By Electrical Control Circuit Patents (Class 431/78)
  • Patent number: 5073104
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of detecting the condition of a flame having an emf by electrically conducting the emf generated by the flame as a signal to a sensor through an electrically isolated conductor means and sensing with said sensor an electrical parameter which is measure of the emf of the flame and wherein the parameter is the ratio of the A.C. and D.C. signal levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Kemlo
  • Patent number: 5049063
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruhiko Kishida, Syuji Iida, Kazunari Hosome, Kazuya Tomatu, Tosizi Tachibana
  • Patent number: 5026272
    Abstract: A combustion control device capable of detecting a self-discharge state caused by a failure of an ultraviolet ray detecting tube by interrupting flames from a combustion mechanism to an ultraviolet ray detecting tube by opening and closing a shutter, integrating, by an integrating circuit, detection signals from this ultraviolet ray detecting tube only when the shutter is closed, comparing the result of this integration with a preset judgement level by use of a first judgement circuit, and determining a failure by comparing a result of this comparison with a preset failure judgement frequency by use of a second judgement circuit, thereby improving maintainability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Yamatake-Honeywell Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Takahashi, Kazuo Seki, Tetsuya Yamada, Yukuo Morohoshi
  • Patent number: 4984736
    Abstract: By temperature gradient detection it is determined for the liquid combustion chamber auxiliary heater for motor vehicles, whether e.g. a flame blow-off has taken place, which has to be interpreted as a malfunction and hwich necessitates the discontinuation of fuel supply. Alternatively, it might merely show the switching from a high setting to a low setting. In the latter case a temperature drop to a lower operation temperature occurs also. However, the temperature drop is not as steep as in the case of a flame blow-off. At certain points in time t.sub.1 the target temperature for a point in time t.sub.2 is calculated by the detected temperature according to a certain algorithm having specific device properties as parameters. At this point in time the calculated target temperature is checked for errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: J. Eberspacher
    Inventors: Peter Reiser, Edwin Steiert, Wolfgang Schaffert
  • Patent number: 4959010
    Abstract: In a combustion process a fuel is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas in an adjustable ratio. This fuel-gas-mixture is burned and thereby an exhaust gas is produced. At least a part of the exhaust gas is collected and exposed to an ultra violet radiation source, thereby generating positive and negative charge carriers in the exhaust gas by means of a photoelectric charge separation process. The kind or amount of the positive and/or negative charge carriers is detected to produce a measurement value which reflects the amount and/or the charge of the carriers. Therefrom a control signal is derived and the mixture-ratio of the oxygen-containing gas and the fuel, the so-called .lambda.-factor, is adjusted in response to said control signal in order to improve the efficiency of the combustion and to reduce the emission of toxic substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Matter & Siegmann AG
    Inventors: Heinz Burtscher, Andreas Schmidt-Ott, Hans-Christoph Siegmann
  • Patent number: 4955806
    Abstract: An integrated electronic control arrangement is disclosed in the illustrative environment of burner such as in a gas-fired furnace. The control incorporates a self-test feature which shuts down the furnace in the event of any one of a number of possible sensed faults. Self-testing occurs automatically before an attempt at ignition and during furnace operation. Proper functioning of the sensor which senses for induced air flow through the burner combustion chamber is tested prior to enabling a fan which causes that induced air flow. Air flow is confirmed by sending to and receiving back from the sensor a sequence of pulses. Should air flow not be sensed during a combustion period, combustion is terminated. A flame sensor is provided for determining the presence of a flame in the combustion chamber. During times when a flame should be present, pulse sequences are sent to and received back from the flame sensor to confirm that a flame is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Hamilton Standard Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Grunden, Stephen E. Youtz, Eugene P. Mierzwinski
  • Patent number: 4915615
    Abstract: A device for controlling fuel combustion in a burner detects the temperature in the burner and controls, based on the detected temperature, electric power supplied to an atmozing glow plug of a fuel atomizer which heats and atomizes fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Hideo Kawamura, Keiichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4915614
    Abstract: A primary gas furnace control including a thermostatically controlled intermittent ignition system, the control being effective to monitor and control main gas valve action through use of flame rectification. The control features a slight delay on main valve dropout with flame failure and an extension of the ignition source into the main burner cycle to prevent nuisance recycling. If desired, the control may also include time pilot valve, thermostat resettable, lockout as well as prepurge capability for use in applications requiring a furnace combustion chamber purge prior to an ignition cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Frederick J. Geary
  • Patent number: 4854852
    Abstract: A flame safeguard control system using a microcomputer is disclosed. The microcomputer responds to the flame signal as provided from a normal flame amplification chain and an analog-to-digital converter. A safety backup circuit in the form of a redundant flame signal detection circuit analyzes the analog signal being provided to the analog-to-digital converter. In the event that the microcomputer is unable to shut the main fuel valve off, the redundant flame detection circuit becomes operative to deenergize part of a series circuit including the relay for the main fuel valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Patton, William R. Landis
  • Patent number: 4836770
    Abstract: A primary gas furnace control including a thermostatically controlled intermittent ignition system, the control being effective to monitor and control main gas valve action through use of flame rectification. The control features a slight delay on main valve dropout with flame failure and an extension of the ignition source into the main burner cycle to prevent nuisance recycling. If desired, the control may also include timed pilot valve, thermostat resettable, lockout as well as prepurge capability for use in applications requiring a furnace combustion chamber purge prior to an ignition cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Frederick J. Geary
  • Patent number: 4792089
    Abstract: A self-correcting control system and method is provided for a furnace to correct certain operating conditions that exceed normal limits. Upon sensing insufficient air flow as a function of the pressure drop across the heat exchangers, the control system and method cause the inducer motor to increase in speed, thereby to increase the flow of combustion air. Similarly, upon sensing that the flow of air to be heated exceeds a predetermined temperature, the control system and method will increase the speed of the air blower to increase the flow rate of air to be heated through the furnace, thereby resulting in lowering the temperature of the air to be heated below the predetermined temperature. Upon sensing a gas flow leak through the gas regulator, the control system and method will recycle the gas regulator to properly seat a gas flow control valve therein. If none of the self-correcting features correct the particular occurring problem, the control system and method will shut down the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Gary W. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4755133
    Abstract: A primary gas furnace control including a thermostatically controlled intermittent ignition system, the control being effective to monitor and control main gas valve action through use of flame rectification. The control features a slight delay on main valve dropout with flame failure and an extension of the ignition source into the main burner cycle to prevent nuisance recycling. If desired, the control may also include timed pilot valve, thermostat resettable, lockout as well as prepurge capability for use in applications requiring a furnace combustion chamber purge prior to an ignition cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Robertshaw Control Company
    Inventor: Frederick J. Geary
  • Patent number: 4710125
    Abstract: A safety device for an oil burner is disclosed which is capable of carrying out the detection of flame by means of a DC flame current obtained due to the rectification of flame to detect the abnormal combustion in the oil burner. The safety device includes a first flame electrode surrounded by flame of normal combustion in the oil burner and a second flame electrode arranged away from the flame and connected to an AC voltage source in a manner to be in parallel with the first flame electrode, so that the second flame electrodes cooperates with the first flame electrode to detect a failure in the flowing of a flame current through the first flame electrode or a decrease in a flame current flowing through the first flame electrode, to thereby determine any abnormal combustion in the oil burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Toyotomi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuharu Nakamura, Motoki Matsumoto, Akinobu Kondo, Kiyonobu Ito
  • Patent number: 4682946
    Abstract: A carburetion type burning apparatus having a carburetion chamber for evaporating liquid fuel which comprises a timer for counting time from the initiation of burning operation, an ion current detecting device for measuring an ion current (if) at the time after a predetermined time counted by said timer in which the ion current in flames is stabilized, a judging device for judging existence or non-existence of an abnormal burning state by comparing the measured ion current (if) and a predetermined threshold value of ion current which causes abnormal burning condition, and an alarming device for generating an alarm when said judging device provides judgment of abnormal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Kasada
  • Patent number: 4680005
    Abstract: A primary gas furnace control including a thermostatically controlled intermittent ignition system, the control being effective to monitor and control main gas valve action through use of flame rectification. The control features a slight delay on main valve dropout with flame failure and an extension of the ignition source into the main burner cycle to prevent nuisance recycling. If desired, the control may also include timed pilot valve, thermostat resettable, lockout as well as prepurge capability for use in applications requiring a furnace combustion chamber purge prior to an ignition cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Frederick J. Geary
  • Patent number: 4662838
    Abstract: A control system including a valve for controlling the flow of fuel to a burner, a resistive heater element connected between first and second terminals and disposed for igniting fuel emanating from the burner, an isolation transformer comprising a heater secondary winding connected to the first and second terminals so as to provide heating current to the heater element, and an electrode spaced from the heater element in a zone occupied by flame emanating from the burner. Also included is a start-up circuit for opening the valve to provide fuel to the burner for ignition by the heater element and a flame sensing circuit comprising an ac source, coupling means connecting the ac source means between the electrode and one of the first and second terminals with the secondary winding connected to the first and second terminals, and a detector circuit for detecting the flow between the electrode and the heater element of current conducted by flame in the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventor: William J. Riordan
  • Patent number: 4655705
    Abstract: A power burner adaptable for use in conjunction with a wood burning stove employs a blower to produce a forced flow of air and a fuel valve which provides selective fuel communication with a fuel nozzle. Forced air and fuel is mixed in the nozzle and propelled through the nozzle outlet along a generally unidirectional exit path. A target is spaced from the nozzle outlet and interposed in the exit path. A heating assembly which is spaced from the target heats the target to a temperature sufficient to ignite the mixture traversing the exit path. A blast tube surrounds the target and forms an axially extending passageway which functions as a combustion chamber and a passageway for propelling the combusted fuel through an outlet opening of the blast tube. The burner is automatically controlled by an electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventors: Alan B. Shute, Carl W. Suchovsky, Richard J. Bazzo
  • Patent number: 4652231
    Abstract: An improved electrical circuit for controlling the operation of a gas solenoid valve which regulates the flow of gas to a burner. Field effect transistors, whose operation is controlled by a flame rectification circuit and/or a timing circuit, directly control the operation of a relay which, in turn, operates the gas solenoid valve, thus eliminating the need for much more complicated circuitry to effect actuation of the gas solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Channel Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Don A. Berlincourt
  • Patent number: 4643668
    Abstract: A low cost hot surface ignition system particularly adapted for use in gas furnaces and the like, the system including low voltage control and timing circuitry effective to control a gas valve and high voltage ignition circuitry incorporating a hot surface silicon carbide igniter disposed in the path of incoming gas and in the heat of the flame when ignition is achieved to effect flame rectification resulting in flame sensing. The system also provides fail-safe operation or safety shutdown of the associated furnace if ignition is not achieved or in the event of a failure of a component of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Frederick J. Geary
  • Patent number: 4626192
    Abstract: A primary gas furnace control including a thermostatically controlled intermittent ignition system, the control being effective to monitor and control main gas valve action through use of flame rectification. The control features a slight delay on main valve dropout with flame failure and an extension of the ignition source into the main burner cycle to prevent nuisance recycling. If desired, the control may also include timed pilot valve, thermostat resettable, lockout as well as prepurge capability for use in applications requiring a furnace combustion chamber purge prior to an ignition cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Frederick J. Geary
  • Patent number: 4622005
    Abstract: An ignition and flame monitoring device in which the absence of flame between a pair of sparking electrodes energizes the primary coil of a transformer through an ignition control circuit to step up the voltage of the secondary coil thereof so as to develop a Zener diode into an avalanche breakdown. This causes a spark between the gap electrodes to ignite the flammable gas, building a flame which increases electrical conduction between the electrodes to transmit a flame signal causing a flame detection circuit to deenergize the primary transformer coil so as to stop the electrode spark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventor: Sinji Kuroda
  • Patent number: 4588371
    Abstract: A safety device for a pot-type oil burner is disclosed which is capable of efficiently and rapidly detecting the decrease of oxygen concentration in a room due to combustion to provide a warning and/or stop the combustion by sensing the decrease in temperature of a bottom portion of a pot. The safety device includes a thermo-sensitive device arranged on the outer surface of the bottom portion of the pot which is apart from the bottom region of the pot in which occurs the vaporization of fuel oil supplied to the pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Toyotomi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuharu Nakamura, Motoki Matsumoto, Tooru Yoshino, Osamu Niha
  • Patent number: 4588372
    Abstract: A gas burning furnace has a burner in which the premixed fuel/air ratio of the burned gas in the burner flame is measured by a flame rod sensing the ionization current. The flame rod is connected to a fuel/air controller which controls the gas and primary air to the burner to maintain the maximum flame ionization current which results in an excessive amount of gas to the burner. The secondary air to the combustion chamber is proportionally controlled to add sufficient oxidant to the gas combustion in the combustion chamber to ensure complete combustion. Other properties of the flame or combustion products can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph H. Torborg
  • Patent number: 4561840
    Abstract: A safety device for an oil burner is disclosed which is capable of effectively and rapidly accomplishing the detecting and stopping of abnormal combustion in the oil burner. The safety device includes an additional flame electrode (72) which is adapted to flow a DC current therethrough when flame of abnormal combustion contacts with the electrode, to thereby detect the abnormal combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Toyotomi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuharu Nakamura, Yoshimasa Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 4552528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a current generator for the supply and detection of operation of a gas burner wherein said generator is equipped with a transformer comprising: 1--a primary winding supplied from a D.C. supply source by way of an electronic switch controlled by a pulse generator, 2--a first secondary winding including a resistor-capacitor assembly, and reaching to at least one detection electrode for detecting the operation of a gas burner, and, 3--a second secondary winding supplying direct current to at least one electrovalve supplying fuel to the gas burner. The invention finds an application in gas burners used in kitchen cookers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme: Construction Electriques R.V.
    Inventor: Albert Gaiffier
  • Patent number: 4543055
    Abstract: The liquid fuel is supplied to a burner through a control member, which is repeatedly energized with a set frequency for obtaining the desired temperature.A deviation from an expected heat contents of the fuel is compensated by setting the energizing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Conma, N.V.
    Inventor: Adolphe J. G. Tilly
  • Patent number: 4519771
    Abstract: A method for detecting the operation of a burner uses the rectifying effect of the burner flame, when an alternating voltage is applied between the burner (1) and an electrode (2). A control device (18) is connected to the primary of an isolating transformer (6) which receives a high frequency alternating voltage from a generator (7). The current rectified by the flame provides dumping of the circuit at the secondary of the transformer which is used to detect the presence of a flame. An igniter (25) may be connected to the same electrode of the burner via an element (28) whose resistance varies with the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Claude G. Six, Paul Claeys, Michel Guillaume
  • Patent number: 4515554
    Abstract: An ignition and fuel supply system for gas-fueled heat radiators of the type comprising an upstream fuel feed (6), a safety valve (20) in the vicinity of the radiator, a pilot device (27) mounted on the radiator to allow reignition and a feed conduit (4) for the gas; the system includes a bypass (15) equipped with gas-expanding devices (14) providing a pressure less than the pressures in the heating areas, whereby the pilot flame device (27) may be fed from the same conduit (4) used for the heating areas; a selection valve (24) is arranged in the radiator injection conduit in order to be closed at the pressure of the pilot flame; an ignition branch line (16) is arranged as a shunt of the upstream feed means (6) in order to supply gas at a pressure exceeding the pressures of the heating modes at the time an electrical igniter (19) is actuated to assure electrical ignition of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: S.A.R.L Centre d'Etude et de Realisation d'Equipment et de Materiel C.E.R.E.M.
    Inventor: Joseph Sirand
  • Patent number: 4507702
    Abstract: There is provided a control unit for controlling the operation of a fuel valve. The control unit includes a first relay and a second relay. The first relay and the second relay are connectable in series and oppositely actuable. The first relay is actuable in response to a first control signal. The second relay is actuable in response to a second control signal which is inverted with respect to the first control signal. Thus, the relays are differentially operated. Further, there is disclosed a scanner control unit which reduces the noise of a voltage signal whose magnitude is representative of the intensity of a monitored flame in a boiler. The flame scanner control unit uses a comparator to reduce the noise in the voltage signal. The voltage signal is provided at one input of the comparator and a reference signal is provided at the other input of the comparator. The reference signal is representative of the intensity of noise in the boiler when the monitored flame is out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Tervcon Limited
    Inventor: Gunter P. Grewe
  • Patent number: 4502625
    Abstract: A furnace control apparatus for a downflow forced warm air furnace uses a microprocessor and thermostat to initiate and control the start-up of the furnace. During the initial start-up operation, the microprocessor receives an input signal from the thermostat indicative of the need for a furnace operation and produces an output signal for controlling, in combination with the thermostat which responds to the temperature of the space to be heated, an actuation of a gas valve to supply gas to the furnace. Subsequently, an analog temperature sensor in an air supply duct is used to supply another input signal through an analog-to-digital converter to the microprocessor representative of the air temperature in the duct. The microprocessor stores the value of the air temperature following the start-up of the burner and subsequently turns on an air circulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4494924
    Abstract: A flame-rod type flame detecting apparatus for detecting flames produced intermittently in a pulse-like combustion process is disclosed. An oscillation circuit generates an A.C. flame detecting voltage to be applied across the flame to be detected. The A.C. voltage modulated by the flame provides a signal representative of the presence of flame. The frequency of the A.C. voltage is selected higher than the commercial line frequency and higher than a maximum frequency of the pulse-like intermittent combustion and selected such that the positive half-waves of the applied A.C. voltage are superposed on the flames produced intermittently, and more preferably at least one positive half-wave is superposed on each of the flames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Tanaka, Motoshi Miyanaka, Shigekichi Kochiyama
  • Patent number: 4477245
    Abstract: A flame monitor for a burner comprises an oscillator which generates a signal at a characteristic frequency, a flame modulator connected to the oscillator and the burner for modulating the flame which produces an electromagnetic signal at the same frequency and a signal detector for detecting the electromagnetic signal. A bandpass filter is connected to the detector for passing only the signal at the characteristic frequency. Circuitry is provided for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic signal which is proportional to the flame temperature and which can be used to control the fuel or air supplied to the burner and thus optimize the flame. A single detector can be used to detect the flame from various burners where each burner is supplied with its own characteristic frequency and the detector is multiplexed to share its operation over the various burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Giachino, Marion A. Keyes, IV
  • Patent number: 4474548
    Abstract: A combustion controlling apparatus is disclosed which is used in a pulse combustion apparatus for generating flames intermittently and which has a flame-rod type flame detector. In this combustion controlling apparatus, a low AC source voltage is converted to a DC voltage and then this DC voltge is converted by an inverter to an AC of about 100 V and 800 Hz which is then supplied to the igniter and flame rod. The inverter comprises a pair of transistors and a transformer having a primary winding with its center tap connected to a DC source voltage and both ends thereof connected to the respective collectors of the transistors which are in turn cross-coupled to the bases of the mating ones through respective series circuits each consisting of a capacitor and a resistor. Thus, in a secondary winding of the transformer, a rectangular wave voltage is produced. The inverter can supply a high voltage to the flame rod during ignition, enabling easy fire detection and can prevent the transistors from generating heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoshi Miyanaka, Kenzi Toudo
  • Patent number: 4465455
    Abstract: System for flame start-up/shut-down for a hydrogen gas mixture burner. An electrical probe igniter positioned adjacent the gas port outlet. On demand the igniter is actuated to heat and electrically heat a thermal switch. Responsive electronic controls actuate the appropriate valves and circuits for operational start-up. Upon the ignition of the generated hydrogen gas mixture, a second thermal probe is heated by the flame to deactivate the ignition and start-up circuits. After demand the second thermal probe cools and the circuit is restored for start-up again. A safety probe positioned in the flame is quiescent. In the event of demand time shut-down, the safety probe will activate the circuits for restart. If failure to start-up continues for a predetermined time, the safety probe circuit will effect permanent shut-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Inventor: Stanley A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4461615
    Abstract: A combustion control device which performs combustion control based on the ambient oxygen content by using an electrode rod to be put into a flame. The combustion control device comprises an a.c. power source, a circuit connected to the a.c. power source to produce a reference voltage corresponding to a change of supply voltage, a circuit connected to the a.c. power source to detect a flame current depending on the ambient oxygen content and the supply voltage, the detecting circuit producing a detection voltage corresponding to the flame current, a circuit for comparing the detection voltage and reference voltage, and a circuit receiving an output signal from the comparing circuit to control a fuel supply valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaharu Inoue
  • Patent number: 4457701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control circuit for a semi-conductor power element, comprising a circuit generating a signal synchronous with the variable current supply signal of the semi-conductor power element, and a logic circuit with high input impedance to receive directly, on the one hand, the said synchronous signal and, on the other hand, the low strength detection signal and which is such that the delay circuit is combined to the high input impedance logic circuit to prevent the production of control pulses on the electrode controlling the semi-conductor or power element, if one of the components of the control circuit should become faulty.The invention finds an application in burner control and safety devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Constructions Electriques R.V.
    Inventor: Albert Gaiffier
  • Patent number: 4428726
    Abstract: The present invention improves a conventional Bunsen burner by providing it with a primary combustion chamber which covers the primary flame forming portion of the Bunsen burner and which has a secondary flame hole immediately above the primary flame forming portion. The burner apparatus of the present invention produces reduced NO.sub.x since the overall combustion is divided into primary flame combustion and secondary flame combustion.Further according to the invention, an indication of incomplete combustion due to oxygen deficiency in the ambient air or blockade of the primary air passage can be dependably detected for cessation of combustion by providing a flame rod and measuring the impedance (or ion current) of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kimpara, Hideki Kaneko, Yoshifumi Moriya
  • Patent number: 4427363
    Abstract: A fail safe controller for a fuel burner has a rectifying probe positioned in the region occupied by the flame when it is burning normally. An alternating current power supply coupled to the probe is periodically interrupted by an inhibit circuit when the flame is burning. The intermittent rectified output from the probe controls the fuel supply by way of a diode pump circuit which ensures fail safe operation as it gives a null output for a steady state input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: British Gas Corporation
    Inventor: Paul S. Hammond
  • Patent number: 4405299
    Abstract: A fuel burner ignition system using a hot surface ignitor means as both an ignition element and as one element of a flame rectification sensor. The hot surface ignitor means ignites fuel issuing from a fuel burner, and also acts as the flame rod or sensing means of a flame detecting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Serber
  • Patent number: 4403943
    Abstract: A device for liquid fuel burners includes an electrically controlled valve which allows the feeding of fuel to the burner, the valve being provided with a retaining winding for permanently allowing the flow of fuel when the burner is in operation. The device further includes a combustion chamber pre-purger and a resistor with determines the end of the pre-purging. The device also includes a flame signaller means having a photo-resistance which responds to a preset low light intensity so as to reduce the current flowing through the resistor to such an extent that its heating becomes insufficient to cause the end of the pre-purging. The photo-resistance responds to a high light intensity by activating the retaining winding of the valve and giving the signals necessary for causing the burner to enter its regular operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: R.B.L. Riello Bruciatori Legnago S.p.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Stella, Giuseppe Canova
  • Patent number: 4325690
    Abstract: A pilot assembly includes a base having a cylindrical side wall which holds an electrode subassembly and glass preforms in place for fusing the glass to secure the electrode subassembly to the base. Prior to fusing, a spark electrode is assembled by inserting it into a metal clip receptacle held in a ceramic insulator body forming a part of the electrode subassembly. A pilot tip and orifice subassembly are secured to the base. Fusion of the glass and brazing of the metal including the high tension clip to bring it to spring temper for connection to a plugged wire are accomplished in a single step of heating. The pilot tip includes a locator member which holds the spark electrode in place during fusing and establishes the spark gap. It is removed after fusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hayes
  • Patent number: 4324542
    Abstract: An electronic safety device for a fluid, particularly gaseous fuel burner of the intermittent operating type.The current supply to the electromagnetic valve controlling the input of gas to the burner is controlled by means of a switching transistor itself under the control of a bistable circuit. The inputs to this circuit receive signals translating the presence or the absence of certain operating conditions. The hysteresis properties of the electromagnetic valve are also used by means of an overvoltage circuit.This device may be applied to all heating apparatus, particularly those whose power supply source has a reduced capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Constructions Electriques
    Inventor: Jacques Challet
  • Patent number: 4318687
    Abstract: A burner system of the type in which a thermocouple or like EMF-generating sensor detects the presence of a pilot flame and controls a main fuel valve to hold the latter open as long as the pilot flame remains lit. According to the invention, the main valve is held open by a solenoid and a resistance is provided in circuit between the sensor and the solenoid to reduce the response time of the latter which results from the inductance contributed by the magnetic coil forming the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Inoue-Japax Research Incorporated
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 4303055
    Abstract: An oil heater comprises an oil burning section and an oil feeding system for feeding oil from a tank to the burning section. The oil feeding system includes pump means and motor means for operating the pump means. A control system of the oil feeding system consists essentially of relay means situated in a line between the motor means and electric source, combustion detecting means provided in the burning section to detect combustion of oil, and thermoresponsive switch means situated in the line between the relay means and the electric source for operating the relay means and the detecting means after combustion of oil in the burning section. The combustion detecting means is connected to the relay means to allow electric current to pass through the relay means from the electric source to the motor means only when the detecting means detects combustion of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Inventor: Stanley Fixler
  • Patent number: 4303385
    Abstract: An ignition system for use with a source of dc (or full-wave-rectified) power without the need for an inverter includes a flame sensing relay and a checking relay interlocked to achieve lockout if the proper starting sequence or timing are not met or if a flame-out occurs during operation. The checking relay is energized in response to a call-for-heat signal to isolate the flame detection circuitry from its source and commence a trial-for-ignition period in the flame detection circuitry which includes a timing circuit. The timing circuit actuates the flame-sensing relay during the trial-for-ignition period. The flame sensing relay energizes the fuel valve and a spark generator to ignite the fuel. If a flame is detected during the trial-for-ignition period by a flame probe, the timing circuit is disabled and operation continues until the call for heat is terminated as long as the flame is sensed. Another circuit senses flame at the spark gap and disables the spark gap generator after a flame is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: George Rudich, Jr., Russell B. Matthews
  • Patent number: 4298335
    Abstract: A fuel burner control system including a valve for controlling the flow of fuel to a burner, a resistive heater element for igniting fuel, a power supply for supplying current to the heater element, a flame sensing circuit comprising an ac source for supplying ac voltage to the heater element, and a detector for producing an output signal only in response to the flow through the heating element of current rectified by the flame, a valve control circuit for maintaining the valve open in response to the output signal, and a coupling circuit interconnecting the heating element with both the power supply and the sensing circuit and adapted to prevent the flow of current therebetween. By utilizing a coupling circuit that prevents the flow of current between the power supply and the flame sensing circuit, the resistive heater element can be efficiently and alternately used both as a fuel igniting mechanism and as an electrode for deriving current rectified by flame at the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Walter Kidde and Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Riordan, Richard A. Cunha
  • Patent number: 4260362
    Abstract: An arrangement for a direct ignition type fuel ignition system includes a capacitive timing network which enables a flame relay to operate during a trial for ignition interval, energizing a fuel valve to supply fuel to a burner for ignition, and a flame sensing circuit which causes the flame relay and the fuel valve to be maintained operated only if a flame is sensed before the end of the trial for ignition interval. In the absence of a flame, a diode, back biased by the timing signal, decouples the flame sensing circuit from the timing network. When a flame is established, a further diode, back biased by a control signal provided by the flame sensing circuit, decouples the timing network from the flame sensing circuit. In an embodiment wherein the charging time of a capacitor defines the trial for ignition interval, a fast reset circuit provides rapid discharge of the timing capacitor when power is removed from the timing network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell B. Matthews
  • Patent number: 4257758
    Abstract: A safety arrangement in a gas-operated apparatus, such as an absorption refrigerator, having a safety device that controls the gas system and, when required, automatically re-ignites the flame of the gas burner that has become extinguished. The system has a thermostat that is connected to a switch for opening a gas valve when it is necessary to supply gas to the burner. A filament or igniter is also provided which is arranged adjacent to the burner and has a switch which breaks the circuit to the gas valve when a sensor or flame detector at the burner is exposed to a flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Peter E. Blomberg
  • Patent number: 4257759
    Abstract: A fuel burner primary control with a pre-purge and extended ignition function has been disclosed. The system has been disclosed as an oil burner which utilizes a voltage regulator to insure that adequate power is supplied to the device and with a time delay on the application of potential to the ignition and oil source to allow for a pre-purge interval. The ignition source is also time delayed to insure a stable flame before the ignition is deenergized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Miles
  • Patent number: 4249884
    Abstract: Burner control apparatus includes a control device for actuating an ignition control means, and a timing circuit for providing an ignition timing interval which extends beyond flame detection for a timed interval. The timing circuit is actuated in response to a request for burner operation and the control device is energized in response to the actuated timing circuit. The control device is maintained energized if a signal from the flame sensor is received before the end of the ignition timing interval, and the control device is deenergized and lockout circuitry is energized in the absence of a signal from the flame sensor. Main fuel supply is delayed for the timed interval to provide pilot flame stabilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Electronics Corporation of America
    Inventor: Phillip J. Cade