Timer, Programmer, Retarder Or Condition Responsive Control Patents (Class 431/18)
  • Patent number: 11953204
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are provided for a controller for a fuel oil burner system that controls a fuel oil burner to perform intermittent ON cycles. In one example, a controller includes a memory configured to store a value for one or more burner control delay periods and a processor. The processor is configured to perform an auto-set procedure in a first ON cycle. The auto-set procedure includes detecting an oil valve in the fuel oil burner; determining that the value for a burner control delay period is a default value; and in response, storing a valve-present value as the value for the burner control delay period in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: R.W. Beckett Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Fildes, Benjamin Scott Anderson, James Todd, III
  • Patent number: 11953114
    Abstract: An air valve with a SMA wire for switching is located in an air chamber in which at least two air holes are formed. The air valve comprises a base, an air piston, a driving component, and the SMA wire. The base is provided with two supporting blocks, and two conduction components near one of the two supporting blocks. The air piston determines a ventilation state of one of the two air holes. The air piston comprises a rod body on the two supporting blocks and with a first triggering part, and a spring sleeved on the rod body. The driving component is sleeved on the rod body and with a second triggering part matched with the first triggering part. The SMA wire is connected with the two conduction components and the driving component, and is turned by the supporting block opposite to the two conduction components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TANGTRING SEATING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Jian Zeng, Jun Xie, Qing-Yi Feng
  • Patent number: 11739983
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling combustion in a modulating gas furnace. The method includes receiving an indication of a firing rate setpoint for a burner assembly, and applying the firing rate setpoint to first and second continuous functions that map the firing rate setpoint to air-to-fuel ratio and combustion system pressure setpoints. A variable-speed draft inducer blower is set to drive to a combustion system pressure setpoint, and the modulating gas valve is controlled during combustion in the combustion system. In this regard, a combustion system pressure measurement is obtained and applied to an inverse of the first continuous function that outputs an adjusted firing rate for the combustion system pressure measurement. The adjusted firing rate is applied to a third continuous function that maps the firing rate to gas valve position, and outputs a gas valve position to which the modulating gas valve is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Youssef A Jaber, Wayne N Kraft
  • Patent number: 11493203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas burner assembly (10), in particular for a gas cooking appliance, preferably for a domestic gas cooking hob. The present invention further relates to such a gas cooking appliance comprising at least one gas burner assembly (10). The gas burner assembly (10) comprises a burner head (12) including a plurality of high-power flame ports (32). The gas burner assembly (10) comprises at least one intermediate element (14, 16) including a plurality of low-power flame ports (38). The burner head (12) is arranged above the at least one intermediate element (14, 16). The high-power flame ports (32) are connected to a first gas inlet (30) via a horizontal Venturi pipe (22). The low-power flame ports (38) are connected to a second gas inlet (52) via an annular distribution chamber (46). The low-power flame ports (38) and the high-power flame ports (32) are located on different parts of the gas burner assembly (10) and arranged in super-imposed way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Marco Turchi, Riccardo Eusepi
  • Patent number: 11441816
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a furnace that includes a blower configured to operate to force a fluid through the furnace, a motor having a rated speed, in which the motor is coupled to and configured to actuate the blower, and a controller configured to receive data indicative of an operating characteristic of the furnace and regulate operation of the motor to be at or below an operational speed limit. The controller is configured to set the operational speed limit based on the data indicative of the operating characteristic of the furnace, such that the operational speed limit is less than or equal to the rated speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventor: Thomas D. Chase
  • Patent number: 10969373
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for sensing and communicating characteristics of a work environment. A communication system may comprise one or more of the following one or more low cost sensor unit (LCSU) configured to detect one or more characteristics of the environment; one or more portable gas detector configured to be carried by a worker in the work environment, and comprising at least one sensor element, a display, and a wireless communication module; and one or more mobile device to be carried by a worker in the work environment, and comprising a display and a wireless communication module, wherein at least one of the portable gas detector and the mobile device is configured to receive sensed data from the one or more low cost sensor unit, process the received sensed data, and display the received sensed data to the worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Agnel Anto, Chetan Sheelavant, Shine K. Hari
  • Patent number: 10928065
    Abstract: A gas burner controller adapter for use in adapting a gas burner control device, which is configured to be connected to a flame ionization electrode and a separate ignition electrode, to operate in a gas burner that only includes a single electrode serving as both the flame ionization electrode and the ignition electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell Technologies Sarl
    Inventors: Umberto Corti, Volker Kleine
  • Patent number: 10558731
    Abstract: A furnace is monitored by monitoring a statistical variable calculated from a draft measurement and monitoring a process variable related to the operation of the furnace. An abnormal operation of the furnace is determined based upon the statistical variable and the process variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT INC.
    Inventors: John Philip Miller, Joseph H. Sharpe
  • Patent number: 9900186
    Abstract: Vector signaling codes are synergistically combined with multi-level signaling, the increased alphabet size provided by the multi-level signaling enabling a larger codeword space for a given number of symbols, at the cost of reduced receiver detection margin for each of the multiple signal levels. Vector signaling code construction methods are disclosed in which code construction and selection of multi-level signal levels are coordinated with the design of an associated receive comparator network, wherein modified signal levels encoded and emitted by the transmitter result in increased detection margin at the receive comparators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KANDOU LABS, S.A.
    Inventors: Amin Shokrollahi, Roger Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9752699
    Abstract: An electronic oxygen conserving device for controlling a flow of oxygen from an oxygen storage container to a user. When a conserve setting is selected, a flow of oxygen travels through an oxygen regulating valve that has an open state and a closed state. A temporary electrical charge or current is provided to the oxygen regulating valve during the initial inhalation of oxygen by an individual, opening the regulating valve opens to delivery oxygen to the user. The oxygen regulating valve remains open even after termination of the electric current. After a predetermined timed delivery dose or upon exhalation by the individual, a subsequent temporary electric charge or current is provided to oxygen regulating valve, closing the regulating valve closes to prevent delivery of oxygen to the user, thus conserving oxygen. The oxygen regulating valve remains closed even after termination of the subsequent electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventor: Gary N Holder
  • Patent number: 9689569
    Abstract: A controller for use in a gas furnace system including a gas valve and an ignition device is provided. The controller includes a circuit board, a control circuit connected to the circuit board, and a plurality of harness connectors mounted to the circuit board. The control circuit is configured to control operation of the gas valve and the ignition device. Each harness connector is configured to mate with a wiring harness to electrically connect the control circuit to at least one component of the furnace system. Each harness connector includes a plurality of pin connectors defining a pin configuration of the corresponding harness connector, and each pin configuration is different than the other pin configurations. At least one pin connector from each harness connector is electrically connected in parallel with one of the pin connectors from each of the other harness connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: David L. Vie
  • Patent number: 9677759
    Abstract: An air/gas premix burner is disclosed. The air/gas premix burner includes a fan for sending an air/gas mixture towards a combustion head and a gas valve for regulating the introduction of combustible gas. The air/gas premix burner also includes an air/gas mixer, which comprises a localized pressure loss device, and a combustion head. The air/gas mixer includes two channels. One of the channels is provided with two hinged flaps that are designed to open and close for regulating the flow rate of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Gas Point S.R.L.
    Inventors: Claudio Zatti, Raffaello Rastelli, Nicola Lovascio
  • Patent number: 9625311
    Abstract: To easily obtain a quantity of received light with computation by only measuring pulses of an electric signal related to a flame sensor, a flame detecting system is disclosed comprising: a flame sensor to detect light and a calculating device, in which the calculating device includes an applied voltage generating portion configured to generate a pulse to drive the flame sensor, a voltage detecting portion configured to measure an electric signal flowing in the flame sensor, a storing portion configured to store sensitivity parameters of the flame sensor in advance, and a central processing unit configured to obtain a quantity of received light of a flame using parameters of a known quantity of received light, a pulse width, and a discharge probability of the sensitivity parameters, and a discharge probability obtained from an actual pulse width and the measured number of discharge times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Raita Mori
  • Patent number: 9068747
    Abstract: A system includes a flame detector with a photon detecting portion and a processing portion, the processing portion including a processor-based device programmed to provide the following functions: receiving input regarding a type of burner and a type of fuel, applying a flame detection configuration to the burner scanner according to the received input, and performing a flame detection process according to the flame detection configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SAFE-FIRE, INC.
    Inventor: Zhigao Huang
  • Patent number: 9039407
    Abstract: The burner preferably exclusively burns substantially explosible solid fuels and preferably has instant ON-OFF thermostat control, wastes no energy preheating the enclosure or external air supply, achieves stable combustion the moment the powder-air mix is ignited in our burner, is used in the upward vertical mode except for oil burner retrofits, burns a solid fuel in a single-phase regime as if it were a vaporized liquid or gas, is designed to complete combustion within the burner housing itself rather than in a large, high temperature furnace enclosure which it feeds, has an ultra-short residence time requirement, is a recycle consuming burner with self-contained management of initially unburned particles, is much smaller, simpler and lower cost, has a wider dynamic range/turndown ratio, is more efficient in combustion completeness and thermal efficiency, and operates with air-fuel mix approximately at the flame speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: James K. McKnight, Edward Bacorn, Ken W. White
  • Patent number: 9039406
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide components and a system for providing a safer environment for using a cutting torch. The system includes a cutting torch and a control box. There is communication from the user to the control box to allow fluids to flow to the torch. The control box includes closed biased valve(s) such that if there is a condition where there is no instruction from the torch to the control box and/or power is lost, the valves will shut, preventing fluid from flowing into the torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventors: David J. Logan, Jonathan A. Logan, Allan M. Horne, Paul E. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9032950
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and controllers for controlling gas-fired appliances such as warm air furnaces are disclosed. An illustrative furnace system can include a burner unit in communication with a combustion air flow conduit and heat exchanger, a variable speed inducer fan or blower adapted to provide a flow of combustion air to the burner unit, a furnace controller and motor speed control unit adapted to regulate the speed of the inducer fan or blower, and a pneumatically modulated gas valve adapted to variably output gas pressure to the burner unit based at least in part on the combustion air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9011140
    Abstract: A remotely actuated pilot gas valve includes safe lighting and complete shutoff capabilities in the event that the flame that is heating a thermocouple is extinguished. The invention provides for a heater system that utilizes such a pilot gas valve as well as a method whereby the pilot gas valve used in such a system can be remotely and electronically actuated when required. Remote actuation is accomplished by use of a solenoid that is incorporated within the valve design and which is controlled by a remote operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Baso Gas Products, LLC
    Inventor: Brent J. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8997731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas burner for a gas cooking appliance with at least one gas hob and/or one gas oven, wherein the gas burner (10) comprises a heat source (18) and an electric ignition system (24), and wherein an electric or electronic control circuit (38) is provided for controlling the electric ignition system (24). According to the invention the gas burner (10) includes a photovoltaic generator (20) for generating the electric power for the electric ignition system (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Karl Leidig, Francesco Corleoni, Edi Fabbro, Giancarlo Arrigoni
  • Patent number: 8985999
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) furnace has a venturi premixer and a disturber disposed downstream relative to the premixer and in an undivided output of the venturi premixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Lester D. Sherrow, Jeffery Wayne O'Daniel, Deepak Veettil, Wayne Kraft
  • Publication number: 20150037740
    Abstract: An assembly for controlling the flow of a gas to a gas burner. The assembly including a rotational regulating valve and an electromagnetic safety valve. The regulating valve is rotational between a first angular position corresponding to a closed position and a second angular position corresponding to an open position. The safety valve includes a valve member that translates axially between a first axial position corresponding to a closed position and a second axial position corresponding to an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: COPRECITEC, S.L.
    Inventor: Aitor SAN MIGUEL ARENAZA
  • Patent number: 8881718
    Abstract: A fuel-fired combustor includes a housing with a combustion chamber. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A fuel inlet to the housing supplies fuel to the combustion chamber. An igniter ignites a mixture of exhaust gas and fuel to produce a flame for increasing an internal temperature. At least one sensor measures or monitors at least one combustor characteristic and generates a corresponding combustor characteristic signal. A controller receives the combustor characteristic signal, compares the combustor characteristic signal to a predetermined combustor criteria and generates an output signal to change at least one combustor operating condition if the combustor characteristic signal varies from the predetermined combustor criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies USA, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Parrish, Samuel N. Crane, Jr., Wilbur H. Crawley, II
  • Patent number: 8882494
    Abstract: A cooking appliance having a gas burner operable to generate a quantity of heat is disclosed. The cooking appliance also includes a pressure sensor operable to measure the pressure of gas supplied to the gas burner from a gas valve. The gas valve is programmed to adjust the supply of gas to the gas burner based on the measured pressure of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Pickering, William A. Barritt
  • Patent number: 8875692
    Abstract: A regulation valve having a valve body with a gas inlet. Housed within the valve body is a rotary regulatory body having a first inlet orifice corresponding to a first minimum flow of a first type of gas and a second inlet orifice corresponding to a second minimum flow of a second type of gas. The first and second inlet orifices are angularly displaced so that when the regulatory body assumes a first angular position within the regulatory body the first inlet orifice faces the gas inlet and so that when the regulatory body assumes a second angular position within the regulatory body the second inlet orifice faces the gas inlet. The regulation valve includes first and second sets of cooperating features that are capable of limiting rotation of the regulatory body to the first and second angular positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Coprectiec, S.L.
    Inventors: Johnny Leonardo Carvalho, Kléber Luiz da Silva
  • Publication number: 20140295357
    Abstract: A cooktop includes a first burner and a second burner. A first temperature sensor is adjacent the first burner, and a second temperature sensor is adjacent the second burner. A cooktop controller is operatively connected to the first temperature sensor to receive a first temperature signal from the first temperature sensor, and operatively connected to the second temperature sensor to receive a second temperature signal from the second temperature sensor. The cooktop controller is configured to determine, from the second temperature signal, an absence of a cooking vessel at the first burner, and to automatically downwardly adjust a heat output of the first burner based on the absence of a cooking vessel at the first burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Wayne McAfee, Aric Hanz Storck
  • Patent number: 8845326
    Abstract: An gas burner assembly for a cooking appliance includes a main burner assembly, a simmer burner assembly positioned in a stacked relationship with and located below the main burner assembly, a venturi assembly for delivering a gas flow to the main burner assembly, a gas boost pump configured to control a pressurization of the gas flow, a gas valve assembly for controlling a rate of the gas flow, and an encoder coupled to the gas valve assembly, the encoder configured to track a position of the gas valve assembly and provide a signal to the gas boost pump for pressurization of the gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Eric K. Watson, Brian Michael Schork, Paul Bryan Cadima, Paul E. McCrorey
  • Publication number: 20140272735
    Abstract: A method supplies reactants, including fuel gas, to burners that discharge the reactants into a furnace process chamber. In a stable flame mode of operation, stable flames are projected from the burners into the furnace process chamber. At a time when the furnace process chamber has a temperature at or above an autoignition temperature of the fuel gas, a diffuse combustion mode is initiated by supplying a selected burner with additional reactants, including reactants diverted from another burner, to blow off the stable flame at the selected burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: John N. Newby
  • Patent number: 8807990
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel fired furnace having a vapor condensing flue gas vent conduit, a flue gas flow restrictor disposed in the vapor condensing flue gas vent conduit having a flue gas upstream side and a flue gas downstream side, and a condensate bypass conduit extending around the flue gas flow restrictor having a condensate inlet in fluid communication with the flue gas downstream side of the flue gas flow restrictor and a condensate outlet in fluid communication with the flue gas upstream side of the flue gas flow restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Utilization Technology Development, NFP
    Inventors: Shawn Matthew Scott, Lawrence Brand
  • Publication number: 20140205957
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide components and a system for providing a safer environment for using a cutting torch. The system includes a cutting torch and a control box. There is communication from the user to the control box to allow fluids to flow to the torch. The control box includes closed biased valve(s) such that if there is a condition where there is no instruction from the troch to the control box and/or power is lost, the valves will shut, preventing fluid from flowing into the torch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: David J. LOGAN, Jonathan A. LOGAN, Allan M. HORNE, Paul E. CHRISTENSEN
  • Patent number: 8755940
    Abstract: A system for optimizing and controlling a circulating fluidized bed combustion (FBC) system (7) and an air pollution control (APC) system (9) includes a controller (205, 305, 406) and an optimizer (210, 310). The controller (205, 305, 406) is connected to the FBC system (7) and/or the APC system (9). The optimizer (210, 310) is connected to the controller (205, 305, 406). The optimizer (210, 310) provides an optimized setpoint (220, 320, 420) to the controller (205, 305, 406) based on an economic parameter (235, 335, 435) and system outputs (230, 330) from the FBC system (7) and the APC system (9). The controller (205, 305, 406) provides an optimized input (215, 315) to the FBC system (7) and/or the APC system (9) based on the optimized setpoint (220, 320, 420) from the optimizer (210, 310) to optimize operation of the FBC system (7) and/or the APC system (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Xinsheng Lou, George D. Mylchreest, Carl H. Neuschaefer
  • Publication number: 20140150731
    Abstract: A gas control valve includes a base, a stop device, a driving device. The base has a gas passageway therein for gas to flow therethrough. The stop device is provided in the base to be moved between a first position, in which the stop device narrows the gas passageway to allow a first gas flow flowing through the base, and a second position, in which the stop device allows a second gas flow flowing through the base, wherein the second gas flow is greater than the first gas flow. The driving device is controllable to move the stop device between the first position and the second position. Therefore, the gas control valve of the present invention may adjust the gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: GRAND MATE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHUNG-CHIN HUANG, CHIN-YING HUANG, HSIN-MING HUANG, HSING-HSIUNG HUANG, KUAN-CHOU LIN, YEN-JEN YEH
  • Patent number: 8739543
    Abstract: A method for operating a burner including a burner outlet opening with at least two sectors, each sector is assigned at least one fuel nozzle, is provided. The method is characterized in that fuel is supplied separately to the fuel nozzles of different sectors. Also described is a burner which includes at least two sectors wherein each sector is assigned at least one fuel nozzle. The burner includes at least two separate fuel supply lines and a device for adjusting the fuel mass flow which flows through the respective fuel supply line. The fuel supply lines supply fuel to the fuel nozzles of different sectors. Also described is a gas turbine which is fitted with at least one burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eberhard Deuker, Anil Gulati, Andreas Heilos
  • Patent number: 8721325
    Abstract: A method for starting a combustion device, in particular after a first ignition failure, in particular for starting a gas burner under unknown basic conditions, wherein a characteristic diagram of a start air ratio depending on the burner temperature known from empirical analysis is stored for the combustion device in a memory, wherein a calibration of the starting process is performed, wherein the ratio of opening of the gas valve (w) to air volume mL necessary for ignition is iteratively determined by variation of the gas and/or air volume; and in case of ignition, the combustion device is started and the applicable air ratio (?)IGNITION is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: ebm-papst Landshut GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Geiger, Martin Geiger, Rudolph Tungl
  • Publication number: 20140080075
    Abstract: A burner control system for improving burner performance and efficiency. The system may determine fuel and air channel or manifold parameters. Determination of parameters may be performed with a sensor connected across the air and fuel channels. A signal from the sensor may control the parameters which in turn affect the amounts of fuel and air to the burner via a controller. Parameter control of the fuel and air in their respective channels may result in more accurate fuel and air ratio control. One or more flow restrictors in fuel and/or air bypass channels may further improve accuracy of the fuel and air ratio. The channels may be interconnected with a pressure or flow divider. Byproducts of combustion in the exhaust, temperatures of gas and air, flame quality and/or other items may be monitored and adjusted with control of the fuel and air ratio for optimum combustion in the burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Young, David Kucera, Donald J. Kasprzyk, Willem Super, Jos Praat, Roelof Thiewes, Hans van der Mei, Brian Zabel, John D. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8674842
    Abstract: An electronic communication unit such as a mobile phone comprises a processor for operating said unit; and an ambient air quality monitoring sensor; characterized in that said processor is configured to operate said unit in a first mode of operation during which a) monitoring of said air quality occurs and a level of air quality is assessed against pre-determined levels; and b) ordinary communication routines are activated provided an acceptable category of pre-determined levels is identified; and in a second mode of operation during which a) monitoring of said air quality occurs and a level of air quality is assessed against pre-determined levels; and b) an alarm routine is launched interrupting the ordinary communication routines once a level of ambient air quality is assessed to warrant the user's attention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Faiz Zishaan
  • Patent number: 8672670
    Abstract: Controlling a modulating gas furnace by monitoring a differential pressure associated with the modulating gas furnace using a low pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a first pressure, an intermediate pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a second pressure, and a high pressure limit switch configured to actuate at a third pressure, the second pressure being between the first and third pressure, selectively operating the modulating gas furnace in one of a cycling mode, a modulating mode in a lower range, and a modulating mode in an upper range, the modulating mode in the lower range being associated with an output capacity range between the output capacity ranges of the cycling mode and the modulating mode in the upper range, and selectively operating the furnace in response to at least one of the low pressure limit switch, the intermediate pressure limit switch, and the high pressure limit switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins
  • Patent number: 8668490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for igniting a gas flow by means of remote control. The aim of the invention is to maintain the current consumption so low that an integratable voltage source can be used. To this end, a thermoelectric safety pilot valve (17) is opened and the escaping gas ignited by the actuation of an electronic control unit (5) fed by a voltage source. Said thermoelectric safety pilot valve (17) is maintained open by a safety pilot magnet (18) by means of a holding current from the voltage source until a thermocouple (22) provides the required holding current once the gas flow has been ignited or a defined holding time is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mertik Maxitrol GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Barbara Happe, Jürgen Blank
  • Patent number: 8662885
    Abstract: A furnace system that generates heat by combustion is provided. The furnace system includes a sensor (100) that detects a gas concentration. The sensor is in communication with the flue gas (15). A controller is in communication with the sensor. The controller monitors the gas concentration and acts to control or deactivate the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Marc W. Roland, Hall Virgil
  • Patent number: 8636501
    Abstract: A method is proposed for regulating a firing device taking into account the temperature and/or the burner load, in particular with a gas burner, comprising the regulation of the temperature (Tactual) produced by the firing device using a characteristic which shows a value range corresponding to a desired temperature (Tdesired) dependent upon a first parameter (mL,VL) corresponding to the burner load (Q), wherein when representing the characteristic, a second parameter, preferably the air ration (?), defined as the ratio of the actually supplied quantity of air to the quantity of air theoretically required for optimal stoichiometric combustion, is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Landshut GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Geiger, Ulrich Geiger, Rudolf Tungl
  • Patent number: 8535050
    Abstract: A forced flue type combustion device in which an orifice is provided in at least one of an air supply passage and an exhaust passage, and in which the existence/nonexistence of a clog is determined on the basis of a detected pressure difference between the pressures on the upstream and downstream sides of the orifice, is arranged so that the existence/nonexistence of a clog can be determined with accuracy even during weak combustion with a low rotational speed of the combustion fan. Processing for increasing the rotational speed of the combustion fan is intermittently executed during weak combustion. During weak combustion, clogging determination processing based on the detected pressure difference value is executed only when the rotational speed of the combustion fan is increased. Clogging determination processing is started after the rotational speed of the combustion fan has become stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20130224669
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling the air to fuel ratio in a burner containing a venturi assembly. The venturi includes an air inlet, a primary fuel inlet with a converging section, a throat portion downstream from the converging section, a diverging section downstream from the throat portion, an outlet, and a secondary gas inlet disposed downstream from the converging section and upstream from the outlet. The method comprises introducing fuel into the fuel inlet, receiving air through the air inlet by inspiration, and feeding a gas through the secondary gas inlet, the flow rate and content of the gas fed through the secondary gas inlet being selected to result in a desired air to fuel ratio through the outlet. A method of firing a heater, a burner, a furnace and firing control systems also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Lummus Technology Inc.
  • Patent number: 8500441
    Abstract: A method is proposed for regulating a firing device taking into account the temperature and/or the burner load, in particular with a gas burner, comprising the regulation of the temperature (Tactual) produced by the firing device using a characteristic which shows a value range corresponding to a desired temperature (Tdesired) dependent upon a first parameter (mL, VL) corresponding to the burner load (Q), wherein when representing the characteristic, a second parameter, preferably the air ratio (?), defined as the ratio of the actually supplied quantity of air to the quantity of air theoretically required for optimal stoichiometric combustion, is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: EBM-Papst Landshut GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Geiger, Ulrich Geiger, Rudolf Tungl
  • Patent number: 8485137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion control device incorporated in an apparatus such as water heater and provides the combustion control device having an improved configuration with a main controller and a sub controller, capable of employing a microcomputer with lower capability as the sub controller, and ensuring higher safety than ever before. Signals indicating a combustion state of a combustion apparatus are inputted into the main controller 35 and the sub controller 36 in parallel. Upon fulfillment of a predetermined condition of stopping, the main and sub controllers 35 and 36 each output a stop signal to cut off a current to be supplied to a device driving circuit 42. The conditions of stopping in outputting of the stop signal by the main and sub controllers are such that the sub controller 36 is less apt to execute the cutoff than the main controller 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Noritz Corporation, Noritz Electronics Technology Corporation Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoki Kishimoto, Yuji Takagi, Masayoshi Yasukawa, Akira Takabayashi, Shinichi Okamoto, Hiroshi Yakoyama, Takashi Yashima, Masanori Kubotani
  • Patent number: 8439667
    Abstract: A method is provided for tuning an oxygen trim controller during the commissioning of a combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system, rather than tuning the oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventors: Junqiang Fan, Muhidin A. Lelic, Guido Poncia
  • Publication number: 20130105499
    Abstract: A method of making a can assembly includes double-seaming a double-countersink metal end onto a can body and reforming the double-countersink metal end so as to effectively yield a single-countersink metal end of smaller diameter. In the process, the region of the can body adjacent the metal end becomes necked-in. The method can be applied to make a stackable three-piece can in which the reformed smaller-diameter metal end will fit within a double-seam of a metal end attached to the opposite end of the can body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Dave Dunn, Jeremy Morin
  • Patent number: 8425224
    Abstract: A burner-based exhaust gas generation system, having a blower for providing air into the system. The blower is controlled to compensate for variations in mass air flow into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Jeffrey A. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20130061593
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a combustor assembly are disclosed. The system includes a combustor assembly. The combustor assembly includes a combustor and a fuel nozzle assembly. The combustor includes a casing. The fuel nozzle assembly is positioned at least partially within the casing and includes a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle assembly further defines a head end. The system further includes a viewing device configured for capturing an image of at least a portion of the head end, and a processor communicatively coupled to the viewing device, the processor configured to compare the image to a standard image for the head end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William David York, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Thomas Edward Johnson, Christian Xavier Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20130004902
    Abstract: Gaseous particles or gas-entrained particles may be conveyed by electric fields acting on charged species included in the gaseous or gas-entrained particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: David B. Goodson, Thomas S. Hartwick, Tracy A. Prevo, Joseph Colannino, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20120325197
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically rotating a control knob unit on an appliance or other device to an Off position upon the occurrence of a safety event is provided. The control knob unit may be secured to and engaged with an operational shaft on the appliance which controls the flow of gas or power to the appliance. The system may include one or more detectors (or detector modules) that are configured to emit a signal upon an occurrence of the event, such as a fire, which may be an early indication of a developing emergency. The signal may be in the form of an audible alert, such as sound (or sound waves). A data transceiver processing module may receive a plurality of sound waves and analyze the plurality of sound waves for a variation in frequency (or Doppler Effect) to determine if any of the sound waves originate from the one or more detector modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Ferdinand Villegas Legaspi, Perfecto Ferrer Gallardo, JR., Fernando Medina Bernardo
  • Publication number: 20120317985
    Abstract: A combustion system may include a plurality of heated volume portions. At least two of the plurality of heated volume portions may include corresponding respective electrodes. The electrodes may be driven to produce respective electric fields in their respective volumes. The electric fields may be configured to drive desired respective responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CLEARSIGN COMBUSTION CORPORATION
    Inventors: THOMAS S. HARTWICK, DAVID B. GOODSON, CHRISTOPHER A. WIKLOF, JOSEPH COLANNINO