Photovoltaic control system
First Claim
1. Self-contained apparatus for controlling burning of a fuel in a burner comprising:
- a burner;
controller means for controlling burning of fuel in the burner;
an emissive surface heated by burning of fuel in the burner; and
photovoltaic means connected to the controller means for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the emissive surface and for generating sufficient electric current and voltage from such radiation for operating the controller means with no other source of electric power.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (1) is disclosed for controlling oxidation of a fuel in an oxidation source (2,3). The apparatus includes photovoltaic means (5) for receiving electromagnetic radiation (6) from the oxidation source and for producing electric power having a given electric power magnitude. An oxidation control (8, 1A, 1B, 288, 325) is coupled to, and driven, by, the photovoltaic means for controlling the oxidation. The oxidation is adjusted when the electric power is less than the given electric power magnitude. Oxidation may also be adjusted when a hazardous gas is detected. The apparatus (1A) may be used to power various electronic circuits. The apparatus (1B) may also be used to maintain the efficiency of the combustion source. A novel arrangement (248) for operating a fuel control valve is also disclosed. An apparatus (418) for controlling a portable heater is also disclosed.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. Self-contained apparatus for controlling burning of a fuel in a burner comprising:
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a burner; controller means for controlling burning of fuel in the burner; an emissive surface heated by burning of fuel in the burner; and photovoltaic means connected to the controller means for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the emissive surface and for generating sufficient electric current and voltage from such radiation for operating the controller means with no other source of electric power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21)
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18. A high-speed, self-powered safety shutoff for a gas appliance comprising:
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a main burner; a pilot burner for igniting the main burner; a valve for permitting or interrupting gas flow to the pilot burner and main burner; electromagnetic means for temporarily latching the valve in its open position; an emissive surface in the flame of the pilot burner; photovoltaic means coupled directly to the electromagnetic means for receiving radiation from the emissive surface and generating sufficient electric power for maintaining the valve in its open position with no other source of electric power; and means for biasing the valve toward its closed position when electric power from the photovoltaic means decreases below a predetermined magnitude. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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22. A self-powered control system for a fuel burning apparatus:
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a porous surface combustion burner; fuel control means for delivering fuel to the porous surface combustion burner; a blower for delivering air to the porous surface combustion burner; and photovoltaic means connected to the fuel control means and the blower for receiving electromagnetic radiation from the surface of the porous surface combustion burner and producing sufficient electric current and voltage for operating the fuel control means and the blower with no other source of electric power. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for producing electric power for self powering a fuel burning heating device without an outside source of electricity, the apparatus characterized by
fuel valve means for delivering fuel to a pilot flame of a hearing device; -
an emissive surface in the pilot flame of the heating device; photovoltaic means connected to the fuel valve means for receiving electromagnetic radiation produced from the emissive surface when heated and for producing electric current and voltage having a sufficient electric power magnitude from the electromagnetic radiation from the emissive surface for maintaining the fuel valve means in an open position and for interrupting fuel flow when the electric power magnitude decreases.
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Specification