Method and apparatus for detecting a burner flame of a gas appliance

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance includes a detection element for optically detecting the burner flame. The detection element is positioned adjacent to a location of the burner flame. The apparatus additionally includes a display element positioned remotely from the detection element. The display element is operative in a first mode to indicate the presence of a burner flame and a second mode to indicate the absence of a burner flame. The apparatus further includes a transmission element connecting the detection element and the display element. The transmission element causes the display element to operate in the first mode when the detection element optically detects the burner flame.

1 . An apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance in combination with the gas appliance, the apparatus comprising: 
 a detection element for optically detecting the burner flame, the detection element positioned adjacent to a location of the burner flame;    a display element positioned remotely from the detection element, the display element operative in a first mode to indicate the presence of a burner flame and a second mode to indicate the absence of a burner flame; and    a transmission element connecting the detection element and the display element, such that the transmission element causes the display element to operate in the first mode when the detection element optically detects the burner flame.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber optic element having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end positioned adjacent to a location of the burner flame, the distal end positioned remotely from the proximal end for detection of the burner flame.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 2 , further comprising means for customizing a flame detection output of the fiber optic element.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the means for customizing the flame detection output of the fiber optic element is operative to restrict output frequencies of the flame detection output.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the means for customizing the flame detection output of the fiber optic element includes at least one of a light filter, a light shield and a cable sheathing with predetermined indeces of refraction.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic element is a fiber optic cable operative to limit the amount of light transmitted from the proximal end to the distal end.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the gas appliance is an absorption refrigerator.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 1 , which the detection element comprises at least one photoelectric panel.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising a transparent panel disposed between the burner flame and the at least one photoelectric panel to protect the at least one photoelectric panel from heat.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 7 , wherein the display element is a liquid crystal display.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus for detecting the presence of a burner flame of a gas appliance of  claim 7 , wherein the display element is a light diode display.