Modular smoke generator system with coaxial media routing and variable extraction zone configuration

Abstract

Smoke generator for producing smoke, comprising an interlocking housing structure consisting of an inner reservoir (90) for receiving fuel and an outer housing wall (20) enclosing it, wherein a spaced-apart annular space is formed between the reservoir (90) and the housing wall (20) as a cooling channel, characterized in that an axially movable, multifunctional weighting element (50, 180, 190) is arranged within the reservoir (90), which has a lower pressure plate (50) for mechanically compacting the fuel and an upper collection tray (190), wherein the pressure plate (50) has a geometry sloping towards the edge, which is configured to drain condensate radially from the inner reservoir (90) into the annular space by utilizing gravity, while the upper collection tray (190) is configured to collect condensate dripping centrally from a top plate (40),to actively prevent soot buildup in the fuel core by spatially separating the flue and the fuel storage area.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for generating smoke, in particular for cold and hot smoking, using glowing wood chips or similar organic fuel. State of the art & problem statement

[0002] Conventional smoke generators often suffer from the problem of so-called "sooting." In this process, the generated, moist or tarry smoke is forced through the unburned fuel. This leads to mechanical blockages and uneven combustion.

[0003] A significant disadvantage of the current technology is the resulting inferior smoke quality: Moisture and undesirable substances condense directly on the cool fuel upon contact with the fuel. This smoke, enriched with moisture and tar, leads to a lower quality of the smoked goods (e.g., due to bitter substances and flavor alterations). Furthermore, the uncontrolled moisture absorption makes precise control of the smoke temperature difficult.

[0004] Additionally, in many commercially available systems, the Venturi nozzle unit is positioned directly within the glowing zone. This leads to further technical shortcomings: 1. Bridging: Components protruding into the combustion chamber hinder the sliding of wood chips. 2. Ash and ember carryover: Due to the high flow rate directly at the embers, ash particles are carried along and directed into the smoker, which massively impairs the food hygiene and appearance of the smoked goods. Task and solution

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of creating a smoke generator that enables a strict spatial and thermal separation of the smoke path and material supply in order to prevent the sooting of the fuel material and at the same time achieve efficient cooling of the generated smoke without loss of quality.

[0006] This task is accomplished by a synergistic system consisting of a coaxial double-tube housing and a multifunctional ballast element. A defined annular space between an outer tube (20) and an inner reservoir (90) spatially separates the smoke from the fuel and cools it against the housing wall (20). The annular space also serves as a thermal buffer zone, preventing unwanted pre-pyrolysis of the fuel supply caused by the heat of the rising smoke.

[0007] A modular design also allows for variable positioning of the extraction zone, particularly below the embers zone, to eliminate the filtering effect of the fuel and effectively prevent bridging and ash carryover. The innovation lies primarily in the functional coupling of an axially movable weighting element (50, 180, 190) with this annular space: The specific geometry (50), which slopes towards the edge, actively drains condensate radially outwards from the inner reservoir (90) into the annular space, which serves as a cooling channel, utilizing gravity. This protects the purity of the smoke and reliably prevents the unburned material from becoming damp. Detailed description of an exemplary implementation

[0008] In the sectional view according to Fig. Figure 3 shows the interaction of the components. The fuel is located in the inner reservoir (90). The generated smoke is guided through the annular space between the inner reservoir (90) and the outer pipe (20).

[0009] A key aspect is that in Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows a weighting element, consisting of the base plate (50), the support element (180), and the condensate trap (190). This element is axially movable within the reservoir (90). The weighting element (50, 180, 190) exerts a constant mechanical pressure on the fuel by its own weight, preventing bridging, while the geometry (50) simultaneously acts as a condensate drain to prevent the unburned material from becoming sooty. The geometry (50), which slopes towards the edge, ensures that condensate is reliably drained to the edge and into the annular space. The housing structure (20, 90) and the weighting element (50, 180, 190) can be made of metallic materials, ceramics, or temperature-resistant composite materials.A significant technical advantage of the coaxial arrangement is that the annular space between the inner reservoir (90) and the outer tube (20) acts as a thermal buffer zone, minimizing overheating of the stored fuel by rising flue gases and thus supporting a controlled smoldering fire. In the illustrated example, the fastening means (10, 210) are designed as screw connections. However, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, these can be replaced by tool-free quick-release devices, such as eccentric clamps or at least one single-lever mechanism. Such a mechanism makes it possible to axially release the entire assembly with one or more actuating movements, to expose the seals (100, 120), and to disassemble the system directly into its individual components for cleaning purposes. III. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 Fasteners (e.g. quick-release fasteners, eccentric clamps) 20 Outer pipe (primary cooling wall and housing outer wall) 30 gasket holders / flange element (modular interface) 40 End plate (lid) 50 Multifunctional weighting element (condensate guidance geometry and thermal shield) 60 Media supply line (e.g. primary air connection) 70 Lower boundary of the inner reservoir (glute zone area) 80 Lateral closure of the inner reservoir (glute zone area) 90 Internal reservoir (fuel supply with thermal decoupling) 100 sealing elements 110 Gasket holders / flange elements with defined flow geometry 120 sealing elements 130 Housing outer wall (modular nozzle unit / mixing chamber) 140 Cover plate (modular nozzle unit) 150 connection sleeve 160 connection sleeve 170 Venturi nozzle (variably adjustable) 180 Axially movable support element (spacer) 190 Condensate trap (centering element to ensure a constant annular cross-section) 200 Outlet pipe (smoke vent) 210 Fastening devices (e.g. nut, counterpart to quick-release fastener) 220 sealing element with flow-optimized air passage geometry Brief description of the drawings

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: • Fig. 1. A perspective overall view of the smoke generator in two configurations (left: top extraction; right: bottom extraction); • Fig. 2 a top view of the casing; • Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view of the entire system to illustrate the coaxial media routing; • Fig. 4 a top view of the flange element with the air passage geometry; • Fig. 5 a view of the sealing element for sealing the inner reservoir; • Fig. 6 a side view of the axially movable weighting and condensate trapping element; • Fig. 7 a sectional view of the ballast and condensate trap element according to Fig. 6; • Fig. 8 a perspective view of the nozzle unit; • Fig. 9 a sectional view of the nozzle unit according to Fig. 8.

Claims

Smoke generator for producing smoke, comprising an interlocking housing structure consisting of an inner reservoir (90) for receiving fuel and an outer housing wall (20) enclosing it, wherein a spaced-apart annular space is formed between the reservoir (90) and the housing wall (20) as a cooling channel, characterized in that an axially movable, multifunctional weighting element (50, 180, 190) is arranged within the reservoir (90), which has a lower pressure plate (50) for mechanically compacting the fuel and an upper collection tray (190), wherein the pressure plate (50) has a geometry sloping towards the edge, which is configured to drain condensate radially from the inner reservoir (90) into the annular space by utilizing gravity, while the upper collection tray (190) is configured to collect condensate dripping centrally from a top plate (40),to actively prevent soot buildup in the fuel core by spatially separating the flue and the fuel storage area. Smoke generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower pressure plate (50) is designed as a thermal barrier and flow resistance to prevent an uncontrolled high-pressure fire of the smoldering fuel material within the reservoir (90) by limiting the oxygen supply from above. Smoke generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighting element (50, 180, 190) is rigidly connected via a central support element (180), wherein the collection tray (190) simultaneously acts as a centering element to ensure a constant cross-section of the annular space towards the housing wall (20). Smoke generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a modular extraction device (30, 60, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 200) is arranged on the housing structure such that by reversing the flange elements, flue gas extraction can be selectively carried out at an upper end or at a lower end of the housing near the glowing zone. Smoke generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a Venturi nozzle unit (60, 170) is provided for smoke discharge, which is variably adjustable in its axial position within an outlet pipe (200) in order to control the mixing ratio of primary air to flue gas. Smoke generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing components (20, 30, 40, 90, 130) are axially clamped together via a tool-free quick-clamping device (10, 210), wherein the mechanism is arranged to relax the entire construction by means of an adjusting movement and to release the seals (100, 120) for cleaning the individual components.

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