Temperature control system with thermoelectric and rechargeable energy sources
First Claim
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1. A temperature control system for burner means including a pilot burner and a main burner having an associated gas valve means for controlling gas thereto, said system comprising:
- thermoelectric generator means responsive to a flame from said pilot burner to generate a direct current potential;
switch means for controlling the opening and closing of said gas valve means;
converter means for converting the direct current potential to an oscillating current output voltage;
direct current power supply means for receiving the oscillating output voltage and outputting a direct current (DC) output voltage, wherein said DC output voltage is at a higher potential than said direct current potential;
control means for controlling operation of said switch means in response to an actual sensed temperature and a setpoint temperature, and for activating said converter means; and
rechargeable energy source means for supplying power to said control means, said DC output voltage recharging said rechargeable energy source means.
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Abstract
A temperature control system for a gas-fired appliance which uses a thermoelectric device to develop power for recharging a primary energy source, such as a rechargeable battery. The present invention provides a reliable and efficient system for controlling and powering a temperature control system.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A temperature control system for burner means including a pilot burner and a main burner having an associated gas valve means for controlling gas thereto, said system comprising:
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thermoelectric generator means responsive to a flame from said pilot burner to generate a direct current potential; switch means for controlling the opening and closing of said gas valve means; converter means for converting the direct current potential to an oscillating current output voltage; direct current power supply means for receiving the oscillating output voltage and outputting a direct current (DC) output voltage, wherein said DC output voltage is at a higher potential than said direct current potential; control means for controlling operation of said switch means in response to an actual sensed temperature and a setpoint temperature, and for activating said converter means; and rechargeable energy source means for supplying power to said control means, said DC output voltage recharging said rechargeable energy source means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A temperature control system for burner means including an ignition means having an igniter and an associated solid state ignition module, and a main burner having an associated gas valve means for controlling gas thereto, said system comprising:
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thermoelectric generator means responsive to a flame from said main burner to generate a direct current potential; switch means for controlling the opening and closing of said gas valve means; converter means for converting the direct current potential to an oscillating current output voltage; direct current power supply means for receiving the oscillating output voltage and outputting a direct current (DC) output voltage, wherein said DC output voltage is at a higher potential than said direct current potential; control means for controlling operation of said switch means in response to an actual sensed temperature and a setpoint temperature, and for activating said converter means; and rechargeable energy source means for supplying power to said control means, said DC output voltage recharging said rechargeable energy source means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A temperature control system for a burner means including main burner means having an associated gas valve means for controlling a supply of gas thereto, and ignition means for igniting the main burner, said system comprising:
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thermoelectric generator means responsive to a flame from one of said main burner means and said ignition means to generate a direct current potential; voltage conversion means for converting the direct current potential to a direct current (DC) output voltage, wherein said DC output voltage is at higher potential than said direct current potential; control means for controlling operation of the associated gas valve means, the ignition means, and the voltage conversion means, and for monitoring an actual sensed temperature and a setpoint temperature; and rechargeable energy source means for supplying power to said control means, said DC output voltage recharging said rechargeable energy source means. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification