Multi-Zone Gas Grill Plate Heating for Even Front-to-Back Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grill systems with sectioned heating zones suffer from inconsistent cooking due to limited thermal transfer between zones, leading to over or under-heating, and inefficient energy use when only partial areas are loaded with food, as they lack independent control across the grill plate front to back.
Innovation Solution
A grill design with multiple independently controlled gas heating zones front to back, each equipped with a separate burner and temperature measurement probe, allowing for precise temperature control and monitoring of each zone, enabling efficient heat management during partial and full load operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional gas burner systems with sectioned heating zones are used, then heating coverage is provided across the grill platen, but temperature distribution becomes inconsistent and energy efficiency decreases when only partial areas are loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The grill platen is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones along the front-to-back axis, with each zone having its own gas burner and temperature control system. This segmentation allows selective heating of only the zones currently in use, preventing energy waste in unloaded areas while maintaining consistent temperature distribution across the platen surface through localized control.
2Device complexity
If sectioned heating zones with single temperature control points are used, then heating control is simplified, but cooking consistency deteriorates due to thermal transfer limitations between zones
Solution Approach 1:
Each heating zone is equipped with its own temperature control point and control logic, allowing independent temperature regulation tailored to the specific cooking needs of each zone. This local quality approach ensures that temperature consistency is maintained in each zone without being affected by thermal transfer limitations or variations in food load in adjacent zones, thereby improving overall cooking consistency.
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 ensures even temperature distribution across the grill plate, reducing energy consumption and improving cooking consistency by allowing for precise heat adjustment based on real-time temperature monitoring and zone-specific heating.
Implementation Method 1
The grill further comprises a separate burner in each of the plurality of temperature zones
Implementation Method 2
the controller monitors a temperature near the surface of the plate by means of the temperature measurement probe
Data Source
AI summary
The grill of the present disclosure provides multiple heating zones within a front-to-back direction of each cooking platen. Each cooking zone has a heating element associated therewith. The heating elements can be independently controlled, so that each of the heating zones can be operated at a different temperature if necessary. A controller can monitor and adjust the heat output of each element with a temperature probe that measures the temperature of the surface of the grill plate. One or more of the heating elements can be a gas burner. Electrical heating elements may also be used.