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  Low nox pilot burner and associated method of useUSPTO Application #: 20060199124Title: Low nox pilot burner and associated method of use Abstract: The pilot burner assembly and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes a pilot burner having a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the pilot burner includes a hood that is positioned adjacent to an igniter and a thermocouple. The middle portion of the pilot burner includes at least one opening providing an air inlet. During situations where LDO (lint-dust-oil) build-up has occurred, the hood will continue to provide flame to a main burner, but the flame to heat the thermocouple will shrink or lift to the point where it no longer can heat the thermocouple sufficiently to generate enough power to allow for a safety magnet valve to remain energized. This will result in the shutting-off of the associated gas-fired device. (end of abstract) Agent: Leydig Voit & Mayer, Ltd - Chicago, IL, US Inventor: Frederick Dean Lyles USPTO Applicaton #: 20060199124 - Class: 431075000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Combustion, Timer, Programmer, Retarder Or Condition Responsive Control, By Combustion Or Combustion Zone Sensor The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060199124. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/593,776 filed Feb. 11, 2005, having inventor Frederick D. Lyles, entitled "Low NOx Pilot Burner And Associated Method Of Use." BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] All gas burners are susceptible to lint, dust or oil (LDO) accumulation in harsh environments. These gas burners must shut down before exceeding carbon monoxide (CO) limits. When there is an accumulation of lint, dust or oil, this can cause the gas burner flame to flatten out and increase the internal temperature of the gas appliance's combustion chamber. Therefore, it is desired to have a pilot burner that will shut down when there is an excessive amount of lint, dust or oil. An illustrative, but nonlimiting example, of a gas appliance that utilizes a gas burner is a water heater. Moreover, it is desirable to have a low NOx pilot burner. This is due to the fact that NOx is the generic term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. [0003] There are now standards that dictate that a water heater must not produce flue gases that contain carbon monoxide in excess of 0.04 (%) percent on an air free basis when exposed to lint, dust or oil. These test standards are listed under ANSI Z21.10.1b-2004, CSA 4.1b-2004, Section 2.36 as "Resistance to Lint, Dust and Oil Accumulation." This is also mandated by regulation such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District's Rule 1121 for "Control of Nitrogen Oxides from Residential Type, Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters." This Rule dictates the NOx emission level per joule of heat output. [0004] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] An aspect of the present invention is a pilot burner assembly. The pilot burner assembly includes a pilot burner having a top portion, middle portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the pilot burner includes a hood that is positioned adjacent to an igniter and a thermocouple. A middle portion of the pilot burner includes at least one opening providing an air inlet. [0006] Another aspect of the present invention may optionally include a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may be operatively attached to a pilot burner, a thermocouple assembly and an igniter assembly. Preferably, but not necessarily, a pilot burner is mounted at an angle with the thermocouple located lower than the pilot burner hood, e.g., 60.degree.+/-15.degree. in relationship to the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly may include a vertical portion with attachment holes as well as a u-shaped bracket with an upper opening and a lower opening for receiving a thermocouple. Optionally, the bracket assembly may include a first top plate and a second top plate connected together. [0007] Still another aspect of the present invention may optionally include a hood. The hood may have at least one opening and preferably includes more than one opening to form a multiple-way hood, e.g., two-way hood. The at least one opening can include a wide variety of geometric shapes and sizes but is preferably triangular with an opening that can provide flame direction and pattern as well as a spark path between an igniter and a pilot burner. [0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention may optionally include an insert. The insert may include an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion. Optionally, the middle portion can include a flange can be positioned on top of a bracket assembly and the lower portion can be threaded. The presence of lint, dust and/or oil will restrict at least one opening, e.g., four (4), created by a hole(s) or slot(s) forming at least one primary air intake orifice. A primary air intake orifice is located in the middle portion of the insert that extends from an inner chamber of the insert to an outer surface of the middle portion of the insert. [0009] In still another aspect of the present invention may optionally include an orifice spud. The orifice spud controls the primary flow of gas in the pilot burner and restricts the flow of gas. The orifice spud may include a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a nozzle. The nozzle may include an opening. The opening may include a first slot and a second slot that are positioned transverse, e.g., perpendicular, to each other and in fluid communication. [0010] Another aspect of the present invention may optionally include a ball sleeve. The ball sleeve may provide a compression seal between an orifice spud and a compression nut. Optionally, the ball sleeve may include a triangular portion. [0011] Still another aspect of the present invention may optionally include a compression nut. The compression nut may provide connection to a gas valve and operate to compress a ball sleeve. The compression nut may be threadedly attached to a threaded end portion for an insert. [0012] It is another aspect of the present invention includes an igniter. The igniter may include a protruding electrode that can be bent to extend adjacent to an opening in a hood. There may be an insulator that can secure the electrode. An illustrative, but nonlimiting insulator can include ceramic material. The electrode is preferably at least partially covered in an insulating material. The insulator may be secured in the bracket assembly with an upper ring and a combination electrode holder and retainer. [0013] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of utilizing a pilot burner assembly. The method includes positioning a pilot burner, having a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion, near a thermocouple and an igniter so that when at least one opening providing an air inlet in the middle portion of the pilot burner is at least partially blocked with lint, oil or dust, then the flame to heat the thermocouple will shrink or lift to the point where it no longer can heat the thermocouple sufficiently to generate enough power to allow for a safety magnet valve to remain energized and will shut-off the associated gas-fired device. [0014] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates by way of example the principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pilot burner of the present invention mounted to a main burner; [0017] FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of an igniter assembly, a thermocouple assembly and a pilot burner in accordance with the present invention; [0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the pilot burner in accordance with the present invention and as shown in FIG. 2; [0019] FIG. 4 is a top view of an insert associated with the pilot burner shown in FIG. 3; [0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the insert associated with the pilot burner valve taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. 4; Continue reading... Full patent description for Low nox pilot burner and associated method of use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Low nox pilot burner and associated method of use 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 Low nox pilot burner and associated method of use or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Intelligent flame scanner Next Patent Application: Self diagonostic flame ignitor Industry Class: Combustion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Low nox pilot burner and associated method of use patent info. 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