Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for arresting flame at a gas burner. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for use in burning a gas fuel generally includes a flame arrester device having a screen portion configured for placement between a gas orifice and a burner. The flame arrester device is configured to allow gas emitted from the gas orifice to pass through the screen portion to enter the burner. The flame arrester device is further configured to arrest a flame from the burner before the flame reaches the gas orifice.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for arresting flame at a gas burner. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for use in burning a gas fuel generally includes a flame arrester device having a screen portion configured for placement between a gas orifice and a burner. The flame arrester device is configured to allow gas emitted from the gas orifice to pass through the screen portion to enter the burner. The flame arrester device is further configured to arrest a flame from the burner before the flame reaches the gas orifice.

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 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 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 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 flow valve that provides for control of a fluid flow rate utilizing a first open position and a second open position. Various embodiments of a flow valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway therebetween are provided that comprise a damper element pivotally arranged within the passageway that is movable between a first position in which fluid flow through the passageway is substantially unaffected by the damper element, and at least a second position in which fluid flow through the passageway is substantially reduced by the damper element. An adjustable stop is further provided for adjustably limiting the movement of the damper element to establish the second position of the damper. A moveable operator is provided for moving the damper element between the first position and second position.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve is provided that comprises an inlet, an outlet, a valve seat in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve member slidably mounted for movement in a direction aligned with but perpendicular to the plane of the valve seat, and a lever having one end in connection with the valve member and a pivotal end that is operable for moving the valve member between its closed and open positions. The solenoid operated valve further comprises a solenoid actuated member having spaced apart first and second surfaces for engaging the pivotal end of the lever to move the valve member between its closed and open position, and a spring for resiliently biasing the solenoid actuated member so that the first surface engages the pivotal end of the lever to move the valve member to a closed position against the valve seat when the solenoid is not energized.

Abstract: A single coil, two operator controller for simultaneously actuating two spaced apart magnetically responsive operators has a bar extending between the spaced apart operators, and a coil on the bar, between the operators for creating a magnetic field for moving the magnetically responsive operators. The single coil, two operated controller is particularly suited for operating a gas valve.

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: An electronically modulating gas valve comprising a modulating solenoid for simultaneously displacing two servo regulator diaphragms, one for controlling LP Gas outlet pressure and another for controlling Natural Gas outlet pressure. A switch is used to select operation with either Natural or LP Gas, wherein the switch activates a gas selection solenoid for controlling gas flow through the Natural Gas servo regulator and the LP Gas servo regulator. The servo regulators are factory adjusted for a maximum Natural Gas pressure setting and a maximum LP Gas pressure setting. Thus, the gas valve is convertible from Natural Gas to LP Gas without re-adjustment.

Abstract: An electronically modulating gas valve comprising a modulating solenoid for simultaneously displacing two servo regulator diaphragms, one for controlling LP Gas outlet pressure and another for controlling Natural Gas outlet pressure. A switch is used to select operation with either Natural or LP Gas, wherein the switch activates a gas selection solenoid for controlling gas flow through the Natural Gas servo regulator and the LP Gas servo regulator. The servo regulators are factory adjusted for a maximum Natural Gas pressure setting and a maximum LP Gas pressure setting. Thus, the gas valve is convertible from Natural Gas to LP Gas without re-adjustment.

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.