Fire Pit Heat Deflector with Dual-Layer Infrared Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smokeless fire pits face a drawback where air channels obstruct heat from being felt by individuals sitting beside the fire, as they redirect heated air rather than infrared radiation, leading to inefficient heat distribution in cooler weather.
Innovation Solution
A heat deflector system comprising a primary and secondary deflector member with a conical extension, mounted on an accessory post, that redirects infrared radiation and hot air flow laterally, allowing for adjustable positioning to enhance heat distribution and visibility of the fire.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air channels are used to redirect heated air in smokeless fire pits, then combustion efficiency is improved and smoke is decreased, but heat distribution to surrounding areas deteriorates because the air channels obstruct infrared radiation from reaching people sitting beside the fire
Solution Approach 1:
The fire pit system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the combustion zone with air channels for smokeless operation, and the heat distribution zone with reflective surfaces above the fire box. This segmentation allows the air channels to perform their smoke-reduction function while the separate reflective surfaces handle heat redirection to surrounding areas, resolving the conflict between combustion efficiency and heat distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Reflective surfaces act as an intermediary element between the fire box and the surrounding area. These surfaces intercept infrared radiation that would otherwise be blocked by air channels and redirect it toward people sitting beside the fire, thereby maintaining both the smokeless combustion function and the heat distribution function without direct interference between the two systems.
2Loss of energy
If heat deflectors are added to redirect infrared radiation, then heat distribution to surrounding areas is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components above the fire box
Solution Approach 1:
The fire box cover serves multiple functions: it protects the fire box, provides structural support, and incorporates reflective surfaces for heat redirection. By making the cover multi-functional, the patent adds heat distribution capability without requiring entirely separate deflector components, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while still achieving improved heat distribution to surrounding areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surfaces are merged with the fire box cover structure rather than being separate components. This integration combines the protective function of the cover with the heat redirection function of the reflectors, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining effective heat distribution.
3Loss of energy
If the heat deflector is positioned directly over the fire box, then heat redirection efficiency is maximized, but visibility of the fire is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surfaces are positioned asymmetrically above the fire box rather than forming a complete overhead cover. This asymmetric arrangement allows infrared radiation to be redirected efficiently toward surrounding areas while leaving gaps or openings that permit visible light from the fire to reach observers, thereby resolving the conflict between heat redirection efficiency and fire visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fire box cover have different properties: areas directly above the fire contain reflective surfaces for heat redirection, while other areas have openings or transparent sections for visibility. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally - heat redirection where needed and visibility where required - without compromising either function.
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 heat deflector system increases the perceived temperature by up to 24% for individuals sitting nearby and maintains visibility of the fire, while allowing for efficient heat redirection without obstructing the view or air flow.
Implementation Method 1
Heat waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by any object that has a temperature above absolute zero. They are a type of infrared radiation, which has a longer wavelength than visible light and is not visible to the human eye. When a fire burns in a fire pit, it emits heat waves in the form of infrared radiation.
Implementation Method 2
Heat deflectors on fire pits are designed to redirect heat away from the fire and reflect it back towards the surrounding area. The heat deflector is placed over the fire box and directs and reflects heat from the fire laterally outwardly where it can be felt by those sitting around the fire pit.
Implementation Method 3
Heat also leaves a fire pit through the hot air flow that rises up away from the pit. The heat deflector redirects the hot air flow rising from the fire pit.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat deflector for a fire pit includes primary and secondary deflector members. The secondary deflector member is mounted above the primary deflector member to define a heat chamber between the two deflector members. The primary deflector member defines openings to allow hot air and combustion products to pass through the primary deflector member under the secondary deflector member. The outer portions of the primary deflector member are bent downwardly. The heat deflector is mounted above a fire pit on a single accessory post that allows the position of the heat deflector to be adjusted up and down as well as pivoting from a position where no portion of the heat deflector is above the fire pit to a position wherein the entire heat deflector is above the fire pit.