CA1275908C - Combined gas pressure regulator and shut off valve - Google Patents

Abstract

COMBINED GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR AND SHUT OFF VALVE

Abstract of The Disclosure A gas stove (A) includes a combined pressure regulator and manual shut off valve (C) which has an inlet (46) connected with a source (B) of natural gas.
The combined valve includes a pressure regulator (60) in fluid communication with the inlet through a regulating valve assembly (64, 66). The regulating valve assembly which controls the flow of gas to a regulator chamber (62) is controlled by a diaphragm (68) and a spring (70) to maintain the pressure in the chamber substantially constant. A first outlet (48) is connected by a passage (72) directly with the regulator chamber for supplying pressure regulated gas to a plurality of range burner control valves (20) and range burners (22). A poppet valve (80) having only two stable states, fully open and fully closed, is connected between the regulator chamber and a second outlet (50). A manually graspable lever (52) and a cam member (80) enable the state of the poppet valve to be controlled. The second outlet is connected with an oven assembly including an electrically operated oven gas supply valve (30) which supplies gas to an oven burner (32) under the control of a temperature monitor (34).

Description

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COMBINE~D ~;AS PRESSU~E I~EGULATOR AND S~IU'I: OFF VALVE
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`` Back~round of the Inven~ion :The present invention relates to the art of fluid control apparatus. The present invention finds S. particular application in conjunction with the control o ~s in gas stoves und will bc d~scribed with particular reference thereto. It is to be ~ppreciated, however~ tha~ the present invention migh~ also find utility in coniunction: with other gas fired appara~us, 10~ ~as powered consu~er products, and other applica~ion which utilize a pressllre re~ulated fluid supply, ~` :Because substantially all huiI~ing cvdes ` .require a manual shu~ off valYe on a gas line adjacent a :connection fitting for a stove or other gas ap~liance~
15. gas stov~s co~monly haYe had no internal main gas shut of f Yal~re. Ra~her3 a pressure regulator valve adjacent :-~the rear of the stoYe was connected directly wi~h the external g~s supply ~line. The pressure regulator v~lve was connec~ed with a manifold disposed more centrally -20. within the stove which supplied gas to çach of the range -burners and the oven. More specifically, a manual ~as control Yalve was intercollnected between ~SIe ~anifold , :

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and a corresponding range burner. The range manual con~rol valves were configured for selectiYely varying, including ter~inating, the gas flow to the range burners. Thus, the manual range burner control valYes 5~ enabled the flow of gas to the range burners to be terminated to facilitate safe replacement or repair vf a defective range burner.
The oven assembly commonly included an :~ electrically operated valve controlled by a temperature 10- con~rol circuit for selectively supplying gas to tlle oven burners for ~aintaining the oven at a preselested - temperature. To enable the oven burners, oven temperature control circuit, and electrically operated oven control valve to be replaced safely and without a 1~- gas leak, a manually operated~ tapered plu8 ro~ary shut ~f val~e was disposed be~ween the manifold and an oven asse~b}y 7 One of the drawbacks with the prior art stove ~ystem resided in th~ tuhing requirements. ~he manifold 200 1~ which the tapered plug oYen shut-off ~alYe was commonly moun~ed, was disposed adjacen~ the top front of the stove to acilitate interconnection wieh the range burner controls. The gas inlet for the oven burners was commonly disposed at the lower rear of the stove.
- 25. ~ufficient gas tubing was required to pass the oven ~as rom the gas line entry a~ the rear of the stove, throu~h the tapered plug valve at the front of the stoveD and back to the oven burner inlet at ~he rear of the stove.
30. Another dr~wback resided in the basic design and operation of tapered plug valves~ Although the tapered plug valve was intended to be used as a twa-state valve, either full open or full off, it was abl~ tD assume partjally open states. This raised the .

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potential or the tapered ~lug valve to be partlally op~n and allow gas to esca~e during replace~ent and repair of the oven assembly. Conversely, ~his enabled the tapered plug valve to be less than fully open when the oven was functioning and reduce the gas suppiy below the mlnimum safe^~uD ly rate and pressure.
In accordance with the present invention, there i8 ~rovided a combined pressure regulator ~nd manual shut of~ valvae particula~ly adapted for gas s~oves whic:h over comes the above-referenced problems and others.
According to one aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a combination shut off valve and pressure regulator assembly for ~uel gas fired appliances, the assembly including an integral valve block definin~ a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a second gas outlet. The assembly further has a pressure regulat-ing ~alve receiving gas from the inlet and su~lying regulator flow to the first and second outlet, the regulating valve includin~ a ta~ered valve seat and a pop~et moveable with respect to i~ having a tapered valving surface. A manually operated shut o,f valve is disposed in the flow ~ath to the second outlet, the shut off valve having a ~enerally ~lat valve seat and a poppet having a valving surface config~red to seal against the flat valve seat . The regulator poppet and the shut off poppe~ are interchangeable and formed of a common configuration wlth the tapered regulating valving surface dis~osed on one side of the common configuration and the ~hut of~ valving surface disposed on the opposite side of the common configuration.
~ Another as~ect of the invention resides in a gas stove -~ control assembly which has a gas supply line, a main shut off valve oDeratively connected with the ~as supply line and a combined pressure re~ulator and manual shut off valve. The combined Dressure regulator and manual shut of X valve include a valve houslng defining a ~as inlet, ~ first gas outlet, and a second gas out~et, the inlet being ooeratively connected with the main shut of~ valve. There is further provided a pr~ssure regulator mounted in the housln~ in fluid communication with the ' : ' :

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~nlet to receive gas therefrom, the first outlet being in fluid communlcation with the pressure regulator to receive gas with a regulated pressure therefrom. ~ manual shut off i5 mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the pressure regulator to receive gas with regulated pressure therefrom and in fluid communication with the second outlet for selectively supplying ~as with re~ulated pressure thereto. At least one range burner control valve is connected in fluid communication with the fir t outlet for controlling gas flow to a corresponding range burner, An oven gas supply val~e is provided for selectively supplying gas to an oven burner for hea~ing a~ oven chamber, the oven ga~
; supply valve being a fluid communication with the second outlet.
A temperature monitor is provided for monitoring temperature in the oven chamber and controlling the oven gas supply valve in accordance with the monitored temperature.
Advantages of the ~resent invention will become a~aren~ to those o~ ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
~' Brief DescriE~ion of~ v~
; The invention may take form in various parts and arrangements o~ parts. The drawings are only ~or purposes of illustrating a prePerred embodiment of the invention and are not to ~e construed as limiting it. Wherein the figures show:
FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a stove assembly in accordance with the present invention;

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FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a combined pressure regulator and shut off valYe in accordance wit~ the present inventio:n;
FIG!JR ~ is an end elevational YieW of the valYe of ~IGUR~ 2; .
FlGUR~ 4 is a top plan view of the valYe o : ~IGU~ES 2 and 3;
FIGIJRE 5 is a sec~ional view ehrough section 5-5 of FIGURES 3 and 4;
10. FIGURE 6 is a sectional view through section : 6-6 of FIGURES 3 and 4;
~ FIGUR~ 7 is a sectional view through section : 7-7 of FIGURE 2; and, FIGUR~ 8 is a sectional view through section : lS. 8-8 of FlGURE 3.
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~-~ etailed Description of the _referred ~bodiment ~ With reference: to FI~UR~ 1, a gas stove A is :. connected with a gas supply source B. Commonly, the gas : supply source includes a gas supply line 10 extendin~
20. ~through a wall of a dwellin~.~ A main or gas line supply ~` shut of~ valve 12 is mounted to the ~as supply line , :~ ~ adjacent its emergence from the wall for ter~inatin8 the ~ low of gas when no appliance is connected thereto.
-- : The stove A includes a co~bined pressure 25. regula~or and manual shut off valve C which receives gas :~ rom the main shut o~f valve and supplies gas at regulated pressure to a plurality of ran8e burner assemblies D. ~urther, the combined valve both controls - the :flow-and regulates the pressure of 8as supplied to 30. an ov~n ~ssembly E~
: Each range burner assembly includes a range control valve 20 for controlling ~he alnount of gas supplied to a range burrler 22. A mnually operable .
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control or handle 24 is connected wi~h the range control valve ~0 for selectively controllin8 the a~ount of ~as suppl ied to the range burner .
The oven asse~bly ~ includes an electrically 5- operated oven gas Yalve 30 which is connected with an oven burner box 32 for hea~ing an oven chamber. A
temperature monitor or control 34 monitors the te~perature in the oven chamber and controls the electrically operated oven gas valve 30 in accordance 10. therewith~ More specifically, a manually operated control or handle 36 is connected with the temperature monitor for setting a selected oven te~perature. Th~
te~perature monitor 34 opens ~he oven gas valYe 30 in response to the ~emperature in the oven chamber drops 15. bel~w the selected oven temperature by ~ore ~han a preselccted amount and closes the valve in response to -~the oven reaching or çxceeding the preselected temperature.
~: :With reference to FIGURES 2, 3, and 4, the 2~. combined valve C has~a valve housing 40, including an upper portion 42 and a lower portion 44. The housing d~fines a fluid or gas inlet 46 for receiving natural ~:gas or other fluid from the gas supply B, or the like.
The housing further defines a first or uncon~rolled 25. pressure regulated fluid outlet 4B and a second or :: controlled pressure regulated fluid ou~let 50. A
~anually operated flow control member 52 is mounted adjacent the housing for selectively enabling an~
blocking the second controlled outlet 50 from 3U. discharging pressure regulated gas~
With particulur reference to FIGURES 5 and 7~
the combined Yalve includes a pressure regulator 60 or regulating the pressure o~ gas flowing thcrethrou~h.
The pressure regulator includes a gas receiving , '..

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regulator chamber 62 which is operatively connected with ~he fluid inlet 46 throLIgh a ~ralve sea~ 64. A regulator member or poppet 66 disposed adjacent ~he valve seat 64 is conneclted with a diaphragm 68 for movement 5. therewith. The regula~or me~ber selectiYely inçreases and decreases gas flow through ~he valve seat sueh as to maintain a substantially eonsta~t pressure in ~he regulator cha~ber 62. The diaphragm and re~ulator poppe~ are cons~ructed of natural gas co~pati~le 10. materi~l, such as synthetic polymers, metals, and the 1 ike .
The regulator diaphrag~n 68 is biased by gas pressure in the regula tor chainber 62 ~o move the regulator r~ember 66 toward the valve sea~ 64 cutting off 15. the 10w of gas to the chamber,. The diaphraglo 68 is also biased by a spring 70 ~o ~oYe the regulator ~ember -: 66 away from the valYe seat 64 allowing ~ore gas to enter the chamber. In thls manner9 the pressure in ~he regulator cha~er 62 is controlled in confor~ity wlth 2D. the pressure applied by spring 70~ If the pressure in the re~ulator cha~ber 62 should exceed ~he spring pressure7 ~h~ flow of inco~ing gas thereto is reduced reducing the pressure therein. If the pressur~ in the regulator chamber 62 falls below the spring pressure, an :~5. increased flow of gas is permi~ed raising the pressure~
The first or uncontrolled outlet 48 is connected by a passage 72 defined in the valve housing : with the regulator chamber 62 to receive gas at the regulated pressure therefrom. The housing further 30. d~fines ~ second regulator cJIamber outlet passage 74 which conveys pressure regula~ed gas fro~ the regulator chamber ~2 to a ~wo~state shu~ vff or poppet valve 80.
With parti~ular reference to ~GURI~S 6 ~nd 8, the two-state shut off BO includes a closure or poppet 35. Dle~lber ~2 which is biasc(l by a sprin~ B4 or other -~7~
~8--biasing means to block the second outlet 50. The manual control member 52 is integrally connected wi~h a cam member 86 having a fir~t or valve closed cam surEace ~8 and a second or valve open cam surface 90. The handle 52 and cam ~36 are connected by an axially slidable plunger 92 with the closure member or poppet 82.
Axial sl 1 ding movement of the plun~er moves the pop~et member perpendicular ~o an associated val~e seat 94 to block an~ permit fluid flow therethrough. As is readily apparent from FIGURES 5, 6 and 8, the regulator poppet 66 and shut o~f poppet 82 can be formed so as to be interchangeable and o a common conPiguration with ~apered re~ulator valving sur~ace 66a shaped for engagement with valve seat 64 being disposed on one side of the configura-tion, and shut o~f valving sur~ace 82a disposed on the oppositeside of the common conflguration and being shaped for engagement with valve seat g4. When the first cam surface 88 rests again~t the valve, the plunger i5 Pree to move and the spring 84 biases ~he ~oppet a2 to a closed position. When the second cam surface 90 rests against the valve, the plunger 92 i5 held outward and the poppet is held away from the valve seat, i.e. the valve is open. Between the first and second cam surfaces, the cam member has a rounded or unstable cam surface such that if one were to - attempt to position the handle thereon, the spring 84 would bias the ca~ member to rotate to one o~ the first and ~econd cam surfaces. In this manner, the bistable shut off or poppet valve ; ao i5 constrained to two states -- a full open state and a fully olosed or shut oPf state.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obvlously, modifications and alterations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understand~ng the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as includin~ all such alterations and modiPications insofar as they come within the scope oP the ; 35 a~pended claims or the e~uivalents thereof.

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Claims (16)

1. A gas stove control assembly comprising:
a gas supply line;
a main shut off valve operatively connected with the gas supply line;
a combined pressure regulator and manual shut off valve including:
a valve housing defining a gas inlet, a first gas oulet, and a second gas outlet, the inlet being operatively connected with the main shut off valve;
a pressure regulator mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the inlet to receive gas therefrom, the first outlet being in fluid communication with the pressure regulator to receive gas with a regulated pressure therefrom;
a manual shut off mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the pressure regulator to receive gas with regulated pressure therefrom and in fluid communication with the second outlet for selectively supplying gas with regulated pressure thereto;
at least one range burner control valve connected in fluid communication with the first outlet for controlling gas flow to a corresponding range burner;
an oven gas supply valve for selectively supplying gas to an oven burner for heating an oven chamber, the oven gas supply valve being in fluid communication with the second outlet; and, a temperature monitor for monitoring temperature in the oven chamber and controlling the oven gas supply valve in accordance with the monitored temperature.

2. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the manual shut off has only two stable states, a fully open state and a fully closed state.

3. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the manual shut off is a poppet valve.

4. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein the manual shut off includes a closure member for selectively blocking the passage of gas therepast, and a spring for biasing the closure member against a valve seat to the closed position, whereby the valve fails closed to prevent leakage of gas therefrom.

5. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the manual shut off further includes a cam member operatively connected with the closure member for selectively camming the closure member between the open and closed states, the cam member having a first cam surface which allows the spring to bias the closure member to the closed position and a second cam surface which holds the closure member in the open position and the spring in a compressed condition.

6. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 5 further including a manually operated lever arm operatively connected with the cam member for facilitating manual movement of the shut off between the open and closed states.

7. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pressure regular includes:
a regulator chamber defined between the housing and a diaphragm, the diaphragm being movable in response to changes in pressure in the regulator chamber;
a regulator valve disposed between the chamber and the inlet for regulating the passage of gas therebetween, the regulator valve being operatively connected with the diaphragm to restrict the flow of gas in response to increased pressure in the chamber and increase the flow of gas in response to a decrease in the gas pressure in the regulator chamber;
the housing defining a first passage extending between the regulator chamber and the first outlet; and, the housing further defining a second passage extending between the regulator chamber and the manual shut off.

8. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 7 further including a biasing means for biasing the diaphragm to urge the regulator valve more open, gas pressure in the regulator chamber biasing the diaphragm to urge the regulator valve more closed such that the biasing means controls the pressure in the regulator chamber.

9. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the regulator valve includes a regulator valve seat disposed adjacent the regulator chamber and a regulator member movably disposed adjacent the regulator valve seat and operatively connected with the diaphragm for movement therewith to vary contiguity between the regulator member and regulator valve seat.

10. The stove control assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein the manual shut off has only two stable states, open and closed.

11. A combined fluid pressure regulator and manual shut off valve comprising:
a valve housing defining a fluid inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet;
a pressure regulator mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the inlet to receive fluid therefrom and with the first outlet to supply pressure regulated fluid thereto; and, a manual shut off mounted in the housing in fluid communication with the pressure regulator to receive pressure regulated gas therefrom and in fluid communication with the second outlet for selectively supplying pressure regulated fluid thereto, the manual shut off being manually alterable between an open state in which fluid passes from the regulator to the second outlet and a closed state which blocks the passage of fluid to the second outlet;
said manual shut off having only two stable states, a fully open state and a fully closed state;
said manual shut off valve including a closure member for selectively blocking the passage of fluid therepast, a spring for biasing the closure member against a shut off valve seat to the closed position; and a cam member operatively connected with the closure member for selectively camming the closure member to the open state, the cam member having a first cam surface which allows the spring to bias the closure member to the closed position and a second cam surface which holds the closure member in the open position and the spring member in a compressed condition.

12. The valve as set forth in claim 11 further including a manually operated lever arm operatively connected with the cam member for facilitating manual movement of the shut off between the open and closed states.

13. A combination shut off valve and pressure regula-tor assembly for fuel gas fired appliances comprising:
(a) an integral valve block defining a gas inlet, a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet;
(b) a pressure regulating valve receiving gas from said inlet and supplying regulated flow to said first and second outlet, said regulating valve including a tapered valve seat and a poppet movable with respect thereto, and having a tapered valving surface;
(c) a manually operated shut off valve disposed in the flow path to said second outlet, said shut off valve having a generally flat valve seat and a poppet having a valving surface configured to seal against said flat valve seat; and, (d) said regulator poppet and said shut off poppet being interchangeable and formed of a common configuration with said tapered regulator valving surface disposed on one side of said common configuration and said shut off valving surface disposed on the opposite side of said common configuration.

14. The combination defined in claim 13 herein, said regulator poppet and said shut off poppet are of identical shape and size.

15. The combination defined in claim 13, wherein said regulator poppet and said shut off poppet are formed of a common elastomeric material.

16. A combination shut off valve and pressure regula-tor assembly for gas stoves and the like comprising:
(a) an integral valve block defining a gas inlet, a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet;
(b) a regulator chamber cavity defined by the integral block;
(c) a flexible diaphragm closing said cavity and forming a regulating chamber and moveable in response to pressure changes in said chamber;
(d) said block defining a first valving passage communicating said chamber with said first outlet and a first valve seat disposed in said passage and having a generally tapered configuration;
(e) a regulator valve member having a first generally tapered valving surface thereon disposed for movement with respect to said first valve seat and means connecting said first valve member with said diaphragm for movement therewith for regulating flow to said first outlet;
(f) said block defining a second valving passage communicating said chamber with said second outlet and a second valve seat disposed in said passage and having a generally flat configuration;
(g) a shut off valve member having a second annular valving surface thereon configured for seating against said flat configuration operative upon manual movement to move between a position contacting said second valve seat for preventing flow from said chamber to said second outlet and a position spaced from said second valve seat for permitting flow from said chamber to said second outlet; and (h) said first and second valve members being inter-changeable and having a common configuration with said first tapered valving surface formed on one side of said member and said second valving surface formed on the opposite side of said member.