GB2444946A

GB2444946A - Valve unit for controlling a variable flow of fluid to a burner

Info

Publication number: GB2444946A
Application number: GB0625192A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Crutchley
Original assignee: PEERLESS GAS CONTRIOLS Ltd
Current assignee: PEERLESS GAS CONTRIOLS Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-19
Filing date: 2006-12-19
Publication date: 2008-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-19
Also published as: GB2444946B; GB0625192D0

Abstract

Valve unit 1 for controlling a variable flow of fluid to a burner comprising a valve body 10 having an elongate passage 2, an inlet 3, at least one outlet 4, 5 branching from the passage 2, and a spindle 7 located within the passage 2 and moveable along the passage 2 and having a tapered portion 8 to vary the flow between the inlet 2 and the at least one outlet 4, 5. The valve unit further comprises a valve 6 located at a first end 2a of the passage 2. The valve 6 may be a magnetic solenoid valve or a mechanical flap 17. The at least one outlet 4, 5 may be a pilot outlet 4 and a burner outlet 5. Valve body 10 may be made from one or more of an aluminium alloy and a ferrous material, and the spindle may be made from brass. The valve unit 1 may provide fluid flow to two or more burners and may comprise of more than one inlet to selectively supply different fuels.

Description

VALVE UNIT

This invention relates to valve units for controlling the flow of fluid, for example gas, to a device such as a burner.

It is clearly desIrable to be able to control and vary the amount of heat supplied by a gas burner in line with changing requirements. For example, on a cold winter's evening a gas fire may be required to supply more heat than on a wet autumn afternoon.

One way to achieve such control is to provide means, e.g. a specially designed valve, operable to vary the flow of gas to a burner.

GB 2369427 discloses a linear action gas control valve. An elongate passage has an inlet, a pilot outlet and burner outlet branching from it. A first valve shuts off the inlet from the outlets. Within the elongate passage there is a sleeve valve and an elongate member, slidable within the passage. The elongate member is hollow, has an open : end and a series of apertures located along its length. The sleeve valve also has a *S..

series of apertures. The elongate member can be slid so as to open the first valve, * C allowing gas to flow inside the elongate member. The rate of gas flow to the outlet is ** I "20 controlled by sliding the elongate member so that more (for increased gas flow) or S.'... * *

fewer (for reduced gas flow) of the apertures provided in the elongate member are aligned with the apertures in the sleeve valve.

However, this design has a number of shortcomings. First, it does not provide a truly continuous control of gas flow, rather it provides discrete control insofar as gas flow control depends on the alignment of apertures with each other. Second, the elongate member and the sleeve valve both require machining to manufacture, and the sleeve I, valve in particular may be difficuft to install and align correctly within the body of the gas control valve.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve unit which allows the user to regulate the flow of gas in a more continuous manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a valve which is simpler to

manufacture than prior art valves.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a valve unit comprising a valve body having an elongate passage therein, an inlet, at least one outlet branching from the elongate passage, and a spindle at least partially located within the elongate passage and movable therealong, the spindle comprising a tapered portion to provide variable fluid flow between the inlet and the at least one outlet.

The valve unit may further include a valve means. * S.

Preferably, the valve means may be located at a first end of the elongate passage. SI * * S.

* 20 The spindle may actuate said valve means. * * IS,

The elongate passage may run through the valve body.

The valve body may be made from an aluminium alloy. Alternatively, the valve body may be made from stainless steel, ferrous or non-ferrous materials.

S

The at least one outlet may comprise a burner outlet. Preferably, two outlets are present, which may be a pilot outlet and a burner outlet. A burner outlet will usually have a wider bore than a pilot outlet.

The valve means may be a simple open or closed valve. The valve means may preferably be a lid shut-off valve. An example of a suitable lid shut-off valve is the GCV23O designed and manufactured by Peerless Gas Controls Limited of Waiwel Works, Bagilt Road, Bagilt, Flintshire, North Wales CH6 6JD.

The valve means may be a magnetic valve. Such a magnetic valve may comprise a solenoid and an armature.

The valve means may be resiliently biased.

The valve means may be variable between a closed condition and an open condition.

Preferably, the spindle may be made from brass. Alternatively, the spindle may be made from stainless steel, ferrous or nonferrous materials.

The spindle may be slideably moveable in a longitudinal direction within the elongate passage. * S. * . S

*::::* The tapered portion may extend along a part or the whole of the length of the spindle. S. * * . . * **

*: , 25 The cross-sectional area of the tapered portion may vary continuously, discontinuously, regularly or irregularly along its length.

Advantageously, the cross-sectional shapes of the non-tapered portion of the spindle and the elongate passage may complement each other. The spindle may be essentially circular in cross-section, but may have any other cross-sectional shape, for instance an ellipse, a triangle, a square, a pentagon or a hexagon.

The valve unit may further comprise one or more microswitches and/or a thermocouple.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacture of a valve unit according to the invention, the method comprising: * producing a valve body having an elongate passage therein, an inlet, and at least one outlet branching from the elongate passage; and * locating a spindle at least partially within the elongte passage, the spindle comprising a tapered portion to provide, in use, variable fluid flow between the inlet and the at least one outlet.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of supplying fluid, e.g. gas, comprising use of a valve unit according to the invention.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an appliance comprising a valve : .. unit according to the invention. * *** * * *I**

For example, the appliance may be a gas fire, a gas-fired boiler or a gas stove.

* .. . .:25 * * * * * S. * *e * * . * * S. ln a further aspect of the invention there is provided a spindle for providing variable fluid flow from an inlet to an outlet, wherein the spindle comprises a tapered portion.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a spindle for actuating valve means, wherein the spindle comprises a tapered portion.

By way of non-limiting example only, the invention will now be described in detail with regard to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a section through a valve unit of the invention; and Figure 2 is a section through another valve unit of the invention.

The valve unit 1 is principally constructed of a valve block 10 made from a suitable aluminium alloy. The valve block 10 comprises an elongate passage 2 running through its length, the passage 2 communicating with three channels 3, 4, 5 laterally branching from it at three points along the length of the passage 2. The three channels 3, 4, 5 are a gas inlet 3 for connection to a gas supply, a pilot outlet 4 and a burner outlet 5, respectively.

An end portion 2a of the elongate passage 2 is in communication with the gas inlet 3.

The portion 2a is relatively wider in diameter than a second portion 2b of the elongate : .. passage 2. In communication with the second portion 2b of the elongate passage 2 S S*5 are the pilot outlet 4 and burner outlet 5. the pilot outlet 4 communicates with the second portion 2b of the elongate passage 2 at a location relatively close to a position *:s.: 25 2c, where the wider portion 2a and narrower portion 2b of the elongate passage 2 meet * each other. The burner outlet 5 communicates with the second portion 2b of the elongate passage 2 at a location further (relative to where the pilot outlet 4 communicates with the elongate passage 2) from the position 2c where the wider portion 2a and narrower portion 2b of the elongate passage 2 meet each other.

In the wider end of the elongate passage 2 is located a valve 6 which, when closed, does not permit gas to flow from the inlet 3 into the elongated passage 2 and on to the pilot outlet 4 and burner outlet 5 communicating therewith. The valve 6 is a magnetic valve comprising a solenoid.

Located in the narrower portion 2b of the elongate passage 2 is a brass spindle 7 slideable longitudinally along the elongate passage 2. The spindle 7 has a first end 7a provided with a tapered portion 8 and a second end 7b. The first end 7a is located within the passage 2 and the second end extends from the passage 2.

An airtight seal is maintained between the spindle 7 and the end of the elongate passage 2 by an "0" ring 9 located downstream of the burner outlet 5. Consequently, besides the gas inlet 3, pilot outlet 4 and burner outlet 5, the valve unit 1 is gas-tight.

The mode of operation of the valve unit 1 will now be described. Taking a starting point whereby the valve 6 is in its closed state such that no gas can flow into the elongate passage 2, the user then impels the spindle 7 to slide along the passage 2 so that the tapered portion 8 is urged against a portion of the valve 6, forcing the valve 6 into its : .. open position. *S.. * I **.*

With the valve 6 open, gas can flow beyond it and into an annular passage defined by the tapered portion 8 of the spindle 7 and the perimeter of the narrower portion 2b of *::: : the elongate passage 2, which communicates with the pilot outlet 4, thus allowing gas to flow through the pilot outlet 4 and to a pilot light (not shown).

A micro switch (not shown) is actuated by the spindle 7 which causes a high voltage spark to ignite the pilot light (not shown). The flame produced heats a thermocouple (not shown) which generates sufficient electric current to flow within the solenoid (not shown) to electromagnetically hold the valve 6 in its open condition.

The spindle 7 can now be moved in the opposite direction from that required to initially actuate the valve 6 without the valve 6 reverting to its closed condition.

By sliding the spindle 7 in this second direction so that the annular passage around the tapered portion 8 of the spindle 7 is in communication with the burner outlet 5, gas can flow through the valve unit 1 and to the burner or other device to which it is connected.

The rate of flow of gas through the valve unit I to the burner outlet 5 can be smoothly and continuously regulated by slideable movement of the spindle causing the cross-sectional area of the annular passage in communication with the burner outlet 5 to vary.

If the spindle 7 is moved to a position such that its tapered portion 8 is further from the valve 6 than the burner outlet 5 by a certain distance, a micro-switch (not shown) is triggered which interrupts the current flowing to the solenoid. Hence the magnetic valve 6 is released from its electromagnetic bind and is returned to its default position, ::. thus closing the valve 6 and arresting the flow of gas. * 4 ****

Further, if the pilot tight is extinguished, the thermocouple (not shown) no longer provides electric current to the solenoid and, similarly, the valve 6 closes. 44S * * 4 S. * S. * * SS S **

Alternatively or additionally, mechanical means may be provided which prevent the user from moving the spindle 7 beyond a certain point.

Referring to Figure 2, the valve unit 11 is principally constructed of a valve block 12 made from a suitable aluminium alloy. The valve block 12 comprises an elongate passage 13 running through its length, the passage communicating with two channels 15, 16 laterally branching from it at two points along its length. The channels 15, 16 are a pilot outlet 15 and a burner outlet 16 respectively.

At a first end of the elongate passage there is located a mechanical lid shut-off valve 17. The lid shut-off valve 17 can either be closed or open (as shown in Figure 2).

When the lid shut-off valve 17 is closed, no fluid can enter the valve unit 11 at the inlet 14 at the first end of the elongate passage 13.

Into the second end of the elongate passage 13 is inserted a brass spindle 19 slideable longitudinally within the elongate passage 13. The spindle 19 has a tapered portion 18 at its end within the elongate passage while its other end extends out beyond the valve block 11.

An airtight seal is maintained between the spindle 18 and the perimeter of the elongate passage 13 by an ring 20 located downstream of the burner outlet 16. * ** * * * *... ****

The mode of operation of the valve unit 11 has many similarities with that of valve unit *:*. 1 shown in Figure 1 and described above. In use, the inflow of fluid to the valve until 11 is governed by the lid shut-off valve 17. If the valve 17 is closed, then no fluid can flow into the elongate passage 13 of the valve unit 11. If the valve 17 is open, then * * * fluid can flow into the valve unit 11 via the inlet 14 to the elongate passage 13.

Fine continuous control of the rate of flow of fluid through the valve unit 11 to the burner outlet 16 is provided by the tapered portion 18 of the spindle 19. By sliding the spindle 19 to a position such that the annular passage around the tapered portion 18 of the spindle 19 is in communication with the burner outlet 16, fluid can flow through the valve unit 11 and to the burner or other device to which it is connected.

The rate of flow of fluid through the valve unit 11 to the burner outlet 16 can be smoothly and continuously regulated by slideable movement of the spindle 19 causing the cross-sectional area of the annular passage in communication with the burner outlet 16 to vary.

In order to completely shut off fluid flow to the valve unit 11, the user can close lid shut-off valve 17.

The skilled addressee should appreciate that many modifications to the valve units 1 and 11 described above may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, a valve unit could be manufactured in accordance with the invention which provides fluid flow control to two or more burner outlets.

Also, a valve unit according to the invention could comprise more than one inlet, e.g. to selectively supply different fluids. * S S * S.

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S..... * S S.. * * S S. S *5 5 * S S S 55

Claims

S CLAIMS

1. A valve unit comprising a valve body having an elongate passage therein, an inlet, at east one outlet branching from the elongate passage, and a spindle located within the elongate passage and moveable therealong, the spindle comprising a tapered portion to provide variable fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet.

2. A valve unit according to Claim 1 further including valve means.

3. A valve unit according to Claim 2, wherein said valve means is located at a first end of the elongate passage.

4. A valve unit according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the spindle is operable to actuate said valve means.

5. A valve unit according to any of Claims I to 4, wherein the elongate passage runs through the valve body.

6. A valve unit according to any of Claims I to 5, wherein the valve body is made from one or more of an aluminium alloy and a ferrous material. * ** * S * *S..

7. A valve unit according to any preceding Claim, wherein the at least one outlet *:*. comprises a pilot outlet and a burner outlet.

* ....: 25 * . :

8. A valve unit according to any of Claims 2 to 7, wherein said valve means *:*. comprises a lid shut-off valve. a

9. A valve unit according to any of Claims 2 to 7 wherein said valve means comprises a magnetic valve.

10. A valve unit according to any preceding Claim, wherein the spindle is made from brass.

11. A valve unit according to any preceding Claim, wherein the tapered portion extends along a part or the whole of the length of the spindle.

12. A valve unit according to any preceding Claim, wherein the cross-sectional area of the tapered portion various continuously, discontinuously, regularly or irregularly along its length.

13. A valve unit substantially as hereinbefore described and/or shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2.

14. A method of manufacture of a valve unit, the method comprising: * producing a valve body having an elongate passage therein, an inlet, and at least one outlet branching from the elongate passage; and * locating a spindle at least partially within the elongate passage, the spindle : comprising a tapered portion to provide variable fluid flow between the inlet and * *** the outlet. S. *

15 A method of manufacture of a valve unit according to Claim 14, the method S..,..

* further comprising the step of providing valve means at a first end of the elongate *5S * . S passage. *5 S * S. S **

16. A method of supplying fluid comprising using a valve unit according to any of Claims I to 13.

17. An appliance comprising a valve unit according to any of Claims 1 to 13.

18. A spindle for providing variable fluid flow from an inlet to an outlet, wherein the spindle comprises a tapered portion.

19. A spindle for actuating valve means, wherein the spindle comprises a tapered portion.

20. A spindle according to Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein the tapered portion extends along a part or the whole of the length of the spindle.

21. A spindle according to Claim 18, Claim 10 or Claim 20, wherein the cross-sectional area of the tapered portion varies continuously, discontinuously, regularly or irregularly along its length.

22. A spindle as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures. * S. S. 5 *S*. *SS* * S .5.

S * 5* * S.

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5*55*S * S *.S * . S I. * * 5S * 5S