, rotational motion of the mounting ring is translated to the plurality of blades via the blade guides thereby causing the blades and each of their respective inner edge to move in unison between a plurality of rotational positions, including a first rotational position and a second rotational position and,
thereby, maintaining a substantially circular opening while altering a diameter of the substantially circular opening from a first diameter to a second and different diameter,
wherein, when the plurality of blades is in the second rotational position, the auxiliary passage is closed by the plurality of blades and fluid is prevented from flowing into the auxiliary passage.

11\. The burner of claim 6 wherein the shutter comprises an adjustable venturi having:a venturi tube disposed within the interior of the blast tube and having an entry cone opening in an upstream direction and an exit cone opening in a downstream direction; and
a linear motion device attached to the venturi tube and configured to move the venturi tube upstream and downstream within interior of the blast tube between a plurality of selectable positions, including a first selectable position to a second selectable position that corresponds to the closed position, and
wherein, when the venturi tube is in the second selectable position, the exit cone contacts the diffuser to close the auxiliary passage to prevent fluid from flowing into the auxiliary passage.

12\. The burner of claim 6 wherein the diffuser comprises:
a central node;
a plurality of diffuser blades disposed radially about the central node, each diffuser blade having a first end attached to the central node; and
an outer band concentric to the central node and fixed in position relative to the central node,wherein a fluid passing through the diffuser passes through and is swirled by the plurality of blades.

13\. A method of operating a burner to produce a low NOx flame, the method comprising:
providing a burner comprising:an air intake having an inlet and an outlet;

a windbox configured to alter a flow characteristic of air, the windbox fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air intake such that air from the outlet of the air intake flows into the windbox;
a premix manifold disposed downstream of the windbox and configured to mix fuel and air to form a premixed air/fuel mixture, the premix manifold having:an internal cavity created by an inner wall;
a first fuel channel;
a plurality of fuel orifices connected to the first fuel channel and disposed radially in the inner wall and configured to allow a first fuel to pass from the first fuel channel into the internal cavity; and
a first fuel inlet configured to provide the first fuel to the first fuel channel,
blast tube having the inlet end disposed proximate a downstream end of the premix manifold, the blast tube having:an external wall creating a hollow interior;
an inlet end;
a blast end;
a diffuser disposed within the hollow interior proximate the blast end and having a primary passage configured to allow fluids to pass through the diffuser;
an auxiliary passage disposed radially between the diffuser and the external wall;
and a shutter that is disposed within the hollow interior and is configured to be selectively moved between a plurality of selectable positions, including a first position and a second position;
a rich fuel manifold disposed radially about the blast end having:a central void disposed at the blast end,
a second fuel channel;
a plurality of fuel nozzles fluidly connected to the second fuel channel and disposed radially about the central void on a front wall and configured to

allow a second fuel to pass from the second fuel channel and through the front wall; and
a second fuel inlet configured to provide the second fuel to the second fuel channel, and
a pilot;
passing air into the windbox via the air intake;
receiving the air from the windbox with the premix manifold;
providing the first fuel to the fuel channel of the premix manifold and then moving the first fuel through the plurality of fuel orifices and into the internal cavity;
in the premix manifold, mixing the first fuel with the air to create a premixed air/fuel mixture;
providing the premixed air/fuel mixture to the blast tube;
with the pilot, igniting the premixed air/fuel mixture at the blast end to create a lean center flame.
providing the second fuel to the rich fuel manifold and then moving the second fuel through the front wall of the second fuel channel via the plurality of fuel nozzles to create a distributed second fuel;
igniting the distributed second fuel using the lean center flame or the pilot to create a rich secondary flame;
mixing the rich secondary flame with the lean center flame to create a first flame; and adjusting an amount of first fuel provided or adjusting an amount of the second fuel provided to create a low NOx second flame.

14\. The method of claim 13 wherein the burner further includes a variable speed blower that is configured to pull air through the inlet and push the air out of the outlet and a plurality of adjustable dampers disposed at the inlet of the air intake, each adjustable damper blade being infinitely adjustable between a first position and second position to move the damper between a plurality of selectable positions, including a selectable open position and a selectable closed position, and wherein airflow through gaps between adjacent pairs of the plurality of adjustable damper blades varies based on the position of the plurality of adjustable dampers, the method further includes the steps of:
activating the blower at an initial speed to provide air flow through the air intake and into the premix manifold; and
providing a third flame having a flame characteristic that differs from the first flame and the second flame by changing the position of the dampers or by changing the speed of the blower.

15\. The method of claim 13 wherein the premixed air/fuel mixture that is ignited by the pilot passes out of the blast tube via the primary passage of the diffuser but not the auxiliary passage.

16\. The method of claim 13 wherein the premixed air/fuel mixture that is ignited by the pilot passes out of the blast tube via the primary passage of the diffuser and via the auxiliary passage.

17\. The method of claim 15 wherein the burner further comprising:a liquid fuel nozzle disposed within the blast tube and configured to deliver an atomized air/fuel mixture to the blast end, the liquid fuel nozzle having:
a liquid fuel passage configured to provide the liquid fuel;
a fuel nozzle head fluidly connected to the liquid fuel passage and configured to atomize liquid fuel, the fuel nozzle head having:
an atomizing chamber;
a liquid fuel nozzle inlet manifold located in the atomizing chamber and fluidly connected to the liquid fuel passage;
a liquid fuel diffuser located in the atomizing chamber and fluidly connected to the liquid fuel nozzle inlet manifold, the liquid fuel diffuser configured to provide a liquid fuel into the atomizing chamber;
an atomizing air passage for providing atomized air to the atomizing chamber of the fuel nozzle head, the atomizing air passage including an atomizing air nozzle inlet and an atomized air/fuel outlet;
the method further comprising:
providing a liquid fuel to the liquid fuel nozzle inlet manifold via the liquid fuel passage;
depositing the liquid fuel on a surface of the liquid fuel diffuser within the atomizing chamber;
providing atomized air to the atomizing chamber and emulsifying the atomizing air and the liquid fuel to create an atomized air/fuel mixture;
passing the atomized air/fuel mixture through the atomized air/fuel outlet; and igniting the atomized air/fuel mixture to create a liquid fuel flame.

18\. The method of claim 17 further comprising combining the lean center flame, the rich secondary flame, and the liquid fuel flame to create a third flame.

19\. The method of claim 18 further comprising, based on a flame characteristic of the first flame, second flame, or third flame, modifying the liquid fuel provided to the liquid fuel nozzle inlet manifold from a first amount to a second amount or modifying the atomizing air from a first amount to a second amount to create an altered flame.

20\. The method of claim 13 wherein the first fuel and the second fuel are gaseous fuels, the method further comprising changing over from providing the first fuel and second fuel to providing only the liquid fuel.

OFFICE ACTION:
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: claim 1 (and similarly claim 13) is novel and nonobvious especially in view of the bolded limitations.
1. A blast tube comprising: an external wall creating a hollow interior; an inlet end; a blast end; a diffuser disposed within the hollow interior proximate the blast end and having a primary passage configured to allow fluids to pass through the diffuser; an auxiliary passage disposed radially between the diffuser and the external wall; and a shutter that is disposed within the hollow interior and is configured to be selectively moved between a plurality of selectable positions, including a first position and a second position, wherein, when the shutter is in the first position, the primary passage and auxiliary passage are both open such that a fluid is permitted to flow through both the primary passage and auxiliary passage, and wherein, when the shutter is in the second position, the primary passage is open but the auxiliary passage is closed such that the fluid is permitted to flow exclusively through the primary passage.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
/JASON LAU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3762