Insulated burner system for gas-fueled lighters

Abstract

A burner assembly for gas-fueled lighters includes a metallic burn chamber rigidly connected to a fuel metering valve. The burner and fuel valve are rigidly connected through an insulated coupling component. This provides a more reliable structure and reduces heat transfer from the burner to the fuel source, reducing vapor lock conditions.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A combustible fuel burner system comprising:
 a fuel metering valve ( 5 ) including a gas flow regulator ( 22 ) and a nozzle ( 9 );   a burner assembly ( 6 ) including a body ( 11 ) and a metal burn chamber ( 16 ) directly mounted to the body ( 11 ); and   a coupler ( 18 ) extending from the nozzle ( 9 ) of the fuel metering valve ( 5 ) to the burner assembly ( 6 ), wherein the coupler ( 18 ) is composed of a high temperature resistant and insulating material and the coupler ( 18 ) directly and rigidly connects the burner assembly ( 6 ) to the fuel metering valve ( 5 );   the nozzle ( 9 ), the coupler ( 18 ), and the burner assembly ( 6 ) defining a gas fuel passageway ( 30 ) directing flow sequentially through the nozzle ( 9 ), the coupler ( 18 ), and the body ( 11 ) to the burn chamber ( 16 ), and the body ( 11 ) including an air intake port ( 10 ) communicating with the gas fuel passageway ( 30 ).   
     
     
         19 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 18 , wherein the coupler ( 18 ) includes a conically shaped integrated gas orifice ( 24 ), wherein an inner wall of the gas orifice ( 24 ) converges in a direction of flow from the coupler ( 18 ) toward the burn chamber ( 16 ). 
     
     
         20 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 19 , wherein the high temperature resistant and insulating material is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         21 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 20 , wherein the thermoplastic is polyetherimide. 
     
     
         22 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 19 , wherein the high temperature resistant and insulating material is a thermoset plastic. 
     
     
         23 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 22 , wherein the thermoset plastic is phenolic plastic. 
     
     
         24 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 18 , wherein an end face of the coupler ( 18 ) directly faces an inner radial step surface of the body ( 11 ) without intervening structure. 
     
     
         25 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 24 , wherein the end face of the coupler ( 18 ) contacts the inner radial step surface of the body ( 11 ). 
     
     
         26 . A combustible fuel burner system comprising:
 a fuel reservoir ( 3 );   a gas flow regulator ( 22 ) communicating with the fuel reservoir ( 3 );   a subassembly operable to receive gas flow from the gas flow regulator ( 22 ), the subassembly including a nozzle ( 9 ), a coupler ( 18 ) directly attached to the nozzle ( 9 ), a body ( 11 ) directly attached to the coupler ( 18 ), and a gas fuel passageway ( 30 ) directing flow sequentially through the nozzle ( 9 ), the coupler ( 18 ), and the body ( 11 ); and   a metal burn chamber ( 16 ) directly mounted to the body ( 11 );   wherein the coupler ( 18 ) is formed of a rigid, high temperature resistant and insulating material;   whereby the coupler ( 18 ) reduces conduction of heat from the burn chamber ( 16 ) into the fuel reservoir ( 3 ) to avoid vapor lock in the fuel reservoir ( 3 ) while rigidly and directly coupling the nozzle ( 9 ) with the body ( 11 ).   
     
     
         27 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 26 , wherein the coupler ( 18 ) includes a conically shaped integrated gas orifice ( 24 ), wherein an inner wall of the gas orifice ( 24 ) converges in a direction of flow from the coupler ( 18 ) toward the burn chamber ( 16 ). 
     
     
         28 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 27 , wherein the high temperature resistant and insulating material is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         29 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 28 , wherein the thermoplastic is polyetherimide. 
     
     
         30 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 27 , wherein the high temperature resistant and insulating material is a thermoset plastic. 
     
     
         31 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 30 , wherein the thermoset plastic is phenolic plastic. 
     
     
         32 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 26 , wherein an end face of the coupler ( 18 ) directly faces an inner radial step surface of the body ( 11 ) without intervening structure. 
     
     
         33 . The fuel burner system according to  claim 32 , wherein the end face of the coupler ( 18 ) contacts the inner radial step surface of the body ( 11 ).