GB2086537A - A valve body for a gas burner - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve body for a gas burner comprises a one piece casting 1 defining a gas conduit 2 therethrough with a gas inlet port 2 at one end and a gas outlet port 4 at the other end arranged at right angles to one another, first and second valve seating arrangements 11 and 12 being provided along the length of the conduit 2 for e.g. safety valves 16 & 17 and a manually actuated coil 26. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A valve body for a gas burner The present invention relates to a valve body for a gas burner.

In conventional gas burners, the gas train to the main gas burner passes through two safety shut-off valves. These valves are produced as separate components with valve bodies which are bolted together via an elbow joint or other connection to form a conduit through which the gas can pass when both valves are open. Connecting pipework must also be connected to the valve bodies to provide a gas tight conduit between the gas supply pipework and the pipework leading to the main burner.

According to the present invention there is provided a valve body for a gas burner comprising a one piece casting defining a gas conduit therethrough with a gas inlet port at one end and a gas outlet port at the other end arranged at right angles to one another, first and second valve seating arrangements being provided along the length of the conduit through which arrangements a gas train must pass du ring its travel through the casting.

Preferably, the seat arrangements are arranged with their longitudinal axes defining an acute angle of 55 therebetween.

Preferably also, the seat arrangements comprise annular ridges formed around the wall of the gas conduit.

Preferably also, the casting defines a third seating arrangement for a third valve adjacent the outlet port downstream of the first and second seating arrangements.

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single Figure is a longitudinal cross section through a valve body according to the invention shown in combination with valves and their actuators for use in a gas burner.

The valve body comprises a one piece casting 1 defining a gas conduit 2 therethrough. The conduit 2 has a gas inlet port 3 at one end and a gas outlet port 4 at its other end. To permit the casting 1 to be connected to the pipework leading to the main burner of a gas burner and to gas supply pipework, the portions of the casting 1 defining the ports 3 and 4 are formed as flanges 5 and 6 respectively with bolt holes 7.

The conduit 2 can be notionally divided into three sections 8,9 and 10 which are separated from one another by two valve seating arrangements 11 and 12. Both these arrangements 11 and 12 are identical and each comprises an annular ridge 13 formed in the casting 1 around the conduit 2. In use, as indicated in the drawing, the ridge 13 of each seating arrangement 11 and 12 is contactable by the valve member 14 and 15 respectively of a valve actuating arrangement 16 and 17 respectively. The valve members 14 and 15 are designed to be resiliently urged against the seating arrangements 11 and 12 in their closed position by means such as the springs 18 and 19 as shown in the drawing. The actuating arrangements 16 and 17 may be connected to the valve members 14 and 15 by valve spindles 20 and 21 around which the springs 18 and 19 are conveniently arranged.

The actuating arrangements 16 and 17 may be of any known type as is convenient for the particular burner of which the valve body is to form apart.

Conventionally, the actuators are electro-hydraulic or pneumatic and connected to appropriate safety controls for the burner so that the valve members 14 and 15 can be closed against the seating arrangements 11 and 12 when necessary.

To improve the flow characteristics of the gas train passing through the casting 1, the valve seating arrangements 11 and 12 and thereby the valve members 14 and 15 and their associated actuating arrangements 16 and 17 are arranged on longitudinal axes which define an acute angle of 55" therebetween. This configuration reduces the effects of turbulence in the gas train and thereby increases the gas flow rate.

It can be seen that the first notional section 8 of the casting 1 comprises that portion of the conduit 2 between the inlet port 3 and the first seating arrangement 11. This is a straight length of the conduit but the gas train must turn through 90" in order to pass through the arrangement 11. A reamed hole 22 is provided in the casting 1 of this section 8 for a test nipple (not shown). The second notional section 9 of the conduit 2 is located between the seating arrangements 11 and 12 and comprises a curved portion wherein the gas train must pass through 55" before turning again through 90" to pass through the seating arrangement 12. A pair of holes 23 and 24 are also provided in the casting of section 9 for test nipples (not shown).The third notional section 10 of the conduit 2 is located between the seating arrangement 12 and the outlet port 4 and is curved through an angle of 35". Immediately adjacent the outlet port 4, the conduit 2 is adapted as at 25 for the provision of a manually operated ball valve 26. A reamed hole 27 is also provided in the conduit 2 for a test nipple (not shown) similar to the holes 22,23 and 24.

The ball valve 26 can be of conventional type and comprise a rotary ball 28 mounted in a cylindrical seating arrangement formed around the inner wall of the conduit. The ball 28 is apretured as at 29 whereby in one position when the aperture 29 is aligned with the conduit 2 the valve is open and in a second position when the aperture 29 is located transversely with respect to the conduit 2 the valve is closed. Manual operation of the valve to rotate the ball 28 is possible by means of the lever 30 attached to the exterior of the casting.

When in use in a gas burner, the valve body is designed to improve the gas train flow characteristics. As can be seen, the nett change of direction of the gas train as it passes through the conduit 2 is 90 , although the overall change in direction is 270 which increases the gas flow rate over some conventional arrangements wherein the valve members are arranged along longitudinal axes which are parallel.

The valve members 14 and 15 and their associated actuating arrangements 16 and 17 are adapted to close in emergency situations and it can be seen that an added safety factor of the present valve body is that the gas pressure aids valve closure rather than opposing it. The manual ball valve 26 is provided as a further safety feature for use in emergencies where the valve members 14 and 15 jam open.

Other advantages of the present invention are that it is neater than the conventional arrangements currently in use and the use of a one piece valve body for all valves reduces the risk of gas leaks and obviates various sealing arrangements. Additionaily, the invention is cheaper to produce than many conventional arrangements.

Claims (5)

1. Avalve body for a gas burner comprising a one piece casting defining a gas conduit therethrough with a gas inlet port at one end and a gas outlet port at the other end arranged at right angles to one another, first and second valve seating arrangements being provided along the length of the conduit through which arrangements a gas train must pass during its travel through the casting.

2. A valve body according to claim 1, wherein the seat arrangements are arranged with their longitudinal axes defining an acute angle of 55" therebetween.

3. A valve body according to any of claims 1 or 2 wherein the seat arrangements comprise annular ridges formed around the wall of the gas conduit.

4. A valve body according to any of claims 1,2 or 3, wherein the casting defines a third seating arrangement for a third valve adjacent the outlet port downstream of the first and second seating arrangements.

5. A valve body substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.