Closed-loop control system for heating systems

• US 7,870,854 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2008
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FPI Fireplace Products International, Ltd. (NIBE Industrier AB)
• Original Assignee: FPI Fireplace Products International, Ltd. (NIBE Industrier AB)
• Inventors: Lau, George H. K., Tham, Chi Ming Gavin, Coutts, Gordon Arthur Lloyd, Little, Robert A., Lal, Davinder Gopal
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister; Steven B
• Assistant Examiner(s): NAMAY, DANIEL ELLIOT
• Application Number:
  US12/047,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20090013985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 126/67, 126/73, 126502-504, 110/297, 110/341, 110/101.C, 236/1.A, 236/1.C, 236/1.E, 236/10, 236/11, 236/15.R, 236/15.BA, 236/15.BB, 236/15.BD
• US Class Current: 126/73
• CPC Class Codes: F23K 3/14 feeding by screw
• CPC Class Codes: F24B 1/024 for pulverulent fuels
• CPC Class Codes: F24B 1/028 with means for regulating combustion

Abstract

An exemplary heating system can be configured with a control system configured for controlling the heating system to reduce inefficiencies, and/or allow the heating system to operate in a relatively optimum manner. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a closed-loop control system may be configured to control various portions of the heating system based, at least in part, upon signals and/or information received from various sensors of the heating system. For example, among various other types of information provided within a closed-loop feedback, control may be configured based upon the pressure within the combustion chamber. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the closed-loop control system may determine a portion of the heating system is not operating properly, based at least in part upon feedback from one or more sensors configured within the heating system.

Claims

1. A heating system, comprising:

a fuel input, configured to receive a plurality of fuel types;

a combustion chamber in which fuel is utilized to create heat;

a fuel key; and

a controller in electronic communication with said fuel key;

wherein said fuel key is configured to provide said controller with first operating parameters for a first fuel type such that said heating system operates to reduce inefficiencies,

wherein said fuel key is configured to provide said controller with second operating parameters for a second fuel type, and wherein said heating system continues to operate during a change from said first fuel type to said second fuel type and said heating system operates to reduce inefficiencies in response to operating with said second fuel type.

2. The heating system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure within said combustion chamber, and said control system is further configured for controlling one or more variables of said heating system based at least in part upon a measured pressure.

3. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising a feed auger, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of a feed auger.

4. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising a combustion fan, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of a combustion fan.

5. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising an ash auger, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of an ash auger.

6. The heating system according to claim 2, further comprising a user interface capable of providing inputs to said controller to manipulate said one or more variables of said heating system.

7. The heating system according to claim 1, wherein said pressure in said combustion chamber is kept within an optimal pressure range, which is based at least in part upon a type of fuel being utilized and/or atmospheric variables.

16. The heating system of claim 1, further comprising a content sensor configured within said combustion chamber, said content sensor configured to monitor at least one of a moisture content and a carbon content of said fuel within said combustion chamber.

8. A residential stove system configured for improved heat distribution to a heating area, comprising:

a fuel input configured to receive a plurality of fuel types;

a combustion chamber configured to receive a plurality of fuels types from said fuel input;

an air intake configured to receive external air into said stove system;

an exhaust vent configured to exhaust heated air produced from within said stove system;

a fuel key configured with operating parameters for one of said plurality of fuel types;

wherein said residential stove system continues to operate during a change from a first fuel type of said plurality of fuel types to a second fuel type of said plurality of fuel types; and

a control system configured for receiving operating parameters from said fuel key based on one of said plurality of fuel type and a plurality of input signals from a plurality of sensors configured in a closed-loop feedback arrangement, and configured for controlling said stove system to operate to reduce inefficiencies of said heating system based at least in part upon said input signals, wherein said sensors comprise;

a pressure sensor capable of measuring pressure within said combustion chamber;

a feed auger sensor capable of indicating if a feed auger is operating, and

a content sensor configured within said combustion chamber, said content sensor configured to monitor at least one of a moisture content and a carbon content of a fuel within said combustion chamber.

9. The stove system according to claim 8, wherein said control system is further capable of controlling one or more variables of said stove system based at least in part upon a measured pressure, and/or atmospheric variables.

10. The stove system according to claim 9, further comprising a combustion fan, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of said combustion fan.

11. The stove system according to claim 9, further comprising a convection fan, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of said convection fan.

12. The stove system according to claim 9, further comprising an ash auger, wherein one of said variables comprises operation of said ash auger.

13. The stove system according to claim 9, further comprising a user interface capable of providing inputs to said controller to manipulate said one or more variables of said heating system.

14. The heating system according to claim 8, wherein said pressure in said combustion chamber is kept within an optimal pressure range, which is based at least in part upon a type of fuel being utilized.

15. The stove system according to claim 8, wherein said control system comprises a remote control device to provide various operational parameters to enable control of said stove system.

17. The residential stove system of claim 8, wherein said fuel key is configured to provide said controller with first operating parameters for a first fuel type such that said residential stove system operates to reduce inefficiencies, and wherein said fuel key is configured to provide said controller with second operating parameters for a second fuel type such that said residential stove system continues to operate during a change from said first fuel type to said second fuel type and said residential stove system operates to reduce inefficiencies in response to operating with said second fuel type.