Burner Electrode Stabilizing Sections for Gravity-Induced Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Burner electrodes made of heat-resistant materials bend and fail due to thermal stress and gravity, affecting their ability to function properly.

Innovation Solution

The electrode is designed with a stabilizing section that has a cross-sectional profile deviating from a circular or rectangular shape, providing increased stability against bending moments while reducing material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the electrode is made of heat-resistant material to withstand thermal stress, then temperature resistance is improved, but the material softens and bends over time under gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature resistanceVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by changing the cross-sectional shape from circular to non-circular (such as elliptical, rectangular, or I-shaped). This asymmetric geometry increases the moment of inertia and section modulus, providing greater resistance to bending moments caused by gravity while maintaining thermal resistance properties of the material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent addresses bending resistance by introducing geometric complexity in the cross-sectional dimension rather than increasing material thickness longitudinally. By optimizing the cross-sectional shape (adding dimensions like flanges or changing to non-circular profiles), the electrode achieves higher bending stiffness without proportionally increasing material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cross-sectional area is increased to reduce bending, then stability is improved, but material usage and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending resistanceVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric cross-sectional shapes (elliptical, rectangular, I-shaped) that distribute material more efficiently to resist bending. These shapes provide higher section modulus per unit area compared to circular sections, achieving better bending resistance with less material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cross-section (shape, orientation, distribution of material) to optimize the ratio of bending resistance to material quantity. By adjusting the cross-sectional geometry rather than simply increasing size, the electrode achieves improved stability with controlled material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the electrode is mounted horizontally for practical reasons, then ease of operation is improved, but gravity creates bending moments that cause deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting convenienceVSAvoidpositional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric cross-sectional shapes that are optimized to resist bending moments in the vertical direction. The geometry provides higher moment of inertia about the horizontal axis, counteracting gravity-induced bending while allowing horizontal mounting configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent solves the horizontal mounting problem by introducing geometric features in the cross-sectional dimension that provide bending resistance. The non-circular cross-section creates directional stiffness that compensates for the bending moments generated by horizontal orientation under gravity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3971476B1Manufacturing process of a stabilised burner electrode
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 PAUL RAUSCHERT STEINBACH GMBH
  • EP3971476B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3d
  • EP3971476B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~7
  • EP3971476B1 patent drawingFigure 8a~8c

AI summary

The present invention relates to a burner electrode with an insulator and an elongated metallic rod extending section by section into or along the insulator, such as are typically used in gas or oil burners of heating systems as ignition or monitoring electrodes. According to the invention, it is proposed that the metallic rod of the burner electrode has at least one stabilizing section which is stiffened against bending moments by a cross-sectional profile that deviates from a circular and rectangular cross-section.