Pilotless, unplugged combustion control system

Abstract

A self-powered combustion control system having a burner and a fuel supply control valve connected with the burner. The fuel supply control valve includes ignition and hold solenoids arranged whereby energizing the ignition solenoid causes the hold solenoid to transform from a closed disposition in which no fuel passes to the burner to an open disposition in which fuel flow to the burner is initiated for igniting the burner and subsequently maintained during heating of the material to be heated. An electronic system controller is provided for controlling the ignition solenoid and an unpowered rechargeable energy storage device is provided for all of the power required to operate the combustion control system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A self-powered combustion control system comprising:
 a burner;   a fuel supply control valve having a fuel outlet in fluid communication with said burner and having an ignition solenoid and a hold solenoid, said ignition solenoid and said hold solenoid operably linked, whereby energizing said ignition solenoid causes said hold solenoid to transform from a closed disposition to an open disposition;   an electronic system controller for controlling said ignition solenoid operably connected with said ignition solenoid; and   an unpowered energy storage device providing all power required to operate said combustion control system.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said unpowered energy storage device is rechargeable. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said unpowered energy storage device is a supercapacitor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said unpowered energy storage device is a battery. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an igniter for igniting said burner operably connected with said electronic system controller. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a flame presence sensor proximate said burner operably connected with said hold solenoid, whereby heating of said flame presence sensor maintains said hold solenoid in said open disposition. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a heating vessel for holding contents to be heated. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said heating vessel is a water tank. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a temperature sensor suitable for measuring a temperature of said contents operably connected with said electronic system controller. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a thermoelectric system operably connected with said unpowered energy storage device for recharging said energy storage device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said thermoelectric system comprises a thermopile or thermocouple. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said thermopile or thermocouple is operably connected with said hold solenoid for maintaining said hold solenoid in said open disposition.