Portable Liquid Fuel Vaporizer for Cold Weather Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable propane torches face issues with insufficient heat output due to low pressure of gaseous propane at cold temperatures, as existing vaporizers are not designed to be portable or effective over a range of ambient temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A portable vaporizer system that includes a reservoir with a heat-conducting fluid and a heating core, where a burner produces a flame to heat the fluid and vaporize liquid propane, ensuring efficient heat transfer and maintaining the necessary pressure for the torch to function effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If gaseous propane is used in cold temperatures, then the torch can operate, but the pressure becomes insufficient to provide necessary heat output
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of propane from gas to liquid, and further to vapor through controlled heating. By transforming propane into liquid phase for storage and then vaporizing it on-demand through the heating core, the system maintains sufficient pressure for torch operation regardless of ambient temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of propane: storing it as liquid in the reservoir, then vaporizing it through the heated core to produce gaseous propane for the torch. This phase change approach allows the system to overcome low pressure issues in cold temperatures by controlling the vaporization process independently of ambient conditions
2Stress or pressure
If liquid propane is used instead of gaseous propane, then pressure is maintained, but the device requires vaporization capability which conventional portable torches lack
Solution Approach 1:
The vaporization system is segmented into distinct functional components: a reservoir for liquid propane storage, a heating core with internal passages for vaporization, a heat source (burner), and connection hardware. This modular segmentation makes the complex vaporization process manageable and integrable into a portable torch system
Solution Approach 2:
The heating core contains nested internal passages within its structure, allowing efficient heat transfer from the external flame to the liquid propane. The spiral or serpentine passage design nests the fuel flow path within the heating element itself, maximizing heat transfer surface area while maintaining a compact portable form factor
3Device complexity
If conventional stationary vaporizers are used, then vaporization can be achieved, but portability and adaptability to various ambient temperatures are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed as a dynamic portable unit that can adapt to varying ambient temperatures. The heating system can be activated on-demand, and the liquid propane reservoir can be replenished or replaced. The entire assembly is designed for portability with appropriate connections and mounting, allowing it to function across a wide range of environmental conditions rather than being fixed to a stationary location
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
The system efficiently vaporizes liquid propane, maintaining sufficient pressure and heat output for the torch even at low temperatures, enhancing its operational reliability and portability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating core extending into the reservoir such that the heating core is in fluid contact with the heat-conducting fluid... a heat source, the heat source communicating with the open end of the heating passage to heat the heating passage, the heat conducting fluid and the liquid phase fuel within the heating core to vaporize the liquid phase fuel
Implementation Method 2
a heat-conducting fluid within the reservoir; a heating passage having at least one open end, the heating passage extending at least partially within the reservoir such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the heating passage is in fluid contact with the heat-conducting fluid
Implementation Method 3
to vaporize the liquid phase fuel within the heating core
Implementation Method 4
vaporizer for heating a liquid phase fuel... to vaporize the liquid phase fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A vaporizer for heating a liquid phase fuel, the vaporizer comprising a reservoir having a least one wall for containing a liquid and a heat-conducting fluid within the reservoir. A heating core extending into the reservoir such that the heating core is in fluid contact with the heat-conducting fluid and the heating core has an inlet through which the liquid phase fuel will flow and an outlet through which the vaporized liquid phase fuel will flow. A heating passage having at least one open end extending at least partially within the reservoir such that at least a portion of an exterior surface of the heating passage is in fluid contact with the heat-conducting fluid. A heat source communicating with the open end of the heating passage to heat the heating passage, which in turn heats the heat conducting fluid and the liquid phase fuel within the heating core to vaporize the liquid phase fuel.