Abstract: A three-stage relay control is provided for regulating the flow of gas through, for example, gas valves. The relay control includes a control arm for providing three levels of gas flow and having three adjustment screws, one for controlling the flow at each stage of operation. The control arm preferably pivotally rotates to provide the three gas flow levels. Energizing the relay control at three different amperage levels provides the three-stages. At a low-flow stage, the relay is de-energized. At a high-flow stage, the relay is fully energized. At a mid-flow stage, between the high-flow and low-flow stage, the relay is energized at an intermediate amperage.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and computational tools for designing interaction between molecules based on their three-dimensional atomic coordinates. In a preferred embodiment, the method can be used to design protein-protein interactions based on their three-dimensional structure. In one embodiment, the method of the instant invention includes a first step of docking interacting molecules based on their surface geometric fit by quantitative correlation techniques, followed by a second step of optimizing the resulting interacting surface by altering interface side-chains, such that the interfacial side-chains are repacked in a manner analogous to the cores of well-folded proteins.

Abstract: An improved adjustable fluid flow regulator having a regulator chamber, a moveable diaphragm within the regulator chamber, a spring that acts upon the diaphragm to regulate the flow of fluid, and a first adjustment member and second adjustment member for adjustably biasing the spring against the diaphragm. The improvement includes a tamper resistant feature for restricting adjustment above a predetermined limit. The first adjustment member is fully adjusted to a limit. The second adjustment member is adjusted to bias the spring to a predetermined maximum setting, and restricted from further adjustment. The first adjustment member would subsequently be adjustable to any setting up to the predetermined limit.

Abstract: An improved adjustable fluid flow regulator having a regulator chamber, a moveable diaphragm therein, a spring that acts upon the diaphragm to regulate the flow of fluid, and a first adjustment member and second adjustment member for adjustably biasing the spring against the diaphragm. The improvement includes means for restricting adjustment above a predetermined limit. The first adjustment member is fully adjusted to a limit. The second adjustment member is adjusted to bias the spring to a predetermined maximum setting, and restricted from further adjustment. The first adjustment member would then be adjustable to any setting below the predetermined limit.

Abstract: An improved slow opening gas valve providing for continuous gradual and smooth opening of the gas valve includes an expansible auxiliary chamber connected to an expansible control chamber by a metering orifice. The expansible auxiliary chamber slows expansion of the expansible control chamber, thereby slowing opening of the gas valve and allowing gas to ignite at a lower pressure with a much less audible sound. The gas valve is provided with a normally closed valve member for controlling flow of gas through the gas valve and a diaphragm forms a movable wall of the expansible control chamber that is operable upon expansion of the chamber to move the valve member to an open position. The expansible auxiliary chamber also comprises a movable diaphragm to control the opening of the gas valve and provide gas flow gradually and smoothly.

Abstract: A solenoid valve having a coil, a pair of armatures including an inner armature slidable within a coaxial outer armature and the outer armature slidable within the coil, and a pair of valves. One of the valves is at or near the end of the outer armature extending from the coil, and the other valve is at or near an end of the inner armature extending from the valve-bearing end of the outer armature. Thus, both valves are at the same side of the solenoid valve assembly. When a magnetic force is applied by a current flowing in the coil, at least the inner armature is drawn in a direction into the coil so as to open the valve at its end. An increased magnetic field caused by increased current in the coil eventually results in the outer armature being drawn into the coil, thereby also opening the valve at the end of the outer armature. The valve is suitable for use in many fluid control applications, but is especially useful for control of gases and for control of intermittent gas ignition systems.

Abstract: A gas valve includes two solenoid valves connected fluidically in series. A housing assembly contains a circuit board on which electrical components and a plurality of plug terminals and pin terminals are mounted. The plug terminals are adapted to be connected to the solenoid valves and the pin terminals are adapted to be connected to external circuitry. The housing assembly is adapted to be attached to the valve body either in a first position wherein the pin terminals extend in a first direction or in a second position wherein the pin terminals extend in a second direction. The housing assembly and the solenoid valves are adapted for enabling connection of the solenoid valves to the circuit board when the housing assembly is in either the first or second position. The solenoid valves are operated by direct current and are so mechanically constructed as to operate in a relatively quiet manner.

Abstract: A gas valve for providing two levels of flow capacity to a burner is adapted to enable easy conversion of the valve from use with one type of gas to use with another type. To this end, a low-flow passageway, which establishes the low-flow capacity, is sized to provide the desired low-flow capacity when the valve is used with one type of gas. An opening, axially aligned with the passageway, receives a screw means which simply prevents the escape of gas to the exterior of the valve. When the valve is to be converted to use with another type of gas having a higher BTU content, the pressure regulator and burner orifice screw are changed, and the screw means in the axially aligned opening is replaced with a metering screw means which, in addition to preventing the escape of gas, has a portion which extends into the low-flow passageway so as to reduce the effective opening area of the low-flow passageway.

Abstract: A gas valve device includes a pressure regulator and two solenoid operated valves connected fluidically in series. The valve body therein is selectively cored and machined so as to provide a gas valve device which is compact in physical size, inexpensive to produce, and versatile in that it provides a choice of several gas outlet directions.

Abstract: A burner orifice member for a detachably mounted gas oven burner is mounted directly on the end of the burner gas supply conduit by screw-threaded engagement, and the end portion of the gas supply conduit is rigidly connected to the oven wall by bracket means, with the orifice member in fixed alignment with the burner inlet.

Abstract: Fuel flow to a gas oven burner is controlled by a manual rotary valve and a series flow arranged, electrically operated valve and is ignited by a ceramic glow igniter. The electrically operated valve and glow coil are series connected across a power source through a manual line switch and an adjustable temperature responsive switching means. A control knob, when rotated, rotates the manual rotary valve, actuates the line switch, and adjusts the temperature responsive switching means.