Cooking grill ignition system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking grill ignition systems rely on highly volatile petroleum products, which are hazardous, produce off-flavors in food, and have inefficient air blower systems that shorten grill lifespan.
Innovation Solution
An Electro-Mechanical Pulse Generator (EMPG) ignites a carbon steel ignition pad within a fuel basket, using electrical energy to start combustion, with an air flow control system to manage temperature and combustion efficiency, eliminating the need for volatile petroleum products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly volatile petroleum products are used to ignite fuel, then ignition is achieved, but safety hazards and harmful emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful volatile petroleum products from the ignition system, replacing them with a safer electrical ignition mechanism that eliminates the associated safety hazards and harmful emissions while maintaining ignition reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical-based petroleum ignition system with an electrical-based ignition system using heating elements and control circuits, substituting a harmful mechanical/chemical process with a cleaner electrical process
2Ease of operation
If regular air supply blowers are used for ignition, then air supply is provided, but the blower lifespan is dramatically shortened due to high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ignition and air supply functions into separate components - an electrical ignition system for starting combustion and a dedicated air supply blower for maintaining combustion, allowing each component to operate within its optimal temperature range and extend overall system lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary electrical heating elements to pre-heat and ignite the fuel before the air supply blower is engaged, ensuring the blower only operates after ignition is established, thereby protecting it from excessive thermal stress
3Productivity
If volatile petroleum products are used for ignition, then combustion is started, but off-flavors are produced in cooked food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the source of off-flavors by removing volatile petroleum products from the combustion process, using only clean electrical heating elements and controlled air supply to ignite and sustain combustion, ensuring no harmful flavors contaminate the food
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 solution provides a safe, efficient, and flavorful cooking experience by using a heat-resistant design that prolongs grill lifespan and reduces hazardous fumes, while maintaining effective combustion and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
When electrical energy is applied to the carbon steel fibers, the carbon steel ignites thus starting the combustion of the fuel
Implementation Method 2
the carbon steel ignites thus starting the combustion of the fuel in a fuel basket located within the grill's combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
A fan positioned below or near the fuel basket controls the amount of air flow into the combustion chamber to aid in initially lighting the fuel as well as controlling the temperature of the grill
Data Source
AI summary
An Electro-Mechanical Pulse Generator (“EMPG”) may be used to ignite an ignition pad comprising of fine carbon steel fibers. When electrical energy is applied to the carbon steel fibers, the carbon steel ignites thus starting the combustion of the fuel in a fuel basket located within the grill's combustion chamber. An electrical control panel connects an energy source such as a battery with an ignition wire positioned within the combustion chamber of the grill. A fan positioned below or near the fuel basket controls the amount of air flow into the combustion chamber to aid in initially lighting the fuel as well as controlling the temperature of the grill and the amount of combustion used to heat the food that is cooking.