Dual-Mode Pilot Light Ignition for Gas Burner Power Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas-powered appliances face inefficiencies with pilot light ignition systems that continuously burn fuel when not in use and rely on electricity for ignition, rendering them unusable during power outages or when electricity is undesired.
Innovation Solution
An ignition system that includes a gas burner, an electric igniter assembly, and a pilot light, with a controller that detects power disruptions to ignite the pilot light using the electric igniter, allowing the pilot light to ignite the gas burner during power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pilot light ignition system is used, then the gas burner can be ignited without electricity, but fuel is continuously burned even when the appliance is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by igniting the pilot light in advance during power outages using stored energy from a battery or capacitor, so that when the outage occurs, the pilot light is already lit and ready to ignite the gas burner immediately without continuous fuel consumption
2Loss of energy
If an electronic ignition assembly is used, then fuel is not wasted, but the appliance becomes unusable during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by having different ignition modes for different conditions: electronic ignition is used during normal operation to avoid fuel waste, while a separate pilot light system with backup power is activated locally during power outages to maintain operational availability
Solution Approach 2:
The ignition system achieves universality by incorporating multiple ignition methods (electronic ignition and pilot light ignition) within a single system, allowing it to function effectively in both normal conditions and power outage scenarios
3Reliability
If a manual ignition method is used during power outage, then the appliance can function without electricity, but the process becomes challenging and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting power outages and activating the pilot light using stored energy from a battery or capacitor, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining ease of operation during power outages
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 the use of gas burners without external electricity, providing efficient and reliable ignition during power disruptions, reducing fuel waste and maintaining appliance functionality in religious or off-grid settings.
Implementation Method 1
an electric igniter assembly that may include a spark generator
Implementation Method 2
a thermocouple in thermal communication with the pilot light and configured to generate a voltage in response to heating from the pilot light
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid valve in communication with the gas supply line and configured to control a flow of gas to the burner
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition system for igniting a gas burner of an appliance includes a gas burner, an electric igniter assembly, a pilot light, and a controller. The pilot light is ignitable by the electric igniter assembly. The controller is configured to operate the electric igniter assembly for ignition of the gas burner, detect a power disruption event, ignite the pilot light using the electric igniter assembly in response to detecting the power disruption event, and use the pilot light for ignition of the gas burner during the power disruption event. Methods of operating the ignition system for igniting the gas burner of the appliance are also provided.