Modulated burner combustion system that prevents the use of

Abstract

A modulated burner combustion system that prevents the use of components that were originally not commissioned for use in the system. The present invention uses actuators that contain unique stored identification numbers. When the system is initially configured or commissioned, the unique identification numbers of the actuators are stored in nonvolatile memory in a fuel/air controller. When the system is brought on line, the fuel/air controller microprocessor initially sends false IDs to the actuator together with test control signals to determine if the actuator operates in response to the false identification numbers. If the actuator does operate in response to the false identification numbers, that is an indication that the system has been tampered with and the system is, consequently, shut down. Subsequently, the true identification numbers are transmitted to the actuators with test control signals. The fuel/air controller microprocessor determines if the actuators move properly in response to the test control signals. If they do not move or do not move properly, that is an indication that an actuator is present in the system that was not originally commissioned with the system, or that an actuator is operating improperly. In that case, the system is also shut down. The feedback mechanism of the present invention eliminates the need for expensive safety software and expensive microprocessors in the actuators.