Abstract:
A temperature sensor detects the presence of a flame by measuring the temperature near the flame site, and an actuator positions an ignition device in based on the temperature sensor&#39;s reading. The ignition device is positioned near the flame site if the flame is not present and further from the flame site if the flame is present.

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       [0001]      FIG. 1  is a diagram depicting one preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0002]      FIG. 2  is a functional diagram depicting the pneumatic system of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         [0003]      FIG. 3  is a functional diagram depicting the electrical system of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0004]    The following are descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention intended to enable a person skilled in the prior art to make and use the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention are also possible and would be understood by such a person based on this specification. Nothing in these descriptions should be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, as there are a wide variety of materials, parts, and methods in the art that are understood to be interchangeable with those listed herein. 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing one preferred embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, combustible material such as gas or flammable liquid is supplied via tube  102  (from a supply source  110 ) to maintain flame  104 . At the end of tube  102  may be a flame section  103  (shown here in cross section), which is of sufficient size to allow for thermocouple  302 , actuator arm  202  and ignition device  201 . Supply source  110  may be a permanent fixture, or a removable source attached by suitable means, such as a hammer union. 
         [0006]    Thermocouple  302  is positioned within flame section  103  such that it can detect the presence of flame  104  using temperature readings. Thermocouple  302  may be of any suitable type, depending on the type of flame used in the device and the particular application. The readings of thermocouple  302  are compared to certain thresholds to determine whether flame  104  is present or absent. The presence of flame  104  will cause thermocouple  302  to register a higher temperature than the absence of flame  104 . One threshold may be used to indicate the presence of flame  104  (such as “any temperature over 150 degrees Fahrenheit”) and another threshold may be used to indicate the absence of flame  104  (such as “any temperature below 150 degrees Fahrenheit”). In practice, these thresholds may be set to identical temperatures, or they may be different. The thresholds will vary based on factors such as placement of thermocouple  302 , temperature of flame  104 , distance between thermocouple  302  and flame  104 , etc. Thus, the thresholds may be adjusted based on the particular constraints of an embodiment. 
         [0007]    Ignition device  201 , which may be a pilot light, electric spark generator, or other means to ignite combustible material, is also situated within flame section  103  and is attached to one end of actuator arm  202 . When positioned near the location of flame  104 , ignition device  201  may be used to relight flame  104  using the combustible material from tube  102 . As described below, actuator arm  202  may move along its axis as controlled by air cylinder  203  such that ignition device  201  may be positioned within flame section  103  or not. When actuator arm  202  is extended to a certain length or position, the ignition device  201  is positioned close enough to the flame  104  site to ignite flame  104  from the fuel in tube  102 . When actuator arm  202  is retracted to a different length or position, the ignition device  201  is positioned further from the flame  104  location or out of the flame section  103  altogether. 
         [0008]    The exemplary embodiment also includes control panel  105 , which may include controls as needed within a given application. For example, a given embodiment may require a power switch to regulate operation, one or more dials to set the threshold temperatures as described above, or one or more dials to set the pressure thresholds for the air cylinder  203  and its associated pneumatic system as described below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0009]    Control panel  105 , tube  102 , and air cylinder  203  may each be mounted on or to base  101 , which may be of sufficient mass or size to provide stability to the system or otherwise allows the entire system to be secured in place. 
         [0010]    In this description of a preferred embodiment, air cylinder  203  is used as an actuator for moving actuator arm  202  (and ignition device  201 ) into different positions. Other embodiments may instead use a linear actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or any other component that is capable of positioning the ignition device  201  in two different positions.  FIG. 2 , described below, depicts a mechanical system for use with a pneumatic actuator. If a different actuator were used, a corresponding mechanical system would be used. For example, a linear actuator might simply use a power source and an integrated circuit that receives a signal from the temperature controller  301 , applying a corresponding voltage to the linear actuator to extend or retract. 
         [0011]    In this exemplary embodiment, the invention may comprise a mechanical system depicted in  FIG. 2 , which includes a number of physical parts such as the pilot light  201 , air cylinder  203 , and pressure switch  212 . The exemplary embodiment may also comprise an electrical system (depicted in  FIG. 3 ) that controls the mechanical system, including a temperature controller  301  and solenoid  303 . Solenoid  303  is an internal solenoid that controls the solenoid valve  206 . By activating and deactivating solenoid  303 , the system opens or closes solenoid valve  206 , in turn activating or deactivating the actuator  201 . 
         [0012]    In this embodiment, the mechanical system comprises an actuator, such as an air cylinder  203 , which is connected to an actuator arm  202 . As pressure in the air cylinder  203  increases or decreases, the actuator arm  202  is moved accordingly. At the end of the actuator arm  202  is an ignition device  201 , such as a pilot light, electrical sparking device, or any other means to create an ignition. 
         [0013]    The air cylinder is  203  is connected air lines  204  and  205 , which are in turn controlled by solenoid  206 . If solenoid  206  is activated, air may flow into air cylinder  203 , causing the actuator  202  to extend. If solenoid  206  is not activated, air may flow out of air cylinder  203  causing the actuator  202  to retract. 
         [0014]    The system contains pressurized air in air tank  213 . Air gauge  214  is configured to measure the internal pressure of the system. In the exemplary embodiment, it is desirable to maintain a certain pressure (for example, 50 psi) in order to supply air cylinder  203  with sufficient pressure. Air may flow from air tank  213 , along air lines  208  and  207  (via connector  210 ) to supply air cylinder  203  when the solenoid  206  is activated. The desired internal pressure may vary based on the environmental conditions, air lines, air tank, actuator, etc. 
         [0015]    If the pressure falls below a certain threshold in this embodiment (measured using air gauge  214 ), pressure switch  212  is activated. As described below with respect to the electrical system, this allows air pump  211  to activate and supply additional air pressure to the system through air line  209 . This ensures that the internal air pressure of air tank  213  will remain sufficient to power air cylinder  203  even over several cycles of operation. 
         [0016]    A person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that there is a great variety of parts that could be suitable for use in this invention, and that the use of any particular part may be determined by the specific application. For example, the air lines may be of any type that is appropriate for the amount of pressure needed and the various components, and the connector may be of any type that is suitable for connecting the air lines used. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts an electrical system that may be used in a preferred embodiment of the invention to control the mechanical system depicted in  FIG. 2  by activating or deactivating solenoid  303  or air pump  211  as described herein. 
         [0018]    The electrical system  300  may include a temperature sensor, such as thermocouple  302 , located proximate to the flame  104 , that generates an electrical signal based on the temperature measured. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 3 , thermocouple  302  may generate a digital or analog signal to temperature controller  301 . 
         [0019]    Temperature controller  301  is connected to the solenoid coil  303  (within solenoid valve  206 ) via contact  301   b . In response to a signal from thermocouple  302  that indicates a lower than desired temperature (usually indicative that flame  4  is extinguished), temperature controller  301  may activate solenoid coil  303  (inside solenoid valve  206 ). As described above with reference to the mechanical system, this causes actuator arm  202  to extend to relight flame  104  via ignition device  201 . 
         [0020]    Temperature controller  301  is also connected to air pump  211  via pressure switch  212 . If the pressure switch is closed (indicating that the pressure is lower than desired), temperature controller  301  may activate air pump  211 , which will increase the pressure accordingly. When the pressure reaches the desired threshold, for example 50 psi, the pressure switch opens. If the pressure switch is open, the air pump  211  will not be activated. 
         [0021]    Any of the components that require a power source may be connected to battery  305 , for example a 12V battery or any of the many types known in the art. In other embodiments, there may be multiple power sources of varying voltages to supply the needs of different components, or voltage regulators may be used to maintain a different voltage than battery  305 . A fuse  310  may be included, or a power switch  307 , to regulate electrical operation of the system.