EP2365251B1 - Détecteur de gaz, dispositif de distribution de gaz et appareil ménager avec détecteur de gaz - Google Patents

Détecteur de gaz, dispositif de distribution de gaz et appareil ménager avec détecteur de gaz Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2365251B1
EP2365251B1 EP10154874A EP10154874A EP2365251B1 EP 2365251 B1 EP2365251 B1 EP 2365251B1 EP 10154874 A EP10154874 A EP 10154874A EP 10154874 A EP10154874 A EP 10154874A EP 2365251 B1 EP2365251 B1 EP 2365251B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
valve
pressure
detector
pipe
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP10154874A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2365251A1 (fr
Inventor
Paolo Santonicola
Fortunato Nocera
Valerio Cascio
Lorenzo Morbidelli
Fabrizio Concettoni
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Whirlpool EMEA SpA
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Indesit Co SpA
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Publication of EP2365251A1 publication Critical patent/EP2365251A1/fr
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C3/00—Stoves or ranges for gaseous fuels
    • F24C3/12—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24C3/126—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices on ranges
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/18—Systems for controlling combustion using detectors sensitive to rate of flow of air or fuel
    • F23N5/184—Systems for controlling combustion using detectors sensitive to rate of flow of air or fuel using electronic means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N5/00—Systems for controlling combustion
    • F23N5/24—Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements
    • F23N5/242—Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements using electronic means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
    • H01H35/24—Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow
    • H01H35/34—Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow actuated by diaphragm
    • H01H35/346—Switches operated by change of fluid pressure, by fluid pressure waves, or by change of fluid flow actuated by diaphragm in which the movable contact is formed or directly supported by the diaphragm
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2227/00—Ignition or checking
    • F23N2227/02—Starting or ignition cycles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2231/00—Fail safe
    • F23N2231/18—Detecting fluid leaks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2237/00—Controlling
    • F23N2237/02—Controlling two or more burners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23N—REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION
    • F23N2241/00—Applications
    • F23N2241/08—Household apparatus

Definitions

  • the present invention also relates to a gas detector and a gas distribution assembly, both of which are particularly suitable for use in the cooking household appliance according to the present invention.
  • the U.S. patent 4,104,495 A by Jones et al. describes a pressure switch comprising a barrel spring.
  • the barrel spring provides the necessary elasticity to the switching mechanism. Therefore, if the barrel spring fails due to fatigue and/or to a production defect, also the pressure switch will stop working. In addition to that, the presence of the barrel spring makes the production process of the pressure switch more expensive.
  • the gas detectors of the state of the art are designed as a separate component which has to be connected with the relevant locations in an apparatus (measuring points).
  • the aim of the invention is to make the design of the gas detectors more compact.
  • Fig.1, Fig.2 , Fig.3 and Fig.4 refer to a kitchen gas cooking top provided with one gas fitting AG and four gas burners B1, B2, B3 and B4.
  • a gas cooking top is a household appliance well suited to the present invention; another very suitable household appliance is a gas oven or a gas cooker, the term "gas cooker” meaning any household appliance comprising at least a gas cooking top and a gas oven.
  • gas must be supplied to the burners, and is therefore delivered from fitting AG to burners B through a series of pipes; four gas lines are thus provided, which supply gas from fitting AG to the four burners B1, B2, B3, B4; along these lines it is necessary to install valves for opening, closing and adjusting the gas supply to the burners.
  • Fig.1, Fig.2 , Fig.3 and Fig.4 comprise one general valve VG and four individual valves V1, V2, V3, V4 for respective burners B1, B2, B3, B4.
  • Said valves are automatic and, in particular, are of the piezoelectric type; piezoelectric automatic gas valves are currently available on the market, e.g. manufactured by FESTO, SERVOCELL and DIAMOND H.
  • General valve VG is placed in the gas circuit in such a position that all gas flows passing through individual valves V1, V2, V3, V4 must first pass through general valve VG; thus, if general valve VG is closed, no gas can flow through any of individual valves V1, V2, V3, V4.
  • Valves V1, V2, V3, V4 are individually associated with burners B1, B2, B3, B4 and are used for opening, closing and adjusting the gas flow to said burners individually.
  • a gas pipe TU is pointed out and it which connects the outlet of valve VG to the inlets of all valves V1, V2, V3, V4.
  • a gas pipe TU is pointed out and it which connects the outlet of valve VG to the inlets of all valves V1, V2, V3, V4.
  • Fig.1 and Fig.3 it is a branched pipe; in the case of Fig.2 and Fig.4 , it is a simple pipe coupled to a collector pipe CO.
  • Fig.1, Fig.2 , Fig.3 and Fig.4 also comprise a general gas flow detector RG; general detector RG detects gas flow through general valve VG; moreover, general detector RG (due to the position thereof) can also detect gas flow through any of individual valves V1, V2, V3, V4, though not being able to determine which one.
  • Fig.3 and Fig.4 additionally comprise four individual gas flow detectors R1, R2, R3, R4; individual detector R1 detects gas flow through individual valve V1, and therefore substantially detects the gas flow reaching burner B1; individual detector R2 detects gas flow through individual valve V2, and therefore substantially detects the gas flow reaching burner B2; individual detector R3 detects gas flow through individual valve V3, and therefore substantially detects the gas flow reaching burner B3; individual detector R4 detects gas flow through individual valve V4, and therefore substantially detects the gas flow reaching burner B4.
  • valves VG, V1, V2, V3, V4 are controlled electrically; for this purpose, they are adapted to receive electric control signals SVG, SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4.
  • All of the gas flow detectors R1, R2, R3, R4, RG are adapted to generate electric detection signals SR1, SR2, SR3, SR4, SRG indicating the detected gas flow.
  • These may be either active detectors, i.e. receiving an electric power supply and autonomously emitting an electric signal representative of the detected gas flow, or passive detectors, i.e. connected to an external electric or electronic circuit and producing in said circuit an electric signal being representative of the detected gas flow (the simplest example being a contact controlled by the gas flow).
  • One or more of these gas flow detectors is adapted to generate a signal indicating the gas pressure within pipe TU (and thus, in the case of Fig.2 and Fig.4 , within pipe CO); in such a situation, this signal will also indicate the gas flow within pipe TU (and within pipe CO, if present), if taken into consideration for a sufficiently long time interval, as better explained below.
  • the above-mentioned electric signals may be either digital or analog depending on the type of valve and detector.
  • Fig.1, Fig.2 , Fig.3 and Fig.4 comprise an electronic control system of the gas household appliance, schematized as a block EL adapted to control all functions of the household appliance.
  • system EL An important function carried out by the system EL is the control of the gas flow to burners B1, B2, B3, B4; to this end, system EL is connected to valves VG, V1, V2, V3, V4 and may be connected to a control panel (not shown in the drawings) fitted, for example, with knobs and/or push-buttons and/or keys (e.g. touch control type) and one or more displays, so that it can receive flame level setting commands from the user, generate control signals SVG, SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4, and provide the user with information about the set flame level.
  • a control panel not shown in the drawings
  • knobs and/or push-buttons and/or keys e.g. touch control type
  • system EL also acts as a safety system; to this end, system EL is connected to general detector RG (in all illustrated cases) and to individual detectors R1, R2, R3, R4 (only in the cases of Fig.3 and Fig.4 ), so that it can receive detection signal SRG (in all illustrated cases) and detection signals SR1, SR2, SR3, SR4 (only in the cases of Fig.3 and Fig.4 ).
  • assembly AS comprises a collector pipe CO housing valves V1, V2, V3, V4 and incorporates general detector RG; in addition, in the example of Fig.4 , collector pipe CO also incorporates detectors R1, R2, R3, R4 respectively associated with the four gas outlets.
  • Fig.5 shows a diagrammatic view of a first gas detector R suitable for use in the household appliance according to the present invention.
  • This detector may for example be associated with, in particular applied or mounted to, the inlet or the outlet or the inside of a gas valve.
  • Detector R may for example be the core of general detector RG, which may be a separate device located anywhere in pipe TU, or be included in an assembly comprising general valve VG, or (as shown in Fig.5 ) be installed at the inlet of assembly AS of Fig.2 and Fig.4 ; it is for this reason that only collector pipe CO of assembly AS is visible in Fig.5 .
  • Detector R cannot measure the (analog) value of the gas pressure within pipe CO (and therefore within pipe TU connected upstream of pipe CO), since it can only signal two gas pressure states. More precisely (as will become apparent later), detector R of Fig.5 can indicate whether the gas pressure in collector pipe CO corresponds to pressure values substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure (i.e. within a certain range around the atmospheric pressure value) or the gas pressure in collector pipe CO corresponds to pressure values above the atmospheric pressure.
  • the pressure outside pipe CO corresponds to the atmospheric pressure.
  • rod A is constrained to membrane M, so that it can move substantially upwards or downwards as the central portion of membrane M moves upwards or downwards, respectively, through the effect of the pressure in pipe CO.
  • Lever L is constrained on one end thereof (the left end in Fig.5 ), so that it can rotate about said end, and to rod A, so that it can rotate upwards or downwards as rod A moves upwards or downwards, respectively.
  • lever L When lever L is totally rotated upwards, it touches contact C1, thus creating an electric path between terminal T1 and terminal TL (therefore producing a corresponding electric signal).
  • membrane M, rod A and lever L are in a position (in particular an upper position) such that they touch contact C1 when the pressure in pipe CO exceeds the atmospheric pressure PA by at least a predetermined value P1, i.e. when the pressure in pipe CO becomes at least equal to PA+P1; with pressure values lower than PA+P1, lever L is in any of the various positions (in particular lower positions) wherein it cannot touch C1.
  • Detector R is therefore a very simple electromechanic device which allows to carry out effective gas pressure detections (typically in a gas cooking household appliance) as well as effective gas flow detections, as will be explained below. Detector R is so designed that lever L touches contact C1 during the normal operation of the cooking household appliance (i.e. when there is gas flow in pipe CO in the direction of the arrow).
  • any gas leakage through general valve VG will cause the pressure in pipes TU and CO to rise up to the threshold value PA+Pl, thus bringing about the closing of the electric contact between L and C1 and allowing the electronic safety system EL to detect said leakage.
  • Fig.6 shows a diagrammatic view of a second gas detector R suitable for use in the household appliance according to the present invention.
  • This detector may for example be associated with, in particular applied or mounted to, the inlet or the outlet or the inside of a gas valve.
  • detector R may for example be the core of general detector RG located at the inlet of assembly AS of Fig.2 and Fig.4 ; it is for this reason that Fig.6 shows the collector pipe CO of the assembly AS as well as a first piezoelectric automatic valve V1 also associated with collector pipe CO, as detailed below.
  • Adjacent to collector pipe CO there is a chamber CP which houses the electronic components subject to tension of the gas distribution assembly AS.
  • chamber CP is under the atmospheric pressure PA, whereas in the event of an explosion inside chamber CP said pressure will rise up to a value by far exceeding the atmospheric pressure PA.
  • Detector R can simply signal three gas differential pressure states between chamber CP and collector pipe CO.
  • detector R of Fig.6 can indicate if the gas pressure PCO in pipe CO is higher than the gas pressure PCP in chamber CP by at least a predetermined value P1, if the gas pressure PCO in pipe CO is lower than the pressure PCP in chamber CP by at least a predetermined value P2, or if the pressures PCO and PCP are such that PCO ⁇ PCP+P1 and PCO>PCP-P2.
  • rod A is constrained to membrane M in such a way that it can substantially move upwards or downwards as the central portion of membrane M moves upwards or downwards, respectively, through the effect of the pressure difference between pipe CO and chamber CP.
  • Lever L is constrained on one end thereof (the left end in Fig.6 ), so that it can rotate about said end, and to rod A, so that it can rotate upwards or downwards as rod A moves upwards or downwards, respectively.
  • lever L When lever L is totally rotated upwards, it touches contact C1, thus creating an electric path between terminal T1 and terminal TL (therefore producing a corresponding first electric signal); when lever L is totally rotated downwards, it touches contact C2, thus creating an electric path between terminal T2 and terminal TL (therefore producing a corresponding second electric signal).
  • the electric detector may be adapted (by using a simple electric circuitry) to generate only one electric signal across two terminals; for example, a null voltage signal when lever L touches none of contacts C1 and C2, a positive voltage signal when lever L touches contact C1, and a negative voltage signal when lever L touches contact C2.
  • membrane M, rod A and lever L are in the upper position (and touch contact C1) when the pressure PCO in pipe CO is higher than the pressure PCP in chamber CP by at least a predetermined value P1, i.e. PCP+P1, whereas they are in the lower position (and touch contact C2) when the pressure PCO in pipe CO is lower than the pressure PCP in chamber CP by at least a predetermined value P2, i.e. PCP-P2; with pressure values between PCP+P1 and PCP-P2, lever L is in any of the various intermediate positions and touches neither C1 nor C2.
  • Detector R is therefore a very simple electromechanic device which allows to carry out effective gas pressure detections (typically in a gas cooking household appliance) as well as effective gas flow detections, as will be explained below.
  • Detector R is so designed that lever L touches contact C1 during the normal operation of the gas household appliance (i.e. when there is gas flow in pipe CO in the direction of the arrow) and that lever L touches none of contacts C1 and C2 when the cooking top is not being used (i.e. no burner is lit).
  • Fig.6 shows a piezoelectric automatic valve designated V1 as a whole because it could be, for example, valve V1 of the household appliance of Fig.2 or Fig.4 .
  • Reference number 2 designates a piezoelectric element acting as an actuator of an adjusting device 3 of valve V1; 31 designates the shutter of valve V1, belonging to adjusting device 3; 32 designates an adjusting device stem, included in the adjusting device 3 of valve V1.
  • Shutter 31 and stem 32 are rigidly joined together, thus forming adjusting device 3, which is pushed by actuator 2.
  • Actuator 2 receives an electric signal S1 through two electric leads; actuator 2 is so conceived that, when a direct electric voltage is applied as a signal S1, it will bend downwards and adjusting device 3 will move downwards accordingly; the greater the amplitude of the voltage signal S1, the more actuator 2 will bend.
  • Valve V1 of Fig.6 comprises a hollow body 6 associated with collector pipe CO; pipe CO acts as a gas inlet duct of valve V1; there is also a gas outlet duct 8 which connects valve V1 to burner B1.
  • the cavity of body 6 is delimited at the bottom by a rigid wall 4 corresponding to a wall of pipe CO; duct 8 starts in the cavity of body 6.
  • Wall 4 has an aperture 40 (a flared hole) allowing the gas to flow from pipe CO to the cavity of body 6.
  • Shutter 31 for example having a conic shape, is adapted to shut aperture 40 of wall 4 by perfectly coupling thereto, thus ensuring tightness.
  • An elastic element in particular a spring, may also be provided in order to obtain or facilitate the return of valve V1 to its idle or inoperative condition; in the case shown in the example of Fig.6 , the downward motion of adjusting device 3 is obtained through actuator 2, whereas the upward motion of adjusting device 3 is obtained through the elastic element (not shown in the drawing).
  • body 6 of valve V1 of Fig.6 has a hole which allows stem 32 to slide while at the same time preventing any substantial gas leaks from the cavity of body 6.
  • the top wall of body 6 is not rigid; said wall consists of a diaphragm 9, e.g. a membrane made of an elastic material and circular or square in shape.
  • said diaphragm 9 is so shaped that its area is enlarged; in fact, the drawing clearly shows the bends around stem 32.
  • Diaphragm 9 is secured in a substantially tight manner to the walls of body 6 and to stem 32; due to its elasticity, it allows stem 32 and thus the whole adjusting device 3 of valve V1 to move, in particular vertically, at the same time preventing any gas in the cavity of body 6 from flowing out, except through duct 8.
  • valve V1 of Fig.6 In order to understand the effect provided by diaphragm 9, it is necessary to observe valve V1 of Fig.6 in operation.
  • valve V1 When valve V1 is closed, the pressure in the cavity of body 6 corresponds to the pressure downstream of duct 8 (in substance, downstream of the burner, not shown), i.e. to the atmospheric pressure; the very same pressure is also found outside body 6; in this condition, the forces exerted by the pressure outside and inside the diaphragm are the same, so that the diaphragm does not transmit any force to stem 31 and thus to the whole device 3.
  • the valve begins to open, i.e.
  • the extension of diaphragm 9 has one characteristic dimension (diameter or side) comprised between 10mm and 30mm, preferably between 15mm and 20mm.
  • assembly AS has a pipe CO which is common to detector R and to all valves of the assembly (only valve V1 is shown), as well as a chamber CP adjacent to and hermetically separated from pipe CO.
  • said chamber houses both detector R and te valve V1, as well as the other individual valves, not shown.
  • Contact C2 is used for detecting a particular failure of the assembly AS.
  • explosions may occur within the above-mentioned chamber CP which might damage one or several valves included in assembly AS, e.g.
  • valve V1 in such a case, the pressure in said chamber CP will exceed the pressure in pipe CO for a very short time; thanks to contact C2, this situation can be detected and the user can, for example, decide to close valve VG.
  • Said explosions may for example occur due to a damaged membrane M of detector R or to a damaged diaphragm of any of individual valves V1,V2,V3,V4 (e.g. diaphragm 9 of individual valve V1 shown in Fig.6 ), so that tightness is no longer ensured and gas can flow from he collector pipe CO to chamber CP, should one of the components subject to tension subsequently fail and generate a spark within chamber CP.
  • the present invention allows to detect, during the normal operation of the gas appliance, any variation in the pressure PCP within chamber CP caused by such damage.
  • detector R is so designed that lever L touches contact C1 during the normal operation of the gas appliance: any damage suffered by membrane M or diaphragm 9 will tend to reduce the pressure difference between PCO and PCP, so that lever L will move away from contact C1. If such a pressure difference reduction is not followed by a flame-off detection in any of the active gas burners B1, B2, B3, B4, electronic control system EL will deduce that either membrane M or diaphragm 9 has been damaged.
  • a calibrated hole 89 is obtained where through a very limited, and therefore not dangerous, quantity of gas can flow.
  • gas flow detectors of various types may be advantageously integrated into the automatic valves used in the household appliance according to the present invention; it is advantageous to use a gas flow detector adapted to generate an electric signal indicating only two gas flow states, in particular the substantial absence of gas flow and the substantial presence of gas flow.
  • a first possibility is integrating a flow detector of the type adapted to generate an electric signal related to pressure difference, in particular to the pressure detected in a first direction and the pressure detected in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction.
  • a second possibility is integrating a flow detector of the type adapted to generate an electric signal related to the displacement or position of an adjusting device of at least one corresponding valve, thus indirectly detecting any gas flow through the valve.
  • Said displacement or position may be detected through one or several simple electric contacts.
  • a third possibility is integrating a detector like those shown in Fig.5 or Fig.6 .
  • a gas cooking household appliance is provided with one gas fitting and one or more gas burners; it additionally comprises:
  • the household appliance will comprise more than one burner and, therefore, more than one individual valve; in the most typical applications, their number will be in the range from a minimum of two to a maximum of seven.
  • a gas flow detector may be advantageously so arranged as to detect gas flow through any one of the individual valves.
  • a single detector arranged, for example, along the pipe connecting the outlet of the general valve to the inlets of the individual valves allows to detect gas flow through both the general valve and any one of the individual valves.
  • the safety system is adapted to generate an alarm signal, in particular an acoustic signal and/or a visual signal in the event that any malfunction and/or failure is detected; thus the user can decide not to use the household appliance and to call for technical assistance.
  • the safety system may be adapted to send information to a remote centre and to call for technical assistance automatically.
  • the safety system may also be so conceived as to prevent the household appliance from operating if any of said malfunctions and/or failures are detected; this will make the household appliance even safer.
  • the operation of the appliance may for example be inhibited only in the event of very serious malfunctions and/or failures.
  • the general automatic valve of the household appliance may act as a safety valve, being preferably of the electromagnetic type and installed upstream of the individual automatic valves; typically said valve is of the type adapted to provide only two operating conditions: completely open valve and fully closed valve.
  • the safety system may be adapted to close said safety valve should any of said malfunctions and/or failures occur.
  • the general valve may be of the type adapted to provide only two operating conditions (completely open valve and fully closed valve), being in particular of the electromagnetic type.
  • the above safety measures may also be combined together.
  • At least one individual gas flow detector may be installed either downstream or upstream of at least one valve, so that any gas flow is detected through said valve; in particular, as shown in the illustrated examples, there may be one detector for the general valve and possibly also one detector for each individual valve. In such a case, it may be advantageous that the detector is associated with, in particular applied to or built in, the inlet or the outlet of said individual valve.
  • the gas flow detector may also be integrated into the individual valves.
  • the household appliance can perform an accurate self-diagnosis for finding any failures and/or malfunctions, it will also be important to know exactly which valve is faulty or defective; this will imply that, according to the present invention, a larger number of gas flow detectors will be required.
  • the type of automatic valve which is most suitable is the piezoelectric one; this applies not only to the general valve, but mostly to the individual valves; as for the safety valve, if present (which may be the general valve itself), it will be appropriate to use an electromechanical valve, e.g. an electromagnetic one.
  • the gas flow detectors are suitable for generating an electric signal indicating two gas flow states, in particular the substantial absence of gas flow and the substantial presence of gas flow; this allows their structure to be made simpler, leading to smaller dimensions and lower costs.
  • the two main verifications to be carried out are the following:
  • Another effective system for detecting gas flow which is particularly suited for integration into an automatic valve, provides for generating an electric signal related to the displacement or position of the valve shutter. This is an indirect flow measurement which is nonetheless more than sufficient for the purposes of the present invention: if the shutter is in the closed position, there will be no flow; if the shutter is not in the closed position, there will be flow (small or large).
  • the household appliance may comprise an electronic safety system advantageously integrated into the electronic control system of the appliance; such an integration will be easier if the electronic control system is based on a microprocessor or a microcontroller and uses control programs controlling the operation of the system and thus, through actuators and sensors, the operation of the appliance.
  • Such a safety system may be designed either for signaling malfunctions and/or failures only or for providing a complete and accurate self-diagnosis being user-oriented and/or service-oriented (e.g. for the service technician); in this frame, it may also be useful to conceive some kind of remote signaling and/or technical assistance, since malfunctions and/or failures of gas cooking household appliances can have very serious consequences for the users, e.g. explosions.
  • the electronic safety system may be adapted to carry out repeatedly and/or cyclically at least one procedure for verifying the proper operation of the general valve and/or one or more individual valves, typically of all valves.
  • gas flow detectors and/or gas flow variation detectors and/or gas pressure detectors and/or gas pressure variation detectors may be used in the household appliance.
  • Said detectors may be installed near valves or along pipes, in particular along a pipe connecting the general valve to the individual valves.
  • a verification procedure may be carried out each time any one of the individual valves is closed. In fact, if an individual valve is operating correctly, there should be no gas flow through it after it has been closed.
  • a verification procedure may be carried out each time the general valve is closed; said closing can occur, for example, when the user decides to turn off all burners. In fact, if the general valve is operating correctly, there should be no gas flow through it after is has been closed.
  • a gas flow detector associated with said general valve In order to carry out such a verification through a gas flow detector associated with said general valve, one may leave at least one individual valve open and check that there is actually no gas flow through the general valve after it has been closed; this verification can take place in a very short time (e.g. ten milliseconds).
  • the two above-mentioned verification procedures may be carried out in succession in order to perform a verification cycle to be preferably repeated at each operation cycle of the gas appliance: for example, the general valve verification procedure may be carried out at the beginning of an operation cycle and the individual valve verification procedure may be carried out at the end of every operation cycle (or vice versa); alternatively, both verifications may be carried out either at the beginning or at the end of every operation cycle.
  • a verification procedure can be carried out every time the general valve is opened; this opening may take place, for instance, when the burners are all off, after the user has decided to turn on one of the burners; once the verification is completed, it will be possible to open one of the individual valves in order to use the corresponding burner.
  • a complete verification procedure may be carried out cyclically (e.g. once every hour or once every day) during the idle periods of all the burners of the household appliance, i.e. after the user has sent commands for turning off all burners to the electronic control system of the appliance; in a household kitchen, these periods of time represent most of the life of the appliance and can be used to advantage in order to keep the appliance under control and to ensure the utmost safety.
  • all automatic valves are preferably kept closed (e.g. by turning off the power supply thereof) by the safety system, which is often built in the control system.
  • the complete verification procedure may consist of one or more of the following steps:
  • the gas detector according to the present invention may, according to a first embodiment, be adapted to generate at least one electric signal indicating only two pressure states within a pipe or a chamber containing gas; in particular, a first one of said pressure states corresponds to pressure values within said pipe or chamber which are substantially equal to the outside pressure, and a second one of said pressure states corresponds to pressure values within said pipe or chamber which are higher than the outside pressure.
  • the gas detector according to the present invention may, according to a second embodiment, be adapted to generate at least one electric signal indicating only three pressure states within a pipe or a chamber containing gas; in particular, a first one of said pressure states corresponds to pressure values within said pipe or chamber which are substantially equal to the outside pressure, a second one of said pressure states corresponds to pressure values within said pipe or chamber which are higher than the outside pressure, and a third one of said gas pressure states corresponds to pressure values within said pipe or chamber which are lower than the outside pressure.
  • Such a detector may comprise a typically electromechanic device adapted to generate at least one electric signal indicating only two or three gas pressure states and comprising an element adapted to move through the effect of gas pressure and adapted to be in only two or three operating conditions.
  • One or two of the operating conditions of the movable element may correspond to one or two predetermined positions; in the example of Fig.5 there is only one predetermined position, while in the example of Fig.6 there are two predetermined positions.
  • one operating condition may correspond to a set of contiguous positions.
  • Such a gas detector may be advantageously used in a household appliance and, in particular, in a gas distribution assembly of a household appliance.
  • Said gas distribution assembly is provided with a gas inlet and a plurality of gas outlets; in addition, a plurality of automatic valves are respectively associated with said plurality of gas outlets; finally, a gas detector is mounted to or built in the assembly, in particular associated with a collector pipe of the assembly.
  • the most effective type of automatic valve for the purposes of the present invention is the piezoelectric one, i.e. comprising at least one shutter associated with one valve outlet and at least one piezoelectric element controlled electrically for moving the shutter.
  • a plurality of gas flow detectors may also be associated with said plurality of gas outlets.
  • This component i.e. the gas distribution assembly, is very compact and is fully capable of performing a self-diagnosis, even automatically.
  • a household appliance may be provided with more than one gas distribution assembly as previously described; for example, two gas distribution assemblies may be connected together in series and be used for the cooking top and for the oven, respectively.
  • either gas distribution assembly according to the present invention may additionally be fitted with at least one available gas outlet not associated with any automatic valve.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
  • General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Détecteur de gaz (R) caractérisé par le fait d'être conçu pour générer au moins un signal électrique indiquant seulement deux ou trois états de pression de gaz dans une conduite tuyau de gaz, dans lequel ledit détecteur de gaz (R) comporte une membrane (M), une tige (A), un levier (L) dont une partie au moins est constituée d'un matériau électriquement conducteur, un premier contact électrique (C1) et au moins une première et une seconde bornes (T1, TL) connectées électriquement au dit premier contact (C1) et au dit levier (L), respectivement, et dans lequel ladite tige (A) est sous contrainte de ladite membrane (M), de telle sorte qu'elle peut se déplacer par l'effet d'une pression agissant sur ladite membrane (M), ledit levier (L) étant sous contrainte de l'une de ses extrémités de sorte qu'il peut tourner autour de ladite extrémité, et de ladite tige (A) de sorte qu'il peut tourner lorsque la tige (A) se déplace, afin de toucher ledit premier contact (C1) pour créer un chemin électrique entre lesdites première et seconde bornes (T1, TL), et dans lequel ladite membrane (M) comporte des bords qui sont fixés aux bords d'une ouverture dans ladite conduite de gaz (CO).
  2. Détecteur de gaz (R) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le premier desdits états de pression de gaz correspond à des valeurs de pression qui sont essentiellement égales à la pression atmosphérique, en ce que le second desdits états de pression de gaz correspond à des valeurs de pression qui sont plus élevées que la pression atmosphérique, et en ce que le troisième desdits états de pression de gaz correspond à des valeurs de pression qui sont inférieures à la pression atmosphérique.
  3. Détecteur de gaz (R) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé par le fait de comporter un dispositif conçu pour générer au moins un signal électrique indiquant seulement deux ou trois états de pression de gaz, ledit dispositif comprenant un élément adapté pour se déplacer sous l'effet de la pression de gaz et adapté pour se trouver seulement dans deux ou trois modes de fonctionnement.
  4. Détecteur de gaz (R) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que un ou deux mode(s) desdits modes de fonctionnement dudit élément mobile correspond(ent) à une ou à deux positions prédéterminées.
  5. Détecteur de gaz (R) selon la revendication 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que l'un desdits modes de fonctionnement correspond à un ensemble de positions contiguës.
  6. Détecteur de gaz (R) selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un second contact électrique (C2) connecté à une troisième borne (T2), ladite troisième borne (T2) étant déplacée sur le côté opposé de ladite première borne (T1) par rapport au dit levier (L) de sorte que, lorsque ledit levier (L) tourne dans une direction, il touche ledit premier contact (C1), créant ainsi un chemin électrique entre ladite première borne (T1) et ladite seconde borne (TL) et, lorsque le levier (L) tourne dans une direction opposée, il touche ledit second contact (C2), créant ainsi un chemin électrique entre ladite troisième borne (T2) et ladite seconde borne (TL).
  7. Dispositif de distribution de gaz (AS) destiné à un appareil de cuisson ménager, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un détecteur de gaz (R) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, au moins une conduite de gaz (CO) et une chambre (CP), ladite chambre (CP) étant adjacente à ladite conduite de gaz (CO) et hermétiquement séparée de celle-ci par, au moins, ladite membrane (M).
  8. Dispositif de distribution de gaz (AS) selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ledit levier (L) et ledit premier contact (C1) sont logés dans ladite chambre (CP), ledit second contact (C2) étant, de préférence, logé dans ladite chambre (CP).
  9. Dispositif de distribution de gaz (AS) selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que sur une paroi de ladite chambre (CP) qui n'est pas attenante à ladite conduite (CO), un trou calibré (89) est obtenu.
  10. Dispositif de distribution de gaz (AS) selon la revendication 8 ou 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte au moins une vanne à gaz automatique piézoélectrique (V1), logée dans ladite chambre (CP), et ladite vanne à gaz (V1) comportant au moins un élément piézoélectrique (2) agissant comme un actionneur d'un dispositif de réglage (3) doté d' au moins un clapet d'obturation (31) et d'une tige de manoeuvre (32) du dispositif de réglage raccordée de façon rigide à lui, ledit dispositif de réglage (3) étant poussé par un actionneur (2), ladite vanne (V1) comprenant, de plus, un conduit d'admission de gaz comportant un corps creux (6) associé à ladite conduite collectrice (CO), et un conduit de sortie de gaz (8) raccordée à un brûleur (B1), ledit corps creux (6) étant doté d'un trou qui permet à ladite tige de manoeuvre (32) de coulisser empêchant toute fuite de gaz à partir dudit corps (6), ledit corps (6) présentant une paroi supérieure comportant une membrane (9), fixée d'une manière essentiellement étanche aux parois dudit corps (6) et à ladite tige de manoeuvre (32).
  11. Appareil ménager de cuisson au gaz comprenant un dispositif de distribution de gaz (AS) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 10, ledit dispositif de distribution de gaz (AS) étant intercalé entre un raccordement au gaz (AG) et un ou plusieurs brûleurs à gaz (B1, B2, B3, B4).
  12. Appareil ménager de cuisson au gaz selon la revendication 11, comprenant un système de sécurité électronique (EL) conçu pour détecter un quelconque dysfonctionnement et/ou des défaillances qui peuvent entraîner un indésirable écoulement de gaz au moins à travers une vanne générale (VG) comportant un orifice d'entrée associé au dit raccordement de gaz (AG), dans lequel ladite vanne générale (VG) peut être établie seulement pour un premier ou un second mode de fonctionnement, ledit premier mode de fonctionnement correspondant à une situation complètement ouverte et ledit second mode de fonctionnement correspondant à une situation totalement fermée.
EP10154874A 2006-10-11 2007-09-12 Détecteur de gaz, dispositif de distribution de gaz et appareil ménager avec détecteur de gaz Not-in-force EP2365251B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000728A ITTO20060728A1 (it) 2006-10-11 2006-10-11 Elettrodomestico di cottura a gas con valvole automatiche avente un sistema di sicurezza
EP07825090A EP2076715B1 (fr) 2006-10-11 2007-09-12 Appareil ménager de cuisson au gaz doté de vannes automatiques ayant un système de sécurité

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07825090.9 Division 2007-09-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2365251A1 EP2365251A1 (fr) 2011-09-14
EP2365251B1 true EP2365251B1 (fr) 2012-11-14

Family

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Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10154874A Not-in-force EP2365251B1 (fr) 2006-10-11 2007-09-12 Détecteur de gaz, dispositif de distribution de gaz et appareil ménager avec détecteur de gaz
EP12151164A Withdrawn EP2450632A3 (fr) 2006-10-11 2007-09-12 Appareil ménager de cuisson au gaz avec des valves automatiques dotées d'un système de sécurité
EP07825090A Not-in-force EP2076715B1 (fr) 2006-10-11 2007-09-12 Appareil ménager de cuisson au gaz doté de vannes automatiques ayant un système de sécurité

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12151164A Withdrawn EP2450632A3 (fr) 2006-10-11 2007-09-12 Appareil ménager de cuisson au gaz avec des valves automatiques dotées d'un système de sécurité
EP07825090A Not-in-force EP2076715B1 (fr) 2006-10-11 2007-09-12 Appareil ménager de cuisson au gaz doté de vannes automatiques ayant un système de sécurité

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (3) EP2365251B1 (fr)
IT (1) ITTO20060728A1 (fr)
PL (1) PL2076715T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008044107A2 (fr)

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WO2004076928A2 (fr) 2003-02-21 2004-09-10 Middleby Corporation Four autonettoyant
US9585400B2 (en) 2004-03-23 2017-03-07 The Middleby Corporation Conveyor oven apparatus and method
US8087407B2 (en) 2004-03-23 2012-01-03 Middleby Corporation Conveyor oven apparatus and method
ES2336402B1 (es) * 2007-09-17 2011-02-18 Bsh Electrodomesticos Espana Dispositivo de coccion a gas.
US8839714B2 (en) 2009-08-28 2014-09-23 The Middleby Corporation Apparatus and method for controlling a conveyor oven
DE102012219039A1 (de) * 2012-10-18 2014-04-24 E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH Verfahren zum Betrieb eines Gaskochgeräts und Gaskochgerät
BR202014008808Y1 (pt) * 2014-04-11 2020-12-22 Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais - Ufmg fogão com sistema de segurança
EP3469262A4 (fr) 2016-06-14 2020-01-01 The Middleby Corporation Collecteur de four à convoyeur à convection et système d'amortisseur
CN106919136B (zh) * 2017-04-18 2019-02-12 深圳市万佳安智能科技有限公司 一种用于智能家居的智能煤气监控装置
ES2885100T3 (es) 2018-04-20 2021-12-13 Electrolux Appliances AB Procedimiento de detección de anomalías asociadas con un aparato de gas

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2450632A3 (fr) 2012-07-18
PL2076715T3 (pl) 2013-05-31
WO2008044107A2 (fr) 2008-04-17
EP2450632A2 (fr) 2012-05-09
EP2076715B1 (fr) 2012-12-05
EP2076715A2 (fr) 2009-07-08
EP2365251A1 (fr) 2011-09-14
WO2008044107A3 (fr) 2009-01-15
ITTO20060728A1 (it) 2008-04-12

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