Igniter voltage compensation circuit
AssigneeSaint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
InventorGlenn A. Duchene
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Featured is igniter control circuitry that reduces the line voltage to the igniter and which maintains the igniter voltage relatively stable. More particularly, there is featured, a thyristor-based phase control circuit that reduces the RMS voltage being applied to an igniter when it is connected to the AC line or line voltage. The circuitry also is configured so that it opposes changes in line voltage such that the igniter voltage remains relatively stable when the line voltage increases or decreases relative to its nominal level. Such control circuitry includes a dual diac configuration, a relation oscillator configuration and one embodying both dual diac and relation oscillator configurations.
Claims38
A voltage control circuit for an igniter for controlling voltage being applied to the igniter, said voltage control circuit comprising:
- a triac;
- a first diac electrically coupled to the triac such that current is provided to the triac when the first diac fires;
- an RC circuit element in which the capacitor is arranged to feed voltage to the first diac;
- and
- a resistor/diac element in which the voltage from such an element is supplied to the RC element for charging a capacitor.
A voltage control circuit for an igniter for controlling voltage being applied to the igniter, said voltage control circuit comprising:
- a triac;
- a first diac electrically coupled to the triac such that current is provided to the triac when the first diac fires;
- an RC circuit element including a first resistor and a first capacitor that are arranged so as to be in series, where the first capacitor is arranged to feed voltage to the first diac;
- a resistor/diac element including a second resistor and a second diac arranged so as to be in series, where voltage from such an element is supplied to the first capacitor for charging of the first capacitor;
- wherein the second resistor and the second diac are arranged in the circuit so as to be across a source of line voltage;
- and
- wherein the RC circuit element are arranged so as to be connected to a point electrically between the second resistor and the second diac.
An ignition system electrically coupled to a voltage source, comprising:
- an igniter;
- a voltage control circuit electrically coupled to the igniter for controlling the voltage being applied to the igniter, and
- wherein said voltage control circuit includes:
- a triac,
- a first diac electrically coupled to the triac such that current is provided to the triac when the diac fires,
- an RC circuit element in which the capacitor is arranged to feed voltage to the first diac, and
- an resistor/diac element in which the voltage from such an element is supplied to the RC element for charging of the capacitor.
A method for controlling voltage being applied to an igniter;
- comprising the steps of:
- providing a first circuit element that is configured so voltage being applied to the igniter is at about a nominal value;
- and
- regulating inputted line voltage using the first circuit element so as to mitigate changes in line voltage causing changes in voltage being applied to the igniter.
A method for regulating speed of a motor;
- comprising the steps of:
- providing a first circuit element that is configured so as to control voltage being applied to the motor so it is maintained at about a nominal value;
- and
- regulating line voltage being inputted to the motor using the first circuit element so as to mitigate changes in line voltage causing changes in voltage being applied to the motor.
A voltage control circuit for an igniter for controlling voltage being applied to the igniter, said voltage control circuit comprising:
- a triac;
- a first diac electrically coupled to the triac such that current is provided to the triac when the first diac fires;
- an RC circuit element including a first capacitor which is arranged to feed voltage to the first diac;
- a relaxation oscillator circuit that is configured to repetitively create N signal outputs during each half AC cycle of the line voltage source, N is an integer greater than 2;
- and
- a bleed circuit operably coupled to the relaxation oscillator circuit and operably coupled to the RC circuit element, wherein the bleed circuit is configured and arranged so as to reduce an amount of charge being provided to the first capacitor responsive to the output signals of the relaxation oscillator circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.