Combustion efficiency analyzer, acoustic

• US 4,959,638 A
• Filed: 07/03/1989
• Issued: 09/25/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Palmer, Herbert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US07/374,710
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 340/577, 73/116, 73/112, 73/602, 73/587, 431/75, 431/77, 431/78, 431/13
• US Class Current: 340/577
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2231/20 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/16 using noise-sensitive detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 3/08 Analysing frequencies present in complex vibrations, e.g. comparing harmonics present acoustic presence detection G01V1/001

Abstract

A device for monitoring combustion efficiency of a burner with a burner fe has an acoustic sensor probe positioned within the burner, flame signature generating circuitry responsive to the acoustic probe, means for correlating flame signatures with known optimum efficiency characteristics to yield an indication of relative combustion efficiency, and output means for display of the relative combustion efficiency.

Claims

1. An acoustic combustion efficiency analyzer for monitoring the combustion efficiency of a burner unit with a burner flame for optimum efficiency which comprises:

an acoustic sensor probe for providing an electrical signal from the burner flame,

an amplifier circuit interfaced with the acoustic sensor probe for processing the signal received from the acoustic sensor probe,

a frequency spectrum discrimination circuit interfaced with the amplifier circuit and a comparative processor for processing the signal received from the amplifier circuit,

a comparative processor interfaced with the frequency spectrum discriminating circuit and an output circuit for analysis of the signal by comparison with a known optimum efficiency signal, and

an output circuit interfaced with the comparative processor for monitoring and displaying the combustion efficiency of the burner unit.

2. The acoustic combustion efficiency analyzer as in claim 1 wherein the acoustic sensor probe comprises a transducer mounted to receive, within a preselected frequency range, the characteristic acoustic signals from the burner flame and convert the acoustic signals to electrical signals.