Gas Stove Flame Regulator With Nested Shell for Heat Convection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern gas stoves lack a flame heat regulating apparatus to maximize heating efficiency, leading to high combustive gas consumption and greenhouse gas production during cooking.
Innovation Solution
A removable flame heat regulating apparatus comprising an inner circularly concave hollow shell and an outer square wall, with densely distributed air passages, is positioned on the cooktop to surround the gas burner, reflecting radiated heat and directing heat and air convection to enhance cooking efficiency, while preventing undesirable handle heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional gas stove burner is used without a flame heat regulating apparatus, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heating efficiency is low leading to high combustive gas consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The flame heat regulating apparatus is divided into multiple functional components: an inner hollow shell with air passages for primary air intake and flame regulation, and an outer wall with air passages for secondary air intake and heat distribution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving overall heating efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The inner hollow shell is nested within the outer wall, creating a compact integrated structure. The inner shell contains the burner and primary air passages, while the outer wall provides additional air passages and heat distribution channels. This nesting approach maximizes functional density without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
2Loss of substance
If a flame heat regulating apparatus with air passages is added to the gas stove, then combustive gas consumption is reduced through improved heating efficiency, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air passages are strategically distributed at different locations and densities within the inner hollow shell and outer wall. The inner shell has air passages concentrated in specific zones to optimize flame stability and heat direction, while the outer wall has air passages positioned to maximize heat distribution to the cookware. This localized optimization improves combustion efficiency and reduces gas consumption without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire structure
Solution Approach 2:
The inner hollow shell serves multiple functions: it houses the burner, provides primary air intake through its air passages, directs flame heat upward, and structurally supports the outer wall. The outer wall simultaneously provides secondary air intake, distributes heat to the cookware, and offers structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, improving efficiency while limiting complexity growth
3Use of energy by moving object
If the inner hollow shell has densely distributed air passages on the lower part, then flame heat convection is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air passages in the inner hollow shell are densely distributed specifically on the lower part where they are most needed for flame stability and heat convection initiation. The upper part has fewer air passages since the flame and hot gases naturally rise due to buoyancy. This non-uniform distribution optimizes heat convection efficiency while avoiding the need for uniform high-density passages throughout, thereby reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than distributing air passages uniformly throughout the entire inner hollow shell, the design concentrates air passages partially in the lower region where they provide the most benefit for flame ignition and initial convection. This partial action approach achieves sufficient heat convection improvement without the excessive manufacturing complexity that would result from requiring uniform high-precision passage distribution across all surfaces
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 apparatus significantly increases heating efficiency, reducing combustive gas consumption and greenhouse gas production by effectively regulating flame heat radiation and convection, and allowing for easy maintenance and versatility in use.
Implementation Method 1
reflecting radiated heat
Implementation Method 2
directing heat and air convection
Data Source
AI summary
A flame heat regulating apparatus for a cooktop of a gas stove, having an inner hollow shell and an outer wall which are both placed onto the stove cooktop. The shell further positioned to surround a gas burner is arcuate in shape, having a smaller sized bottom side and a larger sized top side. A plurality of air passages are through the shell, wherein the air passages are more densely distributed onto a lower part of the shell, as compared with the air passages which are less densely distributed onto an upper part of the shell. The outer wall further positioned to surround the shell has a plurality of air passages which are evenly distributed therethrough. In addition, a plurality of extensions projecting upwardly are spaced on a top side of the wall to support a cookware. The apparatus increases heating efficiency of the flame, and prevents undesirable heating of a handle of the cookware in cooking.