Control system for an intermittent pilot water heater

A water heater system comprising:

• a first valve operator,
• wherein the first valve operator initiates a first gas flow when energized;
• an energy storage system coupled to energize the first valve operator;
• a pilot ignition circuit configured to cause a pilot spark ignitor to generate a pilot flame using the first gas flow;
• a second valve operator,
• wherein the second valve operator initiates a second gas flow when energized,
• wherein the second gas flow is greater than the first gas flow, and
• wherein the second valve operator cannot be energized from the energy storage system;
• and
• a thermoelectric device that converts thermal energy from the pilot flame into electrical energy, the thermoelectric device coupled to provide a first portion of the electrical energy to energize the second valve operator and the thermoelectric device coupled to provide a second portion of the electrical energy to the energy storage system.

A method of generating a main burner flame, the method comprising:

• initiating a first gas flow using a first valve operator configured to initiate the first gas flow when energized by energizing the first valve operator using an energy storage system coupled to the first valve operator, thereby initiating the first gas flow;
• prompting a pilot ignition circuit to cause a pilot spark ignitor in thermal communication with the first gas flow to generate ignition energy, thereby generating a pilot flame;
• allowing a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with the pilot flame to convert thermal energy from the pilot flame to electrical energy;
• initiating a second gas flow using a second valve operator configured to initiate the second gas flow when energized by energizing the second valve operator using a first portion of the electrical energy, thereby initiating the second gas flow;
• providing a second portion of the electrical energy to the energy storage system, wherein the second portion of the electrical energy is prevented from being provided by the energy storage system to the second valve operator;
• and
• directing the second gas flow to a burner configured to establish thermal communication between the second gas flow and the pilot flame, thereby generating the main burner flame.