CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HEATING SYSTEMS

• US 20090013985A1
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FPI Fireplace Products International, Ltd. (NIBE Industrier AB)
• Original Assignee: FPI Fireplace Products International, Ltd. (NIBE Industrier AB)
• Inventors: Little, Robert A, Tham, Chi Ming, Coutts, Gordon Arthur Lloyd, Lau, George H.K., Lal, Davinder Gopal
• Granted Patent: US 7,870,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/67
• CPC Class Codes: F23K 3/14 feeding by screw
• CPC Class Codes: F24B 1/024 for pulverulent fuels
• CPC Class Codes: F24B 1/028 with means for regulating combustion

Abstract

An exemplary heating system can be configured with a control system configured for controlling the heating system to reduce inefficiencies, and/or allow the heating system to operate in a relatively optimum manner. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a closed-loop control system may be configured to control various portions of the heating system based, at least in part, upon signals and/or information received from various sensors of the heating system. For example, among various other types of information provided within a closed-loop feedback, control may be configured based upon the pressure within the combustion chamber. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the closed-loop control system may determine a portion of the heating system is not operating properly, based at least in part upon feedback from one or more sensors configured within the heating system.

Claims

1. A heating system, comprising:

a combustion chamber in which fuel is utilized to create heat; and

a control system configured for receiving at least one input signal from a sensor and configured of controlling the heating system to operate to reduce inefficiencies of the heating system, wherein said sensor is configured in a closed-loop feedback arrangement to facilitate control of said heating system.

2. The heating system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure within said combustion chamber, and said control system is further configured for controlling one or more variables of the heating system based at least in part upon a measured pressure.

3. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising a feed auger, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of a feed auger.

4. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising a combustion fan, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of a combustion fan.

5. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising a convection fan, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of a convection fan.

6. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising an ash auger, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of an ash auger.

7. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising a user interface capable of providing inputs to the controller to manipulate said one or more variables of said heating system.

8. The heating system according to claim 2, wherein the pressure in the combustion chamber is kept at a relatively optimal pressure, which is based at least in part upon a type of fuel being utilized and/or atmospheric variables.

9. A residential stove system configured for improved heat distribution to a heating area, comprising:

an air intake configured to receive external air into said stove system;

an exhaust vent configured to exhaust heated air produced from within said stove system; and

a control system configured for receiving a plurality of input signals from a plurality of sensors configured in a closed-loop feedback arrangement, and configured for controlling the stove system to operate to reduce inefficiencies of the heating system based at least in part upon said input signals, wherein said sensors comprise;

a pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure within said combustion chamber; and

a feed auger sensor capable of indicating if a feed auger is operating.

10. The stove system according to claim 9, wherein said control system is further capable of controlling one or more variables of the stove system based at least in part upon a measured pressure, and/or atmospheric variables.

11. The stove system according to claim 10, further comprising a feed auger, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of the feed auger.

12. The stove system according to claim 10, further comprising a combustion fan, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of the combustion fan.

13. The stove system according to claim 10, further comprising a convection fan, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of the convection fan.

14. The stove system according to claim 10, further comprising an ash auger, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of the ash auger.

15. The stove system according to claim 10, further comprising a user interface capable of providing inputs to the controller to manipulate said one or more variables of said heating system.

16. The stove system according to claim 9, wherein the pressure in the combustion chamber is kept at a relatively optimal pressure, which is based at least in part upon a type of fuel being utilized.

17. The stove system according to claim 9, wherein said control system comprises a remote control device to provide various operational parameters to enable control of said stove system.

18. A method for reducing inefficiencies in a residential stove system, comprising:

measuring a pressure within a combustion chamber, said measuring provided through a closed-loop arrangement of a pressure sensor with a control system and the stove system; and

controlling one or more parameters of the stove system;

wherein said controlling comprises manipulating the one or more portions of the stove system based at least in part upon said measured pressure, to reduce inefficiencies with said stove system.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said manipulating further comprises selectably manipulating a feed auger, a combustion fan, a convection fan, and an ash auger.