Triangular Voltage Flame Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame control systems for gas burners suffer from delayed and low-resolution analog signals, making it difficult to accurately monitor and regulate combustion in real-time, which can lead to inefficient fuel and air supply adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing an electric circuit that generates a triangular voltage signal, amplified and filtered to produce both an analog and digital output signal, allowing for rapid detection of flame changes and improved combustion control, featuring a DC-DC voltage elevator, feedback control, and a low-pass filter to ensure safety standards are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct or alternating current is added to the flame signal followed by amplification and filtering, then the flame signal can be amplified, but the output signal varies slowly with respect to flame variation generating delays in control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a triangular voltage signal that varies periodically over time. This periodic variation allows the system to sample the flame signal at multiple points during each cycle, enabling faster detection of flame changes without requiring slow continuous amplification and filtering of DC or AC signals. The periodic triangular waveform provides temporal resolution that reduces control delays while maintaining reliable flame detection.
2Reliability
If an analog signal is generated from the flame rod, then the flame presence can be detected, but the signal has low resolution making it difficult to deduce real-time flame changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the analog flame signal into multiple discrete levels or zones based on the triangular voltage signal cycles. Instead of relying on a single low-resolution analog value, the system segments the signal detection into multiple measurement points during each triangular cycle, effectively increasing the resolution of flame change detection. This allows the system to distinguish subtle real-time flame variations with higher precision.
3Reliability
If conventional amplification circuits are used with operational amplifiers and filtering, then the flame signal can be processed, but the circuit complexity increases and response speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/electronic amplification system (operational amplifiers, filters, RC circuits) with a signal processing approach based on periodic triangular voltage sampling. Instead of using complex analog amplification hardware, the system uses the triangular waveform characteristics and computational processing to achieve signal enhancement, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining reliable flame signal processing capability.
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 a high-resolution digital signal and rapid response to flame variations, enabling precise control of fuel and air supply, reducing delays and improving combustion efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an ionisation electrode inserted in a region where the flame is present
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A control device (1) for control and detection of the flame of a burner (200), comprising an ionisation electrode (2) arranged, in use, at a region in which a flame of the burner (200) is present, and an electric circuit (3) for generating a triangular voltage signal (Vtr) having a triangle wave form and connected to the ionisation electrode (2) in such a way that on varying the ionisation current (Ion) the average value of the triangular voltage signal (Vtr) also varies. Said device (1) comprises at least an output circuit (1 1) connected to the circuit (3) for generating the triangular voltage signal (Vtr) and comprising an electronic group (12) for generating a duty-cycle as a function of the average value of the triangular voltage signal (Vtr).