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(12) United States Patent (lo) Patent No.: US 8,529,249 B2

Haskin et al. (45) Date of Patent: Sep.10, 2013

(54) FLAME HOLDER SYSTEM 919,743 A * 4/1909 Mason .......................... 285/361

931,327 A * 8/1909 Manzel ........................... 279/93
(75) Inventors: Henry H. Haskin, Newport News, VA 1,130,726 A * 3/1915 Greve ........................... 285/376
1,132,969 A 3/1915 Paul
(US); Peter Vasquez, Gloucester, VA 1,307,273 A * 6/1919 Salley ........................... 285/361
(US) 1,390,264 A * 9/1921 Allen et al . ................... 239/117
1,622,216 A * 3/1927 Anlauf et al . ................... 285/88
(73) Assignee: The United States of America as 1,646,456 A * 10/1927 Noreen et al . ............. 239/416.4
represented by the Administrator of 1,670,147 A * 5/1928 Gault, Jr . ...................... 431/353
1,738,893 A * 12/1929 Grady ........................... 220/301
the National Aeronautics and Space 1,845,882 A * 2/1932 Litschge ....................... 285/361
Administration, Washington, DC (US) 2,148,535 A * 2/1939 Cone ............................. 239/390
2,368,370 A * 1/1945 Maxon, Jr . .................... 431/249
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 2,437,180 A * 3/1948 Allen ............................ 439/277
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2,496,264 A 2/1950 Benson
2,562,505 A * 7/1951 Mueller ........................ 239/283
U.S.C. 154(b) by 901 days.
2,598,009 A * 5/1952 Peeps ......................... 251/149.5

(21) Appl. No.: 11 /860,703 (Continued)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
(22) Filed: Sep. 25, 2007
GB 2125501 A * 3/1984
GB 2155985 A * 10/1985
(65) Prior Publication Data JP 59231313 A * 12/1984
US 2009/0081601 Al Mar. 26, 2009 WO W002098195 Al * 12/2002

Primary Examiner Kang Hu

(51) Int. Cl. Assistant Examiner John C Hailey, III
F23D 14146 (2006.01)
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Robin W. Edwards; Helen
(52) U.S. Cl.
M. Galus
USPC ........... 431/353; 431/350; 431/354; 285/396;
285/402; 239/600; 403/319 (57) ABSTRACT
(58) Field of Classification Search
USPC ................. 431/159, 181, 345, 350, 353, 354,
A flame holder system includes a modified torch body and a
431/355; 285/361, 376, 396, 402; 239/589, ceramic flame holder. Catch pints) are coupled to and extend
239/600,148.21; 403/319; 220/301 radially out from the torch body. The ceramic flame holder
See application file for complete search history. has groove(s) formed in its inner wall that correspond in
number andpositioning to the catch pints). Each groove starts
(56) References Cited at one end of the flame holder and can be shaped to define at
least two 90°turns. Each groove is sized to receive one catch
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS pin therein when the flame holder is fitted over the end of the
28,694 A * 6/1860 Smith ........................... 239/589
torch body. The flame holder is then manipulated until the
263,415 A * 8/1882 Lightburne, Jr ................... 285/8 catch pints) butt up against the end of the groove(s).
794,539 A * 7/1905 O'Brien .......................... 285/89
906,217 A * 12/1908 Gaylord ........................ 285/391 7 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets

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 US 8,529,249 B2
Page 2

(56) References Cited 4,936,511 A * 6/1990 Johnson et al . ............... 239/346

660,550 A * 10/1990 Beese ........................... 431/109
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 5,087,086 A * 2/1992 Snedeker ...................... 285/361
D326,507 S * 5/1992 Rowley ........................ D23/260
2,647,568 A * 8/1953 Sloan ............................ 431/183 5,137,189 A * 8/1992 Hall etat. ..................... 222/603
3,215,098 A * 11/1965 Nelson .......................... 431/356 5,199,649 A * 4/1993 Tolboll .......................... 239/600
3,227,202 A * 1/1966 Morgan ........................ 431/353 5,249,958 A * 10/1993 Freber ........................... 431/354
3,364,704 A * 1/1968 Bernstein ........................ 431/28 5,487,507 A * 1/1996 McDonald et al. ........... 239/391
3,512,912 A * 5/1970 Linch ............................ 431/344 5,741,084 A * 4/1998 Del Rio et al................. 403/349
3,612,037 A 10/1971 Spiggle 6,209,807 B1 * 4/2001 Hsin-Fa ........................ 239/600
3,627,460 A * 12/1971 Gilman ......................... 431/111 6,730,218 B2 * 5/2004 Bozenmayer ................. 210/232
3,663,154 A * 5/1972 Locke ........................... 431/353 7,029,272 B2 * 4/2006 Jordan et al................... 431/278
3,861,858 A * 1/1975 Hemsath et at . .............. 431/353 7,175,423 B1 * 2/2007 Pisano et al..................... 431/10
3,905,755 A * 9/1975 Aske ............................. 431/344 8,114,202 B2 * 2/2012 Burke et al. .................... 96/203
4,025,292 A * 5/1977 Bailey et at . .................. 431/353 8,359,746 B2 * 1/2013 Burke et al. ............. 29/890.051
4,071,195 A * 1/1978 Kuhns et at . .................. 239/289 2003/0034651 AT* 2/2003 Neubauer et al.............. 285/396
4,469,932 A * 9/1984 Spiegelberg et al. .... 219/121.37 2005/0003317 AT* 1/2005 Mizuno et at ................. 431/345
4,527,745 A * 7/1985 Butterfield et al. ........... 239/600 2007/0236018 AT* 10/2007 Husmann et at . ............. 285/401
4,746,149 A * 5/1988 Thompson ............... 285/148.13
4,780,370 A * 10/1988 Pointier ........................ 428/404 * cited by examiner
U.S. Patent Sep. 10, 2013 Sheet 1 of 2 US 8,529,249 B2

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 US 8,529,249 B2
2
FLAME HOLDER SYSTEM the catch pins. The flame holder has one or more grooves
formed in its inner wall where the grooves correspond in
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION number and positioning to the catch pints). Each groove starts
at the first end of the flame holder and is shaped to define at
The invention was made in part by employees of the United 5 least two 90° turns. Each groove is sized to receive a catch pin
States Government and may be manufactured and used by or therein when the flame holder is fitted over the outboard end
for the Government of the United States of America for gov- of the torch body. The flame holder is then manipulated until
ernmental purposes without the payment of any royalties the catch pints) butt up against the end of the groove(s).
thereon or therefor.
10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flame holder system in
1. Field of the Invention accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
This invention relates to high temperature torches. More FIG. 2 is a side view of modifications to a torch body in
specifically, the invention is a flame holder systems for use 15 accordance with the present invention;
with high temperature torches. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a flame holder in accor-
2. Description of the Related Art dance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Propane torches, or burners, typically have a hollow torch FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flame holder system in
body that is finished with a hollow nozzle or "flame holder" as accordance with another embodiment of the present inven-
it is known. Existing flame holders are generally made from 20 tion.
stainless steel, cast iron or, in some cases, a ceramic material
such as alumina oxide. Stainless steel flame holders are DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
attached using set screws that pass radially through the flame
holder to engage the outer wall of the torch body. Ceramic Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
flame holders are bonded (e.g., using a ceramic adhesive) to 25 FIG. 1, a flame holder system in accordance with an embodi-
the torch body. ment of the present invention is shown and is referenced
Existing flame holders present problems in applications generally by numeral 10. As will be explained further below,
requiring high temperature operation and/or extended opera- flame holder system 10 cooperates with an outboard end of
tion times. Flame holders made from metal oxidize quickly 100A of a torch body 100 which is illustrated in dashed line
on the outer walls thereof and subsequently experience spal- 30 form to indicate that torch body 100 is not part of the present
ling or flaking. If the operating temperatures are high enough, invention or a limitation thereon, but rather the invention
metallic flame holders will melt thereby requiring replace- includes modifications made thereto. That is to say, as is well
ment of the flame holder. However, when the flame holder known in the art, torch body 100 transports gases to be burned
melts, it is difficult or impossible to disengage the set screws, during torch operation. As will be readily apparent, the
in which case the whole torch is often discarded. Existing 35 present invention can be adapted to work with any size and/or
ceramic flame holders tend to work well at continuous high configuration of torch body 100.
temperature burns, but tend to crack and/or fall apart if used in In the illustrated embodiment, flame holder system 10
applications requiring multiple burn cycles such chat the includes a hollow flame holder 20 and retaining system ele-
flame holder cools between burns. When this happens, the ments 30 coupled to torch body 100. For clarity of illustration,
ceramic flame holder must be removed. Since the ceramic 40 flame holder 20 is not mounted on torch body 100. However,
flame holder is bonded to the torch body, any ceramic still in use, flame holder 20 will be mounted and retained on torch
bonded to the torch body must be chipped or abraded off body 100 as retaining system elements 30 cooperate with
before a new flame holder can be installed. This can cause features on flame holder 20.
hours to days of unscheduled maintenance. Accordingly, it is Flame holder 20 can be a hollow cylinder of ceramic mate-
not uncommon for a perfectly good torch to be discarded 45 rial that fits on outboard end 100A and cooperates with retain-
simply because of a damaged ceramic flame holder. ing system elements 30 to provide for (i) quick connect/
disconnect of flame holder 20 to torch body 100, and (ii)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION retention of flame holder 20 on torch body 100. For high
temperature operation, it is advantageous that the ceramic
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to 50 material be a zirconium oxide cashable compound which has
provide a flame holder system suitable for use in continuous- a service temperature of approximately 4000° F., is high in
burn and cycled-burn applications. strength, and is resistant to thermal shock. The flame holder of
Another object of the present invention is to provide a the present invention is typically casted (as opposed to being
flame holder system that facilitates easy attachment and mailed) due to its relatively small size. A suitable zirconium
replacement of a flame holder to a torch body. 55 oxide castable compound is RESCORE 760, available com-
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will mercially from Cotronics Corporation, Brooklyn, N.Y. How-
become more obvious hereinafter in the specification and ever, it should be understood that the instant invention could
drawings. be used with flame holders made from other suitable materi-
In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present als as well. Thus, for example, flame holders made from
invention, a flame holder system includes a modified torch 60 stainless steel or cast iron are within the scope of the present
body and a ceramic flame holder (e.g., made from a zirconium invention.
oxide castable compound). At least one catch pin is coupledto Before describing the features of flame holder 20 that allow
the torch body near an outboard end thereof. Each such catch it to mount and be retained on torch body 100, it is appropriate
pin extends radially outward from the torch body. The to describe retaining system elements 30, which will be done
ceramic flame holder is bored therethrough from a first end to 65 while referring to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the illustrated embodi-
a second end thereof to define an inner wail with the first end ment, retaining system elements 30 comprise two modifica-
adapted to fit over the outboard end of the torch body but not tions to torch body 100 and one part. More specifically, the
 US 8,529,249 B2
3 4
two modifications are a stop 32 fixedly coupled to torch body In the illustrated embodiment, grooves 24 are configured
100 and two pins 34 fixedly coupled to torch body 100 and so that once flame holder 20 is positioned on outboard end
extending radially outward therefrom. Stop 32 can be a con- 100A with end 20A compressing spring 36 until pins 34 rest
tinuous annular flange (as shown) or can be realized by a in first turn 2413, flame holder 20 can be rotated with each pin
plurality of discontinuous stops distributed circumferentially 5 34 riding along a corresponding path portion (or segment)
about torchbody 100 without departing from the scope of the 24C until second turn 24D is encountered. At this point, the
present invention. Radially-extending pins 34 are used to force of spring 36 is allowed to apply an axial force to flame
mount and retain flame holder 20 on outboard end 100A. holder 20 thereby causing each pin 34 to come to rest against
While the illustrated embodiment uses two pins 34 that are a corresponding end 24E. When spring 36 is used, symmetric
positioned on torch body 100 in diametric opposition to one io placement of pins 34 is preferred for load distribution. The
another, more or less than two pins 34 could be used without internal diameter of flame holder 2G can vary (e.g., be
departing from the scope of the present invention. For tapered, stepped, stepped and tapered, etc.) in a variety of
example, a single pin 34 could be used for horizontal or ways without departing from the scope of the present inven-
stationary torch applications. If two or more pins 34 are used, tion. For example, as shown in the FIG. 3 embodiment, the
they can be (but not need be) symmetrically disposed about 15 internal diameter is constant along region 2013, stepped at
torch body 100. Indeed, non-symmetric placement of pins 34 region 20C, and divergent along region 20D.
could be used to insure proper positioning/attachment of a Although the present invention has been described using
flame folder. Methods for attaching stop 32 and pins 34 to spring 36, it is to be understood that some applications (e.g.,
torch body 100 (or incorporating them into torch body 100) horizontal or stationary torches) of the present invention may
would be well understood In the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, 20 not require a spring. Accordingly, FIG. 4 illustrates an
retaining system elements 30 also include a spring 36 dis- embodiment of the present invention that does not use a
posed about torch body 100 between stop 32 and pins 34. spring. That is, torch body 100 is modified only to include
Spring 36 provides a positive retaining force on flame holder pins 34 while a flame holder 20 still has substantially
20 as will be described further below. U-shaped grooves 24 formed on inside wall 22 where grooves
Referring additionally now to the cross-sectional view of 25 24 are in correspondence with the position and number of pins
flame holder 20 in FIG. 3, the features of flame holder 20 are 34 as described in the previous embodiment, i.e., FIG. 3.
shown that allow it to be quickly connected/disconnected to The advantages of the present invention are numerous. The
torch body 100 and retained on torch body 100. These fea- flame holder system provides for quick connect/disconnect of
tures are provided at one end 20A of flame holder 20 that will a flame holder and provides a long-lasting flame holder.
be fitted over outboard end 100A. More specifically, the 30 Accordingly, the present invention satisfies two needs for the
Inside wall 22 of frame holder 20 has two grooves formed high-temperature torch applications.
therein where the grooves correspond in number and position Although the invention has been described relative to a
to pins 34. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the two specific embodiment thereof, there are numerous variations
grooves are in diametric opposition to one another on inside and modifications that will be readily apparent to those
wall 22. Accordingly, in FIG. 3, only one of these grooves 35 skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore
(i.e., groove 24) is visible. Since each groove 24 is the same, to be understood that, within the scope of the appended
a description of one will be sufficient to provide an under- claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifi-
standing of the present invention, cally described.
Groove 24 is open at its end 24A that is aligned with end What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by
20A. Groove 24 is sized to receive one ofpins 34 therein when 40 Letters Patent of the United States is:
end 24A is aligned with one of pins 34. Groove 24 extends 1. A flame holder system, comprising:
from end 24A axially along flame holder 20 to a first 90° turn A plurality of different-length catch pins adapted to be
2413, and then extends along a path 24C formed in inside wall coupled to an outboard end of a torch body transporting
22 to a second 90° turn 24D before terminating at an end 24E combustible gases to the outboard end during a torch
that does not extend as far as starting end 24A. Thus, each 45 operation, each of said catch pins extending radially
groove 24 can define a substantially U-shaped path. However, outward from the torch body;
it is to be understood that each groove could be realized by a a flame holder having an interior cavity extending there-
more tortious path having additional turns and that the indi- through from a first end to a second end thereof to define
vidual segments of groove 24, including the segment from the an inner wall with said first end adapted to fit over the
final turn to the end 24E, can be of varying lengths, without 50 outboard end of the torch body, said flame holder having
departing from the scope of the present invention. a plurality of different-depth grooves formed in said
Additionally, in at least one embodiment, in order to pro- inner wall, each of said grooves corresponding in depth
vide that the burner is only properly assembled in a certain and position to one of said catch pins, each of said
manner or direction (e.g., to require "clocking" during assem- grooves-starting at said first end and shaped to define at
bly), two or more grooves (and corresponding pins) can be of 55 least two turns, wherein each said at least two turns is 90°
different depths (and pin lengths). Thi s embodiment would be such that each said groove is substantially U-shaped
advantageous, for example, to ensure that specifically with a first segment having an open end and a final
designed azimuthal or radial features in a particular flame segment extending shorter than the first segment, and the
holder are always preserved when the burner is assembled. first and final segments of each said groove being sub-
Additionally, the turns do not necessarily need to be 90° nor 60 stantially parallel to a center line of said flame holder,
at the same angles. However, as would be easily understood, each of said grooves sized to receive only a particular
if more than one groove 24 exists than the grooves would need one of said catch pins therein when said flame holder is
to substantially match one another for ease in assembly, and it fitted over the outboard end of the torch body; and
would remain advantageous that the final segment of groove a spring-loaded stop including a spring disposed between
24, from the final turn to the end 24E be substantially parallel 65 said spring-loaded stop and said catch pins and adapted
to the center line of the burner in order to assure proper to be coupled to the torch body for engaging said first
retention of the pin 34 against end 24E. end of said flame holder fitted over the outboard end of
 US 8,529,249 B2
5 6
the torch body, and wherein the final segment of each of wherein said grooves correspond in number, depth and
said grooves of said flame holder engages only a par- positioning to said catch pins with each of said grooves
ticular one of said catch pins when said spring applies a starting at said first end and traversing a path that
force axially to said flame holder to thereby retain said includes two 90° turns wherein each of said grooves is
flame holder on the torch body. 5 substantially U-shaped with a first segment having an
2. A flame holder system as in claim 1 wherein said catch open end and a final segment extending shorter than the
pins comprise two catch pins that are substantially diametri- first segment. and the first and final segments of each of
cally opposed to one another on the torch body. said grooves being substantially parallel to a center line
3. A flame holder system as in claim 1 wherein said flame of said flame holder, each of said grooves sized to
holder is made from one of a ceramic or metallic material. 10 receive a particular one of said catch pins therein when
4. A flame holder system as: in claim 1 wherein an inner said flame holder is fitted over the outboard end of the
diameter of said flame holder varies between said first end and torch body with said grooves being aligned with said
said second end. catch pins; and
5. A flame holder system as in claim 1 wherein said flame a spring-loaded stop including a spring disposed between
holder is made from a zirconium oxide castable compound. 15 said spring-loaded stop and said catch pins and adapted
6. A flame holder system, comprising: to be coupled to the torch body for engaging said first
at least two different-length catch pins adapted to be end of said flame holder fitted over the outboard end of
coupled to an outboard end of a torch body transporting the torch body, and wherein the final segment of each of
combustible gases to the outboard end during a torch said grooves of said flame holder engages only a par-
operation, said catch pins extending radially outward 20 ticular one of said catch pins, said spring applying a
from the torch body; force axially to said flame holder to thereby retain said
a zirconium oxide castable compound flame holder bored flame holder on the torch body.
therethrough from a first end to a second end thereof to 7. A flame holder system as in claim 6 wherein said at least
define an inner wall with said first end adapted to fit over two catchpins comprises two catch pins that are diametrically
the outboard end of the torch body, said flame holder 25 opposed to one another on the torch body.
having at least two grooves formed in said inner wall,