Patent · US Expired

Multiple burner control system

US5549469A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
13References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 17, 1995
Grant dateAug 27, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 17, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF23N2231/22
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A control system for a multiple burner furnace has a programmable processor interfaced to hardware input and output circuitry associated with the furnace. The programmed processor provides a number of operating modules including a polling module, a startup module, a run module, and an alarm module. The processor and the associated hardware are interlocked in such a fashion that safe operation of the furnace is assured. For example, watchdog timers driven from the processor are interlocked with flame sensing hardware to control the main fuel valve and prevent fuel from flowing to the furnace in the event of either hardware or software malfunction. The safety features are equivalent to or better than a hardwired dedicated control system, while providing additional program-related flexibility and functionality.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.