Burner Control Device Ionization Current Correction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing burner systems face challenges in accurately correcting control curves for ionization electrodes due to aging, leading to drift in ionization current, which can result in incomplete test runs and inefficient heat management, especially when heat dissipation is not sufficient.

Innovation Solution

A control device that estimates corrections by interpolating neighboring test points and using filtering methods to adjust ionization currents, allowing for continuous correction of control curves during operation and maintenance, ensuring accurate air volume flow adjustments without abrupt changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the control curve is corrected by carrying out test runs at specific air volume flows, then the correction accuracy is improved, but the system temperature rises and test runs cannot be completed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection accuracyVSAvoidsystem temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by estimating corrections for aborted test runs based on neighboring completed test points before actually performing the test. This allows the control curve to be corrected using data from test runs that were successfully completed, avoiding the temperature rise issue while still achieving accurate correction through interpolation and filtering of the available data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If test runs are performed to record control curve data, then correction accuracy is improved, but the duration of test runs cannot be shortened and stable values take time to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection accuracyVSAvoidtest run duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by performing filtering of ionization currents continuously during operation and in the background, rather than waiting for complete test runs. This allows the control curve to be corrected using ongoing data from neighboring test points, eliminating the need to wait for stable values during dedicated test runs while maintaining correction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If ionization current values are used directly for correction, then the correction process is simple, but drift due to aging causes incomplete and inaccurate corrections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection process complexityVSAvoidcorrection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring ionization currents from multiple test points and using filtering to detect drift patterns caused by aging. The system compares current readings with historical data and adjusts the control curve accordingly, providing continuous feedback-based correction that compensates for aging effects while maintaining a relatively simple correction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by applying filtering operations to the ionization current values to extract meaningful correction signals from the noisy, drifting data. This filtering process transforms the raw ionization current measurements into reliable correction parameters that account for aging effects, improving correction accuracy without significantly increasing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If corrections are made at a single test point, then the correction is straightforward, but neighboring values are not adjusted leading to abrupt changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection easeVSAvoidcontrol curve smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining correction data from multiple neighboring test points through interpolation and filtering. Instead of correcting each test point independently, the system merges the information from surrounding points to create smooth, continuous corrections across the entire control curve, eliminating abrupt changes while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise correction of control curves during operation, preventing system temperature rises and ensuring stable burner performance by interpolating and filtering ionization currents, thus maintaining optimal combustion settings.

Implementation Method 1

the air ratio can be determined during combustion using an ionization current through an ionization electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

An AC voltage is first applied to the ionization electrode. Due to the rectifying effect of a flame, an ionization current flows as direct current in one direction only.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectifying effect:

Data Source

PatentEP3045816B1Device for the control of a burner assembly
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3045816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3045816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3045816B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Device for controlling a burner system with at least one burner and with at least one ionization electrode (2) arranged such that it is located in the area of ​​a flame (1) of the at least one burner during operation of the burner system, wherein the control device is configured to adjust an air volume flow (16) of the burner system, wherein the control device is additionally configured to receive an ionization current (15) on the basis of the at least one ionization electrode (2), wherein the control device includes a memory and is configured to store pairs of air volume flow (16) of the burner system and ionization current (15) as reference points of a control curve or as test points, wherein the control device is configured to generate a difference between the reciprocal of a first ionization current to a first air volume flow (16) and a reciprocal of a second ionization current.which was recorded before the first ionization current and belongs to the first air volume flow (16), and to calculate a shifted ionization current as the sum of this difference and the reciprocal of a further ionization current.