Ignition system for a gas appliance
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsLionel Monty Levinson, James Rollins Maughan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ignition system for a gas appliance comprises an ignition controller that receives a current from a power source. The ignition controller is also coupled to an ignitor and to a current actuated valve that releases a flow of gas when the current is greater than a first predetermined current value and less than a second predetermined current value. Ignition safety for the gas appliance is provided by establishing a fixed range of current through the ignitor before the gas valve is opened.
Claims25
An ignition system for a gas appliance, comprising:
- an ignition controller coupled to a power source;
- an ignitor coupled to said ignition controller, the ignitor receiving a current from the ignition controller;
- and
- a valve, coupled to said ignition controller,
- wherein the ignition controller comprises means for activating the valve when said current received by the ignitor is greater than a first current value and less than a second current value.
A gas oven, comprising:
- an ignition controller coupled to a power source;
- an ignitor coupled to said ignition controller, the ignitor receiving a current from the ignition controller;
- a valve, coupled to said ignition controller,
- wherein the ignition controller comprises means for activating the valve when said current received by the ignitor is greater than a first current value and less than a second current value;
- and
- a burner coupled to said valve to receive a flow of gas.
A method for controlling the ignition of a burner with an ignitor, the ignitor having a resistance characteristic in which resistance increases with temperature, the method comprising:
- providing a current (I) to the ignitor;
- and
- opening a valve that releases a flow of gas to the burner when the current (I) is greater than a first current value (I1) and less than a second current value (I2), wherein I1 is less than I2, wherein the ignitor ignites gas flowing from the burner when I1<I<I2.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.