Burner or boiler electrical discharge control

Abstract

A combustion system may include one or more electrodes configured for the application of a charge, voltage, and/or electric field to a flame. Combustion system may include a burner, combustion chamber, and ancillary equipment. In order to avoid high voltage discharges from the charged flame to ancillary equipment, combustion system may employ an insulating material between burner and flame, as well as safety insulation subsystems that may eliminate electrical path to ground. These safety insulation subsystems may include a battery or a motor-generator power conversion system, for example.

1 . A burner system, comprising:
 a burner, boiler, or furnace body configured to support a combustion reaction;   at least one high voltage source configured to apply one or more of a charge, a voltage, or an electric field to the combustion reaction;   an electrically-powered ancillary apparatus operatively coupled to the burner, boiler, or furnace and the combustion reaction; and   at least one of electrical isolation or insulation operatively coupled to the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus, the electrical isolation or insulation being configured to reduce or prevent electrical discharge through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of electrical isolation or insulation includes a safety isolation system disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and one or more electrical discharge paths from the combustion reaction to the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of electrical isolation or insulation includes electrical insulation, electrical isolation, or electrical insulation and electrical isolation disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and one or more electrical discharge paths from the combustion reaction to the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of electrical isolation or insulation includes a safety isolation system disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus or between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The burner system of  claim 4 , wherein the safety isolation system includes at least a pair of insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFET) connected in a cascade across a DC power supply for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus, a junction between the IGFETs forming an output terminal of a self-biasing amplifier for powering the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The burner system of  claim 4 , wherein the safety isolation system includes an inductive coupling to an output from the high voltage source and a step-down voltage transformer configured to power the electrically-powered ancillary equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The burner system of  claim 4 , wherein the safety isolation system includes an inductive coupling from the electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The burner system of  claim 4 , wherein the safety isolation system includes an electrically insulated motor-generator pair, the motor being operatively coupled to an electrical power source and the generator being configured to receive rotational energy from the motor and being operatively coupled to a tap from the high voltage source. 
     
     
         9 . The burner system of  claim 8 , wherein the generator is configured to generate a voltage to run the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein a voltage to run the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus are configured to electrically float on a voltage operatively coupled to the high voltage source. 
     
     
         11 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of electrical isolation or insulation includes a safety isolation system disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of electrical isolation or insulation includes electrical insulation, electrical isolation, or electrical insulation and electrical isolation disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes ancillary equipment. 
     
     
         14 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes one or more fan motors. 
     
     
         15 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes one or more pumps. 
     
     
         16 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes a fuel valve actuator. 
     
     
         17 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes a damper actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes a digital computer or controller. 
     
     
         19 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply 1000 volts or more to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         20 . The burner system of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply 10,000 volts or more to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         21 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply 1000 volts or more to one or more electrodes proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         22 . The burner system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply 10,000 volts or more to one or more electrodes proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         23 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply a positive voltage or charge to or proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         24 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply a negative voltage or charge to or proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         25 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply a substantially constant voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         26 . The burner system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one high voltage source is configured to apply a time-varying voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         27 . A method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner, comprising:
 applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to a combustion reaction;   operating an electrically-powered ancillary apparatus to affect the combustion reaction; and   substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus.   
     
     
         28 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes preventing an electrical arc from forming between the combustion reaction and the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         29 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes preventing damage to the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         30 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes allowing current to flow through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus at a rate less than 10% of an intended current flow path. 
     
     
         31 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 30 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes allowing current to flow through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus at a rate less than 1% of an intended current flow path. 
     
     
         32 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes providing at least one of electrical isolation or insulation disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and one or more electrical discharge paths from the combustion reaction to the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         33 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes providing a safety isolation system disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus or between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical ground. 
     
     
         34 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 33 , wherein providing the safety isolation system includes providing at least a pair of insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFET) connected in a cascade across a DC power supply for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus, a junction between the IGFETs forming an output terminal of a self-biasing amplifier for powering the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         35 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 33 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes providing a safety isolation system including an inductive coupling to an output from the high voltage source and a step-down voltage transformer from the inductive coupling to power the electrically-powered ancillary equipment. 
     
     
         36 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 33 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes providing an inductive coupling from the electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         37 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 33 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus further comprises:
 providing an electrically insulated motor-generator pair;   powering the motor from an external power source;   providing rotational energy from the motor to the generator; and   generating a voltage with the generator to run the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus.   
     
     
         38 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes allowing a voltage to run the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus to electrically float on a voltage operatively coupled to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         39 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 operating high voltage source to generate the voltage, charge, or electric field.   
     
     
         40 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes providing a safety isolation system disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         41 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein substantially preventing electrical discharge from the combustion reaction through the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes providing electrical insulation, electrical isolation, or electrical insulation and electrical isolation disposed between the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus and an electrical power source for the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus. 
     
     
         42 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein operating the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes operating ancillary equipment. 
     
     
         43 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein operating the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes operating one or more fan motors. 
     
     
         44 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein the operating the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes operating one or more pumps. 
     
     
         45 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein operating the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes operating a fuel valve actuator. 
     
     
         46 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein operating the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes operating a damper actuator. 
     
     
         47 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein operating the electrically-powered ancillary apparatus includes operating a digital computer or controller. 
     
     
         48 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply 1000 volts or more to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         49 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 48 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply 10,000 volts or more to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         50 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply 1000 volts or more to one or more electrodes proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         51 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 50 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply 10,000 volts or more to one or more electrodes proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         52 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply a positive voltage or charge to or proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         53 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply a negative voltage or charge to or proximate to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         54 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply a substantially constant voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction. 
     
     
         55 . The method for operating electrical equipment operatively coupled to an electrodynamic burner of  claim 27 , wherein applying a voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction includes operating at least one high voltage source to apply a time-varying voltage, charge, or electric field to the combustion reaction.