Direct-Fired Burner Box for Constant Burner Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional direct fired burner heating systems fail to maintain a precise and constant pressure differential across the burner, leading to potential flame instability and component damage, as they do not accurately measure or adjust for pressure changes and air volume variations.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control system is integrated into the burner box to measure and adjust the pressure differential across the direct fired burner by controlling the air flow through bypass dampers, ensuring a predetermined target pressure difference is maintained for optimal operation, even with changes in air volume or other factors affecting airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional dampers are used to control air flow between recirculated air and outside air, then the system can supply a certain volume of air to the building, but the pressure differential across the burner cannot be maintained at a precise level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an electronic control system that continuously measures the pressure differential across the burner using pressure sensors and adjusts the bypass damper position accordingly to maintain the target pressure differential, creating a closed-loop feedback control mechanism that precisely maintains burner pressure while allowing variable air volume supply
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical or electronic linkage between return air damper and outside air damper with an electronic control system that uses pressure sensor feedback to independently control the bypass damper, substituting mechanical coupling with electronic control to achieve precise pressure differential maintenance
2Stress or pressure
If a passive damper is used to regulate pressure drop across the burner, then some pressure control is achieved, but the system cannot keep up with pressure changes and maintain precise pressure differential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pressure sensors to continuously monitor the pressure differential across the burner and feeds this information back to an electronic control system that rapidly adjusts the bypass damper position, creating a fast-responding active feedback control system that can keep up with dynamic pressure changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static passive damper to a dynamic active control system where the bypass damper position is continuously adjusted by an electronic control system based on real-time pressure sensor feedback, enabling the system to adapt quickly to changing pressure conditions
3Ease of operation
If dampers are mechanically or electronically linked to provide equal and opposite adjustment, then air flow balance is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to changes in total air volume while maintaining burner pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where pressure sensors monitor the burner pressure differential and the electronic control system adjusts the bypass damper accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to various total air volume conditions while maintaining optimal burner pressure through continuous measurement and adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from fixed damper linkage ratios to variable bypass damper position controlled by pressure feedback, allowing the system to adapt to different operating conditions and air volume requirements while maintaining the target pressure differential across the burner
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
The system effectively maintains a constant pressure differential across the burner, ensuring stable operation and preventing flame instability, regardless of changes in air volume or other factors affecting airflow, thereby optimizing the burner's performance.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic control system is configured to measure a pressure differential across the direct fired burner
Implementation Method 2
The bypass damper is positioned in the bypass opening such that the bypass damper controls air flow through the bypass opening
Implementation Method 3
A direct fired burner is positioned in the main body between the intermediate walls and adjacent the burner opening, such that air drawn into the main body from the outside environment through the burner opening is directed over the direct fired burner for heating
Data Source
AI summary
A burner box for use in an air handling system. The burner box includes a main body having a top wall, a bottom wall, side walls extending between the top and bottom walls, and intermediate walls extending between the top and bottom walls and positioned between the side walls. An open upstream end of the main body is divided by the intermediate walls into a first bypass opening and a second bypass opening spaced from the first bypass opening by a burner opening. A direct fired burner is positioned in the main body between the intermediate walls and adjacent the burner opening such that air drawn into the main body through the burner opening is directed over the direct fired burner for heating. An electronic control system is operatively connected to the burner box and configured to maintain a constant pressure difference across the direct fired burner.