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  Fireplace control systemUSPTO Application #: 20070292810Title: Fireplace control system Abstract: A heating appliance control system that includes a pilot flame assembly, a main burner assembly, a gas valve, and a controller. The pilot flame assembly includes a pilot flame burner and at least one pilot flame sensor. The main burner assembly includes a main burner. The gas valve is coupled to the pilot flame and main flame burners. The controller is configured to control the variable gas valve in response to signals received from the pilot and main burner sensors. The controller is also configured to monitor a pilot flame at the pilot flame burner with the pilot flame sensor to confirm the presence of the pilot flame before activating the variable gas valve to supply gas to the main burner. (end of abstract) Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Patent Docketing - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Dennis R. Maiello, Thomas J. Bachinski, Gregg A. Achman USPTO Applicaton #: 20070292810 - Class: 431059000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, Timer, Programmer, Retarder Or Condition Responsive Control, Sensor Of First Burner Controls Second Burner, E.g., Pilot And Main, Etc., Electrical Or Magnetic Sensor Controls Second Burner The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070292810. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to control systems for heating appliances, and more specifically relates to systems and methods for monitoring and controlling burners and ignition systems in a decorative heating appliance such as a fireplace, stove or fireplace insert. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Gas, electric, and wood burning heating appliances such as fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts are an efficient method for providing warmth and creating the appeal of a fire within a room. Fireplaces have become commonplace in today's building trades for both residential and commercial applications. Most new home construction designs include at least one, and often several fireplaces. Further, a significant number of remodeling projects are focused on fireplaces. [0005] Most known heating appliances include some type of heat control system that facilitates ON/OFF control, the level of heat output, and possibly thermostatic control. In the case of a gas powered heating appliance such as a gas fireplace or stove, heat generation is controlled by igniting a main burner flame and altering the flow of gas to the burner via a gas valve. [0006] Decorative heating appliances such as fireplaces and stoves typically include a combustion chamber wherein heat is generated or simulated in the form of a flame, and the flame is viewable for aesthetic purposes. Many fireplaces and stoves that burn a gaseous substance rather than a solid fuel such as wood attempt to produce a flame or flame effect that simulates burning of a solid fuel. Providing a flame generated from gas can involve ignition, draft, safety and maintenance issues different from burning solid fuel. A heating device that provides improved monitoring and control of a gas flame in a decorative heating appliance would be an advance in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for monitoring and controlling heating appliances such as fireplaces, stove, and fireplace inserts. The disclosed embodiments illustrate example systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the burner and other features of a heating appliance, and communicating the status and conditions [0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a heating appliance control system that includes a pilot flame assembly, a main burner assembly, a gas valve, and a controller. The pilot flame assembly includes a pilot flame burner and at least one pilot flame sensor. The main burner assembly includes a main burner. The gas valve is coupled to the pilot flame and main flame burners. The controller is configured to control the variable gas valve in response to signals received from the pilot and main burner sensors. The controller is also configured to monitor a pilot flame at the pilot flame burner with the pilot flame sensor to confirm stabilization of the pilot flame or a pilot flame signal indicative of the pilot flame before activating the variable gas valve to supply gas to the main burner. [0009] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of generating a decorative flame in a heating appliance. The heating appliance includes a pilot flame assembly, a main burner assembly, a gas valve, and a controller. The method includes activating the gas valve to supply gas to the pilot flame assembly, igniting the pilot flame with an ignition source of the pilot flame assembly, monitoring the pilot flame to ensure stabilization of the pilot flame, and activating the gas valve to supply gas to the main burner assembly for generation of the decorative flame if the pilot flame is present. [0010] A further aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace that includes a combustion chamber enclosure, a main burner assembly, a pilot flame assembly, a gas valve, and a controller. The combustion chamber enclosure includes a plurality of panels that define a combustion chamber wherein a decorative flame is generated. The main burner assembly includes a main burner and a main flame sensor. The pilot flame assembly includes a pilot flame burner, an ignition source, and a pilot flame sensor. The main burner assembly and the pilot flame assembly are exposed within the combustion chamber. The controller is configured to activate the gas valve to provide a supply of gas to the pilot flame burner for generation of a pilot flame, and is configured to activate the gas valve to provide a supply of gas to the main burner for generation of a main flame. The controller is further configured to monitor the pilot flame for a first predetermined time period prior to activating the gas valve to provide the supply of gas to the main burner. [0011] The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify certain embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and describe embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example fireplace illustrating inventive aspects of the present disclosure; [0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fireplace shown in FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example heating appliance control system according to inventive aspects of the present disclosure; [0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example heating appliance control system according to inventive aspects of the present disclosure; [0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating features of an example controller for use in a heating appliance according to principles of the present disclosure; [0018] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a sensed pilot flame in a prior art heating appliance control system; [0019] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a sensed pilot flame in accordance with an example heating appliance control system of the present disclosure; [0020] FIG. 8 is a is another graph illustrating a sensed main burner flame in accordance with an example heating appliance control system of the present disclosure; [0021] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating steps of an example method of controlling a heating appliance according to inventive aspects of the present disclosure; Continue reading... Full patent description for Fireplace control system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fireplace control system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Fireplace control system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Process for the production of double-layer heat-sensitive imageable elements Next Patent Application: Coanda gas burner apparatus and methods Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Fireplace control system patent info. 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