Abstract: A water valve, guide tube for a water valve, and associated method are provided. The water valve includes a housing and the guide tube is installed on the housing via laser welding. The guide tube and housing each provide axially facing mating surfaces which abut one another in a pre-bonded configuration. In a post-bonded configuration, a laser weld joint is formed at the interface between the mating surfaces. The joint forms a portion of an outer periphery of the housing.

Abstract: Provided herein are embodiments of a refrigerator valve and method of routing water through a refrigerator with the valve. The valve includes three valve bodies that route water in a refrigerator to different features. The middle valve body is higher than the two outer valve bodies, allowing the solenoid actuators to be mounted in a space-saving manner. The three valve bodies are linked by a central core pin that can be continuous or discontinuous such that the central core pin can provide fluid communication between all three valve bodies or divide the valve into two separate but linked valves. In a valve with a discontinuous central core pin, one valve body is isolated from the other two valve bodies so as to provide a redundant shutoff and allow a filter of a filtration unit to be replaced without having to shut off the water being supplied to the refrigerator.

Abstract: Embodiments of a normally open gas valve are disclosed herein. The normally open gas valve includes a valve plug that gradually or partially disengages from the valve seat such that the actuation power required to open the valve is substantially reduced. The force required to open or close the valve is also reduced through the use of an off-center lever arm that multiplies the force applied by the armature of the actuation means. In this way, a less expensive actuation means, e.g., a less expensive solenoid, is able to be used to actuate the normally open gas valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of a valve having a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and an interior chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet are disclosed. The valve also includes a seat fitting having a first screen held in place by a first retainer ring. The seat fitting includes a valve seat. The valve further includes an outlet fitting having a second screen held in place by a second retainer ring. The second retainer ring includes a plurality of ribs extending from a ring body such that the plurality of ribs create a gap between the ring body and the second screen. Further, the valve includes a valve plug configured to selectively engage the valve seat to open and close a passage between the interior chamber and the outlet. The seat fitting is contained at least partially within the outlet fitting to define the outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A burner system for gas-fired furnaces that includes a burner box having one or more burner heads. The burner box is linked to one or more heat exchanger tubes. A flame suppression tube extends from each of the one or more burner heads. The flame suppression tube extends in the direction of one of the one or more heat exchanger tubes. A space separates the flame suppression tube from the heat exchanger tube. A blower is configured to provide a mixture of flammable gas and air to the burner box. An air delivery means provides air in the space separating the flame suppression tube from the heat exchanger tube.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a gas valve for an intermittent pilot ignition system. The gas valve includes features designed to address the buildup of negative pressure in a fuel line connected to the gas valve that could cause internal valve diaphragms to open, drawing fuel from the gas valve. In embodiments, the gas valve includes a system of check valves designed to seal off the gas valve when a negative pressure develops. In other embodiments, the gas valve includes a relief valve having a relief port so that air is able to enter the valve proximate to the inlet port so as to avoid building a negative pressure sufficient to open the diaphragms. In both cases, the valve remains primed with fuel for subsequent ignition. The gas valve is envisioned to be useful for a variety of pilot operated systems.

Abstract: A method for detecting a flame is provided. The method includes the step of providing alternating current to a flame rectification probe to produce a first voltage as an input for a sense circuit, wherein the flame rectification probe is placed in proximity to the flame. The method further includes the step of conditioning the first voltage using the sense circuit to produce a second voltage. Additionally, the method includes the steps of outputting the second voltage to a microcontroller, and determining with the microcontroller whether the flame is present based on a magnitude of the second voltage.

Abstract: An air damper is provided. The air damper includes a base plate having a plurality of plate openings defining an area for the passage of air through the air damper. The slide is slideable over the base plate. The air damper also includes a slide having a plurality of slide openings and a plurality of slide closures. The air damper further includes a stepper motor coupled to the slide to move the slide in linear steps to change the area for the passage of air.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-port multi-plane valve are provided. The multi-port multi-plane valve includes a housing which defines an internal cavity. The housing further includes a plurality of ports in which each port lies within one of two planes that are normal to each other. Each of the plurality of ports is in communication with the internal cavity. A shell body is rotatably disposed within the internal cavity and provides selectable fluid communications between the ports. A seal member is also provided which has a plurality of openings and surrounds the shell body. At least one flow enhancer channel may be included to reduce the pressure drop occurring on one side of the valve when controlling flow paths on the other side of the valve.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed a valving member positioned in an internal valving cavity and operable to control a flow of water therethrough. The valving member includes a diaphragm and an insert. A passageway through the diaphragm communicates with a bleed slot, preferably a tapered bleed slot, and a scallop of the insert. The scallop cooperates with the diaphragm to form a bleed holes when the valving member is in a closed position. The diaphragm and the insert at least partially separate when the valving member is opened to expose the bleed slot and scallop. The diaphragm rolls up to contact the insert when the valving member is closed to create a wiping action to flush any trapped debris from the bleed slot.

Abstract: A multi-port valve is provided. The multi-port valve includes a housing which defines an internal cavity. The housing further includes a plurality of ports. Each of the plurality of ports is in communication with the internal cavity. A valve member is rotatably disposed within the internal cavity. A seal member is also provided between the internal cavity and at least one of the ports. A check valve assembly is also provided in fluid communication with at least one of the ports to provide an additional checked flow therefrom or a checked flow therethrough. Temperature, pressure, and/or flow sensors may also be provided.

Abstract: Appliances, such as hot water heaters, hot water heater controllers, and methods of operating such hot water heaters, that take into consideration the availability and capacity of alternative energy sources so that additional efficiencies can be realized by sensing the availability of an alternative energy source and adjusting the control algorithms used to control the use of the available electric power is provided.

Abstract: A stepper motor driven modulating gas valve and system are provided. Such a system includes an electronic controller, a touch user interface, and a stepper motor. The system also includes a variable flow gas valve having a rotatable valving member for controlling a variable flow of gas therethrough, the valving member having an input shaft, and a gear train operatively coupling the output shaft of the stepper motor to the input shaft of the valving member of the variable flow gas valve. A burner is coupled to the variable flow gas valve. The electronic controller receives a user input for flame selection via the touch user interface and energizes the stepper motor to position the variable flow gas valve valving member to a predetermined angular position through the gear train to provide a flow of gas to the burner that will provide the user's desire flame intensity.

Abstract: Presented are embodiments of pressure relief valves for use in water supply systems to prevent damage thereto caused by over pressure resulting from freezing of the water therein. In one embodiment the pressure relief valve is included in an electromechanical solenoid controlled water valve particularly useful in appliances such as washing machines, water heaters, refrigerators, etc. Prior to the main valving member, a spring loaded pressure relief valving member is included. Once the pressure within the valve exceeds the spring force, which is set below the failure pressure of the water supply system and the valve, the pressure relief valving member opens to allow a flow of water therethrough. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature active device such as a bi-metal disc is interposed between the spring and the pressure relief valving member to provide actuation thereof below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Attachment mechanisms for capturing solenoid coil assemblies onto valves and valves incorporating same are described. Such mechanisms include weld rings attached to the valve body that have locking tabs to engage and hold the solenoid coil assembly. Two or more locking tabs are used. Inclusion of locking tab receiving locations on the solenoid coil frame or configuration of the end surface of the solenoid frame itself accommodate the locking tabs. The weld ring may be attached in an infinite number of orientations on the valve body. Attachment may be by spin welding or ultrasonic welding of the weld ring to the valve body in two embodiments.

Abstract: A connector bridge for a packaged circuit element is provided. The connector bridge includes a connector bridge body defining a mounting axis. It includes a first plurality of terminal receivers at a first location and a second plurality of terminal receivers at a second location. The pluralities of terminal receivers are arranged closer to a side of the connector bridge body than to the mounting axis to receive and electrically connect with terminals of the packaged circuit element in the first wiring orientation. The connector bridge includes a wiring connector at a third location. The wiring connector extends radially outwards of an outermost perimeter defined by radially outermost sides of the packaged circuit element. The first, second and third locations are at different locations. The wiring connector is electrically connected with the at least first and the second terminal receivers and defines a second wiring orientation.

Abstract: A connector bridge for a packaged circuit element is provided. The connector bridge includes a connector bridge body defining a mounting axis. It includes a first plurality of terminal receivers at a first location and a second plurality of terminal receivers at a second location. The pluralities of terminal receivers are arranged closer to a side of the connector bridge body than to the mounting axis to receive and electrically connect with terminals of the packaged circuit element in the first wiring orientation. The connector bridge includes a wiring connector at a third location. The wiring connector extends radially outwards of an outermost perimeter defined by radially outermost sides of the packaged circuit element. The first, second and third locations are at different locations. The wiring connector is electrically connected with the at least first and the second terminal receivers and defines a second wiring orientation.

Abstract: A gas valve assembly with integrated pressure regulator is provided. The gas valve assembly includes a pressure regulator and a gas valve module. The pressure regulator and gas valve modules each include cast housing bodies. The cast housing bodies have cast in mounting holes and assembly features that allow for the assembly of the gas valve assembly without secondary machining operations.

Abstract: Embodiments of a normally open gas valve are disclosed herein. The normally open gas valve includes a valve plug that gradually or partially disengages from the valve seat such that the actuation power required to open the valve is substantially reduced. The force required to open or close the valve is also reduced through the use of an off-center lever arm that multiplies the force applied by the armature of the actuation means. In this way, a less expensive actuation means, e.g., a less expensive solenoid, is able to be used to actuate the normally open gas valve.