×

Pilot flame powered burner controller with remote control operation

  • US 6,261,087 B1
  • Filed: 12/02/1999
  • Issued: 07/17/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A controller for a burner unit having a main burner and a standing pilot burner forming a pilot flame and mounted to ignite fuel flowing from the main burner, comprising:

  • a) an electrical generator receiving energy from the pilot flame for generating from the flame energy a first power voltage across first and second generator power terminals;

    b) an electrically operated fuel valve for receiving fuel from a fuel source and for controlling fuel flow to the main burner, said valve having an open state allowing fuel flow from the fuel source to the main burner responsive to presence of valve operating power across first and second valve power terminals of said valve, and closing responsive to absence of the valve operating power at the valve power terminals, said second valve power terminal in electrical connection to the second generator power terminal;

    c) a wireless signal receiver receiving at first and second receiver power terminals, operating power from the generator, said receiver for receiving a coded wireless control signal having encoded therein a control code having a preselected value specifying an operating condition for the burner unit, and providing a burner control signal encoding the preselected value of the control code;

    d) a logic unit receiving at first and second logic unit power terminals, power from the generator, and receiving the burner control signal, and responsive to the preselected value of the control code encoded in the burner control signal, providing a first switch closure signal; and

    e) a valve switch having a first valve switch power terminal connected to the first generator power terminal, a valve switch control terminal connected to receive the first switch closure signal, and a second valve switch power terminal connected to the first valve power terminal, wherein presence of the valve switch closure signal at the valve switch control terminal causes the first and second valve switch power terminals to electrically connect, thereby connecting the first generator power terminal to the first valve power terminal, said generator providing at least a portion of the valve operating power when the first and second valve switch terminals are connected.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×