Dual heat fire pit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fire pits primarily rely on convection and conduction heat transfer, leading to inefficient heat distribution and loss due to the need for a medium like air, resulting in reduced heat intensity and temperature perception away from the source, and difficulty in focusing heat effectively.

Innovation Solution

A multi-heat source fire pit apparatus incorporating a housing with compartments for a fuel source and an infrared emitter, allowing for both convection and radiation heat transfers, with shielding members to direct and control heat propagation, enhancing ambient heating by combining infrared radiation with open flame convection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional fire pits use convection and conduction heat transfer, then heat is transferred to surrounding objects, but heat intensity and temperature perception decrease gradually with distance from the heat source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat intensityVSAvoiddistance from heat source

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fire pit system is segmented into two independent heat sources: an open flame burner for convection heating and an infrared emitter for radiation heating. This segmentation allows each heat source to operate independently and target different heating needs, with the infrared emitter specifically addressing the distance-related temperature decay problem by providing direct radiant heat that maintains intensity over longer distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges two different heat transfer mechanisms (convection from open flame and radiation from infrared emitter) into a single fire pit system. This combination allows the system to overcome the limitations of individual methods: convection provides ambient warming while radiation maintains heat intensity at distance, effectively resolving the contradiction between heat intensity and distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of energy

If conventional fire pits rely on air as a medium for heat transfer, then convection heating occurs, but energy loss increases due to diffusion and thermal equilibrium with surrounding air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy lossVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared emitter acts as an intermediary that transfers thermal energy directly to objects and people through radiation without requiring air as a medium. This eliminates the energy losses associated with convection (diffusion and thermal equilibrium with air), as the infrared radiation travels directly through air without being absorbed and re-emitted by air molecules, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional fire pits provide open flames for heating, then warmth is generated, but it is challenging to focus the heat to a desired area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat focusing capabilityVSAvoidheat distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The infrared emitter provides localized, directional heat radiation that can be focused on specific areas or targets, unlike the omnidirectional convection from open flames. This local quality allows users to direct heat precisely where needed (e.g., toward seating areas or specific zones), making heat focusing easy to achieve while maintaining effective temperature distribution in targeted regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 improved and efficient heating by maintaining higher heat intensities and temperatures across a wider area with reduced energy loss, allowing for focused heat delivery and consistent warmth even in cold conditions, surpassing the limitations of conventional fire pits.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared emitter positioned in the second compartment and configured to emit infrared radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

transfer thermal energy to the surroundings by convection heat transfer, via heat diffusion and bulk movement of the surrounding air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection heat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 3

transfer thermal energy to objects in contact with the flame by conduction heat transfer, via microscopic movement of electrons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction heat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12130018B2Dual heat fire pit

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 MR BAR B Q PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a multi-heat source apparatus. The multi heat source may include a fire pit and is configured to provide ambient heating with both convection heat transfer and radiation heat transfer. The multi-heat source apparatus comprises an infrared emitter for generating infrared radiation. The multi-heat source apparatus comprises a shielding member between a heat source for the convection heat transfer and another heat source for radiation heat transfer.