초록 ▼

A fuel cell for use with a combustion tool for delivery of a predetermined amount of fuel with each stem actuation is provided and includes a housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure. A main valve stem has an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to the open end and reciprocating re

A fuel cell for use with a combustion tool for delivery of a predetermined amount of fuel with each stem actuation is provided and includes a housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure. A main valve stem has an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to the open end and reciprocating relative to the housing at least between a closed position wherein the stem is relatively extended, and an open position wherein the stem is relatively retracted. A fuel metering valve is located within the housing, associated with the main valve stem, including a fuel metering chamber disposed in close proximity to the closure and configured so that when the stem is in the open position, only a measured amount of fuel is dispensed through the outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the fuel cell housing includes a separate fuel container, and the fuel metering valve includes a valve body having a second end opposite the fuel metering chamber located within the container.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel cell for use with a combustion tool, comprising: a housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure; a main valve stem having an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to said open end and reciprocable relative to said housing at least between a closed po

The invention claimed is: 1. A fuel cell for use with a combustion tool, comprising: a housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure; a main valve stem having an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to said open end and reciprocable relative to said housing at least between a closed position wherein said stem is relatively extended, an open position wherein said stem is relatively retracted and a container filling position wherein said stem is retracted further than in said open position to allow filling of a container within said housing through said outlet, said valve including a fuel metering chamber disposed in close proximity to said closure and configured so that when said stem is in said open position, only a measured amount of fuel is dispensed through said outlet, said fuel metering chamber being defined in part by a main seal forming a wall of said chamber and a body having a valve stem seal, wherein said stem has an exterior including a first diameter section defining a non-sealing relationship with said valve stem seal in said closed position, a second diameter section being enlarged with respect to said first diameter and defining a sealing relationship with said valve stem seal in said open position, and a third diameter section being reduced with respect to said first diameter and defining a clearance with said valve stem seal in said container filling position; wherein said housing includes a separate fuel container, wherein the flow of fluid out the outlet of the fuel cell is solely from said separate fuel container. 2. The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein said main valve stem second diameter is a generally radially enlarged portion, and said valve stem seal is a lip seal constructed and arranged to engage said enlarged portion in said open position, but defining a fuel passage therebetween in said closed and said container filling positions. 3. The fuel cell of claim 1 wherein a second end of a main valve body enclosing said fuel metering chamber is provided with a plurality of slots configured for facilitating, in said container filling position, fluid communication between a region adjacent said main valve stem into an interior of said fuel cell. 4. A fuel cell for use with a combustion tool, comprising: a housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure; a main valve stem having an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to said open end and reciprocating relative to said housing at least between a closed position wherein said stem is relatively extended, and an open position wherein said stem is relatively retracted; a fuel metering valve located within said housing, associated with said main valve stem, including a fuel metering chamber configured so that when said stem is in said open position, only a measured amount of fuel is dispensed through said outlet, said fuel metering chamber includes a body defined by two components, one of which having a seal for engaging said main valve stem, said stem having a radially variable exterior contour periodically sealingly engaging said seal such that in said closed position a non-sealing relationship is defined between said stem and said seal, and in said open position a sealing relationship is defined between said stem and said seal; said housing includes a separate fuel container, and said fuel metering valve includes a valve body that has a second end opposite said fuel metering chamber and located within said container, wherein the flow of fluid out the outlet of the fuel cell is solely from said separate fuel container; and a biasing element for urging said stem to said closed position, said biasing element located between said fuel metering chamber and said second end of said valve body. 5. The fuel cell of claim 4 wherein said main valve stem has a radially enlarged portion, and said fuel metering chamber seal is a lip seal constructed and arranged to engage said enlarged portion in said open position, but defining a fuel passage therebetween in said closed position. 6. The fuel cell of claim 4 further including a clamp ring for sandwiching a portion of said container between said valve body and said clamp ring. 7. The fuel cell of claim 4 wherein said fuel metering valve includes a main seal, and said main valve stem includes a radial projection for engaging said main seal. 8. The fuel cell of claim 7 wherein said radial projection is urged against said main seal. 9. The fuel cell of claim 4 wherein said fuel metering chamber surrounds said main valve stem and includes a first end engaging a main seal and a second end sealingly engaging an enlarged diameter portion of said main valve stem in said open position, and defining a fuel permeable separation from a main diameter of said main valve stem in said closed position. 10. The fuel cell of claim 9 wherein said component of said fuel metering chamber having said seal is provided in the form of a radially inwardly projecting lip seal configured for wipingly engaging said reciprocating valve stem. 11. The fuel cell of claim 4 wherein said main valve stem and said fuel metering chamber are configured for movement of said main valve stem to a container filling position whereby said stem is retracted further than in said open position, and a fluid passageway is defined from said outlet to a container located within said housing. 12. The fuel cell of claim 11 wherein a second end of a main valve body enclosing said fuel metering chamber is provided with at least one slot configured for facilitating, in said container filling position, fluid communication between a region adjacent said main valve stem into an interior of said fuel cell. 13. The fuel cell of claim 11 wherein the said main valve stem changes position relative to said fuel metering chamber in said open, closed and container filling positions. 14. The fuel cell of claim 13 wherein said main valve stem has a radially enlarged portion, and said fuel metering chamber is provided with a lip seal constructed and arranged to engage said enlarged portion in said open position, but defining a fuel passage therebetween in said closed and said container filling positions. 15. The fuel cell of claim 4 wherein the measured amount generally corresponds to the volume of said metering chamber. 16. A combined fuel cell and combustion tool, comprising: a combustion tool configured for receiving a fuel cell including a workpiece contact element associated with a linkage having an arm configured for triggering the dispensing of a fuel upon movement of said workpiece contact element; a fuel cell housing defining an open end enclosed by a closure; a main valve stem having an outlet, disposed in operational relationship to said open end and reciprocable relative to said housing at least between a closed position wherein said stem is relatively extended, and an open position wherein said stem is relatively retracted; a fuel metering valve located within said fuel cell housing, associated with said main valve stem, including a valve body and a fuel metering chamber and configured so that when said stem is in said open position, only a measured amount of fuel is dispensed through said outlet; and a biasing element for urging said stem to said closed position, said biasing element located between said fuel metering chamber and said second end of said valve body; said main valve stem has a diameter extending substantially lengthwise on said stem and a radially enlarged portion extending radially beyond said diameter, and said fuel metering chamber is provided with a lip seal, such that in said closed position a non-sealing relationship is provided defining a fuel passage between said stem and said seal, and in said open position a sealing relationship is defined between said radially enlarged portion and said seal; said housing encloses a separate flexible fuel container, wherein the flow of fluid out the outlet of the fuel cell is solely from said separate fuel container. 17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said fuel metering valve valve body has a second end opposite said fuel metering chamber located within said container. 18. The fuel cell of claim 16 further including a clamp ring for sandwiching a portion of said container between said valve body and said clamp ring. 19. The fuel cell of claim 16 wherein said arm pivots about a pivot point during movement of said workpiece contact element.