Multi-Stage Gas Burner Control for Precise Low-Temperature Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas cooktop appliances suffer from long-term drift and limited accuracy in temperature control, particularly at low simmer settings, and require expensive precision metering devices, limiting their applicability.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop appliance with a multi-stage gas burner system and a controller that selectively opens a connection line valve to manage gas flow, allowing for precise temperature control through a combination of manual and automatic modes, including closed-loop feedback for maintaining desired temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If precision flow control valves are used for active temperature regulation, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but system cost increases and long-term drift occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow control is segmented into multiple independent pathways: a primary flow path through the control valve and a secondary bypass path through the orifice. This segmentation allows the system to achieve precise temperature control by modulating the primary path while using the bypass path to compensate for long-term drift, thereby resolving the contradiction between accuracy and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual temperature and comparing it with the setpoint temperature. The controller adjusts the control valve position based on the temperature deviation, ensuring accurate temperature regulation while compensating for any drift in the orifice characteristics over time.
2Measurement precision
If precision flow control valves are used for active temperature regulation, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simple fixed orifice is introduced as an intermediary element in parallel with the control valve. This orifice provides a stable, drift-free flow path that works in conjunction with the control valve to achieve accurate temperature control. The combination allows the system to maintain precision while avoiding the need for expensive precision metering devices, thus resolving the cost-accuracy contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single expensive precision metering device, the system creates a functional copy through the combination of a standard control valve and a fixed orifice. The fixed orifice replicates the flow characteristics needed for precision control without requiring complex metering mechanisms, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining temperature control accuracy.
3Device complexity
If traditional single-stage burners are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to maintain stable temperature at low settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The burner is divided into two independent stages: a first stage for high-temperature operation and a second stage for low-temperature operation. Each stage has its own gas supply path and control mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stable temperature at low settings by using the second stage with its optimized orifice, while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through modular 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
Enables precise temperature control with reduced long-term drift and cost-effectiveness, capable of operating at low temperatures required for cooking methods like sous vide without the need for additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-stage gas burner including a first stage and a second stage
Implementation Method 2
a connection line valve provided on the connection line between the manifold and the gas burner; and a controller operably coupled with the connection line valve, the controller being configured to selectively open the connection line valve
Implementation Method 3
modulating a flow rate of the gas to the gas burner to maintain an average temperature stable for a cooking method, such as, but not limited to, sous vide cooking
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance includes a cooktop, a user interface provided on the cooktop, a manifold provided within the cooktop, the manifold including a gas input, a first burner supply line extending from the manifold, a second burner supply line extending from the manifold in fluid parallel with the first burner supply line, a gas burner, the gas burner including a first stage fluidly connected to the manifold via the first burner supply line and a second stage fluidly connected to the manifold via the second burner supply line, a connection line fluidly connecting the first and second burner supply lines, a connection line valve provided on the connection line between the manifold and the gas burner, and a controller operably coupled with the connection line valve, the controller being configured to selectively open the connection line valve.