Atomizing Burner Shutdown Control for Flexible Heat Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Babington atomization-based burners, such as the AIRTRONIC, have limited flexibility in fuel and air flow adjustments, leading to excessive heat output, inefficiency, and difficulty in controlling temperature, making them unsuitable for portable cooking appliances which require precise heat control and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable atomizing burner with independently controllable flows of atomizing air, combustion air, and fuel, controlled by a microcomputer that manages the flow rates to optimize heat output and reduce power consumption, allowing for precise temperature control and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed speed AC motor drives fuel pump, atomizing air compressor, and combustion air blower at maximum speeds, then the burner produces sufficient heat output, but the burner lacks flexibility in adjusting fuel and air flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed-speed AC motor control with variable-speed DC motor control, allowing dynamic adjustment of fuel pump, atomizing air compressor, and combustion air blower speeds. This enables flexible control of fuel and air flow rates to match varying cooking requirements while maintaining proper combustion ratios through coordinated motor speed adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcomputer control system monitors combustion conditions and automatically adjusts the speeds of the three DC motors to maintain optimal fuel-to-air ratios. The system provides closed-loop control that responds to changing operating conditions, ensuring efficient combustion across the full range of adjustable fuel flow rates.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the burner operates at fixed maximum heat output, then sufficient cooking heat is provided, but the burner consumes excessive fuel and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The variable-speed DC motors enable the burner to dynamically adjust its heat output by controlling the speed of the fuel pump and air compressors. This allows the burner to operate at lower fuel consumption rates when full power is not needed, while maintaining the capability to deliver maximum heat output when required, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (motor speeds, fuel flow rates, air flow rates) to optimize the balance between heat output and fuel consumption. By adjusting these parameters according to actual cooking demands, the burner achieves efficient fuel utilization without sacrificing the ability to provide sufficient cooking heat.
3Ease of operation
If the burner uses manually adjustable mechanical restrictors for fuel flow, then some fuel flow flexibility is achieved, but the adjustment is not accessible to consumers and requires disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical restrictor adjustment with electronic control of DC motor speeds. The microcomputer control system allows consumers to adjust fuel and air flow rates through electronic interfaces without disassembling the burner. This substitution of mechanical adjustment with electronic control improves ease of operation while maintaining the necessary complexity for precise flow management.
4Temperature
If the burner is designed for portable cooking applications, then mobility is improved, but precise temperature control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The variable-speed DC motors provide dynamic control capability that enables precise temperature adjustment in portable cooking applications. By independently controlling the speeds of the fuel pump, atomizing air compressor, and combustion air blower, the system can fine-tune heat output to match specific cooking temperature requirements, overcoming the temperature control difficulties associated with portable designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcomputer control system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor combustion conditions and automatically adjust motor speeds to maintain desired temperature levels. This closed-loop control provides precise temperature regulation in portable applications, allowing the burner to respond to changing thermal conditions and maintain accurate temperature control despite the simplified portable design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables the burner to produce less heat and consume less fuel, making it suitable for lighter, more portable cooking appliances, with improved temperature control and reduced power usage, eliminating the need for secondary ventilation systems and enabling off-grid operation.
Implementation Method 1
Pressurized clean air is forced through the hole, creating a spray so fine that when burned, it creates no smoke, or carbon monoxide. In the burner, a thin layer of fuel is poured over a convex surface that has a tiny air hole. Pressurized clean air is forced through the hole, creating a spray so fine that when burned, it creates no smoke, or carbon monoxide.
Implementation Method 2
Combustion air blower 1108 delivers a flow of air to the flame tube 1116 that combusts with the fuel to provide flame and heat
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for turning an atomizing burner from an ON state to an OFF state is provided. The burner has independently controllable flows of atomizing air, combustion air, and fuel flow, the burner in the ON state having flow values of burner parameters including flow of atomizing air, flow of combustion air, and fuel flow. The method includes: changing, in response to an OFF instruction, flow of at least one of the flow of atomizing air, combustion air and/or fuel to a lower non-zero value; first discontinuing, after a first period of time since the changing, flow of fuel and flow of atomizing air; maintaining, for a second period of time since the first period of time, flow of combustion air; second discontinuing, after the maintaining, flow of combustion air; wherein the maintaining prevents buildup of excess heat inside the burner during the transition to the OFF state.