Burner Ignition Voltage Monitoring for Hydrogen Flame Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to achieve simple adjustment of the fuel gas-air mixture, particularly when using hydrogen-containing fuels, and lack effective control over burner operation.

Innovation Solution

A method that evaluates the voltage profile across a capacitor between ignition electrodes to detect flame formation, using a large gradient as an indicator of high hydrogen content and a small gradient as an indicator of low hydrogen content, allowing precise adjustment of the fuel gas-air mixture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If voltage measurement is performed before ignition spark generation to determine minimum voltage value, then ignition spark quality can be assessed, but the measurement timing is extended and does not provide real-time feedback during combustion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveignition spark quality assessmentVSAvoidmeasurement timing extension
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor is charged in advance during the ignition cycle before combustion occurs, so that when combustion starts, the voltage profile is already ready for immediate measurement. This preliminary charging action enables real-time detection of combustion characteristics without extending the overall measurement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously measures the voltage profile across the capacitor during the ignition and combustion process, providing real-time feedback about the combustion state. This feedback loop allows the control unit to adjust the fuel gas-air mixture based on actual combustion conditions, improving both measurement precision and timing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If fuel gas-air mixture adjustment is simplified, then ease of operation improves, but precision in controlling the mixture composition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixture adjustment simplicityVSAvoidfuel gas-air mixture composition control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors the voltage profile during combustion and self-adjusts the fuel gas-air mixture ratio without requiring manual intervention. The control unit processes the voltage data and autonomously optimizes the mixture composition, achieving both simplicity in operation and precision in control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the fuel gas-air mixture parameters (ratio, concentration) based on real-time voltage profile measurements. By continuously adjusting these parameters in response to combustion characteristics, the system achieves precise control while maintaining simple operation through automated parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If hydrogen content in fuel gas is increased, then combustion efficiency improves, but difficulty in detecting and measuring combustion characteristics increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion efficiencyVSAvoidcombustion characteristic detection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor acts as an intermediary element that converts the combustion characteristics into measurable voltage signals. By measuring the voltage profile across the capacitor rather than directly measuring combustion parameters, the system can detect combustion characteristics even when hydrogen content is high, maintaining both efficiency and measurability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct physical measurement of combustion characteristics with electrical measurement of voltage profile. This substitution allows for easier detection and measurement of combustion parameters, especially when dealing with hydrogen-containing fuels that are difficult to measure directly, while maintaining combustion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 monitoring and control of burner start-up by determining the hydrogen content in the fuel gas, ensuring optimal combustion conditions and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

the voltage profile on a capacitor (2.1) arranged between two electrodes (2.2) of the ignition device (2) is measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

ignition sparks are generated by an ignition device (2) located in the combustion chamber (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Spark

Implementation Method 3

combustion of the fuel gas-air mixture containing at least 20% hydrogen by volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 4

combustion chamber (1) filled with air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP4522917B1Method for operating a burner device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 VIESSMANN HOLDING INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4522917B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a burner device. Air is conveyed into a combustion chamber (1); ignition sparks are generated using an ignition device (2) arranged in the combustion chamber (1), which is flooded with air; a combustible gas is added to the air while the ignition sparks are continuously generated; and in the period of time which starts before the ignition sparks are generated and ends after the combustible gas is added, electric voltage values are measured on the ignition device (2). According to the invention, the voltage values which are measured in the aforementioned period of time and which form a voltage curve are analyzed in order to detect a formation of flames, beginning when the combustible gas-air mixture which contains at least 20 vol.% of hydrogen is combusted.