SMUDGE POT

Abstract

A smudge pot with a pot, a pot lid, a chimney, a return pipe, and an access port. The pot has an interior configured to hold liquid fuel. The pot lid has a combustion hole and a return hole extending therethrough. The chimney is aligned with the combustion hole. The return pipe has a first end positioned inside of the chimney, a second end coupled with the pot lid at the return hole, and a pipe wall extending between the first end and the second end. The first end has a first opening aligned with a center of the return pipe and the second end has a second opening aligned with the center of the return pipe. The pipe wall comprises an arc adjacent to the first end and may be parallel to the chimney adjacent to the second end.

Claims

1. A smudge pot, comprising: a pot having an interior configured to hold a liquid fuel; a pot lid configured to cover the interior of the pot and contain the liquid fuel, the pot lid having a combustion hole and a return hole extending therethrough; a chimney aligned with the combustion hole of the pot lid, the chimney extending up from the pot lid and having a plurality of vents extending through a sidewall of the chimney; a hollow return pipe having a first end positioned inside of the chimney, a second end coupled with the pot lid at the return hole, and a pipe wall extending between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first opening aligned with a center of the return pipe and the second end having a second opening aligned with the center of the return pipe, wherein the pipe wall comprises an arc in a range of 91-220 degrees adjacent to the first end, wherein the pipe wall is parallel to the chimney adjacent to the second end, wherein the second opening is aligned with the return hole of the pot lid, and wherein, when the liquid fuel is ignited, the return pipe is configured to cycle air within the chimney through the return pipe back down to the pot; and an access port extending through the pot lid and having a sleeve extending down from the pot lid into the interior of the pot and a dipstick configured to plug the access port and extend down into the sleeve, wherein the dipstick is configured to indicate a depth of liquid fuel remaining in the pot.

2. The smudge pot of claim 1, further comprising a heat shield positioned on a top of the chimney and configured to deflect heat passing through the chimney.

3. The smudge pot of claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the arc is greater than an outer diameter of the chimney.

4. The smudge pot of claim 1, wherein the return pipe is manufactured using a mandrel bending process.

5. The smudge pot of claim 1, wherein the pipe wall comprises an arc in a range of 160-200 degrees.

6. A smudge pot, comprising: a pot having an interior configured to hold a liquid fuel; a pot lid configured to cover the interior of the pot and contain the liquid fuel, the pot lid having a combustion hole and a return hole extending therethrough; a chimney aligned with the combustion hole of the pot lid, the chimney extending up from the pot lid; and a return pipe having a first end positioned inside of the chimney, a second end coupled with the pot lid at the return hole, and a pipe wall extending between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first opening aligned with a center of the return pipe and the second end having a second opening aligned with the center of the return pipe, wherein, when the liquid fuel is ignited, the return pipe is configured to cycle air within the chimney through the return pipe back down to the pot.

7. The smudge pot of claim 6, wherein the chimney has a plurality of vents extending through a sidewall of the chimney.

8. The smudge pot of claim 6, wherein the pipe wall is parallel to the chimney adjacent to the second end.

9. The smudge pot of claim 6, wherein the second opening is aligned with the return hole of the pot lid.

10. The smudge pot of claim 6, further comprising a heat shield positioned on a top of the chimney and configured to deflect heat passing through the chimney.

11. The smudge pot of claim 6, wherein the inner diameter of the arc is greater than an outer diameter of the chimney.

12. The smudge pot of claim 6, wherein the return pipe is manufactured using a mandrel bending process.

13. The smudge pot of claim 6, wherein the pipe wall comprises an arc in a range of 160-200 degrees.

14. A smudge pot, comprising: a pot having an interior configured to hold a liquid fuel; a pot lid configured to cover the interior of the pot and contain the liquid fuel, the pot lid having a combustion hole and a return hole extending therethrough; a chimney aligned with the combustion hole of the pot lid, the chimney extending up from the pot lid; a return pipe having a first end positioned inside of the chimney, a second end coupled with the pot lid at the return hole, and a pipe wall extending between the first end and the second end, wherein, when the liquid fuel is ignited, the return pipe is configured to cycle air within the chimney through the return pipe back down to the pot; and an access port extending through the pot lid and having a sleeve extending down from the pot lid toward a base of the pot and a dipstick configured to plug the access port and extend down into the sleeve, wherein the dipstick is configured to indicate a depth of liquid fuel remaining in the pot.

15. The smudge pot of claim 14, wherein the first end has a first opening aligned with a center of the return pipe and the second end has a second opening aligned with the center of the return pipe.

16. The smudge pot of claim 14, wherein the pipe wall is parallel to the chimney adjacent to the second end.

17. The smudge pot of claim 14, further comprising a heat shield positioned on a top of the chimney and configured to deflect heat passing through the chimney.

18. The smudge pot of claim 14, wherein the inner diameter of the arc is greater than an outer diameter of the chimney.

19. The smudge pot of claim 14, wherein the return pipe is manufactured using a mandrel bending process.

20. The smudge pot of claim 14, wherein the pipe wall comprises an arc in a range of 160-200 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended and/or included DRAWINGS, where like designations denote like elements, and:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smudge pot according to some embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a smudge pot according to some embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a return pipe of a smudge pot according to some embodiments;

[0018] FIGS. 4A and 4B are various views of a return pipe of a smudge pot according to some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 5A is perspective view of a conventional return pipe, as known in the prior art;

[0020] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an improved return pipe of a smudge pot according to some embodiments;

[0021] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective and exploded views, respectively, of a dipstick assembly of a smudge pot according to some embodiments; and

[0022] FIG. 7 is cross-sectional side view of a dipstick assembly within an operating smudge pot according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Detailed aspects and applications of the disclosure are described below in the following drawings and detailed description of the technology. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts.

[0024] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that embodiments of the technology disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed technologies may be applied. The full scope of the technology disclosed herein is not limited to the examples that are described below.

[0025] The singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a step includes reference to one or more of such steps.

[0026] The word exemplary, example, or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as exemplary or as an example is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of this disclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.

[0027] When a range of values is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. All ranges are inclusive and combinable.

[0028] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words comprise and contain and variations of the words, for example comprising and comprises, mean including but not limited to, and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components.

[0029] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are included herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limits, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention. The specific examples below will enable the disclosure to be better understood. However, they are given merely by way of guidance and do not imply any limitation.

[0030] The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying figures and examples, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific materials, devices, methods, applications, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed inventions. The term plurality, as used herein, means more than one. When a range of values is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. All ranges are inclusive and combinable.

[0031] More specifically, this disclosure, its aspects and embodiments, are not limited to the specific material types, components, methods, or other examples disclosed herein. Many additional material types, components, methods, and procedures known in the art are contemplated for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation.

[0032] The present disclosure is related to a smudge pot 100. An exemplary embodiment of the smudge pot 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. The smudge pot 100 is designed to heat the area surrounding the smudge pot 100. In some embodiments, the smudge pot 100 disclosed herein is also designed for improved air flow, leading to improved combustion.

[0033] The smudge pot 100 may comprise a pot 102, a pot lid 104, a chimney 106, and a return pipe 108 that is inserted through hole or opening 107 in the chimney 106. The pot 102 is formed as a container and has an interior 110 that is configured to hold liquid fuel. The liquid fuel may be any fluid that is combustible, including kerosene, petroleum, or oil. The pot lid 104 is configured to cover the interior 110 of the pot 102 to contain the liquid fuel. The pot lid 104 contains the combustion of the liquid fuel once the liquid fuel is ignited, as well as the heat produced by the combustion. This allows the heat produced to be controlled and directed in a desired pattern. The pot lid 104 may have a combustion hole 112 extending through the pot lid 104 to allow heat to exit the pot 102 through the combustion hole 112 and to improve combustion within the pot 102. The pot lid 104 also may have a regulator 113 rotatably coupled to the pot lid 104. The regulator 113 is configured to control airflow into the interior 110 of the pot 102 by rotating into different positions. This allows the user to control the rate of combustion within the smudge pot 100 by rotating the regulator 113.

[0034] The chimney 106 is configured to extend up from the pot lid 104 aligned with the combustion hole 112. The chimney 106 is configured to provide a pathway for heat to exit the smudge pot 100 to provide heat to the area surrounding the smudge pot 100. In some embodiments, the chimney 106 has a plurality of vents 114 extending through a sidewall 116 of the chimney 106. These vents 114 help to improve airflow and combustion of the liquid fuel. The chimney 106 may include a heat shield 118 on top of the chimney 106. The heat shield 118 is configured to deflect heat passing through the chimney 106 and/or reflect the heat back toward the ground.

[0035] The return pipe 108 may comprise a bend or curve of 180 with an inner diameter D1 measuring from sidewall to sidewall of the return pipe 108, as well as a second diameter D2 from the center axis 125 at a point or widest point of the bend, curve, or arc 132 in the return pipe 108. The chimney 106 may comprise a diameter D3.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the return pipe 108 may be hollow and may have a first end 120 and a second end 122. A pipe wall 124 extends between the first end 120 and the second end 122. The return pipe 108 has a center line 125 which extends through the center of the cross section of the return pipe 108 at each point along the pipe wall 124. The center line 125 is therefore parallel with the pipe wall 124 along the length of the pipe wall 124. The first end 120 may have a first opening 126 and the second end 122 may have a second opening 128. Both the first opening 126 and the second opening 128 may be aligned with the center of the return pipe 108, meaning that the first opening 126 and the second opening 128 are both on the ends of the return pipe 108 and do not extend through the pipe wall 124. Thus, in some embodiments, the first opening 126 and the second opening 128 are both aligned with the center line 125 and/or are axially aligned with the return pipe 108. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, if the first opening 126 and the second opening 128 were covered with surfaces, these surfaces would be perpendicular to the pipe wall 124.

[0037] The return pipe 108 extends into the chimney 106 through opening 107 in the sidewall 116 of the chimney 106 and extends down to couple with the pot lid 104. FIG. 4B illustrates the return pipe 108 being inserted through the opening 107, after which it can be rotated, turned, or flipped. The return pipe 108 is configured to cycle air from the chimney 106 back down into the smudge pot 100 through a return hole 130 extending through the pot lid 104. To aid in connecting the return pipe 108 to the pot lid 104 at the return hole 130, the return pipe 108 may have a base plate with a flange 131 surrounding a hole through the base plate. To facilitate the insertion and rotation of return pipe 108, the inner diameter D1 may be greater than half of diameter D2 to enable the return pipe 108 to slide into opening 107. Relatedly, diameter D2 (which may also be the average diameter of the return pipe 108) may be greater than the outer diameter D3 of the chimney 106. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the end 120 of return pipe 108 may comprise a scalloped, crenelated, or uneven end 121.

[0038] When the return pipe 108 is attached to the pot lid 104, the base plate is disposed on the inside of the pot lid 104 and the flange 131 extends upward through the return hole 130 in the pot lid 104 to couple with the return pipe 108. This arrangement allows for thermal expansion and cooling, as the pot lid 104, the base plate, and the return pipe 108 cycle between roughly 0 F.-1,100 F. In some embodiments, the base plate is incorporated into the pot lid 104, and the flange 131 extends directly up from the pot lid 104.

[0039] As mentioned above, when the return pipe 108 is installed on the smudge pot 100, the first end 120 may be positioned inside of the chimney 106 and the second end 122 may be coupled with the pot lid 104 at the return hole 130. The pipe wall 124 comprises an arc 132 adjacent to the first end 120 of the return pipe 108, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the return pipe 108 may be shaped differently from conventional return pipes. The arc 132 provides the curve needed to join the first end 120 positioned within the chimney 106 with the second end 122 attached to the pot lid 104 without having a curve that turns the pipe 90 degrees sandwiched between two straight sections of pipe as is done with conventional return pipes. The arc 132 may be circular in shape and may have a range of about 180 degrees, 91-240 degrees, 91-220 degrees, 100-240 degrees, 120-240 degrees, 160-200 degrees, or greater than 90 degrees. This allows the return pipe 108 to extend into the chimney 106 and point downward toward the pot 102 when the return pipe 108 is installed on the smudge pot 100. This avoids the need to cap the end of the return pipe 108 and cut out a hole for the air in the chimney 106 to enter the return pipe 108. In addition, shaping the return pipe 108 in this way provides an important benefit because hot air rising up through the chimney 106 during combustion of the liquid fuel is more easily received into the return pipe 108 and redirected back down to the pot 102 through the return hole 130. This becomes apparent when comparing the prior art return pipe shown in FIG. 5A with the embodiment of the return pipe 108 shown, e.g., in FIG. 5B.

[0040] FIG. 5A illustrates a conventional return pipe 10 comprising a crimped curve 12 with a sidewall 13 and an opening 14 in the sidewall 13 of the return pipe 10, and an end cap 16 coupled to an end of the conventional return pipe 10. On the other hand, FIG. 5B illustrates center axis 125 of return pipe 108 aligned or substantially with a chimney centerline 105 (or alignment line parallel to the centerline or parallel to the pipe wall 124. As used herein, substantially means a percent difference less than or equal to 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, or 1%. The alignment of center axis 125 and the chimney centerline or alignment line 105 may vary by an angle , wherein the angle is within a range of about plus or minus 0-45, 0-23, or 0-15.

[0041] In some embodiments, the inner diameter D1 of the arc 132 is greater than the outer diameter D3 of the chimney 106. This allows the first end 120 of the return pipe 108 to be easily inserted into the chimney 106 and then rotated to couple the second end of the return pipe 108 with the pot lid 104. The pipe wall 124 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the chimney 106 adjacent to the second end 122 of the return pipe 108 and the second end 122 may be aligned with the return hole 130 of the pot lid 104. Thus, when the liquid fuel is ignited, the return pipe 108 is configured to cycle air within the chimney 106 through the return pipe 108 back down to the pot 102.

[0042] The return pipe 108 may be manufactured in a different way from a conventional return pipe. Specifically, rather than crimp the side of the return pipe to create the curve from the vertical portion of the return pipe extending up from the pot lid 104 and the horizontal portion entering the chimney 106, the return pipe 108 may be bent into an arc using a mandrel bending process. Mandrel bending is a method of rotary draw bending in which the mandrel is inserted into the pipe to provide internal support during bending. Using a mandrel helps prevent damage such as distortion, collapsing, rippling, and flattening, and gives greater control over the pipe's ovality or roundness. The mandrel may be a solid mandrel shaft with up to five segmented, donut shaped supports that are just slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe that is being bent. Thus, the mandrel is configured to support the pipe during the bending process to help maintain the desired cross section for the pipe while the pipe is bent.

[0043] Manufacturing the return pipe 108 with a mandrel bending process allows the return pipe 108 to have fewer variations in the shape of the inner diameter of the return pipe 108. This may help to improve airflow through the return pipe 108, which in turn helps combustion within the smudge pot. In addition, the return pipe 108 need not be cleaned out as often because there are fewer locations where build-up can occur within the return pipe 108.

[0044] The pot lid 104 may also comprise an access port 134 extending through the pot lid 104. The access port 134 is configured to allow access to the interior 110 of the smudge pot 100 without requiring that the pot lid 104 be removed. The access port 134 can therefore be used to check the level of fluid in the pot 102 or to add additional liquid fuel to the pot 102. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6-7, the access port 134 may have a sleeve 138 extending down from the pot lid 104 into the interior 110 of the pot 102 and a dipstick 136 configured to plug the access port 134 and extend down into the sleeve 138. The sleeve 138 is open at the bottom to allow the liquid fuel to fill up the sleeve to the same level as the rest of the pot 102. Thus, the dipstick 136 can be used to check a depth of liquid fuel remaining in the pot 102. In addition, the sleeve 138 is configured to provide a barrier between the interior 110 of the pot 102 and the access port 134 so that, when combustion is occurring within the interior 110 of the pot 102, the combustion does not exit the pot 102 through the access port 134. Thus, the level of fluid in the pot 102 can be checked and additional liquid fuel can be added without exposing the user directly to the combustion within the pot 102.

[0045] The return pipe 108 of the smudge pot 100 disclosed herein may also be used as an aftermarket part that can be installed on any existing smudge pot. To aid in installation of the return pipe 108, both for OEM and aftermarket embodiments, the inner diameter of the arc 132 may be larger than the outer diameter of the chimney 106, as mentioned above. This allows the arc 132 of the return pipe to be inserted into and coupled with the chimney 106 with the lower straight portion of the return pipe 108 pulled away from the smudge pot 100. Once the arc 132 has been inserted into the chimney 106, the lower straight portion of the return pipe 108 can be rotated to then couple the second end 122 of the return pipe 108 with the pot lid 104.

[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the smudge pot 100, taken along the section line 7 of FIG. 1, and illustrates a dipstick assembly within an operating smudge pot according to some embodiments. FIG. 7 further illustrates dipstick handle or pull 137 coupled to dipstick rod 139 that is disposed within dipstick sleeve 138. Oil level 140 outside sleeve 136 may be the same as oil level 142 within sleeve 136 (or slightly different due to surface tension). Oil level 140 outside sleeve 136 comprises a combusting surface 144 while oil level 142 within sleeve 136 may not be combusting. Flow 146 of vapor and heat from combusting surface 144 may extend up chimney 106.

[0047] The present disclosure is also related to a method of manufacturing the return pipe 108, as mentioned above. This method may comprise providing a pipe 108 having a first end 120 and a second end 122 distal to the first end 120, creating an arc 132 in the pipe 108 by inserting a mandrel into the pipe 108 and bending a first portion of the pipe adjacent to the first end 120 using a mandrel bending process to have a desired arc angle, which may be about 180 degrees, 91-240 degrees, 91-220 degrees, 100-240 degrees, 120-240 degrees, 160-200 degrees, or greater than 90 degrees. A smudge pot 100 may be provided that has a chimney 106 with a hole through a sidewall 116 of the chimney 106. The pipe 108 can then be oriented so that the second end 122 of the pipe 108 is misaligned with the chimney 106, the first end 120 of the pipe can be inserted into the hole through the sidewall 116 of the chimney 106, and the pipe 108 can be rotated to align the second end 122 of the pipe 108 with the chimney 106 to couple the second end 122 of the pipe 108 with the smudge pot 100.

[0048] Many additional implementations are possible. Further implementations are within the CLAIMS. It will be understood that implementations of the smudge pot include but are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of various smudge pots may be utilized. Accordingly, for example, it should be understood that, while the drawings and accompanying text show and describe particular smudge pot implementations, any such implementation may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of smudge pots.

[0049] The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specific smudge pots shown herein. For example, it is specifically contemplated that the components included in particular smudge pots may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations that can readily be formed into shaped objects and that are consistent with the intended operation of the smudge pot. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass), carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination therefore, and/or other like materials; elastomers and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, fluoropolymers, polyacetal, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polysulfone, and/or the like, thermosets (such as epoxy, phenolic resin, polyimide, polyurethane, and/or the like), and/or other like materials; plastics and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, spring steel, aluminum, and/or other like materials; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

[0050] Furthermore, smudge pots may be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, may involve 3-D printing, extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s) forming the components.

[0051] In places where the description above refers to particular smudge pot implementations, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may be applied to other implementations disclosed or undisclosed. The presently disclosed smudge pots are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.