A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod.

A method of operating a cooktop appliance in a precision mode includes monitoring a temperature with a temperature sensor and starting a vaporization timer when the monitored temperature enters a vaporization band. The method also includes freezing the precision mode when the vaporization timer expires and the monitored temperature is within the vaporization band.

A method of operating a cooktop appliance in a precision mode includes monitoring a temperature with a temperature sensor and starting a vaporization timer when the monitored temperature enters a vaporization band. The method also includes freezing the precision mode when the vaporization timer expires and the monitored temperature is within the vaporization band.

A flame rod analysis system, methods for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod, and circuits for determining a condition of a flame and a flame rod. The flame rod analysis system comprises energy storage connectable to a flame rod, a pulsed source connected to the energy storage and providing a voltage pulse or a current pulse, and a buffer to allow a processor to measure a buffered voltage at various time points. Flame rod analysis systems can distinguish between various flame conditions (no flame, low flame, etc.) while simultaneously characterizing the condition of the flame rod (shorted to ground, contaminated, etc.). Some flame rod analysis systems can directly measure the resistance of the flame rod.

A control device of a hydrogen gas burner device sets a target flow rate of a hydrogen gas such that a flow rate of the hydrogen gas decreases as a temperature of the hydrogen gas becomes higher, based on the temperature of the hydrogen gas and a needed quantity of heat of the hydrogen gas during the combustion, sets a target flow speed such that the flow speed of the hydrogen gas released from a combustion nozzle via a flow speed regulator becomes a flow speed based on the target flow rate and the flow speed of the hydrogen gas increases as a value of the target flow rate decreases, controls the flow rate regulator such that the flow rate of the hydrogen gas reaches the target flow rate, and controls the flow speed regulator such that the flow speed of the hydrogen gas reaches the target flow speed.

An apparatus for adjusting and controlling the combustion in a fuel gas burner. The apparatus comprises the following mutually integrated components: a comburent gas/fuel gas mixing pipe provided with a Venturi mixer in correspondence of which a fuel gas supply duct opens; means for adjusting the flow rate of fuel gas; a fan, at least partially housed in said mixing pipe; a burner arranged downstream of said fan; a safety system based upon the detection of the flame present in said burner; and an electronic control unit of devices belonging to the apparatus. The apparatus is characterized in that it further comprises: a temperature probe arranged on the inner surface of the burner; a valve for adjusting the fuel gas flow rate in the duct; said valve belonging to said control means and being mechanically controlled by an actuator; and an electronic card, electronically connected to said probe, to said fan and to said actuator.

The following relates generally to improving chimney safety through monitoring and detection of overheat conditions or animal intrusion that may damage a chimney or result in uncontrolled fire spreading outside the chimney. To improve chimney safety, a system may use temperature levels, sound signals, and/or imagery data to determine an overheat condition in a chimney. Upon determination of an overheat condition, the system may send an alert to a mobile device of a user or take other action (e.g., shutting off gas to a firebox, alerting the fire department, etc.). Similarly, sound signals and/or imagery data may be used to determine the presence of: (i) animals within or near the chimney, and/or (ii) water in the chimney box (e.g., water on a wall of the chimney box, or dripping to the bottom of the chimney box).

A method is provided for operating a fuel-operated vehicle heater (10) during a start phase of combustion operation. The heater includes a combustion air feed device (26) feeding air and a fuel feed device (22) feeding fuel (B) to a burner area (12) with a combustion chamber (16). An electrically energizable ignition element (32) ignites a fuel/air mixture formed. The method includes energizing the ignition element (32) in a preheating phase prior to the fuel feed, at a time of entry into an ignition phase, detecting electrical resistance of the ignition element (32) and determining a desired resistance based on the electrical resistance of the ignition element (32) detected and operating the ignition element (32) in a resistance-regulating operating mode during the ignition phase such that an actual resistance of the ignition element (32) is in the range of the determined desired resistance of the ignition element (32).

A thermostat for cooking appliances powered by gas includes a body defining an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit that receive a gas flow from a supply source and to supply it to a gas burner, and a chamber having a substantially cylindrical shape that is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit, and also with the outlet conduit either directly, through a main opening formed at one end thereof, or indirectly, through a secondary conduit formed in the body of the thermostat. The gas flows into the outlet conduit bypassing the main opening. A one-piece valve adjusting the gas flow rate is coaxially fitted in the chamber and guided by its peripheral walls. These features make the structural configuration of the thermostat body and its conduits is much more compact, functional and less expensive than in thermostats known in the art.

A thermostat for cooking appliances powered by gas includes a body defining an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit that receive a gas flow from a supply source and to supply it to a gas burner, and a chamber having a substantially cylindrical shape that is in fluid communication with the inlet conduit, and also with the outlet conduit either directly, through a main opening formed at one end thereof, or indirectly, through a secondary conduit formed in the body of the thermostat. The gas flows into the outlet conduit bypassing the main opening. A one-piece valve adjusting the gas flow rate is coaxially fitted in the chamber and guided by its peripheral walls. These features make the structural configuration of the thermostat body and its conduits is much more compact, functional and less expensive than in thermostats known in the art.