Lighter Flow Restrictor Testing with Non-Combustible Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional open flame lighters require testing with combustible fuel to ensure maximum flame height compliance, leading to increased costs and complexities in distribution due to potential hazardous classification and handling restrictions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves manufacturing 'dry' lighters with flow restrictors, using a porous member to regulate fuel flow, which are tested with a non-combustible fluid to approximate flame height, allowing for pre-shipment testing without combustible fuels, and employing a vacuum fuel tank for efficient refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lighters are tested with combustible fuel to ensure maximum flame height compliance, then flame height control is verified, but distribution costs and complexity increase due to hazardous classification
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is tested with non-combustible fluid before assembly into the lighter to pre-determine its flow characteristics. This preliminary testing ensures that when the lighter is later filled with combustible fuel, the flame height will be within compliance limits, eliminating the need to test assembled lighters with fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-combustible test fluid is used as an intermediary substance to test the flow restrictor's performance characteristics. This intermediary allows verification of flow rate and flame height compliance without using actual combustible fuel, thereby avoiding hazardous material classification during manufacturing and testing.
2Measurement precision
If lighters are filled with fuel before shipment to enable testing, then flame height can be measured, but shipping restrictions and costs increase due to hazardous goods classification
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is tested with non-combustible fluid before assembly into the lighter to pre-determine its flow characteristics. This preliminary testing ensures that when the lighter is later filled with combustible fuel, the flame height will be within compliance limits, eliminating the need to test assembled lighters with fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
A non-combustible test fluid is used as an intermediary substance to test the flow restrictor's performance characteristics. This intermediary allows verification of flow rate and flame height compliance without using actual combustible fuel, thereby avoiding hazardous material classification during manufacturing and testing.
3Productivity
If a vacuum is drawn on the fuel tank to facilitate refilling, then fuel enters the tank more efficiently, but internal pressure must be minimized to avoid pressure increases during transport
Solution Approach 1:
A vacuum (negative pressure) is applied to the fuel tank to counterbalance the positive pressure that would naturally build up during transport, especially in hot climates. This counteracting force allows fuel to flow into the tank more easily during refilling while preventing dangerous pressure accumulation during storage and transport.
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 approach enables cost-effective and efficient production and distribution of lighters by eliminating the need for combustible fuels in testing and enhances initial fuel filling by minimizing internal pressure, thus reducing shipping challenges.
Implementation Method 1
An exemplary flow restrictor may be formed of a porous member that regulates the flow of fuel through a valve assembly of the lighter
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum is drawn on the fuel tank of the lighter prior to shipment. The non-combustible fluid is extracted from the fuel tank and a vacuum drawn thereon
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighter device having a flow restrictor and associated methods for manufacturing and testing such lighter device and flow restrictor are described. The flow restrictor may be formed of a porous member to achieve a substantially fixed or varying flame height. The flow restrictor may be tested before or after assembly into a lighter housing by receiving a non-combustible fluid therethrough. The flow rate of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated to the flow rate of a combustible fluid through the flow restrictor to approximate the resultant flame height of a lighter incorporating the tested flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may also be tested by receiving a combustible fluid therethrough prior to assembling the flow restrictor into the lighter housing. In this manner, flow restrictors and corresponding lighter devices may be tested without introducing combustible fluids into such lighter devices prior to shipment. Also, a vacuum may be drawn on a fuel tank of the lighter prior to shipment.