Heating apparatus comprising combustible gas burner

Abstract

A combustible gas heating apparatus includes: a main burner arranged in a combustion chamber of the apparatus, a pilot burner for generating a pilot flame for igniting it, a valve group comprising a main valve arranged on a main duct, and a pilot valve arranged thereon, upstream of the main valve, for supplying gas to the pilot burner, a system for controlling gas to the main and pilot burners, including an electronic control unit operatively associated with the main and pilot valves, a thermal safety device actuable in the presence of inflammable vapors near the apparatus, to safely extinguish the main burner when a predetermined temperature threshold has been exceeded, the pilot burner configured as a continuous pilot burner having a permanent flame, the pilot and main valves being electrically-operated valves, an auxiliary buffer battery configured to power the electronic control.

1 . Combustible gas heating apparatus, for heating water, comprising:
 a main burner ( 2 ) arranged in a combustion chamber ( 3 ) of the apparatus,   a pilot burner ( 4 ) suitable for generating a pilot flame for igniting the main burner ( 2 ),   a valve group ( 5 ) comprising a main valve ( 6 ) arranged on a main duct ( 7 ) for supplying the combustible gas to the main burner ( 2 ), and a pilot valve ( 8 ) arranged on said main duct ( 7 ), upstream of said main valve ( 6 ), for supplying gas to the pilot burner ( 4 ), a pilot duct ( 9 ) branching off from a portion ( 7   a ) of the main duct ( 7 ) between said pilot and main valves ( 8 ,  6 ) in order to feed the gas to the pilot burner ( 4 ),   a system for controlling the supply of gas to said burners, including an electronic control unit ( 10 ) that is operatively associated with said main and pilot valves ( 6 ,  8 ),   a thermal safety device ( 12 ) which can be activated in the presence of inflammable vapours in the vicinity of the apparatus and configured to safely extinguish the main burner ( 2 ) when a predetermined temperature threshold in the combustion chamber ( 3 ) has been exceeded,   said pilot burner ( 4 ) configured as a continuous pilot burner having a permanent flame,   the pilot valve ( 8 ) and the main valve ( 6 ) being electrically-operated valves,   an auxiliary buffer battery ( 18 ) being intended to power said electronic control unit ( 10 ) if there is a temporary absence of a mains power supply, such that at least said pilot valve ( 8 ) is powered and operated, by means of said control unit ( 10 ), in order to ensure that the pilot flame in the pilot burner ( 4 ) is maintained during the absence of a mains power supply.   
     
     
         2 . The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control unit ( 10 ) is designed to supply power to, and also operate, the main valve ( 6 ) during a temporary absence of a mains power supply, after the control unit ( 10 ) has been supplied with power by said auxiliary buffer battery ( 18 ). 
     
     
         3 . The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermal safety device ( 12 ) comprises an interception element ( 13 ) designed to selectively intercept the flow of air that is suitable for igniting the flame in the main burner ( 2 ) if the temperature detected in the combustion chamber ( 3 ) exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold, thus safely extinguishing the main burner ( 2 ). 
     
     
         4 . The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermal safety device ( 12 ) comprises a mechanical thermostat ( 14 ) that can change state if the temperature in the combustion chamber ( 3 ) exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold, said control unit ( 10 ) being designed to recognize when said mechanical thermostat ( 14 ) has changed state in order to intervene in the form of a command to safely extinguish the main burner ( 2 ). 
     
     
         5 . The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control unit ( 10 ) is supplied with power from the mains supply and is designed to send electric command signals to the pilot and main valves ( 8 ,  6 ) in order to open/close the passage of gas through said valves. 
     
     
         6 . The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said control unit ( 10 ) is operatively associated with a first ON button ( 10 ), by means of which said unit ( 10 ) is activated, determining the start of the procedure for igniting the pilot burner ( 4 ), an OFF button ( 20 ), by means of which the user can interrupt the power supply to the control unit ( 10 ) and subsequently command the pilot and main valves to close, and a dial ( 21 ) for regulating the temperature, by means of which the user can set the desired temperature and subsequently ignite the main burner ( 2 ) or not. 
     
     
         7 . The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a device ( 15 ) for damping down the flame, which comprises a fireproof grid. 
     
     
         8 . The heating apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water tank ( 13   c ) intended to be heated by said apparatus, and a water temperature sensor ( 13   d ) in an electronic water thermostat, which is designed to compare the water temperature set by the user with the actual temperature detected by the sensor ( 13   d ).