Patent ID: 9388984
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: F23D,F23N,G05B

Claim Text:
1. A method for detecting a problem with a flame detector in a fuel-fired appliance, wherein the flame detector is configured to detect the presence or absence of a flame generated by a burner in the fuel-fired appliance, the method comprising: obtaining an electrical characteristic value of the flame detector at a point in time during a burner ON cycle of the burner; determining if the obtained electrical characteristic value of the flame detector at least reached a flame prove level or not, wherein the flame prove level is a level of the electrical characteristic at which if the electrical characteristic value of the electrical signal is above the flame prove level, a flame is indicated to be present; if the obtained electrical characteristic value of the flame detector failed to reach the flame prove level, determining if the obtained electrical characteristic value at least reached a predetermined change value that is less than the flame prove level; outputting an error if the electrical characteristic value of the flame detector failed to reach the flame prove level but did reach the predetermined change value but not shutting down the burner; and shutting down the burner if the electrical characteristic value of the flame detector failed to reach the predetermined change value.