Gas Heater Flame Detection Using Temperature After Sensor Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrogen-powered heating appliances face challenges in reliable flame detection due to low ionization current from hydrogen flames and UV sensor failures, leading to potential unburned fuel gas leakage and operational risks.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method for flame detection using a combination of temperature sensors and ionization current detection, where temperature-based detection is used below a threshold power and ionization current detection is used above this threshold to ensure safe operation even after failure of primary flame detection systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light sensors are used for flame detection in hydrogen-powered heating appliances, then flame detection is enabled, but the sensors can fail or become contaminated leading to unreliable detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature sensor (already present for combustion control) with the flame detection function. By monitoring temperature in the combustion air channel, the system performs flame detection without requiring separate UV sensors, thereby improving reliability while avoiding the complexity and fragility of UV sensor-based systems
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor serves dual purposes: it monitors combustion temperature for control purposes and simultaneously detects the presence or absence of a flame. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated flame detection sensors, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable detection capability
2Reliability
If ionization current detection is used in hydrogen-powered heating appliances, then flame detection is enabled, but detection is not possible at low power output due to significantly fewer charge carriers released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ionization current detection method (electrical measurement) with temperature-based detection (thermal measurement). Since temperature remains detectable across all power levels including low power, this substitution enables reliable flame detection throughout the entire operating range of the heating appliance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from ionization current (which varies significantly with power level and is insufficient at low power) to temperature (which remains detectable and meaningful across all power levels). This parameter change allows the system to adapt to all operating conditions including low power output
3Reliability
If additional flame detection devices are installed to ensure safe operation after primary detection failure, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor performs multiple functions simultaneously: combustion temperature monitoring for control purposes and flame presence detection for safety. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated flame detection devices while maintaining the ability to detect flame failure and ensure safe operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing temperature sensing capability to provide flame detection functionality. Rather than requiring separate detection devices, the heating appliance leverages its inherent temperature measurement system to monitor flame presence, thereby maintaining safety without increasing device complexity
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
Ensures safe and reliable operation of hydrogen-powered heating appliances by detecting flame failure and adjusting power settings to prevent unburned fuel gas leakage, without significant structural modifications or complexity increase.
Implementation Method 1
Detecting at least one temperature of the flame of the heating appliance
Implementation Method 2
The resulting heat can, for example, be transferred to a heating circuit or used to provide hot water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The proposed method for operating a heating appliance (1), comprising a first flame detection device (4), includes at least the following steps: a) detecting a failure of the first flame detection device (4), b) detecting at least one temperature of the flame (3) of the heating appliance (1), c) operating the heating appliance (1) by means of flame detection incorporating the at least one temperature detected in step b). The method serves to operate a heating appliance (1), in particular to ensure (emergency) operation of the heating appliance (1) in the event of a failure of a first flame detection device (4) (a first flame detection system). The solution presented here describes, in particular, a particularly simple and safe way to ensure (emergency) operation of a heating appliance (1) in the event of a failure of a first flame detection device (4).