Abstract: The burner system (17) includes a burner (28), an air/fuel supply, and a burner control (12) that includes a pair of valve assemblies (13,14) with a flow control (18) and two valve actuators (10,11). A position encoder (108) is rigidly connected to the flow control member (18) and generates valve position signals. Control modules (112 are programmed to drive and store calibration parameters specific to the position encoder (108). During operation, the control modules command positioning of the flow control member (18) and compare the position signals to the stored positions to determine correct valve position.

Abstract: An intelligent burner control apparatus is configured to control the flow rate of a fluid flowing from a fluid supply to a burner. The apparatus includes a flow controller, a flow regulator, and a flow monitor. The flow controller includes a sensor configured to measure the flow rate of the fluid. The flow controller is configured to determine a flow control signal based on a measured fluid flow rate. The flow regulator is configured to receive the flow control signal and includes a valve movable to control the flow rate of the fluid in response to the flow control signal. The flow monitor is configured to monitor a change in the position of the valve with respect to the measured fluid flow rate and to produce an alarm signal when the change in the position of the valve with respect to the measured fluid flow rate is outside of a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An intelligent burner control apparatus is provided for controlling the rate of air and fuel flow in a burner system from air and fuel supplies to a burner. The apparatus includes a peer-to-peer communication network including a plurality of network control modules that communicate with each other over the communication network. The apparatus further includes a brain module including one of said network control modules coupled to the communication network, air and fuel flow controllers including one of said network control modules coupled to the communication network, and air and fuel flow regulators including one of said network control modules coupled to the communication network. The brain module is configured to send air and fuel setpoint signals over the communication network to the air and fuel flow controllers.