Mixing Device Intermediate Chamber for Burner Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing burner systems face inefficiencies in mixing fuel and oxidizing agents, leading to incomplete combustion, high pollutant emissions, and complex designs with multiple components like deflection plates, which increase costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A mixing device with an intermediate chamber between the nozzle and mixing chamber, where the nozzle and intermediate chamber are coaxial, and the intermediate chamber is larger in diameter and length than the nozzle outlet, allowing for efficient mixing of fuel and oxidizing agents without the need for deflection plates, resulting in a compact and efficient burner system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If existing mixing devices use multiple components like deflection plates to mix fuel and oxidizing agents, then mixing can be achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the intermediate chamber from the mixing device structure, extracting the problematic component that caused complex fluid dynamics and mixing inefficiencies. This leaves a direct connection between the nozzle and mixing chamber, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective mixing through optimized geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing chamber is segmented into distinct functional zones: a fuel injection zone where the jet enters, a mixing zone where fuel and oxidizing agent combine, and a combustion zone where burning occurs. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function, achieving effective mixing without complex intermediate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the mixing chamber is made larger to improve mixing efficiency, then fluid mixing efficiency increases, but the device volume and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid mixing efficiencyVSAvoidmixing chamber volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber employs local quality optimization by creating specific geometric features in different regions: a larger fuel injection area to accommodate the jet, a constrained mixing region with optimized dimensions for efficient combustion, and a tapered combustion zone. This localized geometric optimization achieves high mixing efficiency within a compact overall volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific geometric parameters of the mixing chamber including the radius ratio between fuel injection area and combustion area, the length-to-diameter ratio, and the angle of the combustion chamber walls. These parameter optimizations enable efficient mixing and combustion in a compact configuration rather than requiring a uniformly large chamber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If deflection plates are added to stabilize fluid jets and improve mixing, then mixing efficiency improves, but the device complexity and pressure fluctuations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes deflection plates and other active flow control components from the mixing device. Instead of using mechanical elements to manipulate the fluid jet, the design relies on passive geometric features of the mixing chamber to stabilize and mix the fuel and oxidizing agent streams, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining mixing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 high fluid mixing efficiency, reduces pollutant emissions, stabilizes fluid jets, and allows for a simpler, more cost-effective burner system with fewer nozzles and a shorter mixing chamber, enhancing combustion efficiency and reducing pressure fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

The nozzle is designed to emit the first mixing component into the intermediate chamber and/or convey it into the mixing chamber in the form of a fluid jet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid jet: Jet

Implementation Method 2

the first mixing component and the second mixing component mix in the mixing chamber, in particular at least in the mixing region, and form at least partially a mixed substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

The guide element is designed to guide the second mixing component, at least in the operating state, to supply the second mixing component to the intermediate chamber and/or the mixing chamber along an axis that is arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3631296B1Mixing device
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 BOSCH TERMOTECHA
  • EP3631296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3631296B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3631296B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixing device (11), in particular for a burner system (10), which mixing device has at least one nozzle (20, 22) and at least one mixing chamber (30) which is fluidically connected to the nozzle (20, 22). It is proposed that an intermediate chamber (40, 42) be arranged between a nozzle outlet opening (24) of the nozzle (20, 22) and the mixing chamber (30).