Emerson Electric Company

Copeland Comfort Control LP

Ryan Jensen

Daniel L Furmanek

Mike C Santinanavat

Mark H Stark

John F Broker

John Francis Broker

William P Butler

Jagdish C Atri

Thomas P Buescher

Donald L Blessing

Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy

John M Bronson

Don Blessing

Damon R Drumm

Michael C Santinanavat

Weston S Capper

Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems including electronic differential pressure sensors for electronically controlling stepper gas valves to modulate fuel flow in PAM combustion systems (e.g., PAM furnace systems, etc.). Also disclosed are exemplary methods for electronically modulating fuel flow in pressure augmented modulation (PAM) combustion systems.

Electronic pressure augmented modulation

An integrated furnace controller (IFC) for use in a gas-powered heating system includes a modulating gas valve assembly having a modulating gas valve to variably control a flow of gas through the gas valve assembly and a control circuit. The IFC includes a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The IFC is communicatively coupled to the modulating gas valve assembly and a mobile device. The memory stores instructions that program the processor to receive, using the communication interface, a valve offset output from the mobile device, store the valve offset in the memory, receive a call for heat, and output one or more commands to the modulating gas valve assembly in response to the call for heat. The one or more commands causing the modulating gas valve assembly to control the modulating gas valve based on a desired gas flow rate and the valve offset.

Systems and methods for controlling a variable gas valve

A modulating gas valve assembly includes a modulating gas valve to variably control a flow of gas through the gas valve assembly and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a valve memory storing a calibration table for the modulating gas valve, and a controller communicatively coupled to the peripheral component. The calibration table includes a plurality of control settings for the modulating gas valve, each control setting being associated with a different gas flow rate. The controller is programmed to receive a command to open the gas valve, and to control the gas valve to a target control setting in the calibration table adjusted in accordance with a valve offset.

A gas valve assembly includes a gas valve and a control circuit. The gas valve is configured for variably controlling a flow of gas through the gas valve assembly. The control circuit includes a controller programmed to determine a first setting for the gas valve in response to a received commanded flow, adjust the first setting to a second setting based on a measured temperature when the measured temperature is one that may induce changes to the flow of gas through the gas valve assembly, and control the gas valve based on the second setting.

An automatic pilot lighting system for unattended automatic lighting of a standing pilot may include a powered (e.g., battery powered, etc.) circuit. The powered circuit may include an analog timer circuit including a timer switch. A spark ignitor may be coupled with the timer switch. A temperature knob pilot momentary switch may be coupled with the timer switch. An ON/OFF switch may be coupled with the temperature knob pilot momentary switch and the timer switch. The ON/OFF switch may be configured to be operable for selectively disabling and enabling a power source. The analog timer circuit may be configured to be selectively activatable for applying voltage from the power source via the ON/OFF switch for pilot hold voltage and spark ignition for an amount of time sufficient to allow for unattended automatic lighting of the standing pilot and sufficient voltage generation to support standalone operation.

Automatic pilot lighting systems

An apparatus is provided for a heating appliance that includes a manually-opened pilot valve that is held in an open position when a sufficient voltage is applied to a valve operator, and a thermocouple that converts heat from a pilot flame into a voltage that is applied to the valve operator. The apparatus includes a voltage measuring circuit that provides an output indicative of a magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, and a light emitting device. A controller is coupled to the voltage measuring circuit and the light emitting device. The controller is configured to establish, based on the output indicative of the magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, a switch sequence for switching the light emitting device on and off in a flashing manner, to provide an indication of when the magnitude of the voltage is sufficient to cause the valve operator to hold the gas valve open.

Apparatus for indicating level of pilot flame output

A valve unit includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil. An input signal to the coil controls the extent of movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat, to control a gas flow rate therethrough. The gas valve unit also includes a setting adjustment device that provides a setting adjustment input utilized for calibrating or adjusting at least one gas flow rate. A valve controller is configured to receive an activation signal and to responsively send an input signal to the coil to move the valve member and establish at least one desired gas flow rate corresponding to the activation signal, wherein the valve controller is configured to adjust the input signal to the coil based on the setting adjustment input, to thereby enable field adjustment of at least one gas flow rate.

Field adjustable gas valve and method of control

A valve apparatus includes substantially co-aligned first and second valve seats and substantially co-aligned first and second valve members. The first valve member is moveable relative to the first valve seat between at least an open position in which the first valve member is spaced from the first valve seat and a closed position in which the first valve member is seated against the first valve seat. The second valve member is moveable relative to the second valve seat between at least an open position in which the second valve member is spaced from the second valve seat and a closed position in which the second valve member is seated against the second valve seat. An armature is operable for moving the first and second valve members, in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil.

Valves, pressure sensing devices, and controllers for heating appliances

A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve.

Stepper motor gas valve and method of control

Stepper motor valve and method of control

A flow valve that provides for control of a fluid flow rate utilizing a first open position and a second open position. Various embodiments of a flow valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway therebetween are provided that comprise a damper element pivotally arranged within the passageway that is movable between a first position in which fluid flow through the passageway is substantially unaffected by the damper element, and at least a second position in which fluid flow through the passageway is substantially reduced by the damper element. An adjustable stop is further provided for adjustably limiting the movement of the damper element to establish the second position of the damper. A moveable operator is provided for moving the damper element between the first position and second position.

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Ryan Jensen