US3902839A - Electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit - Google Patents

Electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit Download PDF

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US3902839A
US3902839A US422693A US42269373A US3902839A US 3902839 A US3902839 A US 3902839A US 422693 A US422693 A US 422693A US 42269373 A US42269373 A US 42269373A US 3902839 A US3902839 A US 3902839A
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Prior art keywords
pilot
whenever
switching device
circuit
pilot flame
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US422693A
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English (en)
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Russell B Matthews
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Johnson Service Co
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Johnson Service Co
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Priority to US422693A priority Critical patent/US3902839A/en
Priority to CA214,580A priority patent/CA1030245A/en
Priority to GB51192/74A priority patent/GB1480947A/en
Priority to NL7415800.A priority patent/NL166533C/nl
Priority to JP49141111A priority patent/JPS5838696B2/ja
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Assigned to JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY, A CORP. OF NV reassignment JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY, A CORP. OF NV ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY, A CORP. OF WI
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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
    • F23N5/123—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 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
    • 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
    • F23N2227/00—Ignition or checking
    • F23N2227/28—Ignition circuits
    • F23N2227/30—Ignition circuits for pilot burners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2227/00—Ignition or checking
    • F23N2227/36—Spark ignition, e.g. by means of a high voltage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2229/00—Flame sensors
    • F23N2229/02—Pilot flame sensors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2231/00—Fail safe
    • F23N2231/12—Fail safe for ignition failures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2239/00—Fuels
    • F23N2239/04—Gaseous fuels

Definitions

  • An electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit for use in a fuel ignition system including a spark ignition circuit operable when energized to generate sparks for igniting gas emanating from a pilot source, a switching circuit including a normally de-energized relay and a normally non-conducting silicon controlled rectifier which controls the relay, and a pilot flame sensing circuit operable as a pulse generating circuit for sensing the pilot flame and providing pulses of a first amplitude for enabling the silicon controlled rectifier to effect energization of the relay whenever the pilot gas is ignited to cause the spark ignition circuit to be de-energized and to prepare an energizing path for a main burner gas valve solenoid.
  • the flame sensing circuit provides pulses of a lower amplitude whenever the pilot flame is extinguished to preclude enabling of the silicon controlled rectifier, such that the relay is disabled causing the energizing path for the gas valve solenoid to be interrupted and the spark ignition circuit to be re-energized.
  • the gas valve solenoid may be substituted in the circuit for the relay coil to be controlled directly by the silicon controlled rectifier. In such a case a separate self extinguishing pilot relight circuit controls the pilot ignition.
  • PATENTED SEP 2 I975 sum 3 OF 9 02w QZ/J.
  • PATENTEDSEP' 2M5 ELECTRONIC PILOT IGNITION AND FLAME DETECTION CIRCUIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.
  • the present invention relates to fuel ignition systems, and more particularly to an electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit for use in such systems to monitor a pilot flame and effect the de-energization of a gas valve in response to failure of the pilot flame or a component failure in the pilot ignition and flame detection circuit.
  • thermocouple device to monitor a standing pilot flame and a relay controlled by the thermocouple device to effect de-energization of a gas valve, for example, to shut down the system in the event of a pilot flame failure.
  • the thermocouple used to sense the pilot flame in such systems has a response time of approximately 20-45 seconds before the control relay will be de-energized to effect closing of the main gas valve. It is desirable to eliminate a standing pilot flame to conserve gas and at the same time provide a fast response time of the control arrangement therefor.
  • a fast response time makes possible the elimination of standing pilots, a very desirable function considering the impending gas shortage and the vast amount of gas consumed by standing pilots.
  • the present invention has provided an electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit including an electronic flame sensing circuit which has a much faster response time than prior art systems employing a thermocouple-relay combination.
  • the response time of the electronic flame sensing circuit may, for example, be one second or less thereby eliminating the need for a gas-wasting standing pilot flame without otherwise effecting the heating system.
  • the flame detection circuit of the present invention may include an electronic pilot ignitor controlled by the electronic flame sensing circuit such that the generation of ignition sparks for igniting the pilot is provided automatically whenever loss of pilot flame is detected.
  • the electronic flame detection circuit of the present invention is extremely fail-safe in that any given component failure for an open-circuit condition to a short-circuit condition will not result in an unsafe condition in which the main gas valve may be energized when the pilot flame is not present.
  • the electronic pilot ignition and flame sensing circuit includes pilot ignition means operable when energized to generate ignition sparks for igniting pilot gas emanating from a pilot source to establish a pilot flame.
  • a switching means is normally de-energized when the pilot flame is extinguished to extend a cyclical AC signal supplied to the circuit over input means and a pair of input conductors to the ignition means for energizing the ignition means.
  • the switching means is operable to effect the de-energization of the ignition means and to prepare an energizing path for gas valve means which supplies gas to gas burner apparatus whenever the pilot flame is lit.
  • a flame sensing means operable as a pulse generating circuit provides pulses at first and second levels for controlling the de-energization and the energization of the switching means as a function of the presence or absence of the pilot flame.
  • the flame sensing means includes a controlled switching device having a pair of control electrodes, a first circuit means including first capacitor means connected between a first one of the control electrodes and one of the input conductors, and second circuit means including second capacitor means connected between the second control electrode and the one input conductor.
  • the flame sensing means further includes means connected between the input conductors for providing a charging path for the first capacitor means to permit the first capacitor means to charge to a predetermined value during each first half cycle. of the AC signal to provide a first potential at said first control electrode, and means for providing a second capacitor means to charge to a predetermined value at the first rate whenever the pilot flame is extinguished and to charge to said predetermined voltage at a faster rate whenever the pilot flame is established to provide a second potential at said second control electrode.
  • the controlled switching device is rendered conductive at a time during each first half'cycle of the AC signal when the potential difference between the first and second control electrodes exceeds a predetermined value, permitting the first capacitor means to discharge over the controlled switching device to effect generation of pulses at the first level for energizing the switching means whenever a pilot flame is established and to effect the generation of pulses at the second level causing de-energization of the switching means whenever the pilot flame is extinguished.
  • the controlled switching device in the eventof a component failure in the pilot ignition and flame detection circuit, such as in the flame sensing means, for example, the controlled switching device will be maintained non-conductive so as to disable switching means and interrupt the energizing path for the main gas valve solenoid.
  • the electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit of the present invention has three levels of operation.
  • the system is operable at a first voltage level in which the pulses provided by the flame sensing circuit are ineffective to enable the switching means and accordingly the energizing path for the main gas valve solenoid is interrupted.
  • the pilot ignition means will be energized to effect re-ignition of the pilot flame.
  • the presence of a pilot flame places the system at a second operating level in which the flame sensing circuit is operable to provide pulses for maintaining the switching means enabled permitting the main gas valve solenoid to be energized.
  • the system is operable at a third level in which the flame sensing circuit is disabled such that the switching means will remain de-energized whether or not the pilot flame is present.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention operable from an alternating current source and using a relay energized by a silicon controlled rectifier for controlling main burner valve operation;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention, but substituting a solenoid of the main valve for the relay coil of FIG. 1, thereby controlling the main burner valve directly by the silicon controlled rectifier and utilizing an ignitor circuit which is self-extinguishing;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of still another embodiment of the invention similar to FIG. 2 in that the main valve solenoid is controlled directly by the silicon controlled rectifier but operable from a DC source and using an ignitor which is controlled by means of a second coil wound on the solenoid of the main valve; and
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of yet another embodiment of the invention, similar to FIG. 1 in that a relay is responsive to a silicon controlled rectifier to control the main valve, but is energized from a DC.
  • the electronic flame detection circuit 10 which may be employed in a fuel ignition system, includes an electronic pilot ignition circuit 11 which supplies voltage pulses derived from an AC source to a pair of ignition electrodes 12 and 13 to ignite a gaseous fuel emanating from a pilot source 14 of a gas burner apparatus (not shown).
  • Energizing power for the flame detection circuit 10, including the pilot ignition circuit portion 11, is supplied over an input transformer T2 which has a primary winding 15 connectible to an AC voltage source which,
  • the for example, may be a standard 60 Hertz, I volt A.C.
  • the input transformer T2 is a step-down transformer which provides approximately 24 volts A.C. between terminals 40 and 41 of winding 15A when the primary winding 15 of the transformer T2 is connected to a 120 volt A.C. source.
  • Terminal 40 of the secondary winding 15A of the input transformer T2 is connected through normally open TI-IS thermostatic contacts over a conductor L3 and normally closed contacts 21A of a relay 21 to a first terminal 22 of the ignition circuit 11.
  • Terminal 41 of the secondary winding 15 of the input transformer T2 is connected over a conductor L4 to a second terminal 24 of the ignition circuit 11.
  • the ignition circuit 1 1 is more fully described in United States patent application Ser. No. 307,077 filed Nov. 16, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,806,305 and has an output winding 25 having a first terminal 26 connected to one of the ignition electrodes 12 and a second terminal 27 connected to the other ignition electrode 13.
  • the flame detection circuit 10 also includes a flame sensing circuit, indicated generally at 30, which is supplied with approximately volts A.C. through isolating step-up transformer T3. Circuit 30 is operable to provide a pulse output indicative of the presence or absence of the pilot flame.
  • the flame sensing circuit 30 includes a flame sensing electrode 31 and a controlled switching device 32, embodied as a programmable unijunction transistor (PUT), such as the type 2N6028 commercially available from Motorola.
  • PUT programmable unijunction transistor
  • the flame sensing circuit 30 also includes an anode, a control network 33 and a gate control network 34 for the PUT device 32.
  • the flame sensing electrode 31 is connected over a resistor R1 to conductor L1 and is positioned in a spaced-relationship with a ground reference point 35 for the electronic flame detection circuit 10, normally providing a high resistance path between conductor L1 and the reference point 35.
  • the ground reference point 35 may, for example, be a metallic ground provided by a gas burner apparatus or the pilot source 14.
  • the flame sensing electrode 31 is located in the region in which the pilot flame is to be produced such that the pilot flame will bridge the gap 36 between the electrode 31 and the reference point 35 thereby lowering the re sistance of the current path over the electrode 31 between conductor L1 and the reference point 35 whenever the pilot flame is present.
  • the gate control network 34 determines the gate potential for thenormally non-conducting PUT device 32.
  • the gate control network includes a capacitor C1 which is connected between the reference point 35 and conductor L2. Capacitor Cl will charge at a first rate whenever the pilot flame is unlit. However, whenever the pilot flame bridges the gap 36 between the sensing electrode 31 and the reference point 35, the resistance of the charging path for capacitor C1 will be lower and capacitor C1 will charge at a faster rate.
  • the gate control network 34 further includes a re's'istor R2 which is connected between the reference point 35 and the gate electrode of the PUT device 32, and a resistor R3 which is connected "between the gate electrode of the PUT device and conductor L2. Resistors R2 and R3 form a bleeder path for capacitor C1. A second capacitor C1 "is connected redundantly in parallel with the capacitor C1 forsafety purposes.
  • a resistor R3 and a transistor 50 are connected between conductor L2 and the gate electrode of the PUT devi'ce 32"forming a clamping circuit 'to limit the voltage swing at the gate to a predetermined prised of resistors R5, and R7 which are serially .connected between the conductors L1 and L2 with the junction of "the resistors'R5 and R6'at point 37 being connected to the a node electrolde of the PUT device 32 and thus to tinged ca pac'itor c2.
  • a charging path is provided for capacitor C2 from conductor L1 ove'r resistor R5 andc apacitor C2 to conduc-
  • the PUT device 32 is normally non-conducting and is rendered conductive whenever the'potential' at the anode electrodeek'ceeds the potential at the gateelectrode byapproximately 0.6 volts as'determined by the action of the anodecontrol network 33 and the gate control network 34, I i
  • a discharge path isprovided'for capacitor C2 over the anode-cathode circuit of the PUT device 32 which supplies pulses provided by the flame sensing circuit I to a control electrode of a second controlled switching device 39, embodied as a silicon controlled rectifier, which may be the-type ClooA manufactured by General Electric Co.
  • the normally I nonconducting silicon controlled rectifier SCR) 39 has arranode-cathode circuit connected in series with a coilof relay 21 between conductors L1 and L2. Th e :co ntrol electrode or gate of the SCR 39 is connectedover the resistor 38' to the conductor L2, a redundant resistor 38 being connected in parallel with the resistor 38 for safety purposes.
  • Relay 21 may comprise a DC relay having a coil resistance of approximately 2.5K ohms so that in the case of a short circuit condition for the SCR 39, current flowing through the coil 21 will generate a high impe 7 mally closed contacts 21A'wliic h are connectedlin series with the normally oper THS contacts and conductor L3 between terminal 22 of the ignition circuit 11 Relay 21, njqrm'allylde-e nergized, has nor-"' and terminal 40 of the secondary winding 15A of the input transformer T2.
  • Relay 21 has a pair of normally open contacts 213 which are also connected in series with normally open thermostat switch contacts THS and a' gas valve solenoid 45 which controls the flow of tion sparks between the ignition electrodes 12 and 13.
  • the SCR 39 When the pilot gas is lit, the SCR 39 will be rendered conductive by the pulse output of the flame sensing circuit-30 effecting energization of relay 21. As relay 21 operates, contacts 21A will be opened thereby terminating the generation of ignition sparks at the pilot ignitorn, and contacts 21B will be closed energizing the main'bumer gas valve solenoid.
  • the proper phase relationship between the pilot ignition circuit 11 and flame sensing circuit 30 is obtained by connecting transformer T3 windings such that terminals 19 and 24 are both positive at the same time.
  • capacitor C2 is charged ov era path extending from conductor Ll over resistor R5 and capacitor C2 to conductor L2, establishing a potential at the anode of the PUT device 32.
  • capacitors C1 and C2 are selected such that some time before the peak of the AC line voltage during the first half cycle of the AC line signal the When the SCR 39 is rendered conductive, an energizing path is completed from conductors L1 and L2 for relay 21 which then operates opening contacts 21a to inhibit further sparking between the ignition electrodes l2 and 13 of the ignition circuit 11, and closing contacts 21b to energize the main gas valve. solenoid Accordingly, once the pilot flame has been established and bridges the gap 36 between the sensing electrode 31 and the reference point 35, the action of the flame sensing circuit 30 will be effective to provide enabling pulses to the gate of the SCR 39 during alternate half cycles of the applied AC line signal.
  • the onlytime pulses will be passed to the PUT device 32 and the gate of the SCR 39 is when the voltage at the anode of the PUT device 32 exceeds that of the gate by plus 0.6 volts and the SCR 39 will be enabled only when the capacitor C2 has charged sufficiently to provide the pulse energy required to render the SCR 39 conductive.
  • the gas valve solenoid 45 When the pilot gas is ignited and relay 21 is operated, the gas valve solenoid 45 will be energized permitting gas to flow to the main gas burner for ignition by the pilot flame.
  • the main burner flame When the main burner flame is lit, a current path is provided through the pilot flame and the main burner flame to the ground reference point 35. Consequently, the resistance between sensing electrode 31 and reference point 35 will decrease effecting a further increase in the charging current for capacitor
  • the clamping circuit including the transistor 50 and resistor R3 limits the amplitude of the voltage provided at the gate electrode of the PUT device 32 to a desired operating range which may, for example, be 1 to 4 volts. Accordingly,
  • the clamping circuit may comprise alternatively a Zener diode in series with a resistance.
  • the electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit 10 is also characterized by a fail safe feature by maintaining the proper magnitude and phase relationship between the voltages that are applied to the gate and the anode of the PUT device 32 in the normal operating mode.
  • the normal operating voltage range is l to 4 volts for voltage levels at the anode or gate electrodes of the PUT device 32. For values above this, as may be caused by a component failure, for example, the anode voltage will not exceed the gate voltage and accordingly the PUT device 32 will not conduct0n the other hand, for voltage values below the operating range, the anode voltage will exceed the gate voltage before the charge on capacitor C2 is sufficient to pulse the gate of the SCR 39.
  • the electronic pilot ignitor and flame sensing circuit 10 may be considered as a pulsing system wherein the flame sensing circuit 30 is a pulse generator that stops generating pulses for any component failure or flame-out condition.
  • the flame sensing circuit 30 is a pulse generator that stops generating pulses for any component failure or flame-out condition.
  • the pilot flame which bridges the gap 36 between the sensing electrode 31 and the reference point 35 serves as both a resistance and a rectifier, and the flame sensing circuit 30 utilizes the rectification properties of the flame to maintain the charge on capacitor C1 within a desired operating range.
  • the electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit B is similar in structure and operation to that of the circuit of FIG. 1 with the exception that the solenoid coil 21 of the main burner valve 45 is substituted in the anode circuit of SCR 39 in place of the relay 21 of FIG. 1.
  • a different pilot relighter circuit is utilized which is selfextinguishing and which is designated as 11A.
  • This pilot relighter circuit is more fully described and claimed in copending application of the same assignee and of which Matthews is co-inventor, filed Nov. 16, 1972, as Ser. No. 307,077, now US. Pat. No.
  • thermostat contacts THS are closed to energize the pilot valve to provide gas for ignition
  • .igniter 1 1A provides a spark across electrodes 12 and 13 to ignite the pilot gas.
  • spark is produced once every cycle of applied voltage when the SCR 15 conducts discharging capacitor C11 through the primary 25 of ignition transformer T1.
  • the ignitor circuit is self-extinguishing. When its flame sensing portion detects flame, current flows across electrode 13 to pilot l4 and thence to ground, as is described in the copending application. This shorts the gate to cathode electrodes of SCR 15 of the ignitor circuit causing pulsing of the ignition transformer T1 to cease. Should the pilot flame be extinguished, the ignitor circuit automatically reapplies a pulse across electrodes 12, 13.
  • main valve 45 When SCR 39 conducts through its anode-cathode circuit as was previously described for FIG. 1, main valve 45 is energized directly through its solenoid coil 21 in the anode circuit of SCR 39.
  • the electronic pilot ignition flame detection circuit 10C shown is energized from a l2-volt D.C. source (not shown) instead of the 120-volt A.C. source (not shown) of the previous FIGS. land 2.
  • the circuit 10C operates substantially the same as that described for FIG. 2 where the solenoid of the main valve 45 is actuated directly by SCR 39.
  • the circuit operation differs in the following respects: the pilot valve 110 instead of being operated directly through thermostat contacts TI-IS as described for FIG. 2, operates through normally closed contacts 112 of a warp switch connected in series with the ignitor circuit 11B. As the ignitor circuit attempts to ignite the pilot gas as was previously described for FIG.
  • warp switch heater 111 heating the warp switch, which is of a conventional type. Should the ignitor circuit continue to draw current for more than a predetermined selected time, the warp switch heater 111 is heated sufficiently to energize and open its normally closed contacts 112, terminating energization of pilot valve 110 and the ignitor 11B. Pilot valve 110 then closes, stopping the flow of gas to the pilot burner. In this case, the ignitor and pilot valve are in lockout position and must be manually reset. This is done by manual actuation of the warp switch into its normal position in which contacts 1 12 are reclosed, placing ignitor 11B and pilot valve 110 subject again to energization through thermostat contacts TI-IS.
  • the circuit shown in FIG. 3 is powered from a 12 volt D.C. source and utilizes a conventional inverter 123 to change the 12 volt DC. to l 10 volt A.C. at secondary 16B to supply power to the flame detection circuit 30 previously described.
  • a 12 volt DC. signal applied to terminals 118 and 119 causes current to flow through warp switch contacts 112, warp switch heater 111 to spark generator 11B and pilot valve 110 to ignite the pilot burner. Current also flows to inverter circuit 123 to generate 110 volt A.C. at secondary 'l6B'to supply power to flame detector circuit 30.
  • Coil 107 also located on the main gas valve solenoid, acts like the secondary winding of a transformer, coil 21 being the primary, and supplies a voltage to disable the spark generator 11B whenever the main gas valve is energized.
  • the high voltage transformer T1 has three windings, high voltage secondary 101, primary winding 100 and feedback winding 102.
  • transistor 117 conducts and allows current to flow from 12 volt terminal 118 through contacts 112 and heater 111 through high voltage primary winding 100 to induce a high voltage in the secondary winding 101 to produce sparks for ignition at the electrodes.
  • feedback winding 102 located on the same magnetic core as primary winding 100, causes transistor 117 to conduct further until it becomes saturated. At that time, the voltage induced into the feedback winding begins to decrease, thereby decreasing the conductivity of transistor 117 and the'current in primary winding 100 decreasing to induce a negative voltage in the feedback winding 102 to cut off the conduction of transistor 117 to complete one cycle of oscillation.
  • the frequency of oscillation utilized is approximately 1000 cycles per second.
  • sensing probe 31 After the spark ignites the pilot, sensing probe 31 causes SCR 39' to conduct to energize main gas valve solenoid coil 21 to turn on the main gas.
  • Energizing coil 21 induces a voltage in secondary winding 107 to increase thevoltage on base 122 of transistor 109 sufliciently to cut it off. This removes the bias on SCR 117 and disables the spark generator. If the pilot becomes extinguished for any reason, coil 21 becomes de-energized removing the voltage generated by coil 107 causing transistor 109 to conduct to cause the spark generator to produce sparks for re-ignition. If for any reason the pilot gas did not ignite, warp switch heater actuates manual resettable contacts 112 tothe open condition in approximately two minutes to de-energize the system. Warp switch heater 111 normally does not actuate because one amp of current drawn by the spark circuit is eliminated during a normal operation. So, at start-up, warp switch heater current is approximately 1.3 amps and warp switch heater current during a normal cycle is approximately 0.3
  • main valve coil 21 has been replaced by a relay coil 21 with contacts 125 and 124 for controlling main valve operation and ignitor circuit 11C.
  • Contacts 124 energize the spark generating ignitor circuit 11C which generates sparks in a manner previously described with respect to FIG. 3, except that when pilot gas is ignited, probe 31 causes SCR 39 to conduct to energize relay 21 to opencontacts 124 to disable the ignitor circuit 11C and closes contacts 125 to energize the main gas valve 126.
  • probe 31 causes relay coil 21 to de-energize to drop out the gas valve to shut off the main burner gas and to activate the spark generator 11C. If after approximately two minutes the spark generator has not turned off, the warp switch 111 opens its contacts 112 to de-energize the system, as previously described for FIG. 3.
  • an automatic fuel ignition system including a pilot source for establishing a pilot flame and valve means operable when energized to supply a gaseous fuel to burner apparatus, an electronic control circuit for monitoring the pilot flame and controlling the energization of said valve means, said control circuit comprising pilot flame sensing means including sensing electrode means located in the proximity of the pilot source for sensing said 'pilot flame, and pulse generating means controlled by said pilot flame sensing means to provide pulse outputs of a first amplitude whenever the pilot flame is established and to provide pulse outputs of a second amplitude whenever the pilot flame is extinguished, and switching means responsive to pulses at said first amplitude to effect energization of said valve means, said switching means being disabled whenever pulses at said second amplitude are provided by said pulse generating means to cause deenergization of said valve means to prevent the flow of said gaseous fuel to the burner apparatus whenever the pilot flame is extinguished.
  • pulse generating means includes a normally non-conducting controlled switching device, first circuit means including capacitormeans connected to an input electrode of said controlled switching device and means connected to a source of potential to provide a charging path for said capacitor means, discharge circuit means including said controlled switching device for discharging said capacitor means whenever said controlled switching device is rendered conductive, said pilot flame sensing means including second circuit means connected to a control electrode of said controlled switching device and operable to periodically render said controlled switching device conductive permitting said capacitor means to discharge over said discharge path to provide said pulse outputs.
  • said second circuit means includes further capacitor means chargeable at a first rate whenever the pilot flame is established to provide a potential at said control electrode to render said controlled switching device conductive at a time when said capacitor means of said pulse generating means has charged to a first voltage and chargeable at a second rate whenever the pilot flame is extinguished to provide a potential at said control electrode to render said controlled switching device conductive at a time when said capacitor means of said pulse generating means has charged to a second voltage.
  • pilot source includes a pilot valve means operable when energized to supply pilot gas to an outlet, and pilot ignition means operable when energized to generate ignition sparks for igniting pilot gas emanating from said outlet to establish a pilot flame, said normally non-conducting controlled switching device being responsive to pulses at said first amplitude to effect the deenergization of said pilot ignition means.
  • switching means includes a further controlled switching device which is normally disabled and enabled by pulses at said first amplitude to effect energization of said valve means.
  • valve means includes a solenoid operated valve having a main gas valve coil and a secondary coil, said secondary coil being energized to cause the pilot ignition means to be disabled whenever said main gas valve coil is energized.
  • switching means further includes normally deenergized relay means, said relay means being energized by said further controlled switching device to control the energization of said gas valve means whenever pulses of said first amplitude are provided by said pulse generating means.
  • pilot ignition means operable when energized to generate ignition.
  • pilot flame monitoring means including flame sensing means having sensing electrode means located adjacent said pilot source for sensing said pilot flame and pulse generating means including a controlled switching device having first and second control electrodes, first capacitor means connected to said first control electrode, second capacitor means connected to said second control electrode, means for permitting said first capacitor means to charge to a predetermined value to provide a first potential at said first control electrode, means permitting said second capacitor means to charge to a predetermined value at a firstrate whenever said pilot flame is extinguished and at a second rate whenever said pilot flame is established to provide a second potential at said second control electrode, said controlled switching device being enabled whenever the potential difference between said first and second control electrodes exceeds a predetermined value to permit said first capacitor means to discharge over said controlled switching device to effect the generation of pulse outputs of a first amplitude whenever the pilot flame is established and pulse outputs of a second amplitude whenever the pilot flameis extinguished, switching means responsive to pulses of said first
  • said switching means includes normally deenergized relaymeans having contact means connected in an energizing path for said valve means and a normally disabled controlled switching'device connected in series with'a coil of said relay means across a source of potential, said controlled switching device of said switching means being enabled responsive to pulses at said first amplitude to effect energization of said relay means to operate said contact'means to permit energization of said gas .valve. means.
  • pilot flame monitoring means having a controlled switching device
  • first circuit means including capacitor means connected to a source of cyclical AC voltage and to a first control electrode of said controlled switching device to permit said capacitor means to charge during each first half cycle of the AC voltage thereby providing a potential at said first control electrode
  • second circuit means connected to said AC voltage source and to a second control electrode of said controlled switching device including sensing electrode means located in the proximity of the pilot source means for sensing the pilot flame such that said second circuit means provides a potential at said second control electrode effective to render said controlled switching device conductive at a first time during each first half cycle of the AC voltage whenever the pilot flame is extinguished and to render said controlled switching device conductive at a later time during each first half cycle of the AC voltage whenever the pilot flame is established
  • pilot source means includes a pilot source and pilot ignition means operable when energized to generate ignition sparks for means to'said AC voltage source to energize said pilot ignition means whenever the pilot flame is extinguished, said relay means being energized to operate said contact means to thereby disconnect said pilot ignition'rneans from said AC voltage source whenever the pilotflame is established.
  • said switching means further includes a furthercontrolled switching device connected in series with a coil of said relay means to said AC voltage source, said further controlled switching device being normally nonconductingand being rendered conductive responsive to the'pulse output of said flame monitoring means to effect energization of said relay means during'e ach first half cycle of said AC voltage whenever the pilot'flame is e'stablished, said relay means having further contact means connected in an energizing circuit for said valve means and operated whenever said relay means is energi z ed to permit eriergization of said valve means.
  • Ah electronic control circuit is a fuel ignition system as set'forth in claim 15 wherein said switching means includes means for maintaining said relay means energizedduring each second half cycle of the AC voltage.
  • a A I 17 An electronic control circuit in a fuel ignition system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said output means of said pilot flame monitoring means includes a pair of resistors connected in parallel between an output electrode of said controlled switching device and a point of reference potential for said AC voltage source.
  • an automatic fuel ignition system including a pilot source for establishing a pilot flame and valve means operable when energized to supply a gaseous fuel to burner apparatus, an electronic control circuit for monitoring the pilot flame and controlling the energization of said valve means comprising input means, said control circuit including first and second conductor means for supplying a cyclical AC voltage to said control circuit, a normally non-conducting controlled switching device, first circuit means connected between said first and second conductor means, said first circuit means including first capacitor means connected to a first control electrode of said controlled switching device and chargeable during each first half cycle of said AC voltage to provide a potential at said first control electrode, second circuit means including second capacitor means connected between a point of reference potential and said second conductor means, means for connecting a second control electrode of said controlled switching device to said point of reference potential, sensing electrode means, and means for connecting said sensing electrode means to said first conductor means, said sensing electrode means being located in the proximity of the pilot source and positioned in a spaced relationship with said point of reference potential to provide a
  • said controlled switching device being rendered conductive whenever the potential difference between said first and second control electrodes exceeds a predetermined amount such that said controlled switching device is rendered conductive at a first time during each first half cycle of the AC voltage whenever the pilot flame is extinguished and at a later time during each first half cycle of the AC voltage whenever the pilot flame is established, output means for permitting said first capacitor means to discharge over said controlled switching device whenever said controlled switching device is rendered conductive to effect the generation of a pulse output, and switching means responsive to the pulse output provided over said output means whenever the pilot flame is established to prepare an energizing path for said valve means, said switching means being disabled to interrupt said energizing path for said valve means whenever the pilot flame is extinguished.
  • switching means comprises normally de-energized relay means having an energizing coil and contact means connected in the energizing path for said valve means and a further normally nonconductive controlled switching device connected in series with said coil between said first and second conductor means, said further controlled switching device being rendered conductive by the pulse output provided over said output means during each first half cycle of the AC voltage whenever the pilot flame is established to effect energization of said relay means to operate said contact means.

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  • 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)
US422693A 1973-12-07 1973-12-07 Electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit Expired - Lifetime US3902839A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US422693A US3902839A (en) 1973-12-07 1973-12-07 Electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit
CA214,580A CA1030245A (en) 1973-12-07 1974-11-25 Electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit
GB51192/74A GB1480947A (en) 1973-12-07 1974-11-26 Fuel ignition systems including electronic ignition control circuits
NL7415800.A NL166533C (nl) 1973-12-07 1974-12-04 Vlambewakingsstelsel.
JP49141111A JPS5838696B2 (ja) 1973-12-07 1974-12-07 燃料点火装置

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US422693A US3902839A (en) 1973-12-07 1973-12-07 Electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit

Publications (1)

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US3902839A true US3902839A (en) 1975-09-02

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US422693A Expired - Lifetime US3902839A (en) 1973-12-07 1973-12-07 Electronic pilot ignition and flame detection circuit

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US (1) US3902839A (nl)
JP (1) JPS5838696B2 (nl)
CA (1) CA1030245A (nl)
GB (1) GB1480947A (nl)
NL (1) NL166533C (nl)

Cited By (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3963410A (en) * 1975-03-20 1976-06-15 Emerson Electric Co. Control system for domestic gas oven burners
US4038019A (en) * 1975-09-10 1977-07-26 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fail-safe energizing circuit for a functional device
FR2356083A1 (fr) * 1976-06-21 1978-01-20 Johnson Controls Inc Bruleur a systeme d'allumage du combustible a protection contre les derangements
FR2356082A1 (fr) * 1976-06-21 1978-01-20 Johnson Controls Inc Circuit de commande de systeme d'allumage de combustible produisant des etincelles retardees
US4078879A (en) * 1976-06-04 1978-03-14 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fuel ignition system control arrangement providing total fuel shutoff and contact protection
US4087229A (en) * 1976-06-28 1978-05-02 Robertshaw Controls Company Automatic fuel ignition system with redundant flame sensing
US4087230A (en) * 1976-05-10 1978-05-02 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fuel ignition system providing fuel shutoff under simultaneous failure conditions
US4111639A (en) * 1977-02-25 1978-09-05 Johnson Controls, Inc. Proven pilot fuel ignition system with sampling flame sensor
US4124354A (en) * 1977-06-03 1978-11-07 International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation Recycling pilot ignition system
US4168141A (en) * 1976-08-11 1979-09-18 Robertshaw Controls Company Safety ignition means for burner installations
US4269589A (en) * 1978-12-04 1981-05-26 Johnson Controls, Inc. Solid state ignition control
WO1981001605A1 (en) * 1979-12-05 1981-06-11 Johnson Controls Inc Fuel supply and ignition control system employing flame sensing via spark electrodes
US4329628A (en) * 1980-07-31 1982-05-11 Honeywell Inc. Relaxation oscillator type spark generator
FR2506098A1 (fr) * 1981-05-12 1982-11-19 Rv Const Electriques Circuit de commande d'un element semi-conducteur de puissance et application a un dispositif de securite pour bruleur
US4375951A (en) * 1980-08-18 1983-03-08 Honeywell Inc. Bilevel flame signal sensing circuit
EP0104129A2 (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-03-28 Emerson Electric Co. Gas burner control system
US4444551A (en) * 1981-08-27 1984-04-24 Emerson Electric Co. Direct ignition gas burner control system
US4459097A (en) * 1979-08-27 1984-07-10 Kidde, Inc. Fuel burner control apparatus
US4519771A (en) * 1982-04-02 1985-05-28 U.S. Philips Corporation Flame detection system with isolation between burner and electronic control device
US4565519A (en) * 1983-01-21 1986-01-21 Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc. Burner ignition system
US4604046A (en) * 1981-08-27 1986-08-05 Mueller Carl J Direct ignition gas burner control system
US4972152A (en) * 1989-08-06 1990-11-20 Finn Edwin R Apparatus and method for testing ignition modules and components of gas burners
US5085574A (en) * 1989-10-12 1992-02-04 Hamilton Standard Controls, Inc. Fail-safe valve relay driver circuit for gas burners
US5230280A (en) * 1991-08-06 1993-07-27 Lil' Orbits, Inc. Gas fired donut system
US5392697A (en) * 1991-08-06 1995-02-28 Lil' Orbits, Inc. Convertible gas or electric fired donut system
US6743010B2 (en) * 2002-02-19 2004-06-01 Gas Electronics, Inc. Relighter control system
US20060290389A1 (en) * 2005-06-23 2006-12-28 Honeywell International, Inc. Flame detector trapezoidal excitation generator output control circuit and method
US20100061034A1 (en) * 2008-09-11 2010-03-11 Robertshaw Controls Company Low Voltage Power Supply for Spark Igniter and Flame Sense
US7850447B1 (en) 2004-07-30 2010-12-14 Wolf Appliance, Inc. Dual disc electrode
CN112443862A (zh) * 2019-08-28 2021-03-05 香港中华煤气有限公司 火焰点燃和检测系统以及包含其的燃气装置

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US2402117A (en) * 1942-11-21 1946-06-11 Brown Instr Co Control system
US2626657A (en) * 1949-06-27 1953-01-27 Honeywell Regulator Co Burner control apparatus with component checking means
US2648375A (en) * 1949-12-27 1953-08-11 Honeywell Regulator Co Electronic burner control apparatus
US3449055A (en) * 1967-11-22 1969-06-10 Honeywell Inc Burner control apparatus with prepurge timing
US3644074A (en) * 1970-02-27 1972-02-22 Electronics Corp America Control apparatus
US3705783A (en) * 1971-07-21 1972-12-12 Honeywell Inc Burner safeguard control apparatus

Patent Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2402117A (en) * 1942-11-21 1946-06-11 Brown Instr Co Control system
US2626657A (en) * 1949-06-27 1953-01-27 Honeywell Regulator Co Burner control apparatus with component checking means
US2648375A (en) * 1949-12-27 1953-08-11 Honeywell Regulator Co Electronic burner control apparatus
US3449055A (en) * 1967-11-22 1969-06-10 Honeywell Inc Burner control apparatus with prepurge timing
US3644074A (en) * 1970-02-27 1972-02-22 Electronics Corp America Control apparatus
US3705783A (en) * 1971-07-21 1972-12-12 Honeywell Inc Burner safeguard control apparatus

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3963410A (en) * 1975-03-20 1976-06-15 Emerson Electric Co. Control system for domestic gas oven burners
US4038019A (en) * 1975-09-10 1977-07-26 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fail-safe energizing circuit for a functional device
US4087230A (en) * 1976-05-10 1978-05-02 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fuel ignition system providing fuel shutoff under simultaneous failure conditions
US4078879A (en) * 1976-06-04 1978-03-14 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fuel ignition system control arrangement providing total fuel shutoff and contact protection
FR2356083A1 (fr) * 1976-06-21 1978-01-20 Johnson Controls Inc Bruleur a systeme d'allumage du combustible a protection contre les derangements
FR2356082A1 (fr) * 1976-06-21 1978-01-20 Johnson Controls Inc Circuit de commande de systeme d'allumage de combustible produisant des etincelles retardees
US4070143A (en) * 1976-06-21 1978-01-24 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fuel ignition system including an igniter providing a lingering spark
US4077762A (en) * 1976-06-21 1978-03-07 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fuel ignition system having contact interlock protection
US4087229A (en) * 1976-06-28 1978-05-02 Robertshaw Controls Company Automatic fuel ignition system with redundant flame sensing
US4168141A (en) * 1976-08-11 1979-09-18 Robertshaw Controls Company Safety ignition means for burner installations
US4111639A (en) * 1977-02-25 1978-09-05 Johnson Controls, Inc. Proven pilot fuel ignition system with sampling flame sensor
US4124354A (en) * 1977-06-03 1978-11-07 International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation Recycling pilot ignition system
US4269589A (en) * 1978-12-04 1981-05-26 Johnson Controls, Inc. Solid state ignition control
US4304545A (en) * 1978-12-04 1981-12-08 Johnson Controls, Inc. Fuel supply and ignition control system employing flame sensing via spark electrodes
US4459097A (en) * 1979-08-27 1984-07-10 Kidde, Inc. Fuel burner control apparatus
WO1981001605A1 (en) * 1979-12-05 1981-06-11 Johnson Controls Inc Fuel supply and ignition control system employing flame sensing via spark electrodes
US4329628A (en) * 1980-07-31 1982-05-11 Honeywell Inc. Relaxation oscillator type spark generator
US4375951A (en) * 1980-08-18 1983-03-08 Honeywell Inc. Bilevel flame signal sensing circuit
FR2506098A1 (fr) * 1981-05-12 1982-11-19 Rv Const Electriques Circuit de commande d'un element semi-conducteur de puissance et application a un dispositif de securite pour bruleur
US4457701A (en) * 1981-05-12 1984-07-03 Constructions Electriques R.V. Control circuit for a semi-conductor power element and application to a burner safety device
US4444551A (en) * 1981-08-27 1984-04-24 Emerson Electric Co. Direct ignition gas burner control system
US4604046A (en) * 1981-08-27 1986-08-05 Mueller Carl J Direct ignition gas burner control system
US4519771A (en) * 1982-04-02 1985-05-28 U.S. Philips Corporation Flame detection system with isolation between burner and electronic control device
EP0104129A2 (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-03-28 Emerson Electric Co. Gas burner control system
EP0104129A3 (en) * 1982-09-22 1984-05-09 Emerson Electric Co. Gas burner control system
US4565519A (en) * 1983-01-21 1986-01-21 Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc. Burner ignition system
US4972152A (en) * 1989-08-06 1990-11-20 Finn Edwin R Apparatus and method for testing ignition modules and components of gas burners
US5085574A (en) * 1989-10-12 1992-02-04 Hamilton Standard Controls, Inc. Fail-safe valve relay driver circuit for gas burners
US5230280A (en) * 1991-08-06 1993-07-27 Lil' Orbits, Inc. Gas fired donut system
US5392697A (en) * 1991-08-06 1995-02-28 Lil' Orbits, Inc. Convertible gas or electric fired donut system
US6743010B2 (en) * 2002-02-19 2004-06-01 Gas Electronics, Inc. Relighter control system
US7850447B1 (en) 2004-07-30 2010-12-14 Wolf Appliance, Inc. Dual disc electrode
US20060290389A1 (en) * 2005-06-23 2006-12-28 Honeywell International, Inc. Flame detector trapezoidal excitation generator output control circuit and method
US7553152B2 (en) 2005-06-23 2009-06-30 Honeywell International Inc. Flame detector trapezoidal excitation generator output control circuit and method
US20100061034A1 (en) * 2008-09-11 2010-03-11 Robertshaw Controls Company Low Voltage Power Supply for Spark Igniter and Flame Sense
US7944678B2 (en) 2008-09-11 2011-05-17 Robertshaw Controls Company Low voltage power supply for spark igniter and flame sense
CN112443862A (zh) * 2019-08-28 2021-03-05 香港中华煤气有限公司 火焰点燃和检测系统以及包含其的燃气装置
CN112443862B (zh) * 2019-08-28 2023-04-07 香港中华煤气有限公司 火焰点燃和检测系统以及包含其的燃气装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL7415800A (nl) 1975-06-10
JPS5089940A (nl) 1975-07-18
CA1030245A (en) 1978-04-25
NL166533B (nl) 1981-03-16
GB1480947A (en) 1977-07-27
JPS5838696B2 (ja) 1983-08-24
NL166533C (nl) 1981-08-17

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Effective date: 19820302