By Combustion Or Combustion Zone Sensor Patents (Class 431/75)
  • Patent number: 11946641
    Abstract: A spark ignited, gas fueled pilot assembly compromising a bracket and a metal gas tube extending through the bracket and having an outlet end. The gas tube is surrounded by a ceramic jacket which is of such a length as to extend beyond the outlet end of the gas tube by approximately 0.03? such that the gas tube outlet is recessed into the ceramic jacket. The assembly further comprises a pair of ignitor electrodes carried by the bracket and arranged and located relative to the recessed gas supply tube to ignite fuel emanating therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Solaronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Rush, III, Thomas A. Martelle
  • Patent number: 11796182
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a secondary venting arrangement within an oven cavity to supplement a primary venting arrangement with localized venting of combustion products adjacent a flame detector that detects a flame emitted by a gas burner disposed under the oven cavity. Doing so may assist with stabilizing the flame generated by the gas burner prior to establishment of steady state flow pattern within the oven cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Richard W. Cowan, Felix Conde Zelocuatecatl, Vern A. Neal
  • Patent number: 11764708
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotating a part includes a sequence of relays to rotate the part given number of degrees. The apparatus does not require software or complex mechanical gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Jonathan Wheless
  • Patent number: 11761630
    Abstract: A furnace system of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a burner assembly having a burner enclosure configured to receive a fuel for ignition to generate heated combustion byproducts. The furnace system also includes a controller configured to detect a value associated with a wave signal transmitted through the burner enclosure and operate the furnace system based on a comparison between the value and a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Madhuka Manuranga Jayarathne, Andrew Michael Boyd
  • Patent number: 11492944
    Abstract: An exhaust gas system for a motor vehicle includes an exhaust gas burner and a pressure sensor for sensing flame formation in the exhaust gas burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventors: Sebastian Hemminger, Rico Fischer, Steffen Leicht, Lukas Engin, Markus Timmer, Jens Gockel
  • Patent number: 11339743
    Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine with a liquid fuel/gaseous fuel burner. The burner may include a preheater to capture the thermal energy of the exhaust. The burner directs the preheated air to each burner head, where it enters a prechamber. Each burner head includes a fuel nozzle that directs liquid or gaseous fuel into the prechamber. The prechamber is fluidically connected to a combustion chamber via a prechamber nozzle that has a smaller opening than the prechamber. The burner head ignites the fuel air mixture in the prechamber with an ignitor located above or within the prechamber. The flame is initially lit as a diffusion flame in the prechamber. The flame is pushed out of the prechamber into the combustion chamber by an increased air flow rate. The liquid fuel from the nozzle now evaporates in the prechamber and forms a prevaporized flame in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: New Power Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Norris, Felix Winkler, Christopher C. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 10823401
    Abstract: A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a non-planar perforated flame holder configured to hold a combustion reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CLEARSIGN TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph Colannino, Douglas W. Karkow, James K. Dansie, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 10634347
    Abstract: An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James Charles Johncock, Cristiano Vito Pastore
  • Patent number: 9999566
    Abstract: A lid solution of a sauna stove, in which the lid is formed of a lid plate (43) that covers the sauna stove and is made of glass and of a lid frame (44) that positions outside the sauna stove. The lid plate (43) of the sauna stove is broader than an outer mantle (20) of the sauna stove and the frame (44) moves the lid plate (43) through protrusions of the lid plate (43). When closed, the lid plate (43) is on its own weight on top of the stone drum or outer mantle (20) of the sauna stove. The frame (44) is a profile that is open from the front or side and the lid plate (43) of the sauna stove is replaceable without tools by pulling out an old lid plate and pushing in a new in replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Risto Tapio Yli-Kovero
  • Patent number: 9920930
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly draws heat away from the cold junction of a thermopile element to increase the thermopile's power output. In one example, the heat sink assembly includes a first thermally conductive securing mechanism, a second thermally conductive securing mechanism, and a thermally conductive tube having a first end and a second end. The first end of the thermally conductive tube is secured between the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism. In some cases, the first end of the thermally conductive tube may include a flanged region adjacent the first end with at least part of the flange region secured between the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism. The flange may help with heat transfer to the thermally conductive tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Heil, Frederick Hazzard, Ravindra Khosla
  • Patent number: 9506646
    Abstract: A mixing tube assembly having an inlet end and an outlet end and being adapted for use in a burner assembly. The mixing tube assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall which defines an interior open space. The mixing tube assembly also comprises a turbulator that is disposed in the interior open space defined by the substantially cylindrical outer wall and a flow straightening device that is disposed downstream from the turbulator. A method for mixing fuel and air in a burner assembly comprising providing a mixing tube assembly. The preferred method also comprises conveying fuel and air from the inlet end of the mixing tube assembly to the outlet end of the mixing tube assembly and straightening the gaseous fuel and air mixture flow in the mixing tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Swanson, Michael Swanson, Shannon Putman, Andrew Hobbs
  • Patent number: 9188330
    Abstract: A mixing tube assembly having an inlet end and an outlet end and being adapted for use in a burner assembly. The mixing tube assembly comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall which defines an interior open space. The mixing tube assembly also comprises a turbulator that is disposed in the interior open space defined by the substantially cylindrical outer wall. A method for mixing fuel and air in a burner assembly comprising providing a mixing tube assembly. The preferred method also comprises conveying fuel and air from the inlet end of the mixing tube assembly to the outlet end of the mixing tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Swanson, Andrew Hobbs, Shannon Putman, Joseph Unjakoti, Eric Wattenbarger, Michael Swanson
  • Patent number: 8986000
    Abstract: A system having a flame rod assembly for operation in a high temperature pilot burner. The assembly is designed for operation in temperatures from about ?40 to 1100 degrees C. The system may operate in inclement weather involving high speed winds and significant amounts of moisture and rain to hurricane storm force levels and rates. The system incorporates an electrical apparatus which may provide flame sensing and ignition via the flame rod assembly incorporating a quick drying insulator around a rod of the assembly to ensure proper operation of the electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Kraus, Dusty Richmond, Jay Jennings, Stefano Bietto
  • Patent number: 8967996
    Abstract: The combustion controller controls the fuel and air that are supplied to the combustion furnace for burning substances, and addresses the aforementioned object by including: fuel supply unit for supplying fuel and air into the combustion furnace; air supply unit for supplying air into the combustion furnace, the air supply unit being disposed downstream of the fuel supply unit in the direction of flow of combustion air; concentration measuring unit for measuring the concentration of hydrogen sulfide of the combustion air by passing a measurement beam of light through the combustion air at a measurement position downstream of the fuel supply unit in the direction of flow of the combustion air; and control unit for controlling the amount of air supplied from the fuel supply unit based on a measurement result provided by the concentration measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masazumi Tanoura, Kenji Muta, Shinichiro Asami, Eiji Kato, Tadashi Aoki, Koutaro Fujimura, Tetsuya Sawatsubashi, Chisato Tsukahara, Shinsaku Dobashi
  • Publication number: 20150017591
    Abstract: A system includes an analytics system including a processor configured to receive an indication of a detectable radiation associated with a combustion system. The detectable radiation includes multidimensional granular data associated with an operation of the combustion system. The processor is configured to determine a first value of one or more operational characteristics of the combustion system based at least in part on the indication of the detectable radiation, and to derive an output. The output includes a second value derived based on the first value of the one or more operational characteristics to adjust the first value thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Mitchell, Jonathan Carl Thatcher
  • Patent number: 8926317
    Abstract: Method of controlling the operation of a combustion device to provide safe and reliable operation while reducing NOx emission that includes providing a flow of fuel and diluent at a determined volume ratio to a flame in the combustion device; providing a flame stability sensor to generate a measurement of a characteristic of the flame, providing a flow measurement for each of the fuel and diluent, and controlling the determined volume ratio of fuel:diluent using the measurement from the flame stability sensor and/or flow measurements. A combustion system incorporating this method also is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: John T. Farrell, San Chhotray, Gary T. Dobbs, Manuel S. Alvarez, Patrick D. Schweitzer
  • Publication number: 20140342257
    Abstract: To stably supply a gaseous fuel by setting a calorific value as a management value even if a composition of the fuel varies. A composition-independent flow meter 4 is disposed in series with a thermal flow meter 3 in a supply pathway of the fuel. When the measured values of the both flow meters 3,4 differ by a certain degree, it is determined that there is an abnormal state, and the conversion factor with respect to the thermal flow meter 3 is set. The composition of the fuel is estimated based on the conversion factor, and the calorific value of the fuel is estimated based on the composition. The supply amount of the fuel by a supply device 2 is adjusted based on the calorific value of the fuel so that the target supply calorific value per unit time is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Shouichi Tsukagoshi, Yasushi Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20140261111
    Abstract: A combustion efficiency control system includes an air flow sensor arrangement, a fuel controller unit, a burner output sensor module, and an operating unit. The air flow sensor arrangement including an upstream laminar flow control system and a downstream laminar flow control system and is communicatively coupled to a damper, a blower, and a flow conditioner. The air flow sensor arrangement measures laminar air flow and emits an efficiency signal that includes laminar air flow input values. An operating unit compares laminar air flow input values with combustion output values and a stoichiometric controller receives the comparison to generate an efficiency signal having a combination of air and fuel control data for the damper, the blower, the flow conditioner and the fuel controller unit, respectively. The stoichiometric controller maintains a selected combustion efficiency setting until cancelled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Resource Rex, LLC
    Inventors: Teodoro A. Cantú, Ulric Teodoro Alejandro Cantú, Ervin Eulid Torres
  • Publication number: 20140272737
    Abstract: A primary reactant stream is injected from a burner port into a combustion chamber along an axis. Staged reactant streams are injected into the combustion chamber adjacent to the primary reactant stream in differing configurations. The differences between the configurations of the staged reactant streams include differences in radial distance from the burner port, axial distance from the burner port, and direction relative to the axis. The reactant streams are shifted between differing modes, with differences between the modes including the presence or absence of a flame at the burner port, differences in fuel flow rates, and differences in combustion air flow rates. A heat release profile developed by combustion of the primary reactant stream, or the length of a flame developed by combustion of the primary reactant stream, can be controlled by shifting between the differing modes with reference to the heat release profile or the length of the flame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas F. Robertson, Bruce E. Cain, John J. Nowakowski, Mark C. Hannum
  • Publication number: 20140261007
    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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Simon Golomb
  • Publication number: 20140255857
    Abstract: A fire display assembly has a burner tray with a porous non-combustible material located in the burner tray positioned adjacent, on or in a non-combustible structure. A source of a combustible liquid positioned a distance from the burner tray is provided with conduits for flowing liquid fuel between the sources and trays. The conduits can include an adjustable valve to control the amount of fluid flowing there-through. The valves can be preprogrammed to provide a preset flow over time or controlled from a remote location by a flow controller. Ignited fuel from the porous non-combustible material provides the appearance of a burning surface on the non-combustible structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: DURAFLAME, INC.
    Inventor: Samir Barudi
  • Patent number: 8821154
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus. Combustion means (burner) generates flame by combustion. Air supply means (intake fan) supplies air to the combustion means. Flame current detecting means (FRB) is set at a certain detection position and detects a flame current value included in the flame which is generated by the combustion means. Determination means (control device) determines a distribution where the flame current value that is detected is included for the flame current detecting means. Control means (control device), when the flame current value is not included in a distribution, which is set as normal values, outputs a control command of increasing or decreasing at least one of the supply of the air by the air supply means and the supply of fuel based on a determination result by the determination means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Purpose Company Limited
    Inventors: Akihito Yamashita, Kazushi Iwama, Yuichi Mochizuki, Katsumi Naitoh
  • Patent number: 8786857
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for measuring combustion parameters in the measurement zone of a gas turbine engine. The measurement zone is defined as being between an outer casing and an engine component having a reflecting surface inside the outer casing. The apparatus comprises a laser generating a transmitting beam of light of a select wavelength and a multimode transmitting fiber optically coupled to the laser. A transmitting optic is optically coupled to the multimode optical fiber for transmitting the beam into the measurement zone. The reflecting surface is configured to provide a Lambertian reflection. A receiving optic is positioned to receive the Lambertian reflection. Means are provided in operative association with the multimode transmitting fiber for averaging modal noise induced signal level variation of light propagating within the multimode transmitting fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Zolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Patrick Masterson, James Howell, Henrik Hofvander, Andrew D. Sappey
  • Patent number: 8777609
    Abstract: A heater having first and second oxygen depletion sensors and a main burner injector and configurable for the delivery of at least first and second types of fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Ruben Mateos Martin
  • Patent number: 8777608
    Abstract: A gas burner ignition system, includes a power circuit (1), igniter (3), a solenoid valve (6); an igniter switch control circuit (2) which is connected between the power circuit (1) and igniter (3); a solenoid valve switch control circuit (5) connected between the power circuit (1) and the solenoid valve (6); the solenoid valve switch control circuit (5) and the igniter switch control circuit (2) are responsive to delay circuit (4), so that the user need only operate the control knob without the need to hold the operating knob until the thermocouple (42) has reached operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Raymond Cheok Liang Wah, Weijie Pan, Yu Xuejing, Stephen Wise
  • Patent number: 8678814
    Abstract: Control and regulation system of a combustion unit (10) of the type comprising a combustion chamber (11) and a catalyst (40), the control and regulation system comprising: -an acquisition device of signals proportional to functioning parameters characteristic of the functioning state of the combustion unit (10), an electronic data processing unit (30) connected to the signal acquisition device from which it receives signals, a control and regulation program associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), a first fuel distribution valve (20), a second air distribution valve (21), a data base associated with said electronic data processing unit (30), the electronic data processing unit (30) receives signals from the signal acquisition device, processes them and regulates the opening of the first valve (20) and second valve (21) to minimize the polluting emissions of CO and Nox of the combustion unit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benoit Fecamp, Ever Avriel Fadlun, Stefano Groppi
  • Patent number: 8672672
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an oil burning system, capable of burning various waste oils and other fuel oils, with high efficiency burn, reduced emissions, and without producing sludge within the system. Generally, the system operates by pressurizing liquid fuel to a ultra-high pressure and delivering the fuel through a two-stage filtration system, pre-heating the fuel, dispensing the fuel through a nozzle and igniting the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Efficiency Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eric T. LaVoie
  • Publication number: 20130337388
    Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile heating device which is adapted for generating heat by combustion of fuel with combustion air is provided, the method comprising the steps: operating the mobile heating device with a predetermined fuel supply rate and a predetermined combustion air supply rate, monitoring the signal of at least one temperature sensor over time, temporarily changing at least one of the fuel supply rate and the combustion air supply rate, analyzing the response in the signal of the at least one temperature sensor, and based on the response, operating the mobile heating device with at least one of an adapted fuel supply rate and an adapted combustion air supply rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Michael SCHWANECKE, Martin Zoske, Steffen Weber, Christian Beacker
  • Publication number: 20130318942
    Abstract: A flame detector in photonic communication with a no-flame region of a combustor of a gas turbine may emit a signal when a photon is detected. A controller may be arranged to receive a signal from the flame detector and may determine whether a flame presence in the no-flame region is indicated responsive to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Gilbert Otto Kraemer
  • Publication number: 20130273482
    Abstract: A heater having first and second oxygen depletion sensors and a main burner injector and configurable for the delivery of at least first and second types of fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: COPRECITEC, S.L.
  • Patent number: 8555651
    Abstract: A temperature measuring device is provided. The temperature measuring device measures the temperature in a combustion system, in particular for that of a combustion system of a gas turbine. The temperature measuring device is equipped with a heat absorbing element disposed in or on the combustion system, a measurement end disposed remotely from the combustion system having, disposed thereon, a temperature sensor measuring the temperature of the measurement end, a heat conducting element which connects the heat absorbing element to the measurement end in a thermally conductive manner, and a cooling device acting on the heat conducting element in a quantifiable manner for heat removal. A gas turbine having a temperature measuring device and method for directly determining the temperature in a combustion chamber are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Olaf Hein, Michael Minne
  • Patent number: 8544279
    Abstract: A method for measuring combustion parameters within a combustion zone of a gas turbine engine, the combustion zone being defined between an inner and outer casing. The method includes transmitting a beam from a transmit optic optically coupled to a bore in the outer casing off a portion of the inner casing and receiving a portion of the beam reflected off the inner casing with a receiving optic optically coupled to a bore in the outer casing. An apparatus for practicing the method includes a laser generating a beam and a transmitting/receiving optics pair, the transmitting/receiving optics pair being configured for operative association with a port in an outer casing of a gas turbine engine, whereby the transmitting/receiving optics are in optical communication by reflecting the beam off a portion of an inner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Zolo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Sappey, Bernard Patrick Masterson, Henrik Hofvander
  • Patent number: 8500442
    Abstract: A chemical analysis method for determining the concentration of carbon monoxide, gaseous water and gaseous hydrocarbon in a combustion gas. The method includes the following steps: (a) directing wavelength modulated light from a single tunable diode laser at a wavelength in the range of from 2 to 2.5 micrometers through the combustion gas to a light detector to produce an absorption profile of the combustion gas (b) digitizing the adsorption profile of the combustion gas; (c) storing the digitized adsorption profile in a digital computer; (d) processing the digitized adsorption profile in the digital computer to produce an output from the computer indicative of the concentration of carbon monoxide, gaseous water and gaseous hydrocarbon in the combustion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Yokogawa Corp. of America
    Inventors: Trevor S. Knittel, Jie Zhu, Alan I. Cowie, Donald L. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8484951
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust treatment apparatus provided in an exhaust passage and a burner apparatus provided upstream of the exhaust treatment apparatus. The burner apparatus includes a fuel addition valve which adds fuel into the exhaust passage, heating means for heating the fuel added by the fuel addition valve, and a small-sized oxidation catalyst provided in the exhaust passage downstream of the heating means. The amount of fuel added by the fuel addition valve per predetermined unit time is controlled to control the position of an ignition point where the added fuel is ignited. Thus, the small-sized oxidation catalyst and the exhaust treatment apparatus can be efficiently warmed up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetaka Fuse
  • Patent number: 8480769
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method. The cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method involve a chamber having a first portion proximal to a first end and a second portion proximal to a second end, introducing a first fuel to the first portion of the chamber, introducing a second fuel to the chamber; and introducing a first oxidant to accelerate the velocity of the first fuel and swirl the first fuel from the first portion toward the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Daniel D'Agostini
  • Patent number: 8474269
    Abstract: A method of detecting a partial flame failure in a gas turbine is provided. The method includes a gas duct to guide a propulsion gas and several combustors, each combustor leads into the gas duct and includes a burner. The method includes measuring a first temperature over time at each of at least two probing points located downstream from the combustors in the gas duct, measuring a second temperature over time in each of at least two of the burners, and detecting a partial flame failure from the first temperature measurements and the second temperature measurements, wherein the detecting of a partial flame failure includes determining a first detection parameter, the first detection parameter is determined from a rate of change of a variation between the first temperature measurements at different probing points. A gas turbine including temperature sensors to detect a partial flame failure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Vili Panov
  • Patent number: 8454352
    Abstract: A micro pilot for a gas hot water heater is provided. The micro pilot provides a flame that is substantially smaller than a typical pilot in a hot water heater during standby operation of the burner. Just prior to allowing gas to flow to the burner upon a call for heat, a pilot flame of sufficient size to ensure ignition of the burner is provided. In one embodiment this larger pilot flame is produced by providing an additional amount of bleed gas to the pilot to increase flame size. In another embodiment, bleed gas is provided to a separate booster pilot, which is ignited by the micro pilot. The flame from the booster pilot is then used to ignite the main burner. This design allows for the micro pilot to be positioned closer to the flame trap of a flammable vapor resistant hot water heater to ensure smooth ignition of any such vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Invensys Controls Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Mervyn Whitford, Brendon John Ruwoldt
  • Publication number: 20130122433
    Abstract: A multivariable control system for controlling boiler burners. The system comprises burner actuators, boiler sensors, a control system coupled to the actuators and the sensors and comprising a memory and a processor, and an application stored in the memory. When executed by the processor, the application executes a multivariable control algorithm to determine actuator manipulated variable values to control in part the burners based on data received from the sensors and based on a plurality of gain values. The application also executes an adaptation algorithm to change an actuator manipulated variable value, to maintain the changed manipulated variable value for a pre-determined period of time, to determine a change in data received from the sensors, to determine a gain value based on the changed manipulated variable value and the change in data received from the sensors, and to provide the determined gain value to the multivariable control algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald E. Labbe, Alan Morrow, Andrew Speziale, Thomas Kinney
  • Publication number: 20130115563
    Abstract: Method for operating a gas burner, wherein a gas/combustion air mixture is fed to the gas burner for combusting in said gas burner in such a way that a combustion air flow, which is inducted by a fan, is mixed with a gas flow and the resulting gas/combustion air mixture is fed to the gas burner, wherein to this end a control device, on the basis of a control deviation between an actual value, which is recorded by a sensor providing an electrical or electronic measurement signal and acting on a gas line which carries the gas flow, and a corresponding reference value, determines a manipulated variable for a gas valve which influences the gas flow, wherein the gas valve is adjusted in dependence upon this manipulated variable in order to make available to the gas burner the gas/combustion air mixture with a desired gas/combustion air ratio, and wherein the control device alters the gas/combustion air ratio of the gas/combustion air mixture in dependence upon a rotational speed of the fan in such a way that at re
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL TECHNOLOGIES SARL, Z.A.
    Inventor: HONEYWELL TECHNOLOGIES SARL, Z.A.
  • Patent number: 8425224
    Abstract: A burner-based exhaust gas generation system, having a blower for providing air into the system. The blower is controlled to compensate for variations in mass air flow into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Cynthia C. Webb, Jeffrey A. Mathis
  • Publication number: 20130045449
    Abstract: A system for operating a combustor includes a sensor that measures an operating parameter associated with the combustor and generates a signal reflective of the operating parameter. The operating parameter is reflective of an ash deposition rate or an accumulated ash buildup. A controller receives the signal, compares the signal to a predetermined limit, and generates a control signal. A method for operating a combustor includes operating the combustor at a first power level that produces a first temperature that is less than or equal to a first predetermined temperature and creating a layer of ash. The method further includes measuring an operating parameter reflective of an ash deposition rate or an accumulated ash buildup, comparing the operating parameter to a limit, and operating the combustor at a second power level that produces a second temperature that is greater than or equal to the first predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Thatcher, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Andrew Mitchell Rodwell, Matthew M. Scheid
  • Publication number: 20130040255
    Abstract: A system includes a gasification fuel injector, which includes a first fuel conduit configured to inject a first fuel flow from a first fuel tip, a second fuel conduit configured to inject a second fuel flow from a second fuel tip, a first gas conduit configured to inject a first gas flow from a first gas tip, a second gas conduit configured to inject a second gas flow from a second gas tip, and a third gas conduit configured to inject a third gas flow from a third gas tip. At least one of the first fuel tip, the second fuel tip, the first gas tip, the second gas tip, or the third gas tip is recessed a distance away from an outlet of the gasification fuel injector. The first and second fuel conduits and the first, second, and third gas conduits are coaxial with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shaoping Shi, Constantin Dinu, Shashishekara Sitharamarao Talya
  • Patent number: 8371844
    Abstract: A control system for the ignition of a gas burner that includes an electromagnetic valve having a first coil and a second coil, the activation of the first and second coils controlling the flow of gas through the electromagnetic valve. An incandescent element which is designed to be heated until it reaches the gas combustion temperature of the gas delivered to the burner is disposed electrically in series with the first coil, the incandescent element and first coil forming a first branch that is electrically parallel to the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventors: Félix Querejeta Andueza, Gonzalo José Fernández Llona, José Ignacio Múgica Odriozola, Francisco Javier Echenausia Saez de Zaitegui
  • Publication number: 20130022932
    Abstract: A system having a flame rod assembly for operation in a high temperature pilot burner. The assembly is designed for operation in temperatures from about ?40 to 1100 degrees C. The system may operate in inclement weather involving high speed winds and significant amounts of moisture and rain to hurricane storm force levels and rates. The system incorporates an electrical apparatus which may provide flame sensing and ignition via the flame rod assembly incorporating a quick drying insulator around a rod of the assembly to ensure proper operation of the electrical apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Kraus, Dusty Richmond, Jay Jennings, Stefano Bietto
  • Publication number: 20120276487
    Abstract: A grounded burner, actuators adjusting the supply of fuel and air to the burner, an ionization electrode in the flame region, a flame amplifier at the ionization electrode generating an ionization signal, and a final control device are included in a burner system. During air ratio control mode, the final control device sets a first actuator and adjusts a second actuator. During voltage control mode a voltage regulator controls the AC voltage source using the AC voltage measured by the voltmeter, in conjunction with an ionization current amplifier. The voltmeter is connected in parallel with a sequence of the ionization electrode, the flame region, the burner and the input of the ionization current amplifier. The voltage regulator is connected to the voltmeter such that, during voltage control mode, the time-averaged current caused by the voltmeter through the connection is less than 5% of the time-averaged current through the ionization electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried HANGAUER, Rainer Lochschmied, Volker Schmid
  • Patent number: 8297968
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus can comprise a dual fuel pilot assembly. The pilot assembly can comprise a first fuel dispenser, a second fuel dispenser, an igniter and at least one of a thermocouple, and a thermopile. The pilot assembly can be configured to direct heat from combustion of one of either a first fuel or a second fuel to the at least one of the thermocouple and the thermopile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Appliances, Inc.
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Publication number: 20120178031
    Abstract: A furnace with a push and pull combustion system is disclosed. The furnace may include a cabinet housing a burner box, a gas valve assembly, a premix chamber, a heat exchanger, a blower, an induced-draft blower, and a flue pipe. The gas valve assembly may meter gas into the premix chamber, while the blower may draw air into the premix chamber, wherein air and gas may mix to produce a lean gas/air mixture. The blower may also push the lean gas/air mixture into the burner box. The burner box may ignite the lean gas/air mixture to produce combustion products. A blocked vent safety shutoff switch may be mounted over an opening of the burner box to ensure negative pressure by detecting any leakage of combustion products. The induced-draft blower may pull the combustion products through the heat exchanger, the flue pipe, and out into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Roy
  • Publication number: 20120156628
    Abstract: A control facility is provided for a burner system having a burner, actuators with which the supply of fuel and air to the burner is set, and an ionization electrode arranged in the flame zone. The control facility is equipped with a flame amplifier at the ionization electrode to generate an ionization signal and a positioning facility which, in control operation, positions a first actuator and regulates a second actuator by using a corresponding target value for the ionization signal. The positioning facility carries out a control operation in a first test step, it shifts the actuators toward a supply ratio corresponding to an air coefficient above the stoichiometric value of ?=1 and in so doing captures the ionization signal in a second test step, and it calculates a target value from this and from stored data in a third test step. Correction of drift therefore takes place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: RAINER LOCHSCHMIED, BERND SCHMIEDERER
  • Publication number: 20120115093
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus. Combustion means (burner) generates flame by combustion. Air supply means (intake fan) supplies air to the combustion means. Flame current detecting means (FRB) is set at a certain detection position and detects a flame current value included in the flame which is generated by the combustion means. Determination means (control device) determines a distribution where the flame current value that is detected is included for the flame current detecting means. Control means (control device), when the flame current value is not included in a distribution, which is set as normal values, outputs a control command of increasing or decreasing at least one of the supply of the air by the air supply means and the supply of fuel based on a determination result by the determination means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: TAKAGI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihito Yamashita, Kazushi Iwama, Yuichi Mochizuki, Katsumi Naitoh
  • Patent number: 8153952
    Abstract: A flame scanning device is provided for monitoring a flame. The device includes a radiation collection and transmission element for collecting flame radiation and transmitting it to detection elements, a flame sensor element for the detection of radiation and conversion of the detected radiation into electrical signals, and an evaluation unit for the conversion of the electrical signals into flame parameters. The flame sensor element can include at least two individual detectors each with an individual central detection wavelength and a width of observation window, respectively. The individual central detection wavelength and the width of observation window are not overlapping and are covering individual regions of interest of the spectrum of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Yves Haffner