Patent ID: 8454352

Claim:
A micro pilot for a gas burning appliance having a combination gas controller controlling a first flow of gas to a pilot via a pilot feed pipe and providing a micro-pilot flame and a second flow of gas to a burner, the micro-pilot flame being of smaller intensity than an ignition flame, the ignition flame being of sufficient intensity for igniting the second flow of gas comprising: a safety relay valve interposed between the combination gas controller and the burner, the safety relay valve having a housing forming an inlet for receiving gas when the combination gas controller enables combustion, an outlet for providing gas to the burner, a first connection port in fluid communication with the inlet, a diaphragm control chamber, a booster pilot gas connection outlet in fluid communication with the diaphragm control chamber, and a second connection port in fluid communication with the diaphragm control chamber, the safety relay valve further including a main controlling valve positioned between the inlet and the outlet to control a flow of gas from the inlet to the outlet, the main controlling valve including a valve control shaft drivably coupled to a diaphragm positioned in the diaphragm control chamber; and a means for ensuring ignition of the burner coupled to the booster pilot gas connection outlet, the means being operative to produce an ignition flame that is of greater intensity than the micro-pilot flame and being of sufficient intensity to ignite the second flow of gas to the burner just prior to the safety relay valve opening the main controlling valve to allow the second flow of gas to flow to the burner.