Patent ID: 6164958
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: F23N,F24C

Abstract:
A safety system for a gas burning apparatus; the gas burning apparatus being manually operable without electricity; the gas burning apparatus including a burner, a gas supply conduit for conducting gas to the burner, a manually operable control valve having a closed position closing the gas supply conduit and having an open position opening the gas supply conduit; said safety system comprising:a gas supply valve connected to the gas supply conduit and movable between an open position wherein the gas supply conduit is open and a closed Position wherein the gas supply conduit is closed; said gas supply valve including:biasing means for biasing said gas supply valve toward the closed position; anda stop movable between a stop position wherein it may engage said gas supply valve thereby retaining said gas supply valve in the open position, and a release position not engaging said gas supply valve whereby said gas supply valve is closed or closes;a gas flow sensor for producing a flow signal indicating gas flow in the gas supply conduit;a gas leak warning circuit comprising:a first leak switch for receiving the flow signal; said first leak switch coupled to the control valve so as to produce a leak warning signal if the control valve is closed and there is a flow signal;a no-flame warning circuit comprising:a first flame switch for receiving the flow signal; said first flame switch coupled to the control valve so as to produce an on signal if the control valve is open and there is a flow signal;a flame detector for receiving the on signal and for detecting a flame at the burner; said flame detector producing a no-flame warning signal if no flame is detected and the on signal is received;a gas supply valve controller for receiving the warning signals; said gas supply valve controller connected to said stop including:means for moving said stop to the release position [and for closing said gas supply valve in response to] during receipt of a warning signal.