Abstract: Apparatus for igniting a burner of a barbeque includes a housing, a mesh, an orifice, a pair of conductors and a generator. The housing defines a conduit having an inlet and an outlet spaced apart from the inlet. The mesh occludes the conduit and is positioned adjacent the outlet. The orifice is for receiving combustible gas and communicates with the inlet. The pair of conductors define a gap, the gap being positioned such that the gap is disposed in spaced relation to the mesh and the mesh is disposed intermediate the orifice and the gap. The generator is for producing a spark across the gap.

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: Probes, blast furnaces equipped therewith, and methods of fabricating probes. Such a probe includes a base, a shell connected to the base and constructed of at least first and second housing members that extend together along a length of the probe in a longitudinal direction thereof, and at least one support structure interconnecting the first and second housing members. The probe includes a coolant circuit comprising at least one coolant passage within an interior cavity of the shell. The coolant passage has at least one tube supported by the support structure so that the tube contacts at least one of the first and second housing members. At least one sensor is disposed in the second housing member for performing a measurement at an exterior of the shell.

Abstract: A flame powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a first power source and a second power source separate from the first power source, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, an igniter and a controller. The thermal electric and/or photoelectric device may charge the first power source when exposed to a flame. The controller and the igniter may receive power from the first power source when the first power source has sufficient available power, and may receive power from the second power source when the first power source does not have sufficient available power.

Abstract: A micro-combustion power system is disclosed. The invention is comprised of a housing that further comprises two flow path volumes, each having generally opposing flow path directions and each generally having opposing configurations. Each flow path volume comprises a pre-heating volume having at least one pre-heating heat exchange structure. Each flow path volume further comprises a combustion volume having a combustion means or structure such as a catalytic material disposed therein Further, each flow path volume comprise a post-combustion volume having at least one post-combustion heat exchange structure. One or more thermoelectric generator means is in thermal communication with at least one of the combustion volumes whereby thermal energy generated by an air/fuel catalytic reaction in the combustion volume is transferred to the thermoelectric generator to convert same to electrical energy for use by an external circuit.

Abstract: A pilot burner assembly for easy removal of a thermo-electric or other device is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, a burner tube, thermo-electric device, and/or spark source are retained in a desired position via a bracket and resilient clip. The bracket may include retention features built into the bracket to help aid in the positioning of the burner tube, thermo-electric device, and/or spark source. The burner tube, thermo-electric device and/or spark source may include retention features that are configured to engage corresponding retention features in the bracket, when desired. The resilient clip may bias the retention features of the burner tube, thermo-electric device and/or spark source against corresponding the retention features of the bracket.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging device (1) for charging an energy store (2) with a power generation device (3), a charging device (4) and further components, wherein the power generation device (3) is formed by a heat source, comprising a least one burner (8) connected to a fuel supply line (10) and a thermoelement (9) and a burner (8), a heating device (31) and a nozzle (20) for such a charging device (1). According to the invention, a constant stable combustion and allowing a self-sustaining evaporation process can be achieved, wherein the power generation device (3), the charging device (4) and the further components are arranged in a common housing (5), wherein an evaporator (28) for the supplied fuel is arranged in the lower part of a burner housing (19) for the burner (8) and a back wall (14) for the housing (5) is designed as element for drawing off the heat.

Abstract: A single thermoelectric device designed to operate both as an igniter and flame detector for gas burners is described. Ignition is performed via heating, by Joule effect, of a conductor which can have, preferably, catalytic activity on the combustion while the flame is detected by means of a “hot” thermal state via the seeback effect. Both functions are obtained via control of a circuit for delivery of the power and detection and amplification of the electrical signal correlated to the flame.

Abstract: A network for connecting a plurality of devices and the components used in constructing the network. The network includes at least one fan-out device for connecting the devices to each other. The fan-out device includes a controller, a top port and a plurality of downstream ports. The controller monitors messages received by the ports and generates messages that are sent via the ports. The network also includes a plurality of network cables, one per port. The network preferably utilizes a cabling system that includes twisted pairs for communicating the messages via the Ethernet protocol and power conductors for distributing power to the various network devices. The fan-out device includes one power component associated with each of the ports. Each power component provides connections between the power lines in the network capble and the ports of the fan-out device. The power components are used to power the devices on the network and to monitor the power lines for problems.

Abstract: A system in accordance with the invention includes a power converter for converting a thermally generated voltage where the power converter includes a low-voltage direct current to direct current voltage converter (DC-DC converter) and a high-efficiency DC-DC converter coupled with the low-voltage DC-DC converter. The system also includes a charge storage circuit coupled with the low-voltage DC-DC converter and the high-efficiency DC-DC converter for storing converted electrical energy and a programmable controller circuit. The programmable controller circuit is coupled with the high-efficiency DC-DC converter, the low-voltage DC-DC converter, and the charge storage circuit such that the controller circuit substantially controls operation of the system when the voltage potential of the converted electrical energy stored by the charge storage circuit is greater than a brown out voltage of the controller.

Abstract: A combined thermocouple and thermopile capable of producing multiple EMF signals. The combined thermocouple and thermopile construction is particularly adapted for use as an electric generator capable of producing multiple EMF signals and able to respond faster to changes to the presence or absence of a pilot or gas burner flame. The conductors of the thermopile are comprised of dissimilar metals joined at each end to form hot and cold thermocouple junctions. The thermopile may provide multiple EMF signals when a third wire lead is affixed to a cold junction between either end of the array. The array of thermocouples is formed in a circle and enclosed in a metal sleeve or jacket.

Abstract: A system in accordance with the invention includes a thermo-electric device that is physically proximate with a thermal energy source, where, in operation, the thermo-electric device generates a voltage potential. The system further includes a power conversion circuit connected with the thermo-electric device, to modify the generated voltage potential. Also included in the system is a controller circuit connected with the power conversion circuit, where the thermo-electric device powers the controller circuit via the power conversion circuit. The system additionally includes a valve-control circuit connected with the controller circuit and the power conversion circuit, such that the thermo-electric device powers the valve control circuit, at least in part, via the power conversion circuit. The system also includes one or more sensing devices connected with the controller circuit.

Abstract: A low voltage high amperage thermopile generating and electron storage unit is disclosed wherein current is formed by heating and cooling alternate junctions of dissimilar metals arranged in a circular fashion and may be enhanced with an electrical flux pump. Current may be withdrawn using an ultra fast thermopile type switch to connect to an electrical load source.

Abstract: A flame powered logic supply circuit (60) responds to a pilot flame (39b) and supplies electrical energy to power electronic logic circuitry (62) for a heater, such as a hot water heater (1), a furnace, or the like. A thermoelectric element (64) responds to the flame and outputs electrical current which is stored in an inductor (70). A pair of parallel circuit branches (78 and 80) are connected to the thermoelectric element (64) and the inductor (70). The first branch (78) has a semiconductor switch (82) with an on state during which current flow supplies energy to the inductor (70) which is stored therein. The second circuit branch (80) has a second energy storage component provided by a battery (90) which receives the stored energy from the inductor (70) during an off state of the semiconductor switch (82) to charge the battery (90) and maintain a given power rating thereof for powering electronic logic circuitry (62) of the heater.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating thermoelectric power utilizes a hollow shell member having a cavity defined therein and a cartridge member disposed within the cavity, wherein the cartridge member has a combustion chamber defined therein. The cartridge member is mounted such that a space exists between the interior surface of the shell member and the exterior surface of the cartridge member. Thermoelectric elements are mounted to the exterior surface of the shell member such that no air spaces exist therebetween. A mixture of a combustible fuel and air is introduced into the chamber, the air/fuel ratio being less than the stoichiometric ratio for methane. Heat generated within the combustion chamber upon combustion of the fuel is transferred via the shell member to the thermoelectric elements which generate electrical energy in response thereto.

Abstract: A thermoelectric alloy composition is described comprising from 5% to 95% silicon, from 95% to 5% Germanium, from 0.01% to 0.2% lead and from 0% to 0.2% tin, all percentages being atomic percentages. In a preferred composition at least 50% silicon and 50% Germanium is present with 0.03% to 0.1% lead and from 0 to 0.05% tin. Tin and lead in combination provide lower thermal conductivity and a greater figure of merit than with lead or tin alone. Other preferred compositions are provided and a thermoelectric material and a p-n coupling thermoelectric generator (10) incorporating the alloy is disclosed. The alloy composition provides high efficiency of power to heat loss and minimizes running costs.

Abstract: Tube containing thermocouple is inserted through mounting sheath having fingers with projections in groove around tube, and sheath is inserted through flanges of pilot burner bracket and secured by split clip.

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: 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: The device is a metal coil, formed of high conductive material, and designed to fit on the pilot light thermocouple of gas fired appliances. Its purpose is to extend the sensitivity of the thermocouple, thus precluding erroneous gas shut off when air currents drift the pilot flame away from the thermocouple tube. This is accomplished by forming a heat gathering ring completely around the pilot flame and transmitting the heat directly to the thermocouple by conduction.

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: A thermocouple is disclosed carried by and enclosed within a tubular holder which protects the thermocouple wires but provides for limited exposure of the thermocouple tip through an opening in the tube and preferably with a back-up reflector plate.

Abstract: The thermocouple has a sheath attached to an outer thermocouple element of a pair of coaxial thermocouple elements between hot and cold junctions of the thermocouple elements with the sheath extending away from the hot junction.

Abstract: A length of metallic wire is positioned inside a length of metallic tube in approximate axial alignment with the tube. A short sleeve is placed around the end of the wire. The sleeve is a different metal from the tube. The difference between the thermoelectric coefficients of the sleeve metal and the wire metal is larger than the difference between the thermoelectric coefficients of the tube metal and the wire metal. The tube metal is more resistant of oxidation than the sleeve metal.

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.