Wick Assembly with Nozzle Channel for Drip Torch Flame Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drip torches face issues with flame extinguishment due to air draughts and incorrect handling, inefficient fuel ignition, and difficulty in dense vegetation, as well as weight-related handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
A wick assembly with a channel surrounding the nozzle ensures consistent fuel ignition and flame protection, integrated with a support for aeration and made from lightweight materials like polyethylene to reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wick is positioned offset from the nozzle, then the wick can be protected from direct fuel exposure, but the flame goes out in air draughts and fuel ignition becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the wick and nozzle into a single integrated wick assembly where the wick surrounds the nozzle. This combination ensures that the fuel stream from the nozzle is immediately surrounded by the wick material, guaranteeing complete ignition of all dispensed fuel while the integrated structure protects the flame from air draughts.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick is configured to surround the nozzle in a nested arrangement, with the nozzle positioned centrally within the wick structure. This nesting ensures that every stream of fuel dispensed from the nozzle is enveloped by the wick, guaranteeing complete ignition while maintaining flame stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wick is inserted into dense vegetation to reach combustible material, then the torch can access difficult areas, but the wick goes out when contacting vegetation
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle acts as an intermediary between the fuel source and the vegetation. Fuel is dispensed through the nozzle in a controlled stream that ignites immediately upon contact with the wick, creating a reliable ignition source that can be inserted into vegetation without the wick itself needing to carry an exposed flame that would be extinguished by plant moisture.
3Quantity of substance
If the tank is made large to hold sufficient fuel, then the burning capacity increases, but the weight makes the torch difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the tank from traditional heavy materials to lightweight polyethylene material. This parameter change allows the tank to maintain sufficient fuel capacity while significantly reducing the overall weight of the torch assembly, making it easier to carry and handle.
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 wick assembly ensures all fuel is ignited, maintains flame stability in air draughts and vegetation, and reduces weight for easier handling, improving the effectiveness and usability of drip torches for controlled burns.
Implementation Method 1
a wick operationally connectable to the nozzle, wherein the wick is configured to be impregnated with the fuel dispensed through the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the wick is configured to be impregnated with the fuel dispensed through the nozzle and to be ignited with fire
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a wick assembly (1) for a drip torch (10), the torch (10) comprises a canister (2) in which liquid fuel is stored, a tube (3) couplable at a first end to the canister (2), the tube (3) configured to convey the fuel from the canister (2) to a nozzle (4) couplable to a second end of the tube (3) opposite the first end, the nozzle (4) configured to dispense the fuel, the wick assembly (1) comprising a wick (5) operationally connectable to the nozzle (4), the wick (5) being configured to be impregnated with the fuel and to be ignited with fire, the wick (5) comprises a channel (6) that crosses the same, the channel (6) being provided with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is arranged around the nozzle (4) enabling the passage of the fuel to the outlet of the channel (6).