Ethanol-Burning Hearth with Sealed Firebox and Remote Ignition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ethanol-burning hearth products face challenges such as short burn time, inadequate flame pattern, difficulty in ignition and extinguishing, and production of soot and carbon monoxide, making them impractical for use in sealed combustion systems.
Innovation Solution
A sealed, vented firebox with a burner configured to hold and burn liquid ethanol, featuring a user-operated igniter and extinguisher control, and a fuel inlet system that allows for easy fuel addition, enabling a stable and controllable flame similar to wood-burning fireplaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gel-based ethanol products are used in hearth devices, then installation complexity is reduced (no gas lines needed), but burn time is short and flame pattern is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The hearth device is divided into separate functional components: a removable burner assembly, a firebox, and a control system. The burner can be detached and replaced, allowing the fuel container to be refilled or replaced without moving the entire hearth device, thus maintaining ease of installation while enabling extended burn times through fuel replenishment
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes a fuel reservoir that can be pre-filled with ethanol fuel before operation. The burner assembly is designed to hold a sufficient quantity of fuel for extended burn periods, and the fuel can be replenished from the reservoir without interrupting operation, thereby achieving long burn times while maintaining simple installation
2Device complexity
If gel-based ethanol products are used, then gas line installation is eliminated, but soot and carbon monoxide production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system includes sensors that monitor combustion conditions, oxygen levels, and emissions. When incomplete combustion is detected (indicating increased soot and CO production), the system automatically adjusts air intake, fuel flow, or burner operation to optimize combustion efficiency, thereby reducing harmful emissions while maintaining the benefit of no gas line installation
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls combustion parameters such as air-to-fuel ratio, burner temperature, and oxygen supply to ensure complete combustion of ethanol. By optimizing these parameters, the system minimizes the production of soot and carbon monoxide, achieving clean burning without requiring gas line infrastructure
3Quantity of substance
If liquid ethanol is used in hearth products, then fuel storage capacity is increased, but ignition control becomes difficult and flame stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel system is segmented into a large external reservoir and a smaller active burner chamber. The reservoir stores substantial quantities of liquid ethanol, while the burner chamber holds only the amount needed for immediate combustion. This separation allows large fuel capacity while maintaining stable, controlled burning in the chamber
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled fuel delivery system acts as an intermediary between the ethanol reservoir and the burner. This system regulates fuel flow to the burner, ensuring consistent fuel supply for stable combustion while preventing overflow or uncontrolled ignition. The intermediary mechanism enables reliable flame stability despite large fuel storage capacity
4Device complexity
If manual lighting and shutoff is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and safety is compromised for sealed combustion products
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes automatic ignition and extinction capabilities that perform functions previously requiring manual intervention. The electronic controls automatically ignite the fuel when activated and extinguish the flame when operation ceases or safety conditions are not met, improving ease of operation and safety while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through integrated control circuitry
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 stable, long-lasting flame with a natural appearance, eliminating the need for gas lines and reducing residue and emissions, making ethanol a viable fuel option for hearth products.
Implementation Method 1
a burner configured to hold and burn liquid ethanol and positioned so as to cause a flame from the burning fuel to appear within the firebox
Implementation Method 2
an igniter that has a user-operated igniter control that may be operated by a user from outside of the firebox that, upon operation, causes liquid ethanol within the burner to be ignited
Implementation Method 3
an extinguisher that has a user-operated extinguisher control that may be operated by a user from outside of the firebox that, upon operation, causes the flame to be extinguished
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus having a substantially air-sealed, transparent, front through which a flame within the firebox may be viewed. The apparatus may include a burner configured to hold and burn a liquid fuel and positioned so as to cause a flame from the burning fuel to appear within the firebox. The liquid fuel may be ethanol. The apparatus may include an igniter that has a user-operated igniter control that may be operated by a user from outside of the firebox that, upon operation, causes the liquid fuel within the burner to be ignited. The apparatus may include an extinguisher that has a user-operated extinguisher control that may be operated by a user from outside of the firebox that, upon operation, causes the flame to be extinguished. The apparatus may include a fuel inlet located outside of the firebox, and a fuel channel between the fuel inlet and the burner. A fuel tank may also be provided.