Abstract: A diagnostic circuit is provided. The diagnostic circuit comprises resistors and a capacitor. The diagnostic circuit is monitored to detect the presence of a load and to confirm the proper operation of a relay circuit. The diagnostic circuit generates an oscillating voltage when the relay circuit is open and the load is connected, generates a logic low when the relay circuit is open and the load is disconnected, and generates a logic high when the relay circuit is closed. The diagnostic circuit can be disposed within a diagnostic circuit system that includes one or more of a sensing circuit, a relay circuit, an alternating-current source having a direct current offset, an input circuit, and a high-voltage microprocessor. The high-voltage microprocessor can be bi-directionally optically coupled to an application microprocessor.

Abstract: A flow through solenoid valve comprises a housing, a coil encircling the housing, and a hollow plunger slidably positioned in the housing. The housing has an inlet, a seat, and an outlet. The hollow plunger has a fixed segment and a poppet segment. The poppet segment includes a poppet conduit and is slideable within the housing. The spring encircles the poppet segment and biases the poppet segment toward the seat. The solenoid valve is energized to disengage the poppet segment from the seat. When the poppet and the seat are disengaged, a gas is permitted to flow through the hollow plunger. The solenoid valve is de-energized to engage the poppet segment and the seat. When the poppet and the seat are engaged, the gas is prevented from flowing out of the outlet.

Abstract: A timer control apparatus for use in an appliance is provided. The timer control apparatus includes a timer having a timing motor, a user interface including a setting indicator and option switches, and a delay circuit associated with the timing motor. The delay circuit is operable to halt the timing motor and to start the timing motor such that the timer control apparatus delays progression of the timing motor. The delay circuit can halt and start the timing motor at regular intervals, irregular intervals, according to a timing pattern, based on the setting indicator, and/or based the option switches. By delaying the timing motor, travel or progression of the setting indicator between settings is reduced.

Abstract: The pilot burner assembly and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes a pilot burner having a top portion, a middle portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the pilot burner includes a hood that is positioned adjacent to an igniter and a thermocouple. The middle portion of the pilot burner includes at least one opening providing an air inlet. During situations where LDO (lint-dust-oil) build-up has occurred, the hood will continue to provide flame to a main burner, but the flame to heat the thermocouple will shrink or lift to the point where it no longer can heat the thermocouple sufficiently to generate enough power to allow for a safety magnet valve to remain energized. This will result in the shutting-off of the associated gas-fired device.

Abstract: A system and method of flow rate compensation is provided to allow precise volume dispensing over widely varied and varying input process media pressure and flow conditions. This system utilizes empirical data of actual flow rate versus flow rate measured by a flow meter to characterize flow meter non-linearities. This data is used to generate a compensation control curve. The system controller receives flow data from a flow meter in the field and calculates pulse duration of the output of the flow meter. The compensation control curve is then used to determine the volume of process media flowing at any given time. This instantaneous volume information is added to an accumulator to determine the volume of process media dispensed. This volume is compared to a target volume. Once this target volume is reached, the flow of process media is stopped.

Abstract: A motor driven appliance timer utilizing a cam program disk and snap action switches is provided. The motor may be externally energized, or may be energized based on integrated electronics within the appliance timer. Rotation of the program disk by a user to allow selection of a desired appliance cycle is accommodated by a clutch subassembly that allows bidirectional rotation of the program disk without requiring that the user pull or push the control shaft before rotating the program disk. The timer of the present invention may utilize either impulse or constant drive mechanisms to rotate the program disk. The use of snap action switches minimizes the possibility of tack weld failures due to switch teasing.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a gas therethrough which requires no machining in order to attain an effective seal between the valve seating surface and a rotatable plug element. The valve seat surface remains as cast while the plug consists of an overmolded plastic. The overmolding defines an array of pliable sealing ridges. The use of overmolding facilitates the use of cost-saving plastic materials, and obviates the need for expensive machining of the cooperating surfaces.

Abstract: A gas control valve is provided for a gas appliance that includes an electrical cut-off (ECO) switch, and a thermocouple having an electrical terminal. The gas control valve includes a control valve housing having a bore therein, an automatic pilot valve magnet disposed the bore and having an electrical terminal, and a connector apparatus for connecting the ECO switch in a series circuit relationship between the electrical terminals of the thermocouple and the pilot valve magnet. The connector apparatus includes a spacer abutting the pilot valve magnet in the bore, a connector for engaging the spacer through a window in the control valve housing and connecting the ECO switch to electrical terminals of the thermocouple and pilot valve magnet, and a retainer for clamping the spacer against the pilot valve magnet and receiving the thermocouple.

Abstract: A method of detecting and attempting to correct a relay tack weld failure of its contacts is presented. This method senses the failure of a relay's contacts to open once it has been commanded to trip. This sensing may directly sense relay conditions, or may indirectly determine the failure by sensing a system parameter that shows the effects of the failure. Once the failure of the relay to open has been determined, the relay is again energized in an attempt to break loose the relay tack weld. If the relay fails to open after this first attempt, the relay may again be repulsed. Preferably a relay check timer is utilized to ensure that the system has stabilized before a repulse is attempted. A relay pulse timer may be used to control the pulse duration during these attempts. The number of attempts may also be limited.

Abstract: A bi-directional tamper resistant temperature adjustment controller interface comprises a control dial having an interior face wherein a cylindrical center boss extends therefrom, said cylindrical center boss having a substantially annular cross section, and a central axial bore adapted to receive a rotatable control member and an exterior side wall of the boss has formed therein a first and a second ring of inline recessed notches adapted for resistively engaging a deflecting member. In one embodiment of the invention the first and second ring of inline recessed notches are a first and second ring of directional serrations wherein the first ring of serrations are angularly directed in a first direction to resist rotation of the dial in one direction of rotation and the second ring of serrations are angularly directed in a second direction to resist rotation of the dial in an opposing direction of rotation.

Abstract: A tamper resistant temperature dial and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes a temperature adjustment device associated with a controller for a heating device that includes a rotatable dial for setting temperature in the heating device, a ring that is operatively attached to the rotatable dial or the controller, wherein the ring includes a plurality of notched portions, and a resilient detent having a first portion engagable with at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring, a second portion for releasably applying pressure to the resilient detent for disengaging the first portion of the resilient detent from the at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring and having a third portion that is operatively attached to the attached to the controller or the rotatable dial. The heating device can be either electric or gas.

Abstract: A program timer for use with commercial or consumer appliances provides a single user knob interface that allows the desired selection of a programmed cycle and a push-to-start function. To preclude inadvertent program operation and enhance the life of the program timer, a snap-action switch is utilized to provide the push-to-start functionality. As such, actuation of the start switch provides a positional hysteresis that prevents teasing of the switch. The rapid snap-action opening and closing of the switch contacts precludes or minimizes the arc sustained between the contacts so as to greatly increase the life of the start switch. In one embodiment an actuation wheel larger in diameter than the program cam stack of the timer is utilized to pivot a lever to actuate the snap-action switch.

Abstract: Provided is a magnet mounting assembly including a ferromagnetic support plate having a periphery, two opposite faces, and a ferromagnetic plate extension depending from the periphery, and a permanent magnet disposed on the support plate, in which the plate extension has a plurality of heights forming a plurality of legs. A terminal edge of the legs is engagable with a rounded magnetic surface at four non-contiguous locations thereon. The plate extension may form a V-block. Also provided are methods of utilizing such a magnet mounting assembly to securely and stably attach a device, such as a measurement device, to a rounded ferromagnetic surface, such as the exterior surface of a storage tank. A measurement device/storage tank assembly including such a magnet mounting assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating flow of fluid received from a fluid source has an inner cylinder with inlet and outlet apertures, and an outer cylinder that also has inlet and outlet apertures. The inner cylinder is nested within the outer cylinder and rotatable with respect to the outer cylinder to control an amount of registration of the outlet apertures of the inner and outer cylinders to regulate flow of fluid through the apparatus. A motor is coupled to the inner cylinder by an axially symmetrical motor output shaft and mating recess of the inner cylinder, with crush ribs to eliminate axial play. The motor mounting arrangement is configured to mount the motor to the outer cylinder such that the motor floats within the motor mounting arrangement.

Abstract: A combination selector switch and infinite switch energy regulator provides a plurality of simmer voltages. An infinite switch energy regulator for adapting input voltage level to an average output voltage level is provided. This energy regulator has a rotatable shaft for adjusting the average output voltage level. An input voltage selector, such as an F switch, selects between a plurality of input voltages by actuation of a rotatable cam. The output of the input voltage selector is provided as an input to the infinite switch. The rotatable shaft is also operatively coupled to the rotatable cam and thus controls the input voltage selector as well as the infinite switch. The selective provision of two different voltage levels as an input to the infinite switch permits a plurality of simmer voltages when the unit is assembled in an electric range.

Abstract: A gas control valve is provided for a gas appliance that includes an electrical cut-off (ECO) switch, and a thermocouple having an electrical terminal. The gas control valve includes a control valve housing having a bore therein, an automatic pilot valve magnet disposed the bore and having an electrical terminal, and a connector apparatus for connecting the ECO switch in a series circuit relationship between the electrical terminals of the thermocouple and the pilot valve magnet. The connector apparatus includes a spacer abutting the pilot valve magnet in the bore, a connector for engaging the spacer through a window in the control valve housing and connecting the ECO switch to electrical terminals of the thermocouple and pilot valve magnet, and a retainer for clamping the spacer against the pilot valve magnet and receiving the thermocouple.