REMOTELY ACTUATED PILOT VALVE, SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20110003258A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BASO Gas Products LLC
• Original Assignee: BASO Gas Products LLC
• Inventors: Carlson, Brent J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,011,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 431/2
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/24 the pilot burner not burning continuously
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2235/14 electromagnetically operated
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/102 using electronic means

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.

Claims

1. A remotely actuated gas pilot valve comprising:

a gas in port;

a gas out port;

a pilot burner gas out port;

an electronically actuable solenoid, the solenoid comprising electromagnetic windings that are functionally adapted to create an electromagnetic field within the solenoid when the solenoid is electrically actuated, and the solenoid further comprising a spring-loaded push pin;

a seal, the seal being normally held in a first position where gas flows from the gas in port to the gas out port; and

means for remotely actuating the solenoid such that the push pin is functionally adapted to reset the seal to the first position after the seal is in a second position where gas is prevented from flowing from the gas in port to the gas out port.

2. The pilot valve of claim 1 wherein the solenoid further comprises:

a plate;

an electromagnet, the electromagnet maintaining the plate in contact with the electromagnet when current flow through the electromagnet is maintained;

a spring-bias means for urging the plate away from the electromagnet; and

a connector, the connector comprising a first end connected to the plate and a second end connected to the seal.

3. The pilot valve of claim 1 wherein the solenoid further comprises a spring-loaded push pin for manually actuated resetting of the seal.

4. The pilot valve of claim 1 wherein the means for remotely actuating the solenoid further comprises a programmable logic controller, the controller being electronically connected to the gas valve solenoid.

5. The pilot valve of claim 4 wherein the means for remotely actuating the solenoid further comprises:

a receiver; and

a transmitter;

wherein the receiver and the transmitter are electronically connected to the PLC for controlling the remote actuation of the solenoid.

6. The pilot valve of claim 1 wherein the valve is configured as an interrupt-type valve.

7. The pilot valve of claim 1 wherein the valve is configured as a non-interrupt-type valve.

12. A gas heater system that uses the pilot valve of claim 1 comprising:

a gas supply line;

a thermocouple and a thermocouple lead;

a manually actuated reset button; and

a gas heater array, the gas heater array being connected to the gas out port of the valve and the gas heater array being placed in proximity to the pilot burner and the thermocouple.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the electronic controller is remotely actuated.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the means for remotely actuating the solenoid further comprises a programmable logic controller, the controller being electronically connected to the gas valve solenoid.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for remotely actuating the solenoid further comprises:

a receiver; and

a transmitter;

wherein the receiver and the transmitter are electronically connected to the PLC for controlling the remote actuation of the solenoid.

16. A method for remotely actuating the pilot valve of claim 1 the method comprising the steps of:

providing a programmable logic controller as the means for remotely actuating the solenoid;

electronically connecting the controller to the solenoid;

providing a receiver;

providing a transmitter;

electronically connecting the receiver and the transmitter to the programmable logic controller;

electronically controlling the remote actuation of the solenoid; and

actuating the controller to reset the seal in accordance with a pre-programmed scheme.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

providing a spring-loaded push pin for manually resetting the seal; and

manually resetting the seal.

18. A method for remotely actuating the gas pilot valve in the system of claim 15 comprising the steps of:

processing a first signal to reignite the heater array;

waiting a sufficient time to allow the heater array to read a sustainable heat level; and

processing a second signal to reset the gas pilot valve.

8. A remotely and electronically actuated gas pilot valve reset assembly comprising:

a gas pilot valve, said gas pilot valve comprising a gas in port, a gas out port, and a pilot burner gas out port;

an electronically actuated solenoid reset; and

means for remotely actuating the solenoid reset.

9. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a manually actuated reset button.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the means for remotely actuating the solenoid reset further comprises a programmable logic controller, the controller being electronically connected to the gas pilot valve solenoid.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the means for remotely actuating the solenoid reset further comprises:

a receiver; and

a transmitter;

wherein the receiver and the transmitter are electronically connected to the PLC for controlling the remote actuation of the solenoid.