U.S. patent application number 11/143785 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-15 for multi-gas cooker, with a rotary valve provided with interchangeable regulating means.
Invention is credited to Albizuri, Iniqo.
Application Number | 20050202361 11/143785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35056817 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050202361 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Albizuri, Iniqo |
September 15, 2005 |
Multi-gas cooker, with a rotary valve provided with interchangeable
regulating means
Abstract
The cooking appliance (1) having a control panel (2) is equipped
with one or more gas flow (Q) regulating valves, wherein the rotary
regulating plug (6) is provided with various peripheral through
holes (16-19). The control knob (9) being interchangeable for
fitting to the actuating shaft (7), is chosen from the two units
available, one and the other permitting different angular limit
positions of the regulating plug (6) for the supply of a constant
minimum gas flow Qmin, adjusted each one for a different type of
gas N gas or LP gas. The outlet conduit (5) of the valve is
equipped with a further injector nozzle (21,23) for adjusting a
constant gas flow Qmax to be fed into the conduit (25) of the
correspondent burner, when the cooking appliance is supplied with a
LP gas.
Inventors: |
Albizuri, Iniqo;
(Guadalajara, MX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEITH KLINE
THE KLINE LAW FIRM
161 LITTLE POND LANE
PALMYRA
VA
22963
US
|
Family ID: |
35056817 |
Appl. No.: |
11/143785 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/354 ;
126/39E |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23K 2400/201 20200501;
F23N 1/007 20130101; F24C 3/124 20130101; F23K 2900/05001 20130101;
F23N 2235/12 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/354 ;
126/039.00E |
International
Class: |
F23D 014/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 2005 |
ES |
200500309-0 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Gas cooking appliance adapted for a supply with different types
of gaseous fuel, natural gas (NG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),
equipped with one or more regulating valves (3) for supplying a
respective one or more burners, comprising: at least one regulating
valve (3) of the rotary regulating plug (6) type, having a valve
body (3a) provided with a housing for the regulating plug (6), an
inlet conduit (4) and an outlet conduit (5), and an actuating shaft
(7) projecting from a control panel (2) on the cooking appliance
(1), wherein a regulated gas flow "Q" is directed towards the
outlet conduit (5) to a cooking appliance burner adapted to one of
said types of gas, at least one burner having a feed duct (25)
faced to said valve outlet conduit (5) and spaced an air gap apart
therefrom, in order the burner to be fed with the fuel mixture
formed by the maximum gas flow Qmax outcoming the valve outlet
conduit (5), said rotary regulating plug (6) provided with a
revolution surface and various peripheral opening (16-19) for the
passage of a regulated flow "Q" to a central chamber (8) in
communication with said outlet conduit (5), the passage openings
being superimposed in alignment with said inlet conduit (4), for
supplying three different possible flows to the outlet conduit (5)
successively in function of a respective angular position (A) of
the regulating plug (6), a constant maximum flow "Qmax", a constant
minimum flow "Qmin", and an intermediate flow "Qint", said
actuating shaft (7) provided with a means (13) for guiding the
angular travel (A) of the regulating plug (6), interacting with a
rotation stop means (12a) in the valve body (12a), an
interchangeable control knob (9) fitted at the free end of the
actuating shaft (7), provided with a integral means (14) for
guiding the rotation of the shaft (7) and interacting with a
rotation stop means (20) in a panel (2) of the appliance, wherein
said both rotation stop means (12a,20) determines an angular
position (A) of the regulating plug (6), for the supply of a
constant flow Qmin through one respective opening (18,19), means
built into said valve (3) outlet conduit (5) for the injection
(21,23) of said maximum Qmax flow controlled by the regulating plug
(6), distinguishing the N gas supply valve (3) from the LP gas
supply valve, so the Qmax injected by the valve is mixed with the
primary air and the fuel mixture (26) supplied at the inlet of said
burner feed duct (25).
2. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
regulating plug (6) comprises a series of said various peripheral
openings (16-19), aligned in the rotational direction for the
supply of said Qmax, Qint and first and second Qmin flows of either
of the N or LP gas types, being of these two successive holes
(18,19) calibrated for the supply of the respective constant Qmin,
and positioned angularly at the end of a respective travel (A), and
said guide means (14) on the control knob (9) comprises an integral
shoulder or lug (14) on a base (9a) facing the control panel (2),
which presents a circular slide groove (20) establishing the travel
extension (A), and one control knob (9) fitted to the actuating
shaft (7) is chosen between two different units available, with or
without said lug (14) depending in either case on the type of gas,
NG or LPG, supplied to the cooking appliance (1).
3. The cooker appliance according to claim 1, wherein said Qmax
flow opening (16) in the valve regulating plug (6) being the same
for regulation of both types of gas, N or LP, said means for
injecting (21,23) the Qmax maximum flow of N gas or LP gas comprise
a restrictor disc (21) fixed into the valve outlet conduit (5),
with a centre hole (22) calibrated for the injection of a Qmax of N
gas, and in the valve (3) unit for being supplied with LP gas, they
further comprise an injection nozzle (23) provided with a central
hole (24) of smaller calibre than the hole (22) in said restrictor
disc (21), the nozzle being mounted by hand at the end of the valve
outlet conduit (5), only for the regulating a Qmax flow of LP gas.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a gas valve of the conical
rotary plug type attached to an actuating shaft, being the gas
valve mounted on the panel of a cooking appliance and its outlet
conduit faced to a burner inlet, wherein the rotary plug is
provided with a control knob, and aperture means for adjusting the
flow rate according to the fuel gas family supplied to the cooking
appliance, and the outlet conduit with an injection means.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Gas valves of the above-defined type are already known,
wherein he gas valve is mounted on the front control panel with the
actuating shaft passing through a external control panel in the
appliance, and the valve body resting inside the appliance faced to
the fuel inlet of a burner. The external free end of the actuating
shaft is fitted with a rotary control knob inserted in the latter.
The control knob is removable from the shaft by pulling it out. The
hollow body of the valve has its own gas outlet conduit which is
connected to the respective appliance burner. The outlet conduit is
provided with an injector nozzle having a calibrated discharge
orifice in correspondence with the gas family supplied to the
appliance, LP gas or N gas. In the spacing apart between the
discharge nozzle of the valve and the burner inlet, is taken the
primary air to feed the fuel mixture into the burner.
[0003] An example of rotary valve of the above type is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,481-B2, having its actuating shaft coupled to a
frusto-conical regulating plug or valve plug, which is able to
rotate a given angle for the supply of a gas flow from two angular
positions spaced around 120.degree. apart, corresponding
respectively to a high or maximum flow "Qmax" and to a low or
minimum flow "Qmin", the latter applied to "gentle boiling". The
rotation of the shaft as far as one of the angular positions, is
started from an initial valve closed "OFF" position.
[0004] In this type of known valves the actuating shaft has a pin
protruding in a radial direction to limit its angular travel,
guided on a circular surface in the inner face of the body cover or
valve cap, or in some other part of the valve body. The total
travel of the regulating plug thus limited is, for instance, 270
degrees from the OFF position. The end position corresponds to
Qmin. Any of the flows Qmax, Qint (intermediate flow) and Qmin is
regulated by way of a corresponding hole or groove in the
regulating plug facing the outlet conduit. All the flow rate are
supplied from a common inlet conduit through an inner chamber in
the regulating plug which is in communication with an outlet
conduit. The Qmin outlet hole or groove shaped opening has an area
of calibrated section for a standard type of given fuel gas,
adjusted according to the output power of the cooking appliance
burner.
[0005] Solutions are already known for a single valve to be mounted
on cooking appliances that use two different types of gas, such as
natural gas (NG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). For example in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,393, an additional valve element in the form of
a sleeve is inserted in the inner chamber of the valve regulating
plug. The area of the opening section for the passage of gas flow
towards the outlet, that which corresponds to low flow or minimum
flow Qmin, is adjusted by rotating this added valve sleeve which
thus modifies the uncovered section area of the outlet opening.
This known solution has the disadvantage that for adjusting the
Qmin for the rotation of the valve sleeve, it is necessary to use a
screwdriver, which has to be inserted from an opening in the
actuating shaft until it reaches the valve sleeve and to transmit a
precise turn.
[0006] A known regulating gas valve, for example the disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,891-A, comprises a rotary valve plug coupled to
a passage disc provided aperture means for regulating the gas flow
supplied to the burner, and an injector nozzle threaded to the
outlet conduit. The passage disc is held stationary in the valve
housing, and provides an arc groove restricting the passage area
for the flow, for use with both LP gas and N gas, while the
injection orifice of the nozzle is limiting the large changes of
gas flow.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the invention is a gas domestic cooking
appliance, provideed with at least a rotary valve of the type with
a frusto-conical regulating plug coupled to an actuating shaft and
to a control knob, being capable of supplying the different
required flows of gas lying at a plurality of angular positions, of
either of the two different types of gas, N gas or LP gas, the
valve having a control knob being interchangeable on the actuating
shaft, with a means for limiting the angle of rotation of the
regulating plug, and a mountable injector nozzle in the valve
outlet conduit, which can be or not provided, in order the valve to
be adapted to the type of gas used by the appliance.
[0008] The use of a single valve unit for regulating the flow of
two different gas families is an advantage of the gas valve
invention, when mounted on a cooking appliance. During the start-up
of the cooking appliance the user only has to carry out a choice
for a control knob from the two possible units accompanying the
valve in accordance with the type of fuel gas NG or LP appropriate
for the cooking appliance. In this way, there is no need to use
tools for adjusting the flow, nor to learn how to adjust the
regulating plug as is required in the prior art valve.
[0009] The gas valve according to the invention is capable of
providing two angular positions of the regulating plug, both spaced
apart from each other to supply a different minimum flow Qmin
according to the type of gas, NG or standard LPG, used as the fuel
for the appliance, being the two different angular positions
established by means of a respective rotation stop. At the same
time, the user chooses for providing or not the outlet conduit of
the valve with an injector nozzle to supply a maximum flow, Qmax,
of LP gas or N gas respectively. Neither it is necessary to use
tools for carrying out this mounting operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a gas valve according to the
invention, fitted on a panel of a cooking appliance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a gas cooking
appliance 1 such as a barbecue comprises a control panel 2 on which
are mounted one or more rotary gas valves 3 of the type with a
frustro-conical regulating plug 6. The cooking appliance 1 may be
of two types in respect of the type of gas supplied, natural gas
(NG) or liquefied gas (LPG) from the external source -GAS IN-
through a valve inlet conduit 4 in the valve body 3a. Each one of
the valves 3 mounted on the panel 2 is always of a single type, all
with a same valve body 3a and regulating plug 6. The inlet flow "Q"
is transmitted to an internal chamber 8 in regulating plug 6 in
communication with an outlet conduit 5 in the valve body 3a. The
regulating plug 6 rotates around a central axis 10 actuated by
shaft 7 for the supply of the flow "Q", which is directed towards a
burner inlet duct 25 on the appliance, being the latter
specifically adapted to either N gas or LP gas supplying.
[0012] The valve body 3a has an elongated shape with a
frusto-conical central housing cavity 15, wherein the regulating
plug 6 is pushed by a spring 11 for a tight sealing. The free end
of the actuating shaft 7 is installed passing through a hole 2a in
the appliance panel 2, and afterwards the user fits it with a
control knob 9, which is chosen from the two different units of
control knob 9, both supplied to the user with each valve unit 3. A
cover or valve cap 12 protecting the housing cavity 15, has a
tubular bushing 12b for guiding the actuating shaft 7 in
rotation.
[0013] The regulating plug 6 may rotate with the shaft 7 an angle
"A" in either of the two directions from an initial angular
position "zero" degrees corresponding to the valve closed condition
"OFF", to an angular position "A" between 90.degree. and
270.degree.. The OFF position is the initial end of the rotational
travel "A", and it is established for example by a radial pin 13 on
the shaft. The cover 12 presents a sliding surface for the radial
pin 13, up to a recess 12a in the cover acting as a stop for the
rotation of the radial pin 13.
[0014] In reference to the valve embodiment represented in FIG. 1,
from the angular position OFF rotating in a clockwise direction,
the frusto-conical plug 6 may regulate the supply of different gas
flows, a maximum flow "Qmax", a minimum "Qmin" and an intermediate
flow "Qint" between the Qmax and the Qmin, in function of the
rotated angle "A". A constant minimum flow "Qmin" of the N gas must
be higher than a "Qmin" of the LP gas, when supplied to a
respective burner in both cases of the same power. In function of
whether N or LP gas is supplied to the cooking appliance, the
control knob 9 to be fitted on the actuating shaft 7 is
distinguished for example by means of a lug 14 integral with the
control knob. The control knob 9 represented on the appliance in
FIG. 1 is adapted for the supply of N gas, having a protuberance or
lug 14 projecting from a knob base 9a facing the panel 2. The
second type of control knob 9 having not the protuberance 14, is
chosen for its mounting on a cooking appliance that uses LP
gas.
[0015] The regulating plug 6 rotates to a determined angular
position for the supply of a maximum flow "Qmax" of either NG or
LPG on both types of cooking appliance 1. The Qmax inflow is
regulated by a through hole 16 in the regulating plug, facing the
inlet conduit 4. If the regulating plug 6 is rotated further, an
intermediate flow "Qint" will be supplied through a groove which
has a decreasing area. In accordance with the angle rotated, a
through hole 18 or a through hole 19 for a "Qmin" flow is facing
the inlet conduit 4 at an ensuing angular position different from
one another depending on the gas supplied to the valve, N gas or LP
gas respectively. Diameter of each one of holes 18 and 19 are
calibrated for the correspondent supply of a Qmin.
[0016] When installed on the panel 2, the control knob unit 9
chosen for the supply of LPG, this has no lug 14 or any other
element for limiting the angle "A" of rotation. Thus, the
regulating plug 6 may rotate as far as an angular position of 270
degrees. The cover 12, provided with the tubular portion 12b for
guiding the valve shaft 7, and said recess 12a for limiting said
longer angular travel corresponding to the LP gas Qmin, is made
economically by die-stamping operations only. The economical cost
of moulding two types of control knob 9, with and without integral
lug 14 for guiding its rotation, is also low.
[0017] Besides that described above, other embodiments of the
regulating passage openings 18,19 for the different values of Qmin
are possible. Half of the control knob 9 units of the kind applied
to the NG appliance, may be manufactured with some integrated
guiding means 14 on the control knob 9, and interact with some part
of the cooking appliance 1 associated with the panel 2, for example
a running slot 20 in a panel wall, in order a limit position to be
arranged of rotation travel other than that imposed by the
actuating shaft.
[0018] The arrangement of the two different stop means 12a and 20,
respectively in the valve body 3a and on the control panel 2, each
one with a pre-set circular extension, matches up with the two
angular travels "A" corresponding to that of the two hole passages
18 and 19 for supplying a constant NG Qmin or a constant LPG Qmin.
In this way, a single valve unit 3 is used, without having to make
any adjustment, valid for any type of gas supplied to the cooking
appliance 1.
[0019] The burner of the cooker appliance (not represented in the
drawing), supplied by the valve unit 3, is placed with its feed
conduit 25 facing the valve outlet conduit 5. The space of air
apart from the burner conduit 25 permits the fuel mixture 26 of
primary air with the Qmax flow of outgoing gas from the valve 3 for
injection into the burner feed conduit 25.
[0020] In accordance with the type of gas, N gas or LP gas, in
order to provide the valve 3 with means for adjustment and
injection of the Qmax gas flow outgoing from the regulating plug 6,
the valve outlet conduit 5 has a press-in or threaded disc 21
inserted for the restriction of the Qmax flow through a calibrated
central hole 22, which permits the passage of a given Qmax flow of
N gas, substantially higher than the Qmax of LP gas which it is
necessary to inject into the burner of the same output. The
restrictor disc 21 remains fitted on the valve all the time
irrespective of the type of gas used. When the cooker appliance 1
is supplied with LP gas, it is necessary to restrict the outgoing
Qmax flow so as to adapt the output of the burner, so the valve
outlet conduit 5 is also fitted with an injection nozzle 23,
threaded manually into the mouth of the conduit 5, and it has a
calibrated hole 24 for a given Qmax flow of LP gas, substantially
smaller than the hole in the restrictor disc, the latter secured in
a manner valid for the passage of a Qmax both of N gas and of LP
gas.
[0021] Thus, by means of the interchangeable control knob 9 and the
installation or otherwise of the injection nozzle 23, all the
cooker appliances, whether they be N gas or LP gas, are fitted with
the same valve units 3 without the need to make any flow regulating
adjustment. Together with the valve unit 3, the user receives a kit
containing two different control knob units 9, easily
distinguishable from each other, and an injection nozzle 23. In
accordance with the type of gas used, the user chooses one of the
controls 9 for manual installation on the actuating shaft 7, and
also decides whether or not to install the injection nozzle 23,
which is also fitted manually for the injection of LP gas without
the need for tools.
* * * * *