US4329138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proving system for fuel burner blower
Assignee: Kidde Inc
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Filing: 1980-06-12
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Granted: 1982-05-11
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Expires: 2000-06-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a fuel burner system including an electrical control circuit for initiating fuel flow to a burner in response to a call-for-heat from a condition responsive sensor, and an electrical ignitor for igniting the fuel emanating from the burner. Combustion or purging air is directed to the burner by a fan, the integrity of which is monitored by a sensor circuit that produces a fault signal in response to rotation of the fan at any speed in a given range of speeds. An inhibit circuit inhibits the control circuit to prevent opening of a fuel supply valve in response to the presence of the fault signal. Fan rotation at speeds either above or below a predetermined normal range indicates a malfunction and results in the fault signal that prevents the initiation of fuel flow and a try for ignition.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Riordan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:15
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/18; F23N5/184
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A fuel burner ignition system comprising: electrical igniter means for igniting fuel emanating from a burner; a valve controlling the flow of fuel to the burner; condition responsive means; electrical start-up control circuit for opening said valve and energizing said igniter means in response to a call-for-heat signal from said condition responsive means; a fan means for forcing air by the burner; a sensor circuit for monitoring rotation of said fan and producing a speed signal indicative of the rotational speed thereof; and inhibit circuit means that produces a fault signal that prevents energization of said igniter means and opening of said valve in response to a value of said speed signal indicating any rotational speed of said fan means outside of a given range of speeds.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A fuel burner ignition system comprising: electrical igniter means for igniting fuel emanating from a burner; a valve controlling the flow of fuel to the burner; condition responsive means; electrical start-up control circuit for opening said valve and energizing said igniter means in response to a call-for-heat signal from said condition responsive means; a fan means for forcing air by the burner; a sensor circuit for monitoring rotation of said fan and producing a speed signal indicative of the rotational speed thereof; and inhibit circuit means that produces a fault signal that prevents energization of said igniter means and opening of said valve in response to a value of said speed signal indicating any rotational speed of said fan means outside of a given range of speeds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said fan means comprises a plurality of spaced apart blades, and said sensor circuit comprises detector means for detecting movement of said blades.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein said detector means comprises pulse generating means producing pulses in response to movement of said blades through a detection zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said pulse generating means produces a pulse in response to movement of each said blade through said detection zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said pulse generating means comprises electrical generator means providing in said zone a magnetic field that is disturbed by passage of said blades therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said pulse generating means comprises a source directing a beam of radiant energy into said zone and a radiant energy detector producing an electrical output in response to changes in the level of radiant energy received from said zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said control circuit comprises fan control means for energizing said fan means in response to said call-for-heat signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said control circuit further comprises delay circuit means for delaying said opening of said valve for a substantial purge period after energization of said fan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said range of speeds comprises any speed less than a given minimum speed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said fan means comprises a plurality of spaced apart blades, and said sensor circuit comprises pulse-generating detector means for producing pulses in response to movement of said blades through a detection zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said inhibit circuit means comprises a capacitor charged to a voltage level proportional to the frequency of said pulses, and said fault signal is produced in response to a voltage level on said capacitor of less than a given threshold value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein said inhibit circuit means further comprises a power supply of a given polarity, and said threshold value is of a polarity opposite to said given polarity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said inhibit circuit means further comprises a differentiator circuit connected to receive said pulses and to provide charging pulses to said capacitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said range of speeds comprises any speed greater than a given maximum speed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein said fan means comprises a plurality of spaced apart blades, and said sensor circuit comprises pulse-generating detector means for producing pulses in response to movement of said blades through a detection zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system according to claim 15 wherein said inhibit circuit means further comprises a capacitor charged to a voltage level proportional to the frequency of said pulses, and said fault signal is produced in response to a voltage level on said capacitor of greater than a given threshold value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 16 wherein said inhibit circuit means further comprises a differentiator circuit connected to receive said pulses and to provide charging pulses to said capacitor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said range of speeds comprises any speed less than a given minimum speed and any speed greater than a given maximum speed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system according to claim 18 wherein said fan means comprises a plurality of spaced apart blades, and said sensor circuit comprises pulse-generating detector means for producing pulses in response to movement of said blades through a detection zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system according to claim 19 wherein said inhibit circuit means further comprises first and second capacitors charged to voltage levels proportional to the frequency of said pulses, and said fault signal is produced in response to either a voltage level on said first capacitor of less than a given minimum threshold value or a voltage level on said second capacitor of greater than a given maximum threshold value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 20 wherein said inhibit circuit means further comprises a power supply of a given polarity, and said minimum threshold value is of a polarity opposite to said given polarity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 21 wherein said inhibit circuit means further comprises a differentiator circuit connected to receive said pulses and to provide charging pulses to said capacitor.
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) | 1985-05-10 | 1985-11-09 | 1986-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-10 | 1989-11-09 | 1990-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-10 | 1993-11-09 | 1994-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |