Continuous Grill Surface with Cooled Isolation Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grills lack effective temperature control over different regions of a continuous cooking surface, leading to difficulties in maintaining distinct temperature zones due to heat conduction between adjacent areas.
Innovation Solution
A grill with individually controllable heating zones separated by isolation zones that incorporate cooling fluid channels, allowing for independent temperature control of each zone through a cooling fluid circulation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a continuous cooking surface is used with heating elements positioned beneath it, then the cooking surface can be heated, but it becomes difficult to maintain distinct temperature zones due to heat conduction between adjacent areas
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous cooking surface is divided into multiple heating zones, each with its own independently controllable heating element. This segmentation allows different temperature settings for different regions of the cooking surface, enabling precise temperature control for various cooking needs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Isolation zones are introduced between adjacent heating zones to act as thermal barriers. These isolation zones prevent excessive heat conduction between neighboring heating zones, allowing each zone to maintain its desired temperature independently while still being part of a continuous cooking surface.
2Temperature
If heating zones are separated by isolation zones with cooling fluid channels, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cooling fluid channels are embedded within the isolation zones to actively manage heat transfer. By circulating cooling fluid through these channels, the system can precisely control the temperature in isolation zones, enhancing the thermal separation between heating zones and improving overall temperature management precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid circulation system is integrated directly into the structure of the isolation zones, combining the thermal barrier function with active cooling capability. This merging of functions allows the isolation zones to serve both as physical separators and as active thermal management components, reducing the need for separate cooling systems.
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
Enables precise temperature management across different cooking zones, facilitating the simultaneous cooking of diverse food items at varying temperatures without significant heat transfer between zones.
Implementation Method 1
each isolation zone comprising a cooling fluid channel
Implementation Method 2
cooling fluid circulation system configured to control a flow of a cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples are disclosed herein that relate to a grill with a continuous cooking surface having individually controllable heating zones separated by one or more isolation zones. One example provides a grill, comprising a grill plate defining a continuous cooking surface comprising a plurality of individually controllable heating zones separated by one or more isolation zones, each heating zone comprising one or more heating elements positioned beneath the grill plate, and each isolation zone comprising a cooling fluid channel, and a cooling fluid circulation system configured to control a flow of a cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel for each isolation zone.