Patent ID: 7833011

Claim:
A method of igniting and monitoring a high speed burner ( 1 ) including a burner head ( 2 ) from which a fuel/oxygen-mixture exits at high velocity, comprising the steps of: providing an electrically conductive pipe ( 8 ) having a sighting channel inside and concentric with a burner channel ( 5 ) in communication with said burner head ( 2 ) such that a first end of the conductive pipe ( 8 ) terminates close to a fuel mixture outlet ( 7 ) of the burner head ( 2 ) wherein the burner head surrounds the burner channel; electrically isolating the conductive pipe ( 8 ) with ceramic insulation; supporting the conductive pipe ( 8 ) with support legs ( 18 ) placed in said burner channel ( 5 ) such as to maintain a coaxial position of the conductive pipe ( 8 ) in said channel; flowing the fuel/oxygen mixture through the burner channel ( 5 ) such that the fuel/oxygen mixture exits the burner head ( 2 ) at a high exit velocity; generating a spark ( 15 ) between the first end ( 9 ) of the conductive pipe ( 8 ) and the surrounding burner head ( 2 ) by application of a voltage to ignite the burner and begin combustion of the fuel/oxygen mixture outside the burner head ( 2 ), thereby forming a flame outside of the burner head, the length of the flame being governed by exit velocity; and detecting, at a second end ( 12 ) of the conductive pipe ( 8 ) opposite the first end of the conductive pipe ( 8 ), light radiated from the flame outside the burner head via the sighting channel.