Gas Burner Flame Zone Stabilization via Localized Perforation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas burners with ionization current-based combustion control face challenges in achieving high modulation ratios due to varying flame lengths and air ratios, leading to ambiguity in ionization current and air ratio connection, and temperature instability affecting combustion control accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The gas burner features a hole structure on its inner surface opposite the ionization current sensor, designed with two surface areas of different opening degrees along its entire length, ensuring consistent temperature and accurate air ratio control across the load range by stabilizing the flame zone and maintaining the ionization current sensor's temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the hole structure of the inner surface opposite the ionization current sensor varies in the axial direction (with different opening degrees in different areas), then the flame length is sufficient in both lower and upper power ranges, but the relationship between ionization current and air-fuel ratio becomes ambiguous, preventing accurate combustion control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame length stabilityVSAvoidionization current to air-fuel ratio relationship precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The burner surface is divided into different zones with distinct hole structures: a first surface area with smaller opening degree directly beneath the ionization current sensor, and second surface areas with larger opening degree on both sides. This local differentiation ensures that the zone under the sensor maintains consistent flame characteristics for accurate measurement, while side zones provide additional fuel for adequate flame length across all power ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the ionization current sensor is used for combustion control, then the modulation ratio can be increased to up to 1:20, but the sensor temperature becomes unstable due to varying flame lengths and energy release, affecting control accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation ratioVSAvoidionization current sensor temperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The first surface area with smaller opening degree is positioned directly beneath the ionization current sensor to create a localized stable flame zone that maintains consistent temperature at the sensor location. This localized control allows the sensor to operate at stable temperature across the full modulation range, enabling accurate combustion control with modulation ratios up to 1:20.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If a uniform hole structure is used across the entire burner surface, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the flame length becomes insufficient in the lower power range, preventing effective combustion control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehole structure uniformityVSAvoidflame length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The burner surface is segmented into functionally distinct areas: a central first surface area with smaller openings directly under the ionization current sensor, and lateral second surface areas with larger openings. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function - the central zone maintains stable sensor temperature while side zones ensure adequate flame length - achieving effective combustion control across all power ranges.

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

This design achieves a high degree of modulation up to 1:20, enabling robust combustion control with precise air ratio accuracy and maintaining sensor temperature stability, overcoming previous limitations in flame length and energy release.

Implementation Method 1

combustion control using the air-fuel ratio based on the ionization current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

The distribution device has an inner surface facing the burner interior with a perforated structure and a burner surface facing away from the burner interior with a perforated structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through perforated structure: Porosity

Implementation Method 3

a gas-air mixture burning as a flame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3293455B1Gas burner
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 VIESSMANN CLIMATE SOLUTIONS SE
  • EP3293455B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a gas burner comprising a burner interior (1) and a distribution device (2) bounding the burner interior and through which a gas-air mixture flows, the distribution device having an inner surface (2.1) facing the burner interior (1) with a hole structure and a burner surface (2.2) facing away from the burner interior with a hole structure for the gas-air mixture burning as a flame, wherein a rod-shaped ionization current sensor (3) extending parallel to the burner surface (2.2) is assigned to the flame side of the burner surface (2.2), wherein a first surface area (2.2.1) of the burner surface (2.2) closest to the ionization current sensor (3) has a hole structure having a smaller degree of opening, and wherein a second surface area (2.2.2) with a hole structure having a larger degree of opening is provided on both sides of the first surface area (2.2.1) and parallel to the ionization current sensor (3).According to the invention, the hole structure of the inner surface (2.1) of the distribution device (2) opposite the ionization current sensor (3) is designed to be uniform in the axial direction of the ionization current sensor (3).