Method of regulating the fuel-air mixture in a burner

• US 4,978,291 A
• Filed: 10/06/1989
• Issued: 12/18/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary T. Nakai
• Original Assignee: Gary T. Nakai
• Inventors: Nakai, Gary T.
• Primary Examiner(s): BENNETT, HENRY A
• Application Number:
  US07/417,825
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 431/80, 431/81, 431/79, 431/12, 237/2 A, 237/12.3 C
• US Class Current: 431/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/032 from the cooling liquid of the propulsion plant and from a burner
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/2206 controlling the operation of burners control of burners in general F23N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2231 for proper or safe operation of the heater
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2256 related to the operation of the heater itself, e.g. flame detection or overheating
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 3/06 with compression ignition compression ignition engines using air or gas for blowing fuel into compressed air in cylinder F02B13/02
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/10 by heating of engine coolants
• CPC Class Codes: F23D 3/40 the capillary action taking place in one or more rigid porous bodies
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 1/285 with the fire tubes arranged alongside the combustion chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 7/1669 the conduit assemblies having an annular shape; the conduits being assembled around a central distribution tube

Abstract

A method for regulating the fuel-air mixture in a fuel burner to maximize combustion and minimizing smoking is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of monitoring temperature variations in the heat produced by the burner; incrementally increasing fuel delivery when a temperature decrease is indicated; detecting air delivery to the burner; incrementally increasing air delivery to the burner when a temperature increase is indicated and air delivery is not at a maximum; and decreasing by less than a full increment fuel delivery to the burner when a temperature increase is indicated and air delivery is at maximum.

Claims

1. A method for regulating the fuel-air mixture of a fuel burner, said burner having a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the heat produced by the burner, a fuel pump for delivering fuel to the burner, means for controlling fuel delivery by a predetermined increment or a fraction thereof, a blower for delivering air to the burner, means for incrementally controlling air delivery and means for detecting air delivery to the burner up to a predetermined maximum, comprising the steps of:

(a) monitoring the temperature of the heat produced by the burner to detect whether a change in temperature has occurred over a predetermined interval of time;

(b) increasing fuel delivery by an increment when a decrease in said change in temperature has been detected;

(c) detecting air delivery to the burner when an increase in said change in temperature has been detected;

(d) increasing air delivery by an increment, when an increase in said change of temperature has been detected and air delivery is not at maximum; and

(e) decreasing fuel delivery by a fraction of an increment when an increase in said change of temperature has been detected and air delivery is at maximum.