Title of Invention	FURNACE
Abstract	A furnace 2 includes: a furnace housing 21; a perforated tray 22 mounted in the furnace housing 21; and a stirring rod 4 disposed rotatably on the perforated tray 22. The stirring rod 4 has top and bottom ends 40, 41, two opposite lateral ends 42, a middle portion 43, and opposite first and second portions 46, 47, each of which extends from the middle portion 43 to a respective one of the lateral ends 42. Each of the first and second portions 46, 47 has an inclined face 45 that extends between the top and bottom ends 40, 41 of the stirring rod 4 from the respective one of the lateral ends 42 toward the middle portion 43 of the stirring rod 4, that is inclined relative to the perforated tray 22, and that faces toward the perforated tray 22.

Title of Invention

FURNACE

Abstract

A furnace 2 includes: a furnace housing 21; a perforated tray 22 mounted in the furnace housing 21; and a stirring rod 4 disposed rotatably on the perforated tray 22. The stirring rod 4 has top and bottom ends 40, 41, two opposite lateral ends 42, a middle portion 43, and opposite first and second portions 46, 47, each of which extends from the middle portion 43 to a respective one of the lateral ends 42. Each of the first and second portions 46, 47 has an inclined face 45 that extends between the top and bottom ends 40, 41 of the stirring rod 4 from the respective one of the lateral ends 42 toward the middle portion 43 of the stirring rod 4, that is inclined relative to the perforated tray 22, and that faces toward the perforated tray 22.

Full Text	1 FURNACE This invention relates to a furnace, more particularly to a furnace including a stirring rod having an inclined face for stirring a combustible material on a perforated tray. A conventional furnace normally includes: a furnace housing; a perforated tray mounted in the furnace housing, dividing the inner space into upper and lower chambers, adapted to support a combustible material thereon, and formed with a plurality of apertures for passage of ash therethrough; a stirring rod disposed rotatably on the perforated tray for stirring the combustible material on the perforated tray; and a shaft extending through the perforated tray to connect with the stirring rod so as to drive rotation of the stirring rod using a motor. In operation, the motor is actuated to drive rotation of the stirring rod, which results in stirring of the combustible material and ash formed from combustion of the combustible material on the perforated tray, which, in turn, results in falling of the ash through the apertures in the perforated tray to a bottom exit of the furnace. Since there exists a gap between the perforated tray and the stirring rod, undesired accumulation of combustible material and ash in the gap is likely to occur, which can hinder rotation of the stirring rod. 2 Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a furnace that can overcome the aforesaid drawback associated with the prior art. According to the present invention, a furnace comprises: a furnace housing defining an inner space therein; a perforated tray mounted in the furnace housing, dividing the inner space into upper and lower chambers, adapted to support a combustible material thereon, and formed with a plurality of apertures for passage of ash therethrough; and a stirring rod disposed rotatably on the perforated tray for stirring the combustible material on the perforated tray. The stirring rod has top and bottom ends, two opposite lateral ends, a middle portion, and opposite first and second portions, each of which extends from the middle portion to a respective one of the lateral ends. Each of the first and second portions has an inclined face that extends between the top and bottom ends of the stirring rod from the respective one of the lateral ends toward the middle portion of the stirring rod, that is inclined relative to the perforated tray, and that faces toward the perforated tray. In drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invent ion, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary schematic partly sectional view of the preferred embodiment of a furnace according to this invention; 3 Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly of a perforated tray and a stirring rod of the preferred embodiment; Fig. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the assembly of the perforated tray and the stirring rod of the preferred embodiment; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged partly sectional view of an encircled portion in Fig. 3. Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate the preferred embodiment of a furnace 2 of this invention for burning a raw material, such as hull and shell waste of agricultural crops. The furnace 2 includes: a furnace housing 21 defining an inner space 211 therein; a perforated tray 22 mounted in the furnace housing 21, dividing the inner space 211 into upper and lower chambers 2111, 2112, adapted to support a combustible material thereon, and formed with a plurality of apertures 222 for passage of ash therethrough; and a stirring rod 4 disposed rotatably on the perforated tray 22 for stirring the combustible material on the perforated tray 22. The stirring rod 4 has top and bottom ends 40, 41, two opposite lateral ends 42, a middle portion 43, and opposite first and second portions 46, 47, each of which extends from the middle portion 43 to a respective one of the lateral ends 42. Each of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 4 has an inclined face 45 that extends between the top and bottom ends 40, 41 of the stirring rod 4 from the respective one of the lateral ends 42 toward the middle portion 43 of the stirring rod 4, that is inclined relative to the perforated tray 22, and that faces toward the perforated tray 22. Each of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 further has an outer segment 461, 471 extending from the respective one of the lateral ends 42 of the stirring rod 4, and an inner segment 462, 472 bent from the outer segment 461, 471 and extending therefrom to the middle portion 43 of the stirring rod 4 such that the outer and inner segments 461, 462 (471, 472) of each of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 form an angle of less than 180 degrees and greater than 90 degrees therebetween. Preferably, each of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 is tapered from the middle portion 43 to the respective one of the lateral ends 42 of the stirring rod 4. The furnace 2 further includes a driving unit 20 including a motor 24 with an output shaft 23 that extends through the perforated tray 22 and into the upper chamber 211 of the furnace 2. The middle portion 43 of the stirring rod 4 is formed with a non-circular hole 31 for extension of the output shaft 23 thereinto so as to permit the stirring rod 4 to be driven by 5 the output shaft 23 of the motor 24. In this embodiment, the inclined faces 45 of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 are disposed respectively at two opposite sides of the stirring rod 4. In operation, the combustible material and ash are stirred by the stirring rod 4 upon actuation of the motor 24 so as to enhance combustion of the combustible material and to permit falling of the ash through the apertures 222 in the perforated tray 22 into a bottom exit 25 of the furnace 2 for further treatment. During rotation of the stirring rod 4, the inclined faces 45 of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 push the ash to pass through the apertures 222 in the perforated tray 22, thereby facilitating removal of the ash from the perforated tray 22 and reducing the accumulated amount of the ash in a gap between the stirring rod 4 and the perforated tray 22. Moreover, the angle between the inner and outer segments 461, 462 (471, 472) of each of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 enhances stirring and circulation of the combustible material and the ash on the perforated tray 22. Furthermore, the tapered shape of each of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 reduces the contact area of the respective inclined face 45 that is in contact with the combustible 6 material and the ash, thereby reducing the resistance to rotation of the stirring rod 4 attributed to the combustion material and the ash. With the inclusion of the stirring rod 4 in the furnace of this invention, the aforesaid accumulation problem associated with the prior art can be considerably alleviated. 7 WE CLAIM: 1. A furnace 2 comprising: a furnace housing 21 defining an inner space 211 therein; a perforated tray 22 mounted in said furnace housing 21, dividing said inner space 211 into upper and lower chambers 2111, 2112, adapted to support a combustible material thereon, and formed with a plurality of apertures 222 for passage of ash therethrough; and a stirring rod 4 disposed rotatably on said perforated tray 22 for stirring the combustible material on said perforated tray 22, said stirring rod 4 having top and bottom ends 40, 41, two opposite lateral ends 42, a middle portion 43, and opposite first and second portions 46, 47, each of which extends from said middle portion 43 to a respective one of said lateral ends 42, each of said first and second portions 46, 47 having an inclined face 45 that extends between said top and bottom ends 40, 41 of said stirring rod 4 from the respective one of said lateral ends 42 toward said middle portion 43 of said stirring rod 4, that is inclined relative to said perforated tray 22, and that faces toward said perforated tray 22. 2. The furnace of Claim 1, wherein each of said first and second portions 46, 47 of said stirring rod 4 further has an outer segment 461, 471 extending from 8 the respective one of said lateral ends 42 of said stirring rod 4, and an inner segment 462, 472 bent from said outer segment 461, 471 and extending therefrom to said middle portion 43 of said stirring rod 4 . 3. The furnace of Claim 1, wherein each of said first and second portions 46, 47 of said stirring rod 4 is tapered from said middle portion 43 to the respective one of said lateral ends 42 of said stirring rod 4. 4. The furnace of Claim 1, further comprising a driving unit 20 including an output shaft 23 that extends through said perforated tray 22 and into said upper chamber 2111 of said furnace 2, said middle portion 43 of said stirring rod 4 being formed with a non-circular hole 31 for extension of said output shaft 23 thereinto so as to permit said stirring rod 4 to be driven by said output shaft 23. 5. The furnace of Claim 1, wherein said stirring rod 4 further has two opposite sides, said inclined faces 45 of said first and second portions 46, 47 of said stirring rod 4 being disposed respectively at said opposite sides of said stirring rod 4. Dated this 13th day of AUGUST 2007 A furnace 2 includes: a furnace housing 21; a perforated tray 22 mounted in the furnace housing 21; and a stirring rod 4 disposed rotatably on the perforated tray 22. The stirring rod 4 has top and bottom ends 40, 41, two opposite lateral ends 42, a middle portion 43, and opposite first and second portions 46, 47, each of which extends from the middle portion 43 to a respective one of the lateral ends 42. Each of the first and second portions 46, 47 has an inclined face 45 that extends between the top and bottom ends 40, 41 of the stirring rod 4 from the respective one of the lateral ends 42 toward the middle portion 43 of the stirring rod 4, that is inclined relative to the perforated tray 22, and that faces toward the perforated tray 22.

Full Text

1
FURNACE
This invention relates to a furnace, more
particularly to a furnace including a stirring rod
having an inclined face for stirring a combustible
material on a perforated tray.
A conventional furnace normally includes: a
furnace housing; a perforated tray mounted in the
furnace housing, dividing the inner space into upper
and lower chambers, adapted to support a combustible
material thereon, and formed with a plurality of
apertures for passage of ash therethrough; a stirring
rod disposed rotatably on the perforated tray for
stirring the combustible material on the perforated
tray; and a shaft extending through the perforated
tray to connect with the stirring rod so as to drive
rotation of the stirring rod using a motor.
In operation, the motor is actuated to drive
rotation of the stirring rod, which results in stirring
of the combustible material and ash formed from
combustion of the combustible material on the
perforated tray, which, in turn, results in falling
of the ash through the apertures in the perforated
tray to a bottom exit of the furnace.
Since there exists a gap between the perforated
tray and the stirring rod, undesired accumulation of
combustible material and ash in the gap is likely to
occur, which can hinder rotation of the stirring rod.

2
Therefore, the object of the present invention
is to provide a furnace that can overcome the aforesaid
drawback associated with the prior art.
According to the present invention, a furnace
comprises: a furnace housing defining an inner space
therein; a perforated tray mounted in the furnace
housing, dividing the inner space into upper and lower
chambers, adapted to support a combustible material
thereon, and formed with a plurality of apertures for
passage of ash therethrough; and a stirring rod
disposed rotatably on the perforated tray for stirring
the combustible material on the perforated tray. The
stirring rod has top and bottom ends, two opposite
lateral ends, a middle portion, and opposite first
and second portions, each of which extends from the
middle portion to a respective one of the lateral ends.
Each of the first and second portions has an inclined
face that extends between the top and bottom ends of
the stirring rod from the respective one of the lateral
ends toward the middle portion of the stirring rod,
that is inclined relative to the perforated tray, and
that faces toward the perforated tray.
In drawings which illustrate an embodiment of
the invent ion,
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary schematic partly
sectional view of the preferred embodiment of a furnace
according to this invention;

3
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an
assembly of a perforated tray and a stirring rod of
the preferred embodiment;
Fig. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the
assembly of the perforated tray and the stirring rod
of the preferred embodiment; and
Fig. 4 is an enlarged partly sectional view of
an encircled portion in Fig. 3.
Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate the preferred embodiment
of a furnace 2 of this invention for burning a raw
material, such as hull and shell waste of agricultural
crops.
The furnace 2 includes: a furnace housing 21
defining an inner space 211 therein; a perforated tray
22 mounted in the furnace housing 21, dividing the
inner space 211 into upper and lower chambers 2111,
2112, adapted to support a combustible material
thereon, and formed with a plurality of apertures 222
for passage of ash therethrough; and a stirring rod
4 disposed rotatably on the perforated tray 22 for
stirring the combustible material on the perforated
tray 22. The stirring rod 4 has top and bottom ends
40, 41, two opposite lateral ends 42, a middle portion
43, and opposite first and second portions 46, 47,
each of which extends from the middle portion 43 to
a respective one of the lateral ends 42. Each of the
first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod

4
4 has an inclined face 45 that extends between the
top and bottom ends 40, 41 of the stirring rod 4 from
the respective one of the lateral ends 42 toward the
middle portion 43 of the stirring rod 4, that is
inclined relative to the perforated tray 22, and that
faces toward the perforated tray 22.
Each of the first and second portions 46, 47 of
the stirring rod 4 further has an outer segment 461,
471 extending from the respective one of the lateral
ends 42 of the stirring rod 4, and an inner segment
462, 472 bent from the outer segment 461, 471 and
extending therefrom to the middle portion 43 of the
stirring rod 4 such that the outer and inner segments
461, 462 (471, 472) of each of the first and second
portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 form an angle
of less than 180 degrees and greater than 90 degrees
therebetween. Preferably, each of the first and
second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 is tapered
from the middle portion 43 to the respective one of
the lateral ends 42 of the stirring rod 4.
The furnace 2 further includes a driving unit
20 including a motor 24 with an output shaft 23 that
extends through the perforated tray 22 and into the
upper chamber 211 of the furnace 2. The middle portion
43 of the stirring rod 4 is formed with a non-circular
hole 31 for extension of the output shaft 23 thereinto
so as to permit the stirring rod 4 to be driven by

5
the output shaft 23 of the motor 24.
In this embodiment, the inclined faces 45 of the
first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring rod
4 are disposed respectively at two opposite sides of
the stirring rod 4.
In operation, the combustible material and ash
are stirred by the stirring rod 4 upon actuation of
the motor 24 so as to enhance combustion of the
combustible material and to permit falling of the ash
through the apertures 222 in the perforated tray 22
into a bottom exit 25 of the furnace 2 for further
treatment. During rotation of the stirring rod 4, the
inclined faces 45 of the first and second portions
46, 47 of the stirring rod 4 push the ash to pass through
the apertures 222 in the perforated tray 22, thereby
facilitating removal of the ash from the perforated
tray 22 and reducing the accumulated amount of the
ash in a gap between the stirring rod 4 and the
perforated tray 22. Moreover, the angle between the
inner and outer segments 461, 462 (471, 472) of each
of the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring
rod 4 enhances stirring and circulation of the
combustible material and the ash on the perforated
tray 22. Furthermore, the tapered shape of each of
the first and second portions 46, 47 of the stirring
rod 4 reduces the contact area of the respective
inclined face 45 that is in contact with the combustible

6
material and the ash, thereby reducing the resistance
to rotation of the stirring rod 4 attributed to the
combustion material and the ash.
With the inclusion of the stirring rod 4 in the
furnace of this invention, the aforesaid accumulation
problem associated with the prior art can be
considerably alleviated.

7
WE CLAIM:
1. A furnace 2 comprising:
a furnace housing 21 defining an inner space 211
therein;
a perforated tray 22 mounted in said furnace
housing 21, dividing said inner space 211 into upper
and lower chambers 2111, 2112, adapted to support a
combustible material thereon, and formed with a
plurality of apertures 222 for passage of ash
therethrough; and
a stirring rod 4 disposed rotatably on said
perforated tray 22 for stirring the combustible
material on said perforated tray 22, said stirring
rod 4 having top and bottom ends 40, 41, two opposite
lateral ends 42, a middle portion 43, and opposite
first and second portions 46, 47, each of which extends
from said middle portion 43 to a respective one of
said lateral ends 42, each of said first and second
portions 46, 47 having an inclined face 45 that extends
between said top and bottom ends 40, 41 of said stirring
rod 4 from the respective one of said lateral ends
42 toward said middle portion 43 of said stirring rod
4, that is inclined relative to said perforated tray
22, and that faces toward said perforated tray 22.
2. The furnace of Claim 1, wherein each of said first
and second portions 46, 47 of said stirring rod 4
further has an outer segment 461, 471 extending from

8
the respective one of said lateral ends 42 of said
stirring rod 4, and an inner segment 462, 472 bent
from said outer segment 461, 471 and extending
therefrom to said middle portion 43 of said stirring
rod 4 .
3. The furnace of Claim 1, wherein each of said first
and second portions 46, 47 of said stirring rod 4 is
tapered from said middle portion 43 to the respective
one of said lateral ends 42 of said stirring rod 4.
4. The furnace of Claim 1, further comprising a driving
unit 20 including an output shaft 23 that extends
through said perforated tray 22 and into said upper
chamber 2111 of said furnace 2, said middle portion
43 of said stirring rod 4 being formed with a
non-circular hole 31 for extension of said output shaft
23 thereinto so as to permit said stirring rod 4 to
be driven by said output shaft 23.
5. The furnace of Claim 1, wherein said stirring rod
4 further has two opposite sides, said inclined faces
45 of said first and second portions 46, 47 of said
stirring rod 4 being disposed respectively at said
opposite sides of said stirring rod 4.
Dated this 13th day of AUGUST 2007

A furnace 2 includes: a furnace housing 21; a
perforated tray 22 mounted in the furnace housing 21;
and a stirring rod 4 disposed rotatably on the
perforated tray 22. The stirring rod 4 has top and
bottom ends 40, 41, two opposite lateral ends 42, a
middle portion 43, and opposite first and second
portions 46, 47, each of which extends from the middle
portion 43 to a respective one of the lateral ends
42. Each of the first and second portions 46, 47 has
an inclined face 45 that extends between the top and
bottom ends 40, 41 of the stirring rod 4 from the
respective one of the lateral ends 42 toward the middle
portion 43 of the stirring rod 4, that is inclined
relative to the perforated tray 22, and that faces
toward the perforated tray 22.

FURNACE

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