Radiant Gas Heater Multi-Probe Flame Detection for Wind Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiant gas heaters with ceramic tiles struggle to function effectively in windy conditions due to wind turbulence, which causes burner failure and requires manual reset, and ionization detectors are unsuitable for outdoor applications as they lead to continuous burner blowouts.
Innovation Solution
The use of two or more ionization probes positioned across heat emitting elements, with spacer elements and a control unit that maintains gas supply as long as any probe senses a flame, preventing shut-off and ensuring continuous operation even in windy conditions, along with a cover with apertures to balance heat flow and wind resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single ionization detector is used on the main burner, then quick response to flame failure is achieved, but the burner becomes unsuitable for outdoor applications due to continuous blowouts in windy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The single ionization detector is divided into multiple ionization detectors (first and second detectors) positioned at different locations. Each detector independently monitors flame presence in its zone, allowing the system to distinguish between localized flame instability and complete flame failure, thereby maintaining outdoor reliability while preserving quick response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-point detection approach to a multi-point spatial distribution of detectors. By positioning detectors at different spatial locations across the burner assembly, the system gains dimensional awareness of flame distribution, enabling it to tolerate localized wind effects while detecting genuine flame failures.
2Extent of automation
If electronically controlled gas valves with thermocouple and pilot burner are used, then automated shutdown and operation are achieved, but gas control lockout occurs before relighting requiring manual reset
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple ionization detectors are positioned to detect flame presence before complete blowout occurs. The control system uses this early detection to prevent premature gas control lockout, allowing the burner to continue operating or automatically relight without requiring manual reset intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system receives continuous feedback from multiple ionization detectors about flame presence in different zones. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make informed decisions about gas supply control, preventing false lockout conditions and enabling automated recovery without manual intervention.
3Speed
If ionization detector is used directly on main burner, then quick lighting and shut down are achieved, but wind turbulence causes continuous burner blowout
Solution Approach 1:
The burner assembly is divided into multiple detection zones with separate ionization detectors for each zone. This segmentation allows the system to maintain quick response capability in each zone while the collective information from all zones provides stability against wind turbulence, as localized disturbances don't trigger false shutdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple ionization detector signals are merged/combined in the control system to make the final shutdown decision. This combination approach maintains the quick response speed of individual detectors while providing redundancy that prevents false blowouts caused by wind turbulence affecting any single detector 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 radiant gas heater remains operational in windy conditions while maintaining safety, preventing burner blowouts and allowing for quick relighting, with reduced need for manual resets and improved reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The ionization detector may be provided directly on the main burner and can provide quicker lighting and quicker shut down in the event of flame failure
Implementation Method 2
The thermocouple is used for sensing the presence of a flame and works together with the pilot burner
Implementation Method 3
Radiant gas heaters offer an effective source of radiant heat which is essential for outdoor applications
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
A radiant gas heater is provided which includes one or more gas inlets (105), for receiving gas from a gas supply and one or more air inlets (110). The heater includes one or more gas burners (120A - 120E), in which gas from the one or more gas inlets (105) is burned using oxygen admitted through the one or more air inlets (110). One or more heat emitting elements (125A - 125E) are included, which emit infrared radiation using energy generated by the one or more gas burners (120A - 120E). One or more ionization probes (130A) are provided proximal to two or more of the heat emitting elements (125A - 125E) for detecting the presence or absence of a flame. A housing (115) is also provided which accommodates the one or more gas burners (120A - 120E), the one or more heat emitting elements (125A - 125E) and the one or more ionization probes (130A). One or more control units are also provided which are in electrical communication with the one or more ionization probes (130A) and the one or more gas inlets, the one or more control units operable to shut off the gas supply if the one or more ionization probes (130A) detect the absence of a flame.