Abstract: In some examples, a gas/air mixing device configured to mix gas and air to provide a gas/air mixture includes a mixer housing with a mounting flange being configured to mount the gas/air mixing device to a fan housing in such a way that a sealing surface of the mounting flange is in contact with a sealing surface of the fan housing. In some examples, the sealing surface of the mounting flange has grooves with a second radius being different from the first radius. In some examples, the sealing surface of the fan housing has a groove, with a second radius being different from the first radius. The mixer housing provides an inlet opening for air, an inlet opening for gas, and an outlet opening for the gas/air mixture. The sealing surface of the mounting flange surrounds the outlet opening of the mixer housing.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for operating a gas burner appliance includes determining, on basis of a nominal burner-load and on basis of a mixing ratio of gas and air of a gas/air mixture or a ?-value of the gas/air mixture, a nominal air mass flow in order to provide the nominal burner-load. The method further comprises determining the ambient air pressure and the ambient air temperature of the ambient air, determining, on basis of the ambient air pressure and on basis of the ambient air temperature, the atmospheric density of the ambient air, determining on basis of the nominal air mass flow, on basis of the determined atmospheric density of the ambient air, and on basis of a system resistance of the gas burner appliance, the fan speed of the fan in order to provide the nominal burner-load.

Abstract: In some examples, a gas/air mixing device configured to mix gas and air to provide a gas/air mixture includes a mixer housing with a mounting flange being configured to mount the gas/air mixing device to a fan housing in such a way that a sealing surface of the mounting flange is in contact with a sealing surface of the fan housing. In some examples, the sealing surface of the mounting flange has grooves with a second radius being different from the first radius. In some examples, the sealing surface of the fan housing has a groove, with a second radius being different from the first radius. The mixer housing provides an inlet opening for air, an inlet opening for gas, and an outlet opening for the gas/air mixture. The sealing surface of the mounting flange surrounds the outlet opening of the mixer housing.

Abstract: In some examples, a method for operating a gas burner appliance includes determining, on basis of a nominal burner-load and on basis of a mixing ratio of gas and air of a gas/air mixture or a ?-value of the gas/air mixture, a nominal air mass flow in order to provide the nominal burner-load. The method further comprises determining the ambient air pressure and the ambient air temperature of the ambient air, determining, on basis of the ambient air pressure and on basis of the ambient air temperature, the atmospheric density of the ambient air, determining on basis of the nominal air mass flow, on basis of the determined atmospheric density of the ambient air, and on basis of a system resistance of the gas burner appliance, the fan speed of the fan in order to provide the nominal burner-load.

Abstract: An improved pilot burner includes an orifice plate defining a central orifice for metering a supply of gas and a gas tube. The gas tube includes a tube wall and defines a supply opening at a first end. The orifice plate is positioned within the gas tube at the supply opening, and the tube wall is crimped around the orifice plate to secure the orifice plate to the gas tube. The pilot burner also includes a burner tube having a first end for receiving a first end of the gas tube. The burner tube further includes a second end defining a flame opening. In another embodiment, a clip is used to secure the gas tube and the burner tube to a bracket.

Abstract: An energy savings water heater is described. The water heater is controlled by an energy savings algorithm that uses one or more of a variable setpoint differential, a variable setback threshold, additional setback thresholds, and an adjustable minimal setpoint to improve the operation of an energy efficient water heater. Additionally or alternatively, a different setback control algorithm may be used that obtains additional data to adjust the setpoint. As a result, the operating cost of the water heater is reduced, while minimizing user complaints of cold water.

Abstract: An improved heater and method of controlling the same is provided. The water heater has the combination of a tank for holding water, a heater for heating the water, a controller having logic to regulate the heater, and first and second sensors. Each of the sensors detects the water temperature at different areas within the water heater. The sensors also provide the controller with signals corresponding to the detected water temperature. In response to these signals, the controller regulates the heater when at least one of the signals of the first and second sensors satisfies at least one predetermined state condition.

Abstract: An improved pilot burner includes an orifice plate defining a central orifice for metering a supply of gas and a gas tube. The gas tube includes a tube wall and defines a supply opening at a first end. The orifice plate is positioned within the gas tube at the supply opening, and the tube wall is crimped around the orifice plate to secure the orifice plate to the gas tube. The pilot burner also includes a burner tube having a first end for receiving a first end of the gas tube. The burner tube further includes a second end defining a flame opening. In another embodiment, a clip is used to secure the gas tube and the burner tube to a bracket.

Abstract: Modulating gas valves and systems for modulating gas flow to gas-fired appliances are disclosed. An illustrative modulating gas valve can include at least one main valve adapted to regulate the flow of gas through a main gas conduit, at least one regulator for regulating the gas pressure outputted by each main valve between a first gas pressure and a second gas pressure, and a modulator adapted to variably modulate the gas outputted by the gas valve at a pressure between the first and second gas pressures. The modulator can be used to modulate the main gas valve or valves between an infinite or discrete number of positions.

Abstract: A gas valve includes a gas inlet in fluid communication with a first chamber, a second chamber in selective fluid communication with the first chamber, a gas outlet in selective fluid communication with the second chamber, a pilot light outlet in fluid communication with the second chamber, and a bypass channel in fluid communication with the second chamber and in fluid communication with the first chamber. The bypass channel limits bypass gas flow to an amount that is insufficient to ignite a pilot flame at the pilot light outlet when the second channel is in fluid communication with the gas outlet.

Abstract: A method of verifying proper operation of an electromagnetic valve. The method includes providing a mechanism to effect opening of the valve, verifying that the valve opened as a result of employing the mechanism to effect opening of the valve and after verifying the valve opened, signaling the valve to close after a first period of time has elapsed. The method further includes, after signaling the valve to close, signaling the valve to re-open after a second period of time has elapsed and detecting the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event associated with the closing or re-opening of the valve.

Abstract: The method and apparatus provides a controller (which might comprise a microprocessor) that can control gas flow to a pilot burner in fluid communication with a manual pilot valve and an automatic pilot valve. The exemplary embodiments can comprise a selectable input device that can open the manual pilot valve to allow gas flow to the pilot burner. A pilot flame can then heat one or more thermal detection devices in thermal communication with the pilot burner, wherein the one or more thermal detection devices can output a variable voltage potential to the controller. The controller can then open the automatic pilot valve to maintain gas flow to the pilot burner after the manual pilot valve has been closed. In an exemplary embodiment, the only voltage potential used to power the controller is supplied by the one or more thermal detection devices.

Abstract: A gas valve body with a first flow chamber and, a second flow chamber including and a main valve positioned in line and between the first flow chamber and the second flow chamber. The main valve can be opened by creating a pressure differential across the main valve. An electrostatically controlled pilot valve is provided for controlling the pressure differential across the main valve for “on-ff” operation. The electrostatically controlled pilot valve may also be operated to “modulate” the pressure differential across the main valve along a range of pressure differential values.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a leak in a water heater unit comprising a storage tank is presented. The present invention involves mounting one heating sensor on the lower half of the tank and another heating sensor on the upper half of the tank. Readings from both sensors are taken and compared to determine if the water heater tank has reached a steady state; if so, the cooling rate of the tank is determined. This cooling rate is compared to the historical natural cooling rate of the system, and based on the comparison a determination is made on the presence of a leak.

Abstract: An improved heater and method of controlling the same is provided. The water heater has the combination of a tank for holding water, a heater for heating the water, a controller having logic to regulate the heater, and first and second sensors. Each of the sensors detects the water temperature at different areas within the water heater. The sensors also provide the controller with signals corresponding to the detected water temperature. In response to these signals, the controller regulates the heater when at least one of the signals of the first and second sensors satisfies at least one predetermined state condition.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve uses a servo valve to control the pressure in a main diaphragm chamber defined by a main diaphragm. The main diaphragm carries a main valve element that assumes either a low flow or a high flow position relative to a valve seat depending on which of two states the servo valve is in. When the servo valve is in the one of the two states creating the low flow position of the main valve element, the main diaphragm chamber pressure is regulated by a pressure divider comprising two flow restrictors in series connection between the inlet and outlet chambers of the valve. When in the other of the two states, the servo valve disables the pressure divider and allows the main diaphragm chamber pressure to reach the outlet pressure. The disclosure shows two versions of the invention. One version of the valve enters its low flow state when the servo valve is closed, and the other when its servo valve is open.

Abstract: A water heater control system that prevents the accumulation and accidental ignition of dangerous quantities of unwanted flammable vapors. The system intermittently generates a spark at a predetermined interval such that if unwanted flammable vapors are present, they are burned in a controlled manner. The system obviates the need for flammable vapor sensors.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve uses a servo valve to control the pressure in a main diaphragm chamber defined by a main diaphragm. The main diaphragm carries a main valve element that assumes either a low flow or a high flow position relative to a valve seat depending on which of two states the servo valve is in. When the servo valve is in the one of the two states creating the low flow position of the main valve element, the main diaphragm chamber pressure is regulated by a pressure divider comprising two flow restrictors in series connection between the inlet and outlet chambers of the valve. When in the other of the two states, the servo valve disables the pressure divider and allows the main diaphragm chamber pressure to reach the outlet pressure. The disclosure shows two versions of the invention. One version of the valve enters its low flow state when the servo valve is closed, and the other when its servo valve is open.

Abstract: An improved heater and method of controlling the same is provided. The water heater has the combination of a tank for holding water, a heater for heating the water, a controller having logic to regulate the heater, and first and second sensors. Each of the sensors detects the water temperature at different areas within the water heater. The sensors also provide the controller with signals corresponding to the detected water temperature. In response to these signals, the controller regulates the heater when at least one of the signals of the first and second sensors satisfies at least one predetermined state condition.

Abstract: A water heater control system that prevents the accumulation and accidental ignition of dangerous quantities of unwanted flammable vapors. The system intermittently generates a spark at a predetermined interval such that if unwanted flammable vapors are present, they are burned in a controlled manner. The system obviates the need for flammable vapor sensors.