OUTDOOR FURNACE MONITOR

• US 20090173259A1
• Filed: 12/11/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pentwater Group L LC
• Original Assignee: Pentwater Group L LC
• Inventors: Walborn, Warren W.
• Application Number:
  US12/332,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20090173259A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 110/185
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/104 Inspection; Diagnosis; Trial operation
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/20 characterised by control inputs
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/246 Water level
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/20 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

A monitoring system that provides a display, either local or remote, of operation information regarding an outdoor furnace or boiler system. The monitor polls various sensors, including information relative to water temperature, draft fan operation, pump operation, various switch status, safety status, and emissions status. The various sensors may be operationally connected wirelessly with the monitor. The monitor displays operational status information, including indications requiring operator attention. Thus, operator maintenance is more effectively applied as needed rather than also on an information gathering basis.

Claims

1. An outdoor furnace arrangement comprising:

a residence having a perimeter envelope and having a heat distribution device within the residence;

a heat generating furnace exterior to the residence perimeter envelope and operatively connected with the heat distribution device, whereby the furnace generates heat, the heat is transferred to the heat distribution device, and the heat is distributed within the residence;

a plurality of sensors disposed about the furnace;

a processing unit located at one of the furnace and the residence, the processing unit being operatively connected with each of the plurality of sensors; and

a display interface located within the residence, the interface being operatively connected with the processing unit.

2. The outdoor furnace arrangement of claim 1 wherein the processing unit is wirelessly connected with the sensors.

3. The outdoor furnace arrangement of claim 1 wherein the interface is wirelessly connected with the processing unit.

4. The outdoor furnace arrangement of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one of a water jacket temperature sensor, a draft fan operation sensor, a circulating pump operation sensor, a water level sensor, a safety switch status sensor, a firebox temperature sensor, a chimney temperature sensor, an environmental system operation sensor, an emissions safety switch status sensor, and a filtration status sensor.

5. The outdoor furnace arrangement of claim 1 further including a closed loop liquid circulating system that is operatively connected between the furnace and the heat distribution device and that is adapted to transfer heat between the furnace and the heat distribution device.

6. The outdoor furnace arrangement of claim 1 further including a closed loop liquid circulating system that is operatively connected between the furnace and the heat distribution device and that is adapted to transfer heat between the furnace and the heat distribution device, and wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one of a water jacket temperature sensor, a draft fan operation sensor, a circulating pump operation sensor, a water level sensor, a safety switch status sensor, a firebox temperature sensor, a chimney temperature sensor, an environmental system operation sensor, an emissions safety switch status sensor, and a filtration status sensor.

7. A method of monitoring an outdoor furnace comprising the steps of:

providing a residence with a perimeter envelope;

providing a heat distribution device within the perimeter envelope;

providing a heat generating furnace exterior to the perimeter envelope;

operatively connecting the furnace with the heat distribution device, whereby the furnace generates heat, the heat is transferred to the heat distribution device, and the heat is distributed within the residence;

providing a plurality of sensors disposed about the furnace;

providing a processing unit at one of the furnace and the residence, the processing unit being adapted to receive sensor signals, to process the signals, and to generate signals for a display interface;

operatively connecting each of the sensors with the processing unit;

providing a display interface located within the residence;

operatively connecting the interface with the processing unit; and

providing the processing unit with a preselected monitoring procedure program.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of operatively connecting each of the sensors with the processing unit includes wireless connection of each of the sensors with the processing unit.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of operatively connecting the interface with the processing unit includes wireless connection of the interface with the processing unit.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of providing a plurality of sensors includes providing at least one of a water jacket temperature sensor, a draft fan operation sensor, a circulating pump operation sensor, a water level sensor, a safety switch status sensor, a firebox temperature sensor, a chimney temperature sensor, an environmental system operation sensor, an emissions safety switch status sensor, and a filtration status sensor.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of operatively connecting the furnace with the heat distribution device further includes providing a closed loop liquid circulating system that is operatively connected between the furnace and the heat distribution device and that is adapted to transfer heat between the furnace and the heat distribution device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a plurality of sensors includes providing at least one of a water jacket temperature sensor, a draft fan operation sensor, a circulating pump operation sensor, a water level sensor, a safety switch status sensor, a firebox temperature sensor, a chimney temperature sensor, an environmental system operation sensor, an emissions safety switch status sensor, and a filtration status sensor.

13. In a residence having a perimeter envelope and having a heat distribution device within the residence, the residence being heated with a heat generating furnace that is exterior to the residence perimeter envelope and operatively connected with the heat distribution device, whereby the furnace generates heat, the heat is transferred to the heat distribution device, and the heat is distributed within the residence, the improvement of an outdoor furnace monitor comprising:

a plurality of sensors disposed about the furnace;

a processing unit located at one of the furnace and the residence, the processing unit being operatively connected with each of the plurality of sensors; and

a display interface located within the residence, the interface being operatively connected with the processing unit.

14. The outdoor furnace monitor of claim 13 wherein the processing unit is wirelessly connected with the sensors.

15. The outdoor furnace monitor of claim 13 wherein the interface is wirelessly connected with the processing unit.

16. The outdoor furnace monitor of claim 13 wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one of a water jacket temperature sensor, a draft fan operation sensor, a circulating pump operation sensor, a water level sensor, a safety switch status sensor, a firebox temperature sensor, a chimney temperature sensor, an environmental system operation sensor, an emissions safety switch status sensor, and a filtration status sensor.

17. The outdoor furnace monitor of claim 13 further including a closed loop liquid circulating system that is operatively connected between the furnace and the heat distribution device and that is adapted to transfer heat between the furnace and the heat distribution device.

18. The outdoor furnace monitor of claim 13 further including a closed loop liquid circulating system that is operatively connected between the furnace and the heat distribution device and that is adapted to transfer heat between the furnace and the heat distribution device, and wherein the plurality of sensors includes at least one of a water jacket temperature sensor, a draft fan operation sensor, a circulating pump operation sensor, a water level sensor, a safety switch status sensor, a firebox temperature sensor, a chimney temperature sensor, an environmental system operation sensor, an emissions safety switch status sensor, and a filtration status sensor.