Heating appliance control system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heating appliance, comprising:
- a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber;
a burner positioned to generate a flame within the combustion chamber enclosure;
a variable valve coupled to the burner;
a controller coupled to the variable valve, the controller configured to generate a control signal for the variable valve to adjust a flow of combustible fuel delivered to the burner to generate at least one of a plurality of flame characteristic; and
an input device coupled to the controller for selecting one of the plurality of flame characteristics.
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Abstract
A heating appliance control system provides flame and heat control based on a flame signal indicative of a selected flame characteristic. The flame characteristic may correspond to the frequency and amplitude of the flame, or may relate to a mean flame temperature over time, flame color, size, movement patter, or other physical or aesthetic characteristic of the flame. The heating appliance may also include a scent delivery system and a sound system that function independently or in synchronization with the flame characteristics.
98 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A heating appliance, comprising:
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a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber;
a burner positioned to generate a flame within the combustion chamber enclosure;
a variable valve coupled to the burner;
a controller coupled to the variable valve, the controller configured to generate a control signal for the variable valve to adjust a flow of combustible fuel delivered to the burner to generate at least one of a plurality of flame characteristic; and
an input device coupled to the controller for selecting one of the plurality of flame characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A gas fireplace comprising:
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a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber;
a burner positioned to generate a flame within the combustion chamber enclosure;
a variable valve configured to provide a combustible fuel to the burner;
an input device configured for selection of a plurality of flame effects; and
a controller coupled to the variable valve and the input device, the controller configured to control the variable valve according to at least one of the plurality of flame effects to thereby selectively controlling fuel flow to the burner. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A flame control system, comprising:
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an input device configured to provide selection of at least one flame effect;
a controller configured to produce a control signal corresponding to the at least one flame effect; and
a flame modulator configured to modulate a flame in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A heating appliance, comprising:
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a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber for the combustion of fuel;
a burner configured to combust the fuel to produce a flame;
a valve configured to control fuel flow to the burner; and
a controller configured to generate a flame control signal that is delivered to the valve, the valve controlling fuel flow in response to the flame control signal to alter an amplitude and frequency of the flame.
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33. A flame and sound system configured for use with a heating appliance, the system comprising:
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an input device configured for selection of at least one user preference;
a controller system configured to generate a flame control signal and a sound control signal in response to the at least one user preference;
a flame modulator configured to modulate a flame in response to the flame control signal; and
a sound generating device configured to produce sound in response to the sound control signal. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of controlling a flame in a fireplace, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting at least one flame effect using a input device;
generating a flame control signal corresponding to the at least one flame effect; and
controlling a flame characteristic in accordance with the flame control signal. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of controlling a heating appliance that includes a burner, a valve, a sound system, a scent delivery system, and a control system, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating a control signal with a controller and communicating the control signal to the valve, the sound system, and the scent delivery system;
controlling a fuel flow from the gas valve to the burner in response to the control signal;
controlling production of sound by the system in response to the control signal; and
controlling production of scent by the scent delivery system in response to the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (50)
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51. A method of thermostatically controlling a flame, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first room temperature measurement;
setting a target room temperature;
generating a flame having a first flame amplitude configured to provide heat sufficient to attain the target room temperature;
providing a second room temperature measurement;
determining a difference between the target room temperature and the second room temperature measurement; and
altering the first flame amplitude to a second flame amplitude when the determined difference is within a predetermined temperature range of the target room temperature.
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53. A flame and sound system configured for use with a heating appliance, the system comprising:
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an input device configured for selection of at least one user preference;
a controller system configured to generate a flame control signal and a scent control signal in response to the selected user preference;
a flame modulator configured to modulate a flame in response to the flame control signal; and
a scent generating device configured to generate a scent in response to the scent control signal. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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Specification