Furnace inducer choke and a gas furnace employing the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
In induced draft furnaces, it is difficult to determine the size of the removable and interchangeable inducer choke installed with the blower due to its location and positioning, which affects the control of combustion air entering the furnace.
Innovation Solution
A furnace inducer choke with a choke body having an opening that limits combustion air and a protruding tab for identification, along with a mounting feature to assist in positioning during installation, is designed to engage the inducer blower and provide a clear indication of the choke size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inducer choke is made removable and interchangeable for different furnace sizes, then the adaptability of the inducer blower system is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the choke size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to the inducer choke components to indicate different sizes. Specifically, different portions of the choke body or associated components are colored differently to visually identify the choke size, making it easy to determine which size is installed without disassembly or complex measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual indicators (such as colored bands, tags, or markings) that serve as visual copies or representations of the choke size information. These indicators provide immediate visual identification of the choke size without requiring physical measurement or disassembly of the component
2Ease of manufacture
If the inducer choke location is positioned to simplify manufacturing and installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in identifying choke size
Solution Approach 1:
Color-coded indicators are added to the choke components at locations that are easily visible during installation and operation. These color indicators do not complicate manufacturing but provide immediate visual identification of choke size, improving ease of operation during installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicators on the choke components provide self-identifying information that allows installers and operators to determine choke size without external assistance, measurement tools, or disassembly. The system essentially identifies itself through the visible indicators
Data Source
AI summary
A furnace inducer choke and a gas furnace employing the furnace inducer choke. In one embodiment, the furnace inducer choke includes: (1) a choke body configured to engage a furnace inducer blower, the choke body having an opening extending entirely therethrough to limit an amount of combustion air entering a furnace that the furnace inducer blower is attached, and (2) a tab protruding from the choke body a distance sufficient to identify the opening when the choke body and furnace inducer blower are installed in the furnace.