Radiant Gas Grill Layout to Prevent Burner Jet Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grills face issues with gas jets becoming clogged due to food drippings, leading to uneven heating and maintenance challenges, particularly in commercial kitchens where regular cleaning is necessary to prevent clogging and ensure consistent cooking.

Innovation Solution

A grill design with gas jets directed downwardly and inwardly towards a radiant body that absorbs and redirects heat upwardly, combined with a sump for collecting falling materials, which reduces clogging and allows for even heat distribution across the cooking area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gas jets are positioned horizontally or upwardly in conventional grills, then food can be cooked effectively, but the gas jets become clogged by falling food material and require frequent cleaning and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas jet operation consistencyVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional orientation of gas jets from horizontal or upward-facing to downward-facing, directing flames toward the base rather than toward the food. This reversal prevents food material from falling onto the gas jet openings, eliminating the clogging problem while maintaining effective cooking through radiant heat from the heated base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a base as an intermediary heat transfer medium between the gas jets and the food. The downward-directed flames heat the base, which then radiates heat upward to cook the food. This intermediary prevents direct contact between falling food material and gas jets while maintaining effective heat transfer for cooking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a bed of heat-absorbing material like lava stones is used in conventional grills, then radiant heat cooking is improved, but food material accumulates at the bottom and clogs gas jets over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiant heat distributionVSAvoideven heating consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the flame direction so that gas jets point downward toward the base rather than upward or horizontally. This ensures that flames consistently heat the heat-absorbing base material without being obstructed by accumulated food debris, maintaining reliable radiant heat distribution for cooking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If gas jets are cleaned regularly to prevent clogging, then cooking performance is maintained, but operational time and productivity are reduced due to frequent maintenance interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking performance consistencyVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the gas jets to face downward from the outset, preventing food material from reaching the jet openings in the first place. This proactive design prevents clogging before it can occur, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning interruptions and maintaining continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Reliability

If gas jets are replaced when clogged, then cooking function is restored, but equipment cost and complexity increase due to replacement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas jet functionalityVSAvoidmaintenance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the gas jet orientation to face downward, the patent eliminates the fundamental cause of clogging. This design change prevents the need for cleaning or replacement operations, simplifying maintenance requirements and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable gas jet functionality throughout the equipment's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution effectively prevents gas jet clogging, maintains even heating, and simplifies maintenance, ensuring consistent cooking performance and reducing the need for frequent gas jet replacement.

Implementation Method 1

Gas jets are provided for burning gas and generating heat to cook food

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

The interior of the grill is configured to redirect heat derived from the burning of gas by the gas jets in an upwardly direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9839322B2Grill

Publication Date: 2017.12.12 CLAY OVEN

AI summary

A grill configured to cook food placed above it. The grill comprising a base having an interior and containing a support for the food being cooked and gas jets for burning gas and generating heat to cook the food. The gas jets are directed downwards towards the interior of the base, thereby heating a bed of heat absorbent inert material. This material is heated by the gas jets and then radiates heat upwardly in the direction towards the support.