Patent Description:
Ultraviolet (UV) sensors are designed to detect the presence of UV radiation. For example, UV sensors may be utilized to detect the presence of radiation in the spectral range of approximately <NUM> to <NUM>.

UV sensors may be useful in many different product applications. For example, UV sensors may be useful in detecting the presence of a flame in a burner. Detecting the presence of a flame inside a burner can help a user (e.g., technician and/or maintenance personnel) safely operate and/or service the burner. For instance, if no flame is present in the burner, the user may shut the burner down to prevent unburned fuel from accumulating inside of the burner.

UV sensors may be damaged or wear out over time. For example, the fill-gas composition within the UV sensor may change over time. Other examples can include damage to the spacing of electrodes inside the UV sensor, or surface defects on the electrodes. Damage to a UV sensor can lead to dangerous operating conditions for a product application containing a UV sensor. Therefore, it is important to know if a UV sensor has become damaged or failed.

<CIT> discloses a fire sensor using a UV tube including confronted surface electrodes, one of the confronted surface electrodes is at least one anode electrode and the others are two cathode electrodes of a first cathode electrode and a second cathode electrode. The anode electrode to be used for fire detection can also be used for measuring a voltage to start discharging. Therefore, the number of components is reduced, the fire sensor can be miniaturized in simple configuration, and deterioration in performance or any failure can be detected.

Methods, devices, and systems for determining failure of an ultraviolet (UV) sensor are described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to reduce an excitation voltage of a UV sensor until no conduction occurs in the UV sensor, increase, upon no conduction occurring in the UV sensor, the excitation voltage of the UV sensor until a conduction event occurs, compare the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs to a reference voltage, and determine whether the UV sensor has failed based on the comparison.

Determining the failure of a UV sensor, in accordance with the present disclosure, can allow a user (e.g., technician and/or maintenance personnel) to easily determine whether a UV sensor has become damaged and/or has failed. Such simple determination of whether a UV sensor has failed can lead to safer operation of product applications utilizing UV sensors. For example, a failed UV sensor may be indicated to a user before a dangerous condition arises in the operation of the product containing the failed UV sensor. The failed UV sensor can then be replaced without incident.

These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice one or more embodiments of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As will be appreciated, elements shown in the various embodiments herein can be added, exchanged, combined, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional embodiments of the present disclosure. The proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense.

For example, <NUM> may reference element "<NUM>" in <FIG>, and a similar element may be reference as <NUM> in <FIG>.

As used herein, "a" or "a number of" something can refer to one or more such things. For example, "a number of UV events" can refer to one or more UV events.

<FIG> illustrates a system <NUM> for determining failure of an ultraviolet (UV) sensor, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> and a UV sensor <NUM>. Additionally, system <NUM> comprises a product application <NUM> that can include a burner <NUM>, a shut-off valve <NUM>, a burner management system <NUM>, and a flame <NUM>.

The UV sensor <NUM> is a sensor designed to detect the presence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation emissions (e.g., UV events). UV radiation can include electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength that can range from <NUM> nanometers (nm) to <NUM>. For example, UV sensor <NUM> can be configured to detect the presence of UV radiation within a wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM>.

Although UV sensor <NUM> is described as having a detection range from <NUM> to <NUM>, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, UV sensor <NUM> can have a detection range that is narrower than <NUM> to <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>).

The detection of UV emissions by UV sensor <NUM> can be referred to as a UV event. For example, UV sensor <NUM> detecting an instance of UV emission (e.g., electromagnetic radiation) within the wavelength range of <NUM> to <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>) can be a UV event. As another example, UV sensor <NUM> detecting a number of instances of UV emission can be a number of UV events.

UV sensor <NUM> includes a UV tube with electrodes located within. Further, UV sensor <NUM> includes a composition of fill-gas inside the UV tube, as will be further described herein (e.g., in connection with <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, product application <NUM> can include a burner <NUM>, a shut-off valve <NUM>, a burner management system <NUM>, and a flame <NUM>. For example, product application <NUM> can be a burner system that is utilizing UV sensor <NUM> to detect the presence of flame <NUM> from burner <NUM>. That is, UV sensor <NUM> can be used to detect the presence of flame <NUM> by detecting UV emissions (e.g., UV events) emitted from flame <NUM>.

In some embodiments, burner <NUM> can be a fuel-air or fuel-oxygen burner to produce (e.g., generate) a flame <NUM>. For example, burner <NUM> can be used to produce flame <NUM> to generate heat for use in residential and/or commercial hot water boiler/heater applications. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, burner <NUM> can be used for any other suitable application.

In some embodiments, shut-off valve <NUM> can be a fuel safety shut-off valve for burner <NUM>. For example, if UV sensor <NUM> does not detect any UV events (e.g., does not detect the presence of flame <NUM>), shut-off valve <NUM> can turn off the flow of fuel into burner <NUM>, preventing the buildup of unburnt fuel in burner <NUM>. As another example, if UV sensor <NUM> is determined to have failed, shut-off valve <NUM> can turn off the flow of fuel into burner <NUM>.

In some embodiments, burner management system <NUM> can control various aspects of the operation of burner <NUM>. For example, burner management system <NUM> can change the firing rate of burner <NUM> to produce a more intense flame <NUM> or a less intense flame <NUM> based on the required heat output of burner <NUM>. As another example, burner management system <NUM> can turn burner <NUM> on and off.

In some embodiments, flame <NUM> can be a flame produced by burner <NUM> that emits UV radiation that can be sensed by UV sensor <NUM>. For example, flame <NUM> can produce electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength defined by UV (e.g., <NUM> to <NUM>) that can be sensed by UV sensor <NUM>.

The use of UV sensor <NUM> in product application <NUM> can render the operation of product application <NUM> safer. For example, if UV sensor <NUM> is utilized in a product application <NUM> such as a burner, UV sensor <NUM> can determine that a flame within the burner has been extinguished (e.g., quenched) due to UV events not being detected by UV sensor <NUM>. A user (e.g., technician and/or maintenance personnel) can then shut down the burner in response to UV sensor <NUM> not detecting UV events to stop the flow of fuel into the burner when there is no flame to prevent the buildup of unburnt fuel and/or other associated problems (e.g., explosions).

Controller <NUM> is configured to determine whether UV sensor <NUM> has failed.

Controller <NUM> reduces an excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> until no conduction occurs in UV sensor <NUM>. Upon no conduction occurring in UV sensor <NUM>, controller <NUM> increases the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> until a conduction event occurs. Controller <NUM> then compares the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs to a reference voltage, and determine, based on the comparison, whether UV sensor <NUM> has failed. The process by which controller <NUM> determines whether UV sensor <NUM> has failed will be further described herein (e.g., in connection with <FIG>).

A conduction event can be defined by a first instance of conduction in UV sensor <NUM> as the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> is increased from a non-conducting state when UV sensor <NUM> is in the presence of UV emissions. For example, as the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> is increased, a conduction event occurs at the moment UV sensor <NUM> first begins to conduct (e.g., UV sensor <NUM> first begins to detect UV emissions).

A reference voltage, as used herein, is an excitation voltage at which UV sensor <NUM> is expected to detect a conduction event when UV sensor <NUM> is properly functioning. As the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> is increased from a state where no UV events occur (e.g., no conduction in UV sensor <NUM>), the conduction event can be expected to occur at a reference (e.g., a known) voltage. For example, as the excitation voltage is increased from <NUM> volts to <NUM> volts, the conduction event can be expected to occur at a reference voltage of <NUM> volts.

As another example, the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> is decreased from a state where UV events are occurring (e.g., conduction in UV sensor <NUM>) to a state where no UV events occur (e.g., no conduction in UV sensor <NUM>). Conduction in UV sensor <NUM> can be expected to stop occurring when the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> is reduced beyond a reference (e.g., a known) voltage.

Although the reference voltage is described as being a specific voltage, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. The reference voltage in accordance with the claimed invention is a known range of reference voltages. For instance, the reference voltage range can be between <NUM> and <NUM> volts. The reference voltage range can be an inclusive voltage range or an exclusive voltage range. Additionally, the reference voltage range can be a manufacturer's specification.

The conduction event can occur within the known range of reference voltages. For example, as an excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> is increased from <NUM> volts to <NUM> volts, the conduction event can be expected to happen between a reference voltage range of <NUM> volts to <NUM> volts (e.g., conduction event can happen at <NUM> volts).

Increasing the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> from a state where no UV events occur (e.g., no conduction in UV sensor <NUM>) until a conduction event occurs, and decreasing the excitation voltage of UV sensor <NUM> from a state where UV events are occurring (e.g., conduction in UV sensor <NUM>) to a state where no UV events occur (e.g., no conduction in UV sensor <NUM>) can bound the range of operation of UV sensor <NUM>. This bounded range of operation of UV sensor <NUM> can be compared to acceptable limits of the range of operation of UV sensor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the reference voltage can be specified by a manufacturer of UV sensor <NUM>. For example, controller <NUM> may include (e.g., store) a reference voltage specified by the manufacturer of UV sensor <NUM>. The reference voltage can be specified by the manufacturer as a result of product testing that produces a reliable reference voltage at which UV sensor <NUM> can be expected to detect a conduction event.

In some embodiments, the reference voltage and/or reference voltage range of UV sensor <NUM> can vary based on the construction of UV sensor <NUM>. For example, changes in the position of electrodes, the composition of the fill gas, and/or the pressure within the UV tube of UV sensor <NUM> can result in a reference voltage and/or reference voltage range that differs from a UV sensor with different electrode positioning, fill gas composition, and/or pressure within the UV tube.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a method <NUM> for determining failure of a UV sensor (e.g., UV sensor <NUM> and <NUM> described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively), in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Method <NUM> can be performed by, for example, controllers <NUM> and <NUM>, as described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively.

At block <NUM> of method <NUM>, the controller reduces an excitation voltage of a UV sensor until no conduction occurs in the UV sensor. As used herein, conduction occurring in the UV sensor indicates a sufficient excitation voltage being applied to the UV sensor such that the UV sensor is detecting UV events. For example, the controller can supply an excitation voltage to the UV sensor such that when the UV sensor is detecting UV events (e.g., UV emissions), conduction is occurring in the UV sensor.

As the controller reduces the excitation voltage of the UV sensor, conduction will cease to occur in the UV sensor. For example, the UV sensor will not detect UV events at an excitation voltage that has been reduced beyond the reference voltage. As another example, the UV sensor will not detect UV events at an excitation voltage that has been reduced beyond a reference voltage range.

At block <NUM> of method <NUM>, the controller increases the excitation voltage of the UV sensor until a conduction event occurs. For example, once no conduction occurs in the UV sensor, the controller can increase the excitation voltage of the UV sensor until the UV sensor detects a conduction event. The conduction event can correspond to a first instance of conduction occurring in the UV sensor (e.g., a first UV event) as the excitation voltage is increased.

The controller determines the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs. For example, as the excitation voltage of the UV sensor is increased, the excitation voltage (e.g., <NUM> volts) at which the conduction event occurs can be recorded.

At block <NUM> of method <NUM>, the controller compares the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs to a reference voltage. For example, if the conduction event occurs at an excitation voltage of <NUM> volts, the controller can compare the excitation voltage (e.g., <NUM> volts) to a reference voltage of <NUM> volts.

The reference voltage is a range of reference voltages. For example, the reference voltage range can be a range of voltages at which a conduction event can be expected to happen. For instance, the reference voltage range can be a range of <NUM>-<NUM> volts. If the conduction event occurs at an excitation voltage of <NUM> volts, the controller can compare the excitation voltage of the conduction event (e.g., <NUM> volts) to the reference voltage range of <NUM>-<NUM> volts.

At block <NUM> of method <NUM>, the controller determines whether the UV sensor has failed based on the comparison of the excitation voltage of the conduction event to the reference voltage. For example, the controller can compare an excitation voltage of a conduction event (e.g., <NUM> volts) to a reference voltage (e.g., <NUM> volts) to determine whether the UV sensor has failed.

The UV sensor can be determined to have failed upon the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs and the reference voltage being different. For example, if the excitation voltage of the conduction event is <NUM> volts and the reference voltage is <NUM> volts, the controller can determine that the UV sensor has failed based on the excitation voltage of the conduction event being different than the reference voltage. As another example, if the excitation voltage of the conduction event is <NUM> volts and the reference voltage is <NUM> volts, the controller can determine that the UV sensor has failed based on the excitation voltage of the conduction event being different than the reference voltage.

In embodiments in which the reference voltage is a range of reference voltages, the UV sensor can be determined to have failed upon the excitation voltage at which a conduction event occurs being outside the reference voltage range. For example, if the excitation voltage of the conduction event is <NUM> volts and the range of reference voltages is <NUM>-<NUM> volts, the controller can determine that the UV sensor has failed based on the excitation voltage of the conduction event being outside of the range of reference voltages.

That is, the UV sensor can be determined to have failed based on the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs being higher or lower than the reference voltage or the reference voltage range. For example, the conduction event can occur at an excitation voltage that is higher or lower than a reference voltage to result in the UV sensor having failed. As another example, the conduction event can occur at an excitation voltage that is higher or lower than a reference voltage range to result in the UV sensor having failed.

In some embodiments, the controller can determine the UV sensor has not failed. For example, if the conduction event occurs at an excitation voltage of <NUM> volts, the controller can compare the excitation voltage of the conduction event (e.g., <NUM> volts) to a reference voltage of <NUM> volts and determine that the UV sensor has not failed based on the excitation voltage of the conduction event being the same as the reference voltage. As an additional example, if the conduction event occurs at an excitation voltage of <NUM> volts, the controller can compare the excitation voltage of the conduction event (e.g., <NUM> volts) to a reference voltage range of <NUM>-<NUM> volts and determine that the UV sensor has not failed based on the excitation voltage of the conduction event being within the range of reference voltages.

At block <NUM> of method <NUM>, the controller can lock out the UV sensor if the UV sensor has been determined to have failed (e.g., software lockout condition). For example, once the controller has determined the UV sensor has failed, the controller can lock out the UV sensor via software so that a user (e.g., technician and/or maintenance personnel) may safely replace the UV sensor. As another example, the controller can lock out the product application the UV sensor is being used in so that a user may safely perform maintenance (e.g., replace the UV sensor) or perform other tasks associated with the product application.

A lock out condition (e.g., software lockout condition), as used herein, is a process by which a piece of equipment (e.g., UV sensor and/or product application) is secured against accidental energization during repairs and/or maintenance. A software lock out condition can be utilized to prevent a user from being harmed by equipment that may unexpectedly start while the user is performing tasks on the equipment.

Method <NUM> can be performed while the UV sensor is detecting UV events. For example, the UV sensor can be checked for failure while the UV sensor is operating within a product application (e.g., product application <NUM> described in connection with <FIG>). Further, the UV sensor can be checked while the product application containing the UV sensor is operating. For instance, the UV sensor can be checked for failure without having to take a product application offline.

Method <NUM> can be performed upon the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs being the same as the reference voltage. For example, the method can be repeated as long as the excitation voltage of the conduction event is the same as the reference voltage. For instance, the method can be repeated for as long as the UV sensor has not been indicated to have failed.

The results of the method are logged and are subject to additional signal processing. The excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs are logged, and an average excitation voltage over a sample size of measurements of conduction events is compared to a reference voltage and/or reference voltage range. Also, the results can be normalized and/or totaled for other data analyses.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> can be repeated at a particular frequency. For example, the method can be repeated more than once per second (e.g., <NUM> times per second). However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, the method can be repeated once per second or less than once per second.

In some embodiments, the frequency of the repeating of method <NUM> can be more than once per second if the product application containing the UV sensor is operating at a high capacity. For example, if the UV sensor is being utilized in a product application such as a burner, the method <NUM> can be repeated more often when the burner is being heavily utilized (e.g., more intense flame).

In some embodiments, the frequency of the repeating of method <NUM> can be less than or equal to once per second if the product application containing the UV sensor is not operating at a full capacity. For example, if the UV sensor is being utilized in a product application such as a burner, the method <NUM> can be repeated less often when the burner is not being heavily utilized (e.g., less intense flame).

In some embodiments, the frequency of the repeating of method <NUM> can be increased as the UV sensor ages. For example, as a UV sensor gets older and becomes worn with use from operation in a product application, the UV sensor can be more likely subject to a failure than a new UV sensor. Therefore, the method <NUM> to check for UV sensor failure can be repeated more often on an older UV sensor than on a newer UV sensor.

The method <NUM> can be concluded upon the UV sensor being determined to have failed. For example, upon the excitation voltage of a conduction event being different than a reference voltage or the excitation voltage being outside of a range of reference voltages, the method <NUM> can be concluded and the controller can render the UV sensor and/or product application in a lock out condition.

<FIG> is an illustration of a portion of a UV sensor <NUM>, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. UV sensor <NUM> can be, for example, UV sensor <NUM> previously described in connection with <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a UV sensor <NUM> includes a UV tube <NUM>, electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, and a fill-gas composition <NUM>.

UV tube <NUM>, as used herein, is a housing that includes a fill-gas composition <NUM> and electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Additionally, UV tube <NUM> can be a housing formed from material to allow the penetration of UV emissions <NUM> into UV tube <NUM>.

UV tube <NUM> can include fill-gas composition <NUM>. Fill-gas composition <NUM> can be a composition of one or more gases to allow for the detection of UV events by UV sensor <NUM>. Additionally, fill-gas composition <NUM> can be a volume to induce a certain pressure within UV tube <NUM> to allow for detection of UV events by UV sensor <NUM>.

UV tube <NUM> can include electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, electrodes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> can be placed within UV tube <NUM> at a specified distance so as to allow for detection of UV events by UV sensor <NUM>.

Signs of a UV sensor that is aging can include reduced pressure of fill-gas composition <NUM> or a change in the spacing of electrodes <NUM>. For example, a change in the spacing of electrodes <NUM> can lead to a change in the excitation voltage at a conduction event, which can lead to UV sensor failure.

<FIG> is a schematic block diagram of a controller <NUM> for determining failure of a UV sensor, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Controller <NUM> can be, for example, controller <NUM> previously described in connection with <FIG>. For example, controller <NUM> can include a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM> configured to determine failure of a UV sensor in accordance with the present disclosure. Further, controller <NUM> can include an adjustable voltage supply <NUM> and sense circuitry <NUM>.

Adjustable voltage supply <NUM> supplies an excitation voltage to a UV sensor (e.g., UV sensor <NUM> and <NUM> described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively). For example, adjustable voltage supply <NUM> can supply a range of excitation voltages to a UV sensor (e.g., <NUM> volts to <NUM> volts).

Sense circuitry <NUM> can be circuitry that can sense UV emission. For example, sense circuitry <NUM> can determine a UV event has occurred when a UV sensor is in the presence of UV emissions.

The memory <NUM> can be any type of storage medium that can be accessed by the processor <NUM> to perform various examples of the present disclosure. For example, the memory <NUM> can be a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored thereon that are executable by the processor <NUM> to compare an excitation voltage at which a conduction event occurs to a reference voltage to determine whether a UV sensor has failed. That is, processor <NUM> can execute the executable instructions stored in memory <NUM> to compare an excitation voltage at which a conduction event occurs to a reference voltage to determine whether a UV sensor has failed.

The memory <NUM> can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. The memory <NUM> can also be removable (e.g., portable) memory, or non-removable (e.g., internal) memory. For example, the memory <NUM> can be random access memory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or phase change random access memory (PCRAM)), read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and/or compact-disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), flash memory, a laser disc, a digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, and/or a magnetic medium such as magnetic cassettes, tapes, or disks, among other types of memory.

Further, although memory <NUM> is illustrated as being located within controller <NUM>, embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, memory <NUM> can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

As used herein, "logic" is an alternative or additional processing resource to execute the actions and/or functions, etc., described herein, which includes hardware (e.g., various forms of transistor logic, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), as opposed to computer executable instructions (e.g., software, firmware, etc.) stored in memory and executable by a processor. It is presumed that logic similarly executes instructions for purposes of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) comprising an ultraviolet (UV) sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>):
and a controller (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the controller includes an adjustable voltage supply (<NUM>) and a sense circuitry (<NUM>), a memory and a processor;
the controller is configured to determine failure of the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the sense circuitry (<NUM>) is configured to determine a UV event that has occurred when the UV sensor is in the presence of UV emissions;
the adjustable voltage supply (<NUM>) is configured to supply an excitation voltage to the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the memory (<NUM>); and
the processor (<NUM>) is configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory (<NUM>) to:
reduce the excitation voltage of the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) until no conduction occurs in the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>), the UV sensor having a UV tube (<NUM>), electrodes (<NUM>) and a fill-gas composition (<NUM>);
increase, upon no conduction occurring in the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>), the excitation voltage of the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) until a conduction event occurs;
compare the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs to a reference voltage; and
determine whether the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) has failed based on the comparison, wherein the reference voltage is a reference voltage range, and wherein the UV sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>) is determined to have failed upon the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs being outside the reference voltage range, the reference voltage range is based on a construction of the UV sensor, including changes in a position of electrodes, a composition of the fill gas, and a pressure within the UV tube of the UV sensor wherein the excitation voltage at which the conduction event occurs is logged, and an average excitation voltage over a sample size of measurements of conduction events is compared to the reference voltage range.