Gas fireplace monitoring and control system
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring and controlling features of a fireplace system, the fireplace system including a sensor module, a burner, and a valve, the method comprising:
- monitoring with the sensor module a condition of the burner;
communicating to a computer a fault condition based on the monitored burner condition, wherein the computer is located at a location remote from a living space within which the fireplace system is positioned; and
shutting off the valve when a predetermined fault condition is detected.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitoring and control system for use with a decorative heating appliance such as a fireplace, stove, or fireplace insert. The monitoring and control system includes a sensor module, a computer system, a controller, and a communication system. The sensor module is configured to monitor a burner, gas valve, and ignition system of the heating appliance and generate monitoring signals. The controller is configured to generate fault condition signals based on the monitoring signals. The communication system is configured to communicate the fault condition signals to the computer system, wherein the computer system is located remotely from a living space within which the heating appliance resides. The computer system is configured to generate control signals in response to predetermined fault condition signals and communicate those signals to the controller via the communication system for control of at least one of the burner, gas valve, and ignition system or other functions of the heating appliance.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring and controlling features of a fireplace system, the fireplace system including a sensor module, a burner, and a valve, the method comprising:
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monitoring with the sensor module a condition of the burner;
communicating to a computer a fault condition based on the monitored burner condition, wherein the computer is located at a location remote from a living space within which the fireplace system is positioned; and
shutting off the valve when a predetermined fault condition is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A monitoring and control system for use with a fireplace system, the fireplace system including a burner, a gas valve configured to control fuel flow to the burner, and an ignition system configured to ignite a flame at the burner, the monitoring and control system comprising:
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a sensor module configured to monitor the burner, gas valve, and ignition system and generate monitoring signals;
a computer system located at a location remote from a living space within which the fireplace system is exposed;
a controller configured to generate fault condition signals based on the monitoring signals;
a communication system configured to communicate the fault condition signals to the remote computer system;
wherein the computer system is configured to generate control signals in response to predetermined fault condition signals, and the communication system is configured to communicate the control signals to the controller for control of at least one of the burner, gas valve, and ignition system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A heating system, comprising:
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a fireplace, including;
an enclosure defining a combustion chamber, the enclosure including at least one panel that provides viewing into the combustion chamber;
a burner positioned in the combustion chamber and coupled to a source of combustible fuel, the burner being configured to generate a decorative flame;
a valve configured to control fuel flow to the burner; and
an ignition system; and
a monitoring and control system, comprising;
a controller configured to control functions of at least one of the burner, valve, and ignition system and generate fault signals in response to predetermined conditions of at least one of the burner, valve, and ignition system; and
a computer system positioned remotely from the fireplace, the computer system being configured to receive the fault signals and generate control signals for controlling functions of at least one of the gas valve, ignition system, and burner. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of monitoring and controlling performance of a fireplace system, the fireplace system comprising a combustion chamber, a burner positioned in the combustion chamber, an ignition system, a valve, a controller, and a plurality of sensors, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a status of the burner, the ignition system, and the valve with the plurality of sensors;
controlling the burner, the ignition system, and the valve with the controller in response to the monitored status; and
communicating a fault signal between the controller and computer in response to a predetermined monitored status, wherein the computer is located at a location remote from a living space within which the fireplace system resides. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification