Patent ID: 8317511

Claim:
A dual fuel heating apparatus comprising: a safety control system comprising: a shutoff valve; a thermocouple solenoid assembly; a first igniter configured to instigate combustion of a first gas, liquid, or combination thereof or combustion of a second gas, liquid, or combination thereof, the first gas, liquid, or combination thereof being different from the second gas, liquid, or combination thereof; a first nozzle having a first air inlet aperture, the first nozzle positioned to direct heat from combustion of the first gas, liquid, or combination thereof towards the thermocouple solenoid assembly when the first gas, liquid, or combination thereof is being combusted; and a second nozzle having a second air inlet aperture larger than the first air inlet aperture, the second nozzle positioned to direct heat from combustion of the second gas, liquid, or combination thereof towards the thermocouple solenoid assembly when the second gas, liquid, or combination thereof is being combusted; wherein the shutoff valve is at least indirectly fluidly connected to at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle; wherein the thermocouple solenoid assembly is configured to maintain the shutoff valve in an open position based on heat from combustion directed to the thermocouple solenoid assembly, and wherein the thermocouple solenoid assembly is configured to maintain the shutoff valve in a closed position based on an absence of heat from combustion directed to the thermocouple solenoid assembly; a fluid flow controller a burner; and at least one burner nozzle to direct the first gas, liquid, or combination thereof or the second gas, liquid, or combination thereof to the burner; wherein either the first or the second gas, liquid, or combination thereof is directed from the shutoff valve to the fluid flow controller and from the fluid flow controller to the at least one burner nozzle.