Igniter air shield

Abstract

A burner assembly for use adjacent an igniter element in a gas appliance includes a top plate configured to form the geometric top half of at least one burner, and a bottom plate configured to form the geometric bottom half of at least one burner. The top plate and the bottom plate are joined together to form a burner and a burner carryover. An igniter air shield extends from either the top plate or the bottom plate such that the igniter air shield diverts secondary combustion air flowing around the burner and the adjacent igniter element.

1 . A burner assembly for use adjacent an igniter element in a gas appliance comprising:
 a top plate configured to form the geometric top half of at least one burner;   a bottom plate configured to form the geometric bottom half of at least one burner, wherein the bottom plate and the top plate are joined to form a burner and a burner carryover; and   an igniter air shield extending from one of the top plate or bottom plate such that the igniter air shield diverts secondary combustion air flowing around the burner carryover and away from the adjacent igniter element.   
     
     
         2 . The burner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the size of the igniter air shield is sufficient to create a stable flow adjacent an outlet of the burner carryover. 
     
     
         3 . The burner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the igniter air shield forms an angle with the horizontal plane of the burner assembly such that the range of the angle is between zero and substantially ninety degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The burner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the igniter air shield is integrally formed with the bottom plate adjacent an outlet of a burner carryover. 
     
     
         5 . The burner assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the igniter air shield is fastened to the bottom plate adjacent an outlet of a burner carryover. 
     
     
         6 . A burner unit comprising:
 a burner assembly having a plurality of axially aligned burners;   a burner box for receiving the burner assembly;   an igniter assembly including an igniter element, wherein the igniter assembly is mounted to the burner box such that the igniter element is adjacent the burner assembly; and   an igniter air shield extending from a portion of the burner assembly, such that the igniter air shield diverts secondary air flowing around the burner assembly away from the igniter element.   
     
     
         7 . The burner unit of  claim 6  wherein the burner assembly further comprises:
 a top plate configured to form the geometric top half of a plurality of burners; and 
 a bottom plate configured to form the geometric bottom half of a plurality of burners, wherein the bottom plate and the top plate are joined to form a plurality of burners and burner carryovers. 
 
     
     
         8 . The burner unit according to  claim 6 , wherein the size of the igniter air shield is sufficient to create a stable flow adjacent the igniter element and an outlet of a burner carryover from the burner assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The burner unit according to  claim 6 , wherein the igniter air shield forms an angle with the horizontal plane of the burner assembly such that the range of the angle is between zero and substantially ninety degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The burner unit according to  claim 7 , wherein the igniter air shield is integrally formed with the bottom plate adjacent an outlet of a burner carryover. 
     
     
         11 . The burner unit according to  claim 7 , wherein the igniter air shield is fastened to the bottom plate adjacent an outlet of a burner carryover. 
     
     
         12 . A furnace comprising:
 a burner assembly having a plurality of axially aligned burners;   a burner box for receiving the burner assembly;   an igniter assembly including an igniter element, wherein the igniter assembly is mounted to the burner box such that the igniter element is adjacent the burner assembly; and   an igniter air shield, extending from the burner assembly, for diverting secondary air flowing around the burner assembly away from the igniter element.   
     
     
         13 . The furnace of  claim 12  wherein the burner assembly further comprises:
 a top plate configured to form the geometric top half of a plurality of burners and a bottom plate configured to form the geometric bottom half of a plurality of burners wherein the bottom plate and the top plate are joined to form a plurality of burners and burner carryovers. 
 
     
     
         14 . The furnace according to  claim 12 , wherein the size of the igniter air shield is sufficient to create a stable flow adjacent the igniter element and an outlet of a burner carryover from the burner assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The furnace according to  claim 12 , wherein the igniter air shield forms an angle with the horizontal plane of the burner assembly, the angle being between zero and substantially ninety degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The furnace according to  claim 13 , wherein the igniter air shield is integrally formed with the bottom plate adjacent an outlet of a burner carryover. 
     
     
         17 . The furnace according to  claim 13 , wherein the igniter air shield is fastened to the bottom plate adjacent an outlet of a burner carryover.