Vortex Flame Device with Movable Flow Guide for Safe Ignition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vortex flame devices face challenges in preventing excess air from entering, leading to unstable flames and safety issues during manual ignition, particularly in windy environments, and accumulate combustible gas, causing burns.

Innovation Solution

A vortex flame device with a flow guiding mechanism comprising two half flow guiding mechanisms with movable walls and vanes, a combustion head with an outlet hole, and a hollow transparent shield, allowing for safe manual ignition by creating a gap for gas accumulation prevention and guiding airflow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If ports are directly open to air for air supply, then air can enter the chamber for combustion, but excess air enters leading to unstable flames and wind sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supplyVSAvoidflame stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a baffle structure with specific geometric characteristics (inclined surfaces, angled ports) to create localized flow patterns. The baffle's inclined surfaces guide air flow in a controlled manner, while the angled ports direct airflow tangentially to the combustion chamber, creating a stable swirling flow that prevents excess air from disrupting the flame while ensuring adequate oxygen supply for combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If no air is supplied for combustion, then flame can be stable, but flame will extinguish

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame stabilityVSAvoidcombustion continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a baffle structure that utilizes fluid dynamics principles to control air flow into the combustion chamber. The inclined surfaces and angled ports of the baffle create a controlled pneumatic flow pattern that ensures adequate air supply for sustained combustion while preventing excessive air ingress that would destabilize the flame. The baffle effectively manages the pneumatic characteristics of air flow to maintain both stability and continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Power

If base is heated during combustion, then combustion can proceed, but top surface becomes very hot and not safe to touch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion heatVSAvoidheat safety
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a baffle structure as an intermediary element between the heat source and the user. The baffle is positioned to intercept and redirect hot gases and flames away from the base surface, creating a physical barrier that prevents direct contact with high-temperature areas. This intermediary structure allows combustion to proceed with sufficient heat generation while protecting the user from harmful thermal radiation and contact with hot surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Quantity of substance

If combustible gas accumulates near bottom, then gas can be stored, but manual ignition causes flash fire and burns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas storageVSAvoidflash fire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the accumulated combustible gas from the combustion chamber through the baffle structure. The baffle's inclined surfaces and ports create a flow path that actively removes accumulated gas, preventing dangerous concentrations from forming. By continuously extracting accumulated gas and preventing its buildup, the system eliminates the flash fire hazard while still allowing sufficient gas storage for sustained combustion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Object-affected harmful factors

If continuum ignition system and piezo valve are used, then manual ignition safety is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition safetyVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a simple, inexpensive baffle structure made from basic materials to solve the ignition safety problem. Instead of using complex and expensive systems like continuum ignition systems or piezo valves, the invention uses a straightforward mechanical baffle with inclined surfaces and angled ports that passively controls gas flow and prevents dangerous gas accumulation. This simple, low-cost structure provides adequate safety functionality without the complexity and high cost of advanced ignition control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 device ensures safe manual ignition by preventing gas accumulation and stabilizing the flame, with guided airflow maintaining a smooth and stable swirling pattern, reducing the risk of burns and enhancing flame control.

Implementation Method 1

Two adjacent vanes include a spiral air passage formed therebetween and in communication with the channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpiral flow:

Implementation Method 2

a combustion head is disposed in the channel and has at least one outlet hole that fuel of the connected fuel reservoir flows through

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

The two half flow guiding mechanisms selectively change to a first position including a gap between free ends thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow control:

Data Source

PatentUS9557051B2Vortex flame device capable of being manually ignited safely
Publication Date: 2017.01.31 PRO IRODA INDS
  • US9557051B2 patent drawing
  • US9557051B2 patent drawing
  • US9557051B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A vortex flame device includes a flow guiding mechanism integrated from two half flow guiding mechanisms and with which a fuel reservoir is adapted to connect. Each half flow guiding mechanism includes a wall. The walls are engaged together in a manner movable relative to each other, and each includes a plurality of vanes mounted thereon. Two adjacent vanes include a spiral air passage formed therebetween and in communication with the channel. The two half flow guiding mechanisms selectively change to a first position including a gap between free ends thereof and a second position with the free ends thereof joined. Further, a combustion head is disposed in the channel and has at least one outlet hole that fuel of the connected fuel reservoir flows through. Further, a shield is disposed above the flow guiding mechanism.