Flame Arresting Dispensing Cap for Ventless Fireplace Fuel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel dispensing caps for ventless fireplaces fail to provide a satisfactory flow rate while preventing flame ingress, leading to user modifications that can result in loss of control or dangerous flame entry into the fuel container, and are often not durable enough.
Innovation Solution
A container-mounted dispensing structure with an upstream member featuring multiple small flame-restricting apertures and a downstream member with a larger dispensing aperture, forming a fuel-gathering manifold that ensures a single-stream, splash-free flow and prevents flame ingress, with the members being friction-engaged for secure fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple small apertures are used in the upstream member, then flame ingress is prevented, but flow rate may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel dispensing cap is divided into two members: an upstream member with multiple small flame-restricting apertures and a downstream member with a larger dispensing aperture. The upstream member segments the fuel flow into multiple streams that are then gathered by the fuel-gathering manifold and recombined into a single controlled stream at the downstream aperture, achieving both flame prevention and adequate flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel-gathering manifold acts as an intermediary between the upstream member with small apertures and the downstream member with the larger dispensing aperture. It collects fuel from multiple small streams and consolidates them into a single可控 stream, mediating between the conflicting requirements of flame restriction and flow rate.
2Reliability
If flow-restricting features are added to prevent flame ingress, then safety is improved, but user satisfaction decreases due to insufficient flow
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into two functional members: the upstream member provides safety through multiple small flame-restricting apertures, while the downstream member provides user satisfaction through a larger dispensing aperture that delivers adequate flow rate in a single well-controlled stream.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the dispensing cap have different aperture sizes and functions tailored to their specific roles. The upstream member has small apertures optimized for flame restriction, while the downstream member has a larger aperture optimized for user-friendly fuel dispensing, with each part having the quality needed for its specific function.
3Productivity
If a single large aperture is used, then flow rate is sufficient, but flame can ingress into the fuel container
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture system is segmented into two stages: first, multiple small apertures in the upstream member that restrict flame passage while allowing fuel flow; second, a single large aperture in the downstream member that provides adequate flow rate. The segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel-gathering manifold serves as an intermediary that receives fuel from the upstream member's small apertures and delivers it to the downstream member's large aperture, enabling the system to achieve both flame restriction and adequate flow rate that neither aperture alone could provide.
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 durable and efficient fuel dispensing system that maintains control over flow rate, preventing flame ingress and ensuring a consistent, controlled fuel delivery, addressing the shortcomings of prior caps.
Implementation Method 1
The upstream member has a plurality of flame-restricting apertures through which fuel passes from the container in sufficient quantity because of the number of small apertures, and the downstream member defines a substantially larger dispensing aperture for dispensing the fuel in a larger well-controlled stream
Implementation Method 2
the upstream member and downstream member have annular sidewalls sized such that the upstream member is friction-engaged with the downstream member
Data Source
AI summary
A container-mounted dispensing structure for dispensing gel or liquid fuel into a fuel-containment reservoir of a ventless fireplace. The dispensing structure having an upstream member and a downstream member which are connected to each other. The upstream member defining a plurality of flame-restricting apertures through which fuel exits the container. The downstream member having a substantially larger dispensing aperture. The number of flame-restricting apertures and their size being selected to prevent flame ingress into the container and to allow sufficient flow into a manifold to facilitate single-stream, splash-free flow of fuel from the dispensing aperture into the reservoir.