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<ep-patent-document id="EP04740081B1" file="EP04740081NWB1.xml" lang="en" country="EP" doc-number="1634018" kind="B1" date-publ="20120801" status="n" dtd-version="ep-patent-document-v1-4">
<SDOBI lang="en"><B000><eptags><B001EP>ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESI....FIRO..CY..TRBGCZEEHUPLSK....................................</B001EP><B003EP>*</B003EP><B005EP>J</B005EP><B007EP>DIM360 Ver 2.15 (14 Jul 2008) -  2100000/0</B007EP></eptags></B000><B100><B110>1634018</B110><B120><B121>EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION</B121></B120><B130>B1</B130><B140><date>20120801</date></B140><B190>EP</B190></B100><B200><B210>04740081.7</B210><B220><date>20040618</date></B220><B240><B241><date>20051228</date></B241><B242><date>20100507</date></B242></B240><B250>en</B250><B251EP>en</B251EP><B260>en</B260></B200><B300><B310>MO20030180</B310><B320><date>20030619</date></B320><B330><ctry>IT</ctry></B330><B310>MO20040031</B310><B320><date>20040211</date></B320><B330><ctry>IT</ctry></B330></B300><B400><B405><date>20120801</date><bnum>201231</bnum></B405><B430><date>20060315</date><bnum>200611</bnum></B430><B450><date>20120801</date><bnum>201231</bnum></B450><B452EP><date>20120227</date></B452EP></B400><B500><B510EP><classification-ipcr sequence="1"><text>F23D  14/02        20060101AFI20050106BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr><classification-ipcr sequence="2"><text>F23D  14/58        20060101ALI20050106BHEP        </text></classification-ipcr></B510EP><B540><B541>de</B541><B542>BRENNER MIT EINEM GEGEN HOHE BETRIEBSTEMPERATUREN BESTÄNDIGEN DIFFUSOR</B542><B541>en</B541><B542>BURNER WITH DIFFUSER RESISTANT TO HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES</B542><B541>fr</B541><B542>BRULEUR AVEC DIFFUSEUR RESISTANT AUX TEMPERATURES DE FONCTIONNEMENT ELEVEES</B542></B540><B560><B561><text>EP-A- 0 565 145</text></B561><B561><text>EP-A- 0 679 838</text></B561><B561><text>EP-A- 0 774 623</text></B561><B561><text>DE-U- 8 914 388</text></B561><B562><text>PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 0071, no. 16 (M-216), 20 May 1983 (1983-05-20) &amp; JP 58 035314 A (MATSUSHITA DENKI SANGYO KK), 2 March 1983 (1983-03-02)</text></B562></B560></B500><B600><B620EP><parent><cdoc><dnum><anum>12166859.4</anum></dnum><date>20120504</date></cdoc></parent></B620EP></B600><B700><B720><B721><snm>GILIOLI, Massimo</snm><adr><str>Via Val D'Aosta, 36</str><city>41043 Formigine (MO)</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>FOGLIANI, Giuseppe</snm><adr><str>Via Salvo D'Acquisto, 11</str><city>41043 Formigine</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>WIJKMANS, Stephanus</snm><adr><str>Via Marconi, 13</str><city>41042 Fiorano Modenese (MO)</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>DOTTI, Massimo</snm><adr><str>Via Donatello, 8</str><city>42010 Salvaterra (RE)</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>VECCHI, Renzo</snm><adr><str>Via Giolitti, 26</str><city>41043 Formigine</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>BERTHOLD, Gunther</snm><adr><str>Via Medusia, 1-P</str><city>41014 Levizzano Rangone (MO)</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B721><B721><snm>MACH, Wenzel</snm><adr><str>Orangerie Strasse, 39</str><city>Dessau - Mosigkau</city><ctry>DE</ctry></adr></B721></B720><B730><B731><snm>WORGAS BRUCIATORI S.R.L.</snm><iid>100255993</iid><irf>1050996 BE</irf><adr><str>Via A. Coppi, 17</str><city>I-41043 Formigine</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B731></B730><B740><B741><snm>Crugnola, Pietro</snm><iid>100042987</iid><adr><str>Luppi Crugnola &amp; Partners S.r.l. 
Viale Corassori 54</str><city>41124 Modena</city><ctry>IT</ctry></adr></B741></B740></B700><B800><B840><ctry>AT</ctry><ctry>BE</ctry><ctry>BG</ctry><ctry>CH</ctry><ctry>CY</ctry><ctry>CZ</ctry><ctry>DE</ctry><ctry>DK</ctry><ctry>EE</ctry><ctry>ES</ctry><ctry>FI</ctry><ctry>FR</ctry><ctry>GB</ctry><ctry>GR</ctry><ctry>HU</ctry><ctry>IE</ctry><ctry>IT</ctry><ctry>LI</ctry><ctry>LU</ctry><ctry>MC</ctry><ctry>NL</ctry><ctry>PL</ctry><ctry>PT</ctry><ctry>RO</ctry><ctry>SE</ctry><ctry>SI</ctry><ctry>SK</ctry><ctry>TR</ctry></B840><B860><B861><dnum><anum>EP2004006639</anum></dnum><date>20040618</date></B861><B862>en</B862></B860><B870><B871><dnum><pnum>WO2004111536</pnum></dnum><date>20041223</date><bnum>200452</bnum></B871></B870><B880><date>20060315</date><bnum>200611</bnum></B880></B800></SDOBI>
<description id="desc" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="1"> -->
<p id="p0001" num="0001">The present invention relates to a burner, in particular to a premixed burner with a diffuser resistant to high temperatures.</p>
<p id="p0002" num="0002">In burners subject to high operating temperatures, such as for example premixed burners, the high thermal stress may easily cause very great mechanical deformations and stress to the burner diffuser, which may lead to the breaking of the diffuser. This drawback occurs with any form of burner diffuser, but has been found to be particularly serious in burners with flat diffusers. To overcome this drawback, it has been proposed to use special materials to make the burner diffuser, for example a metal mesh, or a ceramic material. However, this leads to a significant increase in the cost of the burner if the metal mesh is used and significant fragility of the diffuser if a ceramic material is used.</p>
<p id="p0003" num="0003"><patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP0774623A"><text>EP0774623</text></patcit> describes a burner for use in a gas-fired burner device, comprising a housing at least partly covered by a burner deck provided with outflow openings for allowing, during use, the passage of a gas or gas/air mixture from the inside of the housing to the environment, with the circumferential edges of the burner deck being retained so as to be movable relative to the housing, wherein the burner deck comprises a series of burner deck parts arranged next to each other, which burner deck parts each comprise a row of outflow openings in communication with the inside of the housing, while between burner deck parts arranged next to each other bridges are included which are fixedly connected with the housing, in which bridges the proximal edges of the burner deck parts connecting thereto are movably retained, the arrangement being such that during use each burner deck part can deform at least in the plane of the burner deck part in question, independently of the other burner deck parts the housing and the bridges.</p>
<p id="p0004" num="0004"><patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP0679838A"><text>EP0679838</text></patcit> describes a gas burner that consists of a<!-- EPO <DP n="2"> --> distribution chamber to receive air and a combustible gas, partially delimited by a thin perforated panel which acts as a burner bar. The distribution chamber has an upper end with a series of feed apertures facing the perforated panel, while the perforated zones of the latter are not situated directly in line with some of the apertures. The offset perforated sections are curved, with convex sides facing towards the distribution chamber and located between its feed apertures. Apart from the curved sections, the perforated panel is generally flat, and the gas feed apertures in the distribution chamber, which are set in a plane parallel to the perforated panel, are connected to feed ducts in the form of Venturi tubes fed by individual nozzles.</p>
<p id="p0005" num="0005"><patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="JP58035314B"><text>JP58035314</text></patcit> describes a combustor comprising a box type combustion section, an inner combustion wall which is provided with a plurality of small holes, and is formed into a U shape, to an outer combustion wall which is provided with holes of middle size in its infrared wall part A, and with holes of small size in its lower part. The upper part of an outer combustion wall is bent to make a combustion lid, and an inner wall is provided to the back of an inner combustion wall, with its upper plate being combined with the combustion lid. An outer wall, jointed with a heatproof glass is disposed in ront of an outer combustion wall 13. Besides a gass feeder body 25, which is provided with gas injecting ports 30 is fitted to the lower part of a box type combustion section 15 by the intermediary of projecting parts 31. With such an arrangement, a flat type combustor with radiation obtained from one side, is composed so as to make the best use of its characteristics as a full secondary air combustor, and it can be installed in places in various circumstances. One object of the present invention is to provide a burner suitable for operating at high operating temperatures that is highly resistant to thermal stress without special materials being required to make the diffuser, which is simple and relatively cheap to build.<!-- EPO <DP n="3"> --> According to the invention, a burner is provided that is suppliable with a mixture of air and fuel, comprising a burner body provided with a diffuser in which openings are made for the passage and subsequent combustion of the mixture. The diffuser is divided into a plurality of diffuser elements that are adjacent to one another, each element being at least partially free to expand in at least one direction. Each diffuser element is associated with a flow-distributing element and is provided with openings for the passage of said mixture. The invention is characterised in that each flow-distributing element is arranged inside a diffuser element.</p>
<p id="p0006" num="0006">The diffuser divided into a plurality of elements adjacent to one another, partially free to expand in at least one direction, has resistance to thermal stress that is significantly greater than is the case with a monobloc diffuser inasmuch as the heat expansions that occurs during burner operation on each diffuser element, induced by said<!-- EPO <DP n="4"> --> temperature variations, is noticeably reduced, with a consequent noticeable reduction of deformation and of the mechanical stress induced by it.</p>
<p id="p0007" num="0007">According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each diffuser element has a shape that is such as to give it great mechanical rigidity.</p>
<p id="p0008" num="0008">This enables the flexional stability of each diffuser element to be improved, further increasing resistance to thermal stress.</p>
<p id="p0009" num="0009">According to a further aspect of the present invention rigidity-varying means is provided that is suitable for diminishing the rigidity of the diffuser element in a direction parallel to its greater dimension.</p>
<p id="p0010" num="0010">This enables mechanical stresses due to heat expansion in the direction of the greater dimension to be further diminished.</p>
<p id="p0011" num="0011">The invention will now be disclosed by way of non-limiting examples by reference to the attached drawings in which:
<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact">
<li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a perspective view of a burner according to the invention, with a diffuser having the shape of a cylindrical envelope;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> is a view of the partially dismantled burner in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref> is a view of a further burner according to the invention with a double diffuser having the shape of a cylindrical envelope;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref> is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> is a perspective view of a burner with a diffuser having a substantially flat shape;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0006">Figure 6</figref> is a perspective view of the diffuser elements of the burner in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0007">Figure 7</figref> is an enlarged and fragmentary detail of <figref idref="f0006">Figure 6</figref>, in which a flow-distributing element is shown that is fitted inside each diffuser element to make uniform the distribution of the flow of mixture to the openings of the diffuser element;<!-- EPO <DP n="5"> --></li>
<li><figref idref="f0008">Figure 8</figref> is a perspective view of the distributing element shown in <figref idref="f0007">Figure 7</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0009">Figure 9</figref> is a perspective view of a further burner with a diffuser having a substantially flat shape;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0010">Figures 10 and 11</figref> are perspective views of a second embodiment of a diffuser element of the burner according to the invention, integrated with a flow-distributing element;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0010">Figure 12</figref> is a cross section of the diffuser element of <figref idref="f0010">Figures 10 and 11</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0011">Figures 13 and 14</figref> are perspective views of a third and of a fourth embodiment of a diffuser element of the burner according to the invention, integrated with a flow-distributing element;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0012">Figure 15</figref> is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a diffuser element of the burner according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0012">Figure 16</figref> is a cross section of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0012">Figure 15</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0012">Figure 17</figref> is a section like the one in <figref idref="f0012">Figure 16</figref>, relating moreover to a modification to the diffuser in <figref idref="f0012">Figure 15</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0013">Figure 18</figref> is a perspective view of a version of the distributing element shown in <figref idref="f0007">Figures 7</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">8</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0014">Figure 19</figref> is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a diffuser element of a burner according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0014">Figure 20</figref> is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention, integrated with a flow-distributing element;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0014">Figure 21</figref> is an enlarged view of a detail of the diffuser elements of <figref idref="f0014">Figures 19 and 20</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0015">Figure 22</figref> is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0015">Figure 22a</figref> is a perspective view from below of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0015">Figure 22</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0015">Figure 23</figref> is a cross section of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0016">Figure 24</figref> is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;<!-- EPO <DP n="6"> --></li>
<li><figref idref="f0016">Figure 25</figref> is a section view of three diffuser elements like the one in <figref idref="f0016">Figure 24</figref>, brought up to form a diffuser like the burner diffuser in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0017">Figure 26</figref> is a view from above of a tenth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0017">Figure 27</figref> is a view from below of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0017">Figure 26</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0017">Figure 28</figref> is a cross section of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0017">Figure 26</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0018">Figure 29</figref> is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a diffuser element for a burner according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0018">Figure 30</figref> is a perspective view of two diffuser elements like the one in <figref idref="f0018">Figure 29</figref>, brought up to form the diffuser of a burner according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0018">Figure 31</figref> is a front view of the two diffuser elements in <figref idref="f0018">Figure 30</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0019">Figure 32</figref> is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0019">Figure 33</figref> is a view from above of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0019">Figure 32</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0019">Figure 34</figref> is an enlarged detail of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0019">Figure 32</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0019">Figure 35</figref> is a plan view of a flow-distributing element that is associatable with a diffuser element like the one in <figref idref="f0019">Figure 32</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0019">Figure 36</figref> is a side view of the flow-distributing element in <figref idref="f0019">Figure 35</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0020">Figure 37</figref> is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0020">Figure 38</figref> is a view from above of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0020">Figure 37</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0020">Figure 39</figref> is an enlarged detail of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0020">Figure 37</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0020">Figure 40</figref> is a plan view of a flow-distributing element that is associatable with a diffuser element like the one in <figref idref="f0020">Figure 37</figref>;<!-- EPO <DP n="7"> --></li>
<li><figref idref="f0020">Figure 41</figref> is a side view of the flow-distributing element in <figref idref="f0020">Figure 40</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0021">Figure 42</figref> is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0021">Figure 43</figref> is an enlarged detail of <figref idref="f0021">Figure 42</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0021">Figure 44</figref> is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0021">Figure 45</figref> is an enlarged detail of <figref idref="f0021">Figure 44</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0022">Figures 46, 47, 48 and 49</figref> are schematic views that show the fitting of a diffuser element according to the invention, for example of the type shown in <figref idref="f0015">Figures 22, 22a and 23</figref>, to make the diffuser of a burner of the type shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>.</li>
<li><figref idref="f0023">Figures 50 and 51</figref> are perspective views of a sixteenth embodiment of a diffuser element according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0024">Figure 52</figref> is a perspective view of a burner made with the diffuser elements shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figures 50 and 51</figref>.</li>
<li><figref idref="f0025">Figure 53</figref> is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a burner with a concave cylindrical diffuser made with diffuser elements according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0026">Figure 54</figref> is a perspective view of a burner with a convex cylindrical diffuser, made with diffuser elements according to the invention;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0027">Figure 55</figref> is a perspective view of a first version of a diffuser element like the one in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0027">Figure 56</figref> is a longitudinal section of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0027">Figure 55</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0028">Figure 57</figref> is a perspective view of a second version of a diffuser element like the one in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0028">Figure 58</figref> is a longitudinal section of the diffuser element in <figref idref="f0028">Figure 57</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0029">Figure 59</figref> is a perspective view of a fitting system of a diffuser element like the one in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref> in a burner like the one shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref>;</li>
<li><figref idref="f0029">Figure 60</figref> is a longitudinal section of <figref idref="f0029">Figure 59</figref>.</li>
</ul></p>
<p id="p0012" num="0012">In <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1, 1</figref> shows, overall, a burner according to the invention, comprising a base element 2, with for example the shape of a flange, and a head element 3, with for example<!-- EPO <DP n="8"> --> the shape of a bottom, between which a diffuser 4 is arranged and fixed consisting of a plurality of diffuser elements 5, arranged as a cylindrical envelope configuration. Each diffuser element 5 (<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>) has a U-shaped cross section, with a first wall 7 of each diffuser element 5 that has a substantially rectangular shape and is turned towards the outside of the burner 1; on the wall 7 openings 6 are made for the passage of the mixture of air and fuel delivered inside the burner 1. The diffuser element 5 furthermore comprises two side walls 8 connected to the two greater opposite sides of the first wall 7 and placed in an approximately radial direction and two front walls 14, only one of which is visible in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>, connected to the lesser sides of the first wall 7 and approximately perpendicular thereto. Inside each diffuser element 5 a flow-distributing element 9 can be arranged, consisting, for example, of a plate 10 (<figref idref="f0008">Figure 8</figref>), on which holes 11 are distributed for the passage of the mixture of air and fuel. The plate 10 is furthermore provided, on two sides that are opposite each other, with respective bumps 13, which act as spacers to keep the plate 10 at a distance from the wall 7. The flow-distributing elements 9 can be inserted inside the diffuser elements 5 by resting them against pairs of support rods 12. These support rods 12, in the case of the burner in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, are arranged substantially parallel to the walls 8 of the respective diffuser element 5 and protrude by their ends through holes 15 made in the front walls 14. The holes 15 have shapes and dimensions such as to couple with play with the rods 12 in such a way that the latter do not hinder heat expansion of the diffuser element 5. The rods 12 also act as fixing means of the diffuser element 5 to the base element 2 and to the head element 3 of the burner 1. Alternatively, the diffuser elements 5 can be coupled with the base element 2 and with the head element 3 of the burner 1 by inserting the ends of the diffuser elements into suitable seats made in the base element 2 and in the head element 3, respectively. The dimensions of the seats are<!-- EPO <DP n="9"> --> chosen in such a way as to enable coupling with play of the diffuser elements 5, in such a way as not to hinder heat expansion.</p>
<p id="p0013" num="0013"><figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref> shows a version la of the burner 1 shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figures 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0002">2</figref>. This burner la is substantially obtained by connecting together a first burner body 17 that is substantially identical to the burner 1 and a second burner body 18 aligned on a straight axis. The first burner body 17 comprises a flange-shaped base element 2 and a head element 19, with a substantially annular shape, between which a first diffuser 4a is arranged and fixed consisting of a plurality of diffuser elements 5, arranged as a cylindrical envelope configuration. The second burner body 18 comprises a base element 19a, with a shape similar to the head element 19 of the first burner body 17 and connected to it, and a head element 3, with a substantially circular shape, between which a second diffuser 4b is arranged and fixed also consisting of a plurality of diffuser elements 5, arranged as a cylindrical envelope configuration.</p>
<p id="p0014" num="0014"><figref idref="f0005">Figures 5</figref>, <figref idref="f0006">6</figref>, <figref idref="f0007">7</figref> show a further embodiment of a burner 20 according to the invention, consisting of a substantially rectangular frame 21 with a peripheral flange 22, which is also substantially rectangular, inside which a row of diffuser elements 5 is arranged that are alongside one another to form a diffuser 25 having a substantially flat surface.</p>
<p id="p0015" num="0015">In this burner 20 it is advantageous to arrange the support rods 12 transversely in relation to the diffuser elements 5, passing through holes 16 made in the side walls 8 of each diffuser element 5 and further holes made on pairs of opposite sides 24 of the frame 21. In this way the rods 12, by passing through the different adjacent diffuser elements 5, and the pairs of opposite sides 24, also act as connecting elements connecting the diffuser elements 5 together and with the frame 21.</p>
<p id="p0016" num="0016">The rods 12 are coupled with play with the holes 16 and with the further holes made on the opposite sides 24 in such a<!-- EPO <DP n="10"> --> way as not to hinder heat expansion of the diffuser elements 5.</p>
<p id="p0017" num="0017">Alternatively, to couple the diffuser elements 5 with the frame 21, inside the frame 21 seats can be provided that are suitable for receiving and holding in place opposite ends of the diffuser elements 5. Coupling between the diffuser elements 5 and the seats occurs with play in such a way that heat expansion of the diffuser elements 5 is not hindered.</p>
<p id="p0018" num="0018"><figref idref="f0009">Figure 9</figref> shows a yet further embodiment of a burner 25 according to the invention, similar to the burner 20 shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figures 5</figref>, <figref idref="f0006">6</figref>, <figref idref="f0007">7</figref>, from which it differs only inasmuch as inside the substantially rectangular frame 21 a double row of diffuser elements 5 is arranged. The diffuser elements 5 of the two rows are arranged in such a way as to be able to expand in a substantially free manner due to the effect of the temperature variations to which they are subjected during burner operation 25.</p>
<p id="p0019" num="0019"><figref idref="f0010">Figures 10 to 12</figref> show a second embodiment of a diffuser element 26 of a burner according to the invention. This diffuser element 26 has a box-shaped body, which gives it great flexional rigidity. A first face 28 of the body of the diffuser element 26, intended to be turned towards the outside of the burner, acts as a diffuser and is provided with a plurality of openings 6, 27 for the passage of the mixture of air and fuel delivered into the burner; the openings 6, 27 may have the shape of slits 6 and/or of holes 27. The diffuser element shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figures 10, 11</figref> has a row of slits 6, bordered by two double rows of holes 27. A second face 29, opposite the first face 28 and intended to be turned towards the inside of the burner, is provided with a series of openings 31, for example in the shape of holes, distributed along the second face 29. This second face 29 acts as a distributor of the flow of mixture delivered into the burner.</p>
<p id="p0020" num="0020">The diffuser element 26 is then integrated with a mixture-flow-distributing element, which enables considerable cost<!-- EPO <DP n="11"> --> savings and saving of assembly time of the burner according to the invention.</p>
<p id="p0021" num="0021">In the second face 29 a central incision 30 may be made that extends along the entire length of the face, parallel to the greater sides thereof. This incision 30 is used to considerably reduce the value of the mechanical stress occurring on the diffuser element 26 due to the temperature variations to which it is subjected during burner operation. This is because the presence of the incision 30 enables the diffuser element 26 to expand in a substantially free manner in a perpendicular direction to the incision 30.</p>
<p id="p0022" num="0022"><figref idref="f0011">Figures 13 and 14</figref> show a third embodiment of a diffuser element 26a and a fourth embodiment of a diffuser element 26b according to the invention. The diffuser elements 26a are 26b are similar to the diffuser element 26 from which they differ by the shape of the openings made on the second face 29.</p>
<p id="p0023" num="0023">The diffuser element 26a has on the second face 29 rows of openings consisting of slits 32 alternating with holes 33 whilst the diffuser element 26a has on the second face 29 rows of slits 34, staggered between themselves.</p>
<p id="p0024" num="0024"><figref idref="f0012">Figures 15 and 16</figref> show a fifth embodiment of a diffuser element 26c, similar to the diffuser element 26, from which it differs by the fact that at the ends of the first face 28 it has projections 35, turned towards the inside of the element 26. These projections 35 are used to make coupling of the diffuser elements 26c with the flange 2 and the bottom 3 of the burner quicker and easier.</p>
<p id="p0025" num="0025"><figref idref="f0012">Figure 17</figref> shows a version 26d of the diffuser element 26c that has projections 35a that are similar to the projections 35 but are turned towards the outside of the diffuser element 26d.</p>
<p id="p0026" num="0026"><figref idref="f0013">Figure 18</figref> shows a version 9a of the distributing element 9 shown in <figref idref="f0007">Figures 7</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">8</figref>. The distributing element 9a differs from the distributing element 9 inasmuch as the bumps 13 are replaced by end protrusions 36 of the body 10, which also act as spacers.<!-- EPO <DP n="12"> --></p>
<p id="p0027" num="0027"><figref idref="f0014">Figure 19</figref> shows a sixth embodiment of a diffuser element 37 with a U-shaped cross section with a first face 38 intended to be turned towards the outside of the burner, and a second and third face 39, 40, that are substantially perpendicular to the first face 38 and are intended to be turned towards the inside of the burner. On the face 38 openings 41, 42 are made for the passage of the mixture of air and fuel. The openings 41, 42 may have the shape of slits 41 and of holes 42. The diffuser element 37 shown in <figref idref="f0014">Figure 19</figref> is provided on the first face 38 with two rows of slits 41 that are parallel to each other between which a plurality of holes 42 is arranged. At regular intervals along the rows of slits 41 and holes 42 further slits 43 may be made that extend along the entire width of the zone of the face 38 on which the slits 41 and the holes 42 are located. These further slits 43, in addition to acting as openings for the passage of the mixture, enable the face 38 to absorb heat expansion without being subjected to excessive mechanical stress generated by such expansion.</p>
<p id="p0028" num="0028">The diffuser element 37 is particularly suitable for making a burner with a substantially flat diffuser, like the ones shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figures 5</figref> and <figref idref="f0009">9</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0029" num="0029"><figref idref="f0014">Figure 20</figref> shows a seventh embodiment of a diffuser element 44. This diffuser element 44, integrated with a flow-distributing element, has a similar shape to the diffuser elements shown in <figref idref="f0010 f0011 f0012">Figures 10 to 17</figref> and on its first face 28 has the same opening distribution of the diffuser element 37, including the further slits 43.</p>
<p id="p0030" num="0030">Lastly, <figref idref="f0014">Figure 21</figref> shows an enlarged view of a version 43a of the further slits 43, which have widenings 45 at the respective ends to reduce the risk of concentrations of mechanical stress due to the heat expansion that occurs during burner operation.</p>
<p id="p0031" num="0031"><figref idref="f0015">Figures 22, 22a, 23</figref> show an eighth embodiment of a diffuser element 46 according to the invention. The diffuser element 46 has a box structure, with a first convex face 47 intended to be turned towards the outside of the burner and having<!-- EPO <DP n="13"> --> the shape of a cylindrical surface sector and a second concave face 48 intended to be turned towards the inside of the burner and also having the shape of a cylindrical surface sector. The two faces 47 and 48 being joined by curved lengths 49, 50.</p>
<p id="p0032" num="0032">On said first face 47 openings 51, 52, 53 are made for the passage of the mixture of air and fuel. The openings 51, 52 may have the shape of slits 51 and of holes 52. The diffuser element 46 shown in <figref idref="f0015">Figures 22, 22a, 23</figref> is provided on the first face 47 with two rows of slits 51 that are parallel to one another between which a plurality of holes 52 is arranged. At regular intervals, along the rows of slits 51 and holes 52, further slits 53 can be arranged that extend along the entire width of the zone of the first face 47 on which the slits 51 and the holes 52 are located. These further slits 53, in addition to acting as openings for the passage of the mixture, enable the first face 47 to absorb heat expansion without being subjected to excessive mechanical stress generated by the expansion.</p>
<p id="p0033" num="0033">On the second face 48 a series of openings 54 is made, for example in the shape of holes, distributed along the second face 48. This second face 48 acts as a distributor of the flow of mixture delivered into the burner.</p>
<p id="p0034" num="0034">The diffuser element 46 is then integrated with a mixture-flow-distributing element, which enables significant savings to be made both in terms of manufacturing costs and assembly time of the burner according to the invention.</p>
<p id="p0035" num="0035">In the second face 48 a central incision 55 can be made that extends along the entire length of the face, parallel to the greater sides thereof. This incision 55 significantly reduces the value of the mechanical stress that occurs on the diffuser element 46 because of the temperature variations to which it is subjected during burner operation. This is because the presence of the incision 55 enables the diffuser element 46 to expand in a substantially free manner in a direction that is perpendicular to the incision 55.<!-- EPO <DP n="14"> --> Near the ends of the first face 47 projections 56 are made that make coupling of the diffuser elements 46 with the flange 2 and the bottom 3 of the burner 1 faster and easier. The projections 56 can be pointed to the outside of the diffuser element 46, or towards the inside thereof.</p>
<p id="p0036" num="0036"><figref idref="f0016">Figures 24 and 25</figref> show a ninth embodiment of a diffuser element 57 according to the invention similar to the diffuser element 46 shown in <figref idref="f0015">Figures 22, 22a, 23</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0037" num="0037">The diffuser element 57 differs from the diffuser element 46 inasmuch as the walls 58, 59 that connect the first face 47 and the second face 48 are shaped in such a way as to be shapingly coupled with the walls of adjacent diffuser elements 57.</p>
<p id="p0038" num="0038">This type of coupling minimises the risk of spillage of mixture between the side walls of adjacent diffuser elements 57, thereby increasing the efficiency of the burner.</p>
<p id="p0039" num="0039"><figref idref="f0017">Figures 26, 27 and 28</figref> show a tenth embodiment of a diffuser element 60 according to the invention.</p>
<p id="p0040" num="0040">The diffuser element 60 has a U-shaped cross section with a first face 61 intended to be turned towards the outside of the burner, and a second and third face 62, 63 that are substantially perpendicular to the first face 61 and are intended to be turned towards the inside of the burner. On the first face 61 openings 51, 52, 53 are made that have a shape and distribution that are similar to the corresponding openings made on the first face 47 of the diffuser elements 46 and 57 disclosed above.</p>
<p id="p0041" num="0041">The second and third face 62 and 63 are respectively joined at their free ends with a second distributing element 64 that also has a U-shaped cross section with a first face 65 substantially parallel to the first face 61 of the diffuser element 60 and a second and third face, respectively 66 and 67, substantially parallel to the second face 62 and to the third face 63, respectively of the diffuser element 60.</p>
<p id="p0042" num="0042">On the first face 65 of the distributing element 64 openings 68 are made for the passage and the distribution of the flow of the mixture of air and fuel.<!-- EPO <DP n="15"> --></p>
<p id="p0043" num="0043">In the first face 65 of the distributing element 64 a central incision 69 can be made, extending along the entire length of the face 65, parallel to the greater sides thereof. This incision 69 has functions that are completely similar to those of the incision 55 of the diffuser elements 46 and 57 disclosed previously.</p>
<p id="p0044" num="0044"><figref idref="f0018">Figures 29, 30, 31</figref> show an eleventh embodiment of a diffuser element 70, having a substantially open box shape, with a top face 71 intended to be turned towards the outside of the burner, two front faces 72, that are substantially perpendicular to the lesser sides of the top face 71 and two side faces 73, 74 that are substantially perpendicular to the greater sides of the top face 71.</p>
<p id="p0045" num="0045">The side faces 73, 74 are shaped in such a way as to be shapingly coupled with the corresponding side faces of adjacent diffuser elements 70. This type of coupling minimises the risk of spillage of mixture between the walls of adjacent diffuser elements 70, thus increasing burner efficiency.</p>
<p id="p0046" num="0046">On the top face 71 of the diffuser element 70 openings 51, 52, 53 are made that have a shape and distribution similar to the corresponding openings already disclosed with reference to the diffuser elements 46, 57, 60.</p>
<p id="p0047" num="0047"><figref idref="f0019">Figures 32 to 36</figref> show a twelfth embodiment of a diffuser element 75 according to the invention.</p>
<p id="p0048" num="0048">This diffuser element 75 has an open box shape similar to that of the diffuser element 70, with a top face 76 intended to be turned towards the outside of the burner, two front faces 77, 78, that are substantially perpendicular to the lesser sides of the top face 76 and two side faces 79, 80, that are substantially perpendicular to the greater sides of the top face 76.</p>
<p id="p0049" num="0049">On the top face 76 openings 81, 82, 83 are made for the evacuation of the mixture of air and fuel.</p>
<p id="p0050" num="0050">The openings 81 have the shape of slits arranged in traverse rows staggered between themselves in a central zone of the top face 76; the openings 82 have the shape of holes<!-- EPO <DP n="16"> --> arranged in traverse rows staggered between themselves, in two side zones of the top face 76. The openings 83 are traverse slits that extend along the entire width of the top face 76 and continue for a short length, at both their ends on the side walls 79 and 80. The slits 83 have widenings 84 at both their ends.</p>
<p id="p0051" num="0051">In addition to acting as openings for the passage of the mixture, the slits 83 also enable the top face 76 to absorb heat expansion without being subjected to excessive mechanical stress generated by the heat expansion. Furthermore, the widenings 84 enable the risk of concentrations of mechanical stress caused by the heat expansion to be reduced, thereby increasing the resistance of the diffuser element 75 to the thermal stress that occurs during burner operation.</p>
<p id="p0052" num="0052">Inside each diffuser element 75 a flow-distributing element 85 (<figref idref="f0019">Figures 35, 36</figref>) can be arranged that for example comprises a plate 86 on which holes 87 are distributed for the passage of the mixture of air and fuel. The plate 86 is provided with end protrusions 88 having a spacer function for maintaining the flow-distributing element 85 distanced from the top face 76 of the diffuser element 75.</p>
<p id="p0053" num="0053"><figref idref="f0020">Figures 37, 38 and 39</figref> show a thirteenth embodiment of a diffuser element 89 according to the invention.</p>
<p id="p0054" num="0054">This diffuser element 89 has a shape that is very similar to that of the diffuser element 75, shown in <figref idref="f0019">Figures 32, 33, 34</figref> and differs therefrom only in terms of the shape and distribution of the openings 90, 91 made in the top face 76 for the evacuation of the mixture of air and fuel with which the burner is supplied.</p>
<p id="p0055" num="0055">These openings 90, 91 have the shape of slits and are distributed on staggered traverse rows that are located alternately on the entire width of the top face 76 of the diffuser element 89.</p>
<p id="p0056" num="0056">The end slits 91 of the rows of slits that are located on the entire width of the top face 76 continue for a short<!-- EPO <DP n="17"> --> length on the side faces 79 and 80 and terminate on the faces with a widening 92.</p>
<p id="p0057" num="0057">The function of the end slits 91 and of the widening 92 is very similar to the function of the slits 83 with the respective widenings 84, disclosed with reference to the diffuser element 75 shown in <figref idref="f0019">Figures 32, 33, 34</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0058" num="0058">Inside each diffuser element 89 a flow-distributing element 85 (<figref idref="f0020">Figures 40 and 41</figref>) can be arranged.</p>
<p id="p0059" num="0059"><figref idref="f0021">Figures 42 and 43</figref> show a fourteenth embodiment of a diffuser element 93 according to the invention.</p>
<p id="p0060" num="0060">The diffuser element 93 has a shape that is very similar to that of the diffuser elements 75 and 89 disclosed previously.</p>
<p id="p0061" num="0061">On the top face 76 of the diffuser element 93 openings 94, 95, 96 are made for the passage of the mixture of air and fuel. The openings 94 have the shape of slits, distributed on two traverse rows that are parallel to each other, between which a plurality of rows of holes 95 is arranged. At regular intervals along the rows of slits 94 and of holes 95 further slits 96 are arranged that extend along the entire width of the top face 76 and continue for a short length at the respective ends on the side faces 79 and 80. The ends of each further slit 96 have a widening 97.</p>
<p id="p0062" num="0062">The function of the further slits 96 and of the respective end widenings 97 is the same as that of the slits 83 with the respective widenings 84 disclosed previously.</p>
<p id="p0063" num="0063"><figref idref="f0021">Figures 44 and 45</figref> disclose a fifteenth embodiment of a diffuser element 98 according to the invention, similar to the diffuser element 93 shown in <figref idref="f0021">Figures 42 and 43</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0064" num="0064">In the diffuser element 98, the further slits 96 terminate at their respective ends, on the side walls 79 and 80, with a length of L-shaped slit 99 that in turn terminates with a widening 100.</p>
<p id="p0065" num="0065">The function of this length of slit 99 and of the respective widening 100 is to further reduce the risk of concentrations of mechanical stress, which could be generated by the heat<!-- EPO <DP n="18"> --> expansion to which the diffuser element 98 is subjected during burner operation.</p>
<p id="p0066" num="0066"><figref idref="f0022">Figures 46 to 49</figref> show assembly of a diffuser element 46 in a burner with a cylindrical envelope diffuser as for example shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0067" num="0067">The base element 2 and the head element 3 of the burner are respectively equipped with annular internally hollow protrusions 101, 102 with U-shaped sections, in which the ends of the diffuser elements 46 can be inserted.</p>
<p id="p0068" num="0068">The front walls, 103 and 104 respectively, of the annular protrusions 101 and 102 are provided at regular intervals with projections 105 suitable for coupling with the projections 56 made in the ends of the diffuser elements 46 to fix in position each diffuser element 46 and prevent it from being able to undergo shifts during burner operation. The presence of projections 105 that are coupleable with the projections 56 of the diffuser element 46 makes the assembly of the burner diffuser very quick and easy.</p>
<p id="p0069" num="0069"><figref idref="f0023">Figures 50 and 51</figref> show a sixteenth embodiment of a diffuser element 106 according to the invention having a substantially triangular plan shape with a top face 107 in which openings 108, 108a are made for the evacuation of the mixture of air and fuel, side walls 109 and front wall 110.</p>
<p id="p0070" num="0070">The openings 108, 108a may have the shape of rows of slits 108 alternating with rows of holes 108a.</p>
<p id="p0071" num="0071"><figref idref="f0023">Figure 51</figref> shows two diffuser elements 106, brought up to form a portion of burner diffuser.</p>
<p id="p0072" num="0072"><figref idref="f0024">Figure 52</figref> shows a burner 111 the diffuser of which is made with the diffuser elements 106 shown in <figref idref="f0023">Figures 50 and 51</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0073" num="0073">The burner 111 is provided with a cylindrical body 112, one of the bases of which forms a diffuser 113 made with the diffuser elements 106. The burner is provided with a tube 114 for conveying the mixture of air and fuel to the burner body 112.</p>
<p id="p0074" num="0074"><figref idref="f0025">Figure 53</figref> shows a portion of a burner 115, the body 116 of which has a hollow cylindrical shape, the internal surface of which forms the diffuser 117 of the burner, made with<!-- EPO <DP n="19"> --> diffuser elements according to the invention, for example diffuser elements 60 according to the tenth embodiment of the diffuser elements.</p>
<p id="p0075" num="0075"><figref idref="f0026">Figure 54</figref> shows a cylindrical burner 118 according to the invention, similar to the burner shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>, wherein the diffuser 119 is made with a plurality of diffuser elements according to the invention, for example diffuser elements 46, 57, or 60 according to the eighth, ninth and tenth embodiments respectively.</p>
<p id="p0076" num="0076"><figref idref="f0027">Figures 55 and 56</figref> show a first version of the diffuser element 5 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>. In this first version, the diffuser element 5 is provided on its front faces 14 with respective tabs 120 obtained by punching the front faces 14.</p>
<p id="p0077" num="0077">The tabs 120 are used to secure and hold in position a distributing element 85 inserted in the diffuser element 5.</p>
<p id="p0078" num="0078">After insertion and positioning of the distributing element 85 in the diffuser element 5, the tabs 120 are bent towards the inside of the diffuser element 5 in such a way as to interfere with the distributing element 85 in such a way as to secure it and keep it in position as shown in <figref idref="f0027">Figure 56</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0079" num="0079"><figref idref="f0028">Figures 57 and 58</figref> show a second version of the diffuser element 5 shown in <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>. In this second version, the diffuser element 5 is provided with respective recesses 121 on its front faces 14.</p>
<p id="p0080" num="0080">The recesses 121 are used to secure and hold in position a distributing element 85a inserted in the diffuser element 5. The flow-distributing element 85a is similar to the flow-distributing element 85 and differs from it by the presence on the plate 86a of a plurality of traverse projections 122, that are substantially parallel to one another, the function of which is to act as spacers, to keep the flow-distributing element 85a at a distance from the top face 7 of the diffuser element 5. After inserting and positioning the distributing element 85a in the diffuser element 5, the recesses 121 of the front faces 14 secure and maintain in position the distributing element 85a, as shown in <figref idref="f0028">Figure 58</figref>.<!-- EPO <DP n="20"> --></p>
<p id="p0081" num="0081"><figref idref="f0029">Figures 59 and 60</figref> show a system of fitting of a diffuser element 5 in a burner 20 like the one shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0082" num="0082">In this fitting system, the walls 24 of the substantially rectangular frame 21 of the burner 20, parallel to the front faces 14 of the diffuser element 5, are provided with recesses 123 positioned in such a way as to keep the diffuser element 5 in position after the latter has been placed in position in the substantially rectangular frame 21, as shown in <figref idref="f0029">Figure 60</figref>.</p>
<p id="p0083" num="0083">In the practical embodiment, the materials, dimensions and construction details used may be different from those indicated but be technically equivalent to them without thereby falling outside the legal scope of the present invention.</p>
</description>
<claims id="claims01" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="21"> -->
<claim id="c-en-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) suppliable with a mixture of air and fuel, comprising a burner body provided with a diffuser (4; 4a, 4b; 23; 113; 117; 119) in which openings are made for the passage and subsequent combustion of said mixture, said diffuser (4; 4a, 4b; 23; 113; 117; 119) being divided into a plurality of diffuser elements (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) that are adjacent to one another, each diffuser element (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) being at least partially free to expand in at least one direction, each diffuser element (5; 75; 89; 93; 98) being associated with a flow-distributing element (9; 9a; 64; 85; 85a) of said mixture and provided with openings (11; 68; 87) for the passage of said mixture, <b>characterised in that</b> each flow-distributing element (9; 9a; 64; 85; 85a) is arranged inside a diffuser element (5; 75; 89; 93; 98).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) according to claim 1, <b>characterised in that</b> each diffuser element (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) has a shape that is such as to give it great mechanical rigidity.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said diffuser element (5; 37; 60; 75; 89; 93) has a U-shaped cross section.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 3, wherein said diffuser element (5; 37; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93) comprises a first face (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) having a substantially rectangular shape whereupon said openings (6; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 90, 91; 94, 95) are made for the passage of said mixture of air and fuel and two<!-- EPO <DP n="22"> --> side faces (8; 39, 40; 62, 63; 73, 74; 79, 80) connected to the two greater opposite sides of said first face (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) and approximately perpendicular thereto.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 4, wherein said side faces (8) are connected to said first face (7) in such a way as to be able to rotate elastically in relation to it.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 4, wherein said side faces (73, 74) are shaped in such a way as to be shapingly coupled with corresponding side faces (73, 74) of adjacent diffuser elements (70).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said diffuser element (5; 70; 75; 89; 93) furthermore comprises two front faces (14; 72; 77, 78), connected to the lesser sides of said first face (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) and approximately perpendicular thereto.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 7, wherein said front faces (14) are connected to said first face (7) in such a way as to be able to rotate elastically in relation to it.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to any preceding claim, wherein said distributing element (9; 9a; 85; 85a) comprises a plate (10; 86; 86a) wherein said openings (11, 87) are made, said plate (10; 86, 86a) being arranged inside said distributing element.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 9, wherein said plate (10; 86; 86a) is provided with spacer means (13; 36; 88; 122).<!-- EPO <DP n="23"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 10, wherein said spacer means (13, 36; 88) is arranged at two opposite sides of said plate (10; 86).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 10, or 11, wherein said spacer means has the shape of a bump (13).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 10, or 11, wherein said spacer means has the shape of a projection (36; 88).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 10, wherein said spacer means comprises a plurality of traverse projections (122) that are substantially parallel to one another.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0015" num="0015">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to any preceding claims, further comprising rest means (12; 120; 121) for said distributing elements (9; 9a; 85; 85a) associated with said diffuser elements (5).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0016" num="0016">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 15, wherein said rest means is rod-shaped (12).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0017" num="0017">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 16, wherein a pair of said rods (12) is associated with each diffuser element (5).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0018" num="0018">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 16, or 17, wherein said rods (12) are arranged substantially parallel to said side faces (8) of the diffuser element (5) and protrude at their ends from<!-- EPO <DP n="24"> --> said front faces (14), through holes (15) made in the latter.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0019" num="0019">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 115; 118) according to claim 18, wherein the coupling between said rods (12) and said holes (15) is a coupling with play.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0020" num="0020">
<claim-text>Burner (20; 25) according to claim 16, or 17, wherein said rods (12) are arranged substantially perpendicular to said side walls (8) of the diffuser element (5) and protrude at their ends from said side walls (8), through holes (16) made in the latter.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0021" num="0021">
<claim-text>Burner (20; 25) according to claim 20, wherein the coupling between said rods (12) and said holes (16) is a coupling with play.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0022" num="0022">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 15, wherein said rest means comprises tabs (120) obtained in said front faces (14).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0023" num="0023">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 15, wherein said rest means comprises recesses (121) made in said front faces (14).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0024" num="0024">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to any preceding claim, wherein said distributing element (64) has a U-shaped cross section, with a first face (65) substantially parallel to the first face (61) of the diffuser element (60) and a second face (66) and a third face (67) substantially parallel to the side faces (62; 63) of the diffuser element (60), said second face (66) and said third face (67) being connected to the free ends of said side faces.<!-- EPO <DP n="25"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0025" num="0025">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 24, wherein in said first face (65) of said distributing element (64) openings are made (68) for the passage of said mixture of air and fuel.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0026" num="0026">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 24, or 25, wherein in said first face (65) of said distributing element (64) an incision is made (69) that extends along the entire length of said first face (65), parallel to the greater sides thereof.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0027" num="0027">
<claim-text>Burner (111) according to claim 1, wherein said diffuser element (106) has a substantially triangular plan shape, with a top face (107), in which openings are made (108, 108a) for the evacuation of said mixture of air and fuel, side walls (109) and front wall (110).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0028" num="0028">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) according to any preceding claim wherein said openings (6; 27; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 90, 91; 94, 95; 108, 108a) have the shape of slits (6; 41; 51; 81; 90; 94; 108) and/or of holes (27; 42; 52; 82; 91; 95; 108a).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0029" num="0029">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) according to claim 28, wherein said openings (6; 27; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 94, 95; 108, 108a) comprise rows of slits (6; 41; 51; 81; 90; 94; 108) alternating with rows of holes (27; 42; 52; 82; 91; 95; 108a).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0030" num="0030">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) according to claim 28, wherein said openings (90, 91) comprise rows of slits staggered between themselves.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0031" num="0031">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) according to claim 29, wherein said openings (81, 82) comprise rows of slits (81), staggered between themselves,<!-- EPO <DP n="26"> --> alternating with rows of holes (82), staggered between themselves.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0032" num="0032">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to any preceding claim wherein rigidity-varying means (43; 53; 83; 91; 96) is provided that is suitable for reducing the rigidity of the diffuser element (37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93) in a direction parallel to its greatest dimension.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0033" num="0033">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 32, wherein said rigidity-varying means comprises further openings (43; 53; 83; 96) in the shape of slits arranged at regular intervals along said rows of slits (41; 51; 81; 94) and of holes (42; 52; 82; 95) and extends along the entire width of said top face (38; 47; 61; 71; 76).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0034" num="0034">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 32, wherein said rigidity-varying means comprises end slits (91) of said rows of slits (90) that continue for a short length on said side faces (79, 80) and end on said faces with a widening (92).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0035" num="0035">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 33, wherein said further openings (83; 96) continue for a short length, at both their ends on said side walls (79, 80).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0036" num="0036">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 35, wherein said further openings (83; 96) both have widenings (84; 97) at their ends.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0037" num="0037">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 35, wherein said further openings (96) terminate at their<!-- EPO <DP n="27"> --> respective ends with an L-shaped length (99), terminating in turn with a widening (100).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0038" num="0038">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to any preceding claim, wherein said first face (28; 47) of said diffuser element (26c; 46) is equipped, at its respective ends, with respective protrusions (35; 35a; 56).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0039" num="0039">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) according to claim 48, wherein said protrusions (35; 35a; 56) can be turned towards the outside, or towards the inside of the diffuser element (26c; 46).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0040" num="0040">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 119) according to any one of claims 1 to 26 and 28 to 39, further comprising a base element (2) with a substantially annular shape and a head element (3) with a substantially circular shape, between which said diffuser elements (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98) are fixed, which are arranged in a cylindrical envelope configuration.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0041" num="0041">
<claim-text>Burner (1a) according to any one of claims 1 to 26 and from 28 to 39, comprising a first burner body (17) and a second burner body (18) connected together and aligned along a straight axis.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0042" num="0042">
<claim-text>Burner (1a) according to claim 41, wherein said first burner body (17) comprises a base element (2) and a head element (19), between which a first diffuser (4a) is arranged and fixed consisting of a plurality of diffuser elements (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98), arranged as a cylindrical envelope configuration.<!-- EPO <DP n="28"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0043" num="0043">
<claim-text>Burner (1a) according to claim 41, or 42, wherein said second burner body (18) comprises a base element (19a), connected to the head element (19) of the first burner body (17), and a head element (3) between which a second diffuser (4b) is arranged and fixed, consisting of a plurality of diffuser elements (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98), arranged as a cylindrical envelope configuration.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0044" num="0044">
<claim-text>Burner (20; 25; 113) according to any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein said diffuser elements (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) are arranged in a substantially flat configuration.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0045" num="0045">
<claim-text>Burner (20; 25) according to claim 44, further comprising a substantially rectangular frame (21) with a peripheral flange (22), which is also substantially rectangular, inside which at least one row of diffuser elements (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98) placed alongside one another is arranged to form a diffuser (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0046" num="0046">
<claim-text>Burner (25) according to claim 45, wherein inside said frame (21) a double row of diffuser elements (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98) placed alongside one another is arranged to form said diffuser (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0047" num="0047">
<claim-text>Burner according to claim 44, comprising a substantially cylindrical body (112), one of the bases of which forms a diffuser (113) made with diffuser elements (106) according to claim 32.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0048" num="0048">
<claim-text>Burner (115) according to any one of claims 1 to 26 and 28 to 39, comprising a body (116) having a hollow<!-- EPO <DP n="29"> --> cylindrical shape, the internal surface of which forms the diffuser (117) of the burner (115).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0049" num="0049">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 118) according to claim 40, wherein said base element (2) and said head element (3) are respectively equipped with internally hollow annular protrusions (101, 102) with U-shaped sections in which the ends of said diffuser elements (46) can be inserted.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0050" num="0050">
<claim-text>Burner (1; 118) according to claim 49, wherein respective front walls (103, 104) of said annular protrusions (101, 102) are provided at regular intervals with projections (105) suitable for being coupled with said projections (56) made in the ends of the diffuser elements (46).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-en-01-0051" num="0051">
<claim-text>Burner (20; 25) according to claim 45, or 46, wherein walls (24) of the substantially rectangular frame (21) of the burner (20; 25), parallel to the front faces (14) of the diffuser element (5) are provided with recesses (123).</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims02" lang="de"><!-- EPO <DP n="30"> -->
<claim id="c-de-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118), der mit einer Mischung aus Luft und Brennstoff versorgbar ist, aufweisend einen Brennerkörper, der mit einem Diffusor (4; 4a, 4b; 23; 113; 117; 119) versehen ist, in dem Öffnungen für den Durchlass und die anschließende Verbrennung der Mischung ausgebildet sind, wobei der Diffusor (4; 4a, 4b; 23; 113; 117; 119) in eine Mehrzahl von Diffusorelementen (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) unterteilt ist, die zueinander benachbart sind, wobei es jedem Diffusorelement (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) zumindest teilweise ermöglicht ist, sich in zumindest einer Richtung auszudehnen, wobei jedes Diffusorelement (5; 75; 89; 93; 98) mit einem Strömungsverteilungselement (9; 9a; 64; 85; 85a) für die Mischung verbunden ist, das mit Öffnungen (11; 68; 87) für den Durchlass der Mischung versehen ist, <b>dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass</b> jedes Strömungsverteilungselement (9; 9a; 64; 85; 85a) innerhalb eines Diffusorelements (5; 75; 89; 93; 98) angeordnet ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 1, <b>dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass</b> jedes Diffusorelement (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) eine Gestalt aufweist, die ihm eine hohe mechanische Steifigkeit verleiht.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Diffusorelement (5; 37; 60; 75; 89; 93) einen U-förmigen Querschnitt aufweist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 3, wobei das Diffusorelement (5; 37; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93) eine erste Fläche (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) mit im Wesentlichen rechteckiger Form aufweist, worauf die Öffnungen (6; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 81; 80, 91; 94, 95) für den Durchlass der Mischung aus Luft und Treibstoff ausgebildet sind, und wobei zwei Seitenflächen (8; 39, 40; 62, 63; 73, 74; 79, 80) mit den zwei größeren gegenüberliegenden Seiten der ersten Fläche (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) verbunden sind und ungefähr senkrecht dazu verlaufen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Seitenflächen (8) derart mit der ersten Fläche (7) verbunden sind, dass sie relativ gegenüber dieser elastisch verdrehbar sind.<!-- EPO <DP n="31"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Seitenflächen (73, 74) dazu ausgestaltet sind, formgebunden mit korrespondierenden Seitenflächen (73, 74) benachbarter Diffusorelemente (70) gekoppelt zu werden.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, wobei das Diffusorelement (5; 70; 75; 89; 93) ferner zwei Vorderflächen (14; 72; 77, 78) aufweist, die mit den kleineren Seiten der ersten Fläche (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) verbunden sind und ungefähr senkrecht dazu verlaufen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1 a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Vorderflächen (14) derart mit der ersten Fläche (7) verbunden sind, dass sie relativ zu dieser elastisch verdrehbar sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Verteilungselement (9; 9a; 85; 85a) eine Platte (10; 86; 86a) aufweist, in der die Öffnungen (11, 87) ausgebildet sind, wobei die Platte (10; 86, 86a) innerhalb des Verteilungselements angeordnet ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Platte (10; 86; 86a) mit einem Abstandshaltemittel (13; 36; 88; 122) versehen ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 10, wobei das Abstandshaltemittel (13, 36; 88) an zwei gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Platte (10; 86) angeordnet ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, wobei das Abstandshaltemittel die Form einer Delle (13) aufweist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 10 oder 11, wobei das Abstandshaltemittel die Form eines Vorsprungs (36; 88) aufweist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 10, wobei das Abstandshaltemittel eine Mehrzahl von Quervorsprüngen (122) aufweist, die im Wesentlichen zueinander parallel sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0015" num="0015">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner aufweisend ein Rastmittel (12; 120; 121) für die Verteilungselemente (9; 9a; 85; 85a), das mit den Diffusorelementen (5) verbunden ist.<!-- EPO <DP n="32"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0016" num="0016">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 15, wobei das Rastmittel (12) stabförmig ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0017" num="0017">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 16, wobei mit jedem Diffusorelement (5) ein Paar der Stäbe (12) verbunden ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0018" num="0018">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 16 oder 17, wobei die Stäbe (12) im Wesentlichen parallel zu den Seitenflächen (8) des Diffusorelements (5) angeordnet sind und mit ihren Enden durch in den Vorderflächen (14) ausgebildete Löcher (15) über die Vorderflächen (14) hervorstehen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0019" num="0019">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 18, wobei die Paarung zwischen den Stäben (12) und den Löchern (15) eine Spielpaarung ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0020" num="0020">
<claim-text>Brenner (20; 25) nach Anspruch 16 oder 17, wobei die Stäbe (12) im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu den Seitenwänden (8) des Diffusorelements (5) angeordnet sind und mit ihren Enden durch in den Seitenwänden (8) ausgebildete Löcher (16) über die Seitenwände (8) hervorstehen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0021" num="0021">
<claim-text>Brenner (20; 25) nach Anspruch 20, wobei die Paarung zwischen den Stäben (12) und den Löchern (16) eine Spielpaarung ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0022" num="0022">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 15, wobei das Rastmittel Laschen (120) aufweist, die in den Vorderflächen (14) ausgebildet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0023" num="0023">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 15, wobei das Rastmittel Vertiefungen (121) aufweist, die in die Vorderflächen (14) eingebracht sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0024" num="0024">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Verteilungselement (64) einen U-förmigen Querschnitt aufweist, und mit einer ersten Fläche (65), die im Wesentlichen parallel zur ersten Fläche (61) des Diffusorelements (60) verläuft, und mit einer zweiten Fläche (66) und einer dritten Fläche (67) versehen ist, die im Wesentlichen parallel zu den Seitenflächen (62; 63) des Diffusorelements (60) verlaufen, wobei die zweite Fläche (66) und die dritte Fläche (67) mit den freien Enden der Seitenflächen verbunden sind.<!-- EPO <DP n="33"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0025" num="0025">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 24, wobei in der ersten Fläche (65) des Verteilungselements (64) Öffnungen (68) für den Durchlass der Mischung aus Luft und Treibstoff ausgebildet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0026" num="0026">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 24 oder 25, wobei in der ersten Fläche (65) des Verteilungselements (64) ein Einschnitt (69) ausgebildet ist, der sich entlang der gesamten Länge der ersten Fläche (65) erstreckt und parallel zu deren größerer Seite verläuft.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0027" num="0027">
<claim-text>Brenner (111) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Diffusorelement (106) einen im Wesentlichen dreieckigen Grundriss aufweist, mit einer Oberseite (107), in der Öffnungen (108, 108a) für den Abtransport der Mischung aus Luft und Treibstoff ausgebildet sind, und mit Seitenwänden (109) und einer Vorderwand (110).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0028" num="0028">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1 a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Öffnungen (6; 27; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 90, 91; 94, 95; 108, 108a) die Form von Schlitzen (6; 41; 51; 81; 90; 94; 108) und/oder von Löchern (27; 42; 52; 82; 91; 95; 108a) aufweisen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0029" num="0029">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 28, wobei die Öffnungen (6; 27; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 94, 95; 108, 108a) Schlitzreihen (6; 41; 51; 81; 90; 94; 108) aufweisen, die sich mit Lochreihen (27; 42; 52; 82; 91; 95; 108a) abwechseln.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0030" num="0030">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 28, wobei die Öffnungen (90, 91) Schlitzreihen aufweisen, die zueinander gestaffelt angeordnet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0031" num="0031">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 29, wobei die Öffnungen (81, 82) Schlitzreihen (81) aufweisen, die gegeneinander versetzt angeordnet sind und die sich mit Lochreihen (82) abwechseln, die gegeneinander versetzt angeordnet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0032" num="0032">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein Steifigkeitsänderungsmittel (43; 53; 83; 91; 96) vorgesehen ist, das dazu geeignet ist, die Steifigkeit des Diffusorelements (37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93) in einer Richtung zu verringern, die parallel zu seiner größten Ausdehnung ist.<!-- EPO <DP n="34"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0033" num="0033">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 32, wobei das Steifigkeitsänderungsmittel weitere Öffnungen (43; 53; 83; 96) aufweist, die die Form von Schlitzen aufweisen und in regelmäßigen Abständen entlang der Schlitzreihen (41; 51; 81; 94) und der Lochreihen (42; 52; 82; 95) angeordnet sind und sich entlang der gesamten Breite der Oberseite (38; 47; 61; 71; 76) erstrecken.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0034" num="0034">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 32, wobei das Steifigkeitsänderungsmittel Endschlitze (91) der Schlitzreihen (90) aufweist, die für ein kurzes Stück an den Seitenflächen (79, 80) fortgesetzt sind und an den Seitenflächen mit einer Aufweitung (92) enden.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0035" num="0035">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 33, wobei die weiteren Öffnungen (83; 96) an ihren beiden Enden für ein kurzes Stück an den Seitenwänden (79, 80) fortgesetzt sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0036" num="0036">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 35, wobei die beiden weiteren Öffnungen (83; 96) an ihren Enden Aufweitungen (84; 97) aufweisen.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0037" num="0037">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 35, wobei die weiteren Öffnungen (96) an ihren jeweiligen Enden mit einem L-förmigen Stück (99) enden, das wiederum mit einer Aufweitung (100) endet.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0038" num="0038">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach irgendeinem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die erste Fläche (28; 47) des Diffusorelements (26c; 46) an ihren jeweiligen Enden mit jeweiligen Vorsprüngen (35; 35a, 56) ausgerüstet ist.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0039" num="0039">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) nach Anspruch 38, wobei die Vorsprünge (35; 35a; 56) in Richtung des Äußeren oder in Richtung des Inneren des Diffusorelements (26c; 46) gebogen sein können.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0040" num="0040">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 119) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 26 und 28 bis 39, ferner aufweisend ein Basiselement (2) mit einer im Wesentlichen ringförmigen Form und ein Kopfelement (3) mit einer im Wesentlichen kreisförmigen Form, zwischen denen die Diffusorelemente (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98) festgelegt sind, die in einer zylindrischen Umfassungskonfiguration angeordnet sind.<!-- EPO <DP n="35"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0041" num="0041">
<claim-text>Brenner (1a) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 26 und 28 bis 39, aufweisend einen ersten Brennerkörper (17) und einen zweiten Brennerkörper (18), die miteinander verbunden sind und entlang einer geraden Achse ausgerichtet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0042" num="0042">
<claim-text>Brenner (1a) nach Anspruch 41, wobei der erste Brennerkörper (17) ein Basiselement (2) und ein Kopfelement (19) aufweist, zwischen denen ein erster Diffusor (4a) angeordnet und festgelegt ist, der aus einer Mehrzahl von Diffusorelementen (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98) besteht, die in einer zylindrischen Umfassungskonfiguration angeordnet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0043" num="0043">
<claim-text>Brenner (1a) nach Anspruch 41 oder 42, wobei der zweite Brennerkörper (18) ein Basiselement (19a), das mit dem Kopfelement (19) des ersten Brennerkörpers (17) verbunden ist, und ein Kopfelement (3) aufweist, zwischen denen ein zweiter Diffusor (4b) angeordnet und festgelegt ist, der aus einer Mehrzahl von Diffusorelementen (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98) besteht, die in einer zylindrischen Umfassungskonfiguration angeordnet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0044" num="0044">
<claim-text>Brenner (20; 25; 113) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 39, wobei die Diffusorelemente (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) in einer im Wesentlichen flachen Konfiguration angeordnet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0045" num="0045">
<claim-text>Brenner (20; 25) nach Anspruch 44, ferner aufweisend einen im Wesentlichen rechteckigen Rahmen (21) mit einem Umfangsflansch (22), der auch im Wesentlichen rechteckig ausgebildet ist, in dem zumindest eine Reihe von Diffusorelementen (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98) angeordnet ist, die nebeneinander platziert sind, um einen Diffusor (23) zu bilden.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0046" num="0046">
<claim-text>Brenner (25) nach Anspruch 45, wobei innerhalb des Rahmens (21) eine Doppelreihe von Diffusorelementen (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98) angeordnet ist, die nebeneinander platziert sind, um den Diffusor (23) zu bilden.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0047" num="0047">
<claim-text>Brenner nach Anspruch 44, ferner aufweisend einen im Wesentlichen zylindrischen Körper (112), wobei eine Basis der Basen davon einen Diffusor (113) bildet, der mit Diffusorelementen (106) gemäß Anspruch 32 gebildet ist.<!-- EPO <DP n="36"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0048" num="0048">
<claim-text>Brenner (115) nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 1 bis 26 und 28 bis 39, ferner aufweisend einen Körper (116) mit einer hohlzylindrischen Form, dessen Innenfläche den Diffusor (117) des Brenners (115) bildet.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0049" num="0049">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 118) nach Anspruch 40, wobei das Basiselement (2) und das Kopfelement (3) jeweils mit innerlich hohlen ringförmigen Vorsprüngen (101, 102) ausgerüstet sind, die U-förmige Abschnitte aufweisen, in die die Enden der Diffusorelemente (46) eingefügt werden können.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0050" num="0050">
<claim-text>Brenner (1; 118) nach Anspruch 49, wobei jeweilige Vorderwände (103, 104) der ringförmigen Vorsprünge (101, 102) in regelmäßigen Abständen mit Vorsprüngen (105) versehen sind, die dazu ausgebildet sind, mit den Vorsprüngen (56) gekoppelt zu werden, die in den Enden der Diffusorelemente (46) ausgebildet sind.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-de-01-0051" num="0051">
<claim-text>Brenner (20; 25) nach Anspruch 45 oder 46, wobei Wände (24) des im Wesentlichen rechteckigen Rahmens (21) des Brenners (20; 25) parallel zu den Vorderflächen (14) des Diffusorelements (5) mit Vertiefungen (123) versehen sind.</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<claims id="claims03" lang="fr"><!-- EPO <DP n="37"> -->
<claim id="c-fr-01-0001" num="0001">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1 ; la ; 20 ; 25 ; 111 ; 115 ; 118) pouvant être alimenté avec un mélange d'air et de combustible, comprenant un corps de brûleur muni d'un diffuseur (4 ; 4a, 4b; 23; 113; 117 ; 119) dans lequel des ouvertures sont ménagées pour le passage et la combustion qui suit dudit mélange, ledit diffuseur (4 ; 4a, 4b; 23; 113; 117; 119) étant divisé en une pluralité d'éléments diffuseurs (5 ; 26 ; 26a ; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) qui sont adjacents entre eux, chaque élément diffuseur (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) étant au moins partiellement libre de se dilater dans au moins une direction, chaque élément diffuseur (5; 75; 89; 93; 98) étant associé à un élément (9; 9a; 64; 85; 85a) de distribution de l'écoulement dudit mélange et étant pourvu d'ouvertures (11; 68; 87) pour le passage dudit mélange, <i><b>caractérisé en ce que</b></i> chaque élément (9; 9a; 64; 85; 85a) de distribution de l'écoulement est placé à l'intérieur d'un élément diffuseur (5; 75; 89; 93; 98).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0002" num="0002">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20, 25; 111; 115; 118) selon la revendication 1, <b><i>caractérisé en ce</i> que</b> chaque élément diffuseur (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) possède une forme propre à lui donner une plus grande rigidité mécanique.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0003" num="0003">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque élément diffuseur (5; 37; 60; 75; 89; 93) présente une section transversale en U.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0004" num="0004">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel chaque élément diffuseur (5; 37; 60; 75; 89; 93) comprend une première face (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) de forme sensiblement rectangulaire, sur laquelle lesdites ouvertures (6; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 90, 91; 94, 95) sont ménagées pour le passage dudit mélange d'air et de combustible, et deux faces latérales (8; 39, 40; 62, 63; 73, 74; 79, 80) reliées aux deux plus grands côtés opposés de ladite première face (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) et approximativement perpendiculaires à celle-ci.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0005" num="0005">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel lesdites faces latérales (8) sont reliées à ladite première face (7) de façon à pouvoir tourner élastiquement par rapport à celle-ci.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0006" num="0006">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; la; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel lesdites faces latérales (73, 74) sont conformées de manière à s'associer par la forme à des faces latérales correspondantes (73, 74) d'éléments (70) de diffuseur adjacents.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0007" num="0007">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; la; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, dans lequel ledit élément diffuseur (5; 70; 75; 89; 93) comprend en outre deux faces avant (14; 72; 77, 78), reliées aux plus petits côtés de ladite première face (7; 38; 61; 71; 76) et approximativement perpendiculaires à celle-ci.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0008" num="0008">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 7, dans lequel lesdites faces avant (14) sont reliées à ladite première face (7) de façon à pouvoir tourner élastiquement<!-- EPO <DP n="38"> --> par rapport à celle-ci.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0009" num="0009">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; la; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit élément distributeur (9; 9a; 85; 85a) comprend une plaque (10; 86; 86a) dans laquelle sont réalisées lesdites ouvertures (11, 87), ladite plaque (10; 86; 86a) étant placée à l'intérieur dudit élément distributeur.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0010" num="0010">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 9, dans lequel ladite plaque (10; 86; 86a) est munie de moyens d'espacement (13; 36; 88; 122).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0011" num="0011">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'espacement (13; 36; 88) sont placés sur deux côtés opposés de ladite plaque (10; 86).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0012" num="0012">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 10 ou 11, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'espacement adoptent la forme d'un bossage (13).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0013" num="0013">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 10 ou 11, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'espacement adoptent la forme d'une saillie (36; 88).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0014" num="0014">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'espacement comprennent une pluralité de saillies transversales (122) qui sont sensiblement parallèles entre elles.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0015" num="0015">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre des moyens d'appui (12; 120; 121) pour lesdits éléments distributeurs (9; 9a; 85; 85a) associés auxdits éléments diffuseurs (5).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0016" num="0016">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 15, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'appui adoptent la forme d'une tige (12).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0017" num="0017">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 16, dans lequel une paire desdites tiges (12) est associée à chaque élément diffuseur (5).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0018" num="0018">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 16 ou 17, dans lequel lesdites tiges (12) sont disposées sensiblement parallèles auxdites faces latérales (8) de l'élément diffuseur (5) et font saillie à leurs extrémités desdites faces avant (14), en traversant des trous (15) ménagés dans celles-ci.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0019" num="0019">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 115; 118) selon la revendication 18, dans lequel le couplage entre lesdites tiges (12) et lesdits trous (15) est un couplage avec jeu.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0020" num="0020">
<claim-text>Brûleur (20, 25) selon la revendication 16 ou 17, dans lequel lesdites tiges (12) sont disposées sensiblement perpendiculaires auxdites parois latérales (8) de l'élément diffuseur (5) et font saillie à leurs extrémités desdites parois latérales (8), en traversant des trous (16) ménagés dans celles-ci.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0021" num="0021">
<claim-text>Brûleur (20; 25) selon la revendication 20, dans lequel le couplage entre lesdites tiges (12) et lesdits trous (16) est un couplage avec jeu.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0022" num="0022">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 15, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'appui comprennent des pattes (120) ménagées dans lesdites faces avant (14).<!-- EPO <DP n="39"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0023" num="0023">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 15, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'appui comprennent des évidements (121) ménagés dans lesdites faces avant (14).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0024" num="0024">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit élément distributeur (64) présente une section transversale en U, avec une première face (65) sensiblement parallèle à la première face (61) de l'élément diffuseur (60) et une deuxième face (66) et une troisième face (67) sensiblement parallèles aux faces latérales (62; 63) de l'élément diffuseur (60), ladite deuxième face (66) et ladite troisième face (67) étant reliées aux extrémités libres desdites faces latérales.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0025" num="0025">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 24, dans lequel, dans ladite première face (65) dudit élément distributeur (64) sont pratiquées des ouvertures (68) pour le passage dudit mélange d'air et de combustible.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0026" num="0026">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 24 ou 25, dans lequel, dans ladite première face (65) dudit élément distributeur (64), une incision (69) est pratiquée qui s'étend sur toute la longueur de ladite première face (65), parallèle aux plus grands côtés de celle-ci.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0027" num="0027">
<claim-text>Brûleur (111) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit élément diffuseur (106) possède, vue en plan, une forme sensiblement triangulaire, avec une face supérieure (107) dans laquelle sont pratiquées des ouvertures (108, 108a) pour l'évacuation dudit mélange d'air et de combustible, des parois latérales (109) et une paroi avant (110).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0028" num="0028">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdites ouvertures (6; 27; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 90, 91; 94, 95; 108, 108a) adoptent la forme de fentes (6; 41; 51; 81; 90; 94; 108) et/ou de trous (27; 42; 52; 82; 91; 95; 108a).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0029" num="0029">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) selon la revendication 28, dans lequel lesdites ouvertures (6; 27; 41, 42; 51, 52; 81, 82; 94, 95; 108, 108a) comprennent des rangées de fentes (6; 41; 51; 81; 90; 94; 108) alternant avec des rangées de trous (27; 42; 52; 82; 91; 95; 108a).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0030" num="0030">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; la; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) selon la revendication 28, dans lequel lesdites ouvertures (90, 91) comprennent des rangées de fentes décalées les unes par rapport aux autres.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0031" num="0031">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 111; 115; 118) selon la revendication 29, dans lequel lesdites ouvertures (81, 82) comprennent des rangées de fentes (81) décalées les unes par rapport aux autres, alternant avec des rangées de trous (82) décalés les uns par rapport aux autres.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0032" num="0032">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel des moyens (43; 53; 83; 91; 96) modifiant la rigidité sont prévus, qui sont aptes à diminuer la rigidité de l'élément diffuseur (37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93) dans une direction parallèle à sa plus grande dimension.<!-- EPO <DP n="40"> --></claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0033" num="0033">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 32, dans lequel lesdits moyens modifiant la rigidité comprennent d'autres ouvertures (43; 53; 83; 96) adoptant la forme de fentes, disposées à intervalles réguliers le long desdites rangées de fentes (41; 51; 81; 94) et de trous (42; 52; 82; 95) et s'étendent sur toute la largeur de ladite face supérieure (38; 47; 61; 71; 76).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0034" num="0034">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; la; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 32, dans lequel lesdits moyens modifiant la rigidité comprennent des fentes d'extrémité (91) desdites rangées de fentes (90), qui continuent sur une courte longueur sur lesdites faces latérales (79, 80) et se terminent sur lesdites faces avec un élargissement (92).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0035" num="0035">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 33, dans lequel lesdites autres ouvertures (83; 96) continuent sur une courte longueur, à leurs deux extrémités, sur lesdites parois latérales (79, 80).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0036" num="0036">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; la; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 35, dans lequel lesdites autres ouvertures (83; 96) présentent toutes les deux des élargissements (84; 97) à leurs extrémités.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0037" num="0037">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 35, dans lequel lesdites autres ouvertures (96) se terminent à leurs extrémités respectives avec une longueur (99) conformée en L, se terminant à son tour avec un élargissement (100).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0038" num="0038">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 1a; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite première face (28; 47) dudit élément diffuseur (26c; 46) est munie, à ses extrémités respectives, de protubérances respectives (35; 35a; 56).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0039" num="0039">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; la; 20; 25; 115; 118) selon la revendication 38, dans lequel lesdites protubérances (35; 35a; 56) peuvent être orientées vers l'extérieur ou vers l'intérieur de l'élément diffuseur (26c; 46).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0040" num="0040">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 119) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 26 et 28 à 39, comprenant en outre un élément de base (2) avec une forme sensiblement annulaire, et un élément de tête (3) avec une forme sensiblement circulaire, entre lesquels lesdits éléments diffuseurs (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98) sont disposés selon une configuration en enveloppe cylindrique.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0041" num="0041">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1a) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 26 et 28 à 39, comprenant un premier corps (17) de brûleur et un deuxième corps (18) de brûleur reliés l'un à l'autre et alignés selon un axe droit.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0042" num="0042">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1a) selon la revendication 41, dans lequel ledit premier corps (17) de brûleur comprend un élément de base (2) et un élément de tête (19), entre lesquels un premier diffuseur (4a) est place et fixé, qui consiste en une pluralité d'éléments diffuseurs (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98), disposés selon une configuration en enveloppe cylindrique.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0043" num="0043">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1a) selon la revendication 41 ou 42, dans lequel ledit deuxième corps (18)<!-- EPO <DP n="41"> --> de brûleur comprend un élément de base (19a), relié à l'élément de tête (19) du premier corps (17) de brûleur, et un élément de tête (3) entre lesquels un deuxième diffuseur (4b) est placé et fixé, consistant en une pluralité d'éléments diffuseurs (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 46; 57; 60; 75; 89; 93; 98), disposés selon une configuration en enveloppe cylindrique.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0044" num="0044">
<claim-text>Brûleur (20; 25; 113) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 39, dans lequel lesdits éléments diffuseurs (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98; 106) sont disposés selon une configuration sensiblement plate.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0045" num="0045">
<claim-text>Brûleur (20; 25) selon la revendication 44, comprenant en outre un cadre sensiblement rectangulaire (21) avec une bride périphérique (22), qui est également sensiblement rectangulaire, à l'intérieur duquel au moins une rangée d'éléments diffuseurs (5, 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98), placés côte à côte, est agencé pour former un diffuseur (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0046" num="0046">
<claim-text>Brûleur (25) selon la revendication 45, dans lequel, à l'intérieur dudit cadre (21), une double rangée d'éléments diffuseurs (5; 26; 26a; 26b; 26c; 26d; 37; 44; 60; 70; 75; 89; 93; 98), placés côte à côte, est agencé pour former ledit diffuseur (23).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0047" num="0047">
<claim-text>Brûleur selon la revendication 44, comprenant un corps (112) sensiblement cylindrique, dont une des bases forme un diffuseur (113) fait d'éléments diffuseurs (106) selon la revendication 32.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0048" num="0048">
<claim-text>Brûleur (115) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 26 et 28 à 39, comprenant un corps (116) ayant une forme cylindrique creuse, la surface interne de laquelle forme le diffuseur (117) du brûleur (115).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0049" num="0049">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 118) selon la revendication 40, dans lequel ledit élément de base (2) et ledit élément de tête (3) sont respectivement équipés avec des protubérances annulaires intérieurement creuses (101, 102) avec des sections en U dans lesquelles les extrémités desdits éléments diffuseurs (46) peuvent être insérés.</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0050" num="0050">
<claim-text>Brûleur (1; 118) selon la revendication 49, dans lequel des parois avant respectives (103, 104) desdites protubérances annulaires (101, 102) sont prévues à intervalles réguliers avec des saillies (105) aptes à être accouplées auxdites saillies (56) ménagées dans les extrémité des éléments diffuseurs (46).</claim-text></claim>
<claim id="c-fr-01-0051" num="0051">
<claim-text>Brûleur (20; 25) selon la revendication 45 ou 46, dans lequel des parois (24) du cadre sensiblement rectangulaire (21) du brûleur (20; 25), parallèles aux faces avant (14) de l'élément diffuseur (5), sont pourvues d'évidements (123).</claim-text></claim>
</claims>
<drawings id="draw" lang="en"><!-- EPO <DP n="42"> -->
<figure id="f0001" num="1"><img id="if0001" file="imgf0001.tif" wi="165" he="173" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="43"> -->
<figure id="f0002" num="2"><img id="if0002" file="imgf0002.tif" wi="165" he="172" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="44"> -->
<figure id="f0003" num="3"><img id="if0003" file="imgf0003.tif" wi="165" he="159" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="45"> -->
<figure id="f0004" num="4"><img id="if0004" file="imgf0004.tif" wi="165" he="220" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="46"> -->
<figure id="f0005" num="5"><img id="if0005" file="imgf0005.tif" wi="155" he="204" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="47"> -->
<figure id="f0006" num="6"><img id="if0006" file="imgf0006.tif" wi="165" he="158" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="48"> -->
<figure id="f0007" num="7"><img id="if0007" file="imgf0007.tif" wi="165" he="199" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="49"> -->
<figure id="f0008" num="8"><img id="if0008" file="imgf0008.tif" wi="146" he="182" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="50"> -->
<figure id="f0009" num="9"><img id="if0009" file="imgf0009.tif" wi="155" he="220" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="51"> -->
<figure id="f0010" num="10,11,12"><img id="if0010" file="imgf0010.tif" wi="165" he="221" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="52"> -->
<figure id="f0011" num="13,14"><img id="if0011" file="imgf0011.tif" wi="123" he="197" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="53"> -->
<figure id="f0012" num="15,16,17"><img id="if0012" file="imgf0012.tif" wi="155" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="54"> -->
<figure id="f0013" num="18"><img id="if0013" file="imgf0013.tif" wi="160" he="220" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="55"> -->
<figure id="f0014" num="19,20,21"><img id="if0014" file="imgf0014.tif" wi="165" he="201" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="56"> -->
<figure id="f0015" num="22,22a,23"><img id="if0015" file="imgf0015.tif" wi="165" he="172" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="57"> -->
<figure id="f0016" num="24,25"><img id="if0016" file="imgf0016.tif" wi="129" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="58"> -->
<figure id="f0017" num="26,27,28"><img id="if0017" file="imgf0017.tif" wi="165" he="212" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="59"> -->
<figure id="f0018" num="29,30,31"><img id="if0018" file="imgf0018.tif" wi="165" he="212" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="60"> -->
<figure id="f0019" num="32,33,34,35,36"><img id="if0019" file="imgf0019.tif" wi="155" he="208" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="61"> -->
<figure id="f0020" num="37,38,39,40,41"><img id="if0020" file="imgf0020.tif" wi="154" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="62"> -->
<figure id="f0021" num="42,43,44,45"><img id="if0021" file="imgf0021.tif" wi="151" he="194" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="63"> -->
<figure id="f0022" num="46,47,48,49"><img id="if0022" file="imgf0022.tif" wi="165" he="160" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="64"> -->
<figure id="f0023" num="50,51"><img id="if0023" file="imgf0023.tif" wi="130" he="233" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="65"> -->
<figure id="f0024" num="52"><img id="if0024" file="imgf0024.tif" wi="165" he="192" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="66"> -->
<figure id="f0025" num="53"><img id="if0025" file="imgf0025.tif" wi="158" he="184" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="67"> -->
<figure id="f0026" num="54"><img id="if0026" file="imgf0026.tif" wi="159" he="152" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="68"> -->
<figure id="f0027" num="55,56"><img id="if0027" file="imgf0027.tif" wi="165" he="175" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="69"> -->
<figure id="f0028" num="57,58"><img id="if0028" file="imgf0028.tif" wi="165" he="191" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure><!-- EPO <DP n="70"> -->
<figure id="f0029" num="59,60"><img id="if0029" file="imgf0029.tif" wi="165" he="181" img-content="drawing" img-format="tif"/></figure>
</drawings>
<ep-reference-list id="ref-list">
<heading id="ref-h0001"><b>REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION</b></heading>
<p id="ref-p0001" num=""><i>This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.</i></p>
<heading id="ref-h0002"><b>Patent documents cited in the description</b></heading>
<p id="ref-p0002" num="">
<ul id="ref-ul0001" list-style="bullet">
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0001" dnum="EP0774623A"><document-id><country>EP</country><doc-number>0774623</doc-number><kind>A</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0001">[0003]</crossref></li>
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0002" dnum="EP0679838A"><document-id><country>EP</country><doc-number>0679838</doc-number><kind>A</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0002">[0004]</crossref></li>
<li><patcit id="ref-pcit0003" dnum="JP58035314B"><document-id><country>JP</country><doc-number>58035314</doc-number><kind>B</kind></document-id></patcit><crossref idref="pcit0003">[0005]</crossref></li>
</ul></p>
</ep-reference-list>
</ep-patent-document>
