Meltable fuel gas generation apparatus and methods

Abstract

Gas generation apparatus and methods are provided, including apparatus and methods for efficient vaporization, and optional burning, of meltable fuels. The apparatus and methods provide controlled generation and combustion of any low melting point dimensionally stable combustible meltable fuel. This is preferably accomplished by first converting the solid or semi solid meltable fuel material into a liquid state, then into vapor, and finally mixing with an air source or other oxidizer before combustion.

1 . An apparatus for generating a gas vapor state of at least one meltable fuel, the device comprising a gas generator assembly configured and disposed to receive a meltable fuel and to convert at least a portion of the meltable fuel to a gas vapor state. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas generator assembly includes a heat source in thermal connection with a heat transfer element, and wherein the heat transfer element is configured and disposed for converting a meltable fuel from a solid state to at least a liquid state. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises a fuel reservoir configured and disposed for receiving a meltable fuel, and wherein the heat transfer element is in thermal connection with the fuel reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer element is comprised of material having a thermal conductivity of greater than 10 W/m K). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the gas generation assembly includes at least one inlet opening for receiving meltable fuel, and wherein the gas generation assembly is configured and disposed to convert the meltable fuel to vapor state fuel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the gas generation assembly further includes at least one outlet opening for allowing the vapor state fuel to escape from the assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the outlet opening of the gas generation assembly is configured and disposed to convey the generated vapor state fuel to a nozzle assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the heat source is a burning wick flame. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus includes at least one diffuser assembly configured and disposed for controlling the amount of air available to the wick flame. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a nozzle assembly disposed and configured to produce a combustible mixture of vapor state fuel and air. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the heat transfer element includes a surrounding element. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the surrounding element comprises a heating chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the heat transfer element comprises a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/m K. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas generation apparatus is selectively operable as at least one of a stove, fumigation device, gas lantern, and heater. 
     
     
         15 . A gas generation apparatus comprising:
 a reservoir configured for receiving a meltable fuel;   a heat transfer element having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein said inlet end is in communicable connection with said reservoir, said heat transfer element comprising a thermally conductive material, and   a heat source in thermal connection with the heat transfer element, the heat source configured and disposed to transfer heat to the heat transfer element in a sufficient amount to convert at least a portion of a meltable fuel received by the reservoir to at least a liquid state.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein said meltable fuel is a wax, and wherein said heat transfer element comprises a wick for drawing at least liquid state meltable fuel from the reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said apparatus is a lamp, stove, furnace, or gas generator. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said heat transfer element defines a central conduit from said inlet end to said outlet end, and wherein a wick is provided within said conduit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said thermally conductive material is at least as conductive as copper. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the heat source is a wick flame.