Patent Application
20170227218
The following are descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention intended to enable a person skilled in the prior art to make and use the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention are also possible and would be understood by such a person based on this specification. Nothing in these descriptions should be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, as there are a wide variety of materials, parts, and methods in the art that are understood to be interchangeable with those listed herein.
Thermocouple 302 is positioned within flame section 103 such that it can detect the presence of flame 104 using temperature readings. Thermocouple 302 may be of any suitable type, depending on the type of flame used in the device and the particular application. The readings of thermocouple 302 are compared to certain thresholds to determine whether flame 104 is present or absent. The presence of flame 104 will cause thermocouple 302 to register a higher temperature than the absence of flame 104. One threshold may be used to indicate the presence of flame 104 (such as “any temperature over 150 degrees Fahrenheit”) and another threshold may be used to indicate the absence of flame 104 (such as “any temperature below 150 degrees Fahrenheit”). In practice, these thresholds may be set to identical temperatures, or they may be different. The thresholds will vary based on factors such as placement of thermocouple 302, temperature of flame 104, distance between thermocouple 302 and flame 104, etc. Thus, the thresholds may be adjusted based on the particular constraints of an embodiment.
Ignition device 201, which may be a pilot light, electric spark generator, or other means to ignite combustible material, is also situated within flame section 103 and is attached to one end of actuator arm 202. When positioned near the location of flame 104, ignition device 201 may be used to relight flame 104 using the combustible material from tube 102. As described below, actuator arm 202 may move along its axis as controlled by air cylinder 203 such that ignition device 201 may be positioned within flame section 103 or not. When actuator arm 202 is extended to a certain length or position, the ignition device 201 is positioned close enough to the flame 104 site to ignite flame 104 from the fuel in tube 102. When actuator arm 202 is retracted to a different length or position, the ignition device 201 is positioned further from the flame 104 location or out of the flame section 103 altogether.
The exemplary embodiment also includes control panel 105, which may include controls as needed within a given application. For example, a given embodiment may require a power switch to regulate operation, one or more dials to set the threshold temperatures as described above, or one or more dials to set the pressure thresholds for the air cylinder 203 and its associated pneumatic system as described below with reference to
Control panel 105, tube 102, and air cylinder 203 may each be mounted on or to base 101, which may be of sufficient mass or size to provide stability to the system or otherwise allows the entire system to be secured in place.
In this description of a preferred embodiment, air cylinder 203 is used as an actuator for moving actuator arm 202 (and ignition device 201) into different positions. Other embodiments may instead use a linear actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or any other component that is capable of positioning the ignition device 201 in two different positions.
In this exemplary embodiment, the invention may comprise a mechanical system depicted in
In this embodiment, the mechanical system comprises an actuator, such as an air cylinder 203, which is connected to an actuator arm 202. As pressure in the air cylinder 203 increases or decreases, the actuator arm 202 is moved accordingly. At the end of the actuator arm 202 is an ignition device 201, such as a pilot light, electrical sparking device, or any other means to create an ignition.
The air cylinder is 203 is connected air lines 204 and 205, which are in turn controlled by solenoid 206. If solenoid 206 is activated, air may flow into air cylinder 203, causing the actuator 202 to extend. If solenoid 206 is not activated, air may flow out of air cylinder 203 causing the actuator 202 to retract.
The system contains pressurized air in air tank 213. Air gauge 214 is configured to measure the internal pressure of the system. In the exemplary embodiment, it is desirable to maintain a certain pressure (for example, 50 psi) in order to supply air cylinder 203 with sufficient pressure. Air may flow from air tank 213, along air lines 208 and 207 (via connector 210) to supply air cylinder 203 when the solenoid 206 is activated. The desired internal pressure may vary based on the environmental conditions, air lines, air tank, actuator, etc.
If the pressure falls below a certain threshold in this embodiment (measured using air gauge 214), pressure switch 212 is activated. As described below with respect to the electrical system, this allows air pump 211 to activate and supply additional air pressure to the system through air line 209. This ensures that the internal air pressure of air tank 213 will remain sufficient to power air cylinder 203 even over several cycles of operation.
A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that there is a great variety of parts that could be suitable for use in this invention, and that the use of any particular part may be determined by the specific application. For example, the air lines may be of any type that is appropriate for the amount of pressure needed and the various components, and the connector may be of any type that is suitable for connecting the air lines used.
The electrical system 300 may include a temperature sensor, such as thermocouple 302, located proximate to the flame 104, that generates an electrical signal based on the temperature measured. In the exemplary embodiment of
Temperature controller 301 is connected to the solenoid coil 303 (within solenoid valve 206) via contact 301b. In response to a signal from thermocouple 302 that indicates a lower than desired temperature (usually indicative that flame 4 is extinguished), temperature controller 301 may activate solenoid coil 303 (inside solenoid valve 206). As described above with reference to the mechanical system, this causes actuator arm 202 to extend to relight flame 104 via ignition device 201.
Temperature controller 301 is also connected to air pump 211 via pressure switch 212. If the pressure switch is closed (indicating that the pressure is lower than desired), temperature controller 301 may activate air pump 211, which will increase the pressure accordingly. When the pressure reaches the desired threshold, for example 50 psi, the pressure switch opens. If the pressure switch is open, the air pump 211 will not be activated.
Any of the components that require a power source may be connected to battery 305, for example a 12V battery or any of the many types known in the art. In other embodiments, there may be multiple power sources of varying voltages to supply the needs of different components, or voltage regulators may be used to maintain a different voltage than battery 305. A fuse 310 may be included, or a power switch 307, to regulate electrical operation of the system.
