Apparatus for regulating heater cycles to improve forced-air heating system efficiency
First Claim
1. A method of regulating cycles in a forced air heating system having a burner, a heat exchanger, and a fan, said method comprising the steps of:
- making a plurality of measurements of a temperature of air output from the heat exchanger;
observing a temperature measurement of the plurality, after the burner has turned on;
initializing a confirmation interval when two consecutive temperature measurements of the plurality are substantially the same;
observing a temperature measurement of the plurality at an end of the confirmation interval;
if the temperature measurement at the end of the confirmation interval is substantially the same as the two consecutive temperature measurements;
recording said same temperature measurement as a steady state temperature; and
interrupting firing of the burner for an interrupt interval;
said interrupt interval being insufficient to allow the heat exchanger'"'"'s temperature to fall below a useful value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus of regulating cycles of a burner in a forced air heating system. A control unit uses a sensor at an output of a heat exchanger to make measurements of a temperature of air output from the heat exchanger. The control unit observes temperature measurements, after the burner has turned on. It initializes a confirmation interval when two consecutive temperature measurements are the same. If the temperature is the same at an end of the confirmation interval. The invention interrupts firing of the burner for an interrupt interval. The interrupt interval is insufficient to allow the heat exchanger to cool below a temperature useful for heating below which the circulation fan would shut off.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of regulating cycles in a forced air heating system having a burner, a heat exchanger, and a fan, said method comprising the steps of:
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making a plurality of measurements of a temperature of air output from the heat exchanger; observing a temperature measurement of the plurality, after the burner has turned on; initializing a confirmation interval when two consecutive temperature measurements of the plurality are substantially the same; observing a temperature measurement of the plurality at an end of the confirmation interval; if the temperature measurement at the end of the confirmation interval is substantially the same as the two consecutive temperature measurements; recording said same temperature measurement as a steady state temperature; and interrupting firing of the burner for an interrupt interval; said interrupt interval being insufficient to allow the heat exchanger'"'"'s temperature to fall below a useful value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for regulating burner run cycles in a forced air heating system, said apparatus comprising:
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sensor means for measuring temperature of air output from a heat exchanger; electronic circuit means for; recording a first start time at a time when the burner turns on; monitoring the sensor means; initializing a confirmation interval when two consecutive temperature measurements of the plurality are substantially the same; observing a temperature measurement at an end of the confirmation interval; if the temperature measurement at the end of the confirmation interval is substantially the same as the two consecutive temperature measurements; recording a first stop time, determining an elapsed time from the first start time to the first stop time, recording said same temperature measurement as a steady state temperature, interrupting firing of the burner for an interrupt interval.
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15. In a forced air heating system having:
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a burner; a heat exchanger; a heat exchanger air output; a space energy value sensor; a heat exchanger energy value sensor; a circulating air pump; an improvement comprising; sensor means for measuring temperature of air output from a heat exchanger; electronic circuit means for; recording a first start time at a time when the burner turns on; monitoring the sensor means; initializing a confirmation interval when two consecutive temperature measurements of the plurality are substantially the same; observing a temperature measurement at an end of the confirmation interval; if the temperature measurement at the end of the confirmation interval is substantially the same as the two consecutive temperature measurements; recording a first stop time, determining an elapsed time from the first start time to the first stop time, recording said same temperature measurement as a steady state temperature, interrupting firing of the burner for an interrupt interval. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification