Ladder Rack Assembly with Flow Plenum for Uniform Smoke Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smokers suffer from poor smoke distribution and diffusion within the smoking chamber, often resulting in blockages when large masses of meat are present, due to a single smoke inlet and outlet configuration.
Innovation Solution
A rack assembly with a ladder rack system mounted to the chamber wall, featuring a support plate that creates a flow plenum with receiving slots for racks, which promotes even smoke distribution and includes bypass features to mitigate blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single smoke inlet and outlet configuration is used, then the smoker structure is simple, but smoke distribution and diffusion throughout the smoking chamber is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The single smoke inlet is segmented into multiple inlet openings distributed across the smoking chamber. This segmentation allows smoke to enter at multiple locations simultaneously, improving smoke distribution and diffusion throughout the chamber while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Device complexity
If a single smoke inlet and outlet configuration is used, then the smoker structure is simple, but smoke flow may be blocked by large mass of meat positioned between inlet and outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The smoke inlet is divided into multiple distributed openings rather than a single inlet. This segmentation ensures that if meat blocks one inlet path, smoke can still enter through other openings, maintaining continuous smoke flow and reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Smoke inlet openings are strategically positioned at different locations within the smoking chamber, including positions that are not directly in line between the main inlet and outlet. This local distribution of inlet points ensures that smoke can reach various regions of the chamber regardless of meat placement, improving smoke flow reliability.
3Speed
If smoke inlet is positioned directly opposite outlet, then the smoke flow path is direct, but smoke distribution throughout the smoking chamber is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrated smoke flow path is segmented into multiple distributed inlet openings positioned at different locations. This creates multiple shorter flow paths that collectively cover the entire chamber, improving both smoke distribution and maintaining efficient smoke flow speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Smoke inlet openings are positioned not only along the direct path but also at lateral and vertical positions throughout the chamber. This multi-dimensional distribution of inlet points transforms the smoke delivery from a single linear path to a three-dimensional distribution network, improving smoke penetration and distribution throughout the chamber.
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 rack assembly ensures uniform smoke distribution across all rack positions, preventing blockages and enhancing the smoking process by allowing smoke to circulate around large food items, resulting in improved cooking and flavoring.
Implementation Method 1
a support plate that is spaced apart from the chamber wall to define a flow plenum
Data Source
AI summary
An indoor smoker includes a smoking chamber that is defined at least in part by a chamber wall and a smoke generating assembly for providing a flow of smoke into the smoking chamber through a chamber inlet defined in the chamber wall. A rack assembly is positioned within the smoking chamber and includes a ladder rack mounted to the chamber wall for supporting a plurality of racks. The ladder rack includes L-shaped mounting flanges that are secured to the chamber wall and a support plate that is secured to the distal ends of the mounting flanges to define a flow plenum for distributing the flow of smoke throughout the smoking chamber.