Multi-distributor burner plate apparatus

Abstract

A multi-distributor burner plate apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a distributor plate and a housing extending outwardly from the distributor plate. The housing includes a bore extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing and is configured to receive a burner control cartridge apparatus therein, wherein the bore is in mating alignment with a central opening of the distributor plate to permit air and fuel to flow through the multi-distributor burner plate apparatus and enter a burner.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A multi-distributor burner plate apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a distributor plate; and   (b) a housing extending outwardly from the distributor plate, the housing including a bore extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing and being configured to receive a burner control cartridge apparatus therein, wherein the bore is in mating alignment with a central opening of the distributor plate to permit air and fuel to flow through the multi-distributor burner plate apparatus and enter a burner.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the distributor plate includes at least one view port configured to allow a user to view into a burner. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a port positioned on a side of the housing in fluid communication with the bore, the port being configured to connect to a conduit to transport air and fuel into the bore of the housing, thereby providing air and fuel to a burner. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the bore is a multi-diameter bore configured to receive different styles of burner control cartridge apparatuses therein. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the bore includes a first bore section having a first bore diameter, a second bore section having a second bore diameter, a third bore section having a third bore diameter, and a fourth bore section having a fourth diameter, wherein the fourth diameter is substantially equal to a diameter of the central opening. 
     
     
         6 . A multi-distributor burner plate apparatus, comprising:
 (a) a distributor plate;   (b) a housing extending outwardly from and connected to the distributor plate, the housing including a bore extending from a first end of the housing to a second end of the housing, wherein the bore is positioned for mating alignment with a central opening of the distributor plate to permit air and fuel to flow through the multi-distributor burner plate apparatus and into a burner; and   (c) a burner control cartridge apparatus configured to control the burner, the burner control cartridge apparatus being positioned in the bore of the housing such that the burner control cartridge apparatus controls the flow of the air and fuel entering the burner.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the distributor plate includes a base flange and a raised portion extending outwardly from the base flange. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the housing extends outwardly from the raised portion, the raised portion includes:
 (a) at least one view port configured to allow a user to view into a burner; and   (b) an electrode port configured support an electrode therein.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the burner control cartridge apparatus includes a multi-zone cartridge configured to control a multi-zone burner. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the burner control cartridge apparatus includes a multi-pattern cartridge configured to control flame patterns of the burner to permit a user to control a location of heat along the length of the burner. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the burner control cartridge apparatus includes a balancing tube cartridge configured to balance thermal energy along a length of the burner. 
     
     
         12 . A method of controlling a burner, comprising the steps of:
 (a) connecting a multi-distributor burner plate apparatus to a burner; and   (b) inserting a burner control cartridge apparatus into a housing of the apparatus, wherein the burner control cartridge apparatus provides a user with a specific control for the burner.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further including the steps of:
 (a) removing the burner control cartridge apparatus from the housing when the desired control has changed; and   (b) inserting a new burner control cartridge apparatus into the housing to provide a different control.