Ignition boost and rectification flame detection circuit

• US 6,222,719 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1999
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Controls and Measurements Corporation
• Original Assignee: Andrew S. Kadah
• Inventors: Kadah, Andrew S.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US09/354,538
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 340/577-579, 431/264-266, 431/78, 361/247, 361/253, 361/254, 361/256, 361/257, 361/263, 361/159, 307/117
• US Class Current: 361/247
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/28 Ignition circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/36 Spark ignition, e.g. by means of a high voltage
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2235/14 electromagnetically operated
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/123 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: F23Q 3/004 Using semiconductor elements

Abstract

A gas furnace control circuit combines an igniter circuit and a rectification flame detection circuit. Pulsating current is applied respectively to inducer and gas valve relay coils to actuate the furnace. A rectifier supplies flyback pulses from the inducer relay coil to a capacitor arrangement to accumulate flyback voltage. An ignition transformer has its secondary connected to the igniter and flame detection probe for generating an ignition arc. A hysteresis switch is coupled between the capacitor and the primary of the ignition transformer discharges current from through the primary whenever the stored flyback voltage reaches a predetermined threshold. Another capacitor is connected to the gas valve relay coil. A transistor has a signal impedance connected with its drain or power electrode to define an output terminal. A resistor network has a first resistor with one end connected to the capacitor and a its other end connected to the gate or control electrode of the transistor. A second resistor is connected between the gate and source electrodes of the transistor. The ignition transformer secondary is also connected with the first resistor, so that the igniter and flame detection probe is connected through said transformer secondary and through the first resistor to the transistor. The transistor output is in a first state if flame is present, and in a second state if flame is not present in the burner.

Claims

1. Igniter circuit for a furnace gas burner in which an igniter starts a flame in the burner, and in which pulsating current is applied to a coil in order to actuate the furnace;

the igniter circuit comprising

a flyback rectifier having a first electrode connected to said relay coil and a second electrode;

charge storage means coupled to the second electrode of the flyback rectifier to accumulate a flyback voltage;

a step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the secondary winding being connected to the igniter to provide a high voltage thereto; and

switching means coupled between the first charge storage means and the primary winding of the step-up transformer for discharging the accumulated flyback voltage on said charge storage means, including a switching arrangement that automatically discharges said accumulated flyback voltage through said primary winding whenever the flyback voltage reaches a predetermined threshold.

2. Igniter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first charge storage means includes a first capacitor coupled between the second electrode of said diode and a point of reference voltage.

3. Igniter circuit according to claim 1, wherein said charge storage means includes a pair of capacitors and a diode connected between points of positive and negative voltage.

4. Igniter circuit according to claim 1, wherein switching arrangement includes a hysteresis switching arrangement.

5. Igniter circuit according to claim 4, wherein said hysteresis switching arrangement includes a controlled switching device having main electrodes connected respectively to the second terminal of said diode and to the primary winding of said step-up transformer.

6. Igniter circuit according to claim 5, wherein said controlled switching device includes also a control electrode, and said hysteresis switching arragement further comprises a zener device connected between said control electrode and one of said main electrodes.

7. Rectification flame detection circuit for detecting the presence of flame in a burner of a gas furnace, and in which pulsating current is applied to a relay coil in order to actuate the furnace, the flame detection circuit comprising

a capacitor having first and second electrodes, the first electrode being connected to one end of said relay coil;

a transistor having a control electrode, a common electrode and a power electrode, with a signal impedance being connected in series with said power electrode and a junction therebetween defining an output;

a first resistor having one end connected to the second electrode of said capacitor and a another electrode connected to the control electrode of said transistor;

a second resistor connected between the control and common electrodes of said transistor; and

a flame detection conductor disposed in said burner and being electrically connected to the one electrode of said first resistor;

such that the output is in one of an oscillating state or non-oscillating state if flame is present, and in the other state if flame is not present in the burner.

8. Rectification flame detection circuit according to claim 7, wherein said transistor includes a depletion mode FET.

9. Rectification flame detection circuit according to claim 7, wherein said relay coil is a solenoid of a gas valve relay.

10. Rectification flame detection circuit according to claim 8, wherein the common electrode of the transistor is a source electrode which is connected to circuit ground.

11. Combination gas burner igniter circuit and rectification flame detection circuit, in which an igniter and flame detection conductor starts a flame and also detects the presence of flame in a burner of a gas furnace, and in which pulsating current signals are applied respectively a first and second relay coils in order to actuate the furnace, the igniter circuit and flame detection circuit comprising

a flyback rectifier having a first electrode connected to the first relay coil and a second electrode;

charge storage means coupled to the second electrode of the flyback rectifier to accumulate a flyback voltage;

a step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the secondary winding being connected to the igniter and flame detection conductor to provide a high voltage thereto;

switching means coupled between the charge storage means and the primary winding of the step-up transformer for discharging the charge storage means through the primary winding whenever the stored flyback voltage reaches a suitable level to produce ignition;

a capacitor having first and second electrodes, the first electrode being connected to one end of the second relay coil;

a transistor having a control electrode, a common electrode and a power electrode, with a signal impedance being connected in series with said power electrode and a junction therebetween defining an output;

a first resistor having one end connected to the second electrode of said capacitor and a another end connected to the control electrode of said transistor;

a second resistor connected between the control and common electrodes of said transistor; and

one end of said transformer secondary being connected to the one end of said first resistor, so that the igniter and flame detection conductor is connected through said transformer secondary and through said first resistor to said transistor;

such that the output is in one of a first state and a second state if flame is present, and in the other state if flame is not present in the burner.

12. The combination gas burner igniter circuit and rectification flame detection circuit of claim 11, wherein said first state is an oscillating state and said second state is a steady low state.