GB2444109A - Burner temperature control apparatus - Google Patents
Burner temperature control apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2444109A GB2444109A GB0623280A GB0623280A GB2444109A GB 2444109 A GB2444109 A GB 2444109A GB 0623280 A GB0623280 A GB 0623280A GB 0623280 A GB0623280 A GB 0623280A GB 2444109 A GB2444109 A GB 2444109A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- burner
- combustion
- heating apparatus
- fuel
- signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 13
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 5
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003915 liquefied petroleum gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
- F23N5/02—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium
- F23N5/022—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using electronic means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
- F23N5/24—Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements
- F23N5/242—Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements using electronic means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
- F23N5/003—Systems for controlling combustion using detectors sensitive to combustion gas properties
- F23N5/006—Systems for controlling combustion using detectors sensitive to combustion gas properties the detector being sensitive to oxygen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
- F23N5/02—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium
- F23N5/10—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using thermocouples
- F23N5/102—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using thermocouples using electronic means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
- F23N5/20—Systems for controlling combustion with a time programme acting through electrical means, e.g. using time-delay relays
- F23N5/203—Systems for controlling combustion with a time programme acting through electrical means, e.g. using time-delay relays using electronic means
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
- F23N5/24—Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N2227/00—Ignition or checking
- F23N2227/02—Starting or ignition cycles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N2227/00—Ignition or checking
- F23N2227/22—Pilot burners
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
- F23N2231/00—Fail safe
- F23N2231/06—Fail safe for flame failures
- F23N2231/08—Fail safe for flame failures for pilot flame failures
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Control Of Combustion (AREA)
- Regulation And Control Of Combustion (AREA)
Abstract
A heating apparatus comprises a burner (10) for combustion of gaseous fuel, sensing means (18) for generating the signal which is representative of the temperature at which combustion takes place and valve means (14) for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner (10). The valve means (14) is arranged to close in response to a signal from the sensor (18) corresponding to a predetermined combustion temperature.
Description
HEATING APPARATUS
The present invention relates to heating apparatus and in particular, but not exclusively, to heating apparatus fitted with a flame safety device.
A gas-fuelled heating apparatus typically comprises a main burner to which combustible fuel (typically natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas) is supplied.
The flame from a continuously lit pilot light ensures that the combustible fuel ignites when fed to the burner.
It is important that the fuel is burned correctly in order to ensure that the concentration of unwanted combustion products (e.g. carbon monoxide) in the atmosphere does not rise to a dangerous level. This is commonly monitored by means of an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) which typically comprises a thermocouple which is positioned to lie in the flame of the pilot light when lit.
When correct combustion occurs, the flame from the pilot light heats the thermocouple which produces an electrical voltage. This voltage is used to control a solenoid valve located in the gas supply to the burner. If the thermocouple is heated sufficiently, the current generated is used to hold the solenoid valve open. This occurs when the oxygen concentration in the air is at the correct level.
However, if the concentration of unwanted combustion products from the burner increases, the concentration of available oxygen falls, resulting in the pilot flame becoming unstable and lifting away from the thermocouple to such a degree that the temperature at which the voltage produced by the thermocouple is insufficient to keep the solenoid valve open and the valve therefore shuts, cutting off the supply of further fuel to the burner, thereby preventing the formation of further combustion products.
This arrangement is widely used as a safety feature. However, it is important to note that the ODS thermocouple is heated by the pilot flame, not the flame issuing from the main burner. Therefore, the ODS would not be able to cut off the supply of fuel to the main burner in the situation in which the pilot light was undergoing correct combustion but the main burner was not.
Moreover, the ODS sensor works by sensing oxygen depletion, not by detecting levels of carbon monoxide or other harmful gases. Therefore, in circumstances where the concentration of carbon monoxide or other harmful gases had risen to an undesirable level but the concentration of oxygen was still acceptable, the ODS would not be effective to cut off the fuel supply to the main burner.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flame safety device and burner apparatus which overcome or reduce the problems associated with the
prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, a heating apparatus comprises burner means for combustion of fuel, sensing means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature at which combustion takes place and valve means for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner means and arranged to close in response to a signal from the sensing means corresponding to a predetermined combustion temperature.
It has been found that the temperature of combusting fuel depends closely on correct combustion, to the extent that when combustion occurs which produces carbon monoxide at undesirable levels, the temperature of the burner flame can be considerably lower than the flame produced in a normal atmosphere.
Preferably, the valve means is arranged to close in response to a signal from the sensing means that the combustion temperature is outside a predetermined value or values, e.g. that the combustion temperature is below a predetermined value.
The apparatus may further comprise means for inhibiting the closure of the valve means for a period after commencement of combustion.
The closure of the valve means may be inhibited for a predetermined period after commencement of combustion.
The apparatus may further comprise a control means to which the signal representative of the combustion temperature is supplied and which controls the closing of the valve means.
Preferably, the control means comprises an electronic control means.
The apparatus may further comprise a pilot light arranged to ignite the burner means when fuel is supplied to the burner means, an oxygen depletion sensor positioned to be heated by the flame from the pilot light and further valve means for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner and arranged to close in response to a signal from the oxygen depletion sensor corresponding to a predetermined oxygen concentration.
By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a diagrammatic representation of a first embodiment of flame safety device according to the invention, shown fitted to a heating apparatus; and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a second embodiment of flame safety device according to the invention, shown fitted to a heating apparatus.
Referring firstly to Fig. 1, a heating apparatus comprises a main burner 10 which is supplied with gaseous fuel via a supply pipe 12. First and second solenoid-actuated cut-off valves ("mag valves") 14, 16 are also located in the supply pipe 12 to control the supply of fuel to the burner 10, as will be explained.
The main cut-off valve 14 can be held open by means of an electrical signal from a first thermocouple 18 which is positioned such that it is engulfed by flames 20 from the main burner 10 when the burner is lit.
A conventional pilot light 22 is also provided and receives gaseous fuel via a pilot line 24 which branches from the main supply line 12 upstream of the main cut-off valve. The pilot light is used in conjunction with a conventional oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) in the form of a second thermocouple 26 which is positioned so that its tip projects into the flame of the pilot light, when lit. The ODS is arranged to control the opening of the second solenoid-actuated cut-off valve 16, located upstream of the main cut-off valve 14 and pilot line 24, in a conventional manner.
In use, the cut-off valves 14, 16 are opened to allow gas to flow to the main burner 10 and the pilot burner 22. As explained previously, the temperature of the flame produced by the burner 10 is linked closely to quality of combustion and the voltage produced by the thermocouple is therefore an accurate and sensitive indication of whether correct combustion is taking place.
If incorrect combustion -of the type which results in unacceptable levels of carbon monoxide or other harmful gases -takes place, the voltage produced by the thermocouple 18 therefore falls. If it falls to a level corresponding to a flame temperature, typically around 750 C but possibly higher or lower, at which an unacceptable concentration of carbon monoxide is produced, it is insufficient to hold open the solenoid valve 14 which therefore closes, cutting off the supply of fuel to the main burner 10.
The conventional ODS 22 is also present and continues to control the second cut-off valve 16 independently of the thermocouple 18, thereby providing an additional degree of safety. However, the ODS 22 may be omitted entirely, if desired.
The second embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, is very similar to that of Fig. 1 and the same reference numerals have been used to denote the same features.
The main difference is that the electrical signal generated by the thermocouple 18 is fed to a microprocessor 28 which uses the signal from the microprocessor to determine the temperature of the burner flame with high accuracy. As explained previously, it has been found that the temperature of the flame is a very good -and sensitive -indicator of correct combustion, in that the temperature falls sharply as the quality of combustion deteriorates.
The microprocessor monitors the temperature of the flame and is programmed to send a cut-off signal to the main cut-off valve 14 if it is determined that the temperature of the flame produced by the main burner has fallen below a predetermined threshold, typically around 750 C.
The microprocessor 28 is also provided with an inbuilt delay, preferably of the order of 10 minutes, before it is able to produce a cut-off signal to the main cut-off valve 14. Incorporation of a delay allows the burner to reach its steady state condition and as a consequence the signal from the thermocouple 18 will be an accurate indication of the quality of combustion.
As for the first embodiment, the ODS 22 is also able to cut off the supply of fuel to the burner by closing the cut-off valve 16 if a low oxygen concentration is detected, but the ODS sensor and the valve 16 can be omitted if desired, as for the first embodiment.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments.
For example, although the embodiments cut off the fuel supply when the temperature of the burner flame is below a predetermined value, it would be possible to cut off the fuel supply when the temperature exceeded a predetermined value, or to cut off the fuel supply when the temperature lies outside a predetermined range of values.
Claims (5)
1. A heating apparatus comprising burner means for combustion of fuel, sensing means for generating a signal which is representative of the temperature at which combustion takes place and valve means for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner means and arranged to close in response to a signal from the sensing means corresponding to a predetermined combustion temperature.
2. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve means is arranged to close in response to a signal from the sensing means that the combustion temperature is below a predetermined value.
3. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim I or claim 2, further comprising means for inhibiting the closure of the valve means for a period after commencement of combustion.
4. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure of the valve means is inhibited for a predetermined period after commencement of combustion.
5. A heating apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
5. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising control means to which the signal representative of the combustion temperature is supplied and which controls the closing of the valve means.
6. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control means comprises an electronic control means.
7. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a pilot light arranged to ignite the burner means when fuel is supplied to the burner means, an oxygen depletion sensor positioned to be heated by the flame from the pilot light and further valve means for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner and arranged to close in response to a signal from the oxygen depletion sensor corresponding to a predetermined oxygen concentration.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0623280A GB2444109B (en) | 2006-11-22 | 2006-11-22 | Heating apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0623280A GB2444109B (en) | 2006-11-22 | 2006-11-22 | Heating apparatus |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0623280D0 GB0623280D0 (en) | 2007-01-03 |
| GB2444109A true GB2444109A (en) | 2008-05-28 |
| GB2444109B GB2444109B (en) | 2011-04-20 |
Family
ID=37636314
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0623280A Expired - Fee Related GB2444109B (en) | 2006-11-22 | 2006-11-22 | Heating apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2444109B (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2944337A1 (en) * | 2009-04-10 | 2010-10-15 | Barriere | Flame generator securing method for use during utilization of e.g. dry chemical extinguisher, involves cutting supply of gas to gas burner in absence of flame with respect to two comparison results |
| GB2515462A (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2014-12-31 | Basic Holdings | Control assembly for a gas fire |
| EP4086516A1 (en) * | 2021-05-07 | 2022-11-09 | Pilz GmbH & Co. KG | Gas burner system and method for monitoring the operation of a gas burner system |
| DE102022207062A1 (en) | 2022-07-11 | 2024-01-11 | Dometic Sweden Ab | MOBILE FAN HEATER |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20030049574A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | Bernard Dane | Gas appliance with a burner in the lower part, equipped with safety means, and resulting water heater |
| US20050079459A1 (en) * | 2003-10-09 | 2005-04-14 | Claude Lesage | Flammable vapour detector system for hot water heater |
-
2006
- 2006-11-22 GB GB0623280A patent/GB2444109B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20030049574A1 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2003-03-13 | Bernard Dane | Gas appliance with a burner in the lower part, equipped with safety means, and resulting water heater |
| US20050079459A1 (en) * | 2003-10-09 | 2005-04-14 | Claude Lesage | Flammable vapour detector system for hot water heater |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2944337A1 (en) * | 2009-04-10 | 2010-10-15 | Barriere | Flame generator securing method for use during utilization of e.g. dry chemical extinguisher, involves cutting supply of gas to gas burner in absence of flame with respect to two comparison results |
| GB2515462A (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2014-12-31 | Basic Holdings | Control assembly for a gas fire |
| EP4086516A1 (en) * | 2021-05-07 | 2022-11-09 | Pilz GmbH & Co. KG | Gas burner system and method for monitoring the operation of a gas burner system |
| DE102022207062A1 (en) | 2022-07-11 | 2024-01-11 | Dometic Sweden Ab | MOBILE FAN HEATER |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2444109B (en) | 2011-04-20 |
| GB0623280D0 (en) | 2007-01-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20111122 |
|
| 732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20121018 AND 20121024 |