Burner

Abstract

An apparatus and method for relieving an ignition pulse that may be created at burner ignition in a gas-fired appliance. The burner is located in a combustion chamber forming part of the appliance such as a water heater. A port for admitting air into the combustion chamber is provided and sufficiently sized to relieve an ignition pulse if created upon burner ignition. The air opening is overlaid with an element made from a material that contains a plurality of small openings and is formed into a cup-shaped configuration so that the total area of the material, including both open and non-open areas is substantially greater than the air opening. The port defines an opening for admitting secondary air into the combustion chamber for some applications. The element that overlies the opening may be constructed from one or more layers of a wire mesh material.

1 . A gas-fired appliance comprising:
 a) a burner located in a combustion chamber of said appliance;   b) an air port for admitting air into said combustion chamber, said air port being sufficiently sized to relieve an ignition pulse that is generated when said burner is ignited;   c) said opening being overlaid with a material that contains a plurality of small openings, said material being formed into a cup-shaped configuration such that the area of said material is substantially greater than the area of said air opening.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said material is a wire mesh material. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said material includes two layers of wire mesh material. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said material is formed into a tapered cup-shaped element. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said cup-shaped element is formed from a perforated sheet metal. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said element is formed from a perforated ceramic material. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said material is formed into a semi-spherical cup-shaped element.