Burner Assembly

Abstract

A burner assembly comprising a burner element ( 8 ) at which gas is combusted. A valve ( 2 ) allows selective release of gas from a source into an expandable space ( 4 ) when the valve is opened. The space is expanadable up to a fixed volume ( 3 ) against the action of a restoring means. The space is arranged to contract under the action of the restoring means to force gas out of the space and to the burner element.

1 . A burner assembly comprising a burner element at which gas is combusted, a gas source, a valve to allow selective release of gas from the source, an expandable space to which gas from the gas source is arranged to flow when the valve is opened, the space being expandable up to a fixed volume against the action of a restoring means, the space being arranged to contract under the action of the restoring means to force gas out of the space and to the burner element. 
     
     
         2 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the restoring means is a resilient member. 
     
     
         3 . An assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the resilient member is a balloon. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve is separate from the gas source. 
     
     
         5 . An assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the valve comprises a manually operable member which the user presses to initiate the release of gas. 
     
     
         6 . An assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the valve is a timed valve which is configured to close automatically at a predetermined time after it is opened. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an ignition system which is activated by the manually operable member. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the burner is a catalytic burner. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heat distribution plate provided downstream of and spaced from the burner. 
     
     
         10 . An assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the plate is provided with a plurality of holes to promote air flow through the plate. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the holes furthest from the burner are larger than those closer to the burner.