Patent Publication Number: US-2016245515-A1

Title: Nitrogen-reduced combustion air

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Priority Applications”), if any, listed below (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Priority Application(s)). 
     If an Application Data Sheet (ADS) has been filed on the filing date of this application, it is incoporated by reference herein. Any applications claimed on the ADS for priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120, 121, or 365(c), and any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of such applications, are also incorporated by reference, including any priority claims made in those applications any any material incorporated by reference, to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith. 
    
    
     PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     NONE 
     If the listings of applications provided above are inconsistent with the listings provided via an ADS, it is the intent of the Applicant to claim priority to each application that appears in the Domestic Benefit/National Stage Information section of the ADS and to each application that appears in the Priority Applications section of this application. 
     All subject matter of the Priority Applications and of any and all applications related to the Priority Applications by priority claims (directly or indirectly), including any priority claims made and subject matter incorporated by reference therein as of the filing date of the instant application, is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith. 
     SUMMARY 
     For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matter described herein includes a system. The system includes a controller configured to generate a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a received input. The system includes a nitrogen depletion apparatus configured to receive ambient air and in response to the control signal to output combustion air having a reduced nitrogen content. The system includes a burner configured to receive ambient air and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. 
     In an embodiment, the system includes a sensor device configured to output a signal responsive to a parameter of a flame produced by the burner. In an embodiment, the system includes a sensor device configured to output a signal responsive to a parameter of the ambient air. In an embodiment, the system includes an ambient air inlet. In an embodiment, the system includes an input device configured to receive a human originated input and output a signal responsive thereto. In an embodiment, the system includes a food cooking appliance. In an embodiment, the system includes a heating appliance. In an embodiment, the burner further comprises a fuel input controller configured to control fuel supply to the burner. 
     For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matter described herein includes a method. The method includes generating a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a received input. The method includes depleting a nitrogen content of an ambient air flow in response to the control signal. The method includes burning a fuel using a mixture of the depleted nitrogen content air flow and ambient air. 
     In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a signal indicative of a parameter value of a flame produced by a burner. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a signal indicative of a human user input. In an embodiment, the method includes conveying the depleted nitrogen content air flow to a combustion burner. 
     For example, and without limitation, an embodiment of the subject matter described herein includes a system. The system includes means for generating a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a received input. The system includes means for depleting a nitrogen content of an ambient air flow in response to the control signal. In an embodiment, the system includes means for burning a fuel using a mixture of the depleted nitrogen content air flow and ambient air. In an embodiment, the system includes means for receiving a signal indicative of a parameter value of a flame produced by a burner. In an embodiment, the system includes means for receiving a signal indicative of a human user input. In an embodiment, the system includes means for conveying the depleted nitrogen content air flow to a combustion burner. 
     The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  provides a general description of an environment  100  in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example operational flow  200 ; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a system  300 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
       FIG. 1  provides a general description of an environment  100  in which embodiments may be implemented. The environment includes ambient air  105  and a system  110 . In an embodiment, the system includes a consumer home system. In an embodiment, the system includes a commercial kitchen, such as a restaurant. In an embodiment, the system includes an institutional kitchen, such as university food service. The system includes a controller  120  configured to generate a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a received input. The system includes a nitrogen depletion apparatus  130  configured to receive ambient air  162  via ambient air inlet  170  and output combustion air  164  having a nitrogen content reduced in response to the control signal. In an embodiment, the received ambient air includes ambient air  105  acquired by the ambient air inlet and delivered to the nitrogen depletion apparatus. The system includes a burner  150  configured to receive ambient air and in response to the control signal to output combustion air having a reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the fuel burned includes a solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel burner. 
     In an embodiment of the controller  120 , the nitrogen reduction control signal is further responsive to a ratio between the ambient air and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the ratio includes a ratio specified by a human user or an automatic control system. In an embodiment, the ratio is responsive to an optimized ratio between the ambient air and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the ratio is optimized to minimize a gaseous reaction product produced by the burner. In an embodiment, the ratio is optimized to maximize heat produced by the burner. In an embodiment, the nitrogen reduction control signal is responsive to a real time feedback loop monitoring a gaseous reaction product produced by the burner. 
     In an embodiment of the controller  120 , the received input includes a received sensor input. For example, the received sensor input may include a signal responsive to a parameter of a flame produced by the burner generated by a sensor  142 . For example, the received sensor input may include a signal responsive to a parameter of the ambient air generated by an ambient air sensor  144 . In an embodiment, the received input includes a received human user originated input. For example, the human user input may be received from an input device  180 . 
     In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus  130  is configured to control the nitrogen to oxygen ratio of the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus is configured to control the nitrogen content of the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus is configured to control the amount of the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus is configured to control the flow rate of the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus is configured to control the ratio between the ambient air and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the burner further comprises a fuel input controller configured to control fuel supply to the burner. In an embodiment, the fuel input controller is responsive to the nitrogen reduction control signal. In an embodiment, the nitrogen reduction control signal is responsive to at least one of a signal from the fuel input controller, a type of fuel, an amount of fuel, a fuel supply rate, a fuel-to-air ratio, and a ratio between the fuel and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the nitrogen reduction control signal is further responsive to a ratio between the ambient air and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the ratio includes a ratio specified by a human user or an automatic control system. In an embodiment, the ratio is responsive to an optimized ratio between the ambient air and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the ratio is optimized to minimize a gaseous reaction product produced by the burner. In an embodiment, the ratio is optimized to maximize heat produced by the burner. 
     In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus  130  includes a depletion unit  132 . In an embodiment, the depletion unit includes a pressure swing absorption unit. In an embodiment, the pressure swing absorption unit includes a vacuum pressure swing absorption unit. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus includes a membrane separation unit. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus includes a manager circuit  136  configured to operate the nitrogen depletion apparatus in response to the control signal. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus includes a storage tank  134  configured to store the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. In an embodiment, the storage tank includes a buffer storage tank. In an embodiment, the manager circuit is configured to operate the nitrogen depletion apparatus and the storage tank in response to the control signal. In an embodiment, the nitrogen depletion apparatus is configured to respond to the control signal in real time. 
     In an embodiment, the ambient air  105  includes ambient residential household air. In an embodiment, the system  110  includes the sensor device  142  configured to output a signal responsive to a parameter of a flame  152  produced by the burner  150 . In an embodiment, the parameter of the flame includes a flame temperature. In an embodiment, the parameter of the flame includes a gaseous reaction product. 
     In an embodiment, the controller  120  is configured to generate a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a real time feedback loop monitoring a gaseous reaction product produced by the burner  150 . In an embodiment, the gaseous reaction product produced by the burner is monitored with respect to a specified parameter value of the gaseous reaction product. In an embodiment, the specified parameter includes a manufacturer or a human user specified parameter value. In an embodiment, the real time feedback loop includes receiving data indicative of a parameter value of the gaseous reaction product, implementing a change in the nitrogen content reduction of the combustion air, and evaluating a change with respect to the change in the parameter value. In an embodiment, the received data indicative of a parameter value of the gaseous reaction product includes a received sensor signal indicative of a parameter value of the gaseous reaction product. In an embodiment, the controller includes a controller configured to generate a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a human originated input specifying a temperature of a flame produced by the burner. For example, the human originated input may be received from the input device  180 . For example, the human originated input may specify a flame  152  temperature selected to sear food, brown pastry crust, or exploit the Maillard reaction, or other specific tasks. For example, the human originated input may specify a burner temperature request, a heat output request, or gaseous reaction product parameter value. For example, the human originated input may specify a water temperature for a water heater. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to generate a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a real time feedback loop monitoring the temperature of a flame produced by the burner with respect to the received consumer user input specifying a temperature of the flame produced by the burner. In an embodiment, the real time feedback loop includes receiving data indicative of a temperature of a flame produced by the burner, implementing a change in the nitrogen content reduction of the combustion air, and evaluating a change with respect to the temperature of a flame produced by the burner. In an embodiment, the received data indicative of a parameter value of the gaseous reaction product includes a received sensor signal indicative of a parameter value of the gaseous reaction product. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to control gaseous reaction products responsive to a received sensor input indicative of unburnt NG/methane, carbon monoxide, or NO x . In an embodiment, the controller is configured to keep track of cumulative gaseous reaction products responsive to a received sensor input and to generate a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to the cumulative gaseous reaction products. 
     In an embodiment, the system  110  includes the sensor device  142  configured to output a signal responsive to a parameter of the ambient air  105 . For example, a parameter of the ambient air may include an air pollution component, such as for example atmospheric NO x  levels, or a particulate level. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to generate a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to the signal responsive to a parameter of the ambient air. In an embodiment, the burner  150  is configured to receive the combustion air  164  having the reduced nitrogen content at a single inlet or at multiple sites. 
     In an embodiment, the burner  150  includes a combustion burner. In an embodiment, the burner includes an unenclosed or open air burner. In an embodiment, the burner includes an atmospheric burner. In an embodiment, the burner includes a natural draft burner. In an embodiment, the burner is configured to receive surrounding or outside ambient air and the combustion air having the reduced nitrogen content. 
     In an embodiment, the system  110  includes the ambient air inlet  170 . In an embodiment, the system includes the input device  180  configured to receive a human originated input and output a signal responsive thereto. In an embodiment, the input device may include a human user interface. The input device may be part of a computing device. In an embodiment, the input device may be primarily designed to include a user interface. In an embodiment, the input device may include a character, a key-based, pointing device (commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad mouse), or another user data input, for example via a touch sensitive display. In an embodiment, the input device may include using a stylus. In an embodiment, the input device may include touch-sensitive panel arranged for directly receiving input. In an embodiment, the input device may include a microphone. For example, spoken words may be received at the microphone and recognized. In an embodiment, the input device may include a display, such as a monitor or other type of display device or surface. In an embodiment, the system includes a food cooking appliance, e.g. a stove, oven, or grill. In an embodiment, the system includes a heating appliance, e.g. a residential water heater, dryer, or space heater. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example operational flow  200 . After a start operation, the operational flow includes generating  210  a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a received input. In an embodiment, the generating may be implemented using the controller  120 , and the sensor  142 , the ambient air sensor  144 , or the input device  180  described in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . The operational flow includes depleting  220  a nitrogen content of an ambient air flow in response to the control signal. In an embodiment, the depleting may be implemented using the depletion unit  132  described in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . The operational flow includes burning  230  a fuel using a mixture of the depleted nitrogen content air flow and ambient air. In an embodiment, the burning may be implemented using the burner  150  described in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . The operational flow includes an end operation. 
     In an embodiment, the generating  210  includes generating a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a received sensor input or a received human user originated input. In an embodiment, the operational flow  200  is performed in real time. 
     In an embodiment, the operational flow  200  includes receiving a signal indicative of a parameter value of a flame produced by a burner. In an embodiment, the operational flow includes receiving a signal indicative of a human user input. In an embodiment, the operational flow includes conveying the depleted nitrogen content air flow to a combustion burner. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a system  300 . The system includes means  310  for generating a nitrogen reduction control signal responsive to a received input. The system includes means  320  for depleting a nitrogen content of an ambient air flow in response to the control signal. The system includes means  330  for burning a fuel using a mixture of the depleted nitrogen content air flow and ambient air. 
     In an embodiment, the system  300  includes means  340  for receiving a signal indicative of a parameter value of a flame produced by a burner. In an embodiment, the system includes means  350  for receiving a signal indicative of a human user input. In an embodiment, the system includes means  360  for conveying the depleted nitrogen content air flow to a combustion burner. 
     All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety or to the extent their subject matter is not otherwise inconsistent herewith. 
     In some embodiments, “configured” includes at least one of designed, set up, shaped, implemented, constructed, or adapted for at least one of a particular purpose, application, or function. 
     It will be understood that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims, are generally intended as “open” terms. For example, the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to.” For example, the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least.” For example, the term “has” should be interpreted as “having at least.” For example, the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc. It will be further understood that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of introductory phrases such as “at least one” or “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a receiver” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one receiver”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, it will be recognized that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “at least two chambers,” or “a plurality of chambers,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two chambers). 
     In those instances where a phrase such as “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” or “an [item] selected from the group consisting of A, B, and C,” is used, in general such a construction is intended to be disjunctive (e.g., any of these phrases would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, and may further include more than one of A, B, or C, such as A 1 , A 2 , and C together, A, B 1 , B 2 , C 1 , and C 2  together, or B 1  and B 2  together). It will be further understood that virtually any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     The herein described aspects depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable or physically interacting components or wirelessly interactable or wirelessly interacting components. 
     With respect to the appended claims the recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Use of “Start,” “End,” “Stop,” or the like blocks in the block diagrams is not intended to indicate a limitation on the beginning or end of any operations or functions in the diagram. Such flowcharts or diagrams may be incorporated into other flowcharts or diagrams where additional functions are performed before or after the functions shown in the diagrams of this application. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.