Infrared Wok Heater With Refractory Cavity for Higher Heat Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wok heaters are inefficient, with only 15-20% efficiency, and result in excessive heat being conducted through the range top, potentially causing damage and requiring substantial cooling measures.
Innovation Solution
An infrared wok heater with a gas-fired burner producing a laterally directed flame that heats a refractory block to emit infrared radiation, featuring an inverted frustum-shaped cavity and a planar structure for exhaust gas management, reducing heat transfer to the range top and enhancing cooking efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional gas-fired burners are used to heat woks, then cooking function is provided, but heat efficiency is low (15-20%) and excessive heat is conducted through the range top
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional convective heating with infrared radiant heating. The refractory material absorbs combustion heat and re-emits it as infrared radiation that directly heats the wok, eliminating the need for hot gas convection and dramatically reducing heat loss through the range top.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractory material acts as an intermediary between the combustion flame and the wok. It absorbs thermal energy from the flame and converts it to infrared radiation, which then efficiently transfers heat to the wok while minimizing conductive heat loss to the range top.
2Speed
If conventional convective heating is used, then cooking is achieved, but heating speed is slow compared to radiant heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes convective heat transfer with radiant heat transfer. Infrared radiation travels directly from the refractory material to the wok at the speed of light, providing instantaneous heating compared to the slower molecular diffusion process of convection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cooling fluids are used to reduce range top temperatures, then range top damage is prevented, but water consumption is substantial and adds operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function entirely from the system by using refractory insulation to prevent heat conduction to the range top in the first place. This eliminates the need for cooling fluids and their associated water consumption and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of combustion heat into beneficial infrared radiation. The refractory material transforms the harmful thermal energy that would otherwise damage the range top into useful radiant heat for cooking.
4Quantity of substance
If refractory insulating material is incorporated into the support structure, then cooling fluid requirements are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support structure and insulation function into a single integrated refractory component. The hollow cylindrical support structure is filled with refractory insulating material, combining structural support and thermal insulation in one element rather than requiring separate components.
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 solution increases efficiency to 37% compared to conventional wok heaters, reduces heat transfer to the range top, and evenly heats the wok, while minimizing spills and food particle contact with the burner.
Implementation Method 1
the flame heats the block of refractory material to an elevated temperature at which the block of refractory wall emits infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
a gas-fired burner having a burner head which produces a laterally directed flame upon ignition of a mixture of a fuel gas and a combustion oxidant
Data Source
AI summary
An infrared heater for heating a cooking vessel, such as a Chinese wok. The heater includes a block of refractory material, which emits infrared radiation upon heating to an elevated temperature, forming an inverted frustum-shaped cavity or opening. A gas-fired burner having a burner head which produces a laterally directed flame upon ignition of a mixture of a fuel gas and a combustion oxidant supplied to the burner is disposed in the cavity or opening. A planar structure suitable for emitting infrared radiation upon heating to an elevated temperature and forming at least one centralized opening covers the upward oriented base end of the inverted frustum-shaped opening. In accordance with one embodiment, the refractory block is disposed within a cylindrical housing which supports the cooking vessel above the centralized opening during the cooking process.