Heating Device Flame Ignition Detection via Blower Speed Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices lack reliable methods to determine the ignition of flames and time of ignition without additional instrumentation, particularly when using hydrogen as fuel, and there is a need for redundancy in flame detection systems.
Innovation Solution
Monitor the speed of a fan supplying an air-fuel gas mixture to the combustion chamber, inferring ignition from a characteristic profile of the speed, specifically a rapid increase and decrease within 0.1 seconds, interpreted by evaluation electronics as an indication of flame ignition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional flame detection sensors are installed in the combustion chamber, then measurement precision and reliability of flame ignition detection are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan serves multiple functions: it supplies air to the combustion chamber and simultaneously acts as a flame detection sensor. The evaluation electronics analyze fan speed variations to detect flame ignition, transforming a single-component system into a multi-functional one that eliminates the need for separate detection sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan monitors its own operational state changes caused by flame ignition. By detecting variations in its own speed resulting from pressure waves and temperature changes during combustion, the system enables self-diagnosis without requiring external sensing devices.
2Reliability
If traditional flame detection sensors are used in the combustion chamber, then reliability of flame monitoring is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing fan is repurposed to perform both its original air supply function and the additional function of flame detection. The evaluation electronics process fan speed data to reliably detect flame ignition events, achieving dual functionality without adding specialized sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan speed serves as an intermediary parameter that indirectly indicates flame ignition status. Instead of directly measuring flame properties with specialized sensors, the system uses fan speed variations as a mediator to infer combustion state, simplifying the detection 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 reliable detection of flame ignition and monitoring of flame detector function without additional sensors, enhancing safety by providing redundant measurement during ignition.
Implementation Method 1
the fan speed is briefly influenced in a characteristic way by a type of pressure surge that occurs in the combustion chamber when the flames are ignited
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for observing or monitoring the ignition of flames (16) in a combustion chamber (15) of a heating appliance (1), wherein the rotational speed (n) of a blower (2) for supplying air-fuel gas mixture to the combustion chamber (15) is observed, and a characteristic profile of the rotational speed (n) is used to infer the ignition of flames (16) in the combustion chamber (15). In particular, an increase in rotational speed of at least 0.1% in less than 0.1 s is interpreted by evaluation electronics (11) as an indication of the ignition of flames (16) in the combustion chamber (15). The invention makes it possible to verify the function of a conventional flame detector during the ignition of a combustion process without additional sensors, or to provide a redundant measuring system to ensure a reliable ignition process.