Furnace

Abstract

A furnace which receives input information of various sources, distinct from a thermostat, and can vary heat output based on the input information. Examples of input information include without limitation exhaust temperature, temperature near the heat exchanger compartment, temperature sensors within the housing, air pressure, motor RPM, and/or motor amperage. Heat output may be varied by one or more of combustion fan output, fuel flow to burners, combinations or other ways.

1 . A furnace, comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of walls, said plurality of walls having one or more knock-out blanks disposed in one or more of said plurality of walls;   a combustion blower and a motor, said combustion blower providing air to a burner;   a heat exchanger arranged within said housing and receiving a flame from said burner;   a fuel supply in flow communication with a first valve and a second valve;   a first orifice in flow communication with said first valve, and a second orifice in flow communication with said second valve; and   one or more sensors which provide a characteristic to a controller in order to vary heat output of the furnace, independent of a thermostat control.   
     
     
         2 . The furnace of  claim 1 , said one or more sensors measuring one or more of temperature, pressure, amperage, or blower motor RPM. 
     
     
         3 . The furnace of  claim 1 , said first orifice having a first output value and said second orifice having a second output value. 
     
     
         4 . The furnace of  claim 3 , said first output value and said second output value being different values. 
     
     
         5 . The furnace of  claim 1  said first and second orifices having in combination at least three output options. 
     
     
         6 . The furnace of  claim 1 , said controller configured to varying output speed of said combustion blower and said motor. 
     
     
         7 . The furnace of  claim 6 , said controller configured to vary the heat output of said furnace. 
     
     
         8 . The furnace of  claim 1  further comprising a second blower to supply air across said heat exchanger and output to at least one duct connected to the housing at at least one of said one or more knock-out blanks. 
     
     
         9 . The furnace of  claim 1 , said controller comprising at least one circuit board. 
     
     
         10 . The furnace of  claim 9 , said controller comprising at least one second circuit board. 
     
     
         11 . The furnace of  claim 1  wherein said motor rotates a house blower, or a second motor rotates said house blower. 
     
     
         12 . The furnace of  claim 1 , further comprising a Hall Effect sensor to verify said combustion blower is rotating before igniting said burner. 
     
     
         13 . A furnace, comprising:
 a housing having a plurality of walls, one or more knock-out blanks configured to be connected to one or more ducts, respectively;   a combustion blower and a motor which rotates said combustion blower, said motor being a variable speed motor to vary output of said combustion blower;   a fuel supply in flow communication with a valve;   said valve being adjustable to provide varying output to a burner; and,   one or more sensors which provide input to a controller, said controller configured to vary an output of the furnace independent of a thermostat;   wherein said one or more sensors measure one or more of temperature, pressure, amperage or motor RPM.   
     
     
         14 . The furnace of  claim 13 , said one or more sensors disposed within said housing. 
     
     
         15 . The furnace of  claim 13 , said valve being two valves wherein said varying output comprises operating either one or both said two valves. 
     
     
         16 . The furnace of  claim 15 , wherein one or both of said two valves having on-off capability or alternatively adjustable output capability. 
     
     
         17 . The furnace of  claim 13  further comprising a second blower. 
     
     
         18 . The furnace of  claim 17 , said second blower operated by said motor or by a second motor. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a furnace, comprising the steps of:
 sensing within a housing of said furnace at least one of temperature, pressure, blower fan motor RPM, or blower fan motor amperage;   adjusting a heat output based on said sensing by:
 varying a combustion fan output; and/or 
 varying a fuel flow to one or more burners.