Pellet Burner Mobile Grate Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating systems using solid fuel, particularly pellet burners, face inefficiencies and frequent maintenance needs due to clogging issues, which lead to decreased performance and potential system shutdowns, as they rely on air blower combustion and require manual intervention for cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an air suction principle with a mobile grate structure and spring coil pipes to prevent clogging, utilizing a sweeper mechanism for autonomous cleaning and independent air channel management, allowing for continuous operation and reduced maintenance through a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high power fan system is used to blow air into the combustion chamber, then the air intake for combustion is improved, but the system becomes prone to clogging and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional air blower approach by using an air suction system instead. The air suction fan creates negative pressure to draw air through the combustion chamber, which prevents clogging of the grate and air passages while maintaining effective combustion. This reversal of the air flow direction eliminates the clogging problem that plagues blower-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile grate structure automatically moves to discharge accumulated cinders and ash from the combustion chamber without requiring manual intervention. The grate's mobility allows it to self-clean by periodically shifting position, thereby preventing clogging and eliminating the need for frequent manual maintenance while sustaining high combustion efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If oscillating systems with mobile mechanisms are used to discharge cinders, then the cleaning capability is improved, but the system complexity and deformation risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grate is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the grate to flex and adapt to thermal expansion without deforming, while still maintaining the ability to discharge cinders effectively. The modular structure reduces overall system complexity compared to rigid oscillating mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The grate structure incorporates mobile elements that can dynamically adjust their position based on operational conditions. The grate moves linearly to discharge ash and can accommodate thermal expansion through controlled movement, providing cleaning capability without the complexity of rigid oscillating systems. The dynamic design allows the grate to respond to changing conditions while maintaining structural integrity.
3Ease of repair
If the grate structure is made mobile to enable cleaning, then the maintenance accessibility is improved, but the structural stability and combustion performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The grate performs its primary function of supporting fuel during combustion, and only partially moves when cleaning is required. The mobile design allows the grate to maintain stable combustion performance during operation while periodically shifting to discharge accumulated ash. This partial action approach ensures that combustion reliability is not compromised while enabling easy maintenance access.
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 solution enhances combustion efficiency, reduces energy losses, and minimizes maintenance requirements by preventing clogging and allowing for efficient ash and soot removal without operator intervention, ensuring prolonged system operation and improved heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a combustion system based on the air suction principle is used instead of the combustion system with air blower
Implementation Method 2
the pipe structure with spring coil located inside the heating pipes placed inside the boiler, the passage of hot air through the low resistance area located inside the pipe centre without going through a heat transfer phase is prevented and the hot air that sweeps over the pipe surfaces are increased
Implementation Method 3
combustion by blowing the air in to the burner
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to burners and boiler structures of heating systems which work with solid fuel or which work especially with wood pellets, olive stones and other similar propellants. The burner has a "C"-shaped grate structure comprising a grate mount (4.2) for opening and closing an ash discharging mouth, and the top grate made up by the following components: Grate arms (4.1.2) that can move at a horizontal angle over connecting grate shafts (4.1.3) independent from each other; grate shims (4.1.4) located on the grate shafts (4.1.3) and between the grate arms (4.1.2); a shank (4.1.5) connecting the grate arms (4.1.2) to a grate frame (4.1.1), and the top grate to the grate mount (4.2), thus enabling the top grate to move in an upwards or downwards motion limited by supports (4.1.7, 4.1.8). Furthermore, the burner comprises uneven rails on which the top grate moves guided by guide pins (4.1.6).