Abstract: A gas water heater with a tank for holding water including a gas valve mounted below the tank and in fluid communication with a supply of gas. A gas burner is fluidly connected to the gas valve. A first temperature sensor is mounted adjacent a lower portion of the tank and detects a temperature of the water in the lower portion of the tank, and a second temperature sensor is mounted adjacent an upper portion of the tank and detects a temperature of water in the upper portion of the tank. A control has inputs connected to the first and second temperature sensors and outputs connected to the gas valve. The control operates the gas valve in response to reading signals from the first and second temperature sensors such that water in the top and bottom portions of the tank stays within a desired temperature range.

Abstract: A gas water heater with a tank for holding water including a gas valve mounted below the tank and in fluid communication with a supply of gas. A gas burner is fluidly connected to the gas valve. A first temperature sensor is mounted adjacent a lower portion of the tank and detects a temperature of the water in the lower portion of the tank, and a second temperature sensor is mounted adjacent an upper portion of the tank and detects a temperature of water in the upper portion of the tank. A control has inputs connected to the first and second temperature sensors and outputs connected to the gas valve. The control operates the gas valve in response to reading signals from the first and second temperature sensors such that water in the top and bottom portions of the tank stays within a desired temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas appliance utilizing a single electrode spark ignition system. The gas appliance comprises two common ground planes, a conductive piece, a spark ignition device, and a P-N junction device. The conductive piece, e.g., a burner, a chassis, or a metal plate adjacent to the burner, is grounded to a first common ground plane. The spark ignition device has an electrode, and it is grounded to a second common ground plane. The spark ignition device is adapted to generate a spark between the electrode and the conductive piece to ignite the fuel. The P-N junction device is adapted to isolate the second common ground plane from the first common ground plane. As a result, the design prevents transient voltage spikes caused by the spark ignition device from interfering with the normal operation of the control circuitry of the gas appliance.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas appliance utilizing a single electrode spark ignition system. The gas appliance comprises two common ground planes, a conductive piece, a spark ignition device, and a P-N junction device. The conductive piece, e.g., a burner, a chassis, or a metal plate adjacent to the burner, is grounded to a first common ground plane. The spark ignition device has an electrode, and it is grounded to a second common ground plane. The spark ignition device is adapted to generate a spark between the electrode and the conductive piece to ignite the fuel. The P-N junction device is adapted to isolate the second common ground plane from the first common ground plane. As a result, the design prevents transient voltage spikes caused by the spark ignition device from interfering with the normal operation of the control circuitry of the gas appliance.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas appliance comprising a burner, a conduit, a control circuit, and a valve. The burner is adapted to burn a fuel and producing a flame. The conduit is connected to a source of the fuel and adapted to convey the fuel to a burner. The valve is interposed on the conduit between the source of fuel and the burner and is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit is adapted to provide a pulse width modulated signal to the valve whereby the valve provides a substantially linear flow rate of fuel to the burner.

Abstract: A method for substantially maintaining an average heating temperature over a period of time without the aid of a temperature sensor. The method provides an apparatus which has an ignition device that is adapted to ignite a fuel. The apparatus may be a cooking appliance or practically any other device that is adapted to heat something. The fuel may be natural gas, propane gas, or practically any other fuel that may be ignited to provide heat. Conveyance means are provided for receiving the fuel from a source of the fuel and conveying the fuel to the ignition device. A valve is interposed on the conveyance means between the ignition device and the source of fuel. In order to substantially maintain the average heating temperature over the period of time, the valve is opened and closed in a predetermined pattern such that at least a portion of the fuel conveyed to the ignition device is ignited.

Abstract: The present invention is a gas appliance comprising a burner, a conduit, a control circuit, and a valve. The burner is adapted to burn a fuel and producing a flame. The conduit is connected to a source of the fuel and adapted to convey the fuel to a burner. The valve is interposed on the conduit between the source of fuel and the burner and is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit is adapted to provide a pulse width modulated signal to the valve whereby the valve provides a substantially linear flow rate of fuel to the burner.

Abstract: The cooking grill has a moisture-insensitive flame detector capable of accurately determining the presence or absence of flame in the presence of moisture disposed adjacent to the burner. It also provides a more reliable ignition device and will relight the grill if the flame is blown out. The cooking grill also has an automatic shut-off to protect against the user forgetting to turn off the gas. It provides a lock-out system which prevents unauthorized use by individuals, such as children. Finally, the temperature in a grill or other cooking device can be controlled by cycling the burner on and off through microprocessor commands.

Abstract: A food cooking grill with a housing which includes a horizontally disposed grate which is secured to a front frame plate, opposing side walls and rear wall. A front access door is hingedly mounted on the front frame plate. A payment device and a digital display are mounted on the access door and are electrically connected to a control circuit. A solenoid-actuated shut-off valve is interposed in a gas conduit between the burner and a propane or LPG tank coupling in one embodiment of the invention. The shut-off valve is responsive to the control circuit which receives inputs from the payment device and a flame detector and which also controls a flame ignitor and the digital display.

Abstract: The housing includes a horizontally disposed grate which is rigidly secured to a front frame plate, opposing side walls and rear wall, all welded together. A front access door is hingedly mounted on the front frame plate and a lock is provided to secure the two together. A coin/bill acceptor and a digital display are mounted on the access door and are electrically connected to a control circuit. A solenoid-actuated shut-off valve is interposed in a gas conduit between the burner and a propane or LPG tank coupling. The shut-off valve is responsive to the control circuit which receives inputs from the coin/bill acceptor and a flame detector and which also controls a flame igniter and the digital display.