Gas-Fired Radiant Emitter With Protected Pilot Burner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas fired radiant emitters with perforated ceramic burner plates face issues with unreliable ignition and flame detection, and maintenance is cumbersome due to integration with ambient conditions and space constraints.

Innovation Solution

A gas fired radiant emitter design with a pilot burner and perforated ceramic burner plate that includes a premixing chamber, a perforated ceramic plate for combustion, and electrodes for ignition and flame detection, with a sealed area around the premix gas supply tube to protect the pilot burner from ambient conditions, allowing easy replacement and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pilot burner is exposed to ambient conditions for ignition and flame detection, then the device can perform its function, but the lifetime is reduced and maintenance becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition and flame detection reliabilityVSAvoidpilot burner lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pilot burner is segmented from the main combustion system by providing it with a separate protected position within the burner assembly. The pilot burner gas supply tube is sealed against the burner deck, creating an isolated chamber that protects the pilot burner from ambient conditions while maintaining its ignition and detection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealed area or barrier is introduced as an intermediary between the pilot burner and the ambient combustion environment. This seal prevents direct exposure of the pilot burner to harsh conditions while allowing it to perform its function, thereby extending lifetime without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the pilot burner is integrated with the ambient conditions, then ignition and detection can occur, but maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition and detection operationVSAvoidpilot burner maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pilot burner assembly is segmented as a separate, accessible component that can be independently maintained. By sealing the pilot burner in a protected position with its own gas supply tube sealed against the burner deck, the pilot burner can be serviced without disassembling the entire combustion system, reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the premix gas flows through all areas of the perforated ceramic plate, then uniform combustion is achieved, but the pilot burner cannot be protected from ambient conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion uniformityVSAvoidpilot burner protection from ambient conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The burner deck is designed with different properties in different areas. A sealed area is created around the pilot burner gas supply tube where gas flow is restricted or modified, while the rest of the burner deck maintains its standard perforated structure for uniform combustion. This local modification protects the pilot burner without compromising overall combustion uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The burner deck surface is segmented into a protected sealed area around the pilot burner and the remaining combustion areas. The sealed area prevents ambient conditions from affecting the pilot burner, while gas flow through the rest of the perforated plate ensures uniform combustion across the main burner surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures reliable ignition and flame detection with a long lifetime, independent of ambient conditions, and facilitates easy maintenance by protecting the pilot burner, thus enhancing safety and efficiency in continuous ovens.

Implementation Method 1

A spark is generated between two electrodes of the pilot burner, thereby igniting the gas premix supplied through the tube of the pilot burner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpark generation: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 2

The flame detection pilot burner comprises two electrodes, through which ionization current flows when the gas premix flowing through the tube is ignited. Detection of the ionization current indicates that combustion takes place on the burner deck of the emitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization current: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

a perforated ceramic plate acting as burner deck, onto which the premix of gas and air can be combusted after it has flown through the perforations of the perforated ceramic plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP3097355B2Gas fired radiant emitter
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SOLARONICS
  • EP3097355B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3097355B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3097355B2 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Gas fired radiant emitter(100)comprising a premixing chamber(110)for preparing a premix of gas and air; a perforated ceramic plate(120)acting as burner deck; and a pilot burner(130)comprising a premix gas supply flow tube (140)and two electrodes(160, 170). The premix gas supply flow tube (140) of the pilot burner(130) extends from the side of the perforated ceramic plate (120) where the premixing chamber(110)is located, into a through hole(180)in the perforated ceramic plate(120). The premix gas supply flow tube(140)has a gas exit in the through hole(180)in the perforated ceramic plate(120)or at the combustion side of the perforated ceramic plate(120). Means(192, 194)are provided so that in an area of the perforated ceramic plate(120)around where the premix gas supply flow tube extends(140)into athrough hole(180)in the perforated ceramic plate(120),no premix gas flows through the perforated ceramic plate(120).