Double-Dome Patio Heater Reflector With Air-Gap Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patio heaters are inefficient in fuel usage and contribute to environmental concerns due to combustion, with portable propane tanks limiting their operational duration and increasing carbon emissions.
Innovation Solution
A Patio Heater Double Dome Infrared Heat Reflector/Converter is designed to attach to conventional patio heaters, featuring a low heat load dome that maintains an air gap with the heat shield to reflect radiant heat back to the burner area, reducing heat loss and increasing efficiency by up to 66% fuel savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional patio heater is used with an open heat shield, then heat can freely dissipate to the surrounding air, but this results in significant heat loss and reduced fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by capturing the harmful heat that would otherwise dissipate freely into the atmosphere and converting it into a beneficial resource. The dome-shaped reflector captures upward-moving heat and radiant energy, redirecting it back toward the burner area and usage zone, thereby transforming waste heat loss into useful thermal energy that extends fuel lifespan by 25-30%
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements this principle by introducing a three-dimensional dome-shaped reflector structure that adds a new spatial dimension to heat management. Instead of allowing heat to dissipate in all directions (including upward waste), the dome creates a confined thermal chamber that redirects heat flow in specific dimensions, channeling energy back toward the burner and usage area to improve fuel efficiency
2Loss of energy
If a dome attachment is placed directly against the heat shield, then heat reflection may be maximized, but heat conduction to the dome increases heat load and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by introducing air gaps as intermediary spaces between the heat shield and the dome-shaped reflector. These air gaps act as thermal insulators that prevent direct heat conduction to the dome structure, while still allowing the dome to effectively reflect and redirect radiant heat. This intermediary approach maintains heat reflection efficiency without creating excessive heat load on the dome attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements this principle by using a thin, lightweight dome-shaped reflector made from materials such as aluminum foil or thin metal sheeting. This thin-film structure is sufficiently reflective to redirect heat effectively while having minimal thermal mass and heat capacity, preventing the dome itself from becoming a heat sink that would reduce overall system efficiency
3Device complexity
If the perimeter edge of the dome does not extend downward sufficiently, then the heater maintains simplicity, but heat escapes around the edges reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by employing a dome-shaped (spheroidal) reflector geometry that naturally directs heat flow along curved paths back toward the burner area. The curved surface of the dome creates continuous heat reflection and redirection, preventing heat escape at edges while maintaining structural simplicity. The spherical geometry is inherently more effective at containing and redirecting thermal energy compared to flat or angular designs
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 solution extends the lifespan of the fuel tank by 25-30% and reduces environmental impact by minimizing fuel consumption and carbon emissions, while maintaining the portability of the heater.
Implementation Method 1
the dome attachment covers the heater's heat shield, while maintaining an air gap therebetween... heater energy typically lost to the air above the heater is reflected back and radiated to the burner area
Implementation Method 2
heater energy typically lost to the air above the heater is reflected back and radiated to the burner area, and ultimately towards the usage area as radiant heat
Implementation Method 3
maintaining an air gap therebetween... embody a very low heat load so that very little heat conduction occurs between the heat shield and the dome attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A Patio Heater Double Dome Infrared Heat Reflector/Converter is disclosed. The patio heater dome attachment is attachable to a conventional patio heater so that the dome attachment covers the heater's heat shield, while maintaining an air gap therebetween. There are preferably standoff ridges or other features built into the dome attachment to maintain this air gap and to prevent air from flowing freely between the heat shield and the dome attachment. The dome attachment embodies a very low heat load so that very little heat conduction occurs between the heat shield and the dome attachment, such that more of the heater's energy is reflected towards the usage area. Finally, the perimeter edge of the dome attachment extends downwardly at least until it is essentially horizontally planar with the perimeter edge of the patio heater heat shield.