Gas Valve Assembly Commissioning Wizard

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The commissioning process for air/fuel ratio curves in combustion appliances is time-consuming and tedious, especially when the air/fuel controller does not control the burner load, requiring improved methods and systems for defining air/fuel ratios versus burner loads.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for commissioning a gas valve assembly that includes a user-guided commissioning wizard for inputting, activating, and saving air/fuel ratios at various burner loads, allowing users to set and save desired air/fuel ratios for each burner load from minimum to maximum, using a controller to control gas flow accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional commissioning methods are used for air/fuel ratio curves, then the air/fuel controller can be configured, but the process is time-consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommissioning processVSAvoidcommissioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis and automatic configuration of air/fuel ratio curves by measuring combustion parameters and autonomously determining optimal settings, eliminating the need for manual commissioning procedures and reducing installation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adjusts air/fuel ratio parameters based on measured combustion characteristics and burner load conditions, dynamically optimizing the air/fuel curve without requiring manual intervention or time-consuming trial-and-error commissioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual commissioning of air/fuel ratio curve is performed, then customization is possible, but the process becomes complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair/fuel ratio customizationVSAvoidcommissioning process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically measures combustion parameters and configures the air/fuel ratio curve specific to each installation without requiring manual intervention, maintaining customization while eliminating complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual commissioning procedures with electronic sensing and automated control algorithms that measure combustion characteristics and automatically determine optimal air/fuel ratios, converting a complex manual process into an automated electronic system

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If air/fuel controller is slave device receiving burner load command, then burner load control is external, but air/fuel ratio control becomes less direct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller configurationVSAvoidair/fuel ratio control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from combustion parameter measurements to automatically adjust air/fuel ratio settings in response to burner load changes, maintaining direct control despite the slave device configuration by continuously monitoring and self-adjusting based on actual combustion conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3475612B1Air/fuel commissioning of a combustion appliance
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3475612B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3475612B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3475612B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for commissioning a gas valve assembly for controlling fuel flow to a combustion appliance. An example method for commissioning the gas valve assembly may include initiating a commissioning mode in the controller of the gas valve assembly. Once in the commissioning mode, inputting a user defined initial air to fuel (A/F) ratio, activating the combustion appliance, setting a burner load of the combustion appliance to a set burner load, inputting a desired A/F ratio for the set burner load, running the combustion appliance at the burner load with the desired A/F ratio, and observing the operation of the combustion appliance. The method may further include saving the desired A/F ratio for the set burner load to the controller of the gas valve assembly and exiting the commissioning mode.