Boiler burner balancing counter control system

Claim 2

A multi-bank multi-burner furnace boiler burner balancing control system comprising: sepaRate electronic circuits for counting the number of burners in operation in each bank of burners, an additive/subtractive amplifier circuit connected to said burner counting circuits, electronic comparator circuit means responsive to said amplifier circuit for comparing the actual number of burners in operation in one bank with another, AND-gate circuit means for utilizing the outputs of said comparator circuit means as logic to produce output signals responsive to a difference in the number of burners in operation in one bank with respect to another, and control circuit means responsive to such output signals for operating said burners, to keep the number of burners in operation in said banks equal to one another.

Claim 3

The invention as defined by claim 1, in which the burner banks under control are located in opposite portions of a common chamber.

Claim 4

The invention as defined by claim 1, in which the burner banks under control are located in different chambers of a multi-chambered furnace.

Claim 5

The invention as defined by claim 1, in which each of the electronic flame counting circuits comprises flame detector means for sensing the ''''ON'''' - ''''OFF'''' state of each burner by ''''looking'''' continuously at the region of combustion thereof; an individual transistor having an input circuit responsive to the activation of the corresponding flame detector means, and an output circuit; a common counting circuit for each bank of burners, across which the transistor output circuits thereof are connected in parallel, and are, in turn, connected to the amplifier circuit means.

Claim 6

The invention as defined by claim 4, in which the electronic comparator circuit means are responsive to digital voltage changes in said counting circuits corresponding another a selected number in each bank, whereby when one bank contains more or less burners in operation than in anothe bank, corresponding correctional signals are applied to said AND-gate circuit means to bring the burners in operation into balance.

Claim 7

The invention as defined by claim 5, in which said electronic comparator circuit means comprises comparators corresponding in number to the number of burner banks in operation, and said AND-gate circuit means comprises two AND-gates for each comparator, and a load-demand control circuit is provided having output connections serving as differential load-demand inputs to said AND-gates for controlling the number of burners in operation in the banks to maintain the demand for heat.

Claim 8

The invention as defined by claim 6, in which the bank-burner control circuits are controlled by the outputs of said AND-gates for turning such burners ''''OFF'''' and ''''ONas may be required, and individual fuel supply pipes for each burner are provided having a solenoid-valve therein that is operated by the corresponding bank-burner control circuit to open and close said solenoid-valve and thereby turn the corresponding burner ''''ON'''' and ''''OFF.''''

Claim 9

Method of continuously balancing the number of burners in operation in a multi-bank of multi--burners in furnace boiler, which comprises: continuously electronically counting the number of burners in operation in each bank by continuously inspecting the region of combustion of each burner with a suitable sensor, deriving a voltage signal the logic of which is a function of the number of burners in operation in each bank by virtue of the operation of each burner being sensed, electronically comparing the resulting voltage logic signals of the burner banks by applying such signals to voltage comparators equal in number to the burner banks to thereby produce output signals responsive to a difference in the number of burners in operations in the several banks, and using such output signals to correct any imbalance between the banks by automatically shutting-off and turning-on a selected number of burners in the propEr bank to bring them back into equalization with the other bank as may be required by the load-demand on the furnace.

Claim 10

Method of continuously balancing the number of burners in operation in a multi-bank of multi--burners in furnace boiler, which comprises: continuously electronically counting the number of burners in operation in each bank by continuously inspecting the region of combustion of each burner with a suitable sensor, deriving a voltage signal the logic of which is a function of the number of burners in operation in each bank by virtue of the operation of each burner being sensed, electronically comparing the resulting voltage logic signals of the burner banks by applying such signals to voltage comparators equal in number to the burner banks to thereby produce output signals responsive to a difference in the number of burners in operations in the several banks, and using such output signals to correct any imbalance between the banks by automatically shutting-off and turning-on a selected number of burners in the propEr bank to bring them back into equalization with the other bank as may be required by the load-demand on the furnace.

Claim 11

A multi-burner flame balancing system for selectively controlling the on-off operation of fuel burners in different heating zones under a boiler so as to automatically equalize the number of burners in operation in such zones, comprising: flame sensitive means responsive to the operation of each of the burners in service in the different zones, an individual transistor input circuit connected to each flame sensitive means, a common constant voltage supply circuit for all of said flame-sensitive-input to circuits, a common voltage output circuit for the transistors of each of said zones, an additive/subtractive amplifier connected to such output circuit, a voltage reference circuit connected to said output circuit and said constant voltage supply circuit, voltage comparator circuits connected to the output terminal of said amplifier, AND-gates operatively connected to said comparator circuits, means including valves for supplying fuel to said burners, and valve control circuit means for operating said valves, whereby, when a signal is received calling for a change in the heat provided by the burners to the boiler, valves are operated so that the burners in operation in the different zones are kept in balance (equal).

Claim 12

A multi-burner flame balancing system for selectively controlling the on-off operation of fuel burners in different heating zones under a boiler so as to automatically equalize the number of burners in operation in such zones, comprising: flame sensitive means responsive to the operation of each of the burners in service in the different zones, an individual transistor input circuit connected to each flame sensitive means, a common constant voltage supply circuit for all of said flame-sensitive-input to circuits, a common voltage output circuit for the transistors of each of said zones, an additive/subtractive amplifier connected to such output circuit, a voltage reference circuit connected to said output circuit and said constant voltage supply circuit, voltage comparator circuits connected to the output terminal of said amplifier, AND-gates operatively connected to said comparator circuits, means including valves for supplying fuel to said burners, and valve control circuit means for operating said valves, whereby, when a signal is received calling for a change in the heat provided by the burners to the boiler, valves are operated so that the burners in operation in the different zones are kept in balance (equal).

Claim 13

The invention as defined by claim 9, in which means are provided for programming the comparators whereby the number of burners in each bank under the control of the logic of the amplifier is adjustable for preselecting such number from one to two and up.

Claim 14

The invention as defined by claim 10, in which said comparator programming means comprises a plurality of potentiometers associated with the inputs of each comparator, corresponding switch tapes connected to each potentiometer, switch arms having a fixed terminal connected to the opposite (+ and -) input terminals of said comparators, and a link connecting said switch arms for adjustment in unison to corresponding taps of said program means.