Appeal No. 1998-1553
Application 08/595,965
The invention relates to a “burner assembly which
operates in a manner to stabilize the air flow to the burner
and reduce the formation of nitrogen oxides as a result of
fuel combustion” (specification, page 1). Claim 11 is
representative and reads as follows:
11. A burner assembly comprising an outer tubular
member, an inner tubular member extending within the outer
tubular member to define a flow passage, an inlet located at
one end of the flow passage for receiving fuel into the flow
passage, an outlet located at the other end of the flow
passage for discharging the fuel, a splitter disposed in the
flow passage for splitting up the fuel discharging from the
outlet so that, upon ignition of the fuel, a plurality of
flame patterns are formed, an enclosure extending around the
outer tubular member and having an inlet for receiving air,
the enclosure directing the air towards the outlet for mixing
with the fuel discharging from the outlet to support the
combustion, and a vane supported on the outer tubular member
for stabilizing the flow of the air, the vane being frustro-
conical in shape with its wall tapered radially inwardly in a
direction towards the outlet so that a portion of the air
impinges on the inner surface of the wall, the vane being
spaced from the outer tubular member to define an annular gap
therebetween so that a portion of the air passes through the
annular gap and impinges against the vane before passing
towards the outlet, and so that the remaining portion of the
air passes from the register, over the vane and towards the
outlet.1
1The terms “the register” in claim 11 and “the housing”
in claim 15 lack proper antecedent bases. These informalities
are deserving of correction in the event of further
prosecution before the examiner.
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