Flame detection apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A method for monitoring the status of a combustion unit having at least one burner, comprising the steps of:
- (a) acquiring a digital image of a flame corresponding to the burner;
(b) calculating a value for the relative light intensity of a frame defining an area of the image corresponding to the flame for the burner;
(c) comparing the relative light intensity value against a tolerance range for the frame;
(d) generating an alarm state output if the relative light intensity value is outside said tolerance range.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to flame detection apparatus and method. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring the status of a combustion unit having at least one bumer. Initially, a digital image of a flame corresponding to a flame is acquired. Next, a value for the relative light intensity of a frame defining an area of the image corresponding to the flame for the burner is calculated. The relative light intensity value is compared against a tolerance range for the frame. If the relative light intensity value is outside the tolerance range then an alarm state output is generated.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring the status of a combustion unit having at least one burner, comprising the steps of:
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(a) acquiring a digital image of a flame corresponding to the burner;
(b) calculating a value for the relative light intensity of a frame defining an area of the image corresponding to the flame for the burner;
(c) comparing the relative light intensity value against a tolerance range for the frame;
(d) generating an alarm state output if the relative light intensity value is outside said tolerance range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for monitoring the status of a combustion unit having a plurality of burners, comprising the steps of:
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(a) acquiring a digital image of a plurality of flames corresponding to the burners;
(b) calculating an array of relative light intensity values for a plurality of frames, each frame defining an area of the image corresponding to the flame for one of the burners;
(c) comparing the relative light intensity values against a tolerance range for each frame;
(d) generating an alarm state output for each relative light intensity value that is outside said tolerance range. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for monitoring the status of a combustion unit having a plurality of burners, comprising:
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a digital camera positioned adjacent the combustion unit for acquiring a digital image of a plurality of flames corresponding to the bumers;
a computer operatively coupled with the camera to receive the digital image, said computer programmed to (1) calculate an array of light intensity values relative to a baseline light intensity value for a plurality of frames, each frame defining a sub-area of the digital image corresponding to the flame for one of the burners, (2) compare the relative light intensity values against a tolerance range for each frame, and (3) generate an alarm state output for each relative light intensity value that is outside the tolerance range;
an alarm system activated by the alarm state output. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification