Burner comprising a control unit and an ignition and ionization electrode and method of monitoring and igniting the flame of a burner

Abstract

Example embodiments relate to a burner including a control unit and an ignition and ionization electrode for igniting and monitoring the burner flame, wherein the ignition and ionization electrode is arranged in the flame area of the burner, is electrically coupled to a discharge circuit and provides an ionization signal when the flame of the burner is switched on, wherein the control unit provides an output signal for actuating the burner on the basis of the ionization signal, and wherein the discharge circuit is connected to a DC voltage source. Example embodiments further relate to a method of monitoring and igniting the flame of a burner and to a circuit arrangement for a burner.

1 . A burner comprising:
 a control unit and an ignition and ionization electrode for igniting and monitoring the burner flame,   wherein the ignition and ionization electrode is arranged in the flame area of the burner, is electrically coupled to a discharge circuit and provides an ionization signal when the flame of the burner is switched on,   wherein the control unit provides an output signal for actuating the burner on the basis of the ionization signal, and   wherein the discharge circuit is connected to a DC voltage source.   
     
     
         2 . The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein the supply voltage provided by the DC voltage source is between 8 and 50 V. 
     
     
         3 . The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein a voltage transformer is provided by means of which the control unit varies the supply voltage of the DC voltage source before the discharge circuit is supplied therewith. 
     
     
         4 . The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein the voltage transformer varies the voltage of the DC voltage source between 100 and 300 V. 
     
     
         5 . The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein the DC voltage source is a battery or an accumulator. 
     
     
         6 . The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein the discharge energy of the discharge circuit can be adjusted by the control unit by means of frequency change of a pulse width modulation. 
     
     
         7 . The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein the discharge circuit comprises a capacitor and/or an ignition transformer. 
     
     
         8 . The burner according to  claim 1 , wherein an operational amplifier is provided which amplifies the ionization signal which is present when the burner flame is switched on. 
     
     
         9 . A circuit arrangement comprising:
 a control unit and an ignition and ionization electrode for igniting and monitoring the burner flame of a burner,   wherein the ignition and ionization electrode is arranged in the flame area of the burner, is electrically coupled to a discharge circuit and provides an ionization signal when the flame of the burner is switched on,   wherein the control unit provides an output signal for actuating the burner on the basis of the ionization signal, and   wherein the discharge circuit is connected to a DC voltage source.   
     
     
         10 . A method of monitoring and igniting a flame of a burner, the method comprising:
 a) providing, by a DC voltage source, a discharge circuit,   b) igniting, by a control unit, a flame which releases a fuel supply in the burner and causes a discharge of the discharge circuit via an ignition and ionization electrode,   c) an ionization signal generated generating, by an ignition and ionization electrode, an ionization signal, and amplified is detected and monitored by the control unit,   d) outputting, by the control unit, an output signal on the basis of the amplified ionization signal as a function of which a gas and/or air supply of the burner is controlled.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the supply voltage of the DC voltage source in step a) is varied by the control unit using a voltage transformer as a function of one or more of the following influencing factors: the burner, the burner temperature and the degree of contamination or the deposits on the ignition and ionization electrode which can be estimated on the basis of the service life or the resistance of a protective circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , characterized in that wherein the discharge energy upon ignition of the flame in step b) is varied by the control unit as a function of the ambient temperature and/or the air humidity. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein as soon as the control unit detects in step d) that the amplified ionization signal is below a predetermined limit value, the fuel supply is stopped, or after a further discharge of the discharge circuit, it is checked whether an ionization signal above the limit value is detected by the control unit.