Responsive To Combustion Chamber Pressure Patents (Class 431/19)
  • Patent number: 11340569
    Abstract: A device that includes a pressure sensor that adds dynamic pressure sensing capability to a furnace. In some examples the device may include a relay and other circuitry to replace the single-setpoint pressure switch used to sense the operation of an inducer fan. The pressure sensor may measure the pressure from the inducer fan and send a signal to the other circuitry, such as a microcontroller. The other circuitry may determine when the pressure from the inducer fan reaches a predetermined threshold and allow the main gas valve of the furnace to open. The other circuitry may be configured to set the pressure sensor to a variety of predetermined pressure thresholds, and thereby replace multiple pressure switches. In some examples, the other circuitry may record pressure values received from the pressure sensor over time and provide performance data, as well as other signals or indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Young, Adam Myre, Frederick Hazzard
  • Patent number: 9777924
    Abstract: A method and device for verifying the integrity of each operator of a gas valve including two operators disposed in succession on a passage path for the gas directed to a burner; the operator being subjected to command action by a corresponding actuator controlled by a command and control unit adapted to sense the presence of the flame in the burner, which is correlated with the gas flow rate reaching this burner. Each operator is made to close alternately, with corresponding cessation of gas feed to the burner and successive sensing of the extinguishing of the flame at the burner within a predefined time period, power to these operators being completely interrupted if it is sensed after said time period that the flame is extinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BERTELLI & PARTNERS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Pierluigi Bertelli
  • Publication number: 20150053197
    Abstract: A furnace is disclosed that includes a burner with a firing rate that is variable between a minimum and a maximum firing rate. After a call for heat is received, the firing rate is set to an initial level above the minimum firing rate, and the burner is ignited. The firing rate is then modulated downward toward the minimum firing rate. If the flame is lost during or after modulation, the burner is reignited and the firing rate is maintained above the firing rate at which the flame was lost until the current call for heat is satisfied. In some cases, the firing rate is maintained until one or more subsequent calls for heat are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael William Schultz, Jonathan McDonald, Victor J. Cueva
  • Publication number: 20150030986
    Abstract: Servo gas system (11) for a gas burner (10), namely for controlling a pressure regulation valve (20) positioned in a gas duct (18) of the gas burner, thereby controlling a gas pressure within the gas duct (18) being present downstream of the pressure regulation valve (20) and thereby controlling a pressure difference between a pressure in a burner chamber (12) of the gas burner and said gas pressure within the gas duct (18), the servo gas system (11) comprising a static servo gas flow branch (28) and a dynamic servo gas flow branch (29) being connected in parallel, and a flow sensing element (30) being connected between the static servo gas flow branch (28) and the dynamic servo gas flow branch (29) and providing a signal used to control the pressure regulation valve (20) by an electric actuator (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Willem Super
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140051029
    Abstract: A burner installation includes a stack, a burner, a fuel valve, an air valve and a control device including a store storing burner pairs of values of air and fuel valve settings at firing rates and for controlling air and fuel valve settings. A stack flow regulator adjusts flow of combustion products through the stack and a pressure sensing arrangement monitors pressure of combustion products downstream of the burner. Respective pairs of stack flow regulator setting values and a measured value from the pressure sensing arrangement are stored for pairs of air and fuel valve settings values. The control device receives a feedback signal from the pressure sensing arrangement for comparing an actual pressure value with a stored pressure value and to trim the stack flow regulator setting to cause the actual pressure value from the pressure sensing arrangement to move closer to the stored pressure value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Autoflame Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Brendan Kemp
  • Publication number: 20140038113
    Abstract: A system is configured to apply a voltage, charge, and/or an electric field to a combustion reaction responsive to acoustic feedback from the combustion reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ClearSign Combustion Corporation
    Inventors: ROBERT E. BREIDENTHAL, VINCENZO CASASANTA, III, JOSEPH COLANNINO, DAVID B. GOODSON, TRACY A. PREVO, RICHARD F. RUTKOWSKI, CHRISTOPHER A. WIKLOF
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8459986
    Abstract: A burner at which fuel cannot be combusted with air as the only source of oxygen for combustion in a stable flame at the burner when the feed rate of the fuel is too low, when the fuel is fed at too high an air-to-fuel mass ratio, when the fuel contains too high an amount of inert matter, or when the specific energy content of the fuel is too low, is modified by supplying oxidant containing more than 21 vol. % oxygen into the base of a flame at the burner, whereupon such fuels can be combusted at the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan E. F. Laux
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8397515
    Abstract: A combustor of a turbine engine having a combustion zone defined therein is provided and includes a fuel nozzle, including two or more burners, each of the burners having a passage defined therein through which combustible materials are permitted to travel toward the combustion zone, a plurality of sensors disposed in relative association with each of the burners to respectively sense static pressures within the passages of each of the burners and to respectively issue sensed static pressure signals accordingly, and a controller, coupled to the sensors and receptive of the signals, which is configured to determine from an analysis of the signals whether any of the burners are associated with a flashback risk and to mitigate the flashback risk in accordance with the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Garth Curtis Frederick
  • Patent number: 8388339
    Abstract: A flame sense circuit and method utilizing only a single pin of a microcontroller is provided. A flame sense circuit is used to vary the charge on a capacitor from a logic high indicating no flame to a logic low when a flame is detected. The microcontroller changes the state of the pin coupled to this circuitry from a high impedance input to detect when the capacitor is discharged indicating the presence of flame, to a logic high output to recharge the flame sense capacitor. Once this charging has been accomplished, the microcontroller again changes the status of the pin to a high impedance input and verifies that the capacitor has been charged. This pin is monitored to verify that the flame sense capacitor is again discharged to indicate the continued presence of flame. This process is repeated to ensure flame continues to be present during a combustion event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Robert C. Beilfuss
  • Patent number: 8313324
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus is provided which includes an incoming fuel supply line that supplies fuel in a plurality of fuel-supply lines to one or more burners, the burners being associated with a combustion volume. A temperature sensor is located in the apparatus so as to yield temperature information relating to a component part of the apparatus, which is to be prevented from overheating The apparatus also includes a control arrangement, which detects the temperature-sensor output and, depending on that output, varies the fuel supplies to one or more of the burners in such a way as to maintain the temperature of the component part below a maximum value, while keeping the fuel in the incoming fuel supply line substantially constant. The control unit preferably also strives to adjust the operating conditions of the apparatus so that pressure oscillations are kept below a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ghenadie Bulat, Robin McMillan
  • Publication number: 20120208136
    Abstract: A system for operating a combustor includes a nozzle and a fuel passage and air passage through the nozzle. A fuel supply is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet, and an air supply is in fluid communication with the air inlet and the fuel inlet. A method for operating a combustor includes flowing a fuel through a fuel inlet in a nozzle and flowing air through an air inlet in the nozzle. The method further includes sensing an operating parameter of the combustor, generating a signal reflective of the operating parameter, and controlling a flow of at least one of air or diluent to the fuel inlet based on the signal reflective of the operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Joseph Kirzhner
  • Publication number: 20120208137
    Abstract: A system for operating a combustor includes a nozzle and a fuel passage and diluent passage through the nozzle. A fuel supply is in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the diluent inlet, and a diluent supply is in fluid communication with the diluent inlet. A method for operating a combustor includes flowing a fuel through a fuel inlet in a nozzle and flowing a diluent through a diluent inlet in the nozzle. The method further includes sensing an operating parameter of the combustor, generating a signal reflective of the operating parameter, and controlling a flow of the fuel to the diluent inlet based on the signal reflective of the operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Joseph Kirzhner
  • Patent number: 8146584
    Abstract: A pressure switch assembly is used with a furnace controller having a first input and a second input. A first pressure switch is configured to actuate at a first combustion pressure level and is connected to the first input. A second pressure switch is configured to actuate at a second combustion pressure level, and a third pressure switch is configured to actuate at a third combustion pressure level. Pressure signals provided on the second input from at least one of the second pressure switch and the third pressure switch are used by the furnace controller to derive actuation states of the second and third pressure switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8113823
    Abstract: A damper mechanism for a gas-fired appliance is disclosed. The damper mechanism is mechanically operated in response to changes in pressure within a portion of the appliance. Changes in gas pressure operate to displace a diaphragm, thereby moving a linkage attached to a flue damper, such that the damper can be moved between open and closed positions. An interim damper control activation arm can pivot in response to movement of the linkage to actuate electrical switches, which act to close a magnetic pilot valve when the damper is in a partially-opened or partially-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Field Controls, LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Guzorek
  • Patent number: 8070481
    Abstract: A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, Timothy J. Nordberg
  • Patent number: 7985066
    Abstract: A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, Timothy J. Nordberg
  • Patent number: 7950919
    Abstract: The invention includes method and apparatus for controlling the stability of a burner, preferably a low NOx burner, of a natural draft heater. The method includes measuring the draft over a time period and generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that defines the relationship between the draft and time during the time period. A value for the burner stability is defined that is representative of a stable burner operation. The draft function is compared to the stable burner value to determine a differential value, and the operation of the fired heater is adjusted in response to the differential value. The apparatus includes means for measuring the draft over a time period and means for generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that is proportional to the cyclic variation of the draft during the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gregory Lynn Johnson, William Larry Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7901203
    Abstract: A combustion chamber (1), in particular in a gas turbine, has at least two burners (A-H) that are connected to a fuel supply (3) via controllable fuel valves (2? and 2). Each burner (A to H) is assigned at least one optical measuring device (4) for detecting chemiluminescent radiation, and the combustion chamber (1) is assigned a pressure sensor (7) for detecting a combustion chamber pressure. The optical measuring device (4) and the pressure sensor (7) are connected to a computing and control device, which calculates a correlation value from the incoming measured values. A high correlation value signifies that the associated burner is prone to pulsation. The computing and control device (6) is designed in such a way that it determines the burner or a burner group with the highest correlation and controls the associated fuel valve(s) in such a way that more fuel is fed to the respective burner or the respective burner group, and the pulsation tendency thereof is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Ni, Valter Bellucci, Peter Flohr, Bruno Schuermans, Majed Toqan, Ken-Yves Haffner
  • Patent number: 7874834
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combustion apparatus using an air fuel ratio sensor, which detects the operation of the air fuel sensor based on pressure of gas and air introduced into a combustion chamber and adjusts the amount of gas and air introduced into the combustion chamber using a controller based on data detected by the air fuel sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kyungdong Network Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-Sik Min
  • Patent number: 7789657
    Abstract: A pressure regulator having a housing that defines a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a reference pressure connector. A diaphragm is provided in the housing, where the diaphragm defines, at least in part, a reference pressure chamber. In some illustrative embodiments, the reference pressure connector fluidly references the reference pressure chamber to a first pressure via a first orifice, and to a second pressure via a second bleed orifice. A gas valve incorporating a pressure regulator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Buezis, Donald J. Kasprzyk
  • Patent number: 7780437
    Abstract: A premix burner includes a vortex generator (30) for combustion air stream (15), devices (17, 17a, 17b, 31-38, 41-48) to inject fuel into the combustion air stream (15), and tangential air ducts (19, 20). The combustion air (15) enters the cone cavity (14) of the vortex generator (30) via the air ducts. The injection of the fuel into the combustion air is done asymmetrically by injection devices (17, 17a, 17b, 31-38, 41-48). At least one of the injection devices (5) is arranged on a fuel lance (3) that extends into the vortex chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Stefano Bernero, Christian Joerg Matz, Martin Zajadatz, Christian Oliver Paschereit
  • Patent number: 7748375
    Abstract: A pneumatic signal conditioning device may have a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The first fluid path includes a first inlet and a first outlet, and is configured such that the first outlet provides a first conditioned signal representing a pressure at the first inlet. Similarly, the second fluid path is configured such that the second outlet provides a second conditioned signal representing a pressure at the second inlet. A pressure switch may be disposed in fluid communication with the first fluid path and the second fluid path such that the first fluid path and the second fluid path pass through the pressure switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7735743
    Abstract: A furnace control system for controlling a gas-fired induced-draft furnace having a variable speed inducer blower. A control apparatus, responsive to a signal corresponding to the magnitude of a pressure difference between an inlet and outlet of the combustion chamber, controls blower motor speed to maintain the pressure difference at a predetermined magnitude corresponding to a selected gas flow rate. Inducer blower motor speed is varied directly and precisely to maintain an optimal pressure drop across the combustion chamber. The control system can be used in multi-stage and modulating furnace systems and in furnace systems utilizing pressure- assist modulating gas values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Horst Eric Jaeschke
  • Patent number: 7695536
    Abstract: A home fuel gas refining system has a modifier for modifying a hydrogen-containing fuel to produce a modified gas. The modifier includes a hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism for supplying the hydrogen-containing fuel and a modifying air supply mechanism for supplying modifying air. The hydrogen-containing fuel delivered from the hydrogen-containing fuel supply mechanism and the modifying air delivered from the modifying air supply mechanism are mixed with each other by a modification fuel ejector, and then delivered to a reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Ikeo, Satoshi Hanai, Jun Machida, Hideaki Sumi
  • Patent number: 7644712
    Abstract: A pneumatic signal conditioning device may have a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The first fluid path includes a first inlet and a first outlet, and is configured such that the first outlet provides a first conditioned signal representing a pressure at the first inlet. Similarly, the second fluid path is configured such that the second outlet provides a second conditioned signal representing a pressure at the second inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20090297997
    Abstract: A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, Timothy J. Nordberg
  • Patent number: 7549857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for affecting thermoacoustic oscillations in a combustion system (i) comprising at least one burner (2) and at least one combustor (3), modulated injection of fuel being carried out. In order to improve the action of affecting the thermoacoustic oscillations, the modulated injection of the fuel is carried out into a recirculation zone (7) which forms in the combustor (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Ephraim Gutmark, Christian Oliver Paschereit
  • Publication number: 20090044794
    Abstract: In a multistage combustion furnace having a motor driven inducer blower and a pressure sensing device or set of switches for sensing pressure in the combustion gas flowpath through the furnace, a high firing rate blower speed and low firing rate blower speed are set based on the blower speed setting required for a medium firing rate. Each particular furnace, having its own pressures and combustion gas resistance to flow characteristics, may be provided with a database of inducer blower motor speeds required to achieve predetermined pressures in the combustion gas flowpath for a variety of combustion gas venting systems generating such resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon Jeffrey Hugghins, Stephen Kowalski, Robert G. Roycroft
  • Publication number: 20080127962
    Abstract: A pressure switch assembly is used with a furnace controller having a first input and a second input. A first pressure switch is configured to actuate at a first combustion pressure level and is connected to the first input. A second pressure switch is configured to actuate at a second combustion pressure level, and a third pressure switch is configured to actuate at a third combustion pressure level. Pressure signals provided on the second input from at least one of the second pressure switch and the third pressure switch are used by the furnace controller to derive actuation states of the second and third pressure switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 7380588
    Abstract: A heat pump type heating and air conditioning system includes a gas furnace or other auxiliary heat source and a thermostat and controller associated with the heat pump and the auxiliary heat source for automatically energizing the heat pump if the auxiliary heat source is inoperative regardless of whether or not the automatic heating mode has been selected or the auxiliary heating mode has been selected by the user of the system. A method of operating a heat pump system with an auxiliary heating source to automatically change from operation of the heat pump to the auxiliary heating source depending on conditions such as outdoor temperature, and to automatically change back to operation of the heat pump if the auxiliary heating source is inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Helt
  • Publication number: 20080044778
    Abstract: A forced flue type combustion device in which an orifice 13 is provided in at least one of an air supply passage 5 and an exhaust passage 6, and in which the existence/nonexistence of a clog is determined on the basis of a detected pressure difference value from a pressure difference sensor 14 for detecting the difference between the pressures on the upstream and downstream sides of the orifice 13, 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 8. Speed increasing processing for increasing the rotational speed of the combustion fan 8 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 8 is increased by speed increasing processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7101172
    Abstract: A furnace control system for controlling a gas-fired induced-draft furnace having a variable speed inducer blower. A control apparatus, responsive to a signal corresponding to the magnitude of a pressure difference between an inlet and outlet of the combustion chamber, controls blower motor speed to maintain the pressure difference at a predetermined magnitude corresponding to a selected gas flow rate. Inducer blower motor speed is varied directly and precisely to maintain an optimal pressure drop across the combustion chamber. The control system can be used in multi-stage and modulating furnace systems and in furnace systems utilizing pressure-assist modulating gas valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Horst Eric Jaeschke
  • Patent number: 7048536
    Abstract: The “fuel-air pressure ratio” combustion control system for maintaining a selected fuel-air ratio for a combustion apparatus supplied with air at a substantially constant volumetric rate is improved by means for adjusting the flow rate of fuel in relation to temperature fluctuations of the air. A temperature sensor positioned in the air stream before it mixes with the fuel is connected to a converter which transmits converted temperature signals from the sensor as adjustments of a remote control, secondary valve in the fuel line downstream of a primary valve regulating the flow of fuel. Fuel temperature fluctuations can also be converted into adjustments of the remote control, secondary valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Alzeta Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Sullivan, Luis H. Morales, Robert W. Nickeson
  • Publication number: 20040009443
    Abstract: As taught herein, an incinerator system that directly eliminates the undesirable and harmful pollution of any gases vente or exhausted to open air. The system utilizes a fuel injector system that is used to dispense gaseous or atomized fuel of almost any type and inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector system disperses the gaseous or atomized fuel within the combustion chamber. Once the gaseous or atomized fuel is in the combustion chamber, it is then ignited. A controller senses the operational parameters of the incinerator system to control fresh air, ignition and fuel supply to start the system and maintain proper operating temperatures within the incinerator system so as to optimize the combustion efficiency and energy economy of the pollution abatement incinerator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald E. Loving
  • Patent number: 6571817
    Abstract: A pressure proving gas valve insures safe and efficient operation of a fuel-burning appliance by monitoring combustion air pressure and appropriately controlling the valve based upon this air pressure. An air pressure sensor is incorporated into a pressure proving valve housing itself thus providing integrated solution for the control of the combustion process. Consequently, when heat is called for, no fuel is provided to the combustion chamber unless appropriate combustion air pressure is sensed. Further, by monitoring the actual air pressure, additional control capability is provided. That is, a variable speed blower associated with the combustion apparatus can be controlled to provide very precise fuel to air mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Bohan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6568933
    Abstract: A pressure balance unit mounts to a combustion chamber having a fluctuating negative interior pressure. The unit has a housing inner portion mounted to the combustion chamber, the housing inner portion having an inner end located within the combustion chamber. The inner end has an opening that communicates the interior of the housing inner portion with the interior of the combustion chamber. A housing outer portion is located on an outer end of the housing inner portion. An annular intake is located between the housing inner and outer portions for drawing ambient air into the housing inner and outer portions. The intake and the opening in the housing inner portion have flow areas sized so as to balance pressure in the housing outer portion with pressure in the chamber. The intake is defined by a tapered outer end on the housing inner portion and a tapered inner end on an the housing outer portion. A pilot tube can extend from the pressure balance unit into the combustion chamber to light the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: R. E. Guerra Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Romeo E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 6511312
    Abstract: Swirling-flow burner with a burner tube comprising a central oxidiser supply tube and an outer concentric fuel supply tube, the oxidiser supply tube being provided with a concentric cylindrical guide body having static swirler blades and a central concentric cylindrical bore, the swirler blades extending from outer surface of the guide body to inner surface of oxidiser supply tube being concentrically arranged within space between the guide body and inner wall at lower portion of the oxidiser supply tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Ivar Ivarsen Primdahl
  • Patent number: 6464489
    Abstract: In a method of controlling thermoacoustic vibrations in a combustion system having a combustion chamber and a burner, the fluid shear layer forming in the region of the burner is acoustically excited. An apparatus for controlling thermoacoustic vibrations in a combustion system having a combustion chamber and a burner is distinguished by the fact that device(s) for the acoustic excitation of the working gas are arranged in the region of the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Ephraim Gutmark, Christian Oliver Paschereit, Wolfgang Weisenstein
  • Patent number: 6390806
    Abstract: A furnace is provided with a flame rollout protection system which operates through an existing excess-air control pneumatic circuitry to shut down the furnace in the event of a flame rollout condition. A fusible tube is attached at its one end to the pneumatic system and extends into an area which will be exposed to hot gases in the event of a flame rollout condition. A melting of the tube by the hot gases causes the pressure therein to drop to ambient pressure such that of the pneumatic circuitry responsively causes the furnace to shut down. The tube is also extended to pass through an area which will be exposed to hot gases in the event of a blocked vent in the furnace, thereby causing a similar shut down of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Dempsey, Ninev Karl Zia, Timothy J. Waterman
  • Patent number: 6336806
    Abstract: In a method for burning a liquid fuel in a combustion system (10) which comprises a combustion chamber (11) and at least one injection nozzle (13) through which liquid fuel is injected into the combustion chamber (11) in the form of a fuel spray (16) and is burnt there with combustion air being added, disturbance-free operation in a simple manner is distinguished in that, in order to actively suppress hydrodynamic instabilities in the combustion chamber (11), the injected fuel spray (16) is modulated by having an electrical voltage applied to it during the injection process, governed by a selected time function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd.
    Inventors: Christian Oliver Paschereit, Wolfgang Polifke, Christian Steinbach
  • Patent number: 6276929
    Abstract: A method for controlling kiln pressure for a shuttle kiln having an exhaust gas fan and an exhaust gas damper in an exhaust gas passage includes the steps of performing a control operation for controlling the number of revolution of the exhaust gas fan to control flow rate of the exhaust gas to maintain the kiln pressure at a predetermined pressure, and performing a control operation for adjusting opening of the exhaust gas damper based on the number of revolution of the exhaust gas fan. The method can expand the control range of exhaust gas flow, and operation with energy saving efficiency can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kuroda, Kenji Kawaguchi, Yasuhiro Ito
  • Patent number: 6213758
    Abstract: Control system and method for regulating the air/fuel mix of a burner for a web dryer or a regenerative or recuperative oxidizer, for example. Differential air pressure is monitored between the air chamber of the burner and the enclosure into which the burner fires (such as a flotation dryer or the combustion chamber of a regenerative thermal oxidizer). Fuel flow is monitored by a differential pressure measurement between the fuel chamber of the burner and the enclosure into which the burner fires. These measurements are compared to predetermined values, and the fuel flow and/or air flow to the burner is regulated accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Tesar, Michael P. Bria
  • Patent number: 6146596
    Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for its use in the decontamination and remediation of soils laden with organic hydrocarbons and toxic inorganic compounds. The soil to be treated is placed in a soil treatment tray which is subsequently placed within the treatment chamber. A multiple radiant heater rack is placed over the treatment chamber and the contaminant compounds are heated and vaporized. A blower fan creates a vacuum which pulls the organic hydrocarbon gases and other vaporized contaminants through the soil and out to the contaminant vapor removal/condenser unit where the compounds are liquified and containerized. A novel automatic safeguard system insures that all burners and fans are running continuously and automatically shuts down one or more components of the system should a burner or fan malfunction so that the potentially dangerous accumulation of explosive gasses is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: McLaren Hart Environmental Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Ronnie D. Hill, Charles L. Kiper
  • Patent number: 5993195
    Abstract: A combustion air regulating apparatus which is adapted for use with two stage induced draft furnaces and which allows such furnaces to be used with low cost AC inducer motors of the type having one or a small number of nominally fixed operating speeds. A flow restrictor assembly is disposed in fluidic series with the air intake and the exhaust vent to controllably restrict the flow of air through the burner box when the inducer motor operates at its low speed. A pressure sensing assembly is connected to sense a pressure approximately equal to that across the heat exchanger, and to control the flow resistance of the flow restrictor assembly to maintain a sufficient level of excess air when the furnace operates in its low stage. A solenoid valve responsive to the establishment of high stage furnace operation causes the flow restrictor assembly to establish and maintain its minimum flow resistance during operation in that stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5968320
    Abstract: A system for transporting and burning under negative pressure in a boiler a raw coke oven gas to produce steam energy. The system has the usual battery of coke ovens and corresponding ascension pipes connected to a collector main. Flushing liquor is sprayed into the hot coke oven gases to effect cooling in the collector main. A transport main delivers the cooled raw coke oven gases and flushing liquor to a burner of a steam producing boiler where the transport main includes a downcomer for separating the raw coke oven gas from the flushing liquor. The coke oven gas is burned in the boiler where a suction fan is provided at the exhaust of the boiler to develop a negative pressure in the system where the boiler has reinforced walls to withstand the negative pressure. A change in negative pressure in the system is detected and monitored by a controller system which varies draw of the suction fan in response to a detected change in negative pressure in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Stelco, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh H. Sprague
  • Patent number: 5784889
    Abstract: A device for damping thermoacoustic pressure vibrations in a combustion chamber (1), in particular in the combustion chamber of a gas turbine, includes a pressure sensor (6) which is connected to the input of a regulating device (10), the regulating device (10) is connected at its output to a device for electrically controlling the flame in the combustion chamber (1). This device for electrically controlling the flame includes a voltage source (11) and an electrode (14). The electrode (14) is connected to a heat shield (12) which surrounds the outflow side of a burner (3) in an annular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Franz Joos, Marcel Schirbach