Gas-fired smoker with digital temperature control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas-fired smokers face challenges in maintaining a constant internal temperature due to environmental changes and operational factors, requiring a control system that can quickly adjust and conserve gas, while also ensuring safety from gas buildup.
Innovation Solution
A digital control system with a controller that manages the gas-fired smoker's temperature, using a piezo igniter or electronic spark device, a gas solenoid valve, and safety mechanisms to maintain a preset temperature and prevent gas accumulation, along with a rechargeable battery powered by a Seebeck thermal electric generator for extended use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a gas-fired burner is used for heating, then the heating speed and temperature control responsiveness are improved, but the difficulty of maintaining constant temperature increases due to gas buildup risks and environmental sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using a temperature sensor to continuously monitor the internal temperature of the smoker cabinet and automatically adjust the gas burner operation through a control circuit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains constant temperature by comparing actual temperature readings with the desired setpoint and adjusting the gas flow accordingly, resolving the contradiction between fast heating response and temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically manages the gas burner operation without requiring constant user intervention. The system self-regulates by detecting temperature changes and adjusting the burner accordingly, eliminating the need for manual temperature adjustments while maintaining stable operation despite environmental changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual temperature adjustment is required frequently, then the adaptability to environmental changes is improved, but the loss of time and user intervention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically adapts to environmental changes by continuously monitoring temperature and adjusting the gas burner without user intervention. The system performs self-adjustment in response to door openings, wind, or other environmental factors, eliminating the time loss associated with manual temperature adjustments while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic feedback control system detects temperature deviations caused by environmental changes and immediately responds by adjusting the burner operation. This continuous monitoring and automatic response eliminates the need for manual intervention, allowing the system to adapt to environmental changes without consuming user time.
3Measurement precision
If the smoking process is monitored continuously, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a temperature sensor connected to a control circuit that continuously monitors the internal temperature and provides feedback for automatic adjustment. This feedback mechanism achieves precise temperature control through continuous monitoring while keeping the control system relatively simple by using standard sensing and control components rather than complex monitoring infrastructure.
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 effectively maintains consistent temperature control, conserves gas, and ensures safety by preventing gas buildup, allowing for precise temperature management and extended operation without constant user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable battery powered by a Seebeck thermal electric generator for extended use
Data Source
AI summary
A gas-fired smoker constitutes a cabinet for holding food products to be cooked. A gas burner in the cabinet is connected to a source of flammable gas by means of a valve. The gas burner heats the cabinet and thereby cooks the food products. In one embodiment a pilot light ignites the flammable gas at the gas burner. A control circuit powered by a DC source controls the operation of the gas-fired smoker including igniting and extinguishing the gas burner in order to maintain a cooking temperature in the cabinet. A battery powers the control system. In another embodiment a rechargeable battery is recharged by a Seebeck thermal electric generator that is exposed to the heat from the gas burner.