Igniter Flame Sensor Opening for Furnace Pressure Relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Residential and commercial heating systems face issues with restricted airflow around the igniter of furnace burners, leading to positive pressure spikes and excessive igniter temperature, causing acoustic disturbances and inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A burner assembly with an igniter and flame sensor assembly featuring an opening in the burner housing that provides an air path from the exterior to the interior, sized to achieve a predetermined drop in carbon dioxide level at the heat exchanger outlet, ensuring proper airflow and pressure relief, and a method to incrementally adjust the opening size based on measured carbon dioxide levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the burner housing is sealed without openings, then structural integrity and containment are improved, but airflow is restricted causing pressure spikes and excessive igniter temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate incorporates openings that function as porous structures, allowing controlled airflow through the burner housing. These openings enable air to reach the igniter for cooling and proper combustion operation while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the sealed housing design.
2Strength
If the burner housing is sealed without openings, then structural integrity is improved, but acoustic disturbances increase due to pressure spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The openings in the mounting plate act as pressure relief pathways, allowing controlled venting of pressure spikes that would otherwise cause acoustic disturbances. This maintains the sealed housing structure while providing necessary pressure equalization to reduce noise and vibrations.
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 solution provides visual confirmation of flame presence, reduces internal pressure, and enhances igniter cooling, while maintaining the air/fuel mix ratio, thereby reducing acoustic disturbances and improving furnace operation.
Implementation Method 1
an opening therein providing an air path from an exterior of the burner housing to an interior of the burner housing
Implementation Method 2
an igniter positioned within the burner assembly and configured to emit an electric arc
Data Source
AI summary
A burner assembly includes a burner housing having a fuel inlet; a burner for emitting ignited fuel to a heat exchanger; and an igniter and flame sensor assembly mounted to the burner housing, the igniter and flame sensor assembly including an opening therein providing an air path from an exterior of the burner housing to an interior of the burner housing, the opening sized to provide a predetermined drop of carbon dioxide at an outlet of the heat exchanger.