Processor-controlled gas appliances and microprocessor-actuated valves for use therein

• US 4,930,488 A
• Filed: 08/18/1988
• Issued: 06/05/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
• Original Assignee: Gas Research Institute (GTI Energy)
• Inventors: Pearman, A. Noel J., Woessner, Michael A., Hunter, Gerald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Larry
• Application Number:
  US07/233,523
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 126/39 E, 126/39 G, 126/39 BA, 126/52, 251/129.01, 251/129.04, 251/129.05, 251/11, 236/1 A, 236/20 A, 236/14, 236/DIG. 8, 431/18, 137/614.14, 137/624.11, 340/365 S, 340/711, 340/286 M, 340/286 R, 340/286 M, 340/712, 340/365 R
• US Class Current: 126/39.00E
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2223/08 Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2235/14 electromagnetically operated
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2235/16 variable flow or proportional valves
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2241/08 Household apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/003 using detectors sensitive to combustion gas properties F23N5/02, F23N5/18 - F23N5/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/12 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

A microprocessor-controlled gas appliance basically comprising three components: (1) a computer processor with a sensor interface, (2) a valve assembly, and (3) a human interface. The sensor interface is capable of passing the input from a series of sensors through the processor for subsequent use in controlling the operation of a burner valve in the valve assembly. Appropriate sensors are provided for connection to the sensor interface to measure, among other things, flame temperature, gas flow, carbon monoxide, combustibles, occupancy by an individual in the presence of the gas appliance, and gas composition. The valve controls the flow of natural gas through a line from a source of gas to a burner found in the appliance. The valve is controlled through a valve operator that responds to signals obtained from the computer processor via valve interface electronics. The valve, valve operator and valve interface electronics together form the valve assembly which the second basic component of the microprocessor-based system. The third component of the system provides a way for the human user to interact with the gas appliance control system. In this regard, there is provided a visual display and a keypad input device.

Claims

1. A gas appliance comprising:

a gas burner for burning gas and producing a flame;

valve means having an input port adapted to be connected to a source of combustible gas, and an output port, said valve means including a control means for controlling flow of said gas from the input port to the output port of said valve means;

means for conveying gas from said output port to said gas burner;

sensor means in close proximity to said gas burner for sensing a controllable characteristic of said flame; and

computer control means responsive to said sensed controllable characteristic for providing a control signal, said control means responding to said control signal by changing the flow of gas through said valve means.

2. The gas appliance of claim 1, further comprising a key means for providing user commands to said computer control means to alter said control signal.

3. The gas appliance of claim 1, further comprising a detector means for detecting a predetermined characteristic of the area surrounding said appliance for producing a second control signal, said control means responding to said second control signal by changing the flow of gas through said flow means.

4. The gas appliance of claim 1, wherein said the sensor means comprises a temperature sensor in close proximity to said gas burner for sensing a temperature of said flame.

5. The gas appliance of claim 3, wherein the said detector comprises a smoke detector.

6. The gas appliance of claim 3, wherein the said detector comprises an occupancy sensor.

7. The gas appliance of claim 3, wherein the said detector comprises a gas leak detector.

8. The gas appliance of claim 3, wherein the said detector comprises a dirty filter detector.

9. The gas appliance of claim 3, wherein the said detector comprises a flame detector.

10. The gas appliance of claim 3, wherein the said detector comprises a carbon monoxide detector.

11. The gas appliance of claim 3, wherein the said detector comprises a combustibles sensor.

12. The gas appliance of claim 1, wherein the computer control means further comprises an interface adapted for connection to a host computer.

13. The gas appliance of claim 1, wherein said computer control comprise an interface adapted for connection with a security system.

14. A gas appliance comprising:

a gas burner for burning gas and producing a flame;

valve means having an input port adapted to be connected to a source of combustible gas, and an output port, said valve means including a control means for controlling flow of said gas from the input port to the output port of said valve means, wherein said control means comprises;

(1) a hollow chamber defined between said input and output ports;

(2) a poppet slidably mounted in said chamber, said poppet terminating at one end in a seal for closing off said input port when said poppet is in a first extreme position;

(3) spring means for normally moving said poppet to said first position so that gas does not normally flow from said input port to said hollow chamber; and

(4) electrical activation means for moving said poppet means in a direction away from said input port, the amount of movement of said poppet being related to the strength of an electrical signal applied to said activation means;

means for conveying gas from said output port to said gas burner;

sensor means in close proximity to said gas burner for sensing a controllable characteristic of said flame; and

computer control means responsive to said sensed controllable characteristic for providing a control signal, said control means responding to said control signal by changing the flow of gas through said valve means.