US20020160326A1 - Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same - Google Patents
Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same Download PDFInfo
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- US20020160326A1 US20020160326A1 US09/844,974 US84497401A US2002160326A1 US 20020160326 A1 US20020160326 A1 US 20020160326A1 US 84497401 A US84497401 A US 84497401A US 2002160326 A1 US2002160326 A1 US 2002160326A1
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- Prior art keywords
- pilot
- gas
- nozzle
- oxygen level
- light
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- 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
- F23N5/08—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using light-sensitive elements
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D14/00—Burners for combustion of a gas, e.g. of a gas stored under pressure as a liquid
- F23D14/46—Details, e.g. noise reduction means
- F23D14/72—Safety devices, e.g. operative in case of failure of gas supply
- F23D14/725—Protection against flame failure by using flame detection devices
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- 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
- F23N5/12—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using ionisation-sensitive elements, i.e. flame rods
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- 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
- F23N5/14—Systems for controlling combustion using devices responsive to thermal changes or to thermal expansion of a medium using thermo-sensitive resistors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D2207/00—Ignition devices associated with burner
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D2208/00—Control devices associated with burners
- F23D2208/10—Sensing devices
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
- F23D—BURNERS
- F23D2900/00—Special features of, or arrangements for burners using fluid fuels or solid fuels suspended in a carrier gas
- F23D2900/00014—Pilot burners specially adapted for ignition of main burners in furnaces or gas turbines
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- 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
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Regulation And Control Of Combustion (AREA)
Abstract
A pilot system including a pilot including a nozzle and a light sensor adjacent to the nozzle. The light sensor determines whether or not the pilot flame is in a predetermined position relative to the nozzle.
Description
- 1. Field of Inventions
- The present inventions relate generally to gas pilots and, more particularly, to the oxygen level detection systems associated with gas pilots.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Gas pilot systems are associated with a wide variety of gas fueled devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to, vented gas heaters, which include pipes or conduits that are used to vent exhaust to the atmosphere, vent-free gas heaters, vented and vent-free gas log heater, vented and vent-free fireplace systems, water heaters, vented and vent-free stoves, and ovens. The most common types of gas fuel are natural gas and propane. A gas pilot system typically includes an ignition device, such as an electrode, and a pilot having a small nozzle. A pilot flame is formed when gas from the nozzle is ignited by the ignition device. The pilot flame is then used to ignite the gas that is supplied to the burner(s) of the gas fueled device during use.
- The level of oxygen in the air is typically about 20.9%. It is important that the oxygen level in a room in which a gas fueled device is used remain at or near 20.9%, both for proper combustion and safety purposes. An adequate supply of fresh air will maintain the oxygen level at or near the desired level. In buildings with loose structures, such as houses made of wood, an adequate supply of fresh air will enter via wall spaces as well as door and window frames. Other buildings are more tightly sealed. Here, steps should be taken to insure that fresh air is supplied.
- Unfortunately, some rooms do not receive an adequate supply of fresh air. Thus, for safety purposes, many gas fueled devices include an oxygen depletion sensor system (“ODS system”) which will automatically shut off the flow of gas to the pilot and burner when the oxygen level in the air drops below a predetermined “unsafe” level (typically below about 18.5%). The ODS systems monitor the pilot flame because the position of the pilot flame relative to the pilot nozzle is indicative of the oxygen level in the room.
- Referring to FIGS. 1A to1C, conventional ODS systems employ a thermocouple TC to detect the presence of a pilot flame F when it is in the “normal” oxygen level position (oxygen level greater than or equal to 21%) illustrated in FIG. 1A or the “relatively low” oxygen level position (oxygen level between 18.5% and 19.2%) illustrated in FIG. 1B. In either case, gas will continue to flow to the pilot and burner because the voltage generated by the thermocouple TC, and received by the ODS system controller, will be within an allowable range. When the oxygen level drops to an “unsafe” level (oxygen level below 18.5%), the pilot flame F will move to the location illustrated in FIG. 4C. Here, the pilot flame will not be in contact with the thermocouple TC or substantially close to thermocouple TC. As a result, the temperature of the thermocouple TC will drop, as will the voltage produced thereby. The voltage drop will cause the ODS system to cut off the supply of gas to the pilot and burner. As illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,098 to Deng, which is incorporated herein by reference, some ODS systems also include a second thermocouple that is used to generate a warning when the pilot flame moves to the “relatively low” oxygen level position.
- Although conventional ODS systems are generally quite useful, the inventor herein has determined that there are also certain disadvantages associated therewith. Most notably, when the level of oxygen in a room is dropping, the pilot flame F will often first bounce back and forth between the “normal” position illustrated in FIG. 1A and the “relatively low” position illustrated in FIG. 1B, and then bounce back and forth between the “relatively low” position illustrated in FIG. 1B and the “unsafe” position illustrated in FIG. 1C. This can go on for a significant period of time. The pilot flame F will, for example, often bounce back and forth between the “relatively low” position and the “unsafe” position for 15 seconds and, during this time, the temperature at the thermocouple TC will not drop to a level low enough to cause the ODS system to cut off the supply of gas to the pilot and burner. As a result, the inventor herein has determined that the conventional methods of monitoring the pilot flame introduce unnecessary delays into the operation of conventional ODS systems.
- A pilot system in accordance with one embodiment of a present invention includes a pilot having a nozzle and a light sensor adjacent to the nozzle. The light sensor determines whether or not the pilot flame is in a predetermined position relative to the nozzle. In a preferred implementation, the light sensor determines when the pilot flame is not in either of the “normal” oxygen level and “relatively low” oxygen level positions, i.e. when the pilot flame is in the “unsafe” oxygen level position.
- There are a number of advantages associated with such a pilot system. Most notably, the light sensor is capable of detecting movement of the pilot flame the instant that the pilot flame first moves to the “unsafe” oxygen level position, even if it quickly bounces back to the “relatively low” oxygen level position. ODS systems employing the present pilot system will, therefore, be able to make an “unsafe” oxygen level determination much more quickly than ODS systems that employ a conventional thermocouple-based pilot flame monitoring arrangement. As a result, ODS systems employing the present pilot system will also be able to, for example, cut off the supply of gas to a pilot and burner much faster than ODS systems that employ a conventional thermocouple-based pilot flame monitoring arrangement.
- The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present inventions will become apparent as the inventions become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventions will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1A is a side view of a conventional pilot system and oxygen depletion sensor with th pilot flame in the “normal” oxygen level position.
- FIG. 1B is a side view of the conventional pilot system and oxygen depletion sensor illustrated in FIG. 1A with the pilot flame in the “relatively low” oxygen level position.
- FIG. 1C is a side view of the conventional pilot system and oxygen depletion sensor illustrated in FIG. 1A with the pilot flame in the “unsafe” oxygen level position.
- FIG. 2A is a side view of a pilot system and oxygen depletion sensor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention with the pilot flame in the “normal” oxygen level position.
- FIG. 2B is a side view of the pilot system and oxygen depletion sensor illustrated in FIG. 2A with the pilot flame in the “relatively low” oxygen level position.
- FIG. 2C is a side view of the pilot system and oxygen depletion sensor illustrated in FIG. 2A with the pilot flame in the “unsafe” oxygen level position.
- FIG. 3 is a section view of a mixing chamber in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the pilot system and oxygen depletion sensor illustrated in FIG. 2A.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a heater in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of a propane gas heating assembly that may be used in conjunction with the heater illustrated in FIG. 5.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram of a gas fueled system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.
- The following is a detailed description of the best presently known modes of carrying out the inventions. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the inventions.
- As illustrated for example in FIGS. 2A, 3 and4, a
pilot system 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention includes apilot 12 having a gas/air mixing chamber 14 and anozzle 16. Gas G enters the mixingchamber 14 through asmall gas orifice 18, while air A enters the mixing chamber through a pair ofsmall air orifices 20. The gas/air mixture G/A exits the mixingchamber 14 through anoutlet orifice 22. Mixing continues as the gas/air mixture G/A travels through atube 24 to thenozzle 16. The gas G in the gas/air mixture G/A is ignited by the L-shapedelectrode 26 of anignitor 28 to create the pilot flame F. The inlet andoutlet orifices - The size of the
orifices orifice 18 is approximately 0.38 mm in diameter and theorifice 18 is approximately 0.46 mm in diameter when the natural gas is supplied at a pressure of 3 inches of mercury. In both cases, theorifices 20 are each approximately 3 mm in diameter. Theorifice 18 is approximately 0.22 mm in diameter and theorifices 20 are each approximately 3.2 mm in diameter when the fuel is liquid propane gas supplied at about 8 to 11 inches of mercury. Theoutlet orifice 22 is approximately 4 mm. The outlet pressure should be about 8 to 11 inches of mercury when the fuel is liquid propane gas and about 3 to 6 inches of mercury when the fuel is natural gas. - Mixing the gas and air in the manner described above is advantageous because it insures that the level of oxygen in the ambient air will be accurately represented by the position of the pilot flame F, thereby increasing the accuracy of the ODS system described below. Accuracy of the ODS system may also be augmented by controlling movement of the pilot flame F through use of the relationship between the diameter of the
pilot nozzle 16, the fuel pressure, the distance of theelectrode 26 from the nozzle as well as the location of the electrode relative 26 to the nozzle centerline, and the level of oxygen in the air. In a pilot system for use in conjunction with a propane gas heater such as that illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the diameter of thepilot nozzle 16 is approximately 0.23 mm (+0.005 mm) and the gas pressure is between 8 and 11 inches of mercury. The downwardly extending portion of the L-shapedelectrode 26 is offset with respect to the centerline of thepilot nozzle 16 by 3.00 mm and is spaced approximately 3.50 mm from the nozzle. Such an arrangement reduces the speed of gas flow, thereby increasing the duration and effectiveness of gas/air mixing, and also reduces the tendency of the pilot flame F to bounce around, as compared to conventional S-shaped electrodes. - The
exemplary pilot system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 3 and 4 also includes an oxygen depletion sensor that may be used in an ODS system in the manner described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The oxygen depletion sensor is preferably a light sensor that senses light from the pilot flame F. Any suitable light sensor may be employed so long as it is capable of detecting the presence and absence of light emitted by the pilot flame F. In the preferred embodiment, thepilot system 10 is provided with aninfrared sensing device 30 having asensing element 32 that is positioned adjacent to thepilot nozzle 16 and pilot flame F. A suitable infrared sensing device is manufactured by Shanghai Infrared Appliances Co., located in Shanghai, China. The pilot flame F generates infrared electromagnetic radiation (i.e.electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 750 nanometers and 1 millimeter) which is sensed by thesensing element 32 when the pilot flame is in the “normal” oxygen level position illustrated in FIG. 2A and, in the illustrated embodiment, in the “relatively low” oxygen level position illustrated in FIG. 2B. The infrared radiation causes thesensing element 32 to generate a flame signal which indicates that the flame is in the normal position. Another example of a suitable light sensor is one that senses visible light (not shown), such as those produced by China Wuxi Light Appliances Co, located in Wuxi, China. In the preferred embodiment, the instant that the pilot flame F moves beyond the “relatively low” oxygen level position (oxygen level between 18.5% and 19.2%) illustrated in FIG. 2B to the “unsafe” level position (oxygen level below 18.5%) illustrated in FIG. 2C, thesensing device 30 will stop generating a flame signal which indicates that the pilot flame is in an allowable position. The signal from the sensing device may drop to zero, or simply to a level lower than the expected level, when the pilot flame F moves from the “normal” or “relatively low” oxygen level position to the “unsafe” oxygen level position. Thus, even in those instances where the pilot flame F jumps back and forth between the “relatively low” and “unsafe” oxygen level positions, thepresent sensing device 30 will immediately indicate that the oxygen level has dropped to an “unsafe” level because it will fail to produce the expected flame signal the first time that the pilot flame moves out beyond of the “relatively low” position to the “unsafe” position. - As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 4, the
exemplary pilot system 10 may also be provided with alight shield 34 that is positioned above thenozzle 16 around the area that will be occupied by the pilot flame F when the oxygen level is “normal.”Thelight shield 34, which is preferably opaque, non-reflective and formed from metal, includes aslot 36 that faces thesensing element 32. Thelight shield 34 prevents thesensing element 32 from being effected by stray light that could result in the expected flame signal when the flame is actually in the “unsafe” oxygen level position. As such, thesensing element 32 will only be effected by the infrared electromagnetic radiation from the pilot flame F which passes through theslot 36 when the pilot flame is in the “normal” and “relatively low” oxygen level positions. In the illustrated embodiment, thelight shield 34 is about 7.2 mm in diameter and about 10 mm in length, while theslot 36 is about 3.6 mm wide. - In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the components may be reconfigured such that the
sensing device 30 will stop generating a signal which indicates that the pilot flame F is in an allowable position the instant that the pilot flame F moves out of the “normal” oxygen level position to either the “relatively low” oxygen level position or the “unsafe” oxygen level position. For example, thelight shield 34 could be provided with a small hole that faces thesensing element 32 in place of theslot 36 in order to substantially reduce the amount of light from the pilot flame F that will reach the sensing element when the pilot flame moves to the “relatively low” oxygen level position. - The
exemplary pilot system 10 is also provided with abracket system 38 that fixes the positions of the various elements of the pilot system relative to one another. Referring more specifically to FIGS. 2B and 2C, theexemplary bracket system 38 includes a L-shapedmain bracket 40 having afirst portion 42 that is mounted on thepilot 12 adjacent to thenozzle 16. Thelight shield 34 is supported by thefirst portion 42. Theignitor 28 andsensing device 30 are mounted on asecond portion 44 of themain bracket 40 and are fixed in place by aclamp 46. Theclamp 46 may be secured to themain bracket 40 with ascrew 48 or other suitable fastening device. A pair of mountingapertures main bracket 40 so that thepilot system 10 may be easily mounted within a gas fueled device. In the illustrated embodiment, the end of thesensing element 32 is about 20 to 22 mm from thenozzle 16 and about 26 to 36 mm above the nozzle (measured with thesystem 10 oriented such that thepilot 12 extends vertically). - Although not so limited, heaters are one example of a gas fueled device in accordance with the present inventions. An
exemplary heater 100 is shown in FIG. 5. Such a heater may be fueled by natural gas, propane gas or other appropriate fuels. Theexemplary heater 100 includes ahousing 102 mounted on abase 104. Thehousing 102 includes a heating chamber 106 which contains a plurality of heat emitting ceramic infrared burner plaques 108 and is covered by agrill 110. Thehousing 102 also includes a plurality of air circulation vents 112 and 114, as well as a pair of handles 116. Air enters the housing throughvent 112 and exits through theheating chamber grill 110 and thevent 114. - The heater controls are located on the top portion of the
housing 102 in theexemplary heater 100. These controls include anignition knob 118, atemperature setting knob 120 that is used when the heater is in the thermostatic control mode, and aburner control knob 122 that is used to select the number of burners to which fuel will be supplied. Theexemplary ignition knob 118 includes OFF, IGNITE, PILOT and ON settings. Thetemperature setting knob 120 includes a plurality of numbered settings, each corresponding to a desired amount of heat output. - As shown by way of example in FIG. 6, a propane gas-fueled heating assembly that may be used in conjunction with the
housing 102 shown in FIG. 5 includes fiveburners 124, each of which consists of an infrared ceramic plaque 108 that is secured to a corresponding burner box 126. The number of burners may, however, be increased or decreased to suit particular applications. An upperburner deflector bracket 128 and lowerburner deflector bracket 130 are also shown. Propane gas is supplied to the burners and pilot system in the following manner. - Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the gas enters the heating assembly through a
pressure regulator 132 and aninlet pipe 134. From there, it enters a thermostat andvalve control system 136. Theexemplary control system 136 includes anelectronic controller 138 such as a control circuit, microcontroller, microprocessor or other suitable control apparatus. Theignition knob 118 andtemperature setting knob 120 are connected to thecontroller 138. No gas will pass beyond thecontrol system 136 when theignition knob 118 is set to the OFF mode. To place the heater in the pilot mode, theignition knob 118 is moved from the from the OFF position, past the IGNITE position to the PILOT position. Thecontroller 138 will cause avalve 139 to open and allow gas to pass through agas line 140 to thepilot 12. Theignitor 28, which is connected to thecontrol system 136 by awire 142, ignites the gas/air mixture to form the pilot flame F. As noted above, the pilot flame F is monitored by thesensing device 30. Signals from thesensing device 30 are provided to thecontrol system 136 by awire 143. - Suitable commercially available thermostat and valve control systems include Mertik Maxitrol GmbH (located in Thale, Germany) Model No. GV31-A1A2A9HOI; Copreci, S. Coop. (located in Aretxabaleta, Spain) Model Nos. VT-23100/13 and VT-23100/ET093-01; SIT Ia precisa, s.p.a (located in Padova, Italy) Model Nos. EUROSIT 0.630.535 and EUROSIT 0.630.545; and Nan Jia Electric & Gas Products Co. Ltd. (located in Nan Jing, China) Model Nos. WHED09001, WHEF09002, WEEF09004, WEED09003 and WEHE09005.
- After the pilot flame F is lit and appropriate signals from the
sensing device 30 are received, thecontroller 138 will maintainvalve 139 in the open position and also causevalve 141 to open, thereby allowing gas to be supplied to the burners through agas line 144 and agas control valve 146. The amount of gas supplied to theburners 124 is mechanically regulated by the thermostat andvalve control system 136 andvalve 141 and is equal to that necessary to maintain the temperature specified by thetemperature setting knob 120. The temperature is monitored by athermocouple 148 which is connected to thecontrol system 136 by aline 150. Theburner control knob 122 in the exemplary embodiment has five settings, OFF, PILOT/IGNITE, LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH, each of which corresponds to acontrol valve 146 state. No gas is supplied to theburners 124 by thecontrol valve 146 when thecontrol knob 122 is set to OFF or PILOT/IGNITE. When thecontrol knob 122 is set to LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH, gas will be supplied to one, three or five of the burners, respectively, throughgas lines - It should be noted that if, for example, a three burner design is employed, then the corresponding progression could be one, two or three burners. It should also be noted that heaters in accordance with the present invention may also be cond in such a manner that the
burner control knob 122 andcontrol valve 146 are both eliminated. When such a configuration is employed, all of the burners will be used whenever the heater is in operation and the amount of gas supplied to the burners will be controlled by the thermostat control valve. Ignition functions may be handled by an ignition switch. - Turning to oxygen level detection, the
sensing device 30 andcontroller 138 form an ODS system that may operate in the following manner. As noted above, the instant that the pilot flame F moves beyond the “relatively low” oxygen level position (oxygen level between 18.5% and 19.2%) illustrated in FIG. 2B to the “unsafe” oxygen level position (oxygen level below 18.5%) illustrated in FIG. 2C, thesensing device 30 will stop generating a flame signal which indicates that the pilot flame is in an allowable position. Thecontroller 138 will, as a result, immediately close thevalve 139 that allows gas to pass to thepilot 12 and also close thevalve 141 that allows gas to pass to the burners 124 (if thevalve 141 has been opened). Theheater 100 may, if desired, be provided with an audio and/or visual alarm that is triggered by thecontroller 138 thevalves - Although the present inventions have been described in terms of the preferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. By way of example, but not limitation, the present inventions may be incorporated in heaters which do not have a thermostatic control system. The “unsafe,” “low” and “normal” oxygen level percentages discussed above may be varied if desired. The exemplary pilot system may also be incorporated into other gas fueled devices such as water heaters, stoves, ovens and other types of heaters. The pilot, sensing device and controller could also be reconfigured and repositioned such that the sensing device senses the flame when it is in the “unsafe” oxygen level position and this sensing results in closure of the gas valve(s). It is intended that the scope of the present inventions extends to all such modifications and/or additions.
Claims (20)
1. A pilot system for generating a pilot flame, comprising:
a pilot including a nozzle; and
a light sensor adjacent to the nozzle.
2. A pilot system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the light sensor comprises an infrared light sensor.
3. A pilot system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a ignitor positioned adjacent to the nozzle;
wherein the light sensor faces a region located between the nozzle and the ignitor.
4. A pilot system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a light shield substantially surrounding the nozzle and defining an open region that faces the light sensor.
5. A pilot system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a mixing chamber located upstream of the nozzle including a gas inlet, an air inlet and a gas/air mixture outlet in communication with the nozzle.
6. A pilot system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pilot is constructed such that the pilot flame will be located in a first position in response to a first oxygen level and a second position in response to a second oxygen level, the second oxygen level being less than the first oxygen level, and the light sensor will receive a level of light indicative of an allowable oxygen level when the pilot flame is in the first position and will not receive a level of light indicative of an allowable oxygen level when the pilot flame is in the second position.
7. A gas fueled device, comprising:
a burner;
a pilot including a nozzle associated with the burner; and
a light sensor adjacent to the nozzle.
8. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the burner comprises a ceramic plaque.
9. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the light sensor comprises an infrared light sensor.
10. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:
a ignitor positioned adjacent to the nozzle;
wherein the light sensor faces a region located between the nozzle and the ignitor.
11. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:
a light shield substantially surrounding the nozzle and defining an open region that faces the light sensor.
12. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:
a mixing chamber located upstream of the nozzle including a gas inlet, an air inlet and a gas/air mixture outlet in communication with the nozzle.
13. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the pilot is constructed such that the pilot flame will be located in a first position in response to a first oxygen level and a second position in response to a second oxygen level, the second oxygen level being less than the first oxygen level, and the light sensor will receive a level of light indicative of an allowable oxygen level when the pilot flame is in the first position and will not receive a level of light indicative of an allowable oxygen level when the pilot flame is in the second position.
14. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising:
a gas inlet operably connected to the pilot; and
a control device operably connected to the light sensor that prevents gas flow from the gas inlet to the pilot when the light sensor does not receive a level of light indicative of an allowable oxygen level.
15. A gas fueled device as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising:
a gas inlet operably connected to the burner; and
a control device operably connected to the light sensor that prevents gas flow from the gas inlet to the burner when the light sensor does not receive a level of light indicative of an allowable oxygen level.
16. A method of monitoring a pilot flame produced by a gas pilot, comprising the steps of:
determining whether light is being emitted from a predetermined region associated with the pilot; and
preventing gas flow from flowing to the pilot in response to a determination that light is not being emitted from the predetermined region.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the step of determining whether light is being emitted comprises determining whether infrared light is being emitted from a predetermined region associated with the pilot.
18. A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the gas pilot includes a nozzle and an igitor defining a region therebetween and the step of determining whether light is being emitted from a predetermined region comprises determining whether light is being emitted from the region between the nozzle and the ignitor.
19. A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the step of preventing gas flow from flowing to the pilot comprises closing a valve.
20. A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the gas pilot includes a nozzle, the method further comprising the step of:
mixing gas with ambient air to form an air/gas mixture; and
providing the air/gas to the nozzle.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/844,974 US20020160326A1 (en) | 2001-04-26 | 2001-04-26 | Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same |
US10/103,540 US20020160325A1 (en) | 2001-04-26 | 2002-03-20 | Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same |
EP02009599A EP1253376A3 (en) | 2001-04-26 | 2002-04-26 | Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US09/844,974 US20020160326A1 (en) | 2001-04-26 | 2001-04-26 | Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same |
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US10/103,540 Continuation-In-Part US20020160325A1 (en) | 2001-04-26 | 2002-03-20 | Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same |
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US20020160326A1 true US20020160326A1 (en) | 2002-10-31 |
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US09/844,974 Abandoned US20020160326A1 (en) | 2001-04-26 | 2001-04-26 | Gas pilot system and method having improved oxygen level detection capability and gas fueled device including the same |
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Cited By (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20050282098A1 (en) * | 2004-06-19 | 2005-12-22 | Huang Hsin M | Gaseous lamp |
US20060199124A1 (en) * | 2005-02-11 | 2006-09-07 | Robertshaw Controls Company | Low NOx pilot burner and associated method of use |
US20070224558A1 (en) * | 2006-03-08 | 2007-09-27 | American Flame, Inc. | Gas flow and combustion control system |
US20090280448A1 (en) * | 2008-05-12 | 2009-11-12 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Multiple gas pilot burner |
US20100047726A1 (en) * | 2008-08-20 | 2010-02-25 | Mestek, Inc. | Boiler and pilot system |
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US8152515B2 (en) | 2007-03-15 | 2012-04-10 | Continental Appliances Inc | Fuel selectable heating devices |
US8241034B2 (en) | 2007-03-14 | 2012-08-14 | Continental Appliances Inc. | Fuel selection valve assemblies |
US8317511B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2012-11-27 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Control valves for heaters and fireplace devices |
US8403661B2 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2013-03-26 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel heater |
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US8516878B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2013-08-27 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Dual fuel heater |
US8545216B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2013-10-01 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Valve assemblies for heating devices |
CN103512056A (en) * | 2012-06-26 | 2014-01-15 | 宁波市比利仕燃器科技有限公司 | Performance control system of oxygen-deficit protection device suitable for various flue gas types and gas pressures |
US8752541B2 (en) | 2010-06-07 | 2014-06-17 | David Deng | Heating system |
US20140175184A1 (en) * | 2009-08-20 | 2014-06-26 | Enerco Group, Inc. | Portable catalytic heater |
US8899971B2 (en) | 2010-08-20 | 2014-12-02 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel gas heater |
US8985094B2 (en) | 2011-04-08 | 2015-03-24 | David Deng | Heating system |
US20150338100A1 (en) * | 2014-05-22 | 2015-11-26 | David Deng | Heating assembly |
US9316401B1 (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2016-04-19 | Henry Guste | Grill fireplace unit |
US9423123B2 (en) | 2013-03-02 | 2016-08-23 | David Deng | Safety pressure switch |
US9739389B2 (en) | 2011-04-08 | 2017-08-22 | David Deng | Heating system |
US9752779B2 (en) | 2013-03-02 | 2017-09-05 | David Deng | Heating assembly |
US9752782B2 (en) | 2011-10-20 | 2017-09-05 | David Deng | Dual fuel heater with selector valve |
US9829195B2 (en) | 2009-12-14 | 2017-11-28 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating source with nozzle |
US10073071B2 (en) | 2010-06-07 | 2018-09-11 | David Deng | Heating system |
US10222057B2 (en) | 2011-04-08 | 2019-03-05 | David Deng | Dual fuel heater with selector valve |
US10240789B2 (en) | 2014-05-16 | 2019-03-26 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating assembly with reset switch |
US10429074B2 (en) | 2014-05-16 | 2019-10-01 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating assembly with selector switch |
CN115751313A (en) * | 2022-12-10 | 2023-03-07 | 广州市红日实业有限公司 | Outdoor hidden ignition burner |
-
2001
- 2001-04-26 US US09/844,974 patent/US20020160326A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20050282098A1 (en) * | 2004-06-19 | 2005-12-22 | Huang Hsin M | Gaseous lamp |
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US8516878B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2013-08-27 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Dual fuel heater |
US8568136B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2013-10-29 | Procom Heating, Inc. | Heater configured to operate with a first or second fuel |
US7967006B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2011-06-28 | David Deng | Dual fuel heater |
US7967007B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2011-06-28 | David Deng | Heater configured to operate with a first or second fuel |
US8281781B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2012-10-09 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Dual fuel heater |
US8235708B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2012-08-07 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Heater configured to operate with a first or second fuel |
US9140457B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2015-09-22 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating system and air shutter |
US10066838B2 (en) | 2006-05-30 | 2018-09-04 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating system |
US8317511B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2012-11-27 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Control valves for heaters and fireplace devices |
US8764436B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2014-07-01 | Procom Heating, Inc. | Valve assemblies for heating devices |
US9328922B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2016-05-03 | Procom Heating, Inc. | Valve assemblies for heating devices |
US8545216B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2013-10-01 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Valve assemblies for heating devices |
US8011920B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2011-09-06 | David Deng | Valve assemblies for heating devices |
US8297968B2 (en) | 2006-12-22 | 2012-10-30 | Continental Appliances, Inc. | Pilot assemblies for heating devices |
US8057219B1 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2011-11-15 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel vent free gas heater |
US8403661B2 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2013-03-26 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel heater |
US8118590B1 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2012-02-21 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel vent free gas heater |
US8777609B2 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2014-07-15 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel heater |
US8061347B2 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2011-11-22 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel vent free gas heater |
USRE46308E1 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2017-02-14 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel heater |
US7766006B1 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2010-08-03 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel vent free gas heater |
US8241034B2 (en) | 2007-03-14 | 2012-08-14 | Continental Appliances Inc. | Fuel selection valve assemblies |
US9200801B2 (en) | 2007-03-14 | 2015-12-01 | Procom Heating, Inc. | Fuel selection valve assemblies |
US9581329B2 (en) | 2007-03-14 | 2017-02-28 | Procom Heating, Inc. | Gas-fueled heater |
US8152515B2 (en) | 2007-03-15 | 2012-04-10 | Continental Appliances Inc | Fuel selectable heating devices |
US20090280448A1 (en) * | 2008-05-12 | 2009-11-12 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Multiple gas pilot burner |
US8137098B2 (en) | 2008-05-12 | 2012-03-20 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Multiple gas pilot burner |
US20100047726A1 (en) * | 2008-08-20 | 2010-02-25 | Mestek, Inc. | Boiler and pilot system |
US8465277B2 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2013-06-18 | David Deng | Heat engine with nozzle |
US8517718B2 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2013-08-27 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating source |
US8757139B2 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2014-06-24 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating system and air shutter |
US8757202B2 (en) | 2009-06-29 | 2014-06-24 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating source |
US9222682B2 (en) * | 2009-08-20 | 2015-12-29 | Enerco Group, Inc. | Portable catalytic heater |
US20140175184A1 (en) * | 2009-08-20 | 2014-06-26 | Enerco Group, Inc. | Portable catalytic heater |
US9829195B2 (en) | 2009-12-14 | 2017-11-28 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating source with nozzle |
US10073071B2 (en) | 2010-06-07 | 2018-09-11 | David Deng | Heating system |
US8752541B2 (en) | 2010-06-07 | 2014-06-17 | David Deng | Heating system |
US9021859B2 (en) | 2010-06-07 | 2015-05-05 | David Deng | Heating system |
US8851065B2 (en) | 2010-06-07 | 2014-10-07 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating system with pressure sensitive nozzle |
US8899971B2 (en) | 2010-08-20 | 2014-12-02 | Coprecitec, S.L. | Dual fuel gas heater |
US9739389B2 (en) | 2011-04-08 | 2017-08-22 | David Deng | Heating system |
US8985094B2 (en) | 2011-04-08 | 2015-03-24 | David Deng | Heating system |
US10222057B2 (en) | 2011-04-08 | 2019-03-05 | David Deng | Dual fuel heater with selector valve |
US9752782B2 (en) | 2011-10-20 | 2017-09-05 | David Deng | Dual fuel heater with selector valve |
US9316401B1 (en) * | 2012-03-02 | 2016-04-19 | Henry Guste | Grill fireplace unit |
CN103512056A (en) * | 2012-06-26 | 2014-01-15 | 宁波市比利仕燃器科技有限公司 | Performance control system of oxygen-deficit protection device suitable for various flue gas types and gas pressures |
US9441833B2 (en) | 2013-03-02 | 2016-09-13 | David Deng | Heating assembly |
US9423123B2 (en) | 2013-03-02 | 2016-08-23 | David Deng | Safety pressure switch |
US9752779B2 (en) | 2013-03-02 | 2017-09-05 | David Deng | Heating assembly |
US10240789B2 (en) | 2014-05-16 | 2019-03-26 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating assembly with reset switch |
US10429074B2 (en) | 2014-05-16 | 2019-10-01 | David Deng | Dual fuel heating assembly with selector switch |
US20150338100A1 (en) * | 2014-05-22 | 2015-11-26 | David Deng | Heating assembly |
CN115751313A (en) * | 2022-12-10 | 2023-03-07 | 广州市红日实业有限公司 | Outdoor hidden ignition burner |
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