V-Shaped Firebox Burner Assembly for Fuel-Efficient Infrared Grilling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infrared grills and burner systems face challenges in achieving thermal efficiency and cost-effectiveness due to large interior volumes, complexity, and limitations in using different cooking zones, leading to issues with heat segregation, fuel efficiency, and wind resistance.

Innovation Solution

A V-shaped burner firebox with a reduced volume, optimized for improved heat transfer and fuel efficiency, using a double-walled design with a V-shaped cross-section and insulating gaps to enhance infrared energy transmission and reduce convective heat loss, allowing for adjustable fuel input and stable flame performance under wind conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rectangular firebox is used with large interior volume, then complete combustion is achieved, but fuel efficiency deteriorates and heat loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete combustionVSAvoidfuel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The firebox is designed with a V-shaped cross-section instead of a traditional rectangular shape. This curved/angular geometry reduces the interior volume while maintaining combustion effectiveness, thereby improving fuel efficiency and reducing heat loss to the surroundings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If a single-walled firebox is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but thermal insulation deteriorates and convective heat loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabrication simplicityVSAvoidconvective heat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The firebox is constructed with a double-walled design, dividing the structure into an inner wall in contact with combustion gases and an outer wall exposed to the environment. The space between the walls acts as an insulating barrier, reducing convective heat loss while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple burners are positioned adjacent to each other, then cooking capacity increases, but heat segregation between zones deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking capacityVSAvoidheat carryover

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Adjacent V-shaped fireboxes are positioned with their vertices touching or nearly touching, creating natural thermal barriers between zones. This segmentation approach allows multiple burners to operate simultaneously while minimizing heat carryover to non-operating zones, maintaining cooking capacity with improved energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If a large diameter burner tube is used, then fuel input capacity increases, but device complexity and metal usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel input capacityVSAvoidburner assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The V-shaped firebox geometry allows for more efficient heat distribution and combustion chamber utilization, enabling the use of smaller diameter burner tubes to achieve the same fuel input capacity. This reduces metal usage and simplifies the burner assembly while maintaining energy delivery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 V-shaped burner assembly increases temperature and pressure within the grill, improves heat transfer, reduces fuel consumption, and enhances infrared energy transmission, while maintaining complete combustion and preventing flame failure, even at low fuel input rates, with improved segregation of cooking zones and reduced metal usage for cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The V-shaped burner assembly increases temperature and pressure within the grill

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

improves heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

Outdoor grilling systems which utilize infrared radiant energy for cooking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 4

double-walled design with a V-shaped cross-section and insulating gaps

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 5

maintaining complete combustion and preventing flame failure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP2763575B1Cooking grill and burner having v-shaped firebox

Publication Date: 2017.09.06 W C BRADLEY CO

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AI summary

A grill and a burner assembly therefor. The burner assembly utilizes a V-shaped firebox having a V-shaped combustion chamber containment wall, which defines a combustion chamber of significantly reduced volume. The burner assembly can also have a V-shaped outer insulating wall which is positioned outside of the combustion chamber containment wall such that an insulating gap is formed between the inner V-shaped wall and the outer V-shaped wall. A burner element preferably extends longitudinally within the combustion chamber of the firebox above the bottom of the V-shaped combustion chamber containment wall.