Gas Hearth Pyrotechnic Dosing for Realistic Flames With Less Gas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Decorative gas hearths require a high gas supply to create a realistic fire impression, leading to significant heat and energy loss, as the primary goal is to simulate a fire rather than produce heat, necessitating minimal fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating metering means with a reservoir and pump system to introduce pyrotechnical additives, such as granular materials, into the flames, which produce additional fire effects like sparks, enhancing the realism of the fire simulation while minimizing gas consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a high gas supply is used to create a realistic fire impression, then the fire simulation quality is improved, but the gas consumption and energy loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire simulation qualityVSAvoidgas consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces pyrotechnical additives that fundamentally change the combustion parameters of the gas flame. These additives modify the chemical composition and burning characteristics of the flame, enabling enhanced visual effects (sparks, glitter, color variations) without increasing gas consumption. The additives transform the flame's physical and chemical properties to achieve better fire simulation quality with minimal fuel input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite pyrotechnical compositions consisting of multiple components (metal powders, oxidizers, binders) that are introduced into the gas flame. These composite materials create complex combustion reactions that produce realistic fire effects including sparks, embers, and color variations, thereby improving fire simulation quality while maintaining low gas consumption levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If pyrotechnical additives are introduced into the flames, then additional fire effects and realism are produced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire realismVSAvoidmetering system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates automatic metering means that self-regulate the introduction of pyrotechnical additives based on operational parameters. The control system automatically adjusts additive dosing without requiring manual intervention, and the metering mechanism is designed to self-clean and prevent blockages, reducing the need for complex maintenance systems and operator involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical metering mechanisms with electronically controlled dosing systems. Sensors and control units monitor flame characteristics and automatically adjust additive introduction, substituting intricate mechanical linkages with simpler electronic control systems that reduce overall device complexity while maintaining precise metering capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 allows for a realistic fire simulation with reduced gas consumption by generating additional flame and light effects, mimicking the appearance of burning wooden logs, thereby achieving a more convincing fire display with less energy input.

Implementation Method 1

the metering means comprise at least one pump which is placed near the at least one metering opening for passing a certain amount of pyrotechnical additive through the supply line in the direction of the firebed-simulating means by means of a pressurized medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurized medium: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

gas supply means for supplying combustible gas into the combustion chamber to firebed-simulating means positioned in the combustion chamber, ignition means for igniting the combustible gas in the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

metering means which are arranged in the combustion chamber for metering a pyrotechnical additive into the flames of the burning combustible gas during operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrotechnical combustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3273163B1Gas hearth
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 KAL FIRE BEHEER BV
  • EP3273163B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3273163B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3273163B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a gas hearth, at least comprising - a combustion chamber (10), - gas supply means (13) for supplying combustible gas into the combustion chamber to firebed-simulating means positioned in the combustion chamber; - ignition means for igniting the combustible gas in the combustion chamber; - a flue-gas discharge duct (11) connected to the combustion chamber for discharging combustion flue gases from the combustion chamber, as well as - metering means (20, 40) which are arranged in the combustion chamber (10) for metering a pyrotechnical additive into the flames of the burning combustible gas during operation.