Ceramic Radiant Burner Layout for Grease Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiant burners used in barbeques are prone to clogging due to grease buildup, which reduces their effectiveness and operational life, as only a portion of the surface is exposed to ceramic plates, leading to incomplete heat distribution and difficulty in cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A radiant burner design with a perforated ceramic plate covering at least 90% of the top surface, forming an enclosed volume with a body that retains the plate in place, ensuring uniform gas/air mixture flow and immediate incineration of grease, reducing clogging and maintaining heat distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If only a portion of the surface is exposed to ceramic plates with blocked regions, then the appropriate amount of radiant heat is provided for cooking food, but grease accumulates on the blocked regions and blocks the holes of the ceramic plates, eliminating heat in those portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of converting harm into benefit by allowing grease to accumulate on the ceramic plate surface where it immediately burns off due to the high temperature, transforming the harmful grease buildup into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. The hot ceramic surface incinerates grease before it can block the holes, thus converting the potential harm of grease accumulation into the benefit of automatic grease removal and sustained heat output.
2Productivity
If ceramic plates are used to create radiant burners, then infrared heat is radiated to cook food effectively, but the burners become clogged with grease that drips off meats, reducing effectiveness and operational life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the ceramic plate to automatically clean itself through incineration of grease on its surface. The high temperature of the ceramic plate causes grease to burn off immediately upon contact, creating a self-cleaning mechanism that maintains the holes open and sustains cooking efficiency throughout the operational life of the burner without requiring manual intervention.
3Temperature
If blocked regions are used to control gas flow, then appropriate radiant heat distribution is achieved, but grease that falls onto blocked regions does not burn off and builds up over time, flowing into open regions and blocking holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of grease accumulation into a beneficial self-cleaning process by utilizing the high temperature of the ceramic plate to immediately incinerate grease on its surface. This eliminates the need for manual cleaning and prevents grease from flowing into blocked regions and open areas, maintaining heat distribution uniformity and reducing cleaning difficulty throughout the burner's operational life.
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 design minimizes grease buildup and maintains consistent heat distribution across the cooking area, extending the operational life and improving cooking performance by ensuring that grease is incinerated immediately, preventing blockages in the ceramic plate holes.
Implementation Method 1
The plates become red hot and therefore radiate infrared heat. A portion of the radiated heat is directed towards food that is placed on grills positioned above the ceramic plates, thereby cooking the food.
Implementation Method 2
A mixture of a flammable gas, such as propane or natural gas, and air is provided on the underside of the plate. As the mixture passes through the plate, the gas and air burn and release heat which is transferred into the ceramic plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A radiant burner is disclosed that includes a body configured to form a tray having an open top and a perforated ceramic plate configured to fill the open top of the body and coupled to the body to form an enclosed volume. The radiant burner is configured such that the ceramic plate covers at least 90% of a projected top area of the radiant burner.