This invention describes a clever solar-powered cooking device that you can easily place on top of your existing gas stove. It's designed to cook food using electricity generated from solar panels, significantly reducing your need for expensive LPG gas cylinders. The main part of the cooker is a special heating plate with a curved surface, which heats up thanks to a built-in heating element. This plate sits inside a stainless steel dish, all mounted on a sturdy base. The device also has comfortable handles for easy carrying and an iron ring on top to hold your pots and pans securely. What makes it unique is its dual-fuel capability – you can use solar power most of the time, but if needed, you still have your gas stove underneath. It's also built with safety in mind, featuring protective barriers to prevent accidental burns, an overflow channel for spills, and even a hidden hook to store your gas burner when you're using solar. Essentially, it's a practical, clean, and flexible cooking solution that saves you money and helps the environment.
The patent addresses the challenges associated with traditional cooking methods, particularly in rural areas with limited Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) availability and urban settings where frequent LPG cylinder changes can be cumbersome. Existing solar cookers often suffer from low efficiency, outdoor cooking requirements, and dependence on specific weather conditions. The problem is to reduce reliance on LPG and provide a more convenient, efficient, and versatile cooking solution that leverages solar energy.
- Adaptability to Existing Stoves: The solar-powered cooking apparatus is designed to be fitted and used directly on an existing gas stove burner. This allows users to leverage their current kitchen setup with minimal modification, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The gas stove burner primarily acts as a holder.
- Dual Fuel Source Compatibility: It enables the user to utilize two sources of fuel (solar and LPG) with limited modifications to existing gas stove burners, promoting energy independence and reducing LPG consumption.
- Integrated Heating Plate with Resistive Element: The core heating mechanism is a heating plate with a concave surface containing at least one resistive heating element (e.g., Nichrome). This directly converts solar-generated electricity into heat, improving efficiency compared to conventional solar thermal collectors or induction cookers that require DC to AC conversion.
- Direct PV Cell Based System: Unlike conventional solar thermal systems, this invention uses a PV cell-based solar cook stove, which eliminates the need for complex fluid circulation or optical collectors for heat transfer.
Prototype includes parallel coils with a voltage regulator to simulate solar panel output. Stainless steel top with injection-molded bottom for durability and ease of cleaning. Safety features and user-friendly design elements integrated.
A working prototype has been developed, demonstrating usability and thermal performance. Medium fidelity 3D printed prototype tested for design and functionality flaws. Design simplification and refinement are underway for easier manufacturing.
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This solar-powered cooking apparatus offers a multifaceted societal impact by reducing reliance on expensive and often scarce LPG, thereby empowering households economically and promoting energy independence, especially in rural areas. By enabling cleaner cooking, it significantly lessens indoor air pollution from traditional biomass fuels, leading to improved public health outcomes, particularly for women and children. Furthermore, its adoption contributes to environmental sustainability by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, aligning with global climate action goals, while also providing a resilient and convenient cooking solution that enhances the overall quality of life.
Household Appliances, Renewable Energy Sector, Rural Development, Outdoor/Camping Equipment, Smart Home Technology.
Geography of IP
Type of IP
202321028051
531262