Spark Arrestor Design Using Segmented Tortuous Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spark arrestors are ineffective in extinguishing large or high-mass sparks/embers due to inadequate ventilation, oxygen supply, and rapid air exhaust, leading to potential backfires from combustible material buildup, which can ignite and cause explosions.
Innovation Solution
A spark arrestor design incorporating a combination of vanes, conical devices, and u-turns to create a long, oxygen-rich tortured path that effectively extinguishes sparks/embers, with the option to disassemble for easy cleaning to prevent combustible material accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a series of vanes are used to swirl air inside the chamber, then air circulation is improved, but the spark arrestor fails to adequately extinguish large or high-mass sparks because air is exhausted directly out the other side
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber is divided into multiple sections with multiple outlets distributed around the chamber. This segmentation prevents direct through-flow of air and sparks, forcing sparks to travel a longer tortuous path while maintaining air circulation through multiple exit points.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow path is transformed from a linear through-flow to a multi-dimensional tortuous path using u-turns and vertical components. Sparks must navigate three-dimensional pathways including upward and downward movements, significantly increasing residence time without requiring excessive horizontal length.
2Shape
If a cone is used in the duct to divert air, then air diversion is achieved, but the inlet duct becomes smaller which constricts air flow and allows sparks to stay alight too long due to inadequate ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single constricted inlet, the system uses multiple inlet ducts distributed around the chamber. Each inlet maintains adequate size for proper ventilation while collectively providing comprehensive air distribution throughout the chamber, ensuring sufficient oxygen supply to extinguish sparks through controlled combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
Air intake is moved from a single-point constricted inlet to multi-point distributed inlets with vertical and radial components. This three-dimensional air distribution ensures adequate oxygen supply to all regions of the chamber while maintaining proper flow patterns.
3Length of stationary object
If the outlet pipe is extended into the duct to create u-turns, then the tortuous path is lengthened, but the system becomes more complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The spark arrestor is divided into modular sections (inlet section, chamber section with vanes, outlet section) that can be independently accessed and cleaned. This segmentation maintains the tortuous path length for spark extinguishing while providing multiple access points for maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates removable or adjustable components such as vanes and chamber sections that can be taken out for cleaning. This dynamic design allows the tortuous path structure to be maintained during operation while being accessible for maintenance when needed.
4Stability of the object's composition
If vanes are used to swirl air, then air mixing is improved, but the exhaust is released too rapidly allowing sparks to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple outlets distributed around the chamber create multiple exhaust streams rather than a single rapid discharge. This segmentation extends the overall residence time of sparks in the chamber while maintaining effective air mixing through the vanes, as sparks are distributed across multiple exit points rather than all exiting simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust flow is given vertical and radial components in addition to horizontal flow. Sparks must navigate three-dimensional flow patterns including upward movements against gravity and radial distributions, significantly extending residence time while the vanes continue to provide effective air mixing.
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 design effectively extinguishes sparks/embers by prolonging their residence time within the system, ensuring complete combustion and preventing backfires by maintaining sufficient oxygen flow and allowing for easy maintenance to prevent combustible material buildup.
Implementation Method 1
a spark trap/arrestor of the present invention has at least two of the following: a) vanes, b) conical devices and c) u-turns that allows for sufficient oxygen and a tortured path that is sufficiently long so as to effectively extinguish sparks and/or embers that enter the system
Implementation Method 2
In some situations, the swirling air via the wind that blows adds oxygen to the ember, which serves to more rapidly extinguish the spark. This is similar to blowing on a coal, which increases the burning thereby shortening the life of the ember
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to spark traps/arrestors that are unproved relative to those that currently exist. For example, the present invention relates to a spark arrestor/trap that comprises a plurality of features that allows sparks/embers to be more effectively extinguished. The spark trap/arrestor of the present invention has at least two of vanes, conical devices and u-turns that allows for sufficient oxygen and a tortured path that is sufficiently long so as to effectively extinguish sparks and/or embers that enter the system. Alternatively, the system relates to a spark arrestor that comprises all of vanes, conical devices and u-turns that allows for sufficient oxygen and a tortured path that is sufficiently long so as to effectively extinguish sparks and/or embers that enter the system. In one embodiment, the various parts of the spark arrestor can be separated allowing for easy cleaning of the system.