Electrically controlled combustion fluid flow

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10190767-B2
Application number	US-201414772033-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 27, 2014
Priority date	Mar 27, 2013
Publication date	Jan 29, 2019
Grant date	Jan 29, 2019

Abstract

A combustion fluid flow barrier includes an aperture to control combustion fluid flow. The combustion fluid is charged by a charge generator. The combustion fluid flow barrier includes at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the aperture and configured to selectively allow, attract, or resist passage of the charged combustion fluid through the aperture, depending on voltage applied to the flow control electrode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge generator configured to apply a charge or voltage to a combustion fluid flow corresponding to a combustion reaction;
a combustion fluid flow barrier defining at least one aperture therethrough;
at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the at least one aperture;
a voltage source operatively coupled to the flow control electrode; and
a controller configured to control an application of one or more voltages from the voltage source to the flow control electrode;
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a perforated flame holder;
wherein the flow control electrode comprises a plate and a tube in electrical communication with the plate; and
wherein the tube defines the at least one aperture.

2. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge generator configured to apply a charge or voltage to a combustion fluid flow corresponding to a combustion reaction;
a combustion fluid flow barrier defining at least one aperture therethrough;
at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the at least one aperture;
a voltage source operatively coupled to the flow control electrode; and
a controller configured to control an application of one or more voltages from the voltage source to the flow control electrode;
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a perforated flame holder; and
wherein the flow control electrode is embedded in the combustion fluid flow barrier.

3. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge generator configured to apply a charge or voltage to a combustion fluid flow corresponding to a combustion reaction;
a combustion fluid flow barrier defining at least one aperture therethrough;
at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the at least one aperture;
a voltage source operatively coupled to the flow control electrode; and
a controller configured to control an application of one or more voltages from the voltage source to the flow control electrode;
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a perforated flame holder; and
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a flame barrier configured to separate a primary combustion region from at least one secondary combustion region.

4. The system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow of claim 3 , wherein the at least one aperture forms a passage between the primary combustion region and the secondary combustion region.

5. The system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow of claim 3 , wherein the at least one aperture forms a passage between the primary combustion region and the secondary combustion region;
wherein the flow control electrode is operatively coupled to the passage between the primary combustion region and the secondary combustion region.

6. The system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow of claim 3 , wherein the at least one aperture forms a passage between the primary combustion region and the secondary combustion region;
wherein the flow control electrode is configured to control ignition in the secondary combustion region.

7. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge generator configured to apply a charge or voltage to a combustion fluid flow corresponding to a combustion reaction;
a combustion fluid flow barrier defining at least one aperture therethrough;
at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the at least one aperture;
a voltage source operatively coupled to the flow control electrode; and
a controller configured to control an application of one or more voltages from the voltage source to the flow control electrode;
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a perforated flame holder;
wherein the at least one aperture includes a plurality of perforations defined by the perforated flame holder; and
wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one flow control electrode to selectively impede combustion fluid flow through the plurality of perforations to cause the flame to be held at the edges of the perforated flame holder.

8. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge generator configured to apply a charge or voltage to a combustion fluid flow corresponding to a combustion reaction;
a combustion fluid flow barrier defining at least one aperture therethrough;
at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the at least one aperture;
a voltage source operatively coupled to the flow control electrode; and
a controller configured to control an application of one or more voltages from the voltage source to the flow control electrode;
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a perforated flame holder;
wherein the at least one aperture includes a plurality of perforations defined by the perforated flame holder; and
wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one flow control electrode to selectively allow combustion fluid flow through the plurality of perforations to cause the flame to flow through the perforations.

9. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge generator configured to apply a charge or voltage to a combustion fluid flow corresponding to a combustion reaction;
a combustion fluid flow barrier defining at least one aperture therethrough;
at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the at least one aperture;
a voltage source operatively coupled to the flow control electrode; and
a controller configured to control an application of one or more voltages from the voltage source to the flow control electrode;
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a perforated flame holder;
wherein the at least one aperture includes a plurality of perforations defined by the perforated flame holder; and
wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one flow control electrode to selectively attract combustion fluid flow through the plurality of perforations to cause the flame to flow through the perforations.

10. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge generator configured to apply a charge or voltage to a combustion fluid flow corresponding to a combustion reaction;
a combustion fluid flow barrier defining at least one aperture therethrough;
at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the at least one aperture;
a voltage source operatively coupled to the flow control electrode; and
a controller configured to control an application of one or more voltages from the voltage source to the flow control electrode;
wherein the combustion fluid flow barrier comprises a perforated flame holder;
wherein the at least one aperture includes a plurality of perforations defined by the perforated flame holder; and
wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one flow control electrode to selectively impede combustion fluid flow through a portion of the perforations corresponding to a fuel turn-down.

11. The system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow of claim 10 , wherein the charge generator is configured to apply a charge or voltage at a first polarity to the combustion fluid flow; and
wherein the controller is configured to cause the voltage source to apply a voltage at the first polarity to the flow control electrode to impede the combustion fluid flow.

12. A system for electrically controlling combustion fluid flow, comprising:
a charge gen

Assignees

• Clearsign Comb Corp

Inventors

• Karkow Douglas W
• Wiklof Christopher A

Classifications

• F23Q7/06

  structurally associated with fluid-fuel burners (lighters containing fuel F23Q2/00) · CPC title

• F23N5/123

  using electronic means · CPC title

• F23D2208/00

  Control devices associated with burners · CPC title

• F23C99/001 Primary

  Applying electric means or magnetism to combustion (for combustion engines F02B51/04, F02M27/04) · CPC title

• F23D14/84

  Flame spreading or otherwise shaping (F23D14/70 takes precedence) · CPC title