US4028047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric start-stop controls for gas burner
Assignee: DR TH WIELAND Firma
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Filing: 1975-12-19
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Granted: 1977-06-07
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Expires: 1995-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A device for electrically starting and stopping the operation of a gas burner in response to the shadow of the user's hand holding an object to be heated, the device including a solenoid valve in the gas line and a dimmer circuit with a directional photoelectric sensor, a switching amplifier, and a valve relay controlling the solenoid valve. The dimmer circuit can be bypassed for continuous operation by means of a selector switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Strunz
- 👤 Jurgen Rohrer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:22
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/02; F23N5/08; F23N5/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A device for electrically starting and stopping the operation of a bunsen burner, or of a comparable source-fed intermittently operable apparatus, in response to the presence in its immediate vicinity of and operator's hand holding an object to be heated by the burner, for example, the device comprising in combination: a gas line adapted for connection to a source of combustible gas; a solenoid valve in the gas line, the valve being normally closed and opening in response to the energization of the solenoid coil; a connection to a source of electrical power for the operation of the solenoid valve; and a dimmer switch circuit with a valve relay controlling the solenoid valve; and wherein said circuit includes means for photoelectrically sensing the presence of the operator's hand in the vicinity of the burner, by responding to its shadow in an ambient light field other than the light field which is created by the gas burner when its flame is burning.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A device for electrically starting and stopping the operation of a bunsen burner, or of a comparable source-fed intermittently operable apparatus, in response to the presence in its immediate vicinity of and operator's hand holding an object to be heated by the burner, for example, the device comprising in combination: a gas line adapted for connection to a source of combustible gas; a solenoid valve in the gas line, the valve being normally closed and opening in response to the energization of the solenoid coil; a connection to a source of electrical power for the operation of the solenoid valve; and a dimmer switch circuit with a valve relay controlling the solenoid valve; and wherein said circuit includes means for photoelectrically sensing the presence of the operator's hand in the vicinity of the burner, by responding to its shadow in an ambient light field other than the light field which is created by the gas burner when its flame is burning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 1, wherein: the electrical power connection and the dimmer switch circuit, including its photoelectric sensing means, form an assembly; said assembly and the solenoid valve form a compact portable structural unit; and the device further includes a housing enclosure for the aforementioned structural unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a housing serving as a base and support for the burner; and a gas connection on the housing as part of the gas line; and wherein the photoelectric sensing means includes a directional photoelectric sensor which is mounted on top of the housing; and the solenoid valve and various circuitry components of the dimmer switch circuit are arranged inside the housing, the dimmer switch circuit further including manually adjustable control members arranged on the outside of the housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 3, wherein the photoelectric sensing means of the dimmer switch circuit includes a directional photoelectric sensor and means for reorienting the sensing direction of said sensor in at least two adjustment directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 4, wherein the directional photoelectric sensor includes an upwardly open light tube and a photoelectric resistor cell arranged at the lower end of the tube; and the sensor reorienting means includes a universal pivot mount by means of which the sensor is mounted on the housing in the vicinity of the burner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 5, wherein the universal pivot mount includes disengageable connecting means in the form of a plug and socket connection between the universal pivot mount and the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a selector switch interposed between said electrical power connection and the dimmer switch circuit; said selector switch having a first switching position in which the solenoid valve is controlled by the valve relay of the dimmer switch circuit, and a second switching position in which the dimmer switch circuit is bypassed and the solenoid valve is linked directly with said electrical connection for a continuous activation of the solenoid valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 1, wherein the dimmer switch circuit includes: a switching amplifier with at least one transistor; a photoelectric resistor cell in the base circuit of said transistor; and means for adjustably shunting said base circuit in such a way that the resistance level at which the photoelectric resistor cell triggers the transistor changes in accordance with the setting of said shunting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A burner control device as defined in claim 8, wherein said shunting means is a variable resistor which is branched to the transistor base circuit between the photoelectric resistor cell and the base of the transistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-06 | 1980-12-06 | 1981-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-06 | 1984-12-06 | 1985-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-06 | 1988-12-06 | 1989-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |