Abstract: A power generation system for use with a gas fired appliance including a main burner and a gas supply line includes a pilot burner assembly for igniting gas supplied to the main burner and a controller. The pilot burner assembly includes a thermo-electric device configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, and a pilot guard. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet and a second end defining a gas outlet. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the thermo-electric device, and control the supply of gas to the main burner based on the signal. The controller is powered by electrical energy generated by the thermo-electric device. The thermo-electric device has an internal resistance matched to a load resistance of the controller to facilitate maximum power transfer between the thermo-electric device and the controller.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pilot burner assembly for use with a gas fired appliance includes inserting a retention element of a gas supply line through a slot defined by a retaining ledge of a second bracket plate, rotating an outlet orifice of the gas supply line such that the second retention element engages the retaining ledge, and inserting a pilot guard through first and second pilot guard apertures defined by respective first and second bracket plates such that a retention element of the pilot guard cooperatively engages the retention element of the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A pilot burner assembly includes a bracket, a thermo-electric device configured to be connected to the bracket, and a unitary pilot guard. The bracket includes a first plate and a second plate spaced from the first plate. Each of the first and second plates have a pilot guard aperture defined therein. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet configured to receive a gas supply line, and a second end defining a gas outlet. The pilot guard includes an elongate body and a pilot hood disposed at the second end, and is configured be inserted into the pilot guard apertures. The pilot guard further includes a first retention element configured to cooperate with a second retention element on the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A gas flow controller for use in a gas-fired apparatus including a pilot burner and a main burner is provided. The controller includes a housing defining a diaphragm chamber, a pilot valve operable to open and close a first fluid flow path between a gas supply inlet of the gas flow controller and the diaphragm chamber, and a main burner valve operable to open and close a second fluid flow path between the gas supply inlet and the main burner. The main burner valve includes a diaphragm that is disposed within the diaphragm chamber and includes a central portion and an annular outer portion. The outer portion is configured to deflect into engagement with the housing to close a third fluid flow path in response to an over-pressure condition at the gas supply inlet.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pilot burner assembly for use with a gas fired appliance includes inserting a retention element of a gas supply line through a slot defined by a retaining ledge of a second bracket plate, rotating an outlet orifice of the gas supply line such that the second retention element engages the retaining ledge, and inserting a pilot guard through first and second pilot guard apertures defined by respective first and second bracket plates such that a retention element of the pilot guard cooperatively engages the retention element of the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A power generation system for use with a gas fired appliance including a main burner and a gas supply line includes a pilot burner assembly for igniting gas supplied to the main burner and a controller. The pilot burner assembly includes a thermo-electric device configured to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, and a pilot guard. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet and a second end defining a gas outlet. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the thermo-electric device, and control the supply of gas to the main burner based on the signal. The controller is powered by electrical energy generated by the thermo-electric device. The thermo-electric device has an internal resistance matched to a load resistance of the controller to facilitate maximum power transfer between the thermo-electric device and the controller.

Abstract: Gas flow controllers for use in gas fired apparatus including a pilot burner and a main burner are described. A controller includes a pilot valve moveable between a closed position and an open position to provide selective fluid communication between a gas inlet and the pilot burner, a main burner valve providing selective fluid communication between the gas inlet and the main burner, an actuator configured to open the pilot valve, a flow controller valve operable to open and close a fluid flow path between the gas inlet and a back side of the main burner valve upon actuation of the actuator, and a decoupling mechanism. The decoupling mechanism is configured to connect the actuator to the pilot valve and to selectively disconnect the actuator from the pilot valve when the actuator is actuated and a pressure differential across the pilot valve exceeds a threshold pressure limit.

Abstract: A gas flow controller for use in a gas-fired apparatus including a pilot burner and a main burner is provided. The controller includes a housing defining a diaphragm chamber, a pilot valve operable to open and close a first fluid flow path between a gas supply inlet of the gas flow controller and the diaphragm chamber, and a main burner valve operable to open and close a second fluid flow path between the gas supply inlet and the main burner. The main burner valve includes a diaphragm that is disposed within the diaphragm chamber and includes a central portion and an annular outer portion. The outer portion is configured to deflect into engagement with the housing to close a third fluid flow path in response to an over-pressure condition at the gas supply inlet.

Abstract: A gas flow controller for use in a gas fired apparatus includes an actuator, a pilot valve operably connected to the actuator, a main burner valve, and a flow controller valve operably connected to the actuator. The pilot valve is moveable from a closed position to an open position by actuation of the actuator to provide selective fluid communication between a gas inlet and a first fluid chamber. The main burner valve provides selective fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and a main burner outlet. The flow controller valve is moveable from a closed position to an open position by actuation of the actuator to provide selective fluid communication between the gas inlet and a back side of the main burner valve to maintain the main burner valve in a closed position when the pilot valve is in the open position.

Abstract: Gas flow controllers for use in gas fired apparatus including a pilot burner and a main burner are described. A controller includes a pilot valve moveable between a closed position and an open position to provide selective fluid communication between a gas inlet and the pilot burner, a main burner valve providing selective fluid communication between the gas inlet and the main burner, an actuator configured to open the pilot valve, a flow controller valve operable to open and close a fluid flow path between the gas inlet and a back side of the main burner valve upon actuation of the actuator, and a decoupling mechanism. The decoupling mechanism is configured to connect the actuator to the pilot valve and to selectively disconnect the actuator from the pilot valve when the actuator is actuated and a pressure differential across the pilot valve exceeds a threshold pressure limit.

Abstract: A gas flow controller for use in a gas fired apparatus includes an actuator, a pilot valve operably connected to the actuator, a main burner valve, and a flow controller valve operably connected to the actuator. The pilot valve is moveable from a closed position to an open position by actuation of the actuator to provide selective fluid communication between a gas inlet and a first fluid chamber. The main burner valve provides selective fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and a main burner outlet. The flow controller valve is moveable from a closed position to an open position by actuation of the actuator to provide selective fluid communication between the gas inlet and a back side of the main burner valve to maintain the main burner valve in a closed position when the pilot valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A pilot burner assembly includes a bracket, a thermo-electric device configured to be connected to the bracket, and a unitary pilot guard. The bracket includes a first plate and a second plate spaced from the first plate. Each of the first and second plates have a pilot guard aperture defined therein. The pilot guard has a first end defining a gas inlet configured to receive a gas supply line, and a second end defining a gas outlet. The pilot guard includes an elongate body and a pilot hood disposed at the second end, and is configured be inserted into the pilot guard apertures. The pilot guard further includes a first retention element configured to cooperate with a second retention element on the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve unit includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil. An input signal to the coil controls the extent of movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat, to control a gas flow rate therethrough. The gas valve unit also includes a setting adjustment device that provides a setting adjustment input utilized for calibrating or adjusting at least one gas flow rate. A valve controller is configured to receive an activation signal and to responsively send an input signal to the coil to move the valve member and establish at least one desired gas flow rate corresponding to the activation signal, wherein the valve controller is configured to adjust the input signal to the coil based on the setting adjustment input, to thereby enable field adjustment of at least one gas flow rate.

Abstract: A valve apparatus includes substantially co-aligned first and second valve seats and substantially co-aligned first and second valve members. The first valve member is moveable relative to the first valve seat between at least an open position in which the first valve member is spaced from the first valve seat and a closed position in which the first valve member is seated against the first valve seat. The second valve member is moveable relative to the second valve seat between at least an open position in which the second valve member is spaced from the second valve seat and a closed position in which the second valve member is seated against the second valve seat. An armature is operable for moving the first and second valve members, in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil.

Abstract: A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve apparatus includes substantially co-aligned first and second valve seats and substantially co-aligned first and second valve members. The first valve member is moveable relative to the first valve seat between at least an open position in which the first valve member is spaced from the first valve seat and a closed position in which the first valve member is seated against the first valve seat. The second valve member is moveable relative to the second valve seat between at least an open position in which the second valve member is spaced from the second valve seat and a closed position in which the second valve member is seated against the second valve seat. An armature is operable for moving the first and second valve members, in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil.

Abstract: A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve.

Abstract: A valve unit for adjusting gas flow to a two-stage combustion apparatus includes a valve member that is moved by a magnetic field generated by a coil to vary gas flow rate through the valve unit, and first and second connectors configured to receive a high-stage activation signal and a low-stage activation signal, respectively. The valve unit includes a valve controller that is configured to control the coil to establish a high-stage gas flow rate while the high-stage activation signal is present, and configured to control the coil to establish a low-stage gas flow rate while the low stage activation signal is present up to a predetermined low stage time limit. The valve controller is further configured to establish at least one gas flow rate between the low-stage and high-stage gas flow rates when the low stage activation signal is present beyond the predetermined low stage time limit.

Abstract: A valve apparatus includes substantially co-aligned first and second valve seats and substantially co-aligned first and second valve members. The first valve member is moveable relative to the first valve seat between at least an open position in which the first valve member is spaced from the first valve seat and a closed position in which the first valve member is seated against the first valve seat. The second valve member is moveable relative to the second valve seat between at least an open position in which the second valve member is spaced from the second valve seat and a closed position in which the second valve member is seated against the second valve seat. An armature is operable for moving the first and second valve members, in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil.