With Indicator Or Inspection Means Patents (Class 431/13)
  • Patent number: 11959640
    Abstract: An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention relates to a device, that may ignite a substance without the user directly causing the ignition. for example, the device may perform ignition in a manner that does not transgress Jewish religious prohibitions, for example the Jewish religious law prohibits kindling a flame on the Sabbath and/or festivals. In some cases, kindling may be permitted in an indirect manner referred to in Jewish law by the Aramaic term “Grama”. For example, the device may be designed to ignite a cigarette. Optionally, the device may be designed to be carried safely in a pocket. In some embodiments, the device may initiate ignition without direct user action and/or the initial ignition may be used to ignite another object in accordance with Jewish law allowing transfer of fire but prohibiting starting of a new fire on a holiday.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventors: Moshe Yishay Mesika, David Elie Brahim, David Rahamim
  • Patent number: 11867542
    Abstract: Techniques detect a low gas-pressure condition within a region without the use of pressure sensors. In an example, gas usage at a service site is disaggregated to show use by individual appliances. A flowrate of gas at an appliance (e.g., a gas hot water tank) having a generally fixed-rate of gas-consumption is determined. Based at least in part on the flowrate of gas at the appliance, and an historical gas flowrate at that appliance, it is determined if gas pressure at the service site is lower than expected. In an example, failure of the appliance to use its typical fixed-flowrate may indicate low gas pressure at the service site. Information is obtained from a second gas meter at a second service site. Based on the gas pressure at the first and second service sites being lower than expected, a low gas pressure situation may exist in a regional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Cornwall, James Lee Kann, Peter Clevenger
  • Patent number: 11676465
    Abstract: A distributed temperature system with at least one optical fiber is provided. Each optical fiber runs horizontally and vertically within at least one compartment of a ship. Each optical fiber connects to a distributed temperature system unit or is multiplexed to a single temperature system unit. The system employs Optical Time Domain Reflectometry to support measurements of optical pulses in processing bins defined along the fiber. The spatial fidelity of the measurement capability is sufficient to localize a fire detection in individual shipboard compartments. The system can diagnosis conflagration events that produce fire and also flooding in the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony A Ruffa, Charles M Traweek
  • Patent number: 11668536
    Abstract: The following provides a system and method to predict an indicator of tube fouling in a fired apparatus such as a boiler. Historical data can be collected when the tubing is still considered to be clean, and used to build a first model between an indicator of fouling, such as tube skin temperature, and boiler load. The actual measurement of that indicator of fouling can then be compared against the model output, such that the error between the model and measurement is considered an indication of the tube fouling. Moreover, the rate of change of the model error can be used to measure the fouling rate. Next, historical data on the fluid feed quality can be collected and together with the historical error rate change data can be combined to develop a second model. This second model reflects how fluid feed quality variables may affect the fouling rate over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Qi, Mathew Walker
  • Patent number: 11655769
    Abstract: A controller for a gas turbine wherein the gas turbine includes the compressor arranged to operate at a rotational speed n, the combustor and the fuel supply includes the first fuel supply and the second fuel supply, wherein the compressor is arranged to provide air to the combustor at a steady state air mass flow rate mss and wherein the fuel supply is arranged to supply fuel at a fuel mass flow rate mtotal to the combustor. The controller is arranged to, responsive to the load change ?L to the load L, control the fuel supply to supply a proportion Z of the fuel mass flow rate mtotal as a fuel mass flow rate mfuel pilot via the first fuel supply based, at least in part, on a combustor mass flow rate mt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Vili Panov
  • Patent number: 11073280
    Abstract: A burner system and a retrofit flame control system for an existing burner system are disclosed. The burner system may include burner components, electrodynamic components, and a data interface. The data interface may receive a command for controlling the burner components and prepare a command for controlling the electrodynamic components at least partially based on the command for controlling the burner components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 11053854
    Abstract: A fuel distribution system for a gas turbine powerplant. A fuel injector with a cylindrical body defines a single internal plenum sealed at an engagement end, having multiple axial openings in a midsection, and injection ports in an injection end. A fuel manifold defines a hollow annular fuel chamber with substantially parallel and opposing top and bottom surfaces. One chamber wall includes multiple cylindrical channels extending between the top and bottom surfaces. Each channel is connected through the wall to the fuel chamber. Each channel has securing features to engage corresponding securing features of the fuel injectors. When a fuel injector is inserted through the top surface into one of the channels in the manifold and the securing features engage, the engaging feature protrudes from the top surface, the injection ports protrude from the bottom surface, and the axial openings are in fluid communication with the fuel chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Marine Turbine Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lee McIntyre, II, Nelson Joseph Geoffroy, Marc G. Boulanger
  • Patent number: 10969101
    Abstract: The present invention provides a main nozzle of a combustor, a plurality of the main nozzles are to be installed on an outer peripheral side of a pilot nozzle of the combustor at an interval in a circumferential direction of the pilot nozzle, the main nozzle includes a main nozzle body extending in an axial line; a swirl vane protruded from an outer peripheral surface of the main nozzle body in a radial direction of the axial line, and is configured to allow a fluid flowing downstream in a direction of the axial line to swirl around the axial line; and temperature sensors installed on the main nozzle body so as to be disposed on a tangential line to a mean line of the swirl vane drawn between a vane ventral surface and a vane dorsal surface of the swirl vane, at a downstream end portion of the swirl vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Moriwaki, Kenji Miyamoto, Keijiro Saito
  • Patent number: 10506826
    Abstract: A lockable cigarette box has a slidable collar which slides upwards and links to a cover of the box to hold the cover closed in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Further, a locking mechanism within the slidable collar which attaches to a front side of the cover keeps the cigarette box closed and locked at times. One can use a dial, button, or other input to set a time and/or to run a program which allows the box to opened only up to a certain amount of times per unit of time (rate) and/or a certain total number of times over the course of the program. This allows a person to control the maximum number of cigarettes removed over a period of time and how fast the cigarettes are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Gregory James Sydney Lynch
  • Patent number: 10485379
    Abstract: An outdoor gas cooking system having multiple burners in which, if the individual manual control valves for all of the burners are placed on a high heat setting or some other specified or recognized activation position, a single electronic master control valve can be activated to control the total gas fuel rate to all of the burners in the cooker based, for example, upon a cooking or operational control set point or upon a target flow rate equaling the sum of the design flow rates of all of the burners at the current operating set points of the manual valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: W.C. BRADLEY CO.
    Inventors: Chris Bennett, Alex Gafford
  • Patent number: 10480823
    Abstract: In various implementations, a multi-burner head assembly may include a venturi inlet coupled to burner heads. The multi-burner head assembly may allow control of the flame profile generated by the assembly. For example, burner heads of the multi-burner head assembly may include different characteristics, such as height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Shiblee Noman, Ian Burmania
  • Patent number: 10422526
    Abstract: A wall-fired burner includes a fuel tip defining a fuel direction axis and a fuel tip pivot axis perpendicular thereto. A first air tip is adjacent to the fuel tip. The first air tip defines a first air direction axis and a first air tip pivot axis perpendicular thereto. A second air tip is adjacent to the fuel tip, opposite from the first air tip across the fuel tip. The second air tip defines a second air direction axis and a second air tip pivot axis perpendicular thereto. A mechanism operatively connects the fuel tip, the first air tip and the second air tip for at least one of independent and/or joint movement of the fuel tip, the first air tip and the second air tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Babcock Power Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Black, Kulbhushan Joshi, Max Goodwin, Raymond Legault
  • Patent number: 10415832
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor assembly has a fuel/air mixer assembly with a plurality of fuel/air mixer elements. Each fuel/air mixer element defines an air flow passage therethrough. A fuel injector is coupled to the fuel/air mixer assembly. The fuel injector has a tip portion with a plurality of fuel outlets arranged to direct fuel into the air flow passages of the air/fuel mixer elements. Each of the fuel/air mixer elements has at least one outlet arranged to supply fuel to the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Fei Philip Lee
  • Patent number: 10132770
    Abstract: A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian T. Branecky, Brian C. Dolder, Charles J. Koehler, III
  • Patent number: 9968037
    Abstract: A short-chain hydrocarbon combustor and carbon dioxide generator installable into an existing ventilation system venting an interior grow space effects combustion of a gas supply to produce carbon dioxide on demand and maintain a desired atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide interior the grow space. Exhaust gas producible at a high-efficiency burner is drawn through a boustrophedonic flue and passed through each of a first and second heat exchanger wherein heat is conducted into a vented airflow traveling through the existing ventilation system for discard exterior to the grow space. Condensate precipitated during cooling is collectable at a water trap, and drainable for use in the grow space. Carbon dioxide enriched exhaust gas is thereby cooled by an at least 95% reduction in heat previous to emission into the grow space. Temperature and humidity are thereby controllable within desired ranges and yield maximization enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Kisting
  • Patent number: 9638426
    Abstract: A gas burner safety system comprises dual sensor arrays, the first array positioned proximal to the gas burner and the second array positioned proximal to a control used to turn on and of and regulate the flame of the gas burner. The first array senses the flame components such that a flame signature is obtained when no object is placed on or above the flame and a flame image is obtained when an object is proximal to the flame. By comparing the flame signature and the flame image, a central control unit operatively connected to the sensor arrays can determine the presence or absence of an object proximal to the flame. The second sensor array is positioned to detect a human hand proximal to the control. In operation, if the flame image matches the flame signature and a human hand is not detected proximal to the control, the central control unit turns off the gas burner by causing the closure of a valve in the gas supply line to the gas burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Golomb Mercantile Company, LLC
    Inventor: Adam Simon Golomb
  • Patent number: 9458735
    Abstract: A method for performing a visual inspection of a gas turbine engine may generally include inserting a plurality of optical probes through a plurality of access ports of the gas turbine engine. The access ports may be spaced apart axially along a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine such that the optical probes provide internal views of the gas turbine engine from a plurality of different axial locations along the gas turbine engine. The method may also include coupling the optical probes to a computing device, rotating the gas turbine engine about the longitudinal axis as the optical probes are used to simultaneously obtain images of an interior of the gas turbine engine at the different axial locations and receiving, with the computing device, image data associated with the images obtained by each of the optical probes at the different axial locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Scott Diwinsky, Ser Nam Lim
  • Patent number: 9146181
    Abstract: A contaminant detection system has a fluid path. A meter and a plurality of fluid conduits are disposed along the fluid path. The meter is configured to detect an operating parameter of a fluid. The plurality of fluid conduits forms a plurality of intermediate fluid paths. Each fluid conduit has a restriction orifice (RO), an inlet control valve, and an outlet control valve. In addition, the plurality of fluid conduits has a control line and an exposed line. The control line is configured to be isolated from the fluid for a time period. The exposed line is configured to be exposed to the fluid for the time period. The system is configured to determine a contaminant concentration of the fluid at least in part using the operating parameter and the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Generel Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Edward Pastecki, Joe Schornick, Michal Marek Knapczyk
  • Patent number: 9091431
    Abstract: A heater assembly can be used with a gas appliance. The gas appliance can be a dual fuel appliance for use with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heater assembly can include a fuel regulator valve including a main pressure regulator to maintain the fuel pressure, a first fuel source connection for connecting the first fuel type to the heater assembly, a second fuel source connection for connecting the second fuel type to the heater assembly, and an air shutter system. The air shutter system introduces air into the fuel discharged at the main burner nozzle before it is supplied to the main burner. The air shutter system can open the air shutter to two or more different positions to vary the amount of air introduced based on the type of fuel supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Publication number: 20150125799
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to realize a combustion control device that reduces, when a pressure within a mixer is rapidly increased at the time of ignition of the combustion control device, the transmission of the temporarily increased pressure to a pressure sensor, that brings the pressure sensor into a non-operated state and that thereby can continue combustion in the combustion control device. Hence, a combustion control device is provided that includes: a combustion chamber which has a heat dissipation disc on a front surface and within which a combustion room is formed; a burner which is attached to the combustion chamber; a mixer which mixes a gas supplied to the burner with air; and a pressure sensor which is connected to the mixer through a pressure passage, where a pressure propagation delay means which reduces transmission to the pressure sensor caused by a temporary pressure increase within the mixer is provided partway along the pressure passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SHIZUOKA SEIKI CO., LTD
    Inventor: Hiroaki Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20150104750
    Abstract: A window for viewing combustion includes a window body having an interior surface facing a combustion space, an opposed exterior surface facing an instrument space, and a seal surface between the interior and exterior surfaces. The seal surface tapers from the interior surface to the exterior surface and hermetically separating the instrument space from the combustion space. A coupling for connecting a combustion space to an instrument space includes a union body, flanged body and locking body all aligned along an optical axis. The union body defines a tapered bore in which a viewing window for viewing combustion is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: David Masciarelli, Thomas Corti
  • Publication number: 20150079526
    Abstract: An oxy-combustion boiler unit is disclosed which includes a furnace for combusting fuel and for emitting flue gas resulting from combustion. The furnace has first, second and third combustion zones, and an air separation unit for separating oxygen gas from air and providing a first portion of the separated oxygen to a first oxidant flow, a second portion to a second oxidant flow, and a third portion of the separated oxygen gas to the first, second, and third zones of the furnace. A controller can cause the separated oxygen gas to be distributed so that the first and second oxygen flows have a desired oxygen content, and so that the first, second, and third zones of the furnace receive a desired amount of oxygen based on a combustion zone stoichiometry control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Xinsheng LOU, Jundong Zhang, Abhinaya Joshi, James A. Mccombe, Armand A. Levasseur
  • Publication number: 20150030987
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions are described herein. One method includes receiving a sequence of images of a flare stack area from a thermal imaging component, identifying a first portion of the flare stack area moving at a first threshold optical flow using the sequence of images of the flare stack area, and identifying a second portion of the flare stack area moving at a second threshold optical flow using the sequence of images of the flare stack area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Vinod Pathangay, Mahesh Kumar Gellaboina, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohideen
  • Patent number: 8915089
    Abstract: A system is provided for detecting and controlling flashback and flame holding in a combustor of a gas turbine. The system includes at least one flame indicator disposed in a combustor and at least one detector disposed downstream from the flame indicator. The flame indicator may be configured to produce light when exposed to a flame and the detector may be configured to detect the light produced by the flame indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Myers, Timothy Joseph Rehg, Timothy Andrew Healy, Anthony Wayne Krull
  • Patent number: 8903662
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for determining the heating value of a fuel, the fuel comprising at least one hydrocarbon including a first hydrocarbon present in the highest molar concentration, the method comprising: measuring the stoichiometric oxidation molar flow ratio of the fuel; determining the ideal molar heating value (HVm,i) from the measured stoichiometric oxidation molar flow ratio; measuring the molar concentration of the first hydrocarbon; and determining the real molar heating value (HVm,r) from the ideal molar heating value (HVm,i) and the molar concentration of the first hydrocarbon. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: ANU-BIZ BVBA
    Inventors: Johan Bats, Floris J. J. Huijsmans
  • Patent number: 8894408
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus includes a fuel supply line for providing an overall fuel supply to the apparatus; a burner including multiple fuel supply lines, the supply of fuel in the fuel supply lines to the burner corresponding to the overall fuel supply in the fuel supply line to the apparatus, and a combustion volume associated with the at least one burner. A temperature sensor measures a temperature of a part of the apparatus to be protected against overheating. A pressure sensor measures pressure within the combustion volume. A control arrangement varies the fuel supplies to the burner based on the measured temperature and pressure and on an information indicative for a progress over time for a signal for a time span. The arrangement maintains the temperature of part to be protected and the pressure variations within the combustion volume below predetermined limits, while maintaining constant fuel supply to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ghenadie Bulat, Robin McMillan
  • Publication number: 20140342294
    Abstract: A portable burner includes: a burner body having a burner head; and a fuel storage unit disposed below the burner body, and configured to supply fuel to the burner head, wherein the fuel storage unit includes an inner case configured to store fuel, and an outer case configured to accommodate the inner case therein, wherein at least part of the inner case and the outer case is formed to be transparent or semi-transparent, and wherein a shock absorber is formed between the inner case and the outer case. Under such configuration, a user can check the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel storage unit with the naked eye, and damage and transformation of the portable burner can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: KOVEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang Hyun KIM
  • Patent number: 8881718
    Abstract: A fuel-fired combustor includes a housing with a combustion chamber. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. A fuel inlet to the housing supplies fuel to the combustion chamber. An igniter ignites a mixture of exhaust gas and fuel to produce a flame for increasing an internal temperature. At least one sensor measures or monitors at least one combustor characteristic and generates a corresponding combustor characteristic signal. A controller receives the combustor characteristic signal, compares the combustor characteristic signal to a predetermined combustor criteria and generates an output signal to change at least one combustor operating condition if the combustor characteristic signal varies from the predetermined combustor criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies USA, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Parrish, Samuel N. Crane, Jr., Wilbur H. Crawley, II
  • Publication number: 20140295356
    Abstract: An in situ flue gas analyzer includes a probe extendable into a flue. The probe has a measurement cell providing a signal responsive to a concentration of a gas within the flue. A controller is coupled to the probe and configured to provide an output based on the signal from the measurement cell. A first media access unit is coupled to the controller and is operably coupleable to a first process communication link. The first media access unit is configured to communicate in accordance with an all-digital process communication protocol. A second media access unit is coupled to the controller and is operably coupleable to a second process communication link. The second media access unit is configured to communicate in accordance with a second process communication protocol that is different than the all-digital process communication protocol. The first and second media access units are enabled simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Rosemount Analytical, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph C. Nemer, Behzad Rezvani, Anni S. Wey, James D. Kramer
  • Patent number: 8814467
    Abstract: A flame safety system for a thermoplastic applicator comprises a gas burner and a flame indicator. The gas burner expels a jet of pressurized combustible gas from an outlet nozzle, and includes an attachment groove near the nozzle. The flame indicator includes an attachment ring configured to fit into the groove, thereby securing the flame indicator to the gas burner, and a flame path portion extending from the attachment ring into the jet of pressurized combustible gas. The flame path portion is formed from a material which incandescently glows whenever the jet of combustible pressurized gas is lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Barry W. Mattson, Thomas L. Triplett, Steven H. Fredrickson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Publication number: 20140178826
    Abstract: A combustion control device includes a combustion fan motor, a control unit, a silicon diode group, a silicon diode, and a combustion-fan-disconnection detecting unit. The control unit is configured to control a combustion state of the combustion fan motor. The silicon diode group includes at least two silicon diodes coupled in series to the combustion fan motor. The silicon diode is coupled in parallel to the silicon diode group with a reversed polarity. The combustion-fan-disconnection detecting unit includes a photocoupler and a resistor. The photocoupler and the resistor are coupled in parallel to the silicon diode group and the silicon diode with the same polarity as a polarity of the silicon diode group side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SHIZUOKA SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shogo Yoshioka
  • Publication number: 20140170570
    Abstract: A valve leak detecting method includes a started pressure setting step for opening and closing valves individually to set a pressure in a pipe, a first threshold value evaluating step for closing the valves, after the pressure being set to no less than the threshold value, and evaluating whether the pressure, after a specific time interval has elapsed, is at least threshold value, a second valve normalcy evaluating step for evaluating that one of the valves is operating properly or faultily if the pressure is at least or less than the threshold value, respectively, a second threshold value evaluating step for closing the valves and evaluating whether the pressure is less than the threshold value after a specific time interval has elapsed, and a first valve normalcy evaluating step for evaluating whether the valve is operating properly depending on the pressure being less or no less than the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki ISHII, Satoru YAMAGISHI, Yuuichi KUMAZAWA
  • Patent number: 8747102
    Abstract: An ignitor spark indicator 100 is described that monitors RF signals within a flame rod 25 located near a spark rod 23. The signal from the flame rod 25 is processed to provide a waveform that indicates when electrical arcing is occurring. The indication when arcing is occurring is also provided to flame-detecting equipment. The flame-proving device 60 only operates when the arcing is not produced so that the flame-detecting device 60 does not confuse the arcing with a flame reducing the false positive determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTROM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Stanley Joseph Boguszewski, Paul Herbert Chase
  • Publication number: 20140134548
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a climate control system that includes an igniter and a controller having an igniter relay. The controller senses a current level through the igniter and senses voltage between terminals of a second relay of the controller. In a given one of a plurality of operational phases of the system, the controller is configured to compare the sensed current level and sensed voltage to a current level and voltage associated with a specific condition of the igniter, igniter relay, or second relay in the given phase. Based on a result of the comparing, the controller is configured to distinguish between a failure of one of the relays and a failure of the igniter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: John F. Broker, John J. Heller
  • Publication number: 20130323658
    Abstract: A burner flame detection and monitoring system for a pilot burner for combustion of wastes gases and waste materials. The system includes a pilot burner assembly. A gas premix burner assembly includes a fuel gas delivery conduit, a fuel metering orifice, a fuel and air mixing device, a pilot tube and a pilot burner tip assembly. A primary sensor is in communication with the pilot burner assembly downstream of the fuel metering orifice. A secondary sensor is in communication with pilot burner assembly at or upstream of the fuel metering orifice. A processor receives input from both the primary sensor and the secondary sensor. A mechanism integrates the input from the primary sensor and the input from the secondary sensor in order to deduce the presence, absence or quality of a pilot flame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kurt E. Kraus, Matthew Martin, Donnie McClain, Aravind Padmanabhan, Ganesh Shiva Shankar
  • Publication number: 20130294832
    Abstract: A flame safety system for a thermoplastic applicator comprises a gas burner and a flame indicator. The gas burner expels a jet of pressurized combustible gas from an outlet nozzle, and includes an attachment groove near the nozzle. The flame indicator includes an attachment ring configured to fit into the groove, thereby securing the flame indicator to the gas burner, and a flame path portion extending from the attachment ring into the jet of pressurized combustible gas. The flame path portion is formed from a material which incandescently glows whenever the jet of combustible pressurized gas is lit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Barry W. Mattson, Thomas L. Triplett, Steven H. Fredrickson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Publication number: 20130280663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controlled combustion system for the simultaneous analysis of the thermodynamic efficiency of combustion and total polluting emissions in solids with combustible potential, including: a pre-chamber, a combustion chamber, a heat transfer unit which includes a connection for a device that analyses combustion gases to determine the performance of combustion and burning, and a unit for storing the combustion emissions, which comprises a container for storing the sample and a means of collecting samples for the simultaneous collection of gases and particulate matter for analyzing the combustion emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSIDAD TECNICA FEDERICO SANTA MARIA (USM)
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Cerecedabalic, Mario Gonzalo Toledo Torres
  • Publication number: 20130224668
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems and methods for the in situ monitoring of a fire burning area. The device comprises a flotation unit having a body housing, an electronic unit with a radiofrequency antenna exteriorly disposed thereon configured to monitor, record and transmit/receive data obtained from within a burning fire, such as an oil fire, wirelessly to a primary collecting unit and, optionally, an ignition unit to ignite the fire. The system comprises the flotation units, means for connecting the units for deployment on the water and the hardware/software necessary to run the system and analyze and calculate temperature, position and surface area of the burn. The flotation devices communicate wirelessly to each other and to a primary collecting unit which provides the communicated data to a processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Michel Ghosn
  • Patent number: 8469700
    Abstract: A system for predicting fouling and corrosion of a combustion system in an industrial process includes a pipe, a restrictive element, and a fouling and corrosion detector. The pipe contains a fuel. The restrictive element is coupled to the pipe and the fuel passes through the restrictive element. The fouling and corrosion detector is coupled to the pipe and is adapted to detect a characteristic signature of the restrictive element and to generate an alarm if a change in the detected signature exceeds a predetermined limit relative to a baseline signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Marcos Peluso, Scott Eliason, Gregory C. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130149651
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for standalone flame effects. Various aspects of the invention described herein may be applied to any of the particular applications set forth below or for any other types of fire displays. A flame effect may include a local fuel source, a burner configured to receive a flammable fuel from the fuel source, a local power source, and a wireless communication module in electrical communication with the local power source. The location of one or more flame effects may be automatically determined, and may be used in creating a desired fire display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Mike Thielvoldt, Brett Levine
  • Patent number: 8430666
    Abstract: A low pressure heater control system. In some embodiments a control is in electrical communication with a sensor having a view of a combustion chamber. The control calculates an average sensor value over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods based on a plurality of readings from the sensor. In some embodiments a reference point that may be at least based in part on an average of a plurality of average optical sensor values from earlier brief sampling periods is calculated and compared against the average optical sensor value from a recent brief sampling period to monitor for an abrupt combustion change. In some embodiments a peak-to-peak optical sensor value is also calculated over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods. In some embodiments the type of fuel being combusted is recognized and/or the fuel level approximated based on measured average and/or peak-to-peak optical sensor values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Procom Heating, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacy Clevenger, Craig Higginbotham, Eric Pitchford, Joseph Lee
  • Publication number: 20120214107
    Abstract: Smoking cessation lighter is configured for lighting cigarettes for a smoker, and learning software is provided for monitoring smoking behavior of a smoker during a first data collection period and guiding a smoker's smoking cessation by directing the smoker when the smoker is to smoke a cigarette based on data collected during the first data collection period. The learning software monitors user behavior and collects data during use of the lighter by the smoker after the initial data collection period in order to analyze and further guide the smoker based on the smoker's cheating behavior, the smoker's behavior of lighting a cigarette for a friend, and the smoker's behavior of skipping use of the lighter at a time when the smoker has been directed to light a cigarette by the lighter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Samer Elias AL GHARIB
  • Patent number: 8235708
    Abstract: A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure and can include an elongated tubular combustion chamber, a first combustion chamber nozzle outlet, a second combuston chamber nozzel outley, and a fluid flow controller. In some embodiments, the fluid flow controller is configured to direct the first fuel to the first combustion chamber nozzle outlet and then to the second combustion chamber nozzle ourlet when the controller is in a first position. In a second position, the fluid flow controller is configured to direct the second fuel to the second combustion chamber nozzle outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Appliances, Inc.
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Publication number: 20120196234
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus includes a fuel supply line for providing an overall fuel supply to the apparatus; a burner including multiple fuel supply lines, the supply of fuel in the fuel supply lines to the burner corresponding to the overall fuel supply in the fuel supply line to the apparatus, and a combustion volume associated with the at least one burner. A temperature sensor measures a temperature of a part of the apparatus to be protected against overheating. A pressure sensor measures pressure within the combustion volume. A control arrangement varies the fuel supplies to the burner based on the measured temperature and pressure and on an information indicative for a progress over time for a signal for a time span. The arrangement maintains the temperature of part to be protected and the pressure variations within the combustion volume below predetermined limits, while maintaining constant fuel supply to the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Ghenadie Bulat, Robin McMillan
  • Patent number: 8159356
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting process equipment from a fire and/or an explosion are provided. In particular, the apparatus and methods utilize Seebeck sensors or thermoelectric generators to detect the propagation of a flame front or deflagration wave within the process equipment. Upon detection of the deflagration wave, the system controller activates mitigation apparatus which may be in the form of a chemical suppressant or isolation valves in order to protect the process equipment from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventor: Tom Farrell
  • Publication number: 20120080024
    Abstract: A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure and can include a fluid flow controller. In some embodiments, the fluid flow controller is configured to permit flow of fuel to a first passageway and to direct a first fuel to a first oxygen depletion sensor line when the controller is in a first position and permit the flow of fuel to a second passageway and to direct a second fuel to a second oxygen depletion sensor line when the controller is in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Publication number: 20120034540
    Abstract: A burner (1) for burning a gaseous oxidant with a gaseous fuel, with a combustion chamber (2), in which the combustion reaction takes place during the operation of the burner (2), has a wall structure (4) which defines the combustion chamber (2) on the inlet side and which has oxidant openings (5) for introducing the oxidant into the combustion chamber (2) and fuel openings (6), which are separate therefrom, for introducing the fuel into the combustion chamber (2). The wall structure (4) has an oxidant distributor space (7), which is fluidically connected with the oxidant openings (5) on the outlet side and is fluidically connected with at least one oxidant feed opening (9) on the inlet side, as well as contains a fuel distributor space (8), which is fluidically separated from the oxidant distributor space (7) and is fluidically connected on the outlet side with the fuel openings (6) and is fluidically connected with at least one fuel feed opening (10) on the inlet side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas KAUPERT, Markus MÜNZNER, Jörg vom SCHLOSS
  • Publication number: 20120028199
    Abstract: An ignitor spark indicator 100 is described that monitors RF signals within a flame rod 25 located near a spark rod 23. The signal from the flame rod 25 is processed to provide a waveform that indicates when electrical arcing is occurring. The indication when arcing is occurring is also provided to flame-detecting equipment. The flame-proving device 60 only operates when the arcing is not produced so that the flame-detecting device 60 does not confuse the arcing with a flame reducing the false positive determinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Stanley Joseph Boguszewski, Paul Herbert Chase
  • Publication number: 20110300492
    Abstract: A method of monitoring combustion properties in an interior of a boiler of the type having walls comprising a plurality of parallel steam tubes separated by a metal membrane. First and second penetrations are provided in the metal membrane between adjacent tubes on opposite sides of the boiler. A beam of light is projected through a pitch optic comprising a pitch collimating lens and a pitch relay lens, both residing outside the boiler interior. The pitch relay lens projects the beam through a penetration into the boiler interior. The beam of light is received with a catch optic substantially identical to the pitch optic residing outside the boiler interior. The strength of the collimated received beam of light is determined. At least one of the pitch collimating lens and the catch collimating lens may then be aligned to maximize the strength of the collimated received beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: ZOLO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael John Estes, Andrew D. Sappey, Henrik Hofvander, Allen Molitoris, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Pei Huang
  • Publication number: 20110300493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling a combustion reaction and the products thereof. One embodiment includes a combustion control system having an oxygenation stream substantially comprising oxygen and CO2 and having an oxygen to CO2 ratio, then mixing the oxygenation stream with a combustion fuel stream and combusting in a combustor to generate a combustion products stream having a temperature and a composition detected by a temperature sensor and an oxygen analyzer, respectively, the data from which are used to control the flow and composition of the oxygenation and combustion fuel streams. The system may also include a gas turbine with an expander and having a load and a load controller in a feedback arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Franklin F Mittricker, Loren K. Starcher, Chad Rasmussen, Richard A. Huntington, Frank Hershkowitz