Gas Fireplace Flow Modulation for Imperceptible Fuel Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas fireplaces consume excessive gas due to constant high gas flow, leading to increased costs as gas prices rise, despite the flames being maintained at a consistent level.
Innovation Solution
A gas controlling device with a solenoid valve and main controller that alternately opens and closes a passage to provide variable gas flows, reducing overall gas consumption by alternating between high and low gas flows, with the solenoid valve being controlled by a signal generating unit to manage these flows within a short cycle, ensuring the change in flames is imperceptible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant high gas flow is provided to the combustor, then the flames are maintained at a consistent level, but the gas consumption is excessive and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternately opening and closing the solenoid valve to provide variable gas flows (first gas flow and second gas flow) to the combustor. This periodic modulation of gas supply reduces overall gas consumption while the high-frequency switching keeps flame appearance consistent and imperceptible to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a static constant gas flow system to a dynamic variable gas flow system. The solenoid valve dynamically adjusts gas flow between two levels (first and second gas flows) based on control signals, enabling the system to optimize gas consumption while maintaining reliable flame output.
2Loss of energy
If variable gas flows are provided to reduce gas consumption, then operational costs are lowered, but the flame appearance may become perceptible and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action with high-frequency switching of the solenoid valve to modulate gas flow. The rapid alternation between first and second gas flows creates an average flame output that appears constant to human perception, thereby reducing gas consumption without compromising flame appearance consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring the solenoid valve switches at a frequency high enough to keep the flame output continuous and imperceptible. This continuous modulation preserves the useful heating function while reducing overall gas consumption through variable flow rates.
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
This solution significantly reduces total gas consumption while maintaining consistent flame appearance, as the variable gas flow is designed to be imperceptible to the user, thereby lowering operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid valve is provided in the first passage to be controlled to open and close the first passage; and the main controller alternately turns the solenoid valve on and off so as to repeatedly open and close the first passage
Implementation Method 2
The combustor 14 burns the gas and generates flames
Data Source
AI summary
A gas fireplace includes a gas valve, a combustor, and a gas controlling device between the gas valve and the combustor. The gas controlling device has a body, a solenoid valve, and a main controller. The body has a first port, a second port, a first passage, and a second passage, wherein the first passage and the second passage respectively connect the first port to the second port. The solenoid valve is provided in the first passage to be controlled to open and close the first passage. The main controller alternately turns the solenoid valve on and off so as to repeatedly open and close the first passage. Therefore, the gas controlling device provides a variable gas flow to the combustor to reduce the total gas consumption and the user will not be aware of the change of the flames.