Abstract
A plug is attachable to a wall of a torch that is configured to burn a fuel. The plug adds one or more features to the torch, such as a fuel level sensor, a temperature sensor, a tilt sensor, an automatic wick ignitor and/or extinguisher, a wick clamp, a wick advancing mechanism, and/or a global positioning system. The plug includes an electronic controller, and wireless electronics configured to provide remote control and/or monitoring of the added features. Power for the plug can be provided by a battery and/or a solar panel. The controller can establish a unique torch identity, thereby enabling a remote computing device to monitor and/or control features of a plurality of torches that each have a plug of the present disclosure attached thereto. The plug can be removably or permanently attached to the torch.
Claims
1. A torch having a plug penetrating an outer wall thereof, the torch comprising; a fuel reservoir within the outer wall; and a plug assembly comprising: a plug body attached to the outer wall of the torch, said plug body penetrating through the outer wall of the torch so that a first portion of the plug body extends outside of the outer wall of the torch while a second portion of the plug body extends inside of the outer wall of the torch, the plug body either abutting or entering into the fuel reservoir; an electronic controller; a wireless communication apparatus cooperative with the electronic controller; and at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller in electrical communication with the electronic controller, wherein said electronic controller is able to at least one of monitor sensed information relevant to the torch as provided by the sensor and control at least one aspect of the torch by actuating the torch aspect controller, said electronic controller being controlled remotely by wireless communication of a remote computing device with the wireless communication apparatus and the electronic controller.
2. The torch of claim 1, wherein the plug body is configured for attachment to the outer wall of the torch by at least one of magnetic attachment, welding, and gluing.
3. (canceled)
4. The torch of claim 1, wherein the plug body is configured for attachment to the outer wall of the torch by at least one of: threaded engagement of male threads included on the insertable portion with female threads provided in a rim of the hole provided in the outer wall of the torch; attachment by friction between the insertable portion and the rim of the hole provided in the outer wall of the torch; and clamping of the plug to the outer wall of the torch by insertion of the insertable portion through the hole provided in the outer wall of the torch and engagement of male threads included on the insertable portion with a nut applied to the insertable portion from within the torch.
5. The torch of claim 1, wherein the plug body is configured to form a liquid-tight seal with the outer wall of the torch.
6. The torch of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensing feature and/or torch aspect control feature includes a fuel level sensor.
7. The torch of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and/or torch control feature aspect controller includes a temperature sensor.
8. The torch of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller includes a pressure sensor.
9. The torch of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller includes a tilt sensor.
10. The torch of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller includes a torch igniting mechanism.
11. (canceled)
12. The torch of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller includes a wick advancing mechanism.
13. The torch of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller includes a global positioning system receiver.
14. The torch of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller is configured to establish a unique electronic torch id, whereby the at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller can be controlled and/or monitored by the remote computing device even if the remote computing device is in wireless communication with a plurality of plugs according to claim 1 that are attached to a corresponding plurality of torches.
15. The torch of claim 1, wherein the torch is configured to burn a liquid fuel.
16. The torch of claim 15, wherein the liquid fuel contains an insect repellant substance.
17. The torch of claim 1, wherein the torch is configured to burn a gaseous fuel.
18. A method of adding at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller to a fuel-burning torch, the method comprising: providing a plug according to claim 1; and attaching the plug to an outer wall of the fuel-burning torch, such that the plug body penetrates through the outer wall of the torch, causing a first portion of the plug body to extend outside of the outer wall of the torch while a second portion of the plug body extends inside of the outer wall of the torch, the plug body either abutting or entering into a fuel reservoir of the torch, said attachment thereby implementing the at least one sensor and/or torch aspect controller that is included with the plug.
19. (Withdrawn, currently amended): The method of claim 18, wherein the plug is attached to the outer wall of the fuel-burning torch during manufacturing of the fuel-burning torch.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] 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;
[0048] 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;
[0049] 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;
[0050] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outdoor activity area surrounded by torches according to an embodiment of the present invention where the fuel plumbing system interconnects the torches in series;
[0051] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment that includes an attached plug from which two fuel level sensors extend into the local fuel tank of the torch;
[0052] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 3A that includes a solar panel that recharges a battery that provides power to the plug;
[0053] FIG. 4 is a close-up top view of the split-ring wick seal of FIG. 7D;
[0054] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a gas-burning torch;
[0055] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a torch that has been upgraded from a gas burning torch to a liquid fuel burning torch by installation therein of a torch upgrade kit;
[0056] FIG. 7 illustrates presentation to a user of a map showing a distribution pattern of torches having plugs according to the present invention; and
[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an open terrain that includes a plurality of torches in an embodiment of the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates a plurality of systems of the present invention that are controlled by a single application or family of applications running in the “cloud.”
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0059] The present invention is a cost-efficient solution for implementing insect repellant torches that provide wireless remote access to features of the torch. Embodiments of the invention can be installed as an upgrade to previously manufactured torches, such as conventional torches that are self-contained and do not provide remote access. With reference to FIG. 2, embodiments of the present invention are applicable to systems that include one or more liquid fuel-burning torches 200, where all of the torches 200 are in fluid communication via a fuel plumbing system 204 with a central reservoir 202 of liquid fuel, a fuel pump 210, and a fuel valve 212.
[0060] In addition, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by manufactures of conventional torches that lack remote wireless access, so as to enable the manufacturers to produce remotely accessible torches with minimal changes to existing designs, parts inventory and manufacturing processes, thereby maintaining an economy of scale for parts and assembly steps that are common to both the pre-existing torch designs and to new, remotely accessible torches that implement the present invention, thereby reducing the manufacturing and support costs of the remotely accessible torches.
[0061] With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the present invention is, or includes, a plug, insert, or bung 300 (referred to herein generically as a plug 300) that is attachable to an outer wall 108 of a fuel-burning torch 102 so as to add at least one additional feature to the torch. Depending on the embodiment, and on the material properties and thickness of the wall 108 of the torch 102, attachment of the plug 300 to the torch wall 108 can be by magnetic attachment, gluing, welding, or any other attachment means as are known in the art. In some embodiments the plug 300 is permanently fixed to the wall 108 of the torch 102, while in other embodiments the plug 300 can be removed from the torch 102, for example if a repair or upgrade is desired.
[0062] In the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the torch 102 is a liquid fuel burning torch. The plug 300 penetrates through the wall 108 of the torch 102, and is attached to the wall 108 by engagement of a male thread 314 of the plug 300 with a female thread provided in a corresponding hole formed in the wall 108 of the torch 102. In other embodiments the outer rim of the plug 300 is plastic or elastic, and the attachment is frictional, in the manner of a stopper being inserted into an opening. In still other embodiments, the plug 300 includes a male-threaded portion 314 that extends through a hole provided in the wall 108 of the torch 102, and is engaged by a matching nut from within the torch 102 so as to compress the plug against the outer surface of the torch wall 108. In still other embodiments a portion of the plug 300 extends through a hole in the torch wall and is grasped by a clip applied from within the torch interior. In embodiments, an O-ring or washer (not shown) is provided so as to form a liquid-tight seal between the plug 300 and the wall 108 of the torch 102.
[0063] With continuing reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plug 300 includes an electronic “chip” 302 and a power source, such as a battery 308 and/or solar cell array 310, as well as wireless communication apparatus 316 that provides remote monitoring of the torch, and in embodiments also control of the features that are added to the torch 102 by the plug 300. The wireless communication can be, for example, via Bluetooth, low power, wide range Wi-Fi (LoRaLan), 802.11 wireless internet, and/or cellular communication.
[0064] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plug 300 extends into the local fuel tank 116 of the torch 102, and rigid leads 306 extend from the plug 300 into the torch interior. Fuel level sensors 318 are suspended from the rigid leads 306, so that they hang down into the local fuel supply and are able to provide signals that indicate when the torch should be refilled with fuel and when it is full and no more fuel should be added. Similar embodiments include any combination of sensors, such as a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and/or a “tilt” sensor that can determine if the torch has been shifted away from a vertical orientation.
[0065] In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the plug 300 further adds an automatic wick ignitor 320 to the torch 102 as an added control feature. A large capacitor 312 is included with the plug 300 that is configured to accumulate a high voltage that can be suddenly discharged to cause the ignitor 320 to emit a spark that will ignite the torch fuel 116. Similar embodiments add one or more other control features to the torch, such as remote control of a fuel filling valve and/or a remotely activated torch-extinguishing mechanism.
[0066] In addition, the embodiment of FIG. 3B further includes a remotely controlled wick clamp 322 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 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 322 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.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a close-up top view of the wick clamp 322 of FIG. 3B. In the illustrated embodiment, the wick clamp 322 includes a split ring 412 that is normally held in a clamped configuration by a tension spring 416 acting on a pair of clamping arms 418. However, when adjustment of the height of the wick is desired, or for any other reason, the split ring 412 can be temporarily released by passing electrical current through a coil 420, thereby repelling a pair of magnets 422 that are also cooperative with the clamping arms 418, and overcoming the tension applied by the spring 416.
[0068] In embodiments, the chip 302 that is included in the plug 300 establishes a unique electronic torch id, thereby enabling each torch 102 among a plurality of torches 102 equipped with the plugs 300 to be uniquely addressable by wireless means.
[0069] In various embodiments, a plurality of plugs 300 are, or can be, attached to a given torch 102, so as to provide flexibility as to the number and combination of features that are to be added to the torch 102.
[0070] With reference to FIG. 5, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only insect-repelling torches, nor is it limited only to torches that burn a liquid fuel. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of a gas-burning torch 500 that does not include a local fuel reservoir or a wick 112. Instead, the interior of the torch 500 includes a gas plumbing system 502 terminating in a gas jet 504 that extends above the top of the torch 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug 506 is attached to the torch 500 without penetrating the wall of the torch 500. The plug 500 implements a wick igniting system 302 as well as a GPS system 512 and a temperature sensor 508 that can be used to determine if the flame 510 is active. In embodiments, the gas flow to the torch 500 is automatically shut off if the temperature sensor 508 determines that the flame 510 is not ignited.
[0071] As is noted above, embodiments of the present invention are useful to manufacturers of torches, enabling a manufacturer to enhance an existing torch design by adding new, wirelessly accessible features, rather than implementing an entirely new torch design that would require additional development cost, as much as a greater inventory cost. FIG. 6 is a cross sectional illustration of a torch 600 that is based on a manufacturer's design for a gas-burning torch similar to the torch 500 of FIG. 5. The manufacturer has converted the torch to burn a liquid fuel by omitting the gas fuel plumbing 502 and instead installing an upgrade kit within the shell of the torch 600. The upgrade kit is described in more detail in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/842,146 and international application PCT/US20/62120, both of which are by the present Applicant, and both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
[0072] The upgrade kit in FIG. 6 includes an inflatable fuel reservoir 602 and a wick 604 that extends from the fuel reservoir 602 upward through a wick port 606 above the torch 600. The upgrade kit converts the torch 600 for automated refilling from a remote source, such as is illustrated by FIG. 2. A fuel delivery pipe 608 extends from the fuel reservoir 602 downward and out of the base of the torch 600 through the port 610 where the gas plumbing pipe would have otherwise entered the torch 600 if the torch 600 had not been converted to burn liquid fuel.
[0073] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the plug 300 adds additional features to the torch 600 that include a wick igniting mechanism 320 and a wick seal 322 similar to FIG. 3B. In addition, the plug implements a pressure sensor 612 that rests against the inflatable fuel reservoir 602, and senses the expansion and contraction of the fuel reservoir 602 as it is refilled, and as fuel in consumed between refilling, thereby providing an indication of the amount of fuel that is contained within the fuel reservoir 602 at any given time.
[0074] As mentioned above, embodiments of the present invention further include a global positioning system (GPS), and are able to transmit location information to a user. FIG. 7 illustrates a digital display screen 700 upon which is displayed a simplified map 702 that indicates the location of a hotel 704 and three surrounding outdoor recreation areas, which are a pool 706 and two multipurpose patios 708, 710. The entrance to the hotel 704 and the outdoor recreation areas 706, 708, 710 are all surrounded by torches 712 that are equipped with GPS capability, for example by installation of plug according to the present invention onto the torches. Based on information received from the GPS systems, the locations of the torches 712 can be automatically indicated on the displayed map 702. This capability could be useful, for example to the management of a hotel chain wishing to verify how and where each of the hotels 704 has deployed its torches 712. In embodiments, additional information received from the torches, for example temperature measurements, is used to indicate which of the displayed torches 712 are burning fuel at any given time.
[0075] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in which torches 200 into which plugs 300 of the present invention have been incorporated are distributed along a path 800 and in adjacent open terrain 802. The torches 200 are interconnected by an underground fuel plumbing system (not shown) to a central fuel source and pump (also not shown), thereby enabling the torches to be operated without local refueling. The plugs 300 in the illustrated embodiment enable the torches 200 to be ignited, monitored, and extinguished by a remote user who is in wireless communication with the torches.
[0076] With reference to FIG. 9, in embodiments a plurality of torches 200, which can be configured in groups 900 of torches 200 as shown in FIG. 2, are configured for control by a single, combined control system, such as a single software application or family of applications running in the “cloud” 902 whereby a computing device 904, such as a laptop computer or hand-held mobile device, can provide remote wireless access to the plugs 300 that are installed on the torches 200, thereby monitoring and/or controlling some or all of the functions of the torches 200 that are implemented by the plug 300.
[0077] 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.
[0078] 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.
