GB2211584A - Valve assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve assembly comprises an inlet (12 Fig 2) and outlets 14A, 14B controlled by valve members 15A, 15B associated with a single actuating member 20 sequentially movable in the same direction of movement into a first position in which one valve member is opened and the other closed; a second in which both are open; and a third in which said one valve member is closed and the other opened. Preferably the assembly is used to control variable output gas-fuelled grill assembly with first and second burner sections so that in the first position one of the burner sections only is connected to the gas supply, in the second both of the burner sections are connected, and in the third the other of the burner sections only is connected to the gas supply. <IMAGE>

Description

Valve Assemblies This invention relates to valve assemblies and is especially but not exclusively epplicable to control valves for gas appliances and particularly gas cookers.

It is desirable that gas cooker grills should be controllable to provide different outputs dependent on users' requirements. This presenta certain diffi- cuties, particularly in relation to grills incorporat ing surface combustion type burners.Moreover for reasons of cost and convenlence it is desirable that control of the different modes of operation be effected througH & single control member while still complying with necessary safety standards, According to the invention there is provided a valve assembly comprising an inlet, first and second outlets, first and second valve members interposed between said inlet and respective ones of said outlets, and a single actuating member operatively associated with said valve members, said actuating member being sequentially movable into alternative operative posit- ions in the same direction of movement, in the first of which positions one of said valve members is opened end the other closed, in the second of which positions both of said valve members are opened and in the third of which positions said one valve member is closed and said other valve member is opened.

Preferably said actuating member includes a cam member having cam surfaces operatively engageable with said valve members whereby to move same into said pos- itions on appropriate movement of the actuating member.

Preferably the cam member is mounted for rotation relative to said valve members through s limited arc of movement.

Preferably 5lso means is incorporated to prevent selection of intermediate positions between the alternative operating positions of the actuating member.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a variable output gas-fueled grill assembly comprising first and second burner sections and control means to control supply of gas to said burner sections from a common gas supply, said control means including H single actuating member sequentially movable into alternative operative positions in the same direct- ion of movement, in the first of which positions one of said burner sections only is connected to said ges supply, in the second of which positions both of said burner sections are connected to said gas supply, and in the third of which positions the other of said burner sections only is connected to said gas supply.

Preferably said actuating member is a rotary actuating member having cam faces operatively engageable with valve members forming part of said control means.

Preferably also said burner sections are of different output whereby the provision of two such sections provides three operating conditions selectable. by movement of a single actuating member in one direction.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a horizontal croaa-section through a valve assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section through the valve assembly on the line II-II in Fig. 1; rig. 3 is a side elevation of the valve assembly; rig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section on the line IV-IV in Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a view on the line V-V in Fig, 3.

Referring to the drawings, the valve assembly comprises a housing 10 incorporating a pair of side-byaide valve assemblies 11A, 118. An inlet passage 12 extends beneath the valve assemblies 11A and 11B and is connected to the respective valve assemblies by radial passages 13A, 138. The valve assemblies liA and 118 are provided with respective outlets 14A, 14B communicating with different sections of a gas-fired grill assembly incorporating surface combustion type burners.

Mounted with'in each valve assembly 11A, 118 between the respective inlet passage 13A, 138 end the associated outlet passage 14A, 148 is a valve member comprising a head ISA, 158 mounted on a valve spindle 16A, 168 and urged into engagement with a seething 17A, 178 by means of respective compression springs 18A, 188.

Each of the spindles 16A, 156 is provided at the end opposite to the valve head with a roller 19A, 198 engageable with an actuating member described hereafter.

A spring wire 18C interconnects the wheels 1EA, 18B and associated spindles 16A, 16B end prevents the spindles from rotating, thereby maintaining the wheels ISA, 188 in correct alignment.

An actuating member 20 is rotatably mounted between the valve assemblies 11A, 11B and comprises a shaft 21 on which is mounted a circular cam plate 22.

The end of the shaft 21 opposite to the cam plate 22 is provided with a central bore housing a compression spring 23 serving to urge the shaft into an outer inoperative position shown in the drawings in which a radially directed pin 24 carried by the shaft engages in a recess 25 in the housing 10 thereby preventing rotation of the shaft. In order to operate the actuating member it is necessary to push it towards the valve assembly from this "niting" position to a position in which the pin 24 is clear of the recess 25 and the shaft 21 can then be rotated.

The face of the cam plate 22 directed towards the housing 10 comprises a cam face provided with cam members 25 engageable by the wheels i8A and 18B when the cam member has been moved from the niting position into an operating position in which it may be rotated relative to the valve assembly. The cam surfnoes 25 are 80 disposed around the cam plate 22 and are of such a height relative to the surface of the plate 22 as to move the valve spindles 16A, 168 into desired operative positions against the action of the springs 18A, 180 when the actueting member 20 is rotated. The actuating member may be rotated in one direction only, the arrangement of the cams 23 being such that when rotated to a first operative position the cam surface moves valve 15A into an open position, the valve 15B remaining closed. When rotated beyond the first Jperative position into a second operative position the cam plste maintains valve 15A open end also opens valve 158.

Continued rotation in the same direction into a third operative position closes valve 15A while maintaining valve 158 open.

Thus in the first operative position gas is supplied through outlet 14A but not through outlet 14(3.

In the second operative position gas is supplied through both outlets to the respective burner sections connected to them. In the third operative position gas is supplied through outlet 14B but not through outlet 14A.

The valve assembly mey be employed in the control of gas-fueled grill units incorporating surface com bustion burners. In such cases it is important that the actuating member should not be adjustable to intermediate positions between its two operative positions in either of the operative modes. for this purpose the sloping faces of the came on the-cam member 22 and the strength of the coil spring 23 are arranged such that if the actuating member is released when in an intermediate position the force of the spring 23 acting on the cam face will overcome the frictional resistance to rotation and rotate the actuating member into one or other of its operative positions.Preferably the arrangement is such that if the actuating member is positioned between its first end second or second and third operative positions it is cammed into its first or second position respectively and if it is positioned between its off position and its first operative position it is switched off.

Thus in operation of the valve assembly it is first necessary to push the actuating member 20 inwardly to release the pin 24 and permit the actuating member to be rotated Rotation in the one direction permitted first opens valve'?SA, then opens both valves and finally closes valve 15A leaving valve 15B open.

As applied to the control of a gas-fired grill unit, the outlets 14A and 148 are connected to respective sections of the grill having, for example, one third and two thirds of their combined output. Thus movement of the actuating member 20 to the first operat- ing position enables the grill section having one third of total output to be uaed alone. Movement to the second operative position brings both grill sections into operation and movement to the third operating pos ition permits the grill section having two thirds of total output to be used slone. By virtue of this arrangement it is possible to select one third, two thirds or full grill output utilising a single control member movable in a single direction.The arrangement avoids the problem of switching the one third output section on end then off again when turning the two thirds output section on which would arise if the grill sections were switched on in the sequence one third, two thirds and both. The arrangement also avoids the use of two separate control members or a single control member movable in different directions. In addition the ,arrangement described automatically ensures the control member adopts one or other of its available operative positions even if set inadvertently or delibsrately to an intermediate position.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example the constructional details of the valve assembly mey be altered considerably provided it is possible to carry out the desired operating functions. The cap members iay be located in different positions and may be arranged to open the valves to different extents dependent on requirements.

The cam plate may also be adapted to operate three or more valve members if desired. Moreover while reference has been made herein primarily to use in association with gas cooker grills, the valve assembly may be employed in a wide range of other situations and could be used, for example, for control of a gas fire.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specificstion to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood thet the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature ar combination of festuree hereinbefore referred to snd/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (14)

1. A valve assembly comprising an inlet, first and second outlets, first and second valve members interposed between said inlet and respective ones of said outlets, and a single actuating member operatively associated with said valve members, said actuating member being sequentially movable into alternative operative positions in the same direction of movement, in the first of which positions one of said valve members is opened and the other closed, in the second of which positions both of said valve members are opened and in the third of. which positions said one valve member is closed and said other valve member is opened.

2. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein said actuating member includes a cam member having cam surfaces operatively engageable with said valve members whereby to move same into said positions on appropriate movement of the actuating member.

3. A valve assembly according to claim 2, wherein said cam member is mounted for rotation relative to said valve members through a limited arc of movement.

4. A valve assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein means is incorporated to prevent selection of intermediate positions between the alternative operating positions of the actuating member.

5. A valve assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A gas-fueled grill assembly incorporating a valve assembly according to any preceding claim.

7. A variable output gas-fueled grill assembly comprising first and second burner sections and control means to control supply of gas to said burner sections from a common gas supply, said control means including a single actuating member sequentially movable into alternative operative positions in the same direction of movement, in the first of which positions one of said burner sections only is connected to said gas supply, in the second of which positions both of said burner sections are connected to said gas supply, and in the third of which positions the other of said burner sections only is connected to said gas supply.

8. A grill assembly according to claim 7 including a valve assembly having an inlet, first and second outlets connected to said respective burner sections, and first and second valve members interposed between said inlet and respective ones of said outlets, said actuating member being operatively connected to said valve members.

9. A grill assembly according to claim 8, wherein said actuating member is a rotary actuating member having cam faces operatively engageable with said valve members.

10. A grill assembly according to claim 9, wherein said cam member is mounted for rotation relative to said valve members through a limited arc of movement.

11. A grill assembly according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein means is incorporated to prevent selection of intermediate positions between the alternative operating positions of the actuating member.

12. A grill assembly according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein said burner sections are of different output.

13. A variable output gas-fueled grill assembly substantially as hereinbefore described.

14. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed in the foregoing specification or claims and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.