Abstract: A system for changing a bias level of a flame sensing circuit to identify leakage in the flame sensing circuit. The bias level may be varied in the positive or negative axis and the flame current may be noted to identify leakage. The bias level may be changed by a microcontroller. The bias level may be changed using an operational amplifier configuration which is used as a signal conditioner for interfacing the flame signal to the microcontroller.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to modular flow sensor assemblies and methods. The modular flow sensor assembly may include a main sensor body, a first end adapter having a first connection port configuration, and a second end adapter having a second connection port configuration. The main sensor body may include a main housing and a sensor, where the first end adapter is configured to engage the main housing and the second end adapter is configured to engage the main housing. The first end adapter and the second end adapter may be selected from a group of end adapters, wherein at least two of the end adapters has a different connection port configuration. The selected first end adapter and the selected second end adapters may have the same or different connection port configurations. The first end adapter and the second end adapter are configured to be interchangeable end adapters.

Abstract: A process analytic instrument includes an analytical module configured to analyze a process fluid and a removable tube carrier coupled to the analytical module. The analytical module has a plurality of inlet ports in a sealing surface. The removable tube carrier has an end with a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of inlet ports of sealing surface of the analytical module. The removable tube carrier fluidically couples a plurality of tubes to the analytical module when the end of the removable tube carrier is biased into the sealing surface of the analytical module.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can be configured to detect gas usage. The apparatus can include: (a) a processing module configured to run on a computational unit; and (b) a sensing unit configured to be coupled to a gas regulator, the sensing unit having: (1) at least one acoustic sensor configured to detect two or more acoustic signals produced by the gas regulator and convert the two or more acoustic signals into one or more first data signals; and (2) a transmitter electrically coupled to the at least one acoustic sensor and configured to transmit the one or more first data signals to the computational unit. The processing module is configured to use the one or more first data signals to determine the gas usage. Other embodiments are disclosed.

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.

Abstract: A heater including a heat dump opening and a heat dump cover moveable between an open and a closed position to selectively block flow of fluid through the heat dump opening. The heat dump opening is formed in the top of the housing, and the heat dump cover is biased toward the open position. The cover moves to an open position in response to a sensed preselected limit temperature to vent excessively heated air to ambient to prevent damage to the heater and a duct system and a building to which the heater may be connected. Air escaping the heater via the heat dump opening may cause replacement air to be drawn into the heater to cool the heater, including electrical components of the heater located near an inlet and an outlet of the heater.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a premixing type main burner and an associated pilot burner for igniting it. A specially designed protective system is operative to detect a flame flashback burning condition in the main burner and responsively shut down the water heater. In one embodiment thereof, the protective system uses main burner body heat to melt a portion of a fuel supply line connected to the pilot burner during a flame flashback condition in the main burner. Such melting responsively causes an associated fuel supply valve to close and terminate water heater operation. In a second protective system embodiment a normally closed pressure switch is opened, thereby shutting down the water heater, when the switch detects a pressure indicative of a flame flashback condition in the main burner.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater is provided with a combustion shutoff system which precludes further combustion within the water heater's combustion chamber in response to a combustion temperature therein reaching a predetermined level correlated to and indicative of a predetermined, undesirably high concentration of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber. In various illustrated embodiments thereof, the combustion shutoff system is operative to terminate further combustion air inflow to the combustion chamber, or terminate further fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater is provided with a combustion shutoff system which precludes further combustion within the water heater's combustion chamber in response to a combustion temperature therein reaching a predetermined level correlated to and indicative of a predetermined, undesirably high concentration of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber. In various illustrated embodiments thereof, the combustion shutoff system is operative to terminate further combustion air inflow to the combustion chamber, or terminate further fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater.

Abstract: An appliance end fitting for connecting a gas operated appliance to a pressurized gas cylinder includes a simplified interior valve that acts as both a thermal valve and an excess flow control valve. The end fitting has an elongated body formed in two telescoping sections, an inner section, and an outer section. An interior opening extends through both sections and includes an enlarged center portion. A floating valve member in the center portion is movable toward a valve seat at an outer end of the center section. A spring urges the valve member away from the valve seat but excessive gas flow moves the valve member toward the valve seat and restricts the valve. The two sections of the body are held in an extended axial position by a heat activated material, such as fusible solder, where the nipple opens the cylinder shutoff valve when the body is connected to the cylinder outlet.

Abstract: A draft safeguard apparatus for use in a multi-poised furnace having an inducer housing for receiving flue gases from a heat exchanger. The furnace flue pipe is attached to the inducer housing by an elbow that is rotatably connected to the inducer housing. An elongated sensor housing is mounted upon the elbow. The housing provides a flow channel so that the inlet section of the elbow communicates with the surrounding ambient. A limit switch is mounted in the housing to sense the temperature in the flow passing through the housing. When the furnace is operating normally, ambient air is drawn into the vent system through the sensor housing. If the vent system becomes restricted, the flow through the housing is reversed and the limit switch is opened when the reverse flow temperature exceeds a given limit.

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.

Abstract: A draft safeguard apparatus for use in a multi-poised furnace having an inducer housing for receiving flue gases from a heat exchanger. The furnace flue pipe is attached to the inducer housing by an elbow having a first linear inlet section that is rotatably connected to the inducer housing and a second linear outlet section that is connected to the flue pipe. A bend section connects the inlet and outlet section of the elbow. An elongated sensor housing is mounted upon the inlet section of the elbow. The housing provides a flow channel so that the inlet section of the elbow communicates with the surrounding ambient. A limit switch is mounted in the housing to sense the temperature in the flow passing through the housing. When the furnace is operating normally, ambient air is drawn into the vent system through the sensor housing. If the vent system becomes restricted, the flow through the housing is reversed and the limit switch is opened when the reverse flow temperature exceeds a given limit.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in barometric-type liquid fuel burners of the type where a removable fuel tank (60) feeds a fuel chamber (40), which supplies the fuel to a wick (54), via a sump opening in the upper surface of the chamber (40). A fusible link (28), which is affixed to a tank guide (12) via a support (30), is connected to an arm (74). The arm (74) is in turn connected to a lever (78) in a hinged fashion. The lever (78) is attached to a support (82) in a hinged fashion. A face (80) is present on the lever (78) at the end of the lever (78) distal to the end connected to arm (74). The face (80) is proximate to an automatic wick extinguishing unit (42). Should the temperature of fusible link (28) exceed a predetermined level, it will open irreversibly, allowing arm (74) to move downward, which in turn causes lever (78) to rotate about support (82), forcing face (80) upward, which actuates the automatic wick extinguishing unit (42).

Abstract: A burner assembly includes a number of gas burners each utilizing a radiant ceramic plaque, the burners are disposed in confined combustion chambers where they direct heat towards a heat-receiving surface so that by this arrangement the plaque receives a substantial amount of back radiation.

Abstract: A control system for a hot water tank construction, control device therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control system comprising a switch unit that has a portion thereof disposed remote from a housing of a control device and in a position to sense the temperature of an adverse heat roll out from the combustion chamber of the hot water tank construction and thereby be in an operating condition thereof that prevents an electromagnetic unit carried by the housing of the control device from being in an open condition thereof if the sensed temperature of the heat roll out is above a certain temperature.

Abstract: A detonation flame arrester device including a left and right housing assembly containing two flapper plates positioned one in either side of the housing assembly and separated by a channeled barrier in the form of a stacked plate flame arrester designed to allow vapor passage under normal non-activated conditions. The flapper plates are positioned at an angle to be forced shut in advance of a detonation or deflagration wave coming from either direction and propagating through a piping system. The flapper plate is activated by the action of the pressure front on the flapper plate, and each plate is of a size and shape to cover the entire cross sectional area of the housing assembly. The flapper plates can optionally be slammed shut by torsion springs activated through alternate activation devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for shutting off a gas or air/gas mixture supply port of a radiant burner so as to cause it to stop automatically in the event of ignition at the rear, this device being of the type comprising a deformable temperature-detecting part, the deformation of which brings about the movement of a shut-off part intended for shutting off the port in the event that a specific temperature is detected, wherein the detection part is arranged in the distribution chamber of the radiant burner.

Abstract: A forced air heating system having a dedicated supply duct for delivering heated air to the heated portions of the building and having an open air return system which uses the rooms, hallways, door openings, etc. of the building for returning air back to the furnace for reheating and recirculating. The elimination of a dedicated return air duct significantly improves the distribution airflow volume and thereby the efficiency and comfort of the central heating and air conditioning. The system includes a flue draft controller which monitors the flue draft at all heating applicances, such as furnaces, hot water heaters, etc., and servos a damper in a single main flue serving all appliances to optimize the flue draft for all appliances. If the flue draft becomes inadequate in any appliance, the controller shuts down heating appliances, as well as all heating system circulation fans, power fans and building exhaust fans which can affect the flue draft.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion device of the type including a catalyst for oxidation of a fuel vapor and air, and an ignition heater for initiating oxidation on the catalyst is disclosed. The device comprises a tubular first member carrying thereon the catalyst for supplying the fuel vapor to the catalyst, and a tubular second member disposed in the first member defining therein a passageway for the fuel vapor, the second member being secured at its one end thereof to the first member so as to constitute a thermostatic element for controlling the rate of gas flow by means of the difference in thermal expansion between the first and second members.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronically controlled, automatically operated flue damper mechanism which is totally fail safe in operation. The mechanism is to be fitted within the draft hood of a thermostatically controlled heating device such as a gas or oil fired furnace. The electronic control circuitry of the damper being integrated with that of the heating device to which it is fitted. The action of the damper being to close the flue a sufficient time after combustion has stopped, to allow all noxious gases from combustion to have left the flue, and to open the flue before combustion can begin.

Abstract: A roll-out flame detector mounted proximate to the lower edge of the outside of the flame wall between the combustion chamber and the control chamber of a swimming pool heater. The flame detector includes an elongated thermal fuse element exposed to potential roll-out flames and electrically connected in the electrical control for the fuel control valve to shut down the flow of fuel when the fuse element is ruptured by the roll-out flame.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed for detecting a flame rollout condition at the burners of a combustion system and for shutting down the system in response thereto. The invention consists of using sections of the insulated leads, which are used for transmitting power from a fuel supply control transformer to a fuel supply system of the combustion system, as a flame rollout condition safety means. The sections of the leads are positioned so that the insulation burns off the leads to create a short circuit causing the transformer to over-heat and burn out thereby closing a fuel supply valve of the fuel supply system when a flame rollout condition occurs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for shutting down a combustion system when a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure is present in the flue pipe of the system. The apparatus comprises a connector means for connecting the flue pipe of the system with the surrounding atmosphere and a thermal switch which is in thermal contact with and responds to the gases within the connector means. The apparatus is especially useful as a safety device for shutting down an induced draft combustion system when the flue pipe of the system is blocked. Also, the apparatus can be used with a combustion system having a flue outlet vent which is also used as the outlet vent for another combustion system.

Abstract: An automatic vent damper for combustion devices such as furnaces which closes the combustion chamber exhaust vent when the furnace burner is off to conserve heat and prevent backdrafts. A damper blade pivotally mounted in the exhaust vent is closed by an electrically-operated damper motor operating against a torsional spring urging the damper plate into the open position, the damper motor being energized whenever burner operation is not in demand by the automatic controls. When the controls call for burner operation, the motor is deenergized and the damper blade moves to the open position under the influence of the torsional spring. A limit switch senses the damper blade achieving the open position and enables burner operation.

Abstract: In a fuel-burning device having a combustion chamber, a burner with a control, an exhaust stack connected to said chamber, an air diverter in said stack and a thermostat connected to said burner control; the improvement which comprises a damper section in the stack downstream of the diverter. The damper is disposed within and journalled upon bearings attached to the damper section. A motor on the damper section has an output shaft connected to the damper and includes a rotary switch on said shaft. An electrical circuit includes a relay switch interconnecting the thermostat, burner control, motor and rotary switch. The motor output shaft is intermittently rotatable through successive arcs of 90.degree., through 360.degree., whereby the damper normally closes the stack preventing escape of room air therethrough when the burner is not operating. The thermostat, when calling for heat, closes the circuit to the motor rotating the damper 90.degree. to open position and successively energizing the burner.

Abstract: A thermocouple is connected to a fuel control valve which automatically feeds fuel to the burner of a gas or oil appliance when activated by a current generated by the thermocouple due to heat produced by the burner. A fusible link safety device having an electrically non-conducting base and containing a fusible filament adapted to melt at a predetermined temperature is located above and in front of the burner. The fusible link safety device is electrically connected in series with the thermocouple and the fuel control valve such that when the predetermined temperature of the fusible filament is attained thereby melting the filament, the electrical circuit from the thermocouple to the fuel control valve is broken thereby deactivating the fuel control valve and shutting off the flow of fuel to the burner.

Abstract: In combination with a plurality of gas burning appliances and a gas source therefor, a gas distribution system having a main feed line connected at one end thereof to the gas source, a manifold feed means having a single inlet connected to another end of said main feed line and having a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of individual flexible feed lines each connected at one end thereof to each of the plurality of outlets of the manifold feed means, and connected at another end thereof to each inlet of the plurality of gas burning appliances. The individual feed lines are connected with at least one of the said burning appliances or the manifold means with a shutoff, quick disconnect coupling, which may have a fusible safety cutoff means including an element which responds to excessive heat to effect closing of a valve in said quick disconnect coupling to thereby block propagation of a flame wave through the coupling.

Abstract: An automatic fuel ignition system which provides automatic detection of a leak condition for a pilot valve which is operable to supply fuel to a pilot burner for ignition to establish pilot flame and a main valve which is operable to supply fuel to a main burner for ignition by the pilot flame of the system including a control circuit operable in response to a request signal to activate the system tentatively, a delay circuit which delays the operation of the pilot valve for a first delay period after the occurrence of the request signal, a flame sensing circuit which senses the presence of the pilot flame and effects operation of the main valve after a second delay period established by the control circuit, the flame sensing circuit being responsive to the presence of a flame at the pilot burner during the first delay period or at the main burner during the second delay period to cause the system to be deactivated.

Abstract: A lever formed at least partially as a bimetallic strip engages between the cover and the burner-valve of a gas-type cigarette lighter. When the cover is lifted this lever automatically opens the valve and forms a gas jet that may be ignited with the striker. A cup-shaped extension on the lever at the jet is heated by the flame on the lighter and conducts this heat to a thermodeformable tab on the lever so that after a predetermined amount of heating the tab deforms and disconnects the lever from the burner-valve, allowing this valve to close and shut off the gas flow.