Flame detection device and method

A method of using a flame detection device to detect a flame, the flame detection device comprises an ignition unit, one or more output wire(s), and one or more electrode(s), and the method comprises the steps of:

• initiating a spark event;
• determining a breakthrough voltage associated with the spark event;
• and
• using the breakthrough voltage to determine if a flame is present in a flame zone by:
• comparing the breakthrough voltage to one or more predefined threshold(s), and when the breakthrough voltage is within an expected voltage range established by the predefined threshold(s) then determining that a flame is present, and when the breakthrough voltage is outside of the expected voltage range then determining that a flame is not present,
• wherein the predefined threshold(s) are based on an expected type of medium in a spark gap when a flame is present and at least one additional factor selected from the list consisting of:
• a known size of the spark gap, an expected temperature of the electrode(s) when a flame is present, or an expected pressure of a medium in the spark gap when a flame is present.

A method of using a flame detection device to detect a flame, the flame detection device comprises an ignition unit, one or more output wire(s), and one or more electrode(s), and the method comprises the steps of:

• initiating a spark event;
• determining a breakthrough voltage associated with the spark event;
• and
• using the breakthrough voltage to determine if a flame is present in a flame zone by:
• monitoring the breakthrough voltage, determining a rate at which the breakthrough voltage decreases or increases over time, comparing the rate at which the breakthrough voltage decreases or increases to one or more predefined threshold rate(s), and when the rate at which the breakthrough voltage decreases exceeds a predefined threshold rate then determining that a flame is present, and when the rate at which the breakthrough voltage increases exceeds a predefined threshold rate then determining that a flame is not present.

A method of using a flame detection device to detect a flame, the flame detection device comprises an ignition unit, one or more output wire(s), and one or more electrode(s), and the method comprises the steps of:

• initiating a spark event;
• determining a breakthrough voltage associated with the spark event;
• and
• using the breakthrough voltage to determine if a flame is present in a flame zone by:
• observing the breakthrough voltage over a period of time, detecting trends or patterns in the breakthrough voltage, and determining if a flame is present or is not present based on the detected trends or patterns.