Gelled fuel heating system and method

Abstract

A system and method for heating an elongate metal item to cause thermal expansion thereof. The system includes a tubular container having a nozzle and a moveable piston, with gelled fuel disposed between the piston and the nozzle. An advancing mechanism moves the piston toward the nozzle to force the gelled fuel to flow out of the nozzle onto the elongate metal item. The method includes the steps of applying the gelled fuel to a surface of the item, and igniting the gelled fuel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for heating an elongate metal item to cause thermal expansion thereof, comprising the steps of: 
 a) applying gelled fuel directly to a surface of the metal item; and    b) igniting the gelled fuel.    
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with    claim 1   , wherein the step of applying the gelled fuel comprises: 
 c) placing a nozzle of a tubular container adjacent to the surface of the elongate item, the tubular container having a moveable piston disposed opposite the nozzle, and gelled fuel disposed within the container between the piston and the nozzle; and    d) moving the piston toward the nozzle, so as to cause the gelled fuel to flow out of the nozzle onto the elongate metal item.    
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with    claim 2   , wherein the tubular container comprises a substantially rigid prepackaged tube, and the step of moving the piston toward the nozzle comprises manipulating a ratchet mechanism so as to advance a rod against the piston to force the gelled fuel out of the cavity through the nozzle.  
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with    claim 2   , wherein the tubular container comprises a refillable cylinder having a main chamber for containing the gelled fuel, and the step of moving the piston toward the nozzle comprises moving the piston linearly along a rod centrally disposed within the cavity.  
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with    claim 4   , wherein the rod is a threaded rod, and the step of moving the piston toward the nozzle comprises rotating the threaded rod to cause linear movement of the piston.  
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with    claim 5   , wherein the step of rotating the threaded rod comprises a step selected from the group consisting of moving a lever and ratchet mechanism, turning a hand crank, and activating an electric motor.  
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with    claim 6   , wherein the step of activating an electric motor comprises activating a power drill.  
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with    claim 2   , wherein the step of moving the piston toward the nozzle comprises applying compressed air against a side of the piston opposite the gelled fuel.  
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with    claim 1   , wherein the step of applying the gelled fuel further comprises the steps of: 
 c) placing an elongate prepackaged flexible casing of gelled fuel adjacent to the metal item;    d) slitting open the flexible casing to expose the gelled fuel; and    e) pressing the gelled fuel against the surface of the metal item.    
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with    claim 9   , wherein the steps of slitting open the flexible casing and pressing the gelled fuel against the surface of the metal item further comprise the step of sliding a cutting device along the metal item and the casing of gelled fuel.  
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with    claim 9   , wherein the step of slitting open the flexible casing further comprises the steps of: 
 f) placing a cutting device against the metal item, the cutting device having an aperture and a cutting blade, the flexible casing extending through the aperture and contacting the cutting blade;    g) simultaneously (i) moving the cutting device linearly along the surface of the metal item and (ii) drawing the flexible casing through the aperture and against the cutting blade, whereby the flexible casing is cut along its length by the blade, and the gelled fuel is pressed against and adheres to the surface of the metal item.    
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with    claim 1   , wherein the step of applying the gelled fuel further comprises the steps of: 
 c) disposing an elongate prepackaged flexible casing of gelled fuel on the metal item;    d) igniting the flexible casing.    
     
     
         13 . A system for heating an elongate metal item to cause thermal expansion thereof, comprising: 
 a tubular container having a nozzle disposed at a first end, a moveable piston disposed in the container, and gelled fuel disposed within the container between the piston and the nozzle;    an advancing mechanism configured to move the piston toward the nozzle, to cause the gelled fuel to flow out of the nozzle onto the elongate metal item; and    means for igniting the gelled fuel.    
     
     
         14 . A system in accordance with    claim 12   , 
 wherein the tubular container comprises a substantially rigid prepackaged tube, said tube defining a cavity containing the gelled fuel, the piston substantially sealing an end of the cavity opposite the nozzle; and    wherein the advancing mechanism comprises an elongate body configured for receiving the prepackaged tube, and having a ratchet mechanism, a rod, and an end plate on the rod, said ratchet mechanism configured for advancing the rod to press the end plate against the piston so as to force the gelled fuel out of the cavity through the nozzle.    
     
     
         15 . A system in accordance with    claim 13   , wherein the tubular container comprises: 
 a cylinder defining a refillable main chamber for containing the gelled fuel, the cylinder having a first end with a nozzle in fluid communication with the main chamber, and a moveable piston disposed within and substantially sealing the main chamber opposite the nozzle; and    means for moving the piston linearly within the cavity, whereby movement of the piston toward the nozzle forces fuel out of the main chamber through the nozzle.    
     
     
         16 . A system in accordance with    claim 15   , wherein the means for moving the piston within the cavity comprises: 
 a threaded rod centrally disposed within the main chamber, said moveable piston being mounted on the threaded rod; and    rotational drive means connected to the threaded rod, whereby the piston moves linearly when the threaded rod is rotationally driven.    
     
     
         17 . A system in accordance with    claim 16   , wherein the rotational drive means is selected from the group consisting of a lever and ratchet mechanism, a hand crank, and an electric motor.  
     
     
         18 . A system in accordance with    claim 17   , wherein the electric motor comprises a power drill.  
     
     
         19 . A system in accordance with    claim 13   , wherein the advancing mechanism for moving the piston comprises a compressed air source configured to supply compressed air into the cylinder and urge the piston toward the nozzle.  
     
     
         20 . A system in accordance with    claim 13   , wherein the gelled fuel comprises gelled ethanol.  
     
     
         21 . A system in accordance with    claim 20   , wherein the gelled ethanol comprises a mixture of ethanol, a cellulose gelling agent, and an oxidizer.  
     
     
         22 . A system in accordance with    claim 20   , wherein the gelled ethanol comprises carbon additives for increasing its burn temperature.  
     
     
         23 . A system in accordance with    claim 13   , wherein the elongate metal item is selected from the group consisting of a railroad rail, a railroad turnout component, a pipe, a drain, a pump, and mating structural steel components.  
     
     
         24 . A system in accordance with    claim 22   : 
 wherein the elongate metal item is a railroad rail; and    wherein the gelled fuel is applied to a portion of the rail selected from the group comprising: the rail head, the web of the rail, and the base flange of the rail.    
     
     
         25 . A method of heating a railroad track component to cause thermal expansion thereof, comprising the steps of: 
 a) applying gelled fuel to a surface of the railroad track component, such that the gelled fuel adheres to said surface; and    b) igniting the gelled fuel.    
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with    claim 25    wherein the railroad track component is selected from the group consisting of a railroad rail and a moveable turnout component.  
     
     
         27 . A method in accordance with    claim 26   , wherein the railroad track component is a railroad rail, and the surface is selected from the group consisting of the rail web, the rail head, the rail base flange, the intersection of the rail web and the base flange, and the intersection of the rail head and the rail web.  
     
     
         28 . A tube-splitter for splitting an elongate tube of gelled fuel and spreading the fuel on a metal item, comprising: 
 a housing having an inside and a bottom;    a feeder tube disposed inside the housing, and having an aperture configured for receiving an elongate tube of gelled fuel;    a knife disposed within the housing adjacent to the feeder tube and pointing upward from the bottom of the housing, and configured to slit the bottom of the elongate tube of gelled fuel;    a spreader ramp, disposed adjacent to the knife, and configured for spreading open the split tube and pressing the gelled fuel onto the metal item.    
     
     
         29 . A tube-splitter according to    claim 28   , further comprising a handle configured for allowing a user to move the tube-splitter along the item.  
     
     
         30 . A tube-splitter according to    claim 28   , wherein the knife is removable.