Burner Distribution Plate for Ionization Signal Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burner designs for gas heaters face challenges in maintaining constant ionization signal measurement over a wide load range due to aging components, limiting modulation bandwidth and control quality, especially in ionization current-based lambda control systems.
Innovation Solution
A burner arrangement with a distributor plate and burner body having specific hole patterns, where the distributor plate influences the ionization current curve characteristics by partially covering openings, ensuring consistent flame distribution and ionization signal across varying load conditions, allowing for adaptive corrections and stable control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a predefined hole pattern in the burner body is used, then uniform flame distribution is achieved, but ionization signal stability deteriorates over time due to component aging
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the burner body and the combustion chamber. It modifies the flame structure and ionization current characteristics without requiring changes to the burner body hole pattern. The distribution plate acts as a mediator that decouples the stable geometric structure from the ionization measurement requirements, allowing stable control signals even as other components age.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate creates local variations in flame distribution and ionization current density. By having different hole patterns in different areas of the distribution plate, it optimizes the ionization signal characteristics in the specific region where the ionization electrode operates, while maintaining overall flame uniformity. This local optimization ensures stable ionization signals without compromising global flame distribution.
2Measurement precision
If the burner body hole pattern is optimized for combustion, then flame distribution is improved, but ionization measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The burner system is segmented into functionally independent components: the burner body handles combustion optimization with its hole pattern, while the distribution plate handles ionization signal optimization with its own hole pattern. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other, and the components can be manufactured and adjusted independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate serves as an intermediary layer that translates the combustion-optimized hole pattern of the burner body into ionization-optimized flame structures. It decouples the design requirements, allowing the burner body to focus on combustion efficiency while the distribution plate ensures precise ionization measurements.
3Power
If the hole pattern is designed for high power levels, then flame output is improved, but ionization signal consistency deteriorates at low power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution plate creates a dynamic flame structure that adapts to different power levels. The specific hole pattern and distribution of holes enable the flame to maintain consistent ionization characteristics across the full modulation range, from low to high power levels. The flame morphology changes dynamically with load while maintaining stable ionization signal characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution plate modifies parameters such as flame velocity, temperature distribution, and gas flow patterns to maintain consistent ionization signals across different power levels. By controlling these parameters through its hole pattern, it ensures that the ionization electrode receives stable signals regardless of whether the burner is operating at high or low power.
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
This design enhances modulation bandwidth and maintains stable ionization current curves, enabling effective lambda control and mixture regulation over the burner's lifespan, independent of aging effects, with improved measurement accuracy and reduced production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an ionization electrode is arranged near a burner body in a combustion chamber... The resulting flames form a so-called flame carpet corresponding to the hole pattern, with the ionization electrode located in the area of the flames
Implementation Method 2
A distribution plate is arranged on the inner surface or on the outer surface in the area of the ionization electrode, which influences the curve characteristics as desired with a specific hole pattern
Implementation Method 3
A fuel gas-air mixture escapes through the holes of this hole pattern, is ignited and burns in the combustion chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a burner arrangement comprising a burner body (3) having an inner surface (4) and an outer surface (5) as well as a pattern of openings (6) for the passage of an air-fuel gas mixture, and an ionization electrode (7) with an electrode length (EL) that extends at a distance (A) from the outer surface (5) of the burner body (3) and is substantially parallel to it, wherein a distribution plate (8) is provided which modifies the pattern of openings (6) in the region (10) of the ionization electrode (7) by at least partially covering a portion of the openings (6). The invention makes it possible to extend the applicability and/or accuracy of an ionization measurement system using simple means and to control heating appliances equipped with it over a wide power range.