Abstract: The invention relates to a process for operating a continuous steam generator. The aim of the invention is to provide, with little technical complexity and for any operating state, a synchronous variation of the feed-water mass flow passing through the evaporator heating surface and of the heat input into the evaporator heating surface. To this end, a regulating device for the discharge of feed-water is allocated to a device for adjusting the feed-water mass flow. The control variable of said regulating device is the feed-water mass flow, while its set-point value in relation to the feed-water mass flow depends on the set-point value associated to the power of the steam generator. The actual value of the feed-water density at the entry of the pre-heater is fed to the regulating device for the discharge of feed-water as one of the input values.

Abstract: A steam generator boiler for generating steam is connected to a supply conduit for supplying water to the boiler with a supply valve for controlling the supply of water through the supply conduit. A heater supplies heat to the boiler for generating steam with a discharge conduit for discharging excess impure water therefrom. A metering device is operatively connected to the supply conduit for regulating the flow of water to the boiler by calculating the amount of water required based on wattage or BTU's generated by the heater. A pressure switch or thermostat is provided for operating the boiler and the supply valve on the supply conduit for supplying water to the boiler to permit water to be added every time the heater is energized. In addition, a heat exchanger is provided for receiving discharged heated water from the steam generator and preheating water supplied to the steam generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a pressurized steam boiler heated by a burner. The method includes the steps of monitoring the level of total dissolved solids in water contained in the boiler, monitoring the level of water in the boiler, monitoring the pressure of steam in the boiler, monitoring the firing rate of the burner; controlling the blow down of the boiler having regard to the level of total dissolved solids in water contained in the boiler, and controlling the flow rate of water into the boiler and the firing rate of the burner. All input signals relating to the monitoring steps are passed to a common control unit and all output signals relating to the controlling steps are transmitted from the common control unit.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling a boiler system. One illustrative method includes controlling the bypass temperature by increasing the firing rate of the boiler. Further methods include bypass temperature control methods wherein both regular and fast control methods are used, where the regular method operates to control bypass temperature by using, first, a bypass valve, and second, possible increases in firing rate. The fast control method responds to particular situations suggesting potential condensation in a primary heat exchanger to increase firing rate without waiting for a bypass valve to fully open. Further embodiments include controllers programmed for or containing programming for performing steps of the method embodiments, as well as systems incorporating such controllers.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater has a combustion chamber with a bottom wall defined by a perforated flame arrestor plate forming a portion of a flow path through which combustion air may be supplied to a burner structure within the combustion chamber. During firing of the water heater a combustion air shutoff system having a heat-frangible temperature sensing structure disposed within the combustion chamber senses an undesirable temperature increase in the combustion chamber, caused by for example a partial blockage of the flow path, and responsively terminates further air flow into the combustion chamber, thereby shutting down the burner, prior to the creation in the combustion chamber of a predetermined elevated concentration of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a boiler apparatus useful for the heating of living and working spaces. The disclosed boiler apparatus incorporates a burner element and controller element that cooperate to provide a modulated firing rate. The modulated firing rate serves to increase the efficiency of the disclosed boiler apparatus. The boiler apparatus of the invention incorporates a heat exchanger and a combustion system. In operation, the control element collects and analyzes information from a multiplicity of sensors in order to modulate the firing rate of the burner element so as to maintain a selected output temperature for the water being heated. This monitoring activity by the control element also avoids short cycling of the boiler apparatus of the invention. The boiler apparatus of the invention also includes an indicator light that provides a visual indication the invention's operational status.

Abstract: A cycle control system for use with a boiler having a fluid therein and a method of monitoring a boiler to determine the presence of an adequate level of fluid therein. The cycle control system includes a timing circuit producing a burner control signal having alternating on and off states corresponding to on and off period timers to allow foam to settle so that a probe can accurately check the fluid level in the boiler. A burner monitor circuit monitors when a demand controller turns the burner on and off responsive to demand. The on-period timer is reset whenever the burner monitor circuit indicates the demand control circuit has turned off the burner for a length of time sufficient for the probe to accurately check the fluid level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater. A plurality of user entered selections are received. Idle periods of a set time duration are detected and stored. Responsive to an idle period start time, a control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. Responsive to an idle period end time, the control temperature is set to a normal temperature. A sleep mode is automatically started responsive to idle times, and a vacation mode is automatically started responsive to an identified number of days of no water usage. In the sleep mode, the control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. In the vacation mode, the control temperature is set to a substantially lower than normal temperature or the water heater is turned off. The user entered selections can include a normal temperature, a sleep temperature for the idle periods, and a vacation temperature.

Abstract: In heat supply equipment provided with a plurality of maintenance object units, secure and prompt servicing and maintenance is implemented and a burden on a person in charge of managing the heat supply equipment is decreased.

Abstract: A storage water heater including a vessel for accumulating a volume of water which is to be heated, said vessel having water inlet and outlet means, at least one gas burner, an exhaust gas outlet and a temperature regulating device. In order to evaluate the storage water heater behavior a calorimetric relationship is defined between the calories supplied by the burner and the volume of the vessel (Q/V) which ranges between 200 and 800 Kcal/H.l.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving heating system efficiency. An electronic circuit senses a firing signal from a boiler energy value sensor such as a thermostat or pressuretrol. The circuit prevents the boiler energy value sensor from firing the burner, while the circuit senses an energy value of the outflow line at the boiler. The circuit monitors the outflow energy value and records the outflow energy value at a first time of the firing signal. The circuit then continually monitors the outflow energy until it detects an energy drop from the initial outflow energy value. The circuit responds to the energy drop by firing the burner. The invention self adaptively responds to present thermal load, reduces the number of on-off cycles, increases each burner run time while reducing total run time, improves fuel consumption, and reduces air pollution.

Abstract: A mounting for an oil gun in an associated steam generation boiler which includes a stationary union block having first and second output ports for respective fluid streams; a removable block having first and second input ports dimensioned and configured for registration with the first and second output ports; apparatus for mounting the stationary union block which comprises a collar welded to the end of an associated guide pipe and apparatus coupling the collar and the stationary union block and allowing relative pivotal moment between the collar and the stationary union; and apparatus for forcing the removable union block against the stationary union block with the respective ports thereof in registered relationship. In some forms of the invention the apparatus coupling the collar and the stationary union comprises a pin, the pin extending through the stationary union block. The apparatus coupling the collar and the stationary union block may comprise first and second plates that are carried on the pin.

Abstract: The steam generator according to the invention consists of a main vessel 1 equipped with heating devices 12 controlled by control devices 13. The water level in the steam generator is kept at an average level 5 by control devices 13 which control a water inlet solenoid valve 10. Measurement of the average water level 5 is achieved by a pressure switch 20 that is exposed to the pressure inside a measuring vessel 18 that communicates with the main vessel 1 via a lower measuring opening 22. Balancing pipework 34 links the pressure switch 20 to the pressure of the steam produced in the steam generator. Pressure switch 20 generates measuring signals that are sent via conductors 17 to control devices 13 in order to actuate solenoid valve 10.

Abstract: An improved system for preventing low-water or "dry-boiler" failures which includes automatically flushing the low-water cut-off control valve and monitoring the external temperature of the boiler jacket so as to shut off the burners of the boiler, when such external temperature exceeds a pre-determined maximum, is disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a control apparatus for operating any one of a plurality of parallel connected boilers as a lead boiler, with the others operating as lag boilers. The control apparatus enables a lag boiler to assist the lead boiler during a prolonged operating period to share the burden and the therefore prolong equipment life and increase system efficiency. The control apparatus enables each boiler to serve as the lead boiler while employing full modulation, other boilers such as the lag boiler also employ full modulation. The control apparatus also causes an automatic switch over between boilers after a malfunction of one of the boilers in a rapid time.

Abstract: A liquid level detector for low pressure boilers. A boiler tank, from which apor, such as steam, normally exits via a main vent, is provided with a vertical side tube connected to the tank at the desired low liquid level. When the liquid level falls to the level of the side tube vapor escapes therethrough causing heating of a temperature sensitive device located in the side tube, which, for example, may activate a liquid supply means for adding liquid to the boiler tank. High liquid level in the boiler tank blocks entry of vapor into the side tube, allowing the temperature sensitive device to cool, for example, to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A control valve system for a gas-fired, instantaneous water heater is disclosed. The valve has a "snap" action constructed to inhibit the supply to the burner of insufficient amounts of gas to ensure reliable ignition. In one example, a flexible diaphragm has opposite sides connected via respective passages to receive pressures upstream and downstream of a restriction in a water flow path. The diaphragm opens a gas valve in response to a predetermined flow of water along the path. In order to provide the "snap" action, a further passage is provided that links the two passages coupled to the diaphragm and contains a ball that can block the further passage only when the water flow is sufficient to open the gas valve sufficiently for an ignitable quantity of gas to flow to the burner.