U.S. patent application number 11/891936 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for remote control linearly regulated fuel valve.
Invention is credited to Yu-Shan Teng.
Application Number | 20090047610 11/891936 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40363241 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090047610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Teng; Yu-Shan |
February 19, 2009 |
Remote control linearly regulated fuel valve
Abstract
A linearly regulated fuel valve system is provided that includes
a slotted conical rotatable plug component that is received in a
conical cavity formed in a valve body which can be remotely
controlled. The slotted plug serves to establish multiple flow
paths through the valve body when rotated so as to align an opening
formed in the cavity wall with an orifice formed in the side of the
plug. The rotational orientation of the plug with respect to the
wall and the orifice in the plug is set by a latch element
permitting graduated stepwise adjustment settings such as high,
medium, low and shut off of gas flow through the valve.
Accordingly, the unique system may be adjusted by remote controlled
to a wide range of settings by a single cone having a constant
channel for fuel flow.
Inventors: |
Teng; Yu-Shan; (So. El
Monte, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Frank Frisenda;Frisenda, Quinton & Nicholson
Suite 200, 8275 So. Eastern Avenue
Las Vegas
NV
89123
US
|
Family ID: |
40363241 |
Appl. No.: |
11/891936 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23N 2235/16 20200101;
F23N 1/005 20130101; F23N 2235/14 20200101; F23N 2235/24
20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/18 |
International
Class: |
F23N 1/00 20060101
F23N001/00 |
Claims
1. A control system for linearly regulating the flow of fuel to the
burner of a gas appliance, the system comprising in combination: a)
a burner member that is operatively connected to a valve that
regulates the flow of fuel to the burner of the gas appliance; b) a
controller that generate and transmits a control signal to the
valve, said valve including a receiver electrically connected to
the valve for detecting and receiving the control signal to effect
an increase or decrease of fuel flow to the burner member; c) said
valve comprising a conical rotatable plug component having a slot
orifice, to be received in a conical cavity of a valve body, said
cavity having a wall with an opening formed therein, wherein when
said valve body is rotated with respect to said plug component a
flow pathway through the valve body is formed by alignment of the
opening formed within said cavity wall and the slot orifice of the
plug.
2. The control system as sets forth in claim 1 and further
comprising sensor means for adjusting the concentration of fuel and
air mixture for future combustion events.
3. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller
is wired to the valve.
4. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller
provide a wireless signal to the valve.
5. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor
means for detecting the concentration of carbon dioxide also
comprises sensor means for detecting the concentration of carbon
monoxide present in the combustion exhaust gas.
6. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor
means for detecting the concentration of carbon dioxide also
comprises sensor means for detecting the concentration of oxygen
present in the combustion exhaust gas.
6. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for
comparing the digital detected value signal with a prescribed range
of optimum concentration values performs the comparison
intermittently over time.
7. The control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for
comparing the digital detected value signal with a prescribed range
of optimum concentration values performs the comparison on an
continuous basis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to the construction
of valves such as are used to control the flow of combustible fuel
fired appliances and more particularly pertains to improvements in
the configuration and construction of such valves in order to
provide linear graduated regulation of fuel flow.
[0002] Conventional designs of manual gas valves typically include
a "cone" or conical plug having a single opening for regulating the
flow of gas to either "Low" or "High" output. Such design does not
generally allow intermediate settings of fuel output by the
user.
[0003] Gas valve control systems can also be used in various
applications, including remote controlled heaters and fireplaces.
These gas valve control systems typically transmit the control
signal as a RF signal or as an infrared (IR) signal. As soon as the
receiver receives the control signal, the receiver processes the
control signal and operates the appliance in response to the
control signal. Based on the characteristics of RF signals and IR
signals, including the ability to travel great distances or
penetrate walls, there is a risk that the control signal may be
generated accidentally for instance from another room where the
appliance is located.
[0004] In an effort to improve upon remote gas valve control
systems, some skilled in the art have proposed validating the
control signal to verify that the controller transmitting the
control signal was within a predetermined maximum distance from the
receiver before the valve responds to the control signal. Also,
control systems of the prior art have been proposed to verify that
the valve only responds to the control signal if the controller is
within a line of sight relative to the receiver.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,966 B1 issued to Albizurl, discloses a
gas valve body, comprising a gas chamber, an inlet conduit and an
exit conduit communicating with said gas chamber; a cone housed
inside and gas chamber so that a lower part of said gas chamber
remains empty; and a rotating transmission shaft via which said
cone rotates. The inlet conduit is a diagonal channel communicating
with the lower part of the gas chamber, the lower chamber of the
cone communicating with said lower part of the gas chamber. The
exit conduit comprises a connection hole communicating with the gas
chamber.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,481 B2 issued to Harneit, discloses a
linearly regulated gas valve for a gas burner, utilizing a central
plug to control the gas flow. The user may choose from a wide
choice of settings for any particular food that is being prepared
on the gas burner. The control is manually activated by the
user.
[0007] U.S. Patent No. 2006/0254575 A1 issued to Velazquez, et al.,
discloses a gas valve control system using a control signal to
enable a valve and a validation signal to validate the control
signal. The system includes a valve connected to a burner. A
receiver is electrically connected to the valve and provides the
valve with the control signal. A controller has a control
transmitter in wireless communication with the receiver to transmit
the control signal to the receiver at a speed of light. The
controller further includes a validation transmitter to transmit a
validation signal to the receiver at a speed of sound. The valve is
enabled by the control signal if a time delay between the receiver
receiving the control signal and the validation signal is shorter
than a maximum delay period. The control signal is discarded if the
time delay is longer than the maximum delay period.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,087 B1 issued to Bird, et al., discloses
a burner system for use in applications such as a gas fireplace.
The system includes a main burner, a standing pilot burner, a
burner control unit, and a fuel valve. In one embodiment, the fuel
valve and burner control unit receive power from a power source
such as a thermopile mounted to receive energy from the pilot
burner.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,823 issued to Hodgkiss, discloses a gas
appliance, such as a domestic gas fire or heater, provided with a
gas ignition device comprising a solenoid actuator which is
electrically operable to cause a gas valve to initiate a gas flow,
an igniter which is electrically operable to ignite the gas flow,
and a remote control unit connected to the gas actuator and the
igniter by a low voltage line.
[0010] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0254575 A1 discloses
various types of gas valve controllers. The gas valve controllers
of the prior art have included a burner that is operatively
connected to a valve that provides fuel to the burner. In certain
instances, the valve is controlled by a controller that generates
and transmits a control signal to the valve. In order to receive
the control signal from the controller, a receiver is electrically
connected to the valve. The receiver may be in wired or wireless
communication with the controller. In the case of wireless
communication between the controller and the receiver, the control
signal may be transmitted by the controller to the receiver in the
radio frequency (RF) band. Therefore, the control signal is able to
penetrate walls. The control signal actuates the valve in order to
adjust the heat. If more heat is requested, then the control signal
instructs the valve to allow more fuel to reach the burner,
resulting in the burner generating a larger flame and increased
heat. On the other hand, if less heat is requested, the valve
restricts the amount of fuel that reaches the burner generating a
smaller flame, which produces less heat.
[0011] While such conventional gas control systems have each
provided some fuel flow adjustment, the single flow outlet of the
internal cone limits the adjustable range to either high or low.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art have recognized a significant
need for a fuel control system to achieve an even linear adjustment
of fuel flow to the main burner in a gas appliance thereby
providing a steady flow increase from Low, Medium, to High flame
and resultant output.
[0012] Those skilled in the art have also recognized need for
convenient operation by the user to more precisely adjust the flame
level of appliances such as gas fireplaces, stoves, and the like,
from remote locations.
[0013] The present invention fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides a linearly regulated gas
valve system having a slotted conical rotatable plug component that
is received in a conical cavity formed in a valve body which can be
remotely controlled by the user. The unique configuration of the
valve with multiple slotted openings in the cone for fuel flow
permits steady adjustment as the flow of fuel is increased from
low, medium and high output for combustion in the appliance. The
slotted plug serves to establish multiple flow paths through the
valve body when rotated to a variety of settings so as to align an
opening formed in the cavity wall with an orifice formed in the
side of the plug. A rotational orientation in which there is no
overlap between the opening in the wall and the orifice in the plug
shuts off all flow through the valve.
[0015] The system comprises a controller having a control
transmitter to generate a control signal to the valve. The valve is
operative connected to a burner to control the flow of fuel to the
burner. The valve includes a receiver that receives the control
signal from the controller. The receiver may be wired or wireless
and will respond to increase or restrict the flow of fuel that
reaches the appliance burner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodied form of the
linearly regulated fuel valve system in accordance with the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2A is a top view of one embodied valve for linearly
relating fuel in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the valve body of the
embodied valve for linearly relating fuel in accordance with the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken across the top of
the valve to further illustrate the internal configuration of the
valve body and slotted conical plug in accordance with the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the slotted cone portion of
the valve in accordance with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of
the valve shown in FIG. 2C in accordance with the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 2F shows the valve component depicted in FIG. 2D as the
slotted cone is a rotated in the valve in accordance with the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2G shows the valve component depicted in FIG. 2D in
perspective view as the plug is further rotated within the valve in
accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a top view of the linearly regulated fuel valve in
accordance with the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the valve in accordance with
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of the linearly regulated fuel valve
in accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a front view of the linearly regulated fuel valve
in accordance with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 are further more detailed views of one embodied valve
components shown in FIG. 2; and
[0029] FIG. 8 are further more detailed views of the valve body in
accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The present invention generally relates to the construction
of valves such as are used to control the flow of combustible gas
fired appliances and more particularly pertains to improvements in
the configuration and construction of such valves in order to
effect linear regulation of gas flow to the burner unit.
[0031] Conventional design of valve cones in a manual gas valve
typically provide a single opening for the flow of fuel. The single
opening of cone accordingly limits gas flow to either Low or High
output.
[0032] The unique slotted cone of present invention achieves an
even linear adjustment of fuel flow. The slot of the cone is
rotated for Low, Medium, and High settings to achieve gas flow to
main burner at a steady flow rate.
[0033] In more detail, the present invention provides a gas valve
that includes a slotted conical rotatable plug component shown most
clearly in FIG. 2, that is received in a conical cavity formed in a
valve body having an effective seal therebetween. The unique
configuration of the valve plug serves to establish a flow path
through the valve body when rotated so as to align an opening
formed in the cavity wall with an slot orifice formed in the side
of the plug. As shown in FIGS. 2 A-G the rotational orientation of
the plug includes a shut off position in which there is no overlap
between the opening in the wall and the orifice in the plug shuts
off all flow through the valve.
[0034] Accordingly, the unique remote control adjustable fuel valve
has a single cone shown in FIG. 2 with constant channel for gas
flow. When turned "On", there is full gas flow through the channel
with no adjustment. The latch element lets the gas flow by
steps-high, medium and low.
[0035] The construction of such valves may be from appropriately
dimensioned metal components, for instance shown in FIG. 7. These
stopcock configurations shown employ a conical plug that is
rotatably received in a conical cavity formed in a valve body. The
plug has an orifice formed in its side that is in fluid
communication with an opening formed at its narrow end. The valve
body has one duct formed therein that extends from an exterior port
to an opening formed in the side of the conical cavity and another
that extends from an opening in the base of the conical cavity to a
second exterior port. Rotation of the plug so as to align the
orifice formed on its side with the opening formed in the side of
the conical cavity in the valve body establishes a flow path
through the valve. Rotation of the plug so as to avoid any overlap
between the orifice formed in the side of the plug and the opening
formed in side of the conical cavity serves to positively shut off
the flow of gas through the valve.
[0036] The interior surface of the conical cavity thus serves as a
valve seat for the exterior surface of the plug whereby an
effective seal is achieved with the very precise machining of the
two surfaces. Machining of the cast metallic components to within
0.001'' is typically followed by a lapping operation to
substantially perfectly match the two surfaces. The use of metals
and the machining of the various components significantly
contribute to the overall cost of such valve.
[0037] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
specific dimensions shown in FIG. 7 for the embodied valve
components may be suitably varied to accommodate the appropriate
application of gas regulation.
[0038] The control of the fuel supply may be conveniently regulated
by the user, through wired or wireless technology. FIGS. 1 and 3
further depict components for one embodied system. Remote control
and particular construction materials for these system components
can be selected from known techniques such as disclosed by the US
patents and published applications set forth herein at pages 4 et
seq. These disclosures are hereby incorporated by this
reference.
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