JP2631038B2 - Gas appliances - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for determining a gas type and a combustion apparatus for performing the method, and more particularly to a method for determining a gas type by a simple method.
The purpose of the present invention is to automatically set a combustion specification suitable for a gas type in a gas combustion device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In gas appliances, the maximum heat value of a combustion device is set to a constant value. However, since the heat value per unit volume and the required air amount differ depending on the gas type, a common gas burner is used. In order to keep the maximum calorific value constant by burning different types of gases in the above, it is necessary to determine a combustion specification suitable for each gas type. That is, it is necessary to determine the specification of the gas supply amount and the air supply amount (combustion specification) to the burner according to the corresponding gas type. Conventionally, at the production stage, the combustion equipment was configured to meet the combustion specifications of specific gas types,
This is shipped in gas appliances. Therefore,
When burning a gas type different from the specific gas type,
Insufficient or insufficient heat generation may occur in the combustion device. Further, if the supply gas type is changed after the installation of the gas appliance, it is necessary to change the combustion specifications according to the newly supplied gas type. And this combustion specification was changed.

[0003] Determining the combustion specifications of a combustion device in advance in accordance with a specific gas type in this way has a large inconvenience in the production process of appliances. In addition, the adjustment work of the equipment at the time of changing the supply gas type is troublesome. Therefore, there is a demand for a combustion device of a type that individually prepares a combustion specification applicable to each gas type and automatically sets a combustion specification suitable for a supply gas type when using the appliance. The fact is that it has not been realized. In realizing such an appliance, it is necessary to automatically determine the type of gas supplied to the gas appliance, specify the type of gas supplied, and set the combustion specifications.

[0004]

[0005]

[0006] According to the present invention, in a gas appliance provided with a heat exchanger, the gas type can be automatically determined.

[Technical Means] The technical means adopted for this purpose is as follows: "The opening degree of the throttle portion of the gas circuit connected to the auxiliary nozzle provided separately from the gas nozzle for normal combustion is controlled by the opening degree during normal combustion. A storage means (1) for storing a reference output for each gas type of the heat exchanger (E) under a condition where the opening degree is set so as to be a gas supply amount smaller than the gas supply amount; A measuring means (2) for measuring the actual output of the heat exchanger (E) within a certain time after starting combustion of the combustion device (B) together with a fixed amount of supply air, and stored in the storage means (1). Reference output (Pn) for each gas type
And the measurement value (P) of the measurement means (2) are sequentially and individually compared, and the comparison output means (3) becomes a judgment output state when the reference output (Pn) substantially coincides with the measurement value (P). A plurality of combustion specification setting devices (4) and (4) for setting continuous combustion specifications for each gas type; and a specific combustion specification setting device (4) corresponding to the gas type determined by the comparison means (3). ) Is provided as a switching means (5).

[0008]

The above technical means operates as follows. When the gas appliance is brought into the operating state, the actual output of the heat exchanger (E) within a certain time from the start of the operation is measured by the measuring means (2). The gas supply conditions to the combustion device (B) at this time are set such that the opening degree of the throttle portion of the gas circuit connected to the auxiliary nozzle is set to a constant opening degree so that the gas supply amount is smaller than the gas supply amount during normal combustion. This is set, and matches the condition for determining the storage reference output (Pn) of the storage means (1). The comparing means (3) sequentially and individually compares the storage reference output (Pn) of the storage means (1) for each gas type with the measured value (P), and compares the measured value measured value (P) with the storage reference. When the output (Pn) matches, a specific determination output is generated from the comparison means (3), and the switching means (5) is switched by this determination output, and the combustion specification setting device (4) adapted to the gas type. ) Is activated. Thereafter, the combustion device (B) burns by the specified combustion specification setting device (4), and the combustion in the combustion specification suitable for the gas type is continued.

[0009]

According to the present invention having the above configuration, the following specific effects are obtained. At the time of initial combustion at the start of operation, combustion is performed with a gas supply amount smaller than the gas supply amount at the time of normal combustion. Therefore, the supply air amount may be a fixed amount regardless of the gas type. Because
This is because the gas is supplied through the auxiliary nozzle at the time of the initial combustion, so that the position of the auxiliary nozzle can be set to a desired position that enables good combustion. Then, the gas type is determined at the start of the operation of the appliance in this manner, and the subsequent combustion is continued according to the combustion specification suitable for the determined gas type. Therefore, the supply gas type is automatically determined and the continuous combustion is performed. When the combustion is stable. [Invention of Claim 2] In the present invention, in the invention of Claim 1, the corresponding gas types are limited to high calorie gas and low calorie gas.

[0010] The technical means adopted for this purpose include "a combustion specification setting device (4a) for setting the continuous combustion specification of the combustion apparatus (B) under high calorie gas supply conditions" and "combustion under low calorie gas supply conditions". Flow path section to the combustion device (B) of the gas circuit connected to the combustion specification setting device (4b) for setting the continuous combustion specification of the device (B) and an auxiliary nozzle provided separately from the gas nozzle for normal combustion Throttle means (16) for setting the degree of restriction of the gas supply amount to be smaller than the gas supply amount during normal combustion, and a heat exchanger ( E) The measuring means (2) for measuring the actual output, and the operating time of the operation of the throttle means (16) and the operating time of the measuring means (2) are set to a fixed time from the start of combustion of the combustion device (B). Timer (3
1) and the reference output of the heat exchanger (E) in the gas appliance when one of the two gas types is supplied to the combustion device (B) while the throttle means (16) is operating. P
₁ ) and a comparing means (3) which is in an output state when the measured value (P) of the measuring means (2) substantially coincides with the timer (3) when the comparing means (3) is in an output state.
After the elapse of the set time of 1), the combustion specification setting device corresponding to the one gas type is made conductive, and when the comparison means (3) is in the non-output state, the combustion specification setting device corresponding to the other gas type is activated. And a switching means (5) for conducting. "

[0011]

In the apparatus employing this technical means, within the time set by the timer (31), one of the high calorie gas and the low calorie gas is selected (the selected gas type) during the set time. The combustion device (B) is operated under a constant throttle opening condition set by the throttle means (16) so that the gas supply amount is smaller than the gas supply amount during normal combustion.
Gas. Since the gas is supplied through the auxiliary nozzle at a constant throttle opening, the amount of gas supplied to the combustion device (B) is substantially constant, and the amount of air supplied may be constant. When the supply gas type is a high calorie gas, the calorific value of combustion of the combustion device (B) becomes a large value, and the measurement value (P) of the measuring means (2) also shows a large value. Is low calorie gas, the calorific value of combustion of the combustion device (B) is smaller than that of the above case, and the measurement value (P) of the measuring means (2) also shows a small value. Therefore, when the kind of the supplied gas that is actually burning matches the selected gas kind, the measured value (P) of the measuring means (2) matches the reference output (P ₁ ) and the comparing means ( 3) becomes an output state. At this time, the combustion specification setting device corresponding to the selected gas type is operated by the switching means (5), and the timer (3)
After the elapse of the set time 1), the combustion is controlled by the continuous combustion specification. Conversely, when the measured value (P) is different from the reference output (P ₁ ), the supply gas actually burning is the other gas type, and in this case, the comparison means (3) outputs the output gas. The state is not set, and the output of the switching means (5) at this time activates the combustion specification setter adapted to the other gas type, and the combustion is continued with the specification set by this.

[0012]

According to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the present invention has the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention, and the corresponding gas types are specified as high calorie gas and low calorie gas.
The structure can be simplified and the accuracy of determining the gas type can be improved.

[0013]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiments shown in FIG. 3 and thereafter are devices for carrying out the invention of claim 1 above, and correspond to the embodiments of the invention of claim 3, in which the invention is applied to a gas water heater. . In this embodiment, as a combustion device (B), so-called combustion air is supplied by a fan (F).
The combustion device (B) is incorporated in a burner box connected below the heat exchanger (E), and a discharge port of the fan (F) is provided at the bottom of the burner box. Is open.

A nozzle (13) located at the downstream end of the main gas circuit (10) is disposed at the discharge port, and gas ejected from the nozzle (13) is located upstream of the combustion surface (23) of the combustion device (B). The air is mixed with the air supplied from the fan (F) in the mixing chamber and burns on the upper surface of the combustion surface (23). A circuit in which an orifice (12) is inserted and a circuit in which an electromagnetic on-off valve (11) is inserted are connected in parallel to a main gas circuit (10) reaching the nozzle (13). An original solenoid valve (14) is inserted on the upstream side. still,
The diameter of the orifice (12) is set smaller than the diameter of the nozzle (13), and the gas amount when the on-off valve (11) is closed is set to a value suitable for continuous combustion of high calorie gas. Have been. Further, the gas amount set by the nozzle (13) when the on-off valve (11) is open is set to a gas amount suitable for the continuous combustion of the low calorie gas. The rotation speed of the motor (M) for driving the rotating blades of the fan (F) is variable, and the blowing capacity of the fan (F) can be adjusted by changing the rotation speed. In this embodiment, the rotation speed (N) of the motor (M) is set to the rotation speed (N ₂ ) in order to set the amount of air suitable for the continuous combustion of the high calorie gas, and is adapted to the continuous combustion of the low calorie gas. The number of revolutions (N) of the motor (M) is set to the number of revolutions (N ₃ ) so that the supplied air amount becomes the same. Therefore, the orifice (12) and the motor (M)
The combination with the means for setting the number of revolutions (N) to the number of revolutions (N ₂ ) is a combustion specification setting device (4a) for continuously burning high calorie gas, and the nozzle (13) and the motor (M) The combination with the means for setting the rotation speed to (N ₃ ) becomes the combustion specification setting device (4b) for continuously burning low calorie gas.

On the other hand, in order to set initial combustion conditions, an auxiliary circuit (20) is branched from an upstream side of the main solenoid valve (14) in the main gas circuit (10), and the auxiliary circuit (20) is connected to the auxiliary circuit (20). A valve (22) is inserted, and an auxiliary nozzle (21) provided at the tip of the valve (22) is disposed in the mixing chamber below the combustion surface (23). The diameter of the discharge port of the auxiliary nozzle (21) is set relatively smaller than that of the nozzle (13). On the other hand, the rotation speed of the motor (M) of the fan (F) at the time of the initial combustion is set to (N ₁ ), and the rotation speed (N ₁ ) is determined by the auxiliary nozzle (21). When the calorie gas is supplied to the mixing chamber, the number of revolutions is set such that combustion air can be supplied so that both types of gas can be burned. Then, the reference output (Pn) in the heat exchanger (E) when the high calorie gas is supplied to the combustion device (B) and burned under the initial combustion conditions is obtained in advance. That is, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger (E) of the water heater, the supply gas amount per unit time during the initial combustion time set by the timer (31),
From the calorific value per unit volume of the high calorie gas, the reference rise temperature (T ₂ ) at the outlet of the heat exchanger (E) when the initial combustion state is stabilized is the reference output (Pn).
It has become.

The water circuit (W) and the main gas circuit (10) of the water heater having the above structure are configured to open and close in conjunction with each other.
In this embodiment, a water pressure responsive gas valve (15) is interposed between both circuits, and when the water circuit (W) is opened, the main gas circuit (10) is opened in conjunction with the opening of the water circuit (W), and the ignition device is opened. (6)
Automatically proceeds. In order to detect the completion of the ignition, a thermocouple type flame detecting device (S) is employed, which is disposed near the combustion surface (23), and the combustion device (B) is ignited and the combustion surface (S) is ignited. When a flame is formed in (23), the flame detection output “H” of the flame detection device (S) is input to the control device (C). As the actual output of the heat exchanger (E), the temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger (E) in the water circuit (W) is measured, and the temperature sensor (24) as the measuring means (2) is It is attached to the water circuit (W) at the outlet of the heat exchanger (E), and the output from the temperature sensor (24) is also input to the controller (C). A microcomputer is employed as the control device (C), and executes a control program shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Hereinafter, the control operation of the control device (C) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the driving operation is performed, the control operation is in a standby state. When the water circuit (W) is opened, the hydraulically responsive gas valve (15) is operated. When this is detected, the auxiliary valve (22) is opened and the ignition device (6) and the fan (F) are operated. As a result, a fixed amount of gas is supplied from the auxiliary nozzle (21) and combustion air is supplied from the fan (F) to form a flame on the combustion surface (23). During the initial combustion, the rotation speed (N) of the motor (M) is set to a rotation speed (N ₁ ) suitable for the initial combustion conditions.

While the initial combustion under the above conditions is continued, the output state of the heat exchanger (E) is stabilized, and when this combustion state elapses for a predetermined time, the output of the heat exchanger (E) is output by the temperature sensor (24). Measured. The measured value (P) is given as the tap water temperature (T), and the measured value (P) corresponding to the output value of the heat exchanger (E) is obtained from the tap water temperature (T) based on the incoming water temperature detector (25). Water circuit measured by ()
It is a value obtained by subtracting the incoming water temperature (T ₀ ). That is, the value corresponding to the measured value (P) of the measuring means (2) at this time is “(T) − (T ₀ )”. This value is compared with the above-mentioned reference temperature rise (T ₂ ), and if they match, the original solenoid valve (1) is kept in the closed state with the on-off valve (11) closed.
4) is opened, and at the same time, the rotation speed of the motor (M) is set to (N ₂ ). That is, the continuous combustion specification is set by the combustion specification setting device (4a). If the value of “(T) − (T ₀ )” does not match the reference temperature rise (T ₂ ), then the actual supply gas is determined to be a low calorie gas and the on-off valve (11 ) Is opened and the original solenoid valve (14) is opened, the gas amount to the combustion device (B) is set by the nozzle (13),
At the same time, the rotation speed of the motor (M) is set to (N ₃ ).
That is, the continuous combustion specification is set by the combustion specification setting device (4b).

In the above embodiment, every time the water circuit (W) is opened, the process from the determination of the gas type to the setting of the continuous combustion specification is continuously performed. The gas type determination operation may be performed only at the beginning of installation of the device or only when a power plug is inserted. The following changes are also possible. . Stores the reference output of the auxiliary nozzles each gas species corresponding to several gas amount set by the _{(21) (P 1) ~} (Pn), which compares it with the measured value and the (P) individually Change to the method. . A reference output (Pn) for each gas type corresponding to the gas amount set by the throttle means (16) is calculated at the time of initial combustion, and this calculated value is stored, and the stored reference output (Pn) is stored.
To compare the measured value (P) with the measured value (P). . The amount of gas supplied from the nozzle (13) in the continuous combustion state is made variable. . Change the configuration to adjust both the supply gas amount and supply air amount when setting the continuous combustion specification. . Change the combustion method to a combustion method other than the indentation combustion method. . In addition, changing each part to another known means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the invention of claim 1;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the invention according to claim 2;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a control program of a control device (C).

[Description of symbols] (B): Combustion device (1): Storage means
(2): Measurement means (3): Comparison means (4): Combustion specification setting device
(5): Switching means (P): Reference output (Pn): Measured value

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A constant opening degree of a throttle portion of a gas circuit connected to an auxiliary nozzle provided separately from a gas nozzle for normal combustion so that the gas supply amount is smaller than the gas supply amount during normal combustion. Storage means (1) for storing a reference output for each gas type of the heat exchanger (E) under the conditions set in (1), and a predetermined amount of air being supplied under the conditions to cause the combustion of the combustion device (B). Measuring means (2) for measuring the actual output of the heat exchanger (E) within a certain time after the start, reference output (Pn) for each gas type stored in the storage means (1), and the measuring means The measured value (P) of (2) is sequentially and individually compared, and the reference output (P)
n) and a comparison means (3) which becomes a judgment output state when the measured value (P) substantially matches, and a plurality of combustion specification setting devices (4) and (4) for setting continuous combustion specifications for each gas type. And a switching means (5) for activating a specific combustion specification setting device (4) in accordance with the gas type determined by the comparing means (3). 2. A combustion specification setting device (4) for setting continuous combustion specifications of a combustion device (B) under high calorie gas supply conditions.
a), a combustion specification setter (4b) for setting the continuous combustion specification of the combustion device (B) under low calorie gas supply conditions, and a gas connected to an auxiliary nozzle provided separately from the gas nozzle for normal combustion. Throttling means (16) for setting the degree of throttle of the flow path cross section to the combustion device (B) of the circuit to be constant so as to be smaller than the gas supply during normal combustion; Measuring means (2) for measuring the actual output of the heat exchanger (E) when air is supplied and burned; operating time of operation of the throttle means (16) and operating time of the measuring means (2) (31) for setting a constant time from the start of combustion of the combustion device (B), and supplying one of the two gas types to the combustion device (B) while the throttle means (16) is operating. Of heat exchanger (E) in gas appliances in case of Force _{(P 1)} and said measuring means (2)
(3) that is in an output state when the measured value (P) substantially matches the measured value (P). Switching means (5) for conducting the combustion specification setter corresponding to the above gas type and conducting the combustion specification setter corresponding to the other gas type when the comparison means (3) is in a non-output state. Gas appliances.