Abstract: A power relay is controlled by the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds that are often emitted by outgassing from electronic components during overheat and failure conditions. The relay housing contains a standard power relay of single pole single throw (SPST) or a multi-pole double throw relay depending on the application. A micro VOC integrated circuit is placed within the housing allowing access to ambient air through ports in the side of the relay. Air quality is sampled periodically or continuously as is required by the system to adequately monitor for fault events and, in the event of a fault, latch the relay mechanism OPEN breaking the flow of electrical energy the circuit downstream.

Abstract: A flame scanner (10) includes terminals (32) for connection to a controller (50) The flame scanner includes a photodiode (14) to generate a detection signal; and a signal conditioner (20) coupled to the photodiode, the signal conditioner to generate an output signal across the terminals, the output signal emulating an output of an ultraviolet tube flame scanner.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an end cover assembly for a combustor of a turbomachine. The end cover assembly includes an end cover and a bundled tube fuel nozzle assembly positioned downstream from the end cover. The bundled tube fuel nozzle assembly includes a plurality of fuel nozzle tubes. A flame detector sight tube couples to the end cover. The flame detector sight tube is aligned with one of the fuel nozzle tubes.

Abstract: A particle counter provided with: a detector configured to receive interference light by scattered light and reference light with a light receiving element, and generate a detection signal corresponding to the interference light; a filter configured to perform, with respect to the detection signal generated by the detector, a filtering process for passing a frequency component corresponding to an intensity change of the interference light; a determination unit configured to determine, from a peak level of the detection signal before filtering and a peak level of the detection signal after filtering, whether the detection signal is due to a particle; and a counting unit configured to perform, if it is determined by the determination unit that the detection signal is due to the particle, particle counting based on the detection signal after filtering.

Abstract: A flame detection system is disclosed. The system may have a flame chamber and a filter, wherein the filter includes filter media configured to collect matter from an engine exhaust. Additionally, the filter may be disposed downstream of the flame chamber. An ignition device may be disposed in the flame chamber and may be configured to ignite a flame in the flame chamber to regenerate the filter. A sensor may be disposed proximate the ignition device, and may be configured to sense a change in electrical conductivity that is indicative of a presence of the flame in the flame chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein. One method includes scanning, using a sensor, a first wavelength range of refracted light emitted from a flame, revising a position of a prism and/or the sensor based on the scan of the first wavelength range, and scanning, using the sensor after revising the position of the prism and/or the sensor, a second wavelength range of refracted light emitted from the flame.

Abstract: A gas stove with flame detection comprises a switch module, a flame detection module and a processing module. The switch module generates an ignition signal when a gas stove flame is lit. The flame detection module generates a first light wave signal when the flame detection module detects light wave having wavelengths of about 400 nm to 500 nm, and the flame detection module generates an second light wave signal when the flame detection module detects light wave having wavelengths of about 600 nm to 780 nm. The processing module turns on an air drafting device and an alarm device when the processing module receives the first light wave signal and the second light wave signal at the same time or only receives the second light wave signal.

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.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting and controlling flashback and flame holding in a combustor of a gas turbine. The system includes at least one flame indicator disposed in a combustor and at least one detector disposed downstream from the flame indicator. The flame indicator may be configured to produce light when exposed to a flame and the detector may be configured to detect the light produced by the flame indicator.

Abstract: Two UV tubes are contained in one ultraviolet sensor to monitor one burner flame. Each UV tube is powered during a different time cycle to eliminate interference between the two UV tubes. This is made possible by two rectifier circuits being powered by two transformers that are 180° out of phase with each other. Self check is accomplished by the redundancy of two amplifiers providing output to two flame relays so that if one UV tube was to fail in the conducting mode, the combustion safeguard control will continue to safely monitor the flame by powering the fuel valve when the flame is present and removing power to the fuel valve when the flame goes out.

Abstract: A system includes a flame detector with a photon detecting portion and a processing portion, the processing portion including a processor-based device programmed to provide the following functions: receiving input regarding a type of burner and a type of fuel, applying a flame detection configuration to the burner scanner according to the received input, and performing a flame detection process according to the flame detection configuration.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the state of a fuel-air mixture and/or the combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, with sample signals of flame light signals being stored in a database, and with flame light signals of the combustion in the combustion chamber being detected and compared with the stored sample signals, and with an evaluation of the state being output in the case of coincidence between the measured and stored signal patterns. In order to enable the monitoring of the combustion in the simplest possible way the sample signals in the database are stored with the assigned emission values and an evaluation of the state of the combustion is performed with respect to the obtained emissions in the case of coincidence between the measured and stored signal patterns for the combustion chamber of the respective cylinder.

Abstract: A self validating flame detection system (10) for a turbine engine (12) configured to determine whether a flame exists in a turbine engine combustor is disclosed. The self validating flame detection system (10) may include two different types of flame detection sensors to reduce the risk of false positive signals. In at least one embodiment, the flame detection system (10) may include one or more infrared sensors (20) that sense infrared radiation within the combustor of the turbine engine (12) and one or more ultraviolet light sensors (22) that sense ultraviolet light within the combustor of the turbine engine (12). The flame detection system (10) may include a processor (24) configured to ignore the steady state infrared signal generated and instead analyze the dynamic infrared signal. The processor (24) may be configured to determine whether both types of sensors indicate a flame out condition so that a false alarm does not occur.

Abstract: A high efficiency laminar flow burner system for proving a stream of heat energy including a supply input module for providing fuel and laminar streams of air to a combustion manifold. The laminar air delivery system includes a damper, a blower, and an air delivery controller. The air delivery controller receives an efficiency signal to control the flow of a laminar air intake stream by adjusting the damper. The combustion manifold includes an air-fuel mixing system, a stoichiometric unit, and a refractory unit each coupled to one another. The laminar air intake stream traveling from the supply input module passes through a stoichiometric unit body to meet with a first combustion stream from an air-fuel mixing chamber within the stoichiometric unit body to define a second combustion stream. The second combustion stream then travels across the refractory passageway to define a third combustion stream.

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.

Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor assembly for sensing characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The flame sensor apparatus further includes an electrical assembly that is electrically remote from the sensor assembly. In addition, a cable assembly extends between the sensor assembly and the electrical assembly. The cable assembly can convey the characteristics of the flame from the photodiode to the electrical assembly. The cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing characteristics of a flame is also provided.

Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor for sensing specific characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The sensor includes a silicon carbide photodiode, and the sensor is spaced a distance from the combustion chamber. In addition, a fiber optic cable assembly extends between the sensor and the combustion chamber. The fiber optic cable can convey the specific characteristics of the flame from the combustion chamber to the sensor. The fiber optic cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing specific characteristics of a flame is also provided.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the state of a fuel/air mixture and/or the combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, with sample signals of flame light signals, preferably the flame intensity (FI), with associated mixture states being saved to a database, with flame light signals, preferably the flame light intensity (FI), of the combustion in the combustion chamber being detected and thus being compared with the saved sample signals, and with conclusions being drawn on the state of the mixture in the combustion chamber in the case of coincidence between measured and saved signal patterns. In order to enable a simple and precise monitoring of the mixture state and the combustion it is provided that a pressure measurement is also performed in the cylinder simultaneously with the detection of the flame light signals.

Abstract: A low pressure heater control system. In some embodiments a control is in electrical communication with a sensor having a view of a combustion chamber. The control calculates an average sensor value over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods based on a plurality of readings from the sensor. In some embodiments a reference point that may be at least based in part on an average of a plurality of average optical sensor values from earlier brief sampling periods is calculated and compared against the average optical sensor value from a recent brief sampling period to monitor for an abrupt combustion change. In some embodiments a peak-to-peak optical sensor value is also calculated over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods. In some embodiments the type of fuel being combusted is recognized and/or the fuel level approximated based on measured average and/or peak-to-peak optical sensor values.

Abstract: Configurations herein include a novel process, system, etc., to measure a concentration of sulfur trioxide in a gas sample including sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide, and water. An example system can include an optical radiation source that generates an optical signal at a plurality of vibration-rotation transitions around at least one frequency selected from the group consisting of 1396.889 cm?1, 1396.908 cm?1, 1396.962 cm?1, 1397.003 cm?1, 1397.037 cm?1, 1397.047 cm?1, and 1397.052 cm?1. The optical signal is transmitted along an optical path through the gas sample. Based on adjusting a pressure of the gas sample, each of the plurality of vibration-rotation absorption transitions associated with the sulfur trioxide can be substantially isolated from interfering absorption by the sulfur dioxide and the water vapor in the gas sample. Based on a spectral analysis, the system generates a value indicative of a concentration of sulfur trioxide in the gas sample.

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.

Abstract: A video analytics system for characterization of a flare. A video of a flare may be taken for obtaining information so as to appropriately control the flare in an interest of reducing emissions not necessarily favorable to the environment. The system may incorporate a control scenario involving one or more parameters of a flare which are to be controlled in view of a flare characterization from an algorithmic analysis of the video.

Abstract: The invention concerns a burner, particularly an auxiliary burner in a motor vehicle and most especially a burner to rapidly heat up a three way catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with a fuel supply mechanism to deliver fuel to the burner, an air supply mechanism to deliver air to the burner, as well as with an open-loop or closed-loop control mechanism to set a desired fuel-air-ratio in the burner. The invention additionally concerns a procedure to operate such a burner. Provision is made, that the open-loop or closed-loop mechanism adjusts the fuel mass delivered from the fuel supply mechanism to the burner to the air mass delivered from the air supply mechanism to the burner.

Abstract: A method and system that accurately predicts fuel consumption rates in a residential structure is provided. The present invention more accurately determines the amount of fuel required to maintain a residential structure at a consistent temperature, thereby allowing identification of various system anomalies that may occur over time. Further, the method and system accounts for a number of fuel usage variables such as pilot light and domestic hot water usage in a manner that allows improved accuracy in determining the amount of fuel required to maintain a residential structure at a consistent temperature, thereby allowing identification of various system anomalies that may occur over time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a combustion state of a boiler, and more particularly to a boiler and a method capable of exactly detecting an abnormal combustion state of a gas boiler using an air pressure sensor and a flame detection unit, thereby improving efficiency of the boiler.

Abstract: A system of detection and analysis of gas or fuel oil flames using optical devices, consisting of a sensor that targets the flame's reaction zone through an optical access, a processing and control module, and an actuator, responsible for controlling the damper. The system optimizes combustion equipment operation by controlling the damper, obtaining better performance and reducing polluting emissions.

Abstract: An ejector, such as a venturi, facilitates the delivery of gaseous fuel to the combustion chamber of a burner. A blower forces air through the ejector, and the air flow produces a suction that draws fuel from a fuel inlet to produce a fuel-air mixture. The amount of fuel drawn from the fuel inlet is a function of the air flow such that a substantially constant fuel-air ratio is obtained over a range of air flow rates and temperatures without the need for a separate high-pressure fuel pump. The fuel-air mixture may be provided to a combustion chamber for combustion. Air from the blower may be pre-heated prior to entering the ejector, for example, using a heat exchanger that recovers some of the heat from the combusted fuel-air mixture. Air flow through the ejector may be conditioned, for example, by a swirler, to produce a tangential air flow that can increase fuel flow by increasing air velocity across the fuel inlet and/or produce a swirl-stabilized flame in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system with a boiler and a turbine, and an associated control method. The method includes sensing a plurality of operating conditions at a first common boiler location. At least one of the plurality of operating conditions sensed at the first common location is indicative of a combustion anomaly occurring during operation. The combustion anomaly indicated by the plurality of operating conditions at the first common location is traced back to an offending burner that is at least partially responsible for the combustion anomaly based on a model that takes into consideration at least two of the plurality of operating conditions sensed at the first common location. At least one of a process input and a boiler configuration is adjusted to establish a desired value of the operating conditions at the first common location.

Abstract: A combustion chamber (1), in particular in a gas turbine, has at least two burners (A-H) that are connected to a fuel supply (3) via controllable fuel valves (2? and 2). Each burner (A to H) is assigned at least one optical measuring device (4) for detecting chemiluminescent radiation, and the combustion chamber (1) is assigned a pressure sensor (7) for detecting a combustion chamber pressure. The optical measuring device (4) and the pressure sensor (7) are connected to a computing and control device, which calculates a correlation value from the incoming measured values. A high correlation value signifies that the associated burner is prone to pulsation. The computing and control device (6) is designed in such a way that it determines the burner or a burner group with the highest correlation and controls the associated fuel valve(s) in such a way that more fuel is fed to the respective burner or the respective burner group, and the pulsation tendency thereof is thereby reduced.

Abstract: A control for controlling the operation of a fuel-fired heating appliance is provided that include a sensor capable of sensing the presence of carbon monoxide gas and providing an output indicative of the level of carbon monoxide gas. The control further includes a microprocessor that periodically reads the CO sensor output and stores at least one sensor output value in a memory, wherein the microprocessor responsively discontinues the operation of the appliance when the microprocessor detects a sensor output that has increased by more than a predetermined amount over at least one previously stored sensor output value. In one embodiment, the control is preferably configured to periodically read the sensor output value, and responsive discontinue operation of an appliance upon sensing a predetermined increase of at least a 50 percent increase over the previously monitored sensor output value over a period of about 15 to 90 minutes.

Abstract: A method of igniting and monitoring a high speed burner with which a fuel/oxygen-mixture exits at high velocity from a burner head, wherein the length of the flame is governed by the exit velocity of the mixture. The invention is characterized by placing an electrically conductive pipe in and concentrical with the burner channel for the fuel mixture, by causing a first end of the pipe to terminate close to the fuel mixture outlet of the burner head, by electrically isolating the pipe and by causing the detection of light of the group ultraviolet light, visible light and/or infrared light to be detected at the other end of the pipe, and by causing a spark to be generated between the first end of the pipe and the surrounding burner head by application of a voltage, in igniting the burner. A burner is also disclosed.

Abstract: An afterburner device and a method for operating an afterburner device, especially for chemical reformers for obtaining hydrogen, for making heat available from fuels and/or residual gases from a reforming process and/or a fuel cell process. In this context, heat is supplied in a controlled manner from recirculated combustion gases to a first housing and/or a combustion chamber situated in it and at least in part filled with heat resistant, open-pored foamed ceramics. The regulation takes place, for instance, based on a temperature recorded in the combustion chamber using an infrared light measurement.

Abstract: Combustion instability in combustion appliances may be recognized before excessive carbon monoxide may be produced. In some instances, combustion instability may be manifested in flame oscillation, or rather, in oscillations in flame intensity as measured, for example, by a flame sensor. If flame instability is detected, appliance operation may be corrected or terminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a video camera plugged into kiln to monitor and an image processing system using the camera. The video camera is composed of a camera body, a video recorder, a monitor, and a digital thermometer; the image processing system is composed of the camera body mentioned above, a computer and a color monitor. Especially, the present invention is used to monitor material surface during the smelting in a blast furnace; process the image by a computer, describing quantificationally the airflow and temperature distribution of the material surface; monitor the operation state of charging chute or bell, the material stream, and the abnormality in the furnace such as pipeline and material collapse. The advantages of the present invention: Micro camera used to obtain IR image in the furnace, pint-sized, low cost, easy installation, simple maintenance, long service life, and the maintenance performed without stopping production.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting flame using real-time continuous imaging and pattern recognition of infrared (IR) images of a flame region. Infrared emissions radiated from the region pass through a wide field-of-view lens and are detected by a Charged-Coupled Device (CCD) array sensitive to the near IR range. The system then digitizes the image, extracts characteristic parameters from the measurement and stores both the image and characteristic information for pattern recognition. To accomplish the pattern recognition function, the derived real-time characteristics of the current measurement are statistically compared to pre-stored patterns representative of images of radiation emitted from the region while known flame conditions prevail within the region. Based on this comparison, an assessment is made to determine the presence or absence of flame. The characteristic measurements are also used for evaluating the quality of flame.

Abstract: In a procedure for regulating a combustion process in an installation while air is being supplied, material is converted by the combustion process, with at least one flame being formed, and the state variables (s(t)) describing the state of the system in the installation are determined using at least one observation device that images the flame, as well as other sensors, and are evaluated in a computer, whereupon any appropriate actions (ai) that may be needed are selected in order to control adjusting devices for the supply of material and/or air, wherein during setpoint regulation to achieve setpoints (s0) of the state variables and/or stability of the combustion process a changeover is occasionally made from setpoint control to disturbance control.

Abstract: A method for igniting a fuel/oxidant mixture in an industrial furnace. At least one fuel supply conduit and at least one oxidant supply conduit is provided, each conduit having an opening that opens on a side of the burner head that faces the furnace interior space. Fuel and oxidant are supplied to the burner head, and a light detector for detecting ultraviolet light, or other light wavelengths, is provided for detecting light that indicates the presence of a flame. A laser is positioned to emit a laser beam onto a point on the burner head adjacent the conduit outlets and to heat that point to a temperature exceeding the ignition temperature of the fuel/oxidant mixture. When the burner has ignited, the detector emits a signal to a control circuit that extinguishes the laser beam.

Abstract: A control for controlling the operation of a fuel-fired heating appliance is provided that include a sensor capable of sensing the presence of carbon monoxide gas and providing an output indicative of the level of carbon monoxide gas. The control further includes a microprocessor that periodically reads the CO sensor output and stores at least one sensor output value in a memory, wherein the microprocessor responsively discontinues the operation of the appliance when the microprocessor detects a sensor output that has increased by more than a predetermined amount over at least one previously stored sensor output value. In one embodiment, the control is preferably configured to periodically read the sensor output value, and responsive discontinue operation of an appliance upon sensing a predetermined increase of at least a 50 percent increase over the previously monitored sensor output value over a period of about 15 to 90 minutes.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for generating a trapezoidal excitation waveform includes a controllable frequency source and a trapezoidal waveform generator. The controllable frequency source generates a source waveform that, upon energization thereof, has an initial frequency value, and decreases in frequency to a substantially constant frequency value a time period after energization. The trapezoidal waveform generator receives the source waveform and, in response, generates a trapezoidal waveform at least when the source waveform frequency attains the substantially constant frequency value.

Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus for use with a flame heated thermal abatement reactor is provided, including a flame sensor adapted to sense a flame within the thermal abatement reactor; and a shutter adapted to selectively block the transmission of radiation from the flame to the flame sensor.

Abstract: A system of detection and analysis of gas or fuel oil flames using optical devices, consisting of a sensor that targets the flame's reaction zone through an optical access, a processing and control module, and an actuator, responsible for controlling the damper. The system optimizes combustion equipment operation by controlling the damper, obtaining better performance and reducing polluting emissions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating the state of a fuel/air mixture and/or the combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, with sample signals of flame light signals, preferably the flame intensity (FI), with associated mixture states being saved to a database, with flame light signals, preferably the flame light intensity (FI), of the combustion in the combustion chamber being detected and thus being compared with the saved sample signals, and with conclusions being drawn on the state of the mixture in the combustion chamber in the case of coincidence between measured and saved signal patterns. In order to enable a simple and precise monitoring of the mixture state and the combustion it is provided that a pressure measurement is also performed in the cylinder simultaneously with the detection of the flame light signals.

Abstract: A video analytics system for characterization of a flare. A video of a flare may be taken for obtaining information so as to appropriately control the flare in an interest of reducing emissions not necessarily favorable to the environment. The system may incorporate a control scenario involving one or more parameters of a flare which are to be controlled in view of a flare characterization from an algorithmic analysis of the video.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a combustion state of a boiler, and more particularly to a boiler and a method capable of exactly detecting an abnormal combustion state of a gas boiler using an air pressure sensor and a flame detection unit, thereby improving efficiency of the boiler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control method for gas burners for providing a gas-air mixture. According to the invention, the ionization signal is only used for setting the mixing ratio dependent on the gas quality when the burner flame completely sweeps over the sensor generating the ionization signal. Outside the above-mentioned range, i.e. when the burner flame does not completely sweep over the sensor generating the ionization signal, the gas-air mixture is controlled dependent on the previously determined mixing ratio.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting flame using real-time continuous imaging and pattern recognition of infrared (IR) images of a flame region. Infrared emissions radiated from the region pass through a wide field-of-view lens and are detected by a Charged-Coupled Device (CCD) array sensitive to the near IR range. The system then digitizes the image, extracts characteristic parameters from the measurement and stores both the image and characteristic information for pattern recognition. To accomplish the pattern recognition function, the derived real-time characteristics of the current measurement are statistically compared to pre-stored patterns representative of images of radiation emitted from the region while known flame conditions prevail within the region. Based on this comparison, an assessment is made to determine the presence or absence of flame. The characteristic measurements are also used for evaluating the quality of flame.

Abstract: Techniques for determining a characteristic of a flame are provided by the present invention. Provided are methods as well as devices. A flame is monitored across a contiguous spectral range to detect light emitted by the monitored flame. The contiguous spectral range is segmented into a plurality of discrete ranges, and detected light across each of the one or more of the plurality of discrete ranges is respectively processed to determine at least one characteristic of the flame.

Abstract: A control system for controlling an oil or gas burner heating system comprises an ultraviolet flame sensor. Flame is detected and preanalyzed by the control for flame quality factors reflecting the degree of drift from optimal operating conditions including the average flame intensity, and the peak intensity frequencies. Other sensors detect other drift indications including exhaust-gas-stack temperature. A modem can automatically transmit data to a remote computer used by fuel providers and service personnel or upon a call request from the personnel to the control. Software installed in the remote computer calculates the next fuel delivery date and next servicing date based on data transmitted from the control system and from the service personnel.

Abstract: A flame detector and burner fuel valve control has an ultraviolet sensitive, cold cathode, gas discharge tube in a DC quench circuit. In the presence of a flame, the circuit generates a pulse signal at a frequency related to the intensity of radiation from the flame. The pulse signal from a contaminated tube is at a higher frequency. A frequency discriminator circuit distinguishes between a flame responsive signal and a contaminated tube signal and controls the burner fuel valve.