Electric ignition system

Claim 2

An electric ignition system for a fluid-fueled burner comprising an electrically operable valve for controlling flow of fuel to the burner, an electrical resistance type ignition wire for igniting fuel at the burner when at least a predetermined minimum amount of electric current is passing through it, and a current-activated relay connected directly to said wire and said valve, said relay being sensitive to current passing to it from said ignition wire and being operable to energize said valve only when at least said predetermined minimum amount of current is passing through said ignition wire.

Claim 3

An electric ignition system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said relay includes a pair of normally open contacts electrically connected respectively to said valve and a source of electrical power, and a heating element electrically connected at one end directly to said ignition wire and at its other end connected to a source of power and operable to close said contacts only when at least said predetermined minimum amount of current is passing through the wire.

Claim 4

An electric ignition system as set forth in claim 2 wherein a thermostat is located in the system for controlling flow of current to the wire and relay.

Claim 5

An electric ignition system for a fluid-fueled burner comprising an electrically operable normally closed fuel supply valve for controlling flow of fuel to the burner, an electrical resistance wire which assumes ignition temperature when a predetermined minimum current passes through it connected at a first side to a source of electrical power, and a current-activated thermal relay having a heater element and first and second normally open contacts, said heater element having one side connected directly to a second side of the wire and its other side connected to the power source, said first contact being connected to the power source, the fuel supply valve being connected to said second contact and to said power source, said relay heater element being operable only when the current passing through the wire is of an amount at least equal to said predetermined minimum.

Claim 6

An electric ignition system for a fluid-fueled burner comprising an electrically operable normally closed fuel supply valve for controlling flow of fuel to the burner, an electrical resistance wire which assumes ignition temperature when a predetermined minimum current passes through it connected at a first side to a source of electrical power, and a current-activated thermal relay having a heater element and first and second normally open contacts, said heater element having one side connected directly to a second side of the wire and its other side connected to the power source, said first contact being connected to the power source, the fuel supply valve being connected to said second contact and to said power source, said relay heater element being operable only when the current passing through the wire is of an amount at least equal to said predetermined minimum.

Claim 7

An electric ignition system as set forth in claim 4 wherein a thermostat is located between the source of power and the wire and relay.

Claim 8

An electric ignition system as set forth in claim 5 wherein a low voltage step-down transformer is provided with a primary winding connected to said power source and with a secondary winding connected at opposite ends respectively to the ignition coil and the heater element of the relay.