Single Master Control Valve for Multi-Burner Gas Cooking Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor grill systems with multiple burners require separate electronic fuel control valves for each burner, leading to excessive cost, complexity, reduced mechanical reliability, and increased maintenance due to the need for individualized control systems.
Innovation Solution
A single Master Control Valve (MCV) is used to control the gas fuel rate for multiple burners, with each burner also having a manual control valve. The MCV activates only when all manual valves are set to a designated position, allowing automatic control of gas flow to all burners based on cooking process set points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If separate electronic fuel control valves are used for each burner, then automated temperature control for each burner is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual electronic fuel control valves into a single centralized electronic fuel control valve that serves all burners. This single valve integrates the control functions that would otherwise require separate valves for each burner, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining automated temperature control capability through a unified control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single electronic fuel control valve is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling fuel flow to all burners simultaneously. This universal valve replaces the need for burner-specific control valves, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes and reducing the overall number of parts in the system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate electronic fuel control valves are used for each burner, then individualized control is achieved, but manufacturing and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual control valves into a single centralized valve assembly, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and installed. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while the control system maintains the ability to individually regulate each burner through electronic control signals.
3Measurement precision
If separate electronic fuel control valves are used for each burner, then precise control for each burner is achieved, but system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple electronic control valves into a single more reliable centralized valve. By reducing the number of electronic components and connection points, the system minimizes potential failure points while maintaining precise fuel flow control through a unified control mechanism that regulates all burners from a single point.
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor gas cooking system having multiple burners in which, if the individual manual control valves for all of the burners are placed on a high heat setting or some other specified or recognized activation position, a single electronic master control valve can be activated to control the total gas fuel rate to all of the burners in the cooker based, for example, upon a cooking or operational control set point or upon a target flow rate equaling the sum of the design flow rates of all of the burners at the current operating set points of the manual valves.