Patio heater
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biomass-fired patio heaters face a significant disadvantage due to the long waiting time required for embers to burn out after the burning process, limiting their applicability and useful life compared to gas or electric heaters, as they cannot fully heat the area during this time.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a movable interchangeable burner unit with a chassis and ash pan, allowing for quick replacement of the combustion chamber with a freshly filled unit, and the use of a heating box or table to anneal the burned-out unit, minimizing interruptions in heat provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the combustion chamber is filled with wood pellets for biomass heating, then the CO2 balance is improved and renewable heating is achieved, but the waiting time for embers to burn out becomes excessively long, limiting continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion chamber is divided into two separate chambers within the burner unit: a first combustion chamber for active burning of wood pellets and a second combustion chamber for containing embers after burning. This segmentation allows the embers to be isolated and cooled without interrupting the heating function, as the system can transition to using the embers in the second chamber for continued heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second combustion chamber acts as an intermediary container that receives and manages the embers after the burning process. This intermediate structure allows the embers to be transferred from the active combustion zone to a dedicated cooling and storage zone, enabling continuous operation by preparing the next fuel charge while the embers gradually cool and can be disposed of or reused.
2Reliability
If the combustion chamber is designed as a fixed structure for stable heating, then the heating performance is maintained, but the replacement and maintenance of the combustion chamber becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The burner unit is segmented into a modular design where the combustion chamber(s) are separate, replaceable components within the burner unit assembly. This allows the combustion chambers to be manufactured as standardized modules that can be easily replaced as a complete unit, simplifying both manufacturing and maintenance operations while maintaining stable heating performance during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed combustion chamber design to a dynamic, replaceable module design. The burner unit with its combustion chambers can be easily removed and replaced on the heating device, allowing for quick maintenance and replacement without complex disassembly, thereby improving ease of manufacture and maintenance while preserving heating stability.
3Ease of operation
If the combustion chamber is made replaceable as a burner unit, then the maintenance and fuel replacement become easier, but the structural complexity of the heating device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The combustion chamber(s) are merged with the burner unit structure, forming an integrated assembly that includes the combustion chamber(s), air supply system, and ember management components as a single replaceable unit. This merging simplifies the replacement process, as the entire functional assembly is replaced together rather than requiring separate replacement of individual components, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The burner unit is designed as a universal module that can be applied to different heating device configurations. The standardized burner unit design with integrated combustion chambers and ember management functionality can be used across various applications, reducing the need for custom-designed replacement systems and thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing ease of operation.
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 the patio heater to maintain continuous heat output with minimal interruption, as the replacement process takes only a few minutes, and the annealing process provides residual heat for extended periods, enhancing the usability of biomass-fired patio heaters.
Implementation Method 1
a combustion chamber (2) for burning biomass, in particular wood pellets
Implementation Method 2
a hot gas guiding device (130) arranged above the combustion chamber (2)... to guide the hot air generated in the combustion chamber (2) in compressed form
Implementation Method 3
a reflector body (10; 200) above it... for heating the environment and heating liquids
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an outdoor combustion device, in particular a patio heater (100), with a stable housing (110) and at least one combustion chamber (2) for burning biomass, in particular wood pellets, wherein the combustion chamber (2) is designed as an interchangeable burner unit (510), and wherein the housing (110) has a first receiving space (530) for the interchangeable burner unit (510), which is designed to accommodate the interchangeable burner unit (510). To increase the service life, it is provided that the interchangeable burner unit (510) is mobile, wherein the interchangeable burner unit (510) has a chassis (560) with at least two wheels (520) or rollers, and wherein preferably the interchangeable burner unit (510) together with the combustion chamber (2) is designed as a mobile burner cart.