Claims: We claim:
1. A cooking apparatus using an exhaust gas of an engine for cooking, the cooking apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a cooking pan comprising a base and wall;
a top plate comprising an opening adapted to receive the cooking pan, the top plate connected to the housing;
a bottom plate connected to the housing;
a middle plate connected between the top plate and the bottom plate in the housing;
a first perforated shell comprising a plurality of perforations, the first perforated shell adapted to dampen the exhaust gas noise; the first perforated shell connected between the middle plate and the bottom plate in the housing;
a plurality of second perforated shells each comprising a plurality of perforations, the second perforated shells adapted to dampen the exhaust gas noise and to facilitate heating the wall of the cooking pan; the second perforated shells are connected to the middle plate;
a top portion defined between the top plate and the middle plate inside the housing;
a bottom portion defined between the middle plate and the bottom plate inside the housing;
wherein
the cooking apparatus is adapted to receive exhaust gas from the engine; the middle plate includes a first opening adapted to receive the cooking pan and a plurality of second openings adapted to receive the plurality of second perforated shells;
the exhaust gas heats the base of the cooking pan and the first perforated shell transfers the exhaust gas to the plurality of second perforated shells to dampen the exhaust gas noise and the plurality of second perforated shells transfers the exhaust gas from the bottom portion to the top portion to dampen the exhaust gas noise and to facilitate heating the wall of the cooking pan on receiving the exhaust gas from the engine.
2. The cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an inlet duct adapted to transfer the exhaust gas from the engine to the bottom portion of the cooking apparatus.
3. The cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an outlet duct adapted to vent the exhaust gas from the top portion of the cooking apparatus.
4. The cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inlet duct is provided in proximity to the base of the cooking pan.
5. The cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom plate comprises an opening adapted to receive the inlet duct.
6. The cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an opening adapted to receive the outlet duct.
7. A cooking apparatus using an exhaust gas of an engine for cooking, the cooking apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a cooking pan comprising a base and wall;
a top plate comprising an opening adapted to receive the cooking pan, the top plate connected to the housing;
a bottom plate connected to the housing;
a middle plate connected between the top plate and the bottom plate in the housing;
a first perforated shell comprising a plurality of perforations, the first perforated shell adapted to dampen the exhaust gas noise; the first perforated shell connected between the middle plate and the bottom plate in the housing;
a plurality of second perforated shells each comprising a plurality of perforations, the second perforated shells adapted to dampen the exhaust gas noise and to facilitate heating the wall of the cooking pan; the second perforated shells are connected to the middle plate;
a top portion defined between the top plate and the middle plate inside the housing;
a bottom portion defined between the middle plate and the bottom plate inside the housing;
an inlet duct adapted to transfer exhaust gas from an exhaust manifold of the engine to the bottom portion of the cooking apparatus, the inlet duct provided in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold of the engine;
an outlet duct adapted to vent exhaust gas from the top portion of the cooking apparatus, the outlet duct provided in fluid communication with the tail pipe of the engine,
wherein
the bottom plate includes an opening for receiving the inlet duct; the housing includes an opening for receiving the outlet duct; the middle plate includes a first opening adapted to receive the cooking pan and a plurality of second openings adapted to receive the plurality of second perforated shells; and
the exhaust gas heats the base of the cooking pan and the first perforated shell transfers the exhaust gas to the plurality of second perforated shells to dampen the exhaust gas noise and the plurality of second perforated shells transfers the exhaust gas from the bottom portion to the top portion to dampen the exhaust gas noise and to facilitate heating the wall of the cooking pan on receiving the exhaust gas from the engine.
8. The cooking apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inlet duct is provided in proximity to the base of the cooking pan.
, Description:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“COOKING APPARATUS”

APPLICANTS:
Name Nationality Address
Mahindra & Mahindra Limited Indian Mahindra ResearchValley, Mahindra World City , P.O-Anjur, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram District– 603004 , Tamil Nadu, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an apparatus for cooking using an engine and more particularly but not exclusively to a cooking apparatus that uses an engine’s exhaust gas for cooking.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, farmers working in the farms carry their food from homes to the farms, as the farms are mostly situated in isolated places that are free from hotels and are away from home. Further, since the farms usually don’t have any cooking facilities, the farmers bring their food from home. Furthermore, installation of cooking facilities in the farm involves huge cost, effort and resources (gas or electricity or any other heating sources).
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a cooking apparatus that uses an engine’s exhaust gas that enables cooking at the farm or any workplace without the need for any conventional cooking facilities.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a cooking apparatus that uses an engine’s exhaust gas for cooking.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a cooking apparatus that has zero or no operating cost.
[006] Yet, another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a cooking apparatus that acts as a muffler for an engine.
[007] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] Fig. 2 depicts another schematic of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the housing of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of the top plate of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the bottom plate of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 6 depicts a perspective view of the middle plate of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 7 depicts a exploded view of a cooking pan assembly of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 8 depicts a perspective view of a first perforated shell of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of a second perforated shell of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 10 depicts a perspective view of the middle plate assembled with the second perforated shells of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 11 depicts a cross sectional view of the cooking apparatus showing the flow of exhaust gas in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein; and
[0020] Fig. 12 depicts a schematic view of the cooking apparatus showing the flow of exhaust gas in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0022] The embodiments herein achieve a cooking apparatus that uses an engine’s exhaust gas for cooking. Further, embodiments herein achieve a cooking apparatus that has zero operating cost and acts as a muffler for the engine. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 12, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0023] Fig. 1 depicts a schematic of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 depicts another schematic of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the cooking apparatus 100 includes a housing 102, a top plate 104, a bottom plate 106, a middle plate 108, a first perforated shell 110, a plurality of second perforated shells 112, an inlet duct 114, an outlet duct 116, a cooking pan assembly 118, a top portion 120 and a bottom portion 122.
[0024] In an embodiment the cooking apparatus 100 is used for cooking. The cooking apparatus 100 is provided in fluid communication with a tail pipe 202 and an exhaust manifold 204 of an engine (not shown).In an embodiment the cooking apparatus 100 is provided for an engine (not shown) of a vehicle (not shown). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the cooking apparatus 100 to an engine of a genset and other stationary applications using engines. In an embodiment the vehicle (not shown) is a tractor. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the cooking apparatus 100 to any other vehicle having engines.
[0025] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the housing of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the housing 102 is used for housing the top plate 104, bottom plate 106, middle plate 108, first perforated shell 110, second perforated shells 112, inlet duct 114, outlet duct 116 and the cooking pan assembly 118.In an embodiment the housing 102 includes a top end (not shown) and a bottom end (not shown). In an embodiment the housing 102 includes a square cross section. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the housing 102 in any other cross section such as rectangular, cylindrical etc., without otherwise deterring the intended function of the housing 102 as can be deduced from the description. In an embodiment the housing 102 includes an opening 102a adapted to receive the outlet duct 116. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the opening 102a adapted to receive the tail pipe 202 of the engine (not shown).
[0026] Fig. 7 depicts an exploded view of a cooking pan assembly of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. The cooking pan assembly 118 is used for cooking food and to prevent the flow of exhaust gases from the cooking apparatus 100 through the opening 104a in the top plate 104. In an embodiment the cooking pan assembly 118 includes a cooking pan 118a, a lid 118b, a pressure regulator 118c, a sealing ring (not shown) and a safety valve (not shown). In an embodiment the cooking pan 118a is adapted to receive the food ingredients (not shown) for cooking and to close the opening 104a in the top plate 104 to prevent the flow of exhaust gases from the cooking apparatus 100 through the opening 104a. In an embodiment the cooking pan 118a includes a spherical cross section. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the cooking pan 118a with any other cross section. In an embodiment the cooking pan 118a includes a base 118d and a wall 118e surrounding the base 118d. In an embodiment the base 118d and the wall 118e are adapted to absorb the heat from the exhaust gas (not shown) of the engine (not shown).In an embodiment the base 118d of the cooking pan 118a is a bimetallic base. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of base 118d without otherwise deterring the intended function of the base 118d as can be deduced from the description.
[0027] In an embodiment the lid 118b is used for closing/covering the cooking pan 118a. In an embodiment the lid 118b includes a vent duct 118f adapted to vent the steam/water from the cooking pan assembly 100. The vent duct 118f is adapted to receive the pressure regulator 118c. Further, in an embodiment the lid 118b includes a handle 118g for handling the lid 118b. The lid 118b is removably connected to the cooking pan 118a.
[0028] In an embodiment the pressure regulator 118c is used for regulating the pressure in the cooking pan assembly 100 by controlling the flow of steam/water from the vent duct 118f of the cooking pan assembly 100.
[0029] In an embodiment the sealing ring (not shown) is used to create a seal between the cooking pan 118a and the lid 118b to prevent the flow of steam/water from the cooking pan assembly 100 through the gap (not shown) between the cooking pan 118a and the lid 118b.
[0030] In an embodiment the safety valve (not shown) is used for preventing the burst or explosion of the cooking pan assembly 100 due to excessive pressure build in the cooking pan assembly 100. The safety valve (not shown) vents the steam/water from the cooking pan assembly to prevent the excessive pressure build in the cooking pan assembly 100 in case of failure of the pressure regulator 118c.
[0031] In an embodiment the cooking pan assembly 118 is a pressure cooker. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of cooking pan assembly 118 without otherwise deterring the intended function of the cooking pan assembly 118. The cooking pan assembly 118 is removably connected to the housing 102.
[0032] In an embodiment the top portion 120 of the cooking apparatus 100 is the space/volume defined between the top plate 104 and the middle plate 108 inside the housing 102. In an embodiment the bottom portion 122 of the cooking apparatus 100 is the space/volume defined between the middle plate 108 and the bottom plate 106 inside the housing 102.
[0033] Fig. 4 depicts a perspective view of the top plate of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the top plate 104 is used for covering the top end (not shown) of the housing 102. In an embodiment the top plate 104 includes an opening 104a adapted for receiving the cooking pan 118a of the cooking pan assembly 118. The top plate 104 is connected to the top end of the housing 102.
[0034] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the bottom plate of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the bottom plate 106 is used for covering the bottom end (not shown) of the housing 102. In an embodiment the bottom plate 106 includes an opening 106a adapted for receiving the inlet duct 114. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the opening 106a adapted to receive the exhaust manifold 204 (not shown) or a duct (not shown) provided in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold 204. The bottom plate 106 is connected to the bottom end (not shown) of the housing 102.
[0035] Fig. 6 depicts a perspective view of the middle plate of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 10 depicts a perspective view of the middle plate assembled with the second perforated shells of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the middle plate 108 is used for mounting/receiving the second perforated shells 112. In an embodiment the middle plate 108 includes a first opening 108a adapted to receive the cooking pan 118a to facilitate the heating of the base 118dand a plurality of second openings 108b for receiving the second perforated shells 112. The middle plate 108 is provided in the housing 102 between the top plate 104 and the bottom plate 106.
[0036] Fig. 8 depicts a perspective view of a first perforated shell of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the first perforated shell 110 is used for dampening the noise of the exhaust gas. The first perforated shell 110 includes a plurality of perforations (not shown) adapted to transfer the exhaust gas received from the exhaust manifold 204 of the engine to the plurality of second perforated shells 112 thereby dampening the exhaust gas noise. The first perforated shell 110 is mounted in the housing 102 between the middle plate 108 and the bottom plate 106. In an embodiment the first perforated shell 110 includes a top end (not shown) and a bottom end (not shown). In an embodiment the bottom end (not shown) of the first perforated shell 110 is connected to the bottom plate 106 and the top end (not shown) of the first perforated shell 110 is connected to the middle plate 108. In an embodiment the first perforated shell 110 is adapted to receive the cooking pan 118a of the cooking pan assembly 118.
[0037] Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of a second perforated shell of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the plurality of second perforated shells 112 is used to facilitate the heating of the cooking pan 118a and for dampening the noise of the exhaust gas. Each of the second perforated shells 112 includes a plurality of perforations (not shown) adapted to transfer the exhaust gas from the bottom portion 122 of the cooking apparatus 100 to the top portion 120 of the cooking apparatus 100,thereby dampening the noise of the exhaust gas and facilitating the heating of the wall 118e of cooking pan 118a. The plurality of second perforated shells 112 is mounted in the middle plate 108 through the plurality of second openings 108b in the middle plate 108. In an embodiment each of the second perforated shells 112 include a top end (not shown) and a bottom end (not shown). In an embodiment the plurality of second perforated shells 112 are equidistant from the first perforated shell 110. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each of the second perforated shells 112 at any distance from the first perforated shell 110.
[0038] In an embodiment the inlet duct 114 is used for transferring the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold 204 of the engine to the bottom portion 122 of the cooking apparatus 100.The inlet duct 114 is mounted in the bottom plate 106 through the opening 106a. In an embodiment the inlet duct 114 is provided in proximity to the base 118d of the cooking pan 118a. The inlet duct 114 is provided in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold 204 of the engine. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the cooking apparatus 100 without the inlet duct 114, by providing the exhaust manifold 204 in fluid communication with the opening 106a of the bottom plate 106.
[0039] In an embodiment the outlet duct 116 is used for venting the exhaust gas from the top portion 120 of the cooking apparatus 100. The outlet duct 116 is mounted to the housing 102 through the opening 102a. In an embodiment the outlet duct 116 is provided in fluid communication with the tail pipe 202 of the engine, thereby venting or transferring the exhaust gas from the top portion 120 to the tail pipe 202. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the cooking apparatus 100 without the outlet duct 116 by providing the tail pipe 202 in fluid communication with the opening 102a of the housing 102.
[0040] In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus 100 includes the cooking pan assembly 118 for cooking food. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide only the cooking pan 118a of the cooking pan assembly 118 for cooking and for dampening the noise of the exhaust gas.
[0041] Fig. 11 depicts a cross sectional view of the cooking apparatus showing the flow of exhaust gas in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. Fig. 12 depicts a schematic view of the cooking apparatus showing the flow of exhaust gas in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention as disclosed herein. The working of the cooking apparatus 100 is explained as follows. The cooking pan 118a or the cooking pan assembly 118 is filled with required food ingredients and placed inside the housing 102 through the opening 104a in the top plate 104. The cooking pan 118a is received by the first opening 108a in the middle plate 108.The engine is started and the hot exhaust gases flow from the exhaust manifold 204 of the engine to the bottom portion 122 of the cooking apparatus 100 through the inlet duct 114. The hot exhaust gases heat the base 118d of the cooking pan 118a and the exhaust gases flows from the first perforated shell 110 to the second perforated shells 112 through the perforations (not shown) in the first perforated shell 110, thereby dampening the noise of the exhaust gas. Thereafter, the exhaust gas entering the second perforated shells 112 flows to the top portion 120 of the cooking apparatus 100 through the perforations (not shown) in the second perforated shells 112 thereby dampening the noise of the exhaust gas and heating the wall 118e of the cooking pan 118a. As the cooking pan 118a is heated by the exhaust gases at the base 118d and the wall 118e of the cooking pan 118a, the food ingredients in the cooking pan 118a are cooked. Thereafter, the exhaust gases flow from the top portion 120 to the tail pipe 202. On completion of cooking, the engine is stopped and the cooking pan 118a or the cooking pan assembly 118 is removed from the housing 102 and the cooking pan assembly 118 is opened for consumption of cooked food.
[0042] In an embodiment during the non usage of the cooking apparatus 100 for cooking, the cooking pan 118a or the entire cooking pan assembly 118 is provided in the housing 102 of the cooking apparatus 100, to prevent the escape of exhaust gases from the cooking apparatus 100 through the opening 104a of the top plate 104 and the first opening 108a of the middle plate 108, thereby the cooking apparatus 100 dampens the noise of the exhaust gases.
[0043] Thus, a cooking apparatus 100 that uses an engine’s exhaust gas for cooking is provided. Since, the cooking apparatus 100 uses heat of the engine exhaust gas for cooking and doesn’t require separate heating source, it has zero operating cost. Further, the cooking apparatus 100 acts as a muffler, by dampening the noise of the exhaust gas.
[0044] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.