Abstract: Gas range with at least one burner covered by a glass ceramic plate, wherein the burner has a gas cock and a timed-ignition and monitoring device, such that the output of the burners is adjustable. A gas cock is used with plugs rotatable between a high and a low position with the aid of a knob and a knob shaft, with a spindle connected to the knob shaft, with a valve plate under the gas inlet opening in the plug housing, with a microswitch for the ignition device and with the use of an electromagnet under the valve plate, in the area of the gas supply connection of the further housing. The knob with the knob handle and the spindle is pressable against the action of a return spring in the high position of the plug. This way, the microswitch for the timed ignition device becomes actuatable and the valve plate becomes pressable on the electromagnet against the action of a return spring, thereby opening the combustion gas inlet opening.

Abstract: An apparatus which is operated for opening and maintaining the flow of a gaseous fuel to a burner only after the fuel is ignited in a gas appliance, such as a gas room heater. More specifically, the apparatus has a lever with three operating positions, a starting position, an intermediate position, and a final position. From the starting position, which is an inoperative mode, the lever is capable of being moved in a first direction to an intermediate position wherein actuation of a valve to the fuel source occurs allowing fuel to enter into the burner, and a final position wherein ignition of the fuel in the burner is actuated. A continuous force urging the lever in a second or opposite direction is included as well as a locking mechanism for holding the lever in the intermediate position, which locking mechanism is activated only after the lever has first been moved to the final position, hence avoiding the condition where the burner is continuing to be supplied with fuel without ignition of the fuel.

Abstract: A self-energizing burner control system for a fuel burner is accomplished by heat from a pilot flame energizing a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator supplies power to an oscillator. The oscillator has an output that is stepped up in voltage level and is converted to a regulated direct current potential. The regulated direct current potential in turn is used to operate a solid state temperature control or controller. This controller has a sampling rate that is visually indicated by a light emitting diode when a proper voltage is present. The system further insures that a temperature sensor is in place, and is functioning properly.

Abstract: A burner apparatus comprising: a burner plate on which fuel gas is ignited, a thermal sensor which generates an output voltage in response to the combustion of the fuel gas so as to detect an air component of the fuel gas, means for causing the output from the thermal sensor to correspond to the quantity of combustion on said burner plate, and a safety circuit which stops combustion on said burner plate when the output of the thermal sensor displaces from a magnitude within a certain range.

Abstract: A control device for supplying fuel to a burner means, a system therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the device comprising a housing having an inlet for being interconnected to a source of fuel and having an outlet for being interconnected to the burner, first and second control valves carried by the housing and being in series to connect the inlet to the outlet only when both of the control valves are in an open condition thereof, each control valve comprising a movable valve member resiliently biased closed and an independent electromagnetic valve member latching unit energizable to hold its respective valve member open and deenergizable to allow its respective valve member to close, each control valve having a movable member to open its respective valve member to a latching position so as to be held open by its respective latching unit when its respective latching unit is energized, and a single manually movable actuator carried by the housing and having structure operatively interconnecti

Abstract: A combustion safety device for the counter-action against oxygen deficiency in a gas heater which is provided with a main burner of the surface combustion type and with an oxygen-deficiency detecting burner of a Bunsen type, in which a primary-air hole of the oxygen deficiency detecting burner is made to communicate with the primary-air supply chamber or distributing chamber of the main burner.

Abstract: A self-energizing burner control system for a fuel burner is accomplished by heat from a standing pilot energizing a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator supplies power to an oscillator. The oscillator has an output that is stepped up in voltage level and converted to a regulated direct current potential. The regulated direct current potential in turn is then used to operate a solid state temperature control or controller. The controller in turn responds to a temperature at a thermistor to control a field effect transistor and series connected solenoid of a fuel valve.

Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a cup-shaped housing member provided with a closed end and an open end interconnected together by a side wall that has burner ports therethrough for issuing fuel from the interior of the housing member, and an adapter member secured to the housing member to close the open end thereof and having an inlet for directing fuel from a source thereof into the interior of the housing member, the adapter member having a section that is press-fittingly disposed within the open end of the housing member and having an annular groove adjacent the side wall thereof and the housing member having an annular portion of the side wall deformed into the annular groove to secure the housing member to the adapter member.

Abstract: A control device for supplying fuel to a burner means, a system therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the device comprising a housing having an inlet for being interconnected to a source of fuel and having an outlet for being interconnected to the burner, first and second control valves carried by the housing and being in series to connect the inlet to the outlet only when both of the control valves are in an open condition thereof, each control valve comprising a movable valve member resiliently biased closed and an independent electromagnetic valve member latching unit energizable to hold its respective valve member open and deenergizable to allow its respective valve member to close, each control valve having a movable member to open its respective valve member to a latching position so as to be held open by its respective latching unit when its respective latching unit is energized, and a single manually movable actuator carried by the housing and having structure operatively interconnecti

Abstract: Burner apparatus including fuel burners and a pilot light burner associated with each fuel burner. A solenoid-operated valve controls the supply of fuel to the fuel burners. Thermocouples heated by the pilot light burners energize electromagnetic coils that actuate reed switch units closing a circuit to the solenoid-operated valve. A magnet system actuates the reed switch units to close them during start up.

Abstract: A dual rate burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the dual rate burner construction comprising a burner housing having an inlet for receiving fuel from a source thereof and an outlet through which the fuel can issue to produce flames exterior to the burner housing when the issued fuel has been ignited, a flame spreader carried by the burner housing for spreading the flames into a desired heating pattern thereof for a heating purpose when the fuel is being directed into the inlet at a full rate of flow thereof and for directing the flames into a desired standby pattern thereof when the fuel is being directed into the inlet at a standby rate of flow thereof, and a flame sensing unit carried by the construction for detecting the presence of the flames, the flame sensing unit being carried by the flame spreader in a spaced relation to the burner housing.

Abstract: A safety device for a pot-type oil burner is disclosed which is capable of efficiently and rapidly detecting the decrease of oxygen concentration in a room due to combustion to provide a warning and/or stop the combustion by sensing the decrease in temperature of a bottom portion of a pot. The safety device includes a thermo-sensitive device arranged on the outer surface of the bottom portion of the pot which is apart from the bottom region of the pot in which occurs the vaporization of fuel oil supplied to the pot.

Abstract: An electronic ignition system for a gas burner is battery operated. The battery voltage is applied through a DC-DC chopper to a step-up transformer to charge a capacitor which provides the ignition spark. The step-up transformer has a significant leakage reactance in order to limit current flow from the battery during initial charging of the capacitor. A tank circuit at the input of the transformer returns magnetizing current resulting from the leakage reactance to the primary in succeeding cycles. An SCR in the output circuit is gated through a voltage divider which senses current flow through a flame. Once the flame is sensed, further sparks are precluded. The same flame sensor enables a thermopile driven main valve actuating circuit. A safety valve in series with the main gas valve responds to a control pressure thermostatically applied through a diaphragm. The valve closes after a predetermined delay determined by a time delay orifice if the pilot gas is not ignited.

Abstract: Apparatus mounted adjacent a gas burner comprising a tube attached to a high voltage electrode to form a spark gap of high voltage gas ignition and flame proving system wherein raw gas is supplied through the tube to enrich the gas mixture to a lower air to gas ratio around the spark gap to enhance ignition.

Abstract: A control device controls the air ratio in a combustion apparatus constructed so that combustion fuel supplied via a combustion fuel supplying pipe is burned with oxygen-enriched air obtained by drawing air through an oxygen permeable selective membrane by means of a vacuum pump provided at the downstream side of the oxygen permeable selective membrane and supplied via an air supplying pipe. The control device has an air flow meter and an oxygen concentration analyzer, both provided at the air supplying pipe, and a fuel flow meter provided at the combustion fuel supplying pipe. The air ratio is calculated from the values of the flow rate of of air, the oxygen concentration and flow rate of the combustion fuel. The amount of air drawn by the vacuum pump is controlled so that the actual air ratio is equal to an predetermined air ratio.

Abstract: An absorption refrigerator having a generator selectively heated by an electrically operated resistance heater or a flammable gas operated burner. In the gas mode of operation, a monitor electrode positioned above the gas burner automatically senses the absence of the burner flame and commences a restart sequence to reignite the burner. If reignition fails or the burner cannot be ignited within a predetermined time, further ignition attempts are inhibited and an indicator lamp on the front of the refrigerator enclosure above the freezer door provides a visual indication that cooling is not being supplied to the refrigerator. Different colored visual indicators are also provided to show that the refrigerator is being operated by gas or electricity. In another embodiment, the refrigerator may be selectively operated from alternating current, direct current or flammable gas, with colored indicator lamps showing the type of power source used.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an improved catalytic combustion arrangement for use, for example, in a gas stove or the like, which has a heat insulation diffusion layer is provided in a catalytic mat layer for the improvement of combustion rate around the catalytic mat, and, through employment of two sets of thermo-couples, a heating burner for the catalytic mat is adapted to burn only during starting of combustion, and to be automatically extinguished upon arrival at a steady combustion state for continuous combustion only by the catalytic mat, with a simultaneous indication of such combustion.

Abstract: A fuel control system having a burner provided with parts for issuing fuel therefrom and an electrical ignition probe for igniting the issuing fuel by forming a spark gap with a ground electrode and creating sparking thereacross, the system having the electrically insulating member disposed adjacent the burner and carrying the ignition probe and the ground electrode in a fixed relation relative to each other to define the spark gap therebetween whereby the ground electrode is separate from the burner.

Abstract: A fuel burner control system including a valve for controlling the flow of fuel to a burner, a resistive heater element for igniting fuel, a power supply for supplying current to the heater element, a flame sensing circuit comprising an ac source for supplying ac voltage to the heater element, and a detector for producing an output signal only in response to the flow through the heating element of current rectified by the flame, a valve control circuit for maintaining the valve open in response to the output signal, and a coupling circuit interconnecting the heating element with both the power supply and the sensing circuit and adapted to prevent the flow of current therebetween. By utilizing a coupling circuit that prevents the flow of current between the power supply and the flame sensing circuit, the resistive heater element can be efficiently and alternately used both as a fuel igniting mechanism and as an electrode for deriving current rectified by flame at the burner.

Abstract: Exhaust gases produced by combustion of fuel are monitored by a sensing probe. An indicating device responsive to signals from the sensing probe provides a readout of a condition sensed by the probe. At least one signaling device responsive to signals from the sensing probe provides a warning signal when the sensed condition is a predetermined value. An interrupting device responsive to signals from the sensing probe interrupts the combustion of fuel when the sensed condition is above the predetermined value.

Abstract: A combustion detecting element is provided which comprises an element body generating an electric change which corresponds to a difference in oxygen concentration between a first surface and a second surface thereof. Catalytic electrode layers are provided on both surfaces for carrying out catalytic reaction with combustible gas and a lead wire is connected to each layer, the catalytic electrode layers being characterized in that each catalytic electrode layer has substantially different capabilities in catalytic reaction with combustible gas.

Abstract: There is provided a combustion safety apparatus where the main burner has a combustion detecting element such as an oxygen concentration cell element, and the element is arranged so that one electrode thereof is always heated by a flame of a standing burner and into an oxygen lack condition while the other electrode is heated by the main burner. When the main burner is in its complete combustion condition, there is a difference in oxygen concentration between the two electrodes and thereby there is generated an output at the element. On the other hand, when the main burner is in its incomplete combustion condition, the difference in oxygen concentration therebetween is decreased and thereby the output is lowered. In addition there is provided a safety device such as a gas safety valve or the like.

Abstract: A combustion safety arrangement in which a switch is connected in an electrical power circuit for an electromagnetic valve in a fuel passage. A combustion detecting element responds to a change of a flame caused by incomplete combustion or the like, and generates a signal or change in an electrical characteristic. The switch and the combustion detecting element are interconnected through a control circuit which has a level detector for detecting a predetermined level of the change in electrical characteristics. The arrangement is such that the switch may be opened by the predetermined level of the change in electrical characteristics. The control circuit has a time limit operation circuit so that only when the generation of the change in electrical characteristic is continued for a delayed time set by that time limit operation circuit, the switch may be opened.

Abstract: This safety ignition device intended notably for controlling the valve through which gaseous fuel is supplied to a burner injector comprises essentially built-in means for protecting the circuitry from transient overvoltages and current surges, notably a varistor for limiting peak voltages and currents, absorbing disturbing energies and stabilizing pressures.

Abstract: A pilot burner assembly comprises a pilot burner, a flame responsive means, and an electrode, all attached in close relationship to a common mounting bracket. The electrode is frictionally attached co-axially with an insulating sleeve and the sleeve is frictionally attached to the mounting bracket so that the spark gap between the tip of the electrode and a portion of the pilot burner is adjustable without having to bend the electrode.

Abstract: An automatic damper means and controls, which provide an exceedingly safe automatic damper for the exhaust duct-work of an associated gas furnace or the like, by automatic control of the damper, and automatic control of the gas supply, with redundancy features for providing exceedingly safe operation.

Abstract: A flame detecting thermocouple for use with a gas valve to insure that the pilot flame exists before the gas valve can turn on the main burner. The thermocouple has a first rod shaped element which is composed of a high potential side thermoelectric material such as Chromel, Inconel, iron-chromium alloy and a second rod shaped element composed of a low potential side thermoelectric material formed of a 0.7 to 2% yttrium, 45-70% copper and the remainder of the alloy is nickel, and the elements are welded together at their ends to provide a junction which can be heated by a flame to produce a thermoelectric output at the other ends of the element.

Abstract: Apparatus for igniting and reigniting combustible fuel emitted from a burner structure by the method of sensing ion current flow across an electrically-conductive spark gap defined in the region in which the fuel is emitted and then generating ignition sparks thereacross whenever the ion current flow indicates the emitted fuel is not burning. The ignition sparks are generated by increasing the current in the primary winding of an ignition coil at a selected rate to a predetermined optimum level and then stopping the current supplied so as to cause the collapse of the electrical field thus generated in the inductive coil.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bracket and assembly for retrofit conversion of continuous pilot burners to intermittent, on-demand pilot burners. This conversion requires the mounting of a gas ignition electrode in the assembly. The mounting bracket for accomplishing this purpose is a flat metal stamping having a web with distal apertures bearing upstanding peripheral flanges about each aperture, and two pairs of bendable tabs. The bracket is installed with one aperture received about the conventional flame sensor assembly of the pilot burner, and the bendable tabs are bent about the supporting structure to secure the bracket and to support the additional electrode required by this conversion at a predetermined spacing relative to the pilot burner where the electrode tip can be readily bent to the proper air gap for spark ignition.

Abstract: An engine combustion system is provided wherein fuel is supplied to the engine combustion chamber in the form of a hot vapor. The system preferably includes a preburner wherein a portion of a liquid fuel supply is burned internally to provide a hot, gaseous admixture of gasified fuel and products of combustion. A portion of the output of the preburner is used to heat air induced into the intake manifold, the heated air being thence supplied to the combustion chamber. The output of the preburner can also be used in auxiliary units such as a heating system for the passenger compartment. For a piston-type engine, the gaseous fuel is released into the combustion chamber formed by the clearance volume above the piston at the top center position of the piston, air being compressed within a recess in the cylinder during the cylinder head and rushing past the fuel inlet upon the downstroke of the piston to provide thorough mixing and, hence, complete burning of the gaseous fuel.

Abstract: A flame rectification system is disclosed wherein a flame rod is used to detect the presence of a flame to control a relay or solenoid operated valve. Upon the initial indication of a flame, a pulse generating circuit momentarily overrides the flame rod signal and locks in the relay or valve. This allows the flame at the associated burner to stabilize before the relay or solenoid valve can close in the event of a momentary absence of a flame signal which could result from instability during the flame establishing process.

Abstract: The materials forming the inner and outer conductors of the tip of a safety thermoelement are assembled in disk form, stacked above each other, preferably bonded together, for example by soldering, brazing, welding or the like. The disks are then extruded through an extrusion die which shapes the assembly of the disks into a pin or rodlike inner conductor, surrounded by a closed sleeve or cap formed of the outer conductor material. Preferably, the die additionally is shaped to provide an end terminal portion to the inner conductor, offset by a shoulder to permit assembly of the entire unit into a structural holder.

Abstract: In a gas burner ignition device for a gas-operated refrigerator, the ignition electrode of a high voltage generating unit and the flame detecting rod of a flame detector are formed into one unit to miniaturize the device. The device comprises timer means which when the flame detector or the high voltage generating unit is out of order, operates to suspend the supply of gas to the gas burner.

Abstract: A safety equipment for a gas burner is disclosed wherein a combustion sensor comprising an oxygen concentration cell having porous electrodes disposed on both sides of a sintered body of ion conductive solid electrolyte, is provided, so that incomplete combustion and extinction of the burner are detected by a change in e.m.f. of the sensor and a change in resistance of the sensor. The detected signal is used to block the feed of fuel to the burner in order to prevent CO gas poisoning and explosion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a gas combustion device with a safety device including a combustible gas sensor which consists of an oxygen concentration cell comprising a calcined solid ion conductive electrolyte material and porous electrodes attached to both the major surfaces of the electrolyte material. The safety valve is operated in response to both outputs from the combustible gas sensor and from a pilot burner sensor including a thermocouple or the like. When the carbon monoxide content is increased, the safety valve is automatically closed, thereby interrupting the supply of gas and consequently preventing carbon monoxide poisoning and/or gas explosion.

Abstract: A reignition system for a gas burner especially well suited for employment in recreational vehicles, and the like, for operation directly from the vehicle's low voltage DC electrical power supply. A flyback pulse converter, switched by an SCR, converts the low voltage supply to at least 80 volts. Capacitive discharge means produce a spark for relighting the flame in response to a break in the circuit caused by the flame being extinguished.

Abstract: A system for trial period ignition of a fluid fuel burner having an oscillator with a gate in the feedback path thereof, the oscillator providing power to a burner fuel valve and to a spark generator, wherein oscillator operation is sustained after the period only upon flame detection which keeps the oscillator feedback path gate closed.

Abstract: Flame supervisory method and apparatus in which a cross-checking relay system is controlled jointly by time-delay factors and a two-state control signal derived from the flame and having respectively pre-flame and flame-responsive polarity characteristics produced by reflexive bias and regenerative amplification and conversion of the basic flame-detection current to a control signal determining either switch-over to full flame burner operation or lock out of the system under ignition failure conditions. The two control states of the converted flame-detection signal are of a self-locking character, the pre-flame state tending to inhibit false response of the relay system to spurious flame signals, and the converted control signal in general being highly discriminative owing to an abrupt, non-linear change in polarity differentiating it from the pre-flame state.

Abstract: A device for controlling a gaseous or liquid fuel fired appliance as a function of a parameter includes a fuel supply controlled by a valve operated in dependence on a signal furnished by means sensitive to the parameter. The device includes a first circuit triggerable by the parameter-sensitive means when the parameter exceeds a first value and a second circuit triggerable by the parameter-sensitive means when the parameter falls below a second value lower than the first value. These circuits operate the valve appropriately for a given period of time. The device includes a spark generator for ignition of the fuel and an inhibitor to stop spark generation on fuel ignition. The device also includes first and second dc sources for independent supply of the first and second circuits, which require negligible current when not operative.

Abstract: A system for controlling the pilot and main burner gas valves of a gas furnace or the like, including a pilot spark igniter and a pilot flame sensor. A relay having a first standby mode providing power to the spark igniter circuit when the thermostat switch is closed and the pilot valve solenoid is energized, and a second operating mode disconnecting power from the spark igniter circuit and providing power to the main valve solenoid when a flame is sensed at the pilot burner. A fast responding, stable and failsafe circuit for operating the relay utilizing a 24 volt supply, with a 48 volt supply provided only for the flame sensor.

Abstract: A control arrangement for igniting gaseous fuel supplied to a main burner of a fuel ignition system includes a spark producing circuit to ignite the gaseous fuel for establishing a flame at the main burner, a flame sensing circuit for detecting the presence and absence of the flame, and a switching circuit responsive to the flame sensing circuit detecting the presence of the flame for maintaining a control circuit enabled to hold the valve operated and for de-activating the spark producing circuit when the flame becomes established. In the event of a flame-out condition, the flame sensing circuit enables the switching circuit to activate the spark producing circuit to attempt to re-establish the flame.

Abstract: A safety control system for use on a heater which shuts off the heater fuel supply if the heater flame is not present within a predetermined time after initial ignition is attempted or after re-ignition is attempted should the flame be extinguished. A flame sensor which makes use of the electrical conductivity of the flame is employed with a solid-state switch, silicon controlled rectifier, and time delay relay to provide a fast response control circuit for shutting off the fuel supply valve in the absence of flame after a predetermined delay.

Abstract: A low voltage thermostatically energizable control system for a fuel burner having a fuel valve and operable from a direct current. The control system includes means for actuating the fuel valve to enable flow of a combustible fuel from the burner and means for spark igniting the fuel emitted from the burner. Means for detecting a flame is disposed near the burner, and the impedance between the detecting means and a point of reference potential is greater when no flame is present at the burner and is lower when a flame is present at the burner. A semiconductor device is coupled to the detecting means for conducting current only when the impedance between the detecting means and the point of reference potential is lower thereby to indicate the presence of a flame, and means is responsive to the current conducted by the semiconductor device for disabling the spark igniting means.

Abstract: Thermocouple apparatus for attachment to a pilot gas burner. A thermocouple has a mounting portion. An adaptor is mounted thereon engageable with a pilot burner bracket. The adaptor and the thermocouple mounting portion are yieldably restrained against relatively sliding movement to permit adjustment of the thermocouple body relative to the burner flame. The thermocouple is readily removeable from the adaptor for replacement even where the flame-engaging portion of the thermocouple has expanded.

Abstract: Replacement thermocouple apparatus for attachment to a pilot gas burner. The adaptor and thermocouple mounting portion are yieldably restrained against relative axially sliding movement to enable initial slip-on positioning of the thermocouple relative to the pilot burner flame. The thermocouple body is slightly rotated with an up and down movement within the adaptor to obtain final positioning of the thermocouple tip relative to the burner flame.

Abstract: An automatic damper means and controls, which provide an exceedingly safe automatic damper for the exhaust duct-work of an associated gas furnace or the like, by automatic control of the damper, and automatic control of the gas supply, with redundancy features for providing exceedingly safe operation.