Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are described herein. One method embodiment includes determining an unscaled efficiency signal of combustion equipment using data measured from the combustion equipment, determining a theoretical efficiency signal of the combustion equipment using a theoretical efficiency surface of the combustion equipment and a subset of the measured data, and normalizing the unscaled efficiency signal using values from a correlated portion of the theoretical efficiency signal to monitor efficiency of the combustion equipment. Other embodiments can include providing a performance indicator of the combustion equipment in response to an operational mode change.

Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, the valve assembly may include a valve body with a fluid path, one or more valves or valve sealing members positioned across the fluid path, and one or more pressure sensors in fluid communication with a fluid path of the valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a valve controller in communication with the pressure sensors, where the valve controller may be configured to compare a measure related to a pressure sensed by the one or more pressure sensors to a pressure threshold value (e.g., a high pressure threshold value, a low pressure threshold value, or other pressure threshold value). If the measure surpasses the threshold value, the valve controller may provide a predetermined output signal indicating a pressure event has occurred, such as a high or low gas pressure event.

Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, a gas valve assembly may include a valve body with one or more valves movable between an opened position and a closed position, one or more valve actuators configured to operate the valves, and one or more pressure sensors to sense a pressure within a fluid path of the valve assembly. A valve controller may receive a measure related to a sensed pressure from the one or more pressure sensor(s). The valve controller may compare the received measure related to the sensed pressure to an overpressure threshold. In the event the measure related to the sensed pressure surpasses the overpressure threshold value, the valve controller may be configured to provide a signal that indicates an overpressure event has occurred.

Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.

Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.

Abstract: A gas valve assembly may include a valve body with one or more valves movable between an opened position and a closed position, one or more valve actuators configured to operate the valves, and one or more pressure sensors to sense a pressure within a fluid path of the valve assembly. A valve controller may receive a measure related to a sensed pressure from the one or more pressure sensor(s). The valve controller may compare the received measure related to the sensed pressure to an overpressure threshold. In the event the measure related to the sensed pressure surpasses the overpressure threshold value, the valve controller may be configured to provide a signal that indicates an overpressure event has occurred.

Abstract: A fuel valve for regulating a flow of fuel to a combustion appliance includes a control module configured to determine fuel consumption based on a measure related to fuel flow through the fuel valve. The measure related to fuel flow through the valve may be determined using a known relationship between firing rate and the flow rate of fuel through the valve. Measurement accuracy may be enhanced by correcting for the excess air ration (also referred to as lamda).

Abstract: Valve assemblies may be configured to perform a valve proving test as part of an operational cycle of a combustion appliance coupled to the valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a valve body having a fluid path, first and second valves situated in the fluid path, first and second valve actuators, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with an intermediate volume of the fluid path between the first and second valves. A valve controller may monitor a measure related to a pressure in the intermediate volume. The valve controller may then output a signal if the measure related to the pressure in the intermediate volume meets and/or exceeds a threshold value, where the threshold value is determined based on a measure related to an initial pressure in the intermediate volume and a known test duration.

Abstract: A system for detection of degradation of a valve mechanism by measuring, for example, the time between powering an actuator and opening of the valve or the time between un-powering the actuator and closing of the valve. Time measurements may be compared with a predetermined threshold or previous measurements. An indication of a gradual degradation of the valve may be detected by an evaluation of a trend of measurements. Thus, a user may be notified of an impending failure before an actual failure of the valve. Diagnostic analysis may be of one or more items selected from a group consisting of combinations of time delays and distances of valve movement upon application and removal of power to the actuator, and one or more performance issues may be correlated for each of many combinations.

Abstract: A system for controlling activity in a combustion chamber. The system does not necessarily need to be mechanically adjusted and yet may provide precise control of a fuel air mixture ratio. A sensing module of the system may have a mass flow sensor that relates to air flow and another sensor that relates to fuel flow. Neither sensor may need contact with fuel. Fuel and air to the system may be controlled. Pressure of the fuel and/or air may be regulated. The sensors may provide signals to a processor to indicate a state of the fuel and air in the system. The processor, with reliance on a programmed curve, table or the like, often based on data, in a storage memory, may regulate the flow or pressure of the fuel and air in a parallel fashion to provide an appropriate fuel-air mixture to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a valve body, a valve situated in a fluid path of the valve body, a valve actuator for selectively moving the valve actuator, one or more sensors in communication with the fluid path, a controller secured relative to the valve body and in communication with the sensors, and memory operatively coupled to the controller. A user interface may be in communication with the memory and the controller and may be configured to receive a selection from a user for selecting one of two or more selectable options from the memory. The controller may compare sensed parameters to threshold values associated with the selected option. The user interface may have a lock on it to prevent tampering and to provide accountability.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to pressure regulators, and more particularly, to pressure regulating valves. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a pressure in a flow channel is translated into a position of a diaphragm, wherein the position of the diaphragm is dependent on the pressure in the flow channel. The position of the diaphragm is then sensed. A position of a valve in the flow channel is then controlled to adjust the pressure in the flow channel acting on the diaphragm so that the sensed position of the diaphragm is driven toward a predetermined position. This may result in regulated pressure in the fluid channel.

Abstract: A burner control system for improving burner performance and efficiency. The system may determine fuel and air channel or manifold parameters. Determination of parameters may be performed with a sensor connected across the air and fuel channels. A signal from the sensor may control the parameters which in turn affect the amounts of fuel and air to the burner via a controller. Parameter control of the fuel and air in their respective channels may result in more accurate fuel and air ratio control. One or more flow restrictors in fuel and/or air bypass channels may further improve accuracy of the fuel and air ratio. The channels may be interconnected with a pressure or flow divider. Byproducts of combustion in the exhaust, temperatures of gas and air, flame quality and/or other items may be monitored and adjusted with control of the fuel and air ratio for optimum combustion in the burner.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a valve body, a valve situated in a fluid path of the valve body, a valve actuator for selectively moving the valve actuator, one or more sensors in communication with the fluid path, a controller secured relative to the valve body and in communication with the sensors, and memory operatively coupled to the controller. A user interface may be in communication with the memory and the controller and may be configured to receive a selection from a user for selecting one of two or more selectable options from the memory. The controller may compare sensed parameters to threshold values associated with the selected option. The user interface may have a lock on it to prevent tampering and to provide accountability.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, the valve assembly may include a valve body with an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid path extending between the inlet and outlet ports, one or more valves situated about the fluid path, one or more valve actuators for selectively moving respective valves, one or more sensors for sensing one or more parameters within the fluid path, and a controller secured relative to the valve body and in communication with the one or more sensors for determining one or more valve assembly conditions based on the one or more sensed parameters. Illustratively, the controller may be configured to communicate information from the valve assembly to a combustion appliance controller that is located remotely from the valve assembly through a communications interface of the controller and across a communications bus.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, the valve assembly may include a valve body with an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid path extending between the inlet and outlet ports, one or more valves situated about the fluid path, one or more valve actuators for selectively moving respective valves, one or more sensors for sensing one or more parameters within the fluid path, and a controller secured relative to the valve body and in communication with the one or more sensors for determining one or more valve assembly conditions based on the one or more sensed parameters. Illustratively, the controller may be configured to communicate information from the valve assembly to a combustion appliance controller that is located remotely from the valve assembly through a communications interface of the controller and across a communications bus.