Flame Sensor Combustion Instability Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for methods to recognize and detect combustion instability in combustion appliances, which can lead to improper combustion and excessive carbon monoxide production, as existing technologies fail to effectively identify and correct such conditions in real-time.

Innovation Solution

The use of a flame sensor to monitor flame intensity fluctuations, with a controller interpreting these signals to detect combustion instability and take appropriate actions, such as adjusting firing rate or shutting down the appliance, to prevent unsafe combustion conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flame sensor is used to monitor flame intensity, then combustion instability can be detected, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion stability detectionVSAvoidsensor and controller system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flame sensor monitors the flame's own characteristics (intensity fluctuations) to detect combustion instability, allowing the system to self-diagnose without external intervention or complex additional sensing equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller receives feedback from the flame sensor about flame intensity variations and uses this information to detect combustion instability, creating a closed-loop monitoring system that enables real-time detection and response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If real-time monitoring of flame intensity is implemented, then combustion instability can be detected early, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor and controller power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flame sensor continuously monitors flame intensity without interruption, ensuring that combustion instability is detected at the earliest moment, while the controller processes signals in real-time to maintain constant safety oversight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If the appliance shuts down upon detecting combustion instability, then safety is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety preventionVSAvoidappliance operational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system takes preliminary action by shutting down the appliance before excessive carbon monoxide production can occur, preventing harmful effects before they manifest by detecting flame intensity fluctuations that precede dangerous combustion conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously receives feedback from the flame sensor and automatically responds to combustion instability by adjusting or terminating operation, creating a self-regulating safety system that prioritizes hazard prevention over continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution allows for the early detection of combustion instability, enabling corrective actions to be taken, thereby preventing excessive carbon monoxide production and ensuring safe operation of combustion appliances.

Implementation Method 1

combustion instability may be indicated by significant fluctuations in flame intensity as measured, for example, by a flame sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7728736B2Combustion instability detection

Publication Date: 2010.06.01 RESIDEO USA LLC

AI summary

Combustion instability in combustion appliances may be recognized before excessive carbon monoxide may be produced. In some instances, combustion instability may be manifested in flame oscillation, or rather, in oscillations in flame intensity as measured, for example, by a flame sensor. If flame instability is detected, appliance operation may be corrected or terminated.