US4598668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for efficiently controlling the operation of parallel boiler units
Assignee: ENERGY SYSTEMS & SERVICE CORP
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Filing: 1985-01-09
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Granted: 1986-07-08
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Expires: 2005-01-09
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a control apparatus for operating any one of a plurality of parallel connected boilers as a lead boiler, with the others operating as lag boilers. The control apparatus enables a lag boiler to assist the lead boiler during a prolonged operating period to share the burden and the therefore prolong equipment life and increase system efficiency. The control apparatus enables each boiler to serve as the lead boiler while employing full modulation, other boilers such as the lag boiler also employ full modulation. The control apparatus also causes an automatic switch over between boilers after a malfunction of one of the boilers in a rapid time.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence M. Bader
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:46
CPC Classifications
F; F22; F22B; F22B35/00; F22B35/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
Control apparatus for selecting any one of a plurality of parallel boiler units to serve as a lead boiler, with the others in said plurality operating as lag boilers, with each of said boilers capable of providing outputs indicative of a failure mode, and with each of said boilers capable of providing a modulation of operation between a lead pressure value and a lag pressure value, based on an internal program individual control of each boiler, comprising: first selection means for selecting any one of said plurality of boilers to operate as said lead boiler, lead pressure means responsive to said selected boiler for monitoring the lead pessure output of said selected boiler to determine operation in an accepable range, selectively operated means responsive to said first selection means to enable at least one other boiler in said plurality to operate as a lag boiler when selected, timing means responsive to said monitored lead pressure and coupled to said selectively operated means to cause said means to operate after a given period of operation of said lead boiler at said lead pressure, whereby said lag boiler is selected to aid said lead boiler in operation even though said monitored pressure is within said acceptable range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
Control apparatus for selecting any one of a plurality of parallel boiler units to serve as a lead boiler, with the others in said plurality operating as lag boilers, with each of said boilers capable of providing outputs indicative of a failure mode, and with each of said boilers capable of providing a modulation of operation between a lead pressure value and a lag pressure value, based on an internal program individual control of each boiler, comprising: first selection means for selecting any one of said plurality of boilers to operate as said lead boiler, lead pressure means responsive to said selected boiler for monitoring the lead pessure output of said selected boiler to determine operation in an accepable range, selectively operated means responsive to said first selection means to enable at least one other boiler in said plurality to operate as a lag boiler when selected, timing means responsive to said monitored lead pressure and coupled to said selectively operated means to cause said means to operate after a given period of operation of said lead boiler at said lead pressure, whereby said lag boiler is selected to aid said lead boiler in operation even though said monitored pressure is within said acceptable range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first selection means includes a setable timer capable of selectively operating over given time periods to provide a sequence for selecting any given one of said boilers to operate as said lead boiler for one period in said sequence and to select any other one of said boilers to operate as said lead boiler for another period in said sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said boilers are steam boilers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lead boiler is controlled to operate at full modulation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further includig selectively operated power means for applying operating power to said control apparatus in a control mode and for removing power in a by pass mode to enable said plurality of boilers to operate according to said internal programs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further including; failure monitoring means coupled to each of said boilers and operative to provide an output indicative of one of said failure modes, and means responsive to said output for providing an alarm to notify a user of said failure and for transferring control of said failed boiler to another one of said plurality.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one of said failure modes is the loss of flame in one of said boilers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one of said failure mode is a lower water state in one of said boilers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one of said failure modes is an excessive smoke condition in one of said boilers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one of said failure modes is the loss of power in one of said boilers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4007713A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-07 | 1990-01-06 | 1990-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-07 | 1994-01-06 | 1994-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-07 | 1998-01-06 | 1998-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |