Laminar Flow Jet Nested Tube Design for Flame Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas burners used in industries like glass and quartz working face challenges with turbulent flow, unstable flames, and impurities due to poor jet design, leading to inefficiencies in flame control and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A laminar flow jet design featuring a teardrop-shaped opening with a nested circular tube configuration, allowing precise control over gas ratios and alignment, which enhances flame characteristics and stability by dividing the teardrop opening into separate sections for unobstructed gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gases are delivered through separate tubes to achieve desired flame chemistries, then flame control and chemistry adjustment are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing one tube inside another tube, with the inner tube delivering one gas and the outer tube delivering another gas. This nested configuration allows multiple gases to be delivered through a compact, integrated structure rather than requiring separate, complex tubing arrangements. The nested tubes maintain axial alignment and enable independent gas flow control while reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If axial alignment of multiple tubes is achieved for optimal laminar flow, then flame stability and quality are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves equipotentiality by designing the nested tubes to share a common central axis, creating a symmetric configuration where both tubes are equally positioned relative to the faceplate opening. This axial alignment ensures that gas flows from both tubes combine in a balanced manner, promoting laminar flow and flame stability without requiring complex alignment mechanisms during manufacturing.
3Productivity
If the number of jets in the faceplate array is increased to improve heat output, then productivity is improved, but production costs increase due to more openings and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple separate jets into a single integrated faceplate opening by nesting tubes within one another. This consolidation allows multiple gases to be delivered through a single opening rather than requiring multiple separate openings in the faceplate, thereby maintaining high heat output capability while reducing manufacturing complexity and production costs.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional jet designs are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but turbulent flow and unstable flames occur leading to poor flame control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing each nested tube with specific characteristics optimized for its function: the inner tube is configured for delivering one gas with specific flow properties, while the outer tube is configured for delivering another gas with complementary flow properties. The teardrop-shaped faceplate opening is specifically designed to guide and combine these flows to promote laminar flow conditions, creating local flow optimization that ensures stable, controllable flames.
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 design achieves improved control over flame chemistries, reduces production costs by minimizing the number of faceplate openings, and allows for efficient use of alternative oxygen sources, while maintaining high-quality, stable flames with adjustable characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
These jets enable the gases to travel to the faceplate surface with laminar flow. The shape of the jet greatly affects the effectiveness of laminar flow.
Implementation Method 2
allowing for greater adjustability over flame chemistries and maintenance over desired flame characteristics... get the most complete combustion out of the gasses for maximum efficiency and to enhance flame chemistry and heat density
Implementation Method 3
exact alignment and axial concentricity of the inner tubes, conduits, and chambers that supply the different gases... establishing a laminar gas flow that produces a high quality and efficient flame
Data Source
AI summary
A laminar flow jet for a surface mix gas burner that provides increased stability, adjustability, and control over flame chemistries and characteristics. The present invention utilizes a novel shape, typically created by a tube having a cross-sectional shape and inserting it into a faceplate cutout, or conduit, having another cross-sectional shape. This nesting of one shape inside another promotes laminar gas flow and produces desired effects. Tubes may also be placed under the faceplate provided they maintain fluid communication with the conduits.Further, a burner is constructed with adjacent gas delivery tubes of different cross-sectional shapes which are mechanically held in place radially. The tubes touch in a longitudinal direction at points along their respective inner and outer dimensions, achieving axial alignment and preserving the necessary laminar gas flow. This configuration greatly speeds manufacturing time which allows production of economical burners even when a greater number of jets is desired.