Constant Efficiency Controller

Abstract

A system and controller where the pressure of the air is continuously monitored or read at a designated exhaust point and adjustments made to the flow of the air and gas to keep the efficiency of the appliance at a maximum to control the appliance (or the burner for an appliance) within specifications as dictated by the customer or consumer rather than training the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A circuit for a heating appliance comprising
 A fuel source;   At least one fuel passageway;   A valve to control pressure of the fuel in said passageway;   At least one air passageway;   A fan having a motor to create air pressure in the passageway;   A fuel pressure sensor on the fuel passageway;   An air pressure sensor on the air passageway;   A controller in communication with said fan motor and said valve;   A testing device to determine a target fuel pressure and a target air pressure at optimum performance specifications provided by the manufacturer of the appliance;   A comparator to compare the fuel pressure and air pressure during operation of the heating appliance and determine any variance with the target fuel pressure or target air pressure as determined by the testing device;   A signal generator in communication with said comparator and said controller to indicate a signal to the controller if the comparator find variance with the target fuel pressure and air pressure from optimum performance specifications;   Wherein the controller adjusts the fan speed and the fuel pressure in response to any variance of the target fuel pressure and target air pressure from optimum performance specifications.   
     
     
         2 . A method for maintaining the efficiency of a burner, having a fan driven by a motor having a speed control for the motor, comprising the steps of:
 Deriving an internal air pressure target;   Sensing combustion air pressure;   Sensing burner gas pressure;   Comparing the air pressure and burner gas pressure to the air pressure target; and   Controlling fan speed to match the internal air pressure target by control of the motor speed.   
     
     
         3 . A method for maintaining the efficiency of a burner used in an appliance, having a controller, passageways for combustion air and burner gas, at least one fan having a motor to control the speed of the fan by the controller, and air pressure sensors for combustion air pressure and burner gas pressure, comprising the steps of:
 Obtaining optimum performance specifications of the appliance;   Testing the appliance to determine the combustion air pressure and burner gas pressure at optimum performance of the appliance to determine a target control parameter;   Input the target control parameter into the controller;   Comparing the air vacuum pressure from the sensors to the target control parameter;   Sending a signal to the controller to generate a digital instruction to the controller to control the gas valve;   Sensing burner gas pressure;   Changing the speed of the fan motor if the signal indicates a variance from optimum performance to return to target control parameter relating to motor speed;   Changing the position of the gas valve if the signal indicates a variance from optimum performance to return to target control parameter relating to burner gas pressure; and   Further monitoring and changing as needed for further optimum efficiency performance of the appliance.