Patent ID: 8113823

Claim:
A gas-fired appliance comprising: a burner, configured to receive and burn pressurized gas during operation; a diaphragm device having an inlet exposed to pressure from the pressurized gas during operation of the burner, and a movable member which moves in response to the application of pressurized gas at the inlet; a linkage which moves in response to movement of the movable member; a damper assembly connected to the linkage, the damper assembly comprising a damper movable between an open position and a closed position in response to movement of the linkage, the burner receiving pressurized gas with the damper in a partially-opened position between the open and closed position; and a switch circuit responsive to movement of the linkage and causing interruption of flow of pressurized gas to the burner in the event that the damper remains in the partially-opened position between the open and closed positions for at least a predetermined time period.