Meltable Fuel Gas Generation Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel burning apparatus using liquid and gas state fuels pose safety hazards due to their flammable, volatile, and explosive properties, leading to regulatory challenges and risks during transportation and use, especially for recreational and military applications.
Innovation Solution
A gas generation apparatus that converts meltable fuels into a gas vapor state using a heat transfer element connected to a heat source, allowing for safe and efficient burning, with features like a capillary element for fuel delivery and a nozzle assembly for air mixing, enabling controlled combustion and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If liquid or gas state fuels are used in combustion apparatus, then efficient burning is achieved, but safety hazards increase due to flammability, volatility, and explosiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fuel from liquid or gas to solid form. Solid fuel pellets are used instead of liquid kerosene or pressurized gas, eliminating the safety hazards associated with volatility and explosiveness while maintaining combustion efficiency through controlled vaporization and burning processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by heating solid fuel pellets to vaporize them, converting them from solid to gas phase for combustion. This controlled phase transition allows efficient burning while the fuel remains in safe solid form during storage and transport, only transitioning to vapor state during the combustion process
2Ease of operation
If pressurized gas or liquid fuel is transported, then fuel delivery is enabled, but regulatory restrictions and transportation challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fuel state to solid form, which is not subject to HAZMAT regulations or special transportation permits. Solid fuel pellets can be transported through commercial means including airlines, trains, and ships without the complex regulatory compliance required for pressurized gases or liquid fuels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the hazardous properties (flammability, volatility, explosiveness) from the fuel system by using solid fuel pellets instead of pressurized gases or liquid fuels. This removal of harmful characteristics eliminates the need for special transportation regulations and permits
3Object-affected harmful factors
If meltable fuel is heated to vapor state, then safe storage and transport are achieved, but additional heating infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the fuel container by integrating a heating element directly into the fuel pellet structure. The fuel pellets contain internal heating elements that vaporize the fuel when activated, eliminating the need for separate external heating infrastructure while maintaining safe solid fuel storage and transport
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel pellets are designed to be self-heating, containing internal heating elements that activate when the fuel is ready for use. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external heating infrastructure, as the fuel container itself provides the necessary heating function through its integrated design
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 apparatus generates a high volume of dense vapor gas, reducing the risk of spills and explosions, providing a safe, efficient, and powerful combustion source suitable for various uses, including cooking and military applications, while being non-volatile and non-explosive.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer element having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein said inlet end is in communicable connection with the reservoir, the heat transfer element comprising a thermally conductive material, in thermal connection with a heat source, the heat source configured and disposed to transfer heat to the heat transfer element in a sufficient amount to convert at least a portion of a meltable fuel received by the reservoir to at least a liquid state
Implementation Method 2
Optionally, the apparatus includes a capillary element such as a wick for drawing meltable fuel to the heat transfer element
Implementation Method 3
convert at least a portion of a meltable fuel received by the reservoir to at least a liquid state
Data Source
AI summary
Gas generation apparatus and methods are provided, including apparatus and methods for efficient vaporization, and optional burning, of meltable fuels. The apparatus and methods provide controlled generation and combustion of any low melting point dimensionally stable combustible meltable fuel. This is preferably accomplished by first converting the solid or semi solid meltable fuel material into a liquid state, then into vapor, and finally mixing with an air source or other oxidizer before combustion.