Gas burner regulating system

• US 6,561,791 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell BV (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Gerretsen, Tom, Vrolijk, Enno
• Primary Examiner(s): Yeung, James C.
• Application Number:
  US09/701,664
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 431/90, 431/12, 431/89, 431/76, 431/80, 431/20, 236/15.BD, 236/15.BB, 236/15.E
• US Class Current: 431/12
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 1/022 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2005/181 using detectors sensitive to rate of flow of air
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2225/04 pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/02 Starting or ignition cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2233/00 Ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2235/16 variable flow or proportional valves
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2900/05181 Controlling air to fuel ratio by using a single differential pressure detector
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/184 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/188 using mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/24 Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements F23N5/02 - F23N5/18 take precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a regulating system for a gas burner. Regulating systems for gas burners are used for guiding a gas flow and a combustion air flow to the burner. The gas flow can be regulated depending on combustion air pressure. Pressure is measured in known regulating devices with the aid of a membrane, that is pneumatically. The pneumatic pressure measurement limits the scope of application of known regulating devices. In the invention regulating device, a sensor (16) is arranged between a first line (10) guiding a gas flow and a second line (12) guiding the combustion air flow, an electric or electronic signal (19) being generated by the sensor that is used to regulate the gas valve (11).

Claims

1. A regulating device for a gas burner system, the gas burner system including a first line through which a gas stream flows from a gas valve to a gas nozzle, and a second line through which a combustion air stream flows from a blower, the gas nozzle located downstream from the blower and a throttle point in the second line, the regulating device comprising, in combination:

a first measuring point on the first line, the first measuring point positioned upstream from the gas nozzle;

a second measuring point on the second line, the second measuring point positioned upstream of the throttle point;

a sensor coupled to the first measuring point and the second measuring point, the sensor providing a signal indicating a pressure differential; and

a control unit operative to provide a regulating signal to an actuating drive for controlling the gas valve.

2. The regulating device of claim 1, wherein the actuating drive associated with the gas valve receives the regulating signal generated as a function of the signal indicating the pressure differential.

3. The regulating device of claim 1, wherein an oscillating signal results from the regulating signal and can be monitored to ensure proper operation of the regulating device.

4. A regulating device for a gas burner system, the gas burner system including a first line through which a gas stream flows from a gas valve to a gas nozzle, and a second line through which a combustion air stream flows from a blower, the gas nozzle located downstream from the blower and a throttle point in the second line, the regulating device comprising, in combination:

a coupling line connected to the second line downstream of the throttle point and the first line upstream of the gas nozzle, the coupling line containing a first contraction and a second contraction, the first contraction controlling the amount of gas being supplied to the coupling line, the second contraction controlling the amount of air being supplied to the coupling line;

a first measuring point on the coupling line, the first measuring point positioned between the first contraction and the second contraction;

a second measuring point on the second line, the second measuring point positioned upstream of the throttle point;

a sensor coupled to the first measuring point and the second measuring point, the sensor providing a signal indicating a pressure differential; and

a control unit operative to provide a regulating signal to an actuating drive for controlling the gas valve.

5. The regulating device of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first contraction and the second contraction is adjustable.

6. The regulating device of claim 4, wherein a transmission ratio between the gas stream and the combustion air stream is modified by an adjustable first contraction or an adjustable second contraction.

7. The regulating device of claim 4, wherein the regulating signal produces an oscillating signal that can be monitored to ensure proper operation of the regulating system.

8. A method for regulating a gas-air mixture to a gas burner system, the gas burner system including a first line through which a gas stream flows from a gas valve to a gas nozzle, and a second line through which a combustion air stream flows from a blower, the gas nozzle located downstream from the blower and a throttle point in the second line, comprising in combination:

providing a signal indicating a differential pressure between the first line and the second line; and

regulating an actuating drive based on the signal, thereby controlling the gas valve.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the differential pressure is measured between a first measuring point positioned upstream from the gas nozzle and a second measuring point positioned upstream from the throttle point.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein regulating the actuating drive includes receiving the signal indicating the pressure differential and providing a regulating signal to the actuating drive.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein monitoring the regulating signal includes monitoring a resulting oscillating signal to ensure proper operation of the regulating system.

12. A method for regulating a gas-air mixture to a gas burner system, the gas burner system including a first line through which a gas stream flows from a gas valve to a gas nozzle and a second line through which a combustion air stream flows from a blower, the gas nozzle located downstream from the blower and a throttle point in the second line, the system further including a coupling line connected to the second line downstream of the throttle point and the first line upstream of the gas nozzle, the coupling line containing a first contraction and a second contraction, the method comprising in combination:

providing a signal indicating a differential pressure between the second line and the coupling line; and

regulating an actuating drive based on the signal, thereby controlling the gas valve.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the differential pressure is measured between a first measuring point positioned between the first contraction and the second contraction and a second measuring point positioned upstream of the throttle point.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein modifying a transmission ratio between the gas stream and the combustion air stream includes adjusting either the first or second contraction.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein monitoring the regulating signal includes monitoring a resulting oscillating signal to ensure proper operation of the regulating system.