Modular Pizza Oven Finger Assembly for Air Pressure and Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pizza ovens are heavy, difficult to install, and costly to ship and repair due to their single-unit construction, and they often suffer from inefficiencies in airflow and baking control, with limited adjustability in airflow settings and conveyor speeds.

Innovation Solution

A modular pizza oven kit with detachable components that can be assembled by the customer, a finger holder design to maintain air pressure, and a control system allowing for adjustable airflow and conveyor speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single-unit pizza oven design is used, then structural integrity and sealing are improved, but shipping cost and installation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidinstallation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pizza oven is divided into modular components including a cabinet assembly, oven assembly, and separate finger assemblies that can be shipped individually and assembled on-site. This segmentation reduces shipping costs and installation difficulty while maintaining structural integrity through designed connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a single-unit pizza oven design is used, then structural integrity is improved, but repair cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidrepair cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The oven is designed with separable modules including removable finger assemblies, replaceable heating elements, and modular oven chambers. This allows specific components to be repaired or replaced independently without disposing of or transporting the entire unit, significantly reducing repair costs and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If finger assemblies are held loosely against the plenum wall, then thermal expansion is accommodated, but air pressure loss and uneven baking occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidairflow uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The finger assemblies are designed with expansion compensation mechanisms that allow controlled movement to accommodate thermal expansion during heating, while maintaining sufficient contact pressure against the plenum wall to prevent excessive air leakage and ensure uniform airflow distribution for even baking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

4Device complexity

If a single airflow setting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency and adaptability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol systemVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pizza oven incorporates variable speed conveyor belts and adjustable airflow controls that allow the system to adapt to different production demands. During peak hours, higher speeds and airflow settings optimize throughput, while during slower periods, reduced settings improve energy efficiency, eliminating the waste of maintaining constant high-level operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Reduces shipping and installation costs, enables easier maintenance and repair, improves baking efficiency by maintaining air pressure and allowing for energy-saving adjustments in airflow and conveyor speed.

Implementation Method 1

Heated air is conducted through the hole in the plenum wall and into the finger, which air is then forced out of the holes in one of the elongated sides of the finger assembly toward the product being baked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

This design does not maintain pressure against the finger assembly allowing the outer cover of the finger assembly to slide off the finger housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

Heated air is conducted through the hole in the plenum wall and into the finger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

direct heated air in a bake chamber toward a product be baked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS8093533B2Modular pizza oven kit, pizza oven finger assembly support, and a method of operating a pizza oven at different speeds and a control arrangement for performing the method

Publication Date: 2012.01.10 FRENCH MICHAEL

AI summary

A modular pizza oven kit, pizza oven finger assembly support, and a method of operating a pizza oven at different speeds and a control arrangement for performing the method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.