Control system and method for a solid fuel combustion appliance
AssigneeMaxitrol Company
InventorsMark Masen, Alex Manoulian, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system for a solid fuel combustion appliance, e.g., a wood burning stove, includes a temperature sensor for sensing an output temperature of the appliance. A controller receives the output temperature and controls a damper associated with air flow through the stove to maintain a predetermined temperature. The system also includes a detector that senses certain conditions of the solid fuel, e.g., wood, that is burned by the stove. When additional fuel is added to the appliance, the system temporarily encourages initial combustion of the new fuel, before returning to maintaining the predetermined temperature.
Claims20
A control system for a solid fuel combustion appliance, the appliance including a housing defining a combustion chamber, the housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and an opening, each in fluidic communication with the combustion chamber, and an inlet damper movable between a plurality of positions for controlling airflow into the inlet, said system comprising:
- a drive mechanism operatively connected to the damper for controlling the position of the inlet damper;
- an exhaust temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of air exhausted through the outlet;
- a detector for signaling a certain condition of the solid fuel in the combustion chamber;
- and
- a controller in communication with said drive mechanism, said exhaust temperature sensor, and said detector;
- wherein
- said controller controls said drive mechanism to position the inlet damper to maintain a predetermined temperature of airflow through the outlet;
- and wherein
- said controller controls said drive mechanism to position the inlet damper at a predetermined position for a predetermined period of time in response to said detector signaling the certain condition of the solid fuel in the combustion chamber regardless of the predetermined temperature.
A solid fuel combustion appliance comprising:
- a housing defining a combustion chamber;
- said housing defining an inlet, and outlet, and an opening, each in fluidic communication with said combustion chamber;
- a door operatively connected to said housing and positionable in a closed position to block said opening;
- an inlet damper movable between a plurality of positions for controlling airflow into said inlet;
- a drive mechanism operatively connected to said inlet damper for controlling the position of said inlet damper;
- a controller in communication with said drive mechanism for controlling operation of said drive mechanism;
- and
- an exhaust temperature sensor in communication with said controller for measuring the temperature of air exhausted through said outlet;
- a detector for signaling a certain condition of the solid fuel in the combustion chamber;
- and
- a controller in communication with said drive mechanism, said exhaust temperature sensor, and said detector;
- wherein
- said controller controls said drive mechanism to position the inlet damper to maintain a predetermined temperature of airflow through the outlet;
- and wherein
- said controller controls said drive mechanism to position the inlet damper at a predetermined position for a predetermined period of time in response to said detector signaling the certain condition of the solid fuel in the combustion chamber regardless of the predetermined temperature.
A computerized method for controlling a solid fuel combustion appliance with a controller, the appliance including a housing defining a combustion chamber, the housing defining an inlet, and outlet, and an opening, each in fluidic communication with the combustion chamber, an inlet damper movable between a plurality of positions for regulating airflow into said inlet, and a drive mechanism operatively connected to the inlet damper for controlling the position of the inlet damper, said method comprising the steps of:
- measuring the temperature of air exhausted through the outlet;
- operating the drive mechanism to position the inlet damper to maintain a predetermined temperature of airflow through the outlet;
- detecting a certain condition of the solid fuel in the combustion chamber;
- and
- repositioining the drive mechanism to position the inlet damper at a predetermined position for a predetermined period of time in response to the detecting of the certain condition of the solid fuel in the combustion chamber regardless of the predetermined temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.