Bimodal Air Control Plenum for Kettle Grills Without Modification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Kettle-styled grills require manual skill to control air flow, which can be challenging, and existing solutions often necessitate grill modifications or disable manual damper control, leading to a need for a bimodal air control system that allows users to switch between manual and auto modes without altering the grill.
Innovation Solution
A detachable bimodal air control system that integrates with existing kettle-styled grills, using a plenum component with a manually adjustable intake damper and a forced-air fan, allowing for temperature loop control and ash capture without modifying the grill, and includes a variable speed fan with a proportional-integral-derivative control algorithm for automated air flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If forced-air add-on solutions are used to control air flow, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases and the kettle requires modification
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates manual and automated air control functions into distinct operational modes. The manual damper blades remain as a separate, simple mechanical component while the automated system uses a plenum and fan assembly that can be independently controlled, allowing users to choose either mode without integrating complex interdependent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum acts as an intermediary component that distributes air flow to multiple damper holes without requiring direct modification to the kettle structure. It serves as a mediator between the fan/ambient air sources and the combustion zone, enabling automated control while preserving the original grill design.
2Ease of operation
If forced-air add-on solutions are used to control air flow, then ease of operation is improved, but the kettle requires modification with cut-outs
Solution Approach 1:
The air control system is divided into modular components (plenum, fan assembly, damper blades) that can be attached to the exterior of the kettle without requiring cuts or modifications to the kettle itself. This segmentation allows the grill to be assembled in its original form while adding functionality through separate, attachable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum serves as an intermediary structure that interfaces with the kettle's existing damper holes from the exterior side, eliminating the need to cut into the kettle. It distributes air through the existing hole pattern without requiring structural modification to the grill body.
3Device complexity
If manual dampers are used to control air flow, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to required skill and knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The automated mode allows the system to self-regulate temperature through the fan and plenum assembly, eliminating the need for user skill in manipulating manual dampers. The system automatically adjusts air flow based on temperature feedback, making operation simple for users regardless of their grilling expertise while keeping the manual damper mechanism simple in structure.
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
Enables users to seamlessly switch between manual and auto modes for precise air control, improving cooking temperature management and smoke retention without altering the grill, while capturing ash efficiently, thus enhancing user experience and cooking quality.
Implementation Method 1
a forced air flow generated by a fan may also be provided into the plenum component
Implementation Method 2
each damper blade operable to be positioned such that it opens, restricts or closes off its associated damper hole
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor in electrical communication with an electronic controller configured to vary the speed of the fan
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments of a system and method for bimodal air control in a kettle-style grill are configured to be detachably mounted to the exterior of a kettle-styled grill such as, but not limited to, a Weber® charcoal grill. When mounted to the kettle-styled grill, a plenum-like component directs air flows to the interior of the grill's kettle via the kettle's lower body damper holes. A manually adjustable intake damper in the plenum component allows, restricts, or prevents a drawn ambient air flow into the plenum component. Separately, a forced air flow generated by a fan may also be provided into the plenum component. Adjustment of the intake damper may also adjust damper blades inside the grill's kettle. Ash that falls out of the kettle's damper holes falls through the plenum component and is captured in an ash receptacle that is removably mounted to the plenum component.