Patent Publication Number: US-2023146028-A1

Title: Rich-Lean Flame Burner

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a rich-lean flame burner comprising on an upper part thereof a longitudinally elongated lean burner port for ejecting a lean air-fuel mixture whose fuel concentration is leaner than a theoretical air fuel ratio; and a rich burner port lying adjacent to at least one lateral side of the lean burner port with a clearance of a predetermined lateral width for ejecting a rich air-fuel mixture whose fuel concentration is richer than the theoretical air fuel ratio. 
     Background Art 
     Conventionally, this kind of rich-lean flame burner is provided with a straightening member having a plurality of straightening plates for dividing the lean burner port into a plurality of laterally sectioned regions (see, e.g., patent documents 1). Further, at a plurality of longitudinal points of the straightening member, constricted portions are disposed by bringing the plurality of straightening plates into close contact with one another at upper parts of the straightening plates, so as to divide the lean burner port into a plurality of longitudinally divided portions. 
     By the way, in this kind of rich-lean flame burner, the rich air-fuel mixture ejected from the rich burner port will be combusted, in the outside portion opposite to the lean burner port, by the supply of the secondary air that flows along the outside of the burner. In the inside portion closer to the lean burner port, the rich air-fuel mixture will be combusted in a position above the clearance by the supply of the excess air in the lean air-fuel mixture. Then, once uniform flames have been formed above the clearance over a longitudinally wide range by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the neighborhood of the excess air ratio of 1.0, resonance vibrations at frequencies of about 200 Hz to 250 Hz are likely to occur. 
     Here, in the longitudinal positions that coincide with the constricted portions, the supply of the excess air in the lean air-fuel mixture into the rich air-fuel mixture will be restrained, and there will no longer be formed, above the clearance, flames by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the neighborhood of the excess air ratio of 1.0. Therefore, by increasing the number of constricted portions, such flames by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the neighborhood of the excess air ratio of 1.0 as will be formed above the clearance, will be fragmented (broken down). As a result, the occurrence of resonance vibrations at frequencies of about 200 Hz to 250 Hz can be restrained. However, by simply increasing the number of constricted portions, mass flow resistance of the lean air-fuel mixture in the straightening member will increase. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JP-A2008-286448 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems that the Invention is to Solve 
     In view of the above-mentioned points, this invention has a problem of providing a rich-lean flame burner in which resonance vibrations at frequencies of about 200 Hz to 250 Hz can be restrained from occurring without considerably increasing the mass flow resistance of the lean air-fuel mixture through the straightening members. 
     Means for Solving the Problems 
     In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, this invention is a rich-lean flame burner comprising on an upper part thereof: a longitudinally elongated lean burner port for ejecting a lean air-fuel mixture whose fuel concentration is leaner than a theoretical air fuel ratio; and a rich burner port lying adjacent to at least one lateral side of the lean burner port with a clearance of a predetermined lateral width for ejecting a rich air-fuel mixture whose fuel concentration is richer than the theoretical air fuel ratio. The rich-lean flame burner further comprises: a straightening member having a plurality of straightening plates for dividing the lean burner port into a plurality of laterally sectioned regions; and, at a plurality of longitudinal points of the straightening member, first constricted portions by bringing the plurality of straightening plates into close contact with one another, at upper parts of the straightening plates, so as to divide the lean burner port into a plurality of longitudinally divided portions, wherein at least the laterally outermost straightening plate adjacent to the clearance is provided with second constricted portions which, in close contact with the straightening plates adjacent to the laterally outermost straightening plate, further divide each of such portions of the lean burner port as have been divided by the first constricted portions, and wherein the second constricted portions are such that the lower ends thereof are positioned above the lower ends of the first constricted portions and that a vertical length of the second constricted portions is shorter than the first constricted portions. 
     According to this invention, the straightening member is provided with the second constricted portions in addition to the first constricted portions. Therefore, such flames by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the neighborhood of the excess air ratio 1.0 as will be formed above the clearance will be more fragmented than the case in which only the first constricted portions are disposed. As a result, the resonance vibrations at frequencies of about 200 Hz to 250 Hz can be restrained from occurring. In addition, the second constricted portions are arranged such that the lower ends thereof are positioned above the lower ends of the first constricted portions and that the vertical length of the second constricted portions is shorter than that of the first constricted portions. Therefore, the mass flow resistance of the lean air-fuel mixture through the straightening members will not increase much. If the laterally outermost straightening plate adjacent to the clearance is provided with the second constricted portions, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained to a certain degree even if the other straightening plates are not provided with the second constricted portions. 
     In this invention, in case the plurality of straightening plates are provided with the second constricted portions, the second constricted portions disposed at least in part of the straightening plates among the plurality of straightening plates shall preferably be narrower in longitudinal width than the width of the first constricted portions. According to this arrangement, the increase in the mass flow resistance due to the second constricted portions can still furthermore be restrained. 
     Further, in this invention, in case the plurality of straightening plates are provided with the second constricted portions, upper ends of the second constricted portions disposed at least in part of the plurality of straightening plates shall preferably be positioned below the upper ends of the straightening plates. According to this arrangement, the lean air-fuel mixture wraps around, at a lower speed, an upper portion of the second constricted portions whose upper ends are positioned below the upper ends of the straightening plates. Stable and short-length flames are thus formed, thereby obtaining flame stabilizing effect. 
     Further, in this invention, preferably the position of the second constricted portion disposed in one of the straightening plates of respectively two laterally adjoining outside and inside straightening plates, and the position of the second constricted portion disposed in the other of the straightening plates vertically deviate from each other within a range shorter than a vertical length of the second constricted portion, and an upper end of the second constricted portion disposed in one of the straightening plates reaches an upper end of the straightening plate, but an upper end of the second constricted portion disposed in the other straightening plate is positioned below the upper end of the straightening plate. According to this arrangement, not only can the above-mentioned flame retention effect be obtained but also, as described hereinafter, the longitudinal width of the second constricted portions can be made narrower, thereby helping in restraining the mass flow resistance from increasing. 
     Still furthermore, in this invention a plurality of introduction openings for introducing a part of the lean air-fuel mixture into the clearance are disposed at a longitudinal spacing at positions below the lower ends of the second constricted portions. According to this arrangement, the position at which the excess air ratio becomes 1.0 by the supply of the excess air in the lean air-fuel mixture into the rich air-fuel mixture gets lower due to the supply of the lean air-fuel mixture from the clearance. As a result, the combustion noises by oscillated combustion of relatively lower frequencies of 60 Hz to 80 Hz which occur when the position in question is high can be restrained from occurring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a rich-lean flame burner according to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the rich-lean flame burner according to the embodiment of this invention, in which a burner main body and a straightening member are shown separated from each other. 
         FIG.  3    is a plan view of the rich-lean flame burner according to the embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line V-V in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is a sectioned side view taken along the line VI-VI in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  7    is a sectioned side view taken along the line VII-VII in  FIG.  4   . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  4   , reference numeral  1  denotes a rich-lean flame burner according to an embodiment of this invention. This rich-lean flame burner  1  has on an upper end thereof: longitudinally elongated lean burner port  2  for ejecting lean air-fuel mixture having a fuel concentration leaner than a theoretical air fuel ratio; and a pair of rich burner ports  4 ,  4  lying adjacent to both lateral sides of the lean burner port  2  in a manner to respectively sandwich clearances  3 ,  3  of predetermined lateral widths, the rich burner ports  4 ,  4  ejecting a rich air-fuel mixture that is richer than the theoretical air-fuel ratio. 
     The rich-lean flame burner  1  includes the following burner constituent members, i.e., a burner main body  5  and a burner cap  6 . The burner main body  5  has a pair of side plates  51 ,  51  which laterally face each other. Between an upper end of each of these side plates  51 ,  51  there is defined the lean burner port  2  and the clearances  3 ,  3  on laterally both sides of the lean burner port  2 . The burner cap  6  has a pair of side plates  61 ,  61  which cover the burner main body  5  from laterally both sides. Between an upper end of each of these side plates  61 ,  61  and an upper end of each of these side plates  51 ,  51  of the burner main body  5 , there are defined the rich burner ports  4 ,  4 . The rich-lean flame burner  1  also has a straightening member  7  mounted between the upper ends of both the side plates  51 ,  51  of the burner main body  5 . The straightening member  7  has a plurality of straightening plates  71 ,  72  which divide the lean burner port  2  into a plurality of laterally sectioned regions. 
     Both the side plates  51 ,  51  of the burner main body  5  are formed by bending a single plate, into the shape of a principal rafter, along a bending line which forms a lower edge of the burner main body  5 . Further, the burner main body  5  is provided with: a lean mixing tube portion  52  which is formed by press-working both side plates  51 ,  51  so as to be elongated backward from an inlet port  52   a  which opens at a lower front end of the burner main body  5 ; and a lean passage portion  53  for introducing the lean air-fuel mixture from the lean mixing tube portion  52  into the lean burner port  2 . The opening area of the inlet port  52   a  of the lean mixing tube portion  52  is relatively large. Therefore, together with the fuel gas from a lean gas nozzle (not illustrated) which lies opposite to the inlet port  52   a , a relatively large amount of primary air will flow into the lean mixing tube portion  52 , whereby the lean air-fuel mixture will be generated. The lean passage portion  53  is elongated in a manner to expand from a rear end of the lean mixing tube portion  52  upward in a manner to expand forward. 
     In a portion between the lean mixing tube portion  52  and the lean passage portion  53  of the burner main body  5 , there is disposed a rich mixing tube portion  54  which is formed by press-working both the side plates  51 ,  51 . The rich mixing tube portion  54  is elongated slightly rearward from an inlet port  54   a  that opens at a front end of the burner main body  5 , and ends therein. The rich mixing tube portion  54  has an outlet port  54   b  opened on a rear outside surface thereof. The opening area of the inlet port  54   a  of the rich mixing tube portion  54  is relatively small. Therefore, as a result of flowing in of a relatively small amount of primary air flows into the rich mixing tube portion  54  together with the fuel gas from the rich gas nozzles (not illustrated) that lie opposite to the inlet port  54   a . Rich air-fuel mixture is generated in this manner. 
     The rich air-fuel mixture that goes out of the outlet port  54   b  of the rich mixing tube portion  54  is introduced into each of the rich burner ports  4  through a rich passage portion  62  which is defined between each of the side plates  51  of the burner main body  5  and each of the side plates  61  of the burner cap  6 . Further, at a plurality of longitudinal positions on an upper portion of each of the side plates  61  of the burner cap  6 , there are formed recessed portions  63  in a manner to divide the rich burner ports  4  into a plurality (specifically 12 pieces) of longitudinally divided portions. 
     The straightening member  7  has: a pair of inside straightening plates  71 ,  71  on a laterally inside; and a pair of outside straightening plates  72 ,  72  which are positioned on laterally both outsides. Further, on an upper part of each of the side plates  51  of the burner main body  5 , there is formed a longitudinally elongated recessed section (groove)  55  which is in contact with the outside straightening plate  72  that is a laterally outermost straightening plate of the straightening member  7 . Then, the clearance  3  is arranged to be defined between such a portion of the side plate  51  as is above this recessed section  55  and the outside straightening plate  72 . 
     At a plurality of longitudinal positions (specifically at three positions) of the straightening member  7 , there are disposed first constricted portions  73 . Each of the first constricted portions  73  is arranged to bring a plurality of straightening plates  71 ,  72  into close contact with each other at their upper portions so as to divide the lean burner port  2  into a plurality (specifically four pieces) of longitudinally divided portions. In addition, each of the straightening plates  71 ,  72  is provided with second constricted portions  74  which, by bringing a plurality of laterally adjacent straightening plates  71 ,  72  into close contact with each other at the upper parts thereof, further divide each portion of the lean burner port  2  that has been divided by the first constricted portions  73  into a plurality (specifically three pieces) of longitudinally divided portions. Specifically, as shown in  FIG.  5   , as a result of bringing the second constricted portions  74 ,  74 , which are disposed in a pair of inside straightening plates  71 ,  71  and being dented laterally inward, into close contact with each other, the region of the lean burner ports  2  between both the inside straightening plates  71 ,  71  is longitudinally divided. Furthermore, as a result of bringing the second constricted portions  74 , which are disposed in the outside straightening plate  72  that is such a laterally outermost straightening plate as is adjacent to the clearance  3 , into close contact with the inside straightening plates  71 , the region of the lean burner port  2  between the inside straightening plates  71  and the outside straightening plates  72  becomes longitudinally divided. 
     By the way, the longitudinal position of each of the first and the second constricted portions  73 ,  74  of the straightening member  7  is the same as the longitudinal position of each of the recessed portions  63  of the side plate  61  of the burner cap  6 . Further, the recessed portions  63  having affixed thereto reference marks of # 1  in  FIG.  1    and that are the same in the longitudinal position with the first constricted portions  73  are larger than the other recessed portions  63 . Further, the burner caps  6  are provided with bridge parts  64  which couple the upper edges of both the side plates  61 ,  61  of the burner caps  6  in the same longitudinal position as the first constricted portions  73 . 
     With reference also to  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  7   , the lower ends of the second constricted portions  74  are positioned above the lower ends of the first constricted portions  73 , and the vertical length of the second constricted portions  74  are shorter than the vertical lengths of the first constricted portions  73 . Further, the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  73  are equivalent to the first constricted portions  73  in the longitudinal widths, but the longitudinal widths W 1  of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71  are arranged to be narrower than the longitudinal widths W 2  of the first constricted portions  73 . Alternatively, the following arrangement may also be employed. Namely, the longitudinal widths of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72  are made narrower than the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73  so that the longitudinal widths of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71  may be made to be equivalent to the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73 . Or else, the longitudinal widths of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside and the outside straightening plates  71 ,  72  may be made to be narrower than the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73 . What is important is that the longitudinal width of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in at least part of the plurality of straightening plates  71 ,  72  of the straightening member  7  may be made narrower than the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73 . 
     By disposing the second constricted portions  74  as described above, the flames formed above the clearance  3  by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the neighborhood of excess air ratio of 1.0 can be fragmented as compared with an arrangement in which only the first constricted portions  73  are disposed in the straightening member  7 . As a result, the resonance vibrations at frequencies of about 200 Hz to 250 Hz can be restrained from occurring. In addition, since the second constricted portions  74  are such that the lower ends thereof are positioned above the lower ends of the first constricted portions  73  and that the vertical lengths are shorter than the first constricted portions  73 , the mass flow resistance of the lean air-fuel mixture at the straightening members  7  will not increase much. Furthermore, by making narrower the longitudinal widths of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in at least part of a plurality of straightening plates among a plurality of straightening plates  71 ,  72  of the straightening members  7 , than the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73 , the increase in the mass flow resistance by the second constricted portions  74  can further be restrained. 
     By the way, it may also be considered to reduce the mass flow resistance by reducing the vertical lengths or the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73 . However, it is required that the vertical length of the first constricted portions  73  be kept above a certain degree in order to straighten, so as to look upward, the flow of the lean air-fuel mixture that flows into front parts or rear parts of the lean burner ports  2  and that has relatively largely inclined in the vertical direction. Further, in order for the flames not to roast the bridge part  64 , it is necessary to make the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73  positioned right below the bridge part  64  to be above a certain degree. It is therefore not preferable to shorten the vertical lengths or the longitudinal widths of the first constricted portions  73 . 
     Further, in this embodiment, the position of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inner straightening plates  72  and the position of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72  are vertically staggered within a range smaller than the vertical lengths of the second constricted portions  74 . Specifically, the position of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72  is deviated upward so that the upper end of the second constricted portions  74  reach the upper end of the outside straightening plates  72 . The position of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71  is deviated downward so that the upper end of the second constricted portions  74  is positioned below the upper end of the inside straightening plates  71 . 
     In case the position of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71  and the position of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72  have not been deviated vertically from each other, it becomes necessary to bring into intimate contact the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72  and the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside constricted portions  74 . This is for the purpose of longitudinally dividing the region of the lean burner ports  2  between the inside straightening plates  71  and the outside straightening plates  72 . For that purpose, the longitudinal width of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71  must be widened so as to be able to accept the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72 . On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the upper part of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72  in a manner to be deviated upward is arranged, as shown in  FIG.  5   , to be in close contact with such a portion of the inside straightening plates  71  as is above the upper end of the second constricted portion  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71 . The region of the lean burner ports  2  between the inside straightening plates  71  and the outside straightening plates  72  can thus be longitudinally divided. Therefore, there is no need of arranging that the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the outside straightening plates  72  can be inserted into the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  74 . Consequently, the longitudinal widths of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71  can be narrowed, thereby restraining the increase in the mass flow resistance. 
     In addition, since the upper end of the second constricted portions  74  disposed in the inside straightening plates  71  is positioned below the upper end of the inside straightening plates  71 , the lean air-fuel mixture that has flown into the region of the lean burner port  2  between a pair of the inside straightening plates  71 ,  71  will partly wrap around, at a low speed, above the second constricted portions  74  of the inside straightening plates  71 . As a result, stable short flames will be formed above the second constricted portions  74  of the inside straightening plates  71 , thereby securing a flame retention effect. 
     Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of introduction openings  75  for introducing a part of the lean air-fuel mixture into the clearance  3  are disposed at a longitudinal spacing at positions below the lower ends of the second constricted portions  74 . In this embodiment, there is disposed no introduction opening  75  immediately below each of the second constricted portions  74 . However, it is also possible to dispose the introduction openings  75  in this portion. 
     If the position at which the excess air ratio becomes 1.0 by the supply of the excess air in the lean air-fuel mixture into the rich air-fuel mixture ejected from the rich burner ports  4  gets higher, a base part on the side of the lean burner port  2  of the rich flames formed by the combustion of the rich air-fuel mixture becomes unstable. As a result, there is a possibility that an oscillated combustion of relatively low frequencies of 60 Hz to 80 Hz occurs, thereby sometimes giving rise to the cause of combustion noises. In this embodiment, since the lean air-fuel mixture is introduced into the clearance  3  through the introduction openings  75 , the position at which the excess air ratio becomes 1.0 by the supply of the excess air in the lean air-fuel mixture into the rich air-fuel mixture gets lower due to the supply of lean air-fuel mixture from the clearance  3 . As a result, the combustion noises due to oscillated combustion of relatively low frequencies in the range of 60 Hz to 80 Hz can be restrained from occurring. 
     Descriptions have so far been made of the embodiments of this invention with reference to the drawings, but this invention shall not be limited to the above. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, a pair of rich burner ports  4 ,  4  are disposed with the clearance  3 ,  3  pinched on both lateral sides of the lean burner port  2 . This invention can similarly be applicable to the rich-lean burner having disposed the clearance only on one lateral side of the lean burner port. 
     In addition, unlike the above-mentioned embodiments, instead of disposing the second constricted portions  74  in the pair of the inside straightening plates  71 ,  71 , the second constricted portions  74  may be disposed only in a pair of the outside straightening plates  72 ,  72 . Also in this case, such flames by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the neighborhood of the excess air ratio 1.0 as are formed above the clearance  3  are more subdivided than the case in which the straightening members  7  are provided only with the first straightening members  73 . As a result, the occurrence of resonance vibrations at frequencies of about 200 Hz to 250 Hz can be restrained to a certain degree. 
     Still furthermore, the straightening members  7  in the above-mentioned embodiments have four pieces of straightening plates. It may be so arranged that they are made up of six straightening plates, i.e., a pair of inside straightening plates, a pair of intermediate straightening plates, and a pair of outside straightening plates. In this case, preferably the following arrangements may be made. Namely, the position of the second constricted portion disposed in the outside straightening plates is deviated upward so that the upper end of the second constricted portion reaches the upper end of the outside straightening plates. The position of the second constricted portion disposed in the intermediate straightening plates is deviated downward so that the upper end of the second constricted portion is positioned below the upper end of the intermediate straightening plates. And the position of the second constricted portion disposed in the inside straightening plates is deviated upward so that the upper end of the second constricted portion reaches the upper end of the inside straightening plates. Then, such an upper portion of the second constricted portion as is disposed in the outside straightening plates comes into close contact with such a portion of the intermediate straightening plates as is above the upper end of the second constricted portion disposed in the intermediate straightening plates. As a result, such a region of the lean burner port as is present between the outside straightening plates and the intermediate straightening plates will be longitudinally divided. Such a lower portion of the second constricted portion as is disposed in the intermediate straightening plates comes into close contact with such a portion of the inside straightening plate as is below the lower end of the second constricted portion disposed in the inside straightening plates. As a result, such a region of the lean burner port as is present between the intermediate straightening plates and the inside straightening plates will be longitudinally divided. The second constricted portions disposed in a pair of the inside straightening plates are brought into close contact with each other, so that such a region of the lean burner port as is disposed between both the inside straightening plates will be longitudinally divided. By the way, the position of the second constricted portions disposed in the outside straightening plates may be deviated downward, the position of the second constricted portions disposed in the intermediate straightening plates may be deviated upward, and the position of the second constricted portions disposed in the inside straightening plates may be deviated downward, respectively. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 EXPLANATION OF MARKS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1  
                 rich-lean flame burner 
                   
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 lean burner port 
                 3 
                 clearance 
               
               
                 4 
                 rich burner port 
                 5 
                 burner main body 
               
               
                 51 
                 side plate 
                 6 
                 burner cap 
               
               
                 61 
                 side plate 
                 7 
                 straightening member 
               
               
                 71 
                 inside straightening plate 
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 72 
                 outside straightening plate (laterally  
               
               
                   
                 outermost straightening plate) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 73 
                 first constricted portion 
                   
                   
               
               
                 74 
                 second constricted portion 
                   
                   
               
               
                 75 
                 introduction opening