Abstract A system for detecting a fault in the output signal of a flame scanner circuit, the system comprising ball means, normally gravity biased to a nonblocking position, periodically pneumatically activated to intercept, and block, the scanning view of a glow discharge tube detector used to indicate the presence of a flame. A logic circuit having an AND gate receives independent signals from the pneumatic activating means for the ball means (indicating ball means actuation) and from the flame scanner circuit (indicating positive firing of the glow discharge tube detector). The tube detector, of course, should not be firing, and thus signaling the existence of a flame, when its scanning view is blocked by the ball means. If both of the abovementioned signals reach the AND gate at the same instant, the gate will operate to pass a signal to a fault indicator which may operate any suitable alarm means to indicate a fault in the glow discharge tube detector.
Inventors
👤 Vytautas Pileika
👤 Harry B Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-06 05:51
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23M; F23M11/00; F23M11/04; F23M11/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In a fault detection apparatus for a flame scanner system being energized by a glow discharge tube detector, the improvement comprising: ball means, ball actuating means, said ball means being located in relationship to said glow discharge tube detector so as to intercept and block the flame detecting view of said tube detector upon periodic positive actuation thereof by said actuating means, a logic circuit having an AND gate therein, said AND gate receiving independent signals from said glow discharge tube detector and said actuating means indicating positive operating conditions thereof, a fault indicating means operatively connected to said logic circuit so as to be activated when said independent signals reach said AND gate simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a fault detection apparatus for a flame scanner system being energized by a glow discharge tube detector, the improvement comprising: ball means, ball actuating means, said ball means being located in relationship to said glow discharge tube detector so as to intercept and block the flame detecting view of said tube detector upon periodic positive actuation thereof by said actuating means, a logic circuit having an AND gate therein, said AND gate receiving independent signals from said glow discharge tube detector and said actuating means indicating positive operating conditions thereof, a fault indicating means operatively connected to said logic circuit so as to be activated when said independent signals reach said AND gate simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ball actuating means comprises a pneumatic pressure means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pneumatic pressure means comprises a source of pneumatic pressure, a channel for said ball means, said channel intersecting the path of said flame detecting view of said glow discharge tube detector, a valve means between said pneumatic source and said channel, and a timer means for periodically opening said valve means to allow said pressure to move said ball in said channel to intercept and block said view path of said glow discharge tube detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said ball means is a hollow stainless steel ball.