Abstract: A water heater control system the water heater system comprising a rechargeable and non-rechargeable power source. In one or more examples, a controller such as a microcontroller of the water heater system is configured to receive power from the non-rechargeable power source and does not receive power from the rechargeable power source. Various other components of the water heater system are configured to receive power from the rechargeable power source. The system may comprise an energy storage system electrically connected to a pilot valve operator and electrically isolated from a main valve operator. The controller may be configured to recognize a call for main burner operation and may also be configured to check an available voltage of the energy storage system against a setpoint.

Abstract: A gas safety valve with a casing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. An electromagnet disposed in the casing is situated to act on an arm within the casing that pivots to permit gas flow through between the gas inlet and outlet when the electromagnet is energized. When the electromagnet is not energized the arm closes to impede gas flow through the valve. During normal operation a thermocouple provides power to the electromagnet to hold the valve in an open position. An auxiliary power source is also electrically coupled with the electromagnet to provide power to the electromagnet when the thermocouple generates insufficient power to maintain the valve in an open position.

Abstract: A remotely actuated pilot gas valve includes safe lighting and complete shutoff capabilities in the event that the flame that is heating a thermocouple is extinguished. The invention provides for a heater system that utilizes such a pilot gas valve as well as a method whereby the pilot gas valve used in such a system can be remotely and electronically actuated when required. Remote actuation is accomplished by use of a solenoid that is incorporated within the valve design and which is controlled by a remote operator.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a housing and a cooking plate. Burners are located within the housing and below the cooking plate. A non-powered mechanical thermocouple probe is proximate to a pilot burner with a bi-metal element that produces an electrical signal when heated by the pilot burner. A pilot shutoff valve has an inlet connected to receive gaseous fuel from a gaseous fuel manifold, a pilot output connected to deliver gas to the pilot burner, a main burner output connected to deliver gas the burners, and a thermocouple probe input connected to receive the electrical signal produced by the bi-metal element. The pilot shutoff valve is biased to a default closed position where gas is prevented from flowing from the inlet to the pilot output and from the inlet to the main burner output. When the pilot shutoff valve is open, the pilot shut off valve permits gas to flow from the inlet to the pilot output and from the inlet to the main burner output.

Abstract: A gas appliance is provided for producing an open flame. The gas appliance includes an elongated gas tube, a gas inlet, a nozzle, a flame sensor, a gas shut-off valve, and a protective member. The gas tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The gas inlet is located near the proximal end, for connection to a source of combustible gas. The nozzle is located at the distal end, for expelling the combustible gas to produce the open flame. The flame sensor detects the open flame and communicates its absence or presence to the gas shut-off valve. The gas shut-off valve has a valve inlet, a valve outlet, a control input, and the over-ride mechanism. The valve inlet is connected to the gas inlet. The valve outlet is connected to the proximal end of the elongated gas tube.

Abstract: A temperature control system for gas operated devices. The system includes a burner (23) that is connected to a gas supply through a regulator (41). A pilot light assembly (26) has a first vane (29) and a second vane (32) which provide a flame for igniting the gas from the burner (23) and for heating a thermocouple (38) to produce a control voltage for operating the regulator (41) and a temperature control (44).

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: A sensor of inadequate combustion conditions at a main burner, comprising a small auxiliary gas burner the primary air-gas flow to which consists of a predetermined fraction of the flow of primary air and gas to the main burner plus a predetermined fraction of the flow of secondary air supplied to the main burner, with no secondary air supply of its own. The total combustion air thus supplied to the auxiliary burner is made such that the flame at the auxiliary burner extinguishes when the combustion air at the main burner flame becomes inadequate for satisfactory combustion but is still sufficient to maintain a flame at the main burner. A flame sensor at the auxiliary burner produces indications of absence of flame at the auxiliary burner, which in turn indicates inadequate combustion conditions at the main burner.

Abstract: A self-contained electric igniter in which the ignition pilot is actuated by a rechargeable battery to supply energy for the spark provided by an igniter. All energy for opening the valve of the main gas valve is supplied by a millivolt thermopile generator which together with additional thermopiles charges the battery. A diode is located in the battery charging line to prevent reverse flow of current from the battery to the thermopiles. The system has a safety valve which closes off flow of gas into the system in the event the pilot burner fails to ignite and a flame switch which closes off the flow of current to the main gas valve and consequent flow of gas into the system in the event the pilot burner is extinguished. It also has a damper control system which is closed when the system is shut off to reduce stand-by losses and conserve energy.

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.