Variable Output Heating Control System

Abstract

A variable output heating control system includes a user interface, an operating parameter sensor, a controller, a combination control valve, a plurality of variable flow valves and a plurality of burners. The user interface allows a user to enter operating parameters, such as a set temperature. The operating parameters sensor provides measured parameters, such as a measured temperature. The controller receives the set temperature and the measured temperature and generates commands to control the flow of gas based on the set temperature and the measured temperature. The combination control valve shuts off the flow of gas from an external gas source based on a command from the controller. The plurality of variable flow valves vary the flow of gas that is received from the combination control valve. The plurality of burners provides heat based on the combustion of gas that is received from the plurality of variable flow valves.

1 . A heating control system, the system comprising:
 a controller operable to receive a set temperature and a measured temperature and to generate a plurality of gas flow control commands, including an off command, an on command and an additional plurality of gas flow control commands in the on position;   a modulating combination control valve operable to vary the flow of gas from an external gas source based on a gas flow control command from the controller;   a plurality of shutoff valves operable to shut off the flow of gas received from the modulating combination control valve based on a gas flow control command from the controller, wherein each shutoff valve may be shut off separately; and   a plurality of burners operable to provide heat corresponding to the combustion of gas received from the modulating combination control valve and the plurality of shutoff valves.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a user interface coupled with the controller for a user to enter operating parameters, including the set temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further including at least one operating parameter sensor coupled with the controller operable to provide the measured temperature and other operating parameters. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller generates a command to increase the flow of gas if the measured temperature is less than the set temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller generates a command to decrease the flow of gas if the measured temperature is greater than the set temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller generates a command to shut off at least one shutoff valve if the measured temperature is greater than the set temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller generates a command to open at least one shutoff valve if the measured temperature is less than the set temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of shutoff valves and the plurality of burners are operably coupled in a one to one ratio. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the burners receives gas from one shutoff valve. 
     
     
         10 . A heating control system, the system comprising:
 a controller operable to receive a set temperature and a measured temperature and to generate a plurality of gas flow control commands, including an off command, an on command and an additional plurality of gas flow control commands in the on position;   a combination control valve operable to control flow of gas from an external gas source based on a gas flow control command from the controller;   at least one shutoff valve operable to shut off the flow of gas received from the combination control valve based on a gas flow control command from the controller, wherein each shutoff valve may be shut off separately; and   a plurality of burners operable to provide heat corresponding to the combustion of gas received from the combination control valve and the at least one shutoff valve.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further including a user interface coupled with the controller for a user to enter the set temperature. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , further including at least one operating parameter sensor coupled with the controller operable to provide the measured temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further including a plurality of shutoff valves. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling the heat output of a combustible fuel heating system, the method comprising the steps of a controller:
 a) receiving a set temperature from a user;   b) receiving a measured temperature from at least one operating parameter sensor;   c) comparing the measured temperature and the set temperature;   d) for the measured temperature above the set temperature;   e) issuing a command to a modulating combination control valve to decrease the flow of gas through a plurality of shutoff valves coupled to a plurality of burners;   f) issuing a command to close one or more of the plurality of shutoff valves;   g) for the measured temperature below the set temperature;   h) issuing a command to a modulating combination control valve to increase the flow of gas through a plurality of shutoff valves coupled to a plurality of burners;   i) issuing a command to open one or more of the plurality of shutoff valves; and   j) for a measured temperature that is equal to the set temperature issuing a command to the modulating combination control valve to maintain the rate of flow of gas.