Abstract: An unregulated gas valve for a water heater that includes an inlet configured to receive a gas flow into the gas valve, an outlet configured to direct a portion of the gas flow to a combustion chamber, a pilot line configured to direct a portion of the gas flow to a pilot flame, and a dial configured to regulate the flow of gas into the gas valve, and further configured to select a water temperature setting.

Abstract: A valve structure includes a housing having an interior chamber, a first conduit connecting the interior chamber with a cooking chamber of a cooking device and having a first discharge cross-section, a second conduit connecting the interior chamber with the outside environment and having a second discharge cross-section, and at least one valve seat within the interior chamber having at least one valve seat opening which cooperates with at least one valve disc. The at least one valve disc moves between a closed position on the valve seat opening, and an open position spaced apart from the valve seat opening by changes in pressure in the cooking chamber. The valve operates to allow bidirectional flow of fluid to relieve over pressure and underpressure conditions, and enables automatic balancing of low pressure or vacuum in the cooking chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a pilot light ignition system comprising a solenoid valve and a flame safeguard controller. Also provided is a pilot light ignition process comprising a normally open solenoid valve that shuts down a main burner gas supply while the pilot is being lit. A fail last position solenoid can also be utilized with the system.

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 safety device (61) for a lighting valve (23) of a gas burner, comprising a starting button (36), a return spring (57), a cutoff shutter (42) controlled by the starting button (36), a control shutter (41) for a pilot light nozzle, and a holding electromagnet (54) for the control shutter (41). The control shutter (41) is normally closed and is actuatable through the starting button (36) for the flowing of the gas to the pilot light nozzle, whilst the holding electromagnet (54) is dependent on the pilot light to hold open the control shutter (41). The starting button (36) is provided for rotation and can be depressed only for a given angular start position so that, for starting the lighting, the button (36) must be rotated up to said start position and subsequently depressed to close the cutoff shutter (42) and open the control shutter (41).

Abstract: A gas control assembly for controlling supply of fuel gas to a gas burner. The assembly includes a housing having an elongate body with a longitudinally extending gas flow passage, an inlet into the passage for gas communication with a manifold, and an outlet from the passage for directing a regulated flow of gas from the manifold to the burner. A safety valve is mounted in a valve chamber, within the gas flow passage, an is operable to control flow of gas through the gas flow passage from the inlet toward the outlet. An actuating member is mounted in the passage for guided movement along the passage to operate the valve. A regulator valve is mounted in a further valve chamber in the body and is operable to regulate flow of gas to the outlet. The regulator valve lies in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the gas flow passage.

Abstract: An improved pilot guard for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to both a pilot burner and a main burner, the pilot valve comprising a housing having an inlet port, a pilot port and a main burner port; a bore extending through the housing between the pilot port and main burner port; a stop shuttle normally biased to a seated position in which it blocks communication between the inlet port and the bore; a reset shuttle positioned in the bore for lifting the stop shuttle from its seated position, the reset shuttle supporting a sealing member for sealing the inlet port from the main burner port but permitting communication between the inlet port and the pilot port when the reset shuttle lifts the stop shuttle from its seated position; a thermocouple capable of generating a current from the heat of the pilot burner; an electromagnet connected to the thermocouple and capable, when fully energized, of holding the stop shuttle from moving to its seated position; wherein the reset shuttle is movable by the force of

Abstract: The device comprises a safety valve with an actuator which can be armed manually, a regulation valve disposed in a duct downstream of the safety valve for supplying a main burner, a tapping duct for supplying a pilot burner, and a flame detector for the pilot burner for supplying the actuator of the safety valve with sufficient energy to hold the safety valve open after manual arming has taken place and the pilot light has been lit. In order also to supply another burner without compromising the safety of the device, an on/off valve provided in a duct branching off the main duct between the safety valve and the regulation valve has an operating member coupled to the manual arming member of the actuator of the safety valve for keeping the on/off valve in a condition in which it shuts off the branch duct during the manual arming of the safety-valve actuator.

Abstract: The invention is an improved pilot valve for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to both a pilot burner and a main burner, the pilot valve comprising a housing having an inlet part, a pilot port and a main burner port; a bore extending through the housing between the pilot port and main burner port; a stop shuttle normally biased to a seated position in which it blocks communication between the inlet port and the bore; a reset shuttle positioned in the bore for lifting the stop shuttle from its seated position, the reset shuttle supporting a sealing member for sealing the inlet port from the main burner port but permitting communication between the inlet port and the pilot port when the reset shuttle lifts the stop shuttle from its seated position; a thermocouple capable of generating a voltage from the heat of the pilot burner; and an electromagnet connected to the thermocouple and capable, when fully energized, of holding the stop shuttle from moving to its seated position; wherein the reset shuttle is mov

Abstract: A heater control system, parts therefor, and methods of making them are disclosed. The heater control system includes a fuel control unit having a thermocouple operated unit in the housing thereof, which has an opening therein leading to the thermocouple operated unit. The tip or end of the thermocouple device is secured in the opening for operative connection to the thermocouple operated unit. The thermocouple device has a unique securing structure which permits the end thereof to be axially moved from outside the housing to a certain desired axial position within the opening and cooperates with a unique securing structure on the housing to secure the end of the thermocouple device in the certain desired axial position.

Abstract: In this combustion gas control device, an electromechanical control is provided for automatically controlling the supply of the gas to the pilot burner when it is being ignited and subsequently to the main burner. The device has a main chamber, a pilot chamber and an outlet chamber. A spring-biassed valve is provided between the main chamber and the pilot chamber to close communication between the main chamber and pilot and outlet chambers. The spring-biassed valve is opened when a solenoid is actuated to allow gas from the main chamber to flow into the pilot chamber to the pilot outlet for lighting the pilot light. A diaphragm cover is provided between the pilot chamber and outlet chamber while the pilot is lighted to prevent gas from entering the outlet chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to the operation of unvented gas fired appliances and enhances the safety of effectively controlling the flow of gases to an unvented gas heater, such as gas fired fireplace logs, while enabling a thermostat to control the temperature of the heated area by combining a thermocouple for safety and a thermopile for operation of the thermostat.

Abstract: A device for automatically controlling the operation of a burner comprises an electric control unit which controls the ignition and the flame of the burner and which opens a normally-closed solenoid valve disposed in a first fuel-supply line to the burner, and a pilot burner for the burner supplied by manually-operable second regulation and safety valve means operatively associated with the control unit and disposed in a second fuel-supply line to the burner, the second valve means being openable manually and being kept open by a current I generated by a thermocouple in the presence of a flame of the pilot burner when the control unit is de-activated and advantageously being closable by the control unit against the action of the current I when the control unit is activated.

Abstract: A burner control system for an intermittent pilot burner system uses a single pole double throw relay to control first and second electromagnetic valves respectively supplying fuel for both burners and for the main burner only. The normally open contact pair supplies the current for the first and the normally closed contact pair supplies the current for the second valve. By selecting the valve supplying fuel for both burners to be of the type which has an appreciably higher pull-in current than drop-out current, and by shunting the relay's normally open contacts with a properly selected resistor, only a single relay is necessary. This resistor is selected to supply current sufficient to hold the valve open (current greater than the drop-out value) after the valve has received pull-in current through the closing of these normally open contacts, but insufficient to open the valve. Use of a single relay reduces cost, size, and power, and increases safety of the control system.

Abstract: A control device for supplying fuel to a burner means, a system therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the device comprising a housing having an inlet for being interconnected to a source of fuel and having an outlet for being interconnected to the burner, first and second control valves carried by the housing and being in series to connect the inlet to the outlet only when both of the control valves are in an open condition thereof, each control valve comprising a movable valve member resiliently biased closed and an independent electromagnetic valve member latching unit energizable to hold its respective valve member open and deenergizable to allow its respective valve member to close, each control valve having a movable member to open its respective valve member to a latching position so as to be held open by its respective latching unit when its respective latching unit is energized, and a single manually movable actuator carried by the housing and having structure operatively interconnecti

Abstract: A control device for supplying fuel to a burner means, a system therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the device comprising a housing having an inlet for being interconnected to a source of fuel and having an outlet for being interconnected to the burner, first and second control valves carried by the housing and being in series to connect the inlet to the outlet only when both of the control valves are in an open condition thereof, each control valve comprising a movable valve member resiliently biased closed and an independent electromagnetic valve member latching unit energizable to hold its respective valve member open and deenergizable to allow its respective valve member to close, each control valve having a movable member to open its respective valve member to a latching position so as to be held open by its respective latching unit when its respective lathing unit is energized, and a single manually movable actuator carried by the housing and having structure operatively interconnectin

Abstract: A fail safe gas shut off system is provided for a gas appliance. Two normally closed valve stages are provided in series, with each stage operated by a bidirectional solenoid armature. When the armature moves in one direction, the first stage of the valve is opened to supply gas to a pilot burner and to the second stage of the valve. When the pilot flame heats an emissive element to produce sufficient radiation, a photovoltaic device illuminated by the emissive element produces current for an electromagnet which latches the first stage of the valve in its open position. The armature can then move in the opposite direction and open the second stage of the valve to supply gas to the main burner. In the event of pilot flame failure, the emissive element darkens, and current from the photovoltaic device ends. The electromagnet releases the first stage of the valve which is biased closed and cuts off gas flow to both the pilot and main burners.

Abstract: A control device for supplying fuel to a burner means, a system therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the device comprising a housing having an inlet for being interconnected to a source of fuel and having an outlet for being interconnected to the burner, first and second control valves carried by the housing and being in series to connect the inlet to the outlet only when both of the control valves are in an open condition thereof, each control valve comprising a movable valve member resiliently biased closed and an independent electromagnetic valve member latching unit energizable to hold its respective valve member open and deenergizable to allow its respective valve member to close, each control valve having a movable member to open its respective valve member to a latching position so as to be held open by its respective latching unit when its respective latching unit is energized, and a single manually movable actuator carried by the housing and having structure operatively interconnecti

Abstract: A control device for supplying fuel to a burner means, a system therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the device comprising a housing having an inlet for being interconnected to a source of fuel and having an outlet for being interconnected to the burner, first and second control valves carried by the housing and being in series to connect the inlet to the outlet only when both of the control valves are in an open condition thereof, each control valve comprising a movable valve member resiliently biased closed and an independent electromagnetic valve member latching unit energizable to hold its respective valve member open and deenergizable to allow its respective valve member to close, each control valve having a movable member to open its respective valve member to a latching position so as to be held open by its respective latching unit when its respective latching unit is energized, and a single manually movable actuator carried by the housing and having structure operatively interconnecti

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: 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 movable elements of two normally closed valves are actuated by a thermal element responsive to ignition at a pilot burner supplied fuel through one of the valves. The two valve elements form a mechanical train from the thermal element which simultaneously unseats the second valve controlling fuel to the main burner and releases a manually operable mechanism with which the pilot burner valve is initially unseated for ignition.

Abstract: A valve rod of a gas heating device actuates not only a microswitch, but also a disc valve. A pilot burner and a main burner are separately controlled by individual solenoid operated valve which is serially connected. The disc valve is provided at the upstream of the pilot burner, and between two solenoid operated valves for safeguarding against the erroneous on-state of the microswitch. A sensor will, according to the presence of the pilot flame, instruct an electric control board to continue or discontinue the sparkling of an igniter, to open or close the solenoid valve for supplying gas to the main burner. Thus, the adversity of toxication caused by either the misfunction of microswitch or failure of valve actuation is able to be prevented.

Abstract: A burner system of the type in which a thermocouple or like EMF-generating sensor detects the presence of a pilot flame and controls a main fuel valve to hold the latter open as long as the pilot flame remains lit. According to the invention, the main valve is held open by a solenoid and a resistance is provided in circuit between the sensor and the solenoid to reduce the response time of the latter which results from the inductance contributed by the magnetic coil forming the solenoid.

Abstract: An automated cooker for sandwiches and the like. The automated cooker includes a pair of heating elements spaced one from the other so as to provide passage therebetween. A motor drives a conveyor which carries a plurality of individual sandwich holders through the passage between the heating elements. Each sandwich holder consists of a handle which can be attached to the conveyor and a top portion which encloses the sandwich to be cooked. A bar is placed below the heating elements and extends along the length of the cooker. The bar is used to trigger a switch which activates the heating elements and which turns on a motor that drives the conveyor. The bar may be activated by the handle of any sandwich holder placed on the conveyor. The bar is deactivated so as to turn off the heating elements and the motor which drives the conveyor when the handle of the last sandwich holder reaches a notch placed in the end of the bar.

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 gas burner control system including a main burner and a pilot burner for igniting the main burner wherein the pilot burner is ignited only when the thermostat is calling for heat and gas is permitted to flow to the main burner only after the existence of a pilot burner flame adequate to ignite the main burner has been proven. A pressure actuated switch is effective, following an electrical power interruption or a failure of or an appreciable reduction in gas pressure, to prevent the resumption of gas flow to the main burner until a pilot burner flame adequate to ignite the main burner has been re-established.

Abstract: A gas burner control system including a main burner and a pilot burner for igniting the main burner wherein the pilot burner is ignited only when the thermostat is calling for heat and wherein a normally closed bimetal operated safety switch is effective to provide a trial ignition period for igniting the pilot burner. An electrical resistance heater for effecting opening of the safety switch is in the gate cicuit of a solid-state switch and is energized in the absence of pilot burner flame. The solid-state switch, when conducting, is effective to complete an electrical circuit through the safety switch to open a first valve and initiate gas flow to the pilot burner. When pilot burner flame exists, the resistance heater is de-energized, the first valve is held open by means including a switch responsive to gas pressure downstream from the first valve, and a second valve, fluidically in the series with the first valve and controlling the flow of gas to the main burner, is opened.

Abstract: An ignition system for heating appliances which burn gas or vaporous fuels. A spark igniter is programmed to ignite a pilot burner which in turn ignites a main burner. A flame rod is used to confirm to the control circuitry that pilot ignition has taken place before the main gas valve is opened. An initially closed timing control circuit opens the pilot gas valve but times out if ignition of the pilot does not occur within a predetermined time. Other circuit interlocking features are provided for overall fail-safe operation.

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 control system for a gas burning apparatus having a pilot burner which is initially ignited by electric ignition means upon a need for operation of the apparatus and which in turn ignites a main burner after a flame is established at the pilot burner, the gas flow to the pilot burner being through a first valve and the gas flow to the main burner being through a second valve receiving its gas supply from the first valve. The control system includes flame relay switching means responsive to the presence and absence of flame at the pilot burner and actuated when the control system is initially energized to open the first valve while preventing opening of the second valve and to energize a holding circuit which maintains the first valve open and enables opening of the second valve when the flame relay switching means is subsequently deactuated in response to the establishment of a pilot flame.

Abstract: A manifold gas valve for controlling gas flow to a burner has a diaphragm operated main valve, an electrically operated control valve, and means to delay the application of gas pressure to the main valve operating diaphragm to effect a delayed opening of the main valve. Opening of the control valve permits an immediate flow of gas to the main burner and simultaneously admits the application of gas pressure to effect a delayed opening of the main valve. The immediate flow of gas to the burner, which occurs upon opening of the control valve, is sufficient to effect reliable and timely ignition and support combustion.

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: 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 control unit for a gas-fired appliance comprises a service tap that acts also as a flame failure device. The flame failure device controls gas flow to a gas governor which is an integral part of the unit and associated with the gas governor is a low gas pressure cut-off. The unit also incorporates a modulating gas flow control valve operatively coupled to a thermostat which, in the case of a gas-fired water heater, is responsive to water temperature in the heater. When used with a water heater, the unit also includes a further thermostat set to terminate gas flow in the event that a predetermined maximum water temperature is exceeded.

Abstract: A fluid control system for use with combustion apparatus including a valve assembly having first and second serially connected valves positioned between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly. First and second actuators respectively connected to operate the first and second valves function to maintain each of the valves in closed positions in the absence of a flame at the pilot burner of the combustion apparatus to prevent flow of fluid to the main burner.