Dual-Stage Solid Fuel Burning System for Candle Wick
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid and wax fuel burning systems face issues such as fuel spills, incomplete fuel consumption, slow wax melting, limited melt pool size, and inefficient delivery of volatile active ingredients due to the flammable nature of fuels and radiant heating, which leads to hazards and reduced efficacy in delivering fragrances or active ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A dual-stage solid fuel burning apparatus with a proximal and remote fuel reservoir, utilizing heat flux for efficient melting and delivery of fuel to maintain a consistent flame, ensuring complete fuel consumption and effective delivery of volatile active ingredients through a wick system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If radiant energy from the candle is used to melt the wax, then the wax pool develops, but the melt pool development is slow (almost 45 minutes) and the surface temperature is lower than ideal
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel reservoir is divided into two distinct chambers: a proximal chamber positioned close to the flame and a remote chamber positioned farther away. This segmentation allows the proximal chamber to rapidly melt and supply fuel to the wick, achieving high melt pool temperature and fast development, while the remote chamber serves as a reservoir that feeds the proximal chamber, thereby resolving the contradiction between rapid heating and sustained fuel supply.
2Loss of substance
If the flame is allowed to travel down through the candle to consume all wax, then complete fuel consumption is achieved, but the flame path is limited and the system cannot accommodate larger fuel quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel reservoir is segmented into proximal and remote chambers. The proximal chamber is positioned to allow the flame to access and consume its fuel rapidly, ensuring complete consumption without traveling down through the entire fuel supply. The remote chamber serves as an extended reservoir that feeds the proximal chamber, thereby increasing total fuel capacity while maintaining the flame's ability to consume fuel completely and efficiently.
3Loss of substance
If multiple wick systems are used to consume more wax, then fuel consumption is improved, but the system complexity increases and self-extinguishment issues persist
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple wicks, the system segments the fuel reservoir into proximal and remote chambers. A single wick draws fuel from the proximal chamber, which is positioned to receive direct heat from the flame, ensuring rapid and complete fuel consumption. The remote chamber feeds the proximal chamber, maintaining simple single-wick architecture while achieving high fuel consumption rates and eliminating self-extinguishment issues.
4Productivity
If the melt pool surface is not segregated from the burning flame, then air currents move volatilized active toward the flame, but this reduces the delivery of active ingredient to the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel reservoir is segmented into proximal and remote chambers, with the proximal chamber positioned to create a segregated melt pool surface. This segmentation allows the melt pool to be positioned away from direct flame contact, reducing air currents that would draw volatilized active ingredients into the flame. The configuration maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving active ingredient delivery efficiency to the surrounding environment.
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 cleaner operation, safe refueling, complete fuel consumption, faster and larger melt pool development, enhanced delivery of active ingredients, extended burn times, and consistent flame performance, independent of environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A heat flux method (conduction, convection, radiation, or any combination of the three) that uses the heat from the flame to melt the fuel in the remote fuel reservoir(s) and optionally the proximal reservoir
Implementation Method 2
A heat flux method (conduction, convection, radiation, or any combination of the three) that uses the heat from the flame to melt the fuel
Implementation Method 3
A heat flux method (conduction, convection, radiation, or any combination of the three) that uses the heat from the flame to melt the fuel
Implementation Method 4
A heat flux method (conduction, convection, radiation, or any combination of the three) that uses the heat from the flame to melt the fuel
Implementation Method 5
This reservoir is typically beneath the remote fuel reservoir(s)
Implementation Method 6
An appropriate wick
Implementation Method 7
the flame to melt and consume the fuel held within the proximal solid fuel reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel management system provides a burning system to melt solid fuel and supply the fuel to a wick for producing a larger flame.