Self-contained electric igniter with rechargeable battery
First Claim
1. A self-contained ignition system for a gas burning heating unit having a pilot burner and a main gas burner, which comprises conduit means to conduct incoming gas to the pilot burner and the main gas burner, a rechargeable battery of a predetermined capacity located in the system, an igniter electrically connected to the battery, a pilot pressure switch activated by the pressure of the gas flowing to the pilot burner to initiate current flow from the battery to the igniter and thereby provide a spark from the igniter to ignite the gas flowing from the pilot burner, a main gas valve controlling the flow of gas through the main gas burner conduit means to the main gas burner, a voltage generating means located adjacent the pilot burner and actuated by the flame of the burner to produce a voltage providing a current to electrically open the main gas valve, additional voltage generating means in series with the first generating means and located adjacent the first named generating means and heated by the main gas burner to generate a predetermined voltage, a burner pressure switch connected to the main gas burner conduit means and actuated by the pressure of the gas in the main gas burner conduit means to establish an electrical circuit between the voltage generating means and the battery to recharge the battery and means in the circuit between the battery and the voltage generating means to prevent reverse flow of current from the battery to the generating means and a safety valve disposed in the pilot burner conduit means and constructed to close within a predetermined length of time in the event the pilot burner fails to ignite the incoming gas.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-contained electric igniter in which the ignition pilot is actuated by a rechargeable battery to supply energy for the spark provided by an igniter. All energy for opening the valve of the main gas valve is supplied by a millivolt thermopile generator which together with additional thermopiles charges the battery. A diode is located in the battery charging line to prevent reverse flow of current from the battery to the thermopiles. The system has a safety valve which closes off flow of gas into the system in the event the pilot burner fails to ignite and a flame switch which closes off the flow of current to the main gas valve and consequent flow of gas into the system in the event the pilot burner is extinguished. It also has a damper control system which is closed when the system is shut off to reduce stand-by losses and conserve energy.
70 Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A self-contained ignition system for a gas burning heating unit having a pilot burner and a main gas burner, which comprises conduit means to conduct incoming gas to the pilot burner and the main gas burner, a rechargeable battery of a predetermined capacity located in the system, an igniter electrically connected to the battery, a pilot pressure switch activated by the pressure of the gas flowing to the pilot burner to initiate current flow from the battery to the igniter and thereby provide a spark from the igniter to ignite the gas flowing from the pilot burner, a main gas valve controlling the flow of gas through the main gas burner conduit means to the main gas burner, a voltage generating means located adjacent the pilot burner and actuated by the flame of the burner to produce a voltage providing a current to electrically open the main gas valve, additional voltage generating means in series with the first generating means and located adjacent the first named generating means and heated by the main gas burner to generate a predetermined voltage, a burner pressure switch connected to the main gas burner conduit means and actuated by the pressure of the gas in the main gas burner conduit means to establish an electrical circuit between the voltage generating means and the battery to recharge the battery and means in the circuit between the battery and the voltage generating means to prevent reverse flow of current from the battery to the generating means and a safety valve disposed in the pilot burner conduit means and constructed to close within a predetermined length of time in the event the pilot burner fails to ignite the incoming gas.
Specification