Ignition system having control circuit with learning capabilities and devices and methods related thereto

Abstract

Featured is an ignition system using miniaturized hot surface igniters of various types, configurations, and material systems. The ignition system includes an electronic microprocessor on which a software program is executed so as to control the operation of an igniter and all functions of the ignition system. The software program evaluates performance characteristics relating to operation of the igniter. Additionally, the software program determines operation parameters and characteristics for energizing the igniter when it determines that the operation parameters and characteristics for energizing should be updated or revised.

1 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method of causing ignition at a burner of an appliance, furnace or fuel burning apparatus that burns a gas, the method comprising:
 receiving an ignition request at a control circuitry/microcontroller;   after receiving the ignition request, using the control circuitry/microcontroller to control operation of a hot surface igniter that is associated with the burner including causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas;   after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas, using the control circuitry/microcontroller to evaluate ignition performance characteristics relating to operation of the hot surface igniter including determining if a time for ignition is one of too short or too long, wherein upon determining that the time for ignition is one of too short or too long, using the control circuitry/microcontroller to determine alternative operation parameters and characteristics for energizing the hot surface igniter including modulating a supply voltage to the hot surface igniter based on the time for ignition; and   storing the supply voltage and modulation data in a memory associated with the control circuitry/microcontroller for use in response to a future ignition request.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein determining if a time for ignition is one of too short or too long includes the control circuitry/microcontroller receiving a signal from a flame sensor indicating when ignition has begun. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to energize the hot surface igniter at or about a gas ignition temperature after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to energize the hot surface igniter at a temperature lower than a gas ignition temperature after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein modulating the supply voltage includes at least one of wave chopping and duty cycling of the supply voltage. 
     
     
         10 . A method of causing ignition at a burner of an appliance, furnace or fuel burning apparatus that burns a gas, the method comprising:
 receiving an ignition request at a control circuitry/microcontroller;   after receiving the ignition request, using the control circuitry/microcontroller to control operation of a hot surface igniter that is associated with the burner including causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas;   after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas, using the control circuitry/microcontroller to evaluate ignition performance characteristics relating to operation of the hot surface igniter including determining if a time for ignition is one of too short or too long, wherein (a) if the time for ignition is too short, causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to lower by modulation a supply voltage to the hot surface igniter, and (b) if the time for ignition is too long, causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to increase by modulation the supply voltage to the hot surface igniter; and   storing the supply voltage and modulation data in a memory associated with the control circuitry/microcontroller for use in response to a future ignition request.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining if a time for ignition is one of too short or too long includes the control circuitry/microcontroller receiving a signal from a flame sensor indicating when ignition has begun. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to energize the hot surface igniter at or about a gas ignition temperature after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to energize the hot surface igniter at a temperature lower than a gas ignition temperature after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein modulating the supply voltage includes at least one of wave chopping and duty cycling of the supply voltage. 
     
     
         15 . A method of causing ignition at a burner of an appliance, furnace or fuel burning apparatus that burns a gas, the method comprising:
 receiving an ignition request at a control circuitry/microcontroller;   after receiving the ignition request, using the control circuitry/microcontroller to control operation of a hot surface igniter that is associated with the burner including causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas;   after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas, using the control circuitry/microcontroller to evaluate ignition performance characteristics relating to operation of the hot surface igniter including determining if a time for ignition is one of too short or too long, wherein:   if the time for ignition is too short, causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to do at least one of:
 (a) lower by modulation a supply voltage to the hot surface igniter, and 
 (b) decrease timing associated with a jump start function; 
   and wherein:   if the time for ignition is too long, causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to do at least one of:
 (a) increase by modulation the supply voltage to the hot surface igniter, and 
 (b) increase timing associated with the jump start function; and 
   storing the supply voltage, modulation data and/or jump start function data in a memory associated with the control circuitry/microcontroller for use in response to a future ignition request.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein determining if a time for ignition is one of too short or too long includes the control circuitry/microcontroller receiving a signal from a flame sensor indicating when ignition has begun. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to energize the hot surface igniter at or about a gas ignition temperature after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising causing the control circuitry/microcontroller to energize the hot surface igniter at a temperature lower than a gas ignition temperature after causing the hot surface igniter to ignite the gas. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein modulating the supply voltage includes at least one of wave chopping and duty cycling of the supply voltage.