Gas Grill Temperature Control With Multi-Valve Burner Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas grills lack consistent cooking performance due to manual control methods, leading to inconsistent food cooking results as different users adjust flame settings based on visual indicators, resulting in variable cooking outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A control system for gas grills featuring multiple fuel flow valves, temperature sensors, and a control unit that automatically adjusts fuel delivery to maintain predetermined temperatures across multiple grilling zones, incorporating user interface settings and flare-up sensing to ensure consistent cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual control methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and consistency of cooking performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electronic control system that uses temperature sensors to detect grill conditions and electronically actuates fuel flow valves to adjust burner output, thereby achieving consistent cooking performance without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors temperature via sensors and uses this feedback to automatically adjust fuel flow valves, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains consistent cooking temperatures and resolves the contradiction between automation and consistency
2Manufacturing precision
If automated control systems are implemented, then the consistency of cooking performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into separate functional modules including temperature sensors positioned at different locations, multiple fuel flow valves for different burners, and a control unit that processes sensor data and actuates appropriate valves, allowing the complex system to be managed through modular components
3Productivity
If continuous flame adjustment is made, then the cooking performance is improved, but the loss of time for monitoring and adjusting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting temperature conditions through sensors and modulating fuel flow valves without requiring user intervention, thereby maintaining optimal cooking performance while eliminating the time users would otherwise spend monitoring and adjusting flames
4Ease of operation
If manual flame adjustment based on visual indicators is used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability of cooking results deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces subjective visual assessment with objective electronic temperature sensing and automated electronic control, eliminating user variability and inconsistency while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic execution of control decisions
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 system ensures consistent cooking temperatures across zones, reduces flare-ups, and provides remote monitoring, resulting in uniformly cooked food and improved grilling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the cooking surface and configured to detect at least a grill operating temperature
Implementation Method 2
at least two fuel flow valves located between a fuel source and at least one grill burner
Implementation Method 3
at least one grill burner
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a gas grill is disclosed. The gas grill has a cooking surface. The control system includes at least two fuel flow valves located between a fuel source and at least one grill burner, a user interface unit configured to receive grill operation settings, at least one temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the cooking surface and configured to detect at least a grill operating temperature and a control unit configured to, receive the grill operation settings from the user interface unit, receive the grill operating temperature from the at least one temperature sensor, and automatically control the at least one fuel flow valve for modulating the amount of fuel delivered to the at least one grill burner to maintain the grill operating temperature at a predetermined temperature based on the operation settings and the grill operating temperature.