Systems and methods for controlling gas pressure to gas-fired appliances
US8635997B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 18, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF23N2241/02
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling gas to gas-fired appliances are disclosed. An illustrative system can include a modulating gas valve adapted to supply gas to a burner unit, an inducer fan adapted to produce a combustion air flow at the burner unit, a pressure reducing element in fluid communication with the gas valve and adapted to output at least one pressure signal for sensing the combustion air flow outputted by the inducer fan, and a controller for controlling the speed of the inducer fan. The pressure reducing element can include a venturi tube, flow nozzle, or other suitable device capable of producing pneumatic signals that can be used by the gas valve to modulate the gas supplied to the burner unit. By pneumatically linking the gas valve to the actual combustion air flow, the gas valve can be operated over a wide range of firing rates by adjusting the speed of the inducer fan.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.