Abstract: A cooking appliance is disclosed that according to one embodiment includes a plurality of gas burners, an electrode associated with each burner for igniting the flame, a flame sensor associated with each burner for monitoring the flame and at least one electric switch associated with an actuator that is transitional between open and closed positions. The cooking appliance also includes a control unit electrically connected to the electrodes, the flame sensors, and the switch. When the switch assumes the closed position, the control unit is activated and then in turn powers the electrodes and the flame sensors. Thereafter, the control unit sequentially monitors the presence or absence of flame in the burners during repeated time cycles.

Abstract: A method for producing a synthesis gas from an organic material with a moisture content of less than 20%. A first step for carrying out the thermolysis of the organic material and a second, separate step for the gasification (ii) of the thermolysed organic material. The thermolysis step is carried out by increasing the temperature of the raw material up to an end temperature higher than 150° C. and lower than 1400° C.; —the thermolysis step (i) is carried out in a controlled gas atmosphere in which the quantity of oxygen supplied is less than 20% of the quantity of oxygen required for the stoichiometric combustion of the organic raw material; —the thermolysis gas obtained in the thermolysis step is conveyed to a purification step (iii) for removing undesirable elements.

Abstract: An ignition system and method of igniting the ignition system includes a main catalyst section in a staged relationship with a pilot-catalyst section to stage a decomposition though the pilot-catalyst section which preheats the main catalyst section.

Abstract: A hot air generator comprising a handle (12), an elongated nozzle (14), flame generating means (6), a venturi (4), a gas conduit (162) intended to bring a combustible gas into the elongated nozzle (14) and at the flame generating means (6), an air conduit (164) intended for bringing compressed air into the elongated nozzle (14) and downstream from the venturi; characterized in that the generator further comprises a servocontrolled pressure regulator (2) controlling a gas pressure (Pd.g) in the gas conduit (162) depending on an air pressure (Pd.a) in the air conduit (164).

Abstract: A cooking assembly has a main burner, a pilot burner mounted in it and having a vent, a gas valve having separate main and pilot gas outlets, and a main-burner controller including a temperature sensor on the main burner, a control unit on the valve capable of varying gas output from the main gas outlet, and a capillary tube connected between the sensor and the control unit. This controller can vary gas flow from the main outlet in accordance with the temperature of the main burner as sensed by the sensor. An electrical igniter on the main burner can be energized by a switch on the valve. A pilot-burner controller connected to the switch includes a thermoelectric sensor in the pilot vent and blocks gas output from the gas outlets when insufficient heat is detected by its sensor and the switch is not closed.

Abstract: A gas burning fireplace having a burner for producing a flame. A rod in the vicinity of the burner. A gap between the burner and the rod and wherein a flame is produced in the gap. An apparatus for monitoring the presence of a flame including a battery for applying a DC voltage between the rod and the burner. An electric circuit means for sensing a DC current between the rod and the burner.

Abstract: Gas control apparatus to regulate the flow of gas to a plurality of burners is disclosed. The apparatus permits a main gas solenoid valve to be actuated for a pre-determined period of time allowing the burners to be ignited. If the burners are not ignited within the pre-determined period of time, the main gas solenoid valve is deactuated. Even though a main gas solenoid valve is utilized, each burner can be separately ignited by means of a start signal applied thereto. After ignition, the main gas solenoid valve will remain actuated only if a flame is present at the ignited burner and a start signal is applied to the remaining burners.

Abstract: An apparatus which is operated for opening and maintaining the flow of a gaseous fuel to a burner only after the fuel is ignited in a gas appliance, such as a gas room heater. More specifically, the apparatus has a lever with three operating positions, a starting position, an intermediate position, and a final position. From the starting position, which is an inoperative mode, the lever is capable of being moved in a first direction to an intermediate position wherein actuation of a valve to the fuel source occurs allowing fuel to enter into the burner, and a final position wherein ignition of the fuel in the burner is actuated. A continuous force urging the lever in a second or opposite direction is included as well as a locking mechanism for holding the lever in the intermediate position, which locking mechanism is activated only after the lever has first been moved to the final position, hence avoiding the condition where the burner is continuing to be supplied with fuel without ignition of the fuel.

Abstract: A piezoelectric ignition device of the type having a base mount formed with a window in which a piezoelectric element is fixedly mounted and a cylindrical hammer is axially movable and urged by a coiled spring toward the piezoelectric element. The entire assembly is adapted to be readily mounted in an automatic ignition to gas range etc. of a type having axle fixed with knob for operating gas valve. The base mount has a hole for snugly receiving said axle. An arm member is mounted with a key on the axle in such a way that when the knob is manually actuated for opening the gas valve, the arm rotates to move the hammer to a retracted position against the force of the spring and then disengages it for a rapid return for ignition. When actuating the knob for closing valve, the arm slides around circumferential surface of a cylinder against another spring so as to clear the cylinder and to return to its initial position.

Abstract: An automatic ignition control system for controlling the pilot burners and main burners of fuel burning appliances so that these burners are ignited only upon demand is disclosed. The system consists of a main control unit which may be interconnected with conventional main and pilot burners or which may be connected with a new and novel burner specifically designed for the purpose. The main control unit is actuated by suitable thermostats or switches when burner operation is required and operates to open the pilot valve and activate a pilot igniter control circuit. The igniter control circuit may take several forms, depending upon the type of igniter used with the burner, and sensing means are provided to deactivate this igniter control circuit when a pilot flame is detected. If the pilot fails to ignite after a predetermined period of time, the main control deactivates the pilot solenoid and sounds an alarm.

Abstract: A cock apparatus of automatic ignition type for use in a gas appliance including an ignition handle, a valve member disposed within the cock body for rotation with the turning movement of the ignition handle thereby supplying gas to a main burner and a pilot burner, and a spark generator generating sparks for igniting the pilot burner in response to the turning movement of the ignition handle. The cock comprises a rotary shaft capable of free rotation and restrained rotation relative to the valve member and normally urged by a spring to rotate in the closing direction of the valve member, and a heat sensor for sensing ignition and non-ignition of the main burner, the heat sensor being operatively connected to the rotary shaft so that the rotary shaft and the valve member can be automatically rotated in the valve closing direction by the force of the spring in the event of ignition failure of gas or accidental extinction of gas flame burning on the main burner.

Abstract: A burner system employs a fuel control which supplies fuel flow to a pilot burner and a main burner and which energizes an electric igniter adjacent the pilot burner for igniting the pilot burner. A valve between the control and the main burner is opened when the pilot burner flame is sensed to allow passage of fuel to the main burner which is ignited by the pilot burner. The pilot burner flame is sensed by a bulb adjacent the pilot burner containing a charge of gas and an adsorbent carbonaceous material which is a decomposed compound of carbon and a non-carbon component wherein the non-carbon component has been removed leaving a porous structure with cavities of sufficient size to receive and adsorb the gas.

Abstract: A control unit for a gas-fired appliance comprises a service tap that acts also as a flame failure device. The flame failure device controls gas flow to a gas governor which is an integral part of the unit and associated with the gas governor is a low gas pressure cut-off. The unit also incorporates a modulating gas flow control valve operatively coupled to a thermostat which, in the case of a gas-fired water heater, is responsive to water temperature in the heater. When used with a water heater, the unit also includes a further thermostat set to terminate gas flow in the event that a predetermined maximum water temperature is exceeded.

Abstract: A fluid control system for use with combustion apparatus including a valve assembly having first and second serially connected valves positioned between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly. First and second actuators respectively connected to operate the first and second valves function to maintain each of the valves in closed positions in the absence of a flame at the pilot burner of the combustion apparatus to prevent flow of fluid to the main burner.