Burner system and a method of control

Abstract

A burner system and a method of control. The system includes a supply unit that provides a gas/air mixture to a burner assembly. The burner assembly includes a distribution outlet having a plurality of openings and an electrode. The electrode provides an electrical arc to ignite the gas/air mixture for a predetermined period of time.

1 . A burner system comprising:
 a burner assembly including:
 a distribution outlet having a plurality of openings; and 
 an electrode spaced apart from the distribution outlet; and 
   a supply unit configured to provide a gas/air mixture to the burner assembly via a hose;   wherein the electrode provides an electrical arc to ignite the gas/air mixture for a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         2 . The burner system of  claim 1  wherein the gas/air mixture has substantially laminar flow through the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         3 . The burner system of  claim 1  wherein the supply unit and burner assembly are disposed on a mobile cart. 
     
     
         4 . The burner system of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor that detects temperature of a workpiece that has received thermal energy from an ignited gas/air mixture. 
     
     
         5 . The burner system of  claim 4  further comprising a feedback device that is activated when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature value. 
     
     
         6 . The burner system of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor that detects a speed at which the burner assembly moves relative to a workpiece. 
     
     
         7 . The burner system of  claim 6  further comprising a feedback device that is activated when the speed is less than a predetermined speed value. 
     
     
         8 . The burner system of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor that detects a distance at which the burner assembly is positioned relative to a workpiece. 
     
     
         9 . The burner system of  claim 8  further comprising a feedback device that is activated when the distance is less than a predetermined distance value. 
     
     
         10 . The burner system of  claim 1  wherein the gas/air mixture includes natural gas. 
     
     
         11 . A method of controlling a burner system comprising:
 providing a gas/air mixture to a burner assembly;   energizing an electrode;   determining whether the gas/air mixture ignites within a predetermined period of time;   determining whether a fault is detected; and   providing a warning signal if a fault is detected.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising not providing the gas/air mixture to the burner assembly if the gas/air mixture does not ignite within the predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of providing the gas/air mixture further comprises:
 providing air to a gas/air mixer and the burner assembly, the burner assembly including the electrode, a trigger, and a distribution outlet having a plurality of openings; 
 determining whether the trigger is actuated; 
 providing a flammable gas to a gas/air mixer when the trigger is actuated to produce the gas/air mixture; 
 providing the gas/air mixture to the burner assembly via a flexible hose. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of energizing the electrode further comprises providing an electric arc between a distal end of the electrode and the distribution outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of determining whether a fault is detected further comprises starting a fault timer upon the detection of the fault and stopping gas flow when the fault timer exceeds a predetermined time value. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising detecting a temperature of a workpiece with a sensor provided with the burner assembly and stopping gas flow when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature value. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising detecting a speed at which the burner assembly moves relative to a workpiece with a sensor and disabling gas flow when the speed is less than a predetermined speed value. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising detecting a distance at which the burner assembly is positioned relative to a workpiece with a sensor and disabling gas flow when the distance is less than a predetermined distance value. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of determining whether the gas/air mixture ignites within a predetermined period of time further comprises monitoring the current provided to the electrode and wherein the gas/air mixture is ignited if the current is less than a predetermined current value.