Premix Burner Distributor Deflectors for Ionisation Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing premix burners face challenges in maintaining a high ionisation signal intensity, especially at low thermal power regimes, due to uniform mixture distribution and internal distributor-related thermoacoustic instability, which affects combustion control and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A distributor device with centrally symmetrical surfaces and deflector elements of varying angles directs the mixture flow to create a well-delimited region with a more intense ionisation signal, allowing independent optimisation of ionisation signal intensity and fluid dynamic distribution without internal distributors, ensuring high modulation ratios and reduced mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an internal distributor with uniform hole distribution is used, then the mixture is distributed evenly across the burner surface, but the ionisation signal intensity becomes insufficient at low thermal power regimes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixture distribution uniformityVSAvoidionisation signal intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor device implements local quality by creating a non-uniform distribution of deflectors: a first region with a first number of deflectors and a second region with a second number of deflectors, where the ratio of deflectors to holes differs between regions. This allows the ionisation signal intensity to be enhanced in specific local areas (where more deflectors concentrate mixture flow) while maintaining overall mixture distribution, resolving the contradiction between uniform distribution and signal intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If an internal distributor is used to enhance mixture distribution, then fluid dynamic control is improved, but thermoacoustic instability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid dynamic controlVSAvoidthermoacoustic stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the deflector elements from the internal distributor configuration and positions them on the outer surface of the distributor device. This external arrangement maintains the fluid dynamic control benefits of deflectors while eliminating the thermoacoustic instability problems associated with internal distributors, as the deflectors no longer create turbulent mixing zones within the combustion chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing deflectors inside the distributor (internal distributor configuration), the invention inverts the approach by placing deflectors on the outer surface of the distributor device. This inversion maintains the flow-directing function while eliminating the harmful thermoacoustic effects generated by internal obstructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the distributor structure is simplified without internal distributors, then mechanical stress and manufacturing complexity are reduced, but the ability to direct mixture flow towards a well-delimited region is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistributor structureVSAvoidflow direction control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The distributor device segments the deflector arrangement into distinct regions (first region and second region) with different numbers of deflectors. This segmentation allows each region to independently control flow direction towards specific areas, including a well-delimited region for ionisation signal detection, while keeping the overall structure simpler than a fully internal distributor system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances ionisation signal intensity across all operating conditions, enabling reliable combustion control and efficient energy modulation, while reducing thermoacoustic instability and mechanical stress, thus improving burner performance and energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

each deflector element (10, 20, 30, 40) has a guide surface (S10, S20, S30, S40) facing towards a respective opening (1, 2, 3, 4) below it and able to direct the mixture flow in a respective preferential direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

the formation of the flame produced by combustion of a gas in the presence of an oxidant - air, for example - is accompanied by an ionisation process whereby ions are formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonisation: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentEP3628923B1Distributor device for a premixing burner and burner comprising such distributor
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 POLIDORO
  • EP3628923B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3628923B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3628923B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A distributor (100) for a premix burner (200) comprises a distribution element (5) having a centrally symmetrical shape and provided with openings (1-4) distributed about a central axis of symmetry (A). The distribution element (5) comprises deflector elements (10-40) located proximate to each opening (1-4) and oriented in such a way as to direct an air and gas mixture (M) in a respective deflection direction (D1-D4) which forms a non-null angle with the axis (A). At least one deflector element (30) is oriented in such a way that the mixture (M) output from the opening (3) it is proximate to is directed in a direction (D3) which forms with the axis (A) an angle which is different from the angle formed with the axis (A) by the remaining deflector elements.