Hydrotorch Assembly Flame Burnback Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydrogen torches are unsafe due to the risk of flame burnback and are not designed to produce a variable flow rate of hydrogen gas, limiting their practical application in tasks like welding and cutting.
Innovation Solution
A hydrotorch assembly that uses a hydrogen generator to produce hydrogen gas electrolytically, incorporates a bubble tank filled with distilled water to prevent burnback, and employs compressed air to extinguish the flame, ensuring safety and controlling the hydrogen flow rate through a mechanical control valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen gas is used for torch operations, then cost is reduced compared to acetylene, but safety deteriorates due to flame burnback risk
Solution Approach 1:
A water-filled chamber is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the hydrogen generator and the torch flame. This water chamber prevents direct flame contact with the hydrogen generator, eliminating the burnback hazard while maintaining hydrogen's cost advantage. The water acts as a physical mediator that blocks flame propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (flame) is extracted from the system by routing it through a water-filled chamber. The flame is allowed to exist and function at the torch tip, but its dangerous proximity to the hydrogen generator is removed by placing it through water, which extinguishes or blocks the flame while permitting hydrogen flow.
2Reliability
If compressed air is introduced into the gas conduit, then flame burnback is prevented, but device complexity increases due to additional air conduit and control valve
Solution Approach 1:
The air conduit system is merged with the existing hydrogen gas conduit structure. The control valve integrates into the gas flow path, combining multiple functions (gas flow control, air introduction, flame suppression) into a unified system architecture that reduces overall complexity despite adding safety functionality.
3Reliability
If a bubble tank is added to prevent burnback, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water-filled chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a burnback prevention barrier, a visual flow indicator, and a simple structural component that integrates into the existing torch assembly. This multi-functionality justifies the addition by providing several benefits from a single structural element.
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 hydrotorch assembly provides a safe and versatile hydrogen gas-based torch system capable of preventing flame burnback and allowing for variable hydrogen flow, enabling effective use in tasks such as welding, cutting, brazing, and heating while ensuring operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen generator to electrolytically produce hydrogen gas
Implementation Method 2
a torch connected to the hydrogen generator to receive the hydrogen gas... an air conduit connected to the gas conduit to introduce a compressed air inside the gas conduit
Implementation Method 3
a bubble tank having distilled water and arranged between a hydrogen generator and a torch to prevent burn back from reaching the hydrogen generator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a hydrotorch assembly that is configured to use compressed air for extinguishing flame to prevent the burnback and explosion. The hydrotorch assembly includes a hydrogen source and a hydrogen supply line having a first end connected to and in fluid communication with the hydrogen source. A torch having a first gas conduit is also provided. The first gas conduit includes an inlet connected to a second end of the hydrogen supply line, and an outlet connected to and in fluid communication with a nozzle through which exiting gas is ignited to produce a flame that extends outwardly from the nozzle. A compressed air source, and a compressed air supply line having a first end connected to and in fluid communication with the compressed air source, and a second end connected to the first gas conduit of the torch near the inlet and in fluid communication with the first gas conduit and the hydrogen supply line is also provided. A control valve is disposed in the compressed air supply line for controlling the supply of compressed air to the first gas conduit of the torch.