Variable-Direction Burner Tip for Adjustable Flame Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current combustion systems have static burner designs that fail to adapt to varying operating conditions or imperfect installations, limiting the flexibility of flame shape and direction, which affects heat transfer efficiency and pollutant emission control.

Innovation Solution

A variable-direction burner tip system with actuators and flexible hose couplings allows for real-time adjustment of flame direction, enabling accommodation of different operating conditions and imperfect installations by altering the firing direction of the burner tips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a static burner design is used, then the burner is simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but the flame shape and direction cannot be adjusted to accommodate varying operating conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying operating conditionsVSAvoidburner structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the burner tip movable rather than fixed. The burner tip is coupled to an actuator that can alter its firing direction, and connected via a flexible hose that allows rotation and movement. This dynamic configuration enables the burner to adapt to varying operating conditions and accommodate imperfect installations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a burner system that can perform multiple functions through a single adjustable component. The variable-direction burner tip can accommodate different firing directions and flame shapes to address various operating conditions and installation variations, making the burner universally applicable across different scenarios without requiring multiple specialized burners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a fixed burner tip is used, then the device is simpler to operate, but the flame direction cannot be adjusted to improve heat transfer efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic burner tip design allows real-time adjustment of flame direction to optimize heat transfer efficiency. The actuator can modify the firing direction based on operational requirements, enabling the system to adapt to different heat transfer needs while maintaining relatively simple operation through automated or controlled adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid fuel line is used, then the connection is structurally simple, but the burner tip cannot rotate or change direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburner tip rotation capabilityVSAvoidfuel line flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the flexible shells principle by replacing the rigid fuel line with a flexible hose that connects the fuel input to the burner tip. This flexible hose can accommodate rotation and movement of the burner tip while maintaining fuel supply, enabling the burner to change direction and adapt to different operating conditions without requiring complex rigid piping systems with joints and bends.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20230324040A1Variable-direction injector tip and burner incorporating the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 JOHN ZINK CO LLC

AI summary

A variable-direction burner tip is coupled to a first actuator that, when actuated, alters a firing direction of the respective burner tip. A respective flexible hose may couple a fuel input to each burner tip to accommodate rotation of the respective burner tip. In a burner incorporating one or more variable-direction burner tips, the burner includes a burner throat having one or more burner throats therein, the burner throats being sized and shaped to accommodate variation in firing direction by at least one burner tip positioned within each of the burner throats.