INSECT REPELLENT TORCH CONVERSION KIT ENABLING AUTOMATIC FUEL REPLENISHMENT

Abstract

A kit for converting an insect repelling torch to enable remote refueling while in operation includes a fuel insert sealed at opposite ends to a fuel pipe and to a wick. This fuel insert is installed within the torch with the wick extending upward into the combustion area, and the fuel pipe extending below the torch. The fuel pipe is connected to the automatic refueling system. In embodiments, the fuel insert can be compressed for insertion through a port into the torch and re-expansion within the torch. Or the fuel insert can be rigid, and can replace a removable fuel canister of the torch. Embodiments can convert previously manufactured torches, and/or can be implemented in the manufacture of new torches otherwise based on conventional designs. Embodiments include fuel level sensors, flame ignitors, fuel valves, local controllers, wireless communication with a remote computing device, batteries, and/or solar cells.

Claims

1. An automatic refueling conversion kit applicable to an insect repellent torch, wherein the insect repellent torch includes a fuel tank configured to contain an insect repellent fuel and a wick port through which a wick can extend from within the fuel tank to a combustion area above the insect repellent torch, the conversion kit comprising: a fuel insert configured to contain the insect repellent fuel within an interior of the insect repellent torch; a fuel delivery pipe; a fuel delivery seal configured to seal a proximal fuel opening of the fuel insert to a distal end of the fuel delivery pipe; and a wick seal configured to seal a distal wick opening of the fuel insert to a wick; wherein the wick is configured to extend upward and out from the interior of the insect repellent torch through an upper opening provided in the insect repellent torch.

2. The conversion kit of claim 1, wherein the fuel insert includes a resilient material and/or construction that can be compressed for insertion through an insertion port provided in the insect repellent torch and will afterward re-expand within the interior of the insect repellent torch.

3. The conversion kit of claim 1, wherein the fuel insert includes an elastic material that is configured to expand when the fuel insert is filled with insect repellent fuel.

4. The conversion kit of claim 1, wherein the fuel insert is formed by a substantially rigid material.

5. The conversion kit of claim 4, wherein the fuel insert is configured to replace a removable fuel canister of the insect repellent torch.

6. The conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to provide a measurement that enables determining of a quantity of the insect repellent fuel that is contained within the fuel insert.

7. The conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising a remotely controllable wick clamp that is configured to fix a height of the wick relative to the combustion area when the wick clamp is closed, and to enable adjustment of the height of the wick relative to the combustion area when the wick clamp is open.

8. The conversion kit of claim 7, wherein the wick clamp is further able, under remote control, to adjust the height of the wick relative to the combustion area.

9. The conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising a wick igniting device configured to electrically initiate burning of the insect repellent fuel in the combustion area of the torch.

10. The conversion kit of claim 9, wherein the wick igniting device is operable under remote control.

11. The conversion kit of claim 10, wherein the wick igniting device is integral with a wick clamp that is configured to fix a height of the wick relative to the combustion area when the wick clamp is closed, and to enable adjustment of the height of the wick relative to the combustion area when the wick clamp is open.

12. The conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising a fuel valve configured to allow or prevent entry into the fuel insert of pressurized insect repellent fuel from the fuel delivery pipe.

13. The conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising a local controller that is configured to control and/or monitor at least one feature of the conversion kit.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the local controller is configured for wireless communication with a remote computing device.

15. The conversion kit of claim 1, wherein at least one feature of the conversion kit can be controlled and/or monitored by software operating on a remote computing device via wireless communication.

16. The conversion kit of claim 1, further comprising a battery configured to provide electrical operation power to at least one feature of the conversion kit.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the conversion kit further comprises a solar collection device that is configured to recharge the battery using solar power.

18. A method of converting an insect repellent torch for implementation of automatic refueling from a remote fuel source while fuel is being burned by the insect repellent torch, wherein the insect repellent torch includes a fuel tank configured to contain insect repellent fuel and a wick port through which a wick can extend from within the fuel tank into a combustion area above the insect repellent torch, the method comprising: providing an automatic refueling conversion kit according to claim 1; using the fuel delivery seal, sealing the proximal fuel opening of the fuel insert to the distal end of the fuel delivery pipe, and using the wick seal, sealing the distal wick opening of the fuel insert to a wick, thereby forming a fuel insert assembly; installing the fuel insert within the interior of the insect repellent torch; extending a distal end of the wick upward and out from the interior of the insect repellent torch through an upper opening provided in the insect repellent torch and into the combustion area of the insect repellent torch; and directing insect repellent fuel through the fuel delivery pipe and into the fuel insert.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the fuel insert is substantially rigid, and installing the fuel insert within the interior of the insect repellent torch includes removing a fuel tank from the insect repellent torch and installing the fuel insert in place of the fuel tank.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the fuel insert can be compressed and re-expanded, and wherein installing the fuel insert within the interior of the insect repellent torch includes: providing or creating an insertion port in the insect repellent torch that provides access between the interior of the insect repellent torch and an exterior of the insect repellent torch; compressing the fuel insert; inserting the fuel insert through the insertion port and into the interior of the insect repellent torch; and re-expanding the fuel insert.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein creating the insertion port includes drilling a hole in the insect repellent torch in a region of the insect repellent torch that is substantially opposed to the wick port.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising connecting a proximal end of the fuel delivery pipe to a central fuel reservoir of an external torch refueling system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] FIG. 1A illustrates use in the prior art of torches that burn a fuel mixed with an insect repellent to exclude insect pests from an outdoor activity area, where the torches are self-contained and cannot be refilled with fuel while burning or while hot from recent use;

[0059] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a representative insect repelling torch of the prior art for which the shell of the torch functions as the fuel tank;

[0060] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of another representative insect repelling torch of the prior art that includes a separate fuel tank within an outer shell;

[0061] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a fuel insert assembly in an embodiment of the present invention wherein the fuel insert is a flexible bladder;

[0062] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a fuel insert assembly in an embodiment of the present invention wherein the fuel insert is a substantially rigid;

[0063] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an insect repelling torch in which an insertion port has been provided, together with the fuel insert assembly of FIG. 2 positioned for insertion through the insertion port;

[0064] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3, showing the fuel insert assembly inserted through the insertion port and the fuel insert inflated with torch fuel;

[0065] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 4A, but applied to the torch of FIG. 1C;

[0066] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 4B, but wherein the fuel insert is rigid and directly replaces the fuel tank of the torch;

[0067] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention that includes a sensor, fuel valve, and local controller that receive wired power from a remote source;

[0068] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 5A, but including more features and powered by batteries and a solar cell;

[0069] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 4C, but including a wick clamp and wick igniting device; and

[0070] FIG. 6 is a top view of a wick clamp that is included in FIG. 5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The present invention is an apparatus and method for reducing production costs and increasing the range of styles that are available for insect repellent torches that are compatible with refueling from a central reservoir while they continue to burn fuel. Embodiments are compatible for inclusion as part of the insect repellent torch system with automatic fuel replenishment that is disclosed by co-pending application Ser. No. 16/918,767, which is also by the present Applicant, and is included herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0072] The present invention is a conversion kit and method of use thereof that is applicable to a wide array of existing designs of insect repellent torches, either to convert a previously manufactured, conventional torch into a remotely refuellable torch as a retrofit, and/or for implementation by a manufacturer of conventional insect repellent torches so as to manufacture remotely refuellable torches with minimal changes to an existing parts inventory and existing manufacturing process, thereby maintaining an economy of scale for parts and assembly steps that are common to both the conventional and refuellable torches, and consequently reducing the manufacturing costs of the remotely refuellable torches.

[0073] More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the disclosed conversion kit includes a fuel insert 200 that is configured to contain the insect repellent fuel 116. The fuel insert 200 is sealed or sealable by a fuel seal 202 at its proximal end to a fuel delivery pipe 204, and is sealed by a wick seal 206 at its distal end to a torch wick 112. In the illustrated embodiments the fuel delivery pipe 204 includes male threads 210 at its distal end. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate these components assembled together to form a “fuel insert assembly” 208. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the fuel insert is a flexible bladder, while in the embodiment of FIG. 2B the fuel insert is substantially rigid.

[0074] With reference to FIG. 3, in embodiments the method of the present invention includes creating or providing an insertion port 300 that provides access into the interior of the fuel tank 108 of a conventional insect repellent torch 102, and can be sealed to a fuel delivery pipe 204. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the fuel insert 200 is a flexible bladder, and the insertion port 300 is created by drilling and tapping a hole 300 at the top of the cylindrical cavity 118 into which a pole 106 is normally inserted.

[0075] The method embodiment of FIG. 3 further includes inserting the fuel insert assembly 208 through the insertion port 300 and into the interior of the fuel tank 108. FIG. 3 illustrates the fuel insert assembly 208 positioned and ready for insertion through the insertion port 300, while FIG. 4A shows the same fuel insert assembly 208 after insertion into the fuel tank 108. It can be seen in FIG. 4A that, after insertion of the fuel insert assembly 208 through the insertion port 300, the wick 112 extends upward through the wick port 110 and above the fuel tank 108 into the combustion area, while the fuel delivery pipe 204 extends from the fuel insert 200 downward and out of the fuel tank 108 through the insertion port 300.

[0076] FIG. 4B illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 4A but applied to the torch 102 of FIG. 1C, wherein the conventional fuel tank 108 is a separate inner fuel canister that is surrounded by an outer shell 120. In this embodiment, the fuel insert 200 is a flexible bladder, and the torch 102 is further modified by providing an access hole 400 through the outer shell 120 through which the fuel delivery pipe 204 can pass so as to be sealed to the insertion port 300 of the fuel tank 108.

[0077] In some embodiments the fuel insert 200 is made from, or includes, a resilient material or structure such as a resilient plastic that can be temporarily compressed for insertion through the insertion port 300, after which it returns to an uncompressed state, and thereby increases the fuel volume of the fuel insert 200 once it is inside of the fuel tank 108 of the torch 102. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the fuel insert 200 is a bladder that is made of a flexible material, such as a polymer film, which may be an elastomeric film, and is illustrated as having been inflated as it was filled by torch fuel 116 delivered to the fuel insert 200 within the fuel tank 108 via the fuel delivery pipe 204.

[0078] FIG. 4C illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 4B, but wherein the fuel insert 200 is a substantially rigid canister that directly replaces the conventional fuel tank 108 of the torch, which is removed from the torch 102.

[0079] In the embodiments of FIGS. 4A-4C the fuel delivery pipe 206 extends downward from the torch 102 through the center of a hollow pole 106, which for example could be a length of PVC pipe or another conventional pipe. In the illustrated embodiments, the fuel delivery pipe 206 is fixed to the torch 102 by male threads 210 at its distal end, which engage with female threads tapped in the insertion port 300 (FIGS. 3 and 4A) and/or the access hole 400 provided in the outer shell 120 (FIGS. 4B and 4C). In other embodiments, a quick-connect, O-ring, collar magnet, split ring clamp, or other attachment is used to fix the fuel insert assembly 208 to the torch 102. It is notable that in embodiments the attachment of the fuel delivery pipe 206 to the torch, or other attachment of the fuel insert assembly 208 to the torch 102, need only be mechanically competent. It is not necessary that the insertion port 300 or access hole 400 be sealed, because the torch fuel 116 is fully contained by the fuel insert 200. It is also not necessary in embodiments that the fuel insert 200 be structurally competent, nor is it necessary for the fuel insert 200 to meet fire safety requirements and/or other regulatory requirements, because these requirements are met by the torch fuel tank 108 or other torch elements that surround the fuel insert 200.

[0080] It is notable that in the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the fuel filling port 114 remains present, but is no longer used. In some embodiments where the disclosed conversion kit is applied during manufacture of a new torch, the manufacturing step of creating the fuel filling port 114 is omitted, and the fuel filling port 114 is not included in the converted torch 102. In the embodiments of FIGS. 4B and 4C, before the torch 102 is modified according to the present invention, the fuel tank 108 is filed by temporarily removing the wick 112 and filling the fuel tank 108 through the wick port 110. These embodiments therefore do not include a separate fuel filling port 114.

[0081] It should also be noted that conversion of the torch 102 to remote refueling while in use eliminates any need to maintain a large quantity of fuel 116 locally within the torch 102. Instead, embodiments of the present invention significantly reduce the amount of fuel 116 that is maintained within the torch 102 by limiting the size of the fuel insert 200, thereby reducing evaporative waste of fuel 116 between usages of the torch 102, and reducing dangers associated with tipping of the torch 102 and spilling of fuel 116.

[0082] With reference to FIG. 5A, in embodiments the fuel insert assembly 208 further includes at least one sensor 500 that can be used to determine a quantity of fuel 116 that is contained within the fuel insert 200. The at least one sensor 500 can include a fuel level sensor and/or a pressure sensor. For example, if the fuel insert 200 is a bladder that is made from an expandable, elastic material, then a measurement of the internal pressure of the fuel 116 within the fuel insert 200 can be an indication of the degree to which the fuel insert 200 has been expanded by the fuel 116, and hence an indication of the quantity of fuel 116 that is contained within the fuel insert 200.

[0083] The conversion kit embodiment of FIG. 5A further includes a fuel valve 502 that is configured to allow or prevent entry into the fuel insert 200 of pressurized fuel 116 from the fuel delivery pipe 204. The sensor 500 and the fuel valve 502 are controlled by a local controller 508 that receives electrical power from an external source via a power line 510 that is directed to the torch 102 in parallel with the fuel delivery pipe 204.

[0084] FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment that is similar to FIG. 5A, but further includes a remotely controlled wick clamp 504 that is configured to transition under remote control between clamping the wick 112 in place relative to the top of the torch 102 and allowing the wick 112 and attached fuel insert 200 to be raised and lowered relative to the top of the torch 102, for example to adjust the burning rate of the fuel 116. In various embodiments, the wick clamp 504 further includes a wick advancing mechanism that can raise and lower the wick 112 relative to the top of the torch 102 under remote control.

[0085] In addition, the embodiment of FIG. 5B further includes a wick igniting device 506 that is integral with the wick clamp 504. In other embodiments the wick clamp 504 and wick igniting device 506 are separate. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the sensor 500, fuel valve 502, wick clamp 504, and wick igniting device 506 are controlled by a local controller 508 that is powered by batteries 510, where the batteries are recharged by a solar panel 512. The local controller 508 is in wireless communication via an antenna 514 with a remote computing device (not shown, see application Ser. No. 16/928,767 included herein by reference).

[0086] FIG. 5C illustrates an embodiment that is similar to FIG. 4C, but which includes the remotely controlled wick clamp 504 and wick igniting device 506 of FIG. 5B. In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel insert 200 is substantially rigid, and the wick clamp 504 also functions as the wick seal 206, as well as transitioning under remote control between clamping the wick 112 in place relative to the top of the fuel insert 200 and allowing the wick 112 and attached fuel insert 200 to be raised and lowered into and out of the fuel insert 200.

[0087] FIG. 6 illustrates details of the wick clamp 504 that is included in the embodiments of FIGS. 5B and 5C. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the wick clamp 504 is a split-ring clamp 600 that can be opened by a remotely controlled clamping mechanism 602. In the illustrated embodiment, the split ring clamp 600 of the wick clamp 504 is normally held in a clamped configuration by a tension spring 604 acting on a pair of clamping arms 606. However, when adjustment of the position of the wick 112 relative to the top of the torch 102 is desired, or for any other reason, the split ring clamp 600 can be temporarily released by passing electrical current through a coil 608, thereby attracting together a pair of ferromagnetic blocks 610 that are also cooperative with the clamping arms 606, and overcoming the tension applied by the spring 604.

[0088] Instead of, or in addition to, implementing a level and/or pressure sensor, embodiments control the rate of fuel replenishment of the fuel insert 116 according to an estimated rate of fuel consumption, based on a known height of the wick 112 above the top of the torch 102. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5B the height of the wick 112 above the top of the torch 102 is adjusted by the wick clamp 504 under remote control by the local controller 508, according to commands received wirelessly from a remote controller such as a smart phone. In embodiments, the local controller 508 (and/or the remote controller) thereby is aware of the height of the wick 112 at all times, and can take any changes in wick height into account when estimating the remaining fuel based on cumulative fuel consumption since the last refill. In other embodiments where the wick height and the rate of fuel consumption is constant, the fuel can be refilled in fixed quantities and at pre-determined intervals, for example according to a preset timer.

[0089] It will be noted that some of the elements that are included in various embodiments of the disclosed conversion kit are not installed within the fuel tank 108. For example, in FIG. 5B the wick igniting device 506 is located external to the torch 102, proximal to the wick 112 as it extends through the wick port 110 above the torch 102. Similarly, the local controller 508, batteries 510 and solar panel 512 are all external to the torch 102 in the illustrated embodiment. Also, in the embodiments of FIGS. 5A and 5B the fuel valve 504 is within the cylindrical cavity 118 of the torch 102, and is not installed within the interior of the torch 102. Nevertheless, all of these features are in signal communication with the local controller 508 in the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, and all are included as part of the conversion kit in the illustrated embodiments.

[0090] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application. This specification is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure.

[0091] Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The disclosure presented herein does not explicitly disclose all possible combinations of features that fall within the scope of the invention. The features disclosed herein for the various embodiments can generally be interchanged and combined into any combinations that are not self-contradictory without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the limitations presented in dependent claims below can be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other.