Apparatus for indicating level of pilot flame output
US9080769B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF23N2231/02
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for a heating appliance that includes a manually-opened pilot valve that is held in an open position when a sufficient voltage is applied to a valve operator, and a thermocouple that converts heat from a pilot flame into a voltage that is applied to the valve operator. The apparatus includes a voltage measuring circuit that provides an output indicative of a magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, and a light emitting device. A controller is coupled to the voltage measuring circuit and the light emitting device. The controller is configured to establish, based on the output indicative of the magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, a switch sequence for switching the light emitting device on and off in a flashing manner, to provide an indication of when the magnitude of the voltage is sufficient to cause the valve operator to hold the gas valve open.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.