Gas Inlet Fixture Tabs for Burner Tube Nozzle Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing burner tube assemblies in gas grills suffer from inefficient fuel usage and poor flame quality due to a loose fit between the valve neck and air shutter, resulting in a single point of contact and misalignment of the gas nozzle, which can lead to debris accumulation and corrosion issues affecting ignition.
Innovation Solution
A gas inlet fixture with a face member and a rearwardly projecting skirt, featuring multiple tabs that provide positive contact with the valve neck and center the gas nozzle within the burner tube, allowing for expansion and contraction while maintaining multiple points of contact and adjustable air-gas mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a loose fit between valve neck and air shutter is used to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, then the burner tube can expand and contract without damage, but the contact between components becomes unreliable and misalignment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet fixture incorporates a flexible membrane that can deform to maintain sealing contact between the valve neck and air shutter assembly while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the burner tube. This flexible element ensures reliable electrical and mechanical contact throughout temperature cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the valve neck and air shutter is designed with dynamic elements including spring-loaded contacts and movable mounting structures that automatically adjust to maintain optimal contact pressure and alignment as the burner tube expands and contracts with temperature changes.
2Device complexity
If a single point of contact is used between valve neck and air shutter, then the structure is simple, but misalignment of gas nozzle and debris accumulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface between valve neck and air shutter is segmented into multiple discrete contact points distributed around the circumference. This segmentation provides multiple pathways for gas flow alignment and prevents debris accumulation at any single point, improving both alignment precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A precision-machined intermediary component or alignment feature is introduced between the valve neck and air shutter to establish and maintain precise alignment of the gas nozzle with the burner tube inlet, ensuring consistent gas flow patterns and preventing misalignment issues.
3Reliability
If multiple tabs provide positive contact with valve neck, then contact reliability and centering improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple tabs providing positive contact are integrated into the existing air shutter structure rather than being separate components. The tabs are formed as extensions of the air shutter body, combining the air control function with the mechanical contact and centering function in a single unified component.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs on the gas inlet fixture serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide positive mechanical contact with the valve neck, establish precise alignment, enable thermal expansion accommodation, and maintain electrical contact for ignition systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
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 solution enhances ignition reliability, improves flame quality, and maximizes fuel efficiency by ensuring the gas nozzle is centered and securely aligned within the burner tube, accommodating thermal expansion and contraction.
Implementation Method 1
the burner tube 1 is subject to wide temperature fluctuations and the expansion and contraction of the burner tubes must be accommodated
Data Source
AI summary
A burner assembly including a gas inlet fixture for use with a burner tube, the gas inlet fixture including a plurality of tabs to engage a neck of a gas control valve to improve ignition and center the gas flow down the center of the burner tube.