Patent US4259080A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4259080A
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Method of determining discontinuities in the heat exchanger of a warm air furnace
Assignee: Wisconsin Gas Co
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Filing: 1979-09-18
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Granted: 1981-03-31
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Expires: 1999-09-18
Abstract
Abstract Method of determining discontinuites in the heat exchanger of a warm air furnace directed to spraying the burner within the furnace with a non-corrosive solution of sodium carbonate. The solution is sprayed on the burner after it is heated and in operation but with the blower fan inoperative. Thereafter a blue flame from a gas torch is played adjacent to or into a register or opening in the plenum of the furnace or an opening in the piping or duct work leading from the plenum. If the blue flame turns yellow this indicates there is a deleterious leakage of combustion gases from the heat exchanger of the furnace.
Inventors
- 👤 James F. Wunderlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/22; G01M3/226; G01M3/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of determining discontinuities in a heat exchanger of a warm air furnace unit comprising igniting a burner of a heat exchanger of a warm air furnace unit to thereby heat up the furnace while maintaining a blower fan inoperative, spraying the burner with a non-corrosive solution of a sodium compound while the furnace unit continues to operate, contacting the air in an indirectly heated zone, downstream of the heat exchanger, with a blue flame of a torch, and checking the flame of the torch to ascertain whether the blue flame turns yellow, thereby indicating a deleterious leakage of combustion gas from the heat exchanger of the furnace.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of determining discontinuities in a heat exchanger of a warm air furnace unit comprising igniting a burner of a heat exchanger of a warm air furnace unit to thereby heat up the furnace while maintaining a blower fan inoperative, spraying the burner with a non-corrosive solution of a sodium compound while the furnace unit continues to operate, contacting the air in an indirectly heated zone, downstream of the heat exchanger, with a blue flame of a torch, and checking the flame of the torch to ascertain whether the blue flame turns yellow, thereby indicating a deleterious leakage of combustion gas from the heat exchanger of the furnace.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, and the non-corrosive solution of the sodium compound being a combination of water and sodium carbonate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2, and the solution of claim 2 being a mixture in the relationship of about two ounces of sodium carbonate mixed with a pint of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, and the blue flame in the torch being provided by a gas from propane, butane or methane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-30 | 1984-09-29 | 1985-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-30 | 1988-09-29 | 1989-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-30 | 1992-09-29 | 1993-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |