LIQUID FUEL CONSUMING APPARATUS

Abstract: Liquid fuel consuming apparatus for use as a devotional candle or votive light arrangement comprises a reservoir (10) housing a horizontally oriented tubular shape with a series of holes (16) in its top face aligned with an equal series of fuel holding wells (14) provided on an insert (12) located in the reservoir (10). A non-removable wick (18) in a holding tube (20) is provided in each aligned hole and well with its top above the hole (16) and its bottom in the well (14). Means (22), (24) are provided to fill the wells (14) with fuel from a tank (26). Through capilliary action fuel passes up the wick (18). The amount of fuel in the well (14) is determined by the capacity of the well (14), and therefore the illuminating time period for a wick (14) after being ignited.

Description: LIQUID FUEL CONSUMING APPARATUS. This device relates to a liquid consuming apparatus particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use as an alternative for a single ' ' " * * or multiple devotional candle or votive light arrangement in churches. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a 5 liquid fuel consuming apparatus comprises a reservoir, at least one wick being located in the reservoir to entend up through a top thereof and extend downwardly into a fuel holding device located in or forming part of the reservoir, the capacity of which device determines the illuminating time period of the respective wick after 10 being ignited, and means to fill the device with fuel. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a liquid fuel consuming apparatus comprises a tubular reservoir, horizontally oriented or substantially so, a longitudinal series off holes being provided in the top thereof up through each of which 15 a wick extends, the bottom of the wicks extending downwardly each in. to a respective fuel holding device located in, or being provided in the bottom of, the reservoir, the capacity of each device determining the illuminating time period of the respective wick after being ignited, and means to fill the device with fuel. 20 Preferably, the holding devices are provided in an insert locatable in the reservoir prior to being liquid tightly closed. Preferably, the insert is a bar having a series of wells provided extending down from its top face, the well dimensions being determined to give a particular capacity. 25 Alternatively, the insert is a tray having a series of upstanding tubular elements liquidtightly welded thereto and each providing internally thereof a well to receive fuel. Preferably further, two or more reservoirs are provided in a tiered formation. The reservoirs may be elongate or may be 30 rectangular, circular, oval or other enclosed geometrical figure in plan view. Preferably further, the wicks are of a non-inflamable material, for example glass fibres. The glass fibres are preferably held in a tube., the fibres extending a short distance out of the holding tube at the top and bottom. Each tube is secured to prevent its removal from the reservoir.. The means to fill the device with fuel preferably comprises 5 a pipe connected to a pump in communication with fuel in a tank, the fuel being pumped into the reservoir and into the wells, with the excess fuel being allowed to return to the tank through the pipe when the pump is de-energised. The pump is preferably located in the fuel tank and is energised from a source of electricity. 10 A timing mechanism is provided to interrupt the flow of electricity to the pump and to allow only pulses of electricity to the pump during preset time intervals. An overflow pipe is preferably provided to allow pumped but unrequired fuel to return to the tank. j 5 An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whic :- Fig. 1. is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention; 20 Fig. 2. is a front elevational view of this embodiment showing a three tiered formation of the apparatus to a different scale; and Fig. 3. is a vertical cross sectional view on the line III-III of fig. 2. 2 ς Referring to the drawings, a liquid fuel consuming apparatus comprises a tubular reservoir 10 of a rectangular cross section. The reservoir is elongate and horizontally orientated or substantially so. An insert 12 is provided for location in the interior of the reservoir. The insert 12 has a series of wells defining fuel holding 30 devices. The insert 12 i-s a bar having the wells 14 provided extending down from its top face. The dimensions of the wells 14 are determined to give a.particular capacity for holding fuel. After the insert is located in the reservoir 10, the ends are liquidtightly closed. A longitudinal series of holes 16 is provided in the top of the 25 reservoir 10, the number in the series being equal to the number of wells being aligned with the wells 14. A wick 18 is located in each hole to extend upwardly there through and downwardly into the respective well 14. or - !— ~ -^ -3- The wicks 18 are of a permanent nature, and are formed of Λ non-inflamable glass fibres. The fibres are fed through and are held in a tube 20 w fibres extending a short distance beyond the top and bottom of the tube 20. Each tube is secured to prevent . ' 5 its removable from the reservoir 10. Means to fill the devices with' fuel comprises a pipe 22 connected to a pump 24 in communication with fuel in a fuel tank 26. The pump 24 is located in the fuel tank 26 and is energised from a source of electricity such as mains power or power from an outside 10 generator, or other source. A timing mechanism of known mechanical or electronic construction is provided to interrupt the flow of electricity to the pump and to allow only pulses of electricity to the pump during preset time intervals. 5 An overflow pipe 28 is provided to allow pumped but unrequired fuel to return to the tank 26. Figs. 2 and 3 show a particular embodiment with three reservoirs 10 arranged in a tiered formation. Each reservoir is supported by two columns 30 from the top of a cabinet 32 which houses the fuel 20 tank 26. The columns of each reservoir are hollow and house part of the pipe 22 and overflow pipe 28, one in each column. The parts of the pipes 22 and 28 in the columns are preferably of metal, the top of the pipe 28 being level with the bottom of the reservoir 10 and the top of pipe 22 projecting up a short distance above the top 25 of wells 14. The other parts of the pipes 22 and 28 are of flexible material and extend into the tank 26. Each reservoir 10 can be provided with a separate pump, however, if required, one pump can be provided for the three reservoirs, the pump being connected to the pipes 22 through a *T' junction pipe (not shown). *• 30 The cabinet has a door openable for access to the tank, the door being lockable and provided at the rear of the cabinet. v Around each wick projecting out of its respective hole 16, an egg-cup shaped glass 32 is provided, the top of the glass being above the level of any flame when a wick is lit. _. . . In use, fuel is fed when the pτα_πp(s) is/are energised and flows up pipes 22 into the reservoirs 10 and into the wells 14. Fuel in continued to be fed thereinto so long as the pump(s) is/are energised. The surplus fuel after the wells 14 are filled flows along the reservoirs and flows out of pipe 28 back into the tank. When the pump(s) stop, the fuel still in the pipes 22 flow back down into the tank. If the wells are dimensioned to hold sufficient fuel to allow the wicks to burn for say 20 minutes, then the timing mechanism is set to energise the pumps(s) every 20 minutes. In some instances, a wick may only be lit just before the pump is energised. If this is the case, then that particular wick ill continue to burn for a further 20 minutes since its respective well will have been filled up " with fresh fuel. The fuel flows up the wicks by capilliary action. in a modification of the insert, it can be formed by a tray on which the required number of wells are provided by a series of upstanding tubular elements liquidtightly welded to the tray, the wells being provided internally of said welded elements. The reservoirs can be of any particular shape, semi-circular, horse shoe or rectangular, circular, oval or other enclosed geometrical figure in plan view. In a further modification, the reservoir may be of upright tubular shape having an insert with only one well whose dimensions are greater than those hereinbefore to give it a fuel capacity for several hours of illuminating time. The means to fill the device(s) may be by hand or by gravity through an opening in the top of the reservoir, an overflow pipe 228 being provided to allow excess fuel to drain from the reservoir to a collecting tank. A suctibn pump can be connected to the overflow pipe 28, if required. The insert with wells may be preformed from a mouldable or cast material.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A liquid fuel consuming apparatus comprising a reservoir, at least σn« wick being located in the reservoir to extend up through a top thereof and extend downwardly into a fuel holding device located in or forming part of the reservoir, the capacity of which device determines the illuminating time period of the respective wick after being ignited and means to fill the device with fuel. 2. A liquid fuel consuming apparatus comprising a tubular reservoir, horizontally oriented or substantially so, a longitudinal series of holes being provided in the top thereof up through each of which a wick extends, the bottom of the wicks extending downwardly each intd. a respective fuel holding device located in, or being provided in the bottom of, the reservoir, the capacity of each device determining the illuminating time period of the respective wick after being ignited, and means to fill the deviceswith fuel. 3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2,wherein the fuel holding devices are provided in an insert locatable in the reservoir prior to being liquidtightly closed. 4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3,the insert is a bar having » a series of wells provided extending down from its top face, the well dimensions being determined to give a particular capacity. 5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the insert is a tray having a series of upstanding tubular elements liquidtightly welded thereto and each providing internally thereof a well to receive fuel. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein two or more reservoirs are provided in a tiered formation. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the wicks are of a non-inflamable material, for example glass fibres. 8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the glass fibres are held in a tube, the fibres extending a short distance out of the holding tube at the top and bottom. 9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein each tube is secured to prevent its removal from the reservoir. 10. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the means to fill the devices with fuel comprises a pipe connected to a pump in communication with fuel in tank, the fuel being allowed to return to the tank through the pipe when the pump is de-energised. 11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the pump is located in the fuel tank and is energised from a source of electricity. 12. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 10 or 11, wherein a timing mechanism is provided to interrupt the flow of electricity to the pump and to allow only pulses of electricity to the pump during preset time intervals. 13. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 10, 11 or 12, wherein an overflow pipe is provided to allow pumped but unrequired fuel to return to the tank. 14. Liquid fuel consuming apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawing. . " • : r

Inventors: ABBOTT DAVID K, RIHA HANSJUERGEN, ABBOTT, DAVID, K., RIHA, HANSJUERGEN
Applicants: KAVANAGH NOEL CHRISTOPHER, KAVANAGH, NOEL, CHRISTOPHER
Application year: 1986
Main classification: F21S13
IPC codes: F21S13