Convection oven
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional convection ovens face challenges in uniformly cooking bread and other food products, particularly in achieving quick and even proofing and baking due to non-uniform gas flow and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
The convection oven incorporates a recirculation ducting system with a centrifugal fan and heating mechanisms that create a uniform gas flow through a fan scroll housing with volute and eddy wall sections, and turning vane heating elements, allowing for precise control of gas flow and temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional convection ovens use simple gas flow paths, then device complexity is reduced, but gas flow uniformity and temperature distribution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fan scroll housing is segmented into multiple discrete components including volute wall sections and eddy wall sections. Each section serves a specific function in shaping and directing gas flow, allowing complex flow control to be achieved through modular assembly rather than a single complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The volute wall sections feature curved surfaces that guide gas flow in smooth arcs around the centrifugal fan. The eddy wall sections create controlled rotational eddies through their curved geometry. These curved surfaces replace straight-line ducting to achieve more uniform flow distribution and reduce turbulence
2Device complexity
If conventional ovens use simple heating elements, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Heating elements are positioned at specific locations within the recirculation ducting where they can most effectively heat the gas stream. The heating mechanism includes multiple heating zones along the gas flow path, with each zone providing localized heating to maintain uniform temperature throughout the recirculating gas
Solution Approach 2:
The heating mechanism operates continuously on the recirculating gas stream, maintaining constant temperature control throughout the cooking cycle. The heating elements are integrated into the recirculation system so that gas is continuously heated as it passes through the ducting, ensuring stable and uniform temperature distribution
3Productivity
If conventional ovens use high gas flow speeds for quick cooking, then productivity is improved, but gas flow uniformity and cooking evenness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The eddy wall sections create controlled rotational eddies and turbulent mixing in the gas flow. This controlled turbulence enhances heat transfer between the gas and food surface while maintaining overall flow uniformity, allowing faster cooking with improved evenness
Solution Approach 2:
The volute wall sections are designed to optimize gas flow velocity and pressure distribution throughout the ducting system. By carefully controlling the geometry and curvature of these walls, the system maintains high gas flow speeds for rapid cooking while ensuring uniform velocity distribution to achieve even cooking across different locations in the oven chamber
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 configuration ensures even cooking by maintaining uniform gas flow and temperature, enhancing the uniformity of cooking results for bread and other food products.
Implementation Method 1
A centrifugal fan is in the fan scroll housing for moving gas from the recirculation ducting to the oven chamber. The centrifugal fan has a fan axis about which the fan is rotatable in a rotation direction to move gas radially from the fan in the fan scroll housing.
Implementation Method 2
Each second discharge duct wall includes an eddy wall section configured to create an eddy in the gas flow path.
Implementation Method 3
A heating mechanism is in the cabinet for heating the gas.
Data Source
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AI summary
Ovens and methods for preparing food. An oven includes a cabinet and an oven chamber in the cabinet. A fan is provided for moving gas in the oven. The oven can include a fan scroll housing having multiple fan discharge ducts defining respective gas flow paths from the fan. The oven can include a turning vane configured for turning gas flow and for heating the gas flow.