Draft inducer blower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing draft inducer blowers in gas-fueled heater systems face inefficiencies due to over- or under-drawing of exhaust gases, leading to imbalanced air-fuel mixtures and reduced system efficiency, especially when dealing with varying vent lengths and different appliance specifications.
Innovation Solution
A draft inducer blower assembly with a dilution air intake passage configurable between low and high flow settings, allowing for adjustable intake of dilution air to match vent lengths and appliance requirements, using a single speed motor and a valve or baffle system to optimize the ratio of dilution air to exhaust gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single speed blower is used to exhaust gases through a vent of maximum length, then the blower speed is sufficiently high to handle the maximum vent length, but the blower overdraws exhaust gases and reduces system efficiency when used with a vent of minimum length
Solution Approach 1:
The dilution air intake passage is made adjustable between low flow and high flow configurations, allowing the system to dynamically adapt the dilution air intake rate to match different vent lengths and appliance requirements, thereby preventing over- or under-drawing of exhaust gases
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameter of the dilution air intake passage to optimize performance. By adjusting the passage configuration between low and high flow settings, the system adapts to different operating conditions without requiring multiple blowers or complex sensor systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If a two speed blower is used to handle different vent lengths, then the blower can operate at two different speeds, but additional components such as pressure sensors are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the need for complex sensing and control components by using a mechanically adjustable dilution air intake passage. The system achieves adaptability through passive flow configuration rather than active sensing and electronic control
Solution Approach 2:
The dilution air intake passage configuration allows the system to self-regulate the air-fuel mixture ratio based on the selected flow configuration, eliminating the need for external sensors and complex control systems to manage the burning rate
3Adaptability or versatility
If a two speed blower is used to match different appliance exhaust gas draw rates, then the blower can operate at two different speeds, but the system efficiency is reduced at vent lengths not corresponding to the two speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The dilution air intake passage provides continuous adaptability between low and high flow configurations, allowing fine-tuning of the exhaust gas draw rate to match different appliance specifications and vent lengths, thereby maintaining optimal system efficiency across a range of operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the flow parameter of the dilution air intake passage, the system optimizes the air-fuel mixture ratio for different appliances and vent configurations, preventing rich or lean operation and maintaining high productivity across varying conditions
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 efficient operation across different vent lengths and appliance specifications, preventing over- or under-drawing of exhaust gases, thereby maintaining optimal burner performance and system efficiency without the need for additional sensors or multiple speed settings.
Implementation Method 1
The blower is configured to facilitate flow of combustion air into the combustion chamber, draw dilution air into the blower, mix the dilution air with the exhaust gases, and facilitate flow of the mixed air and exhaust gases through the vent
Implementation Method 2
The dilution air intake passage is positionable in at least a low flow configuration and a high flow configuration. The dilution air intake passage is more restrictive of intake of dilution air in the low flow configuration than in the high flow configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A draft inducer blower assembly includes a blower having a fan, a dilution air intake passage, an exhaust gas intake passage, and a discharge passage. The blower is configured to operatively connect to a heater system in a manner to facilitate flow of combustion air into a combustion chamber and to draw dilution air into the blower and to mix the dilution air with the exhaust gases and to facilitate flow of the mixed air and exhaust gases through the vent. The dilution air intake passage is positionable in at least a low flow configuration and a high flow configuration. The dilution air intake passage is more restrictive of intake of dilution air in the low flow configuration than in the high flow configuration.