Abstract: A power generation system for use with a gas fired appliance including a main burner and a gas supply line includes a pilot burner assembly for igniting gas supplied to the main burner and a controller. The pilot burner assembly includes a thermo-electric device configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, and a pilot guard. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet and a second end defining a gas outlet. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the thermo-electric device, and control the supply of gas to the main burner based on the signal. The controller is powered by electrical energy generated by the thermo-electric device. The thermo-electric device has an internal resistance matched to a load resistance of the controller to facilitate maximum power transfer between the thermo-electric device and the controller.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pilot burner assembly for use with a gas fired appliance includes inserting a retention element of a gas supply line through a slot defined by a retaining ledge of a second bracket plate, rotating an outlet orifice of the gas supply line such that the second retention element engages the retaining ledge, and inserting a pilot guard through first and second pilot guard apertures defined by respective first and second bracket plates such that a retention element of the pilot guard cooperatively engages the retention element of the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A pilot burner assembly includes a bracket, a thermo-electric device configured to be connected to the bracket, and a unitary pilot guard. The bracket includes a first plate and a second plate spaced from the first plate. Each of the first and second plates have a pilot guard aperture defined therein. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet configured to receive a gas supply line, and a second end defining a gas outlet. The pilot guard includes an elongate body and a pilot hood disposed at the second end, and is configured be inserted into the pilot guard apertures. The pilot guard further includes a first retention element configured to cooperate with a second retention element on the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A power generation system for use with a gas fired appliance including a main burner and a gas supply line includes a pilot burner assembly for igniting gas supplied to the main burner and a controller. The pilot burner assembly includes a thermo-electric device configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, and a pilot guard. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet and a second end defining a gas outlet. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the thermo-electric device, and control the supply of gas to the main burner based on the signal. The controller is powered by electrical energy generated by the thermo-electric device. The thermo-electric device has an internal resistance matched to a load resistance of the controller to facilitate maximum power transfer between the thermo-electric device and the controller.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pilot burner assembly for use with a gas fired appliance includes inserting a retention element of a gas supply line through a slot defined by a retaining ledge of a second bracket plate, rotating an outlet orifice of the gas supply line such that the second retention element engages the retaining ledge, and inserting a pilot guard through first and second pilot guard apertures defined by respective first and second bracket plates such that a retention element of the pilot guard cooperatively engages the retention element of the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A pilot burner assembly includes a bracket, a thermo-electric device configured to be connected to the bracket, and a unitary pilot guard. The bracket includes a first plate and a second plate spaced from the first plate. Each of the first and second plates have a pilot guard aperture defined therein. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet configured to receive a gas supply line, and a second end defining a gas outlet. The pilot guard includes an elongate body and a pilot hood disposed at the second end, and is configured be inserted into the pilot guard apertures. The pilot guard further includes a first retention element configured to cooperate with a second retention element on the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A control system for a water heater generally includes a water heater controller configured to receive upper and lower sensor temperatures associated with water in the respective upper and lower portions of the tank. The water heater controller is configured to determine a value indicative of a portion of water in the tank at a desired set-point temperature as a function of the upper sensor temperature, the lower sensor temperature, and the desired set-point temperature. The water heater controller is configured to wirelessly transmit at least one signal indicative of said value indicative of the portion of water in the tank at the desired set-point temperature. A user interface includes a plurality of selectively illuminated segmented portions. The user interface is configured to receive said value from the water heater controller and to selectively illuminate a number of segmented portions representative of said value.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.

Abstract: A control system for a water heater generally includes a water heater controller configured to receive upper and lower sensor temperatures associated with water in the respective upper and lower portions of the tank. The water heater controller is configured to determine a value indicative of a portion of water in the tank at a desired set-point temperature as a function of the upper sensor temperature, the lower sensor temperature, and the desired set-point temperature. The water heater controller is configured to wirelessly transmit at least one signal indicative of said value indicative of the portion of water in the tank at the desired set-point temperature. A user interface includes a plurality of selectively illuminated segmented portions. The user interface is configured to receive said value from the water heater controller and to selectively illuminate a number of segmented portions representative of said value.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch or temperature switch indicating a malfunction, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs, and will communicate any malfunction information to a remote display device.

Abstract: A control for a water heater is provided that comprises a pressure switch for sensing a predetermined level of airflow sufficient for maintaining proper burner operation, and a temperature sensing means for sensing the temperature of the water in the tank. The control further comprises a processor for controlling the operation of the burner to maintain the water temperature above a predetermined value. When the processor receives a signal from the pressure switch indicating an insufficient level of airflow, the processor shuts down the burner and subsequently attempts to restart the burner. The processor will also lock-out further burner operation after a predetermined number of consecutive shut downs occurs before the water is heated to a desired temperature during a single call for heating.

Abstract: A control system for a gas fired, direct ignition, induced draft furnace includes a radiant heat sensing switch responsive to a hot surface igniter and burner flame, a single-pole, double-throw pressure switch responsive to fluid flow effected by the inducer, and a plurality of relays responsive to the radiant heat sensing switch, the pressure switch, and various other connected switching means.

Abstract: A direct ignition gas burner control system includes a microcomputer for controlling energizing of an electrical resistance igniter, for subsequently effecting flow of gas to the burner when the igniter is at gas ignition temperature, and for effecting continued flow of gas in response to current flow through the burner flame.

Abstract: A direct ignition gas burner control system includes an igniter, two serially-arranged gas valves for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, and a microcomputer and related circuitry for controlling energizing of the igniter and valves. The microcomputer and its related circuitry provide for numerous options in system functions and for numerous checks on the integrity of the system components.

Abstract: A direct ignition gas burner control system includes a microcomputer for controlling energizing of an electrical resistance igniter, for subsequently effecting flow of gas to the burner when the igniter is at gas ignition temperature, and for effecting continued flow of gas in response to current flow through the burner flame.