Patent ID: 7731490

Claim:
A self-cleaning burner system, comprising: at least one burner in which combustion normally takes place outside the burner at a distal end thereof; a first valve for connection to a source of fuel, and a first tube having at least one fuel control orifice near a proximal end of the at least one burner, wherein the first tube is connected to the first valve; a second valve connected in series or parallel with the first valve, and a runner tube connected to the second valve, the runner tube comprising an elongated end portion positioned proximate to and outside of the proximal end of the at least one burner, the runner tube comprises a plurality of holes disposed along a portion of a length of the runner tube including a portion proximate the proximal end of the at least one burner, an ignition source disposed proximate the distal end of the at least one burner and proximate the portion of the length of the runner tube with the plurality of holes; and a controller for controlling an operation of the self-cleaning burner system, wherein the controller is configured to selectively open the first valve and activate the ignition source, the controller is further configured to selectively open the second valve for a short duration of time to supply fuel to the runner tube and admit a flame formed along the length of the outer surface of runner tube into the proximal end of the at least one burner to clean the burner.