Metallic Wick Assembly Flame Scale Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wick assemblies, such as those made of cotton and fiberglass, are inconvenient to maintain, prone to carbonization, and difficult to adjust for controlling flame scale, especially with high viscosity fuels, leading to incomplete combustion and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A metallic wick assembly comprising a mesh member and a sleeve member, where the sleeve is slidable to adjust the length and includes apertures for efficient fuel passage, preventing disassembly and carbonization, and allowing precise control of flame scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cotton wick is used, then fuel can be drawn by capillary action, but the wick is easily loosened at terminal end and must be frequently trimmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from cotton to metal mesh, fundamentally altering the wick's properties. The metal mesh maintains its structure without loosening at the terminal end, eliminating the need for frequent trimming while continuing to draw fuel through capillary action in the mesh pores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining metal mesh with sleeve members. The metal mesh provides fuel transport capability, while the sleeve members provide structural support and prevent disassembly, creating a reliable wick assembly that maintains stability during combustion.
2Productivity
If cotton wick is used, then fuel vaporizes and combusts, but the tip is carbonized and burnt out gradually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from organic cotton to inorganic metal mesh. This parameter change eliminates carbonization and burning out of the wick tip, as metal does not carbonize like cotton. The metal mesh maintains its structural integrity and fuel transport capability throughout combustion, significantly extending service life.
3Reliability
If fiberglass wick is used, then the wick is hard to burn down and not easily loosened, but it is expensive and harmful to human health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from fiberglass to metal mesh, eliminating the health hazards associated with fiberglass inhalation and skin irritation. The metal mesh maintains structural stability without loosening, providing a safe alternative that is both environmentally friendly and health-safe while maintaining reliability.
4Productivity
If fiberglass wick is used, then fuel can be drawn, but it is expensive and difficult to process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from fiberglass to metal mesh, fundamentally improving ease of manufacture. Metal mesh can be produced through standard metal forming processes and is easier to process than fiberglass, which requires special handling due to its hazardous nature. The metal mesh maintains effective fuel wicking capability.
5Productivity
If cotton wick is used, then flame can be produced, but incomplete combustion produces soot and toxic fumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wick material from cotton to metal mesh, which has different thermal and combustion properties. The metal mesh promotes more complete combustion by providing a stable structure that maintains proper fuel vaporization and mixture formation, thereby reducing soot and toxic fume generation while maintaining flame production.
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 metallic wick assembly maintains a stable flame combustion scale, efficiently draws viscous fuels, and is cost-effective, reducing the need for frequent trimming and replacement, while ensuring safe and complete combustion.
Implementation Method 1
a transport channel extending from the first end to the second end thereof drawing fuel by capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A metallic wick assembly includes at least one mesh member and a sleeve member. The at least one mesh member includes a first length defined between first and second ends thereof. The sleeve member is mounted around the mesh member and includes a second length defined between two longitudinal opposite ends thereof. The second length is less than the first length. A third length is defined between a distal end of the sleeve member and the first end of the mesh member. The sleeve member is slidable with respect to the mesh member to adjust the third length for controlling the flame scale.