Sheet Metal Gas Burner Apertures to Prevent Flashback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gas burners with thin sheet metal covers experience issues with detonation when switching from maximum to minimum gas flow, particularly with liquefied gas, leading to increased minimum flow rates and reduced operating range due to the design of apertures for flame generation.

Innovation Solution

A gas burner design featuring a sheet metal cover with elongated apertures that generate an upwardly directed flame ring, utilizing a cover made of thicker metal (1.0-1.7 mm) with apertures of 3.0-7.0 mm height and 1.0-1.7 mm width, which directs main flames vertically, reducing the risk of flashback and allowing a wider operational range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a thin sheet metal cover is used for the burner, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and the structure is simplified, but detonation occurs when switching from maximum to minimum gas flow with liquefied gas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddetonation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the apertures by making them elongated rather than circular, with specific dimensions (3.0-7.0 mm height and 1.0-1.7 mm width). This parameter modification allows the thin sheet metal cover to prevent detonation while maintaining manufacturing cost advantages, as the elongated shape controls gas flow more effectively during transition between maximum and minimum flow positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional aperture designs are used in thin sheet metal covers, then manufacturing is simpler, but the minimum flow rate must be increased which reduces the operating range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture design simplicityVSAvoidoperating range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the aperture parameters by creating elongated openings with controlled dimensions (3.0-7.0 mm height and 1.0-1.7 mm width) rather than using conventional circular holes. This parameter change enables the burner to maintain a low minimum flow rate while preventing detonation, thereby extending the operating range from minimum to maximum flow position without compromising manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If large holes are used for flame generation, then the structure is simpler, but the appearance is less pleasant and technical limitations occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame divider structureVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the aperture geometry from large circular holes to elongated openings with specific dimensions (3.0-7.0 mm height and 1.0-1.7 mm width). This parameter modification creates a more aesthetically pleasing appearance with a pattern of slender openings while maintaining structural simplicity. The elongated shape also provides technical advantages by controlling gas flow and preventing detonation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from circular (isotropic) aperture geometry to elongated (anisotropic) geometry, effectively adding directional dimensionality to the aperture design. This dimensional change creates an aesthetically pleasing pattern of vertical slits while maintaining the simplicity of a single-piece sheet metal construction, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design achieves efficient burner operation with low minimum power and a wide operational range while preventing small explosions and flashback, even with liquefied gas, by directing flames upward and maintaining a thin cover structure.

Implementation Method 1

defining therewith at least one radial venturi effect chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

elongated apertures... which directs main flames vertically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3094924B1Gas burner for a cooking hob
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 DEFENDI ITAL
  • EP3094924B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

An improved gas burner, comprising: - an injector holder (2) fixable to the sheet metal (8) of a cooking hob and provided on its base with an injector (10), - a burner body (14) associated with the injector holder (2) and adapted to define with the sheet metal (8) a circumferential passage for the entry of primary air intended to form the combustion mixture with the gas leaving the injector (10), - at least one cover (28), -- formed from a single piece of drawn sheet metal, -- positioned on the burner body (14) and defining therewith at least one radial venturi effect chamber (36), -- comprising a circumferential flange (30) provided with a plurality of elongated apertures (32, 40) of essentially vertical extension, for passage of the combustion mixture to generate a ring of main flames (34).