Abstract: An electrically operated line valve has its outlet connected to the inlet of the manifold for supplying the user actuated individual gas burner valves and a user actuated line power switch is closed before opening of any of the burner valves. A valve position detector signals an electronic controller which supplies power to the line switch only if a burner valve has been opened after closing of the line switch. A user actuatable manual override cable enables the line valve to be manually opened during periods of electrical power outage.

Abstract: A burner control system with an interrupted or intermittent type of pilot burner has a special feature allowing transitions between a pilot flame hold state where the pilot flame only burns and the run state where the main burner is operating. Each transition to the pilot flame hold state from the run state comprises a brief period in which presence of the pilot flame is assured while the main flame is extinguished. Transitions to the run state from the pilot flame hold state may proceed directly through the main flame establishment period to the run state, thereby eliminating the time-consuming purging and pilot flame ignition phases.

Abstract: At least two sets of point-to-flat spark electrodes are connected for high voltage excitation from a pulse source such as individual secondary windings of a common transformer. Each secondary winding has one end connected to one of the pointed electrodes, with the other end of the winding commonly grounded with the flat electrode to provide common polarity to all pointed electrodes.

Abstract: A fail-safe gas valve driver circuit controlling the gas supply line of a gas burner, which circuit in its essential circuit elements (FIG. 1) includes an appropriate switching means (S1) effectively feeding a pulsed DC wave form into the rest of the valve relay driver circuit, operatively consisting only of a capacitor (C1) in series with a gas valve relay (K1), which in turn is in parallel with a diode (D1). In operation, the valve relay coil is energized by charging the capacitor with the switch connected to a positive DC voltage source (V.sub.dc ; FIG. 1A), and then grounding the positive end of the capacitor (switch connected to ground) applying a negative voltage across the coil of the relay (FIG. 1B). When the capacitor is again connected to the positive DC voltage source by the switch, the current in the relay coil is sustained by the diode (FIG. 1C).

Abstract: A water heater is disclosed having a heat exchanger, a main burner means for heating the heat exchanger, a standing burner, a main fuel passage means for supplying fuel to the main burner, a manual valve on the main fuel passage means which is operable by a manual operation member, an automatic valve disposed on the main fuel passage means at a point downstream from the manual valve, the automatic valve adapted to open in response to the pressure of a supply of water at a water pressure sensitive member, and a standing burner fuel passage means for supplying fuel to the standing burner, the standing burner fuel passage means drawing fuel from the main fuel passage means at a point in between the manual valve and the automatic valve.

Abstract: A unitary assembly includes a thermostatically controlled valve and an electric switch coupled for operation therewith. Both the valve and the electric switch are operated under the control of a thermostatic actuator which effectuates operation through a snap acting member movable between alternate stable positions. Neither the valve nor the electrical switch can dwell at the threshold of actuation, but rather are positively actuated to either an open or closed position when the snap acting member moves to one of its stable positions, and to an opposite condition when the snap acting member moves to its alternate stable position. The movement of the thermostatic actuator can be adjustably multiplied by a lever arrangement in the valve housing. The movement of the snap acting member can also be multiplied by an internal arrangement employing a lever ring with radially inwardly directed cantilevered lever arms.

Abstract: Disclosed in this invention is an igniter making use of a piezo-electric element, comprising a stator, a movable piezo-electric unit, and a conductor provided coaxially in a cylindrical body as an assembly. The movable piezo-electric unit incorporates a piezo-electric element, and is arranged to be movable under the pressure of a gas flowing in a gas passage in the cylindrical body to impinge against the conductor to initiate spark discharge between the discharging electrodes connected to the respective electrodes of the piezo-electric element. A magnetic attractive force is produced between the stator and the movable piezo-electric unit to boost the impact force of the movable piezo-electric unit against the conductor.

Abstract: Improved automatic ignition system (10) for gas fired devices such as boilers, clothes dryers, ranges, and the like. The system (10) is of the type including a variable resistance ignition means (16) having a particular temperature characteristic disposed in proximity to the burner (14) for igniting gas flowing therethrough when the ignition means (16) is energized. The improved system includes detection means (12) for repeatedly measuring the resistance of the ignition means (16) and for comparing such measurements, and activating means (12) for activating the gas valve opening means (56) to open the valve (60) when the detection means (12) establishes that the ignition means (16) is in the portion of its temperature characteristic where the temperature thereof is sufficient to ignite gas.

Abstract: An electrical control circuit is disclosed for controlling the operation of a pilotless gas system including an igniter and a gas supply valve, wherein the gas supply valve is initially opened a predetermined time after the igniter is activated, and the igniter is subsequently deactivated a predetermined time after the gas supply valve is opened. Specifically, a control first signal is produced to activate the appliance, which control first signal is delivered to a first logic circuit for activating the igniter, and to a first delay circuit which produces a second signal delayed from the first signal by a first predetermined time period. The second signal is delivered to a gas supply valve control circuit to open the supply valve, whereupon a detector produces a third signal in response to opening of the valve.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensing switch device having a housing provided with a fluid flow passage therethrough defined by an inlet and an outlet disposed in spaced coaxially aligned relation in the housing and separated by a valve seat controlled by a movable valve member that is operated by the pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet, the device having an electrical switch construction operatively associated with the valve member and having the switch contacts thereof actuated by the pressure differential. A pressure regulator is disposed in the housing for regulating the pressure of the fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet of the housing, the pressure regulator being disposed downstream from the main valve seat so as to act on the fluid after the same passes through the main valve seat from the inlet.

Abstract: A control logic means or microcomputer controlled burner control system has been disclosed. The system utilizes a safety relay that has contacts that are in series with all of the other loads for the system. The safety relay contacts are checked prior to operation of the system to verify their ability to open the load circuit. The operation of the electronics for the control of the safety relay are regularly checked during the operation of the system by a combination of feedback circuits from the electronics, and from the final control element for the various loads.

Abstract: An improved gas burner control system which eliminates the need for a pilot light for operation of a gas burner, including a pair of gapped electrical conductors forming a set of ignition points disposed adjacent to a gas burner, a sensor for detecting the presence of the gas to be burned via the gas burner adjacent to the gas burner, means for electrically coupling the sensor means to a relay, the relay controlling the delivery of electrical current to a second relay, the second relay operable in an alternating fashion, means for electrically interconnecting the points of the alternating relay to the pair of ignition points, means for electrically controlling the flow of gas to the gas burner concurrently with the sensing of the existence of gas flowing out of the gas burner by the gas sensor, the alternating relay being operable upon the detection by the sensor means of the flow of gas from the gas burner, remote means for visually indicating if the electrically controlled valve is open, and means for indic

Abstract: A gas burner control system wherein a burner is directly ignited by an electrical resistance igniter includes a pressure actuated switch effective to permit automatic re-cycle of the system in the event of an electrical power interruption or a gas pressure failure, and to prevent such automatic re-cycle in the event of an ignition failure.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensing switch device having a housing provided with a fluid flow passage therethrough defined by an inlet and an outlet separated by a valve seat controlled by a movable valve member that is operated by the pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet, the device having an electrical switch construction operatively associated with the valve member and having the switch contacts thereof actuated by the pressure differential. The switch contacts of the switch construction are disposed in the fluid flow passage so as to be exposed to fluid flow therethrough and have a part thereof carried by the valve member.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensing device having a housing provided with a fluid flow passage therethrough defined by an inlet and outlet separated by a valve seat controlled by a movable valve member that is operated by a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet acting on a flexible diaphragm carried by the housing, the device having an electrical switch construction operatively associated with the valve member and having the switch contacts thereof disposed in the fluid flow passage so as to be exposed to fluid therethrough and being actuated by the pressure differential acting on the flexible diaphragm. The switch contacts comprise a pair of spaced apart contacts carried by the flexible diaphragm and a bridging contact member carried by the valve member and being adapted to make contact with the pair of contacts and thereby bridge the pair of contacts to close the switch construction to operate electronic switching, the electronic switching being disposed inside the housing.

Abstract: The present apparatus for starting and fanning a fire, for example in a fireplace, is hand operated and combines in a common handle housing a source of fuel for providing an ignition flame and a power source as well as a fan for blowing air into the fire. The fan is driven by the power source such as a battery. The control for the apparatus is so arranged that the supply of fuel gas and an ignition spark occur substantially simultaneously, whereby the fan is preferably operating on "low". Once the fire has started the fuel gas supply is stopped and the fan may be operated on "high" by an electric motor which may be driven by said battery or through an adapter from a power outlet.

Abstract: A device for controlling a gaseous or liquid fuel fired appliance as a function of a parameter includes a fuel supply controlled by a valve operated in dependence on a signal furnished by means sensitive to the parameter. The device includes a first circuit triggerable by the parameter-sensitive means when the parameter exceeds a first value and a second circuit triggerable by the parameter-sensitive means when the parameter falls below a second value lower than the first value. These circuits operate the valve appropriately for a given period of time. The device includes a spark generator for ignition of the fuel and an inhibitor to stop spark generation on fuel ignition. The device also includes first and second dc sources for independent supply of the first and second circuits, which require negligible current when not operative.