Deployable Kitchen Thermal Management with Heat Recapture Plenum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deployable kitchens face challenges in efficiently managing and recapturing heat produced by appliances, leading to undesirable emissions and inefficient energy use, especially in varying environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with a recapture plenum and duct structure that routes airflow to efficiently remove heat and combustion products, allowing for heat recapture and redistribution within the kitchen, using a diverter to adapt to ambient conditions and optimize thermal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If closed burners are used to exhaust combustion products outside the kitchen, then emissions and noxious gases are reduced, but thermal efficiency is not improved and energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful hot exhaust gases that were simply vented outside into a beneficial resource by routing them through a recapture plenum and heat exchanger to provide heating for the kitchen space and preheat incoming air, thereby eliminating emissions while recovering thermal energy
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers thermal energy from exhaust gases that would otherwise be discarded outside the kitchen, using heat exchangers to transfer heat from the exhaust stream to the kitchen environment and incoming air supplies
2Temperature
If heat is exhausted outside the kitchen to manage thermal conditions, then combustion products are removed, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring thermal conditions in the kitchen and automatically adjusting the recirculation of heated air and modulation of burner operation to maintain optimal temperature while maximizing energy recovery from exhaust gases
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a fixed exhaust system is used, then combustion products are removed, but adaptability to varying environmental conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms including variable speed fans, adjustable dampers, and modulating burners that automatically adjust exhaust rates and heat recapture levels based on real-time sensing of ambient temperature, humidity, and kitchen thermal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as exhaust flow rate, heat exchanger activation, and air recirculation levels in response to varying environmental conditions, allowing the same system to effectively operate across different climates and weather scenarios
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 enhances energy efficiency by recapturing heat for heating purposes, improving thermal performance, and reducing emissions, while allowing for flexible operation in different weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling passage is in thermal communication with the burner unit such that an airflow through the cooling passage establishes an air buffer between the burner unit and the housing
Implementation Method 2
The recapture plenum is configured to be in fluid communication with a heating vent within the deployable kitchen
Implementation Method 3
The recapture plenum receives an exhaust portion of the airflow after the airflow is conveyed through the cooling passage
Implementation Method 4
The diverter has a first position in which the diverter is configured to selectively place the recapture plenum in fluid communication with an exhaust vent of the deployable kitchen upon a first ambient condition
Data Source
AI summary
A deployable kitchen includes an enclosure, an appliance within the enclosure, and a recapture plenum. The appliance includes a housing and a burner unit that is within the housing. The appliance defines cooling passage between the housing and the burner unit. The cooling passage is in thermal communication with the burner unit such that an airflow through the cooling passage establishes an air buffer between the burner unit and the housing. The housing includes a face that defines an outlet of the cooling passage. The recapture plenum encloses the face of the housing such that the recapture plenum receives an exhaust portion of the airflow after the airflow is conveyed through the cooling passage. The recapture plenum is configured to be in fluid communication with a heating vent within the deployable kitchen.