Abstract: A gas valve for controlling the flow of a combustible, gaseous fuel to a burner employs a modular construction and is configurable to be fast or slow opening, to be step opening or to provide two firing rates in accordance with external signals applied thereto.

Abstract: A fuel control valve construction, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the construction comprising a housing having an inlet adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source and an outlet adapted to be interconnected to a main burner, the housing having a pilot outlet adapted to be interconnected to a pilot burner for the main burner, the housing having a pilot valve seat and a main valve seat for interconnecting the inlet respectively with the pilot outlet and the main outlet, the housing having a movable pilot valve member for opening and closing the pilot valve seat and a movable main valve member for opening and closing the main valve seat, the housing having a movable lever carrying the pilot valve member and the main valve member and having a manually operable actuator for controlling the operating positions of the lever.

Abstract: A fuel control valve construction, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the construction comprising a housing having an inlet adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source and an outlet adapted to be interconnected to a main burner, the housing having a pilot outlet adapted to be interconnected to a pilot burner for the main burner, the housing having a pilot valve seat and a main valve seat for interconnecting the inlet respectively with the pilot outlet and the main outlet, the housing having a movable pilot valve member for opening and closing the pilot valve seat and a movable main valve member for opening and closing the main valve seat, the housing having a movable lever carrying the pilot valve member and the main valve member and having a manually operable actuator for controlling the operating positions of the lever.

Abstract: A self-energizing burner control system for a fuel burner is accomplished by heat from a standing pilot energizing a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator supplies power to an oscillator. The oscillator has an output that is stepped up in voltage level and converted to a regulated direct current potential. The regulated direct current potential in turn is then used to operate a solid state temperature control or controller. The controller in turn responds to a temperature at a thermistor to control a field effect transistor and series connected solenoid of a fuel valve.

Abstract: A fuel control valve construction is provided, the construction having a housing provided with an inlet adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source and an outlet adapted to be interconnected to a burner. The housing has a main pressure regulator and a main valve operated by the main pressure regulator for controlling fuel flow from the inlet to the outlet to provide a full rated flow of fuel to the burner. The housing has a by-pass for interconnecting the inlet to the outlet to provide a fuel flow to the burner that is less than a full rated flow of fuel but is sufficient by itself to support combustion at the burner until the main valve provides the full rated flow of fuel thereto. The housing has a by-pass pressure regulator for controlling the flow of fuel through the by-pass independently of the operation of the main pressure regulator.

Abstract: A safety device for a pot-type oil burner is disclosed which is capable of efficiently and rapidly detecting the decrease of oxygen concentration in a room due to combustion to provide a warning and/or stop the combustion by sensing the decrease in temperature of a bottom portion of a pot. The safety device includes a thermo-sensitive device arranged on the outer surface of the bottom portion of the pot which is apart from the bottom region of the pot in which occurs the vaporization of fuel oil supplied to the pot.

Abstract: A fuel control valve construction, parts therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the construction having a housing provided with an inlet adapted to be interconnected to a fuel source and an outlet adapted to be interconnected to a burner. The housing has a main pressure regulator and a main valve operated by the main pressure regulator for controlling fuel flow from the inlet to the outlet to provide a full rated flow of fuel to the burner. The housing has a by-pass for interconnecting the inlet to the outlet to provide a fuel flow to the burner that is less than a full rated flow of fuel but is sufficient by itself to support combustion at the burner until the main valve provides the full rated flow of fuel thereto. The housing has a by-pass pressure regulator for controlling the flow of fuel through the by-pass independently of the operation of the main pressure regulator.

Abstract: A gas valve assembly has a safety valve and two controlled valves connected in series. A first of the controlled valves is electromatic and a second is a conventional pressure controlled valve. A control knob provides for manual control of the safety valve and for locking the first electromagnetically controlled valve in an off position. The manual control knob, when in the off and pilot positions, causes a stop member to be moved against the movable core member of the electromagnetic operator to hold the electromagnetic controlled valve in an off position.

Abstract: An automatic fuel supply stopping device incorporated in fuel combustion equipment including a shut-off valve and a combustor. The automatic fuel supply stopping device comprises a fluid intercepting mechanism interposed in a channel through which the fuel supply to the combustor is supplied. A photosensor is adapted to detect fuel combustion in the combustor by radiation emitted from a thermosensitive luminous medium. The fluid intercepting mechanism alternately takes its first stable state or passage blocking state and is changed over, in response to an output from a sensor circuit, from the passage opening state to the passage blocking state.

Abstract: A safety gas valve with latch against non-permitted reopening has the connector of the thermoelectric power unit located on the same side of the housing as the push button of the operating rod which is born shiftable and turnable in the housing. For this purpose, besides a first lever, carrying the closure member and a latch as part of the latching mechanism and cooperating with the power unit, there is provided a second lever which is tiltable around the stationary axis of the first lever. The one end of the second lever engages the armature pin of the power unit, where the other end is positioned opposite an inclined surface of the latch and disengages the latch from the first lever which carries the closure member. In the normal operating position, a projection of the latch keeps the safety valve open. After closing the valve manually, a portion of the latch is located opposite a stationary abutment until the power unit is deenergized after cooling down the thermocouple.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety device for gas-fired heating apparatus (generally called a "magnetic head") constituted by an assembly mounted on a gas supply pipe and comprising an electromagnetically controlled valve. It comprises an intermediate element made of electrically insulating and elastically deformable material, presenting on the one hand at least one substantially cylindrical portion extending between the opposite cylindrical zones of the support and of the connector element which is fixed on said intermediate element by crimping of one of its ends, on the other hand a plurality of arms extending longitudinally and forming a housing for the core, at least certain of them being provided with hooking members or the like.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gas valve for use in gas-fired appliances such as space and water heaters in which the gas inlet port of the valve housing has a permanently installed protective screen. The protective screen shields against debris and other foreign material which, in its absence, can be discharged into the interior chamber of the valve housing and, additionally, serves as a deterrent to insertion of tools and levers into the valve inlet port by workmen and owners during installation and servicing of the valve. If such insertion occurs with a valve having the permanently installed protective screen of the invention, the screen will be ruptured and there will be a permanent indication that the valve seat or valve member may be damaged by the tool.

Abstract: A safety gas valve for gas burners for providing a "super safe" operation wherein upon the main valve being turned to an off position and the safety valve is held in an operative position by the residual heat of the thermocouple, means is provided for preventing the manual member for opening the main valve until the safety valve returns to the inoperative position.

Abstract: A safety ignition valve for a pilotless burner comprises a valve body having an inlet for connection to a fuel supply, an outlet for connection to the burner and a valve seat between the inlet and outlet. A valve member is movable between a closed position in which it is seated on the valve seat and an open position in which it is spaced from the valve seat. A spring acting on the valve member biases it toward closed position. A first solenoid which is energized by current produced by a thermocouple heated by the burner acts on the valve member to hold it in open position against the bias of the spring. A second spring solenoid located in a control box fixed to the valve body actuates a plunger for moving the valve member to open position when the second solenoid is energized.

Abstract: A flame detecting thermocouple for use with a gas valve to insure that the pilot flame exists before the gas valve can turn on the main burner. The thermocouple has a first rod shaped element which is composed of a high potential side thermoelectric material such as Chromel, Inconel, iron-chromium alloy and a second rod shaped element composed of a low potential side thermoelectric material formed of a 0.7 to 2% yttrium, 45-70% copper and the remainder of the alloy is nickel, and the elements are welded together at their ends to provide a junction which can be heated by a flame to produce a thermoelectric output at the other ends of the element.

Abstract: The fail-safe gas valve solenoid construction disclosed herein employs a fixed electromagnet which, when energized, actuates an operating rod by means of an armature which is relatively loosely secured to the shaft to permit self-alignment between the magnet and the armature. Relative movement and wear between the armature and the shaft is inhibited by an elastomeric washer or O-ring which is interposed between the armature and a corresponding or facing surface associated with the shaft, the washer being under slight compression.

Abstract: A flame rectification system is disclosed wherein a flame rod is used to detect the presence of a flame to control a relay or solenoid operated valve. Upon the initial indication of a flame, a pulse generating circuit momentarily overrides the flame rod signal and locks in the relay or valve. This allows the flame at the associated burner to stabilize before the relay or solenoid valve can close in the event of a momentary absence of a flame signal which could result from instability during the flame establishing process.

Abstract: It is conventional to supply current to an electromagnet from thermally responsive means including a thermocouple near a standing pilot to hold a safety valve open. Failure of the pilot then causes the safety valve to close, shutting off all combustible gas to the system. Unfortunately, many manual valves may be shut off and turned on a short time thereafter. This permits the pilot to go out and a dangerously large amount of unburned but combustible gas to collect within the combustion chamber. This disclosure includes an interlock located between the safety and manual valves. The interlock does not permit the manual valve to be opened immediately after closure thereof. Reopening of the manual valve is permitted preferably only at or after the closure of the safety valve. Combustible gas thus cannot collect in the vicinity of the main burner if an attempt is made to close and then immediately thereafter to reopen the manual valve.

Abstract: A gas valve having first and second redundant valve members, disposed in a passageway between an inlet and an outlet of the valve which are individually operable to open and close respective inlet and outlet valve ports, and a pressure regulating apparatus interposed between the inlet and outlet valve ports operable to supply gas to the outlet valve port initially at a pressure lower than the inlet pressure when the first and second valve members are operated to open respective valve ports, and to gradually increase the pressure of the gas supplied to the outlet valve port until the outlet pressure equals a value intermediate the inlet pressure and the initial outlet pressure, as established by a pressure regulator spring of the pressure regulating apparatus. The gas valve is disclosed with reference to an application in a fuel ignition system to regulate gas flow to a combustion box to minimize ignition noise and rollout of gas flame from the combustion box.

Abstract: An automatic fuel ignition system which provides automatic detection of a leak condition for a pilot valve which is operable to supply fuel to a pilot burner for ignition to establish pilot flame and a main valve which is operable to supply fuel to a main burner for ignition by the pilot flame of the system including a control circuit operable in response to a request signal to activate the system tentatively, a delay circuit which delays the operation of the pilot valve for a first delay period after the occurrence of the request signal, a flame sensing circuit which senses the presence of the pilot flame and effects operation of the main valve after a second delay period established by the control circuit, the flame sensing circuit being responsive to the presence of a flame at the pilot burner during the first delay period or at the main burner during the second delay period to cause the system to be deactivated.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a gas valve having first and second redundant valve members which are individually operable to open and close respective inlet and outlet valve ports, and a pressure regulating apparatus interposed between the inlet and outlet valve ports operable to control gas flow to the outlet valve port when the first and second valve members are operated, and a leak detection apparatus for detecting a leak across one of the valve ports, including a pressure diaphragm operated valve which is maintained open responsive to gas flow through both the valve inlet port and the valve outlet port to permit gas flow to an outlet of the valve, the valve being operated to close in the event of gas flow for a predetermined time through only one of the ports indicative of a leak condition for the port.

Abstract: A gas valve has a single operating knob for providing the operation of a pilot valve and the resetting operation of a thermocouple controlled safety apparatus with a "supersafe" operation. Specifically, the gas valve has a main operating shaft adapted for both axial and rotary movement by a control knob. A tilting latch is attached to the shaft to provide for operation of a pilot valve and a main safety valve when a thermocouple safety mechanism is energized both for a safety valve resetting operation and to provide a "supersafe" operation.