Abstract: A vehicle driver assistance system includes: a steering assist torque generation device configured to generate steering assist torque; a control device configured to control the steering assist torque generation device; and a switch configured to switch a steering mode between a manual steering mode and an automatic steering mode. The manual steering mode is a mode in which steered wheels are steered as a driver operates a steering wheel. The automatic steering mode is a mode in which the steered wheels are steered by the steering assist torque generated by the steering assist torque generation device.

Abstract: Process for combusting a fuel with an oxidant and burner for the implementation thereof, process wherein at least one stream of the fuel is injected through at least one first perforation, a main flow of oxidant is injected below or above the one or more streams of the fuel through at least one second perforation, an auxiliary flow of the oxidant is introduced into contact with the at least one fuel stream so as to generate an initial flame by an initial partial combustion of the fuel with the auxiliary flow of the oxidant, this initial partial combustion being completed downstream of the initial flame by means of the at least one main stream of the oxidant, the flow rate of the main flow of the oxidant or the ratio between the flow rate of the main flow of the oxidant and the flow rate of the auxiliary flow of the oxidant being adjusted depending on the emission intensity of the initial flame.

Abstract: A microcomputer 51 of an electronic circuit unit 50 actuates an electric motor (stepping motor) 20 driving a thermal power control valve of a burner during or just after extinguishment of the burner to displace the thermal power control valve to an opening degree position for ignition. In this way, the delay of the start of an ignition process of the burner for an ignition request can be eliminated to start the ignition process promptly.

Abstract: A fuel injector (11) supplies liquid fuel to a catalytic combustor (9) of a fuel reforming device during startup of a fuel reforming device. A controller sets the injection amount (Qf) for liquid fuel to a first injection amount (Qf1) during a predetermined time (t1) after starting fuel injection. After the predetermined time, the injection amount (Qf) is set to a second injection amount (Qf2) which is larger than the first injection amount (Qf1). When the elapsed time after starting fuel injection is smaller than a value (t1), the discharged amount of uncombusted fuel is reduced by setting the injection amount (Qf) to a minimum injection amount (Qf1) which allows ignition and combustion in the catalyst.

Abstract: A gas burner comprises an elongated tubular body with a sidewall which has outer end edges between which there are apertures which pass through the sidewall; a flange with a central through hole and an opposite base cap, the sidewall, flange and base cap being attached to one another in such a way that together they define a first mixing chamber, in which a flow of gas and air, received through the flange, exits the tubular body through the apertures in the sidewall; the flange and base cap having opposite guides; the sidewall being wound in a spiral and having juxtaposed longitudinal edges with fluid tight seals and outer end edges inserted in the guides with a play designed to allow the perimeter of the sidewall to expand or contract according to changes in the temperature of the body.

Abstract: A method for gas supply pressure control is disclosed. Gas is supplied to a gas burner at a gas supply pressure which is higher than an ignition pressure, and after the ignition of the gas burner, the gas supply pressure increases during a predetermined time until fluid to be heated reaches a target temperature. The increase of the gas supply pressure is performed gradually according to a predetermined number of pressure levels set between the ignition pressure and maximum gas supply pressure of the gas boiler. If the fluid reaches the target temperature, the gas is supplied according to a corresponding to the target pressure temperature. Since the time that the gas is supplied at the maximum gas supply pressure is reduced during the time of initial operation of the gas boiler and during the operation of the gas boiler, the noise resulting from combustion is reduced.

Abstract: An integrated burner system is disclosed having a fuel supply assembly including a fuel control for variably limiting the flow of fuel into the burner along with a discrete air control for generating a variable flow of air into the burner. The respective fuel and air controls are directed by a control system which operates these controls in order to provide and maintain a desired fuel-to-air ratio between high fire and low fire in response to a requirement for heat. A multiple burner embodiment is disclosed in which a plurality of the present integrated burners may be used to create a multiple burner system which provides a greater degree of control and efficiency than that capable with previous systems. The multiple burner embodiment also eliminates the costly installation and maintenance requirements typically associated with previous systems.

Abstract: A gas fired appliance measures infrared emissions from a metal object heated in a combustion chamber to evaluate combustion. Associated circuitry uses the evaluation to control operational parameters of the appliance, including fuel and air fed to the appliance. A second metal object, prior to fuel ignition, is electrically heated to emit infrared radiation. Infrared emissions from the second metal object, indicative of the temperature thereof, are monitored to assure an ignition temperature to ignite a combustible air and fuel mixture. A fan directs a stream of ambient air upon the second metal object to cool the same and reduce the infrared emanating therefrom. The reduction in infrared from the second metal object is monitored to verify proper fan operation.

Abstract: A combustion control system for a burner having an analog circuit unit which includes a photosensor for detecting combustion flame of the burner, an amplifier for amplifying a detection output from the photosensor, a rectifier for rectifying the amplified signal to a DC component, and an integrator for smoothing the rectified signal to obtain an oscillating power signal.

Abstract: A combustion control apparatus for a burner comprising a detector for detecting an ionic current in a flame from the burner or light power of the flame, which changes in accordance with a change of combustion condition of the flame, and outputting an electric signal corresponding to the detected ionic current or light power, and an electric circuit supplied with the signal output from the detector to generate an output for maintaining a predetermined combustion condition on the basis of a reference value previously set therein and deliver the output to a controller for fuel and air systems of the burner.

Abstract: A blower burner capable of operating in two burner steps comprises a drive for an air throttle capable of running in a first direction from closed to open and in a second direction from open to closed, an auxiliary switch connected to the drive of the air throttle, a latch-free no-voltage relay, and a single-wire relay. The auxiliary switch is activated by the drive when the drive is running towards open position before the air throttle reaches the set position for the first burner step. The no-voltage relay is excited upon activation by the auxiliary switch. The single-wire relay operates under the control of the latch-free, no-voltage relay to cause the drive to switch over to drive towards the closed position after a built-in delay when the no-voltage relay has been excited.

Abstract: A fuel control valve construction is provided, the construction having a housing provided with an inlet adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source and an outlet adapted to be interconnected to a burner. The housing has a main pressure regulator and a main valve operated by the main pressure regulator for controlling fuel flow from the inlet to the outlet to provide a full rated flow of fuel to the burner. The housing has a by-pass for interconnecting the inlet to the outlet to provide a fuel flow to the burner that is less than a full rated flow of fuel but is sufficient by itself to support combustion at the burner until the main valve provides the full rated flow of fuel thereto. The housing has a by-pass pressure regulator for controlling the flow of fuel through the by-pass independently of the operation of the main pressure regulator.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a safety arrangement adapted to detect the incomplete combustion of a burner to stop the combustion in a combustion apparatus for burning a mixture of fuel and air. Through employment of an oxygen concentration cell type sensor (25), by setting the burner to be at a low air/fuel ratio (rich air/fuel mixture), ignition performance has been improved, while simultaneously, through utilization of the fact that the sensor electromotive force is large during a low air/fuel ratio, it is made possible to detect the ignition of the burner quickly and positively.In addition, it is so arranged that voltage is applied to the sensor (25) from outside, so that, by utilizing temperature characteristics of the internal resistance of the sensor (25), misfire of the burner is positively detected.

Abstract: In the ignition and starting phase of a high pressure combustion chamber device enables the flow velocity in the combustion pipe of the combustion chamber (21) to be reduced by the blocking air injected in counterflow through a slot nozzle in the narrowest cross section at the combustion chamber outlet (17) to such an extent that it is less than the flame propagation velocity. Owing to the fact that an adjustable throttle aperture (18) is fitted in the starting air line (16), during the starting process the pressure of the air jet issuing from the combustion chamber (21) is always less than the blocking air flow.

Abstract: A fuel control valve construction, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the construction having a housing provided with an inlet adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source and an outlet adapted to be interconnected to a burner. The housing has a main pressure regulator and a main valve operated by the main pressure regulator for controlling fuel flow from the inlet to the outlet to provide a full rated flow of fuel to the burner. The housing has a by-pass for interconnecting the inlet to the outlet to provide a fuel flow to the burner that is less than a full rated flow of fuel but is sufficient by itself to support combustion at the burner until the main valve provides the full rated flow of fuel thereto. The housing has a by-pass pressure regulator for controlling the flow of fuel through the by-pass independently of the operation of the main pressure regulator.

Abstract: A combustion controller (C) controls the relative rates at which a combustion component source (B) supplies fuel, air, and oxygen to nozzles (A). A fuel source (30) supplies fuel to the burners at a rate (50 in FIG. 2) which is appropriate to produce a desired amount of heat. A blower (32) supplies air at a fixed rate (52b) and an oxygen source supplies oxygen gas at a rate (54) in proportion to the fuel supply rate such that stoichiometrically balanced combustion is maintained. To decrease the combustion rate, the air supply rate remains constant (52b) as the fuel and oxygen rich gas supply rates are decreased. After the oxygen rich gas supply rate reaches zero, the combustion rate is further reduced by decreasing the fuel supply rate and the air supply rate (52a) in stoichiometric proportion. In this manner, a relatively high nozzle velocity is maintained over a wide range of combustion rates.

Abstract: A burner control apparatus for use with a furnace installation that has an operating control to produce a request for burner operation, a flame sensor to produce a signal when flame is present in the monitored combustion chamber, one or more devices for control of ignition and relay fuel flow, and a modulator controlling air and fuel flow to a main burner for varying heat output. The burner control apparatus comprises a lockout relay for shutting down the furnace, a control device for actuating the ignition and fuel control devices, and a timing circuit that provides several successive and partially overlapping timing intervals of precise relation, including a purge interval, a pilot ignition interval, and a main fuel ignition interval. The present invention includes circuitry for providing a purge interval with the modulator at a high air flow setting. After the purge interval, pilot flame ignition is prevented until the modulator has been moved to a low fire position.

Abstract: A flame rod inserted in a flame created by the secondary air supplied to a burner is used to generate a flame signal voltage. This flame signal voltage fluctuates with the amount of secondary air available and with the fuel supplied. These fluctuations are relied upon by an integrated control system that utilizes a microprocessor or microcomputer to safely control an induced draft-type of furnace.

Abstract: An electronically controlled space heater includes a ceramic block heating element fed by a metering pump with fixed volume charges of liquid fuel at a rate dependent on temperature requirements. The heating element is located within a combustion chamber. Exhaust gases vented from the combustion chamber are applied directly to a thermocouple whose voltage output is utilized to vary or maintain the frequency of a pulse circuit driving the metering pump. An operator-adjustable potentiometer functions as a thermostat to establish a desired temperature reference value to which the thermocouple output is continuously compared. Start-up and shutdown circuitry precludes the development of unsafe operating conditions.

Abstract: An ignition system for combustible waste gas flares is described in which pilots and pilot igniters are employed, the air to gas ratio for pilot ignition being controlled to compensate for the combustible content of the pilot igniter gas, the pilot operation being sensed to control the ratio, controlled intermittent ignition of the pilot igniter gas being provided, with a repetitive cycle in the event of failure of ignition of the pilot igniter gas and of the pilot gas, the operating conditions being visually indicated at a control panel.

Abstract: In a thermostat control system including means for modulating the fuel flow to a burner above a predetermined level necessary for combustion, the improvement comprising an ignition circuit adapted to provide a larger fuel flow initially to the burner including in one embodiment a bimetallic switch connected for thermal communication with the burner cavity for completing the circuit of the above thermostat control system after the burner cavity reaches a predetermined temperature.In a second embodiment, a time delay circuit is provided instead of the bimetallic switch, such time delay circuit providing a larger fuel flow to the burner during the ignition time interval.

Abstract: A vaporizing type liquid fuel combustion keyboards is disclosed which is particularly suitable for heating individual rooms and which includes a fuel supply system capable of delivering very small volumes of fuel reliably and without the need for excessively complicated components. The apparatus includes an intermittently driven electric fuel pump which is controlled by a flame detector for the the fuel feed at a proper level. An adjustable damper is also provided in the combustion air supply system for regulating the air flow delivered to the combustion apparatus, and is coupled to the fuel feed system for coordinating control thereof.