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EP-4736715-A1 - CONTACTLESS IGNITION SYSTEM

EP4736715A1EP 4736715 A1EP4736715 A1EP 4736715A1EP-4736715-A1

Abstract

A heating system that combusts solid fuel includes a firepot configured to hold the fuel to be combusted therein. The heating system also includes a contactless ignition system including a heating element configured to generate heat sufficient to combust the fuel within the firepot, and an element housing interfaced with the firepot. The element housing is configured to at least partially surround the heating element to prevent the heating element from contacting the fuel within the firepot.

Inventors

  • Wiechec, Corry
  • HORTON, SCOTT

Assignees

  • Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251014

Claims (15)

  1. A heating system comprising: a firepot (212, 312, 412, 512) configured to hold fuel to be combusted therein; and a contactless ignition system (230, 330, 430, 530) comprising: a heating element (232, 332) configured to generate heat sufficient to combust the fuel within the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512); and an element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) interfaced with the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512) and configured to at least partially surround the heating element (232, 332) to prevent the heating element (232, 332) from contacting the fuel within the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  2. The heating system of claim 1, wherein the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512) comprises a wall (218, 318) and the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) interfaces with an igniter opening (224, 324) in the wall (218, 318).
  3. The heating system of claim 2, wherein the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) protrudes through the igniter opening (224, 324) such that a distal end (240, 340, 440, 540) of the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) is within the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  4. The heating system of claim 3, wherein the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) completely isolates the heating element (232, 332) from the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  5. The heating system of claim 4, wherein the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) comprises vent holes (244, 344) disposed outside the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  6. The heating system of claim 3, wherein the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) comprises at least one distal side hole (550) disposed in a side wall of the element housing adjacent to or near the distal end (240, 340, 440, 540) of the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536).
  7. The heating system of claim 2, wherein the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) is oriented at a nonzero angle relative to a plane (352) that is perpendicular to the wall (218, 318) of the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  8. The heating system of claim 2, wherein a distal end (240, 340, 440, 540) of the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) is about aligned with the wall (218, 318) of the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  9. The heating system of claim 8, wherein the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) comprises a distal end opening (348, 448) allowing heated air from within the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) to move into the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  10. The heating system of claim 9, wherein the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) comprises a distal bridge (446) on the distal end (240, 340, 440, 540) of the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) preventing contact between the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) and the fuel in the firepot (212, 312, 412, 512).
  11. The heating system of claim 1, wherein a clearance between the heating element (232, 332) and an inner surface of the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) is at least 2mm.
  12. The heating system of claim 1, wherein the heating element (232, 332) is inset from a distal end (240, 340, 440, 540) of the element housing (236, 336, 436, 536), in particular by at least 10mm.
  13. A grilling device comprising: an oven section (102); a support element supporting the oven section (104); a hopper (130) for storing and delivering fuel; and a heating system (210, 310, 410, 510) comprising: a firepot (212, 312, 412, 512) configured to hold the fuel delivered from the hopper (130); and a contactless ignition system comprising a heating element, the contactless ignition system being configured to ignite the fuel held in the firepot and to prevent direct contact between the heating element and the fuel held in the firepot.
  14. The grilling device of claim 13, wherein the heating system is according to one of claims 1 to 12.
  15. A contactless ignition system (212, 312, 412, 512) comprising: a heating element (210, 310, 410, 510); and an element housing (236, 336, 436, 536) configured to at least partially surround the heating element (232, 332) to prevent direct contact between the heating element (232, 332) and fuel to be ignited by the contactless ignition system (230, 330, 430, 530).

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM This application claims the benefit of the filing date of United States Patent Application Serial No. 18/932,158, filed October 30, 2024, for "CONTACTLESS IGNITION SYSTEM," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates generally to ignition systems for igniting fuel, such as solid fuels within a grill, furnace, fireplace, etc. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a contactless ignition system for the ignition of solid fuels. BACKGROUND Many heating and cooking applications utilize solid fuel to provide heat through the process of combustion. Such heating and cooking applications may include stoves, grills, fireplaces, furnaces, or the like. Solid fuel in such heating and cooking applications may include wood pellets, charcoal, coal, etc. In operation, the solid fuel is ignited to combust to provide heat for cooking or to heat a surrounding space. The solid fuel may be ignited by hand, such as by using matches, lighters, a chimney starter, etc. However, many heating and cooking applications use an electric igniter to light the solid fuel for the convenience of the user. Such electric igniters typically operate using a heating element. The heating element is placed next to the solid fuel, such as in a fuel pot or burn pot. Once the heating element is sufficiently hot, contact between the fuel and the heating element causes the fuel to combust, thereby igniting the fuel and providing the heat for cooking and/or heating. DISCLOSURE According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a heating system includes a firepot configured to hold the fuel to be combusted therein. The heating system also includes a contactless ignition system including a heating element configured to generate heat sufficient to combust the fuel within the firepot, and an element housing interfaced with the firepot. The element housing is configured to at least partially surround the heating element to prevent the heating element from contacting the fuel within the firepot. In one aspect, a grilling device includes an oven section. The grilling device also includes a support element supporting the oven section and a hopper for storing and delivering fuel. The grilling device includes a heating system that includes a firepot configured to hold the fuel delivered from the hopper and a contactless ignition system. The contactless ignition system includes a heating element and is configured to ignite the fuel held in the firepot and to prevent direct contact between the heating element and the fuel held in the firepot. In one aspect, a contactless ignition system includes a heating element and an element housing. The element housing is configured to at least partially surround the heating element to prevent direct contact between the heating element and fuel to be ignited by the contactless ignition system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a detailed understanding of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements have generally been designated with like numerals. FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary grilling device in a closed configuration.FIG. 1B illustrates the grilling device of FIG. 1A in an open configuration.FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a heating system with a contactless ignition system in accordance with one embodiment.FIG. 2B illustrates a top perspective view of the heating system with a contactless ignition system of FIG. 2A.FIG. 2C illustrates a side section view of the heating system with a contactless ignition system of FIG. 2A.FIG. 3A illustrates a side perspective view of a heating system with a contactless ignition system in accordance with one embodiment.FIG. 3B illustrates a top perspective view of the heating system with a contactless ignition system of FIG. 3A.FIG. 3C illustrates a side section view of the heating system with a contactless ignition system of FIG. 3A.FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a heating system with a contactless ignition system.FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective section view of a heating system with a contactless ignition system. MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of any grilling device, heating system, ignition system, or any component thereof, but are merely idealized representations, which are employed to describe embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms following "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "may" with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term "is" so as to avoid any implication that other compatible