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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam chamber griddles face challenges in maintaining a high level of planarity on the cooking surface, which can lead to heat distortion and inefficiencies in cooking and heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
The use of friction welding to attach an array of stays to the undersurface of the upper plate in a steam chamber, combined with plug welds or rosette welds at the hole/stay junction, minimizes the heat-affected zone and preserves the planarity of the cooking surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If arc welding is used to attach stays to the upper plate, then the stays are securely fixed, but the heat affected zone increases and distortion of the cooking surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal welding processes (arc welding) with friction welding, which uses mechanical friction and vibration to generate heat and join the stays to the upper plate. This substitution eliminates the large heat affected zone and distortion associated with arc welding, while still achieving secure attachment of the stays.
2Strength
If a thick top plate is used, then structural strength is improved, but thermal efficiency and cooking efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of the top plate to be relatively thin (e.g., 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch) to improve thermal efficiency and cooking efficiency. The structural strength is compensated by the friction-welded stay array, which provides reinforcement without requiring increased plate thickness.
3Strength
If conventional welding is used, then stays are attached to the upper plate, but the heat affected zone causes distortion of the cooking surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal welding processes (arc welding) with friction welding, which uses mechanical friction and vibration to generate heat and join the stays to the upper plate. This substitution eliminates the large heat affected zone and distortion associated with arc welding, while still achieving secure attachment of the stays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the welding process parameters by using friction welding instead of arc welding, which generates heat through mechanical friction rather than electrical arc. This results in a significantly reduced heat affected zone and minimal distortion of the cooking surface.
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
This approach maintains a high level of planarity on the cooking surface, enhances thermal and cooking efficiency, and reduces distortion, even under high pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An array of stays within the steam chamber are friction welded to the undersurface of the upper plate
Implementation Method 2
the fluid within the steam chamber is converted from a liquid to a gas
Implementation Method 3
heat is transferred thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing a steam chamber is disclosed, comprising the steps of: friction welding at least one stay to an undersurface of a first plate, the first plate having a cooking surface opposite the undersurface; and fixing a second plate to the first plate and to the at least one stay to create a hermetically sealed interior of the steam chamber, the at least one stay extending through and below the second plate.