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  Heating appliance control systemRelated Patent Categories: Combustion, Process Of Combustion Or Burner Operation, Flame Shaping, Or Distributing Components In Combustion ZoneHeating appliance control system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050208443, Heating appliance control system. 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 of heating appliance features, and more specifically relates to controlling a heating appliance flame and coordinating changes in the flame with sound and scent production in the heating appliance. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Generally, heat generation in a heating appliance is altered by controlling the source of energy being used to generate heat. 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 that involves monitoring room temperature and turns the heating appliance on or off in order to maintain a certain temperature within the room. In the case of a gas powered heating appliance such as a gas fireplace or stove, heat generation is controlled by altering the flow of gas to a burner via a gas valve. [0005] Decorative heating appliances such as fireplaces and stoves typically include a combustion chamber of some type 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 like wood or other fibrous material attempt to produce a flame or flame effect that simulates burning of a solid fuel. Burning of a solid fuel not only produces flame modulations but also produces a variety of burning sounds such as crackling and snapping sounds, and different burning scents that are not commonly associated with burning a gaseous fuel. A heating device that provides improved heating control and simulation of a solid fuel flame is desirable. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention generally relates to a heating appliance that is configured to provide flame and heat control based on a flame signal indicative of a selected flame characteristic. The flame characteristic may correspond to the frequency and amplitude of the flame, or may relate to a mean flame temperature over time, flame color, size, movement patter, or other physical or aesthetic characteristic of the flame. The heating appliance may also include a scent delivery system and a sound system that function independently or in synchronization with the flame characteristics. [0007] One aspect of the invention relates to a gas fireplace that includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, a burner positioned to generate a flame within the combustion chamber enclosure, a variable valve coupled to the burner, a module coupled to the variable valve, and an input device. The module is configured to generate a control signal for use by the variable valve to adjust a flow of combustible fuel delivered to the burner to generate at least one flame characteristic. The input device may be used for selecting one of the flame characteristics. [0008] Another aspect of the invention relates to a gas fireplace that includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, a burner positioned to generate a flame within the combustion chamber enclosure, a variable valve configured to provide a combustible fuel to the burner, and an input device configured for selection of at least one flame effect. The fireplace also includes a module coupled to the variable valve that is configured to control the variable valve according to one of a plurality selected flame effects thereby controlling fuel flow to the burner. [0009] A further aspect of the invention relates to a flame control system that includes an input device configured to provide selection of at least one flame effect, a module configured produce a control signal corresponding to the at least one flame effect, and a flame modulator configured to modulate a flame in response to the control signal. [0010] A yet further aspect of the invention relates to a heating appliance that includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber for the combustion of fuel, a burner configured to produce combust the fuel to produce a flame, valve configured to control fuel flow to the burner, and a controller configured to generate a flame control signal that is delivered to the valve, the valve controlling fuel flow in response to the flame control signal to alter an amplitude and frequency of the flame. [0011] Another aspect of the invention relates to a flame and sound system configured for use with a heating appliance. The system includes an input device configured for selection of at least one user preference, a control module configured to generate a flame control signal and a sound control signal in response to the selected user preference, a flame modulator configured to modulate a flame in response to the flame control signal, and a sound generating device configured to produce sound in response to the sound control signal. [0012] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling a flame that includes selecting at least one flame indicator using a input device, generating a flame control signal with a control module, the flame control signal corresponding to the at least one selected flame indicator, and controlling a flame characteristic in accordance with the flame control signal. [0013] A yet further aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling a gas fireplace assembly that includes a burner, a valve, a sound system, a scent delivery system, and a control module. The method includes generating a control signal with control module and communicating the control signal to the valve, the sound system, and the scent delivery system, controlling a fuel flow from the gas valve to the burner in response to the control signal, controlling production of sound by the system in response to the control signal, and controlling production of scent by the scent delivery system in response to the control signal. [0014] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of thermostatically controlling a flame. The method includes providing a first room temperature measurement, setting a target room temperature, generating a flame having a first flame amplitude configured to provide heat sufficient to attain the target room temperature, providing a second room temperature measurement, determining a difference between the target room temperature and the second room temperature measurement, and altering the first flame amplitude to a second flame amplitude when the determined difference is within a predetermined temperature range of the target room temperature. [0015] The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and describing embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] 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: [0017] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example fireplace assembly incorporating features and systems of the invention; [0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fireplace assembly shown in FIG. 1; [0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example valve assembly according to principles of the invention; [0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the valve assembly shown in FIG. 3 taken along cross-sectional indicators 4-4; [0021] FIG. 5 is a front view of an example control panel according to principles of the invention; Continue reading about Heating appliance control system... Full patent description for Heating appliance control system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Heating appliance 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 Heating appliance control system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Fuel combustion device Next Patent Application: Method and apparatus for modifying the path of a flame Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Heating appliance control system patent info. 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