Patent ID: 9568196
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: F23N,F24H

Claim:
1. A safety system for use with a thermoelectric generator including an output coupled a load to provide a first voltage to the load, wherein the load comprises at least one gas valve coil of a gas fired appliance, the safety system comprising: a safety switch operatively connected to the thermoelectric generator output and ground, the safety switch having a first state in which the thermoelectric generator can provide the first voltage to the load, and a second state in which the thermoelectric generator cannot output the first voltage to the load and in which the thermoelectric generator can output a second voltage to the load, the second voltage being a non-zero voltage having a magnitude less than the first voltage, wherein the safety switch includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein electric current cannot flow between the first and second terminals when the safety switch is in the first state, and wherein electric current can flow between the first and second terminals when the safety switch is in the second state a safety load operatively connected between the safety switch second terminal and ground, wherein the safety load comprises a resistor or a connection to ground, the safety switch first terminal is operatively connected to the thermoelectric generator output, the safety switch second terminal is operatively connected to the safety load, and wherein a minimum voltage is needed by the load to operate and the safety load is configured to cause the second voltage to be less than the minimum voltage.