Burner assembly

Abstract

The invention to which this application relates is to a burner assembly of the type which can be used and incorporated into larger apparatus, either in conjunction with other burners or independently to provide a flame and heat. In particular, the burner is for utilization in conjunction with a heat exchanger to supply flame to the heat exchanger (HX) inlets. Rather than provide separate burner assemblies for each inlet as is conventionally the case, the invention allows for the provision of a common burner assembly wit ha series of spaced ports, through which the air gas mixture can pass to allow each of the inlets to be supplied by the common burner assembly. This improves efficiency and reduces cost.

1 . A burner assembly, said burner assembly provided for connection to a series of spaced inlets to provide heat and/or flame thereto, and wherein the burner assembly is provided with a plurality of ports or groups of ports therein through which a pre-mixed gas/air mixture leaves said burner, said ports provided at spaced locations, so as to allow the inlets to be served by the common burner assembly.  
   
   
       2 . A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the inlets are the inlets of the HX tubes of a heat exchanger.  
   
   
       3 . A burner assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the HX tubes are those of a multi flue heat exchanger.  
   
   
       4 . A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the burner includes a plate, said plate having the ports formed therein.  
   
   
       5 . A burner assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the plate includes one port for each HX tube.  
   
   
       6  A burner assembly according to  claim 5  wherein said ports are spaced on the plate to match the spacing of the HX tubes.  
   
   
       7 . A burner assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the plate includes a series of ports forming a group, said plate having a number of spaced groups.  
   
   
       8  A burner assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the groups of ports are spaced to match the spacing of the HX tubes.  
   
   
       9 . A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the number of ports or groups of ports differs to the number of HX inlets.  
   
   
       10  A burner assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the HX inlets are supplied from a number of ports or groups of ports greater than the number of inlets.  
   
   
       11  A burner assembly according to  claim 9  wherein the HX inlets are supplied from a number of ports or groups of ports less than the number of inlets.  
   
   
       12  A burner assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the plate provided with the ports is mounted and located within a housing with the housing formed, and the plate positioned, such that a combustion chamber is defined on the side of the plate facing the HX tubes.  
   
   
       13 . A burner assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the combustion chamber is common for each of the ports, and hence each of the HX tubes supplied via the ports.  
   
   
       14 . A burner assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the burner assembly is provided with a single injector to supply gas into a cavity.  
   
   
       15 . A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein a diffuser or distributor is provided in the assembly to improve the gas/air mixture.  
   
   
       16 . A burner assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the diffuser is a perforated diffuser;  
   
   
       17 . A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of ports or groups of ports are formed in a plate which can be mounted on the body, said plate interchangeable with other plates with differing port formations thereon to enable a common housing to be utilized with the plate and the configuration of the ports on the plate being selected to match the HX tubes configuration with which the burner assembly is to be provided.  
   
   
       18  A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the ports are in the form of circular apertures.  
   
   
       19  A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the ports are in the form of slots.  
   
   
       20  A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the gas/air mixture is fully premixed.  
   
   
       21  A burner assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the gas/air mixture is partially premixed.  
   
   
       22 . A burner assembly, said burner assembly comprising a housing and body, said body provided with a gas supply leading into a cavity defined within the body, said cavity acting as a mixing chamber in which the gas and air mixes and said mixture leaving the cavity via a number of ports, combusts and in turn leaves the burner assembly to enter a series of HX tubes which are provided in a predefined configuration, and wherein the ports are provided in a plate which defines one of the walls of the cavity, said ports provided in a spaced configuration on the plate.  
   
   
       23  A burner assembly according to  claim 22  wherein the configuration of the ports or groups of ports matches the configuration of the HX tube inlets such that at least one of the ports is positioned adjacent each of the HX tube inlets.  
   
   
       24 . A burner assembly according to  claim 22  wherein the number of ports or groups of ports matches the number of inlets.  
   
   
       25  A heat exchanger incorporating a burner assembly in accordance with  claim 1 .  
   
   
       26  A heating means incorporating a burner assembly in accordance with  claim 1.