QUICK IGNITION SYSTEM

Abstract

An ignition system with means for quick ignition is provided. The ignition system includes a hollow body having a first opening and a second opening; an ignition element for inducing combustion of a solid combustible material at the second opening; a current source electrically coupled to the ignition element; and a blower at the first opening, wherein the blower is configured to induce air flow from the first opening to the second opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application for patent claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Provisional Application No. 61/468,686, entitled, “Quick Ignition System,” filed Mar. 29, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure generally relates to the mechanical arts. In particular, it relates to a quick ignition system.

2. Background

Ignition systems, such as magneto ignition coil or battery-operated ignition systems, are used in inducing combustion of a fuel and air mixture. Unfortunately, these systems are typically ill-suited to inducing combustion of fuel-air mixtures in oxygen-deprived environments. Consequently, there is a need for a quick ignition system that can ignite a fuel-air mixture supporting instant demand for oxygen easily and safely.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, an ignition system includes a hollow body having a first opening and a second opening, an ignition element for inducing combustion of a solid combustible material at the second opening, a current source electrically coupled to the ignition element, and a blower at the first opening, where the blower is configured to induce air flow from the first opening to the second opening.

It is understood that other aspects of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various aspects of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different configurations and implementations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, together with the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary charcoal grill system configuration with an ignition system configured in accordance with one aspect of a quick ignition system disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary plenum of the ignition system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration for attaching a heating element to the plenum;

FIG. 4 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary configuration for mounting an ignition element within the plenum;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exemplary plenum with the heating element secured to a top surface of the plenum with a mounting element;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary plenum containing the ignition element;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of an exemplary blower enclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the exemplary blower enclosure of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for implementing the ignition system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The disclosure, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the various concepts presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these concepts are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without those specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are omitted in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the disclosure.

Various concepts will now be presented with reference to an ignition system, such as low-voltage, battery-operated; mechanically timed; and digital electronic ignition systems. However, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, these concepts may be extended to other devices that deliver ignition for a fuel-air mixture regardless of whether such devices use batteries, mechanical actuators, or electronic components. By way of example, various concepts presented throughout this disclosure may be extended to fired heaters, cooking appliances, or any other suitable systems requiring a quick ignition system. Accordingly, any reference to a specific ignition system is intended only to illustrate various aspects of the present invention, with the understanding that these aspects have a wide range of applications.

As used herein, the term “ignition element” is generally intended to include anything that may be utilized to induce combustion. As used herein, the term “plenum” is generally intended to include anything that may be utilized to fashion a hollow enclosure for use in an ignition system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary charcoal grill system configuration with an ignition system configured in accordance with one aspect of a quick ignition system disclosed herein. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a blower enclosure 120 is configured to be attached to a bottom section of a plenum 110. The blower enclosure 120 is configured to be attachable and detachable from the plenum 110. The plenum 110 is partially contained within a grill 140, with elevator elements 160 of the plenum 110 allowing the plenum 110 to maintain a fixed position within the grill 140. Alignment surfaces mate to a flat surface 150 within the grill 140, which serves as a fuel platform. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the grill used with the ignition system may vary in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary plenum of the ignition system of FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the plenum 110 has an s-shape body with a hollow section having a top end 250 and a bottom end 260, the top end 250 having a top end opening 210 for the hollow section and the bottom end 260 having a bottom end opening 220 for the hollow section, and front, back, left, and right surfaces. The material (e.g., metals, alloys, and ceramics) used to fashion the plenum 110 can vary in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The thickness, dimensions, and shape of the plenum 110 can vary in accordance with various embodiments within the scope of the present invention and will be readily determinable by one skilled in the art. For example, the plenum 110 walls can be relatively thin or relatively thick. Preferably, the plenum 110 has a thin wall, so as to increase a volume of air therein for air flow. The plenum 110 can also be shaped in other forms. For example, the plenum 110 can have a smooth curvature along its entire length; the cross-sectional shape can also be smooth and circular.

The plenum 110 has elevator elements 160 attached to the left and right surfaces of the plenum 110 to provide surfaces for maintaining a position of the plenum 110 within, for example, a heating appliance or grill. Two alignment elements 230 providing alignment surfaces 235 separate out along the edges of the top opening 210. Each of the two alignment elements 230 has an attachment hole 240. The top and bottom openings 210, 220 may be used for receiving positive pressure (e.g., air pressure) into the bottom opening 220 and out of the top opening 210. The size and shape of the plenum 110 can vary to increase air volume and pressure. For example, the bottom opening 220 may be configured to receive air flow from a fan or the blower enclosure 120 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration for attaching a heating element to the plenum. FIG. 3 shows the plenum 110 with a heating element 350, a mounting element 340, and an ignition element 330. The plenum 110 contains the ignition element 330 protruding from the top opening 210. The ignition element 330 has a serrated portion 320 lying parallel to the alignment surface 235 to provide multiple contact points with the heating element 350. The ignition element 330 can be, for example, a corrugated wire or a mesh of corrugated wire to provide a platform for the heating element 350 and multiple points of contact. Shaped in a semi-rectangle, the mounting element 340 is secured to the attachment holes 240 of the alignment surface 235, securing the heating element 350 to the top opening 210 along the alignment surface 235. A variety of materials including metals can be used to fashion the mounting element 340. The heating element 350 can be secured to the top opening 210 area with various embodiments within the scope of the present invention and will be readily determinable by one skilled in the art. Once the heating element 350 is placed on top of the ignition element 330, the ignition element 330 can be activated and air flow directed toward the heating element 350 to create a spark in the heating element 350. Electric current flows to the ignition element 330. If the heating element 350 is a metallic material (e.g., steel wool) current will further flow through the heating element 350 and induce heating and combustion. The ignition element 330 can be activated by, for example, an electric current from the blower enclosure 120. After the spark, the heating element 350 ignites and combusts. The combustion of the heating element 350 can provide fire or heat to induce combustion of a fuel source. For example, the fuel platform such as the aforementioned surface 150 of the grill 140 in FIG. 1 for holding the fuel source can be attached to the top end 250 of the plenum 110. The fuel source can vary in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. For example, the fuel source can be coal, wood, or any other suitable fuel source. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the heating element 350 can vary in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. By way of example, the heating element 350 can be a combustible element that is a solid or dry combustible material. For example, the combustible element can be tinder such as steel wool, shaved magnesium, twigs, paper, char cloth, lint, or bark. Further, by way of example, the heating element 350 can be a one-time-use heating coil.

FIG. 4 is a transparent perspective view of an exemplary configuration for mounting the ignition element within the plenum. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the ignition element 330 is placed inside the plenum 110 along the inside contours of the plenum 110. In the embodiment, several insulator elements 440 attach to the inside of the plenum 110 and are cylindrical shaped elements holding the ignition element 330 within the plenum 110. The insulator elements 440 are used at intervals to maintain electrical insulation between the ignition element 330 and the inside surface of the plenum 310. A suitable insulating material includes, but is not limited to, ceramics. The ignition element 330 is configured for use with a low voltage source supplying electric current to the ignition element 330. For example, the electric current can be provided from an assembly such as the blower enclosure 120 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exemplary plenum with the heating element secured to the top surface of the plenum with the mounting element. FIG. 5 shows the heating element 350 secured to the alignment surface 235 of the plenum 110 with the mounting element 340. The semi-rectangular shaped mounting element 340 is secured by any combination of spring or friction force, or gravity in the holes 240 of the alignment surface 235, and holds the heating element 350 on top of the ignition element 320 and the alignment surface 235. By securing the heating element 350 on the top opening 210 along the alignment surface 235, the heating element 350 is in electrical contact with the ignition element 330 along several points, and thus both electric current and air are supplied to ignite the heating element 350. The plenum 110, configured with a fan or blower, may provide greater-than-ambient air pressure to the heating element 350 and induce ignition in environments otherwise incapable of ignition due to a lack of sufficient oxygen.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary plenum containing the ignition element. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the ignition element 330 has two bends 610, 620 to follow the inside contour of the plenum 110. The ignition element 330 protrudes from the top opening 210 with an additional bend 630 to lie parallel to the alignment surface 235 and provide several contact points with the heating element 350. The ignition element 330 can be bent in other suitable ways to provide other paths. For example, the ignition element 330 can have one bend inside the plenum 110 (with the additional bend 630 at the top) so as to reduce the length and material cost of the ignition element 330. The embodiment shows a slag opening 670 at the bottom to allow slag and other debris to fall through and out of the plenum 110 to prevent buildup of slag and debris. The size, orientation, and location of the slag opening 670 can vary in accordance with various embodiments. The embodiment further shows a semi-circular attachment notch 680 along the top area. The attachment notch 680 aids in securing the plenum 110 to an external system, such as the grill 140 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the exemplary blower enclosure of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows the exemplary enclosure 710 containing a current source element 720, a blower element 730, ventilation elements 780, a power switch element 740, an ignition switch element 750, a circuit breaker element 760, and a current input adapter element 770. The power switch element 740 activates the blower element 730 to provide air flow and enables the ignition switch element 750. The ignition switch element 750 is a momentary, normally open, switch element used to supply current to the ignition element 330 and thereby induce ignition in the heating element 350. The circuit breaker element 760 prevents current flow exceeding a set limit. The limit can vary according to various embodiments. For example, a larger or thicker heating element 350 may require a higher current. The current input adapter element 770 allows the current source element 720 to be replenished or recharged. The ventilation elements 780 may be placed on the surface of the enclosure 710 to provide cooler outside air to the interior of the enclosure 710. The embodiment shows circular ventilation holes for a ventilation floor, but slits or other forms of ventilation may be used.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the exemplary blower enclosure of FIG. 1. The current source element 720, having a positive terminal 890A and a negative terminal 890B, supplies electric current to the various elements within the blower enclosure 710. The circuit breaker element 760 is connected between the current source element 720 and other various elements. The circuit breaker element 760 opens the circuit (electric path) to the various elements when the current exceeds a set limit. The power switch element 740 in a first position opens the path to the blower element 730 and the ignition switch element 750. The power switch element 740 in a second position closes the path to the blower element 730 and the ignition switch element 750, and thus enables the ignition switch element 750. In the present embodiment, the ignition switch element 750 is a momentary, normally open, switch element that, when activated, momentarily closes and supplies current to the ignition element 330. Further, the current input adapter element 770 is connected to the current source element 720 to allow recharging of the current source 720.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for implementing the ignition system of FIG. 1. The method 900 starts at 910, where the plenum 110 is provided have the top opening 210 and bottom opening 220. The method 900 proceeds to 920 where a fuel platform on the plenum 110 is provided for holding fuel. Next, at 930 the ignition element is provided in the plenum configured to ignite the fuel. At 940, the blower enclosure is provided that has the current source. Next, at 950 the blower enclosure is attached to the plenum 110 with the blower configured to provide positive air flow into the bottom opening 220 of the plenum 110 and the current source configured to provide current to the ignition element 330. At 960, attachment elements and surfaces are provided on the plenum 110 for connecting the plenum 110 to an appliance such as a heater, grill, etc.

As disclosed herein, a simple and convenient quick ignition system has been described.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described.

Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”

Claims

1. An ignition system comprising:

a hollow body having a first opening and a second opening;

an ignition element for inducing combustion of a solid combustible material at the second opening;

a current source electrically coupled to the ignition element; and

a blower at the first opening, wherein the blower is configured to induce air flow from the first opening to the second opening.

2. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the ignition element is a heating element.

3. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the ignition element is configured to produce a spark in the solid combustible material when a current from the current source is applied to the ignition element.

4. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the current source is removeably coupled to the ignition element.

5. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the ignition element comprises a corrugated wire.

6. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the ignition element comprises a mesh of corrugated wire, wherein the mesh is configured to provide a surface for placing the combustible material.

7. The ignition system of claim 1, further comprising a fuel platform coupled to the ignition element, wherein the fuel platform is configured to hold fuel in proximity to the ignition element.

8. The ignition system of claim 1, wherein the solid combustible material comprises steel wool.

9. The ignition system of claim 7, wherein the fuel comprises coal.

10. A method for implementing an ignition system comprising:

providing a plenum having a first opening and a second opening;

providing an ignition element for inducing combustion of a solid combustible material at the second; and

providing a blower configured to induce air flow in the plenum.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing a current source configured for electrically coupling to the ignition element.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing a fuel platform configured for attaching to the plenum for holding fuel.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

providing attachment surfaces on the plenum configured for attaching the plenum to a second surface.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the solid combustible material comprises steel wool.