Double-sealed high-temperature resistant DC ignitor for use with wood pellet burner assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wood pellet-burning barbecues face limitations in portability due to the need for AC power and unreliable AC ignitors, which have short lifespans and safety issues, especially in outdoor settings without access to convenient power sources.

Innovation Solution

A double-sealed high-temperature resistant DC ignitor powered by a vehicle-grade 12-volt battery, combined with a gravity-feed pellet burner assembly and perforated slide, allowing for efficient ignition and combustion of wood pellets without AC power, enhancing portability and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If AC power is used to drive the motor and ignitor, then the barbecue can operate with sufficient power, but the portability is limited due to requirement of AC power source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the power source parameter from AC power to DC power (12-volt battery), enabling the barbecue to operate in locations without AC power outlets while maintaining sufficient power for the motor-driven auger and DC ignitor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional AC ignitor is used, then ignition function is provided, but the ignitor has short lifespan and reliability issues due to moisture build up and direct contact with wood pellets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignitor reliabilityVSAvoidignitor lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional AC ignitor with a DC ignitor that uses a heating element to generate heat through resistive heating, eliminating the reliability issues associated with AC ignitors including moisture buildup and direct contact with pellets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the ignitor type from AC to DC, and adds a seal around the heating element to prevent moisture contact, thereby extending ignitor lifespan and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional AC ignitor is used, then ignition is provided, but safety issues arise due to human shock risks and frequent GFI tripping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition reliabilityVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the AC ignitor with a DC ignitor powered by a 12-volt battery, eliminating the safety hazards associated with AC power including human shock risks and GFI tripping while maintaining reliable ignition capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If conventional ignitor design is used, then ignition function is provided, but long heat up times occur as high as two minutes or more to reach ignition temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition capabilityVSAvoidheat up time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the ignitor design to a DC ignitor with a heating element that reaches ignition temperature faster than conventional AC ignitors, reducing the heat-up time from two minutes or more to a shorter duration while maintaining reliable ignition capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a highly reliable and efficient wood pellet-burning system that can operate in various settings, including those without AC power, with a significantly longer ignitor lifespan and reduced safety hazards, improving the portability and usability of wood pellet-burning barbecues.

Implementation Method 1

The DC ignitor can include a heating element that converts electrical energy to thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

A DC fan can be provided to move air through the burn tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

the pellets are burned to provide heat and smoke to cook food

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS11317761B2Double-sealed high-temperature resistant DC ignitor for use with wood pellet burner assemblies

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 ORIGINAL PELLET GRILL CO LLC

AI summary

Embodiments of the inventive concept provide a double-sealed high-temperature resistant DC ignitor for use with a wood pellet burner assembly. The DC ignitor includes a non-heating element portion. The non-heating element portion is connected to at least one of a battery or an AC to DC electrical transformer attached to the wood pellet burner assembly. A heating element is connected to the non-heating element portion, and extends by at least one inch into a combustion region of the wood pellet burner assembly. The heating element portion is configured to be heated by power received from the battery or the AC to DC electrical transformer. The DC ignitor provides safe, reliable, and fast combustion of wood pellets that congregate in a combustion region of the wood pellet burner assembly.