Torch Burner Cap With Mesh Insert for Flame Size Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Patio torches often have wicks that are too small, leading to inadequate combustion and flame control, resulting in insufficient light, aroma, and pest repellent effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A torch burner cap with a wick holder and mesh insert, which promotes sooting and carbon buildup to enhance fuel seepage, combined with a larger flame bowl for improved flame size and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a larger diameter wick is used to increase combustion surface area, then the flame size increases, but air and flame control becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The wick is segmented into multiple smaller wicks arranged in a bundle within the wick holder, rather than using a single large diameter wick. This segmentation maintains adequate combustion surface area for sufficient flame size while keeping each individual wick thin enough to maintain proper air flow and flame control. The mesh insert further segments the fuel delivery to support this segmented wick structure.
2Productivity
If the wick size is increased to provide effective combustion, then flame output improves, but the wick becomes too large for proper air control
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh insert is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel reservoir and the wick bundle. The mesh insert regulates fuel delivery to the wicks and maintains proper air flow, enabling the use of multiple wicks for effective combustion without the air control problems that would result from using fewer, larger wicks. This intermediary structure facilitates effective combustion while maintaining simplicity in the overall wick arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If a small wick is used to maintain air control, then flame stability is maintained, but the flame size becomes insufficient for desired effect
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple thin wicks are merged into a single bundled structure within the wick holder, combining the air control advantages of thin wicks with the cumulative combustion surface area of multiple wicks. This merged structure delivers sufficient light output and flame size while maintaining the air control benefits of smaller individual wick diameters. The mesh insert supports this merged structure by regulating fuel distribution across all wicks simultaneously.
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 results in a larger and more robust flame, enhancing the light, aroma, and pest repellent performance of the patio torch.
Implementation Method 1
A torch may include a refillable canister that accepts liquid fuel... the wick is often too small, relatively speaking, to provide an effective amount of combustion
Data Source
AI summary
A torch burner cap includes a wick holder, an indention defined in the cap and surrounding the wick holder, and a mesh insert at least partially situated within the indention in the cap and surrounding the wick holder.