USRE22987E - Safety control for gaseous fuel burners - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1948. w. F. JACKSON ET AL 22,987

SAFETY CONTROL FOR GASEOUS FUEL BURNERS Original Filed May 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

OUT

g Y mm 5 6r N M J w H A s MA Y B SAFETY CONTROL FOR GASEOUS FUEL BURNERS Original Filed May 14, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 8W R E r a V O M E TJH N m R h v 0 CE W mm mm wNw f m NM um mm l nw ".M \QNw WT f fl .5 a A I H INwH II... n W r. n RM}--- ,1 ,3 s a H w w E p on RN 3 N N 1: 3 a Z W Rww Q MM K mm a N WN- i\ v w 3 3 3w Q an Q N H mxw w M Ev mxw ww ww R ow m km an vw ww iv a, 4v

March 16, 1948. w. F. JACKSON m- AL 'Re. 22,

SAFETY CONTROL FOR GASEOUS FUEL BURNERS Original Filed May 14, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

WIL BUR E JAcKLso/vz/ 7HO/1AS H. Jar-FER:

ATTORNEY.

Reis'sued Mar. 16, 1948 I 3 Re. 22,987

n 22.981 sara'rr CONTROL ron GASEOUS roar. aunrmns Wilbur F. Jackson, Compton, and Thomas H.

Jeffers, Inglewood, Calii'., assignors to Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, a corporation of Delaware Original No. 2,361,944, dated November I, 1944, Serial No. 393.393, May 14, 1941. Application for reissue August 3. 1945, Serial No. 8.839%

27 Claims.

This invention relates to safety controls for gaseous fuel burners and more particularly to controls for domestic water heaters and the like.

Fuel controlling devices have been proposed to permit manual opening of the pilot burner fuel passage and automatic opening of the main burner line only after the pilot burner is lighted. In normal operation the fuel supply to the main burner is thermostatically regulated to maintain the water to be heated at a predetermined temperature. Should the flame of the pilot burner be extinguished for any reason, the fuel supply to both the main and pilot burners is shut off, and no fuel can flow through either burner until the device has been manually reset and the pilot burner relighted. Such safety devices have, however, involved the use of several valves which complicate the structure and detract from its efllciency in operation.

It is an object of this invention to reduce the number of parts required in such controls, while retaining the safety features thereof.

Another object of the invention is to ensure positive operation of the safety device when required.

Another object of the invention is to avoid incomplete shut-oil of the fuel, such as may be due to deposit of dirt between the valve seating surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to shut oi! the flow of fuel to both the main and pilot burners when the safety control operates.

Another object of the invention is to prevent operation of any other manual control which may be provided until after the manually controlled pilot burner has been lighted and the automatic safety control is operating.

Another object of the invention is to combine shut-off, safety and thermostatic regulating devices into a simple, compact and reliable structure permitting economy in manufacture and facilitating installation and repair.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved control;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-3 oi. Fig. 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 6-8 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are partial sections taken along the line 1-1 of Fig. 4 and showing difierent positions of the shut-oil valve; and

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are partial sectional views taken along the line ill-Ill of Fig. 4, showing the relative positions of the interlocking device for the shut-oi! valve when the latter is in the positions of Figs. 7, 8 and 9, respectively.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the control comprises a casing l5 provided at one end with a laterally extending intake nipple I1 and, at the other end with an outlet nipple i9 adapted to be connected by suitable piping with the main or heating burner of the water heater or other appliance (not shown).

The upper portion of the casing i5 is shaped to provide a tapered valve seat 2| within which a tapered plug cock 23 is seated. The plug cock 23 is provided with an axial bore 25 with which a port 21, extending through one wall oi the cock 23, communicates. The port 21 affords communication between the inlet nipple I] and the bore 23 in order that the fuel may flow into the body of the casing l5 when the cock is in the open 23 may be rotated in its seat 2!.

the cock 23 away from its seat is limited by a position shown in Fig. 4.

The cock 23 is provided with a reduced stem 29 having a dial 3| mounted thereon against relative rotation and by means of which the cock Movement of retainer plate 33 secured to the casing l5 by means of the screws 33 and overlying the shoulder 33 formed by the junction of the reduced stem 0 29 with the cock 23. A spring 31 is housed with- 3 closed positions by the provision oi an upstand ing flange 40 on the plate 82 which enters the underside of the dial II and engages with either end of an arcuate abutment 42 formed thereon. The stem 28 oi the cock is provided with a threaded bore 44 for the reception of an adjustable plug 48 which extends into the bore 25 and serves to regulate the flow or iuel through the port 21.

The shut-on cock, which is constructed as described, is adapted for controlling fuel flow for both the main and pilot burners of the appliance. The pilot control includes an arcuate groove 48 formed in the seating surface the cock 23 op posite the port 21. The seat 2I is provided with a similar but shorter arcuate groove 50 communicating with the inlet nipple II. A passage 52 extends from the seat 2I adjacent the groove 50 and communicates withra passage 54 extending obliquely across the casing I5 and terminating in'a horizontal passage 58.

By referring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the flow oiduel .in various positions of the shut-oi! cock 23 may be ascertained; In Fig. 7 the cock is shown in closed'position designated by a notch 58 on the edge or the dial 2| marked "Oi!" (Fig. 1) and there' is no communication between the inlet nipple I1 and the port 21 or between the arcuate groove 48 and the passage 52. Upon being rotated from the closed position the cock first reaches the pilot position, designated by a notch 80 on the edge of the dial 3|, marked "Pilot (Fig. 1). This position is shown in Fig. 8 and the arcuate groove 48 is now in communication with the passage 52. The next position of the plug cock 23, upon further rotation, is the "on position suitably designated by the notch 52 in the edge of the dial 3| and marked "On." This position is shown in Fig. 9 and the port 21 in the cock communicates with the inlet nipple I'I while at the same time communication between the passage 52 and the inlet nipple II is'aflorde'd by the arcuate groove 48 extending across both the passage 52 and the groove 50 in the valve seat.

sacs? In order to facilitate positioning of the dial 3| 5 in the pilot position a non-positive stop is provided which, as shown in Fig. 3, comprises a plunger 84 mounted within an aperture 65 formed in the underside of the dial 3I and yieldably urged into engagement with a' depression 08 in the plate 88 by means of the spring I0. Thus, the on" and "of!" positions of the shutofl cock are located by the positive stop and the pilot position by both an audible click and increased resistance to rotation of the diaLafiorded by the device described.

An end casing 58 is secured to the main casing II by means of the screws I2, and Ya gas-tight joint secured by the provision or a gasket I4 between these members. As shown in Fig. 6, the end casing 58 is provided with an adjustable plug I8 having a hollow threaded end I8 reciprocablein a threaded passageway 80 communicating with the passage 58 in the main casing. The hollow .ing operation ol'the device.

or the poppet type adapted to be moved into and out or engagement with its seat 80 against the pressure or a coil spring 82 retained in the chamber 88 by the cap 84. The stem 88 or the pilot control valve 88 is suitably grooved to permit the passage of iuei therearound and is guided in an opening 08 formed in the end casing. A sealing chamber I00 receives the projecting end of the valve stem 80. Intermediate the chamber I00 and the valve seat 80 is an angular passage IIl2communicating with a passage I04 formed in the main casing I5. The latter passage communicates through a'suitable coupling connection I00 with a conduit I08 connected as shown in Fig. 4 with a pilot burner IIO. In order that leakage of gas from the pilot control valve chamber 88 into the main casing I5 may be prevented the valve stem 86 is provided with a projection II2 which engages a cap II4 carried by a dia phragm IIS extending across the end of the sealing chamber I00 and secured in engagement therewith by means oi the threaded collar H8. The cap II4 serves to reinforce the center portion 01 the diaphragm which receives-the pressure of the operating parts.

As shown in Fig. 3, the pilot control valve assembly described is housed within part of the end casing 58 and is positioned to one side of the vertical axis oi the main casing I5. That portion oi the end casing 58 which is adjacent the vertical axis of the main casing I5 is provided with a chamber I20 (Fig. 4) within which a thermoelectric assembly is adapted to be housed. This assembly includes a horseshoe electromagnet I22 seated on its base I24 in an end cap I25 secured by screws I2I to the end casing 58 and forming a closure for the opening I20. In order to secure the magnet I 22 yieldably in position and prevent distortion thereof, a coil spring I28 is held in position on the magnet base I24 by means of a magnet retainer I30 secured by means of the screws I32 to the end cap I25. A stem I34 extends between the legs Of the magnet I22 and through the magnet retainer I30, there being an aperture I35 provided in the magnet base I24 to permit ifurther extension of the stem dur- The stem carries end oi the plug 10 communicates with aperture 82 in the plug body which may be moved into and out of registry with a passage 84 formed in the end casing 58. As will be apparent, rotation of the threaded plug will increase or diminish the efl'ective area of aperture 82'and adjust the amount of fuel that flows through the' magnet I22 inxthe usual manner. An armature stem spring I42 extends between the nut I40 and .the magnet retainer I30 and serves to urge the armature bar I38 away from the poles of the magnet I22. In order to prevent the spring I42 from unseating the magnet from the end cap I26,

the spring I28 may be made considerably stronger than the spring I42.

The arms of the horseshoe electromagnet carry the coils I44 of a wire I46 which is connected by soldering or other suitable means to the head I48 or a terminal screw I50, the opposite end of the wire being secured to the magnet retainer I30. As shown in Fig. 6, the terminal screw ,I 50 extends through the end cap 58 and emerges from the main housing I5 at a point behind the connection tor the pilot burner conduit I08. The terminal screw I50 is insulated from the body of the casing by the sleeve I52 and the terminal insulator I54. A terminal sleeve I56 having a threaded end I58 is screwed into the end casing 58 around the insulating sleeve I52. A portion I59 of the insulating sleeve projects beyond the terminal sleeve and the terminal screw I50 projects still further.

The projecting parts i'orm terminals providing suitable electrical connection for the two elements, I and I02, of a thermocouple, these elements being separated at the terminals by means of the insulating washer I64.

The thermocouple may be supported by a bracket I66 in position to be heated by the pilot burner 0, thereby to establish an electric current to the coils I44 of suflicient strength to energize the magnet I22 and hold the armature bar I00 in contact with the pole faces thereof against the force of the spring I42, provided that the armature bar has been moved into contact with the magnet in a manner which will now be explained.

Formed in the end casing 00 immediately above valve seat 2 I. The reset stem I12 is provided with a collar I16 between the stem and its projection I14. A coil spring I10 acts between the reset button I10 and the end wall of the opening I60 to urge the button outwardly from the opening, this movement being limited by the engagement of the collar I16 with the end wall. Thus the spring will cause return of the button I10 to the position shown in Fig. 4 after it has been manually depressed and released.

The projection I14 cooperates with the end of the shut-off cock 20 to prevent manual actuation of the reset button I10 except when the cock is in one position. The three positions of fullclosed, pilot and full-open with the position of the projection I14 are shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, respectively. To this end, the cock is provided with a slot I00 which is so related to the arcuate groove 40, inlet nipple I1 and aperture 52 previously described, that when the dial is moved to the pilot position the slot will be aligned with the projection I14 oi the reset stem, as shown in Fig. 11.

This invention is particularly directed toward the provision of but a single valve for providing both thermostatic control of the main burner and safety control of. the flow of fuel thereto should the pilot burner become extinguished. Accordingly, the body of the main casing I5 is of hollow form below the portion carrying the plug cock 23 and is provided with a web I02 within which an annular valve seat member I04 is removably mounted. The annular valve seat I64 carries a hollow boss I06, connected thereto by a perforated flange I00, and within which a hollow valve stem 100 is slidably mounted. A valve member I90 is secured on the valve stem I00 and cooperates with the valve seat I04 to control the flow of fuel through the ports I02 in the valve seat to the outlet nipple I0, with which these ports are aligned. It will be observed that the valve assembly is axially aligned with the thermoelectric assembly with which it is operatively associated.

The hollow valve stem I00 contains a spring I04 which serves to urge a plunger I06 into contact with a plug I00 closing the inner end of the hollow valve stem. The reduced end of the plunger I06 projects through the plug and is adapted to engage and be operated by a clicker mechanism comprised of a pair of opposed fulcrum levers 200, fulcrum button 202 and clicker disc 204. all of whichare housed within a recess 200 formed in the annular valve seat I84.

Thermostatic means for operating the valve I00 through the clicker disc mechanism is provided and consists of an element of the rod-andtube type. A tube 200 of material having a high coemcient of expansion is securely mounted at its inner end on the casing I5. The rod 206 of the thermo-responsive unit, which is of material having a low coeflicient of expansion, extends within the tube 206 and is threadedly connected at its outer end with a plug 2I0 anchored in the outer end of the tube 206. The inner end of the rod 200 is recessed for the reception of a ball 2I2 secured in position by means of a cap 2I4. The cap 2 engages a sealing disc 2l6 secured in a recess 2I1 in the casing It by the valve seat I84 and having its inner portion urged into engagement with a thrust member 2 I0 by the cap member 2| 4.

As is well known, the differential in the expansion of the rod and tube under the influence of the heat of 'the water in which the device is mounted causes the rod to actuate the thrust member 2 I8 to operate the clicker disc 204 which, in turn, operates the fulcrum button 202 and the opposed fulcrum levers 200. The levers 200 strike the plunger I06 which actuates the valve member I90 to open position, it being noted that the spring I04 is not compressed at this time'as will be apparent hereinafter. Suitable means for mounting the control in the water heater or other appliance are provided by the elongated boss 220 projecting from the casing around the rod and tube element. The temperature at which the valve I90 will be operated may be adjusted by means of a manually operated lever 222 attached to the rod 200 by means of the set screws 224. The lever carries a pointer 226 for cooperation with indicia 220 on the casing. Movement of the lever in a vertical direction will serve to rotate the rod 208 and screw this rod further in or out of the plug 2I0 to change the expansion differential.

Movement of the valve I00 toward and away from its seat by the thermostatic device is governed by the condition of the thermoelectric mechanism previously described. Such governing action is effected by the provision of valve operating mechanism for the thermoelectric assembly which will now be described. The armature stem I34 is provided beyond the armature bar I30 with an extension having a threaded end 230. Mounted on the end 230 is an abutment member 232 having an annular recess 234 intermediate its ends. The abutment member 232 is suitably grooved to receive one end of a spring 236, the other end of which engages with the valve I00 urging it toward its seat.

The threaded extension 230 of the armature stem also carries a collar 238 slidably mounted within a guide disc 240 which, together with a flexible sealing disc 24'2 carried on the stem, is

7 intermediate its ends on a pin 244 carried by spaced lugs 250 on the inner face oi the end casing 50. The end of the lever adjacent the reset stem extension I14 is curved to slidably engage with the collar I16 thereof, there being a slot 202 formed in the lever to permit it to extend around the extension I14 for this purpose. The opposite end of the lever is also slotted to extend around the recessed portion 234,01 the abutment 222 and is similarly curved for slidable engagement with .the walls of the recess 204. The lever 240 is further provided on one side with a radially extend- 8 groove permits gas to how to the pilot burner by connecting groove 40 with the inlet I1. The indicator lever 222 may be set to the desired temperature indicated on the casing and the control spring I94 bodily without compressing it due to this spring being strong enough to overcome the ing arm 254 which is adapted to engage at its outer end with the cap member 4.

To operate the control from the "oil" position on the dial, as shown in Fig. '7, the dial is first rotated to the "pilot" position. Until this position is reached, no gas can pass the shut-ofl cock and both the pilot and the main burner control valves are in closed position.

In the pilot" position, as shown in Fig, 8, the

fuel may flow from the inlet nipple I1 by way oi the arcuate groove 40 to the pilot passage 02 and thence to the pilot control valve 00 which, as stated, is in the closed position. At this time the slot I00 in the lower portion of the shut-oil cock 23 is in alignment with the extension I14 of the reset stem I12. The reset button I is then manually actuated to depress the stem I12 and cause the extension I14 to enter the slot I00, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11. When thereset button is thus operated, the collar I10 on the stem I12 engages the curved end of the lever 240 and moves it in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, around the pin 248 as the fulcrum.

While the reset button is thus-being actuated, the pilot control valve 00 is moved all its seat by the engagement of the lateral arm 204 with the cap II4 on the end of the valvestem. Hence,

gas is allowed to flow past the pilot control valve 88 and through the passages I02 and I04 to the pilot burner H0. The pilot burner may then be lighted and the flame size adjusted by operation of the adjusting screw 10. Due to the central pivoting oi the lever 245 the lower end thereoi will move in the opposite or clockwise direction when reset button I10 is depressed. Thus the lower end of the lever 246 acts against the lefthand wall of the'recess 234, as viewed in Fig. 4,

and forces the armature bar I30 against the pole faces of the magnet I22. pilot burner impinges upon the endfoi' the ther- The flame from they mocouple which is connected ln'series with the coil I44 of the electromagnet' I22.

'In a short time the thermocouple generates suilicient current to energize the magnet and maintain the armature bar I in contact with the pole faces thereof. The reset button may then be released but the lever 240 remains in pivoted positionbeing maintained by'the recess 224 in such position. Consequently, the lateral arm 254 continues to holdthe pilot control valve 00 in open position and the abutment 222 remains stationary and spaced from the valve member I00.

The position of the parts is as shown in Fig 4 wherethe control device is in the operating 2 tion and the valve. I00. freeto be moved q seat by the thermostatic control "toi permit iiow of gas in themain burner. v

To cause gas to flow to the main "burner," the dial must be moved to 'the "on" pll'sltl0n,;agshown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 9, permitting gas to I armature bar is caused by the spring I42 which urges the abutment 232 toward the valve member I90. It the thermostatic mechanism is operating at this time to hold the valve I90, in open position, movement of the abutment 232 will serve to close it. v Such action is due to the spring I42 on the armature stem being stronger than the spring I 94 in the valve stem and thus overcoming it to move the valve I to closed position. During this movement of the abutment 202 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, the lever 246 is rotated on its pivot 248 ina counter-clockwise direction; The laterally extending arm 254 moves away from the cap H4 on the pilot control valve and the spring 92 for this valve moves it to closed position. Thus, when the pilotburner is extinguished for any reason the safety mechanism, operates to close both the main control valve I and the pilot control valve 88. giving a complete shut-oi'i'.

It will be apparent that if an attempt were made to set the safety mechanism in any other than the correct way, as outlined her'einbefore,

the construction of the control would prevent the flange on the bottom of the shut-oft cock 23 before the collar I10 onthe stem can engage the upperend of the lever'246. Thus, neither the main control valve 'nor the pilot control valve can be opened with the dial in any other than the "pile position: i

It will be appreciated that the valve I90 is operated by the thermostatic. mechanism under normal conditions but this mode of operation is supplanted by that 01' the electric control whenever conditions demand.

from the inlet nipple I1 through the port" of the gas cock into the .main body of the casingv I0. In this position it -wu1 be observed that the control, is holding the valve I90 of! its seat and the safety mechanism comes into operation, the

ther'moelectric control overcomes the action of the-thermostatic control. causing closure of both 'thegiiiam and'pilot valves as described. Thus, ethermoelectric control is, in eflect, a governor Jon-the thermostatic control which normally opl'ffftliefvalve controlling fuel flow to the In-controls where two or more valves are used in place of the single valve described and shownv Q herein, the thermostatic valve is usually in con- 75 start operation but the safety valve is called upon If the thermostatic to function only infrequently. It is apparent that unless abnormal conditions arise the safety valve has no occasion to operate. As this safety valve discovered until the resulting leakage became apparent. In the device described and shown herein, the single valve is in constant operation as a thermostatic valve and, when the thermoelectric safety device becomes operative, it acts upon this valve also. Closure of this valveby the safety control is readily accomplished due to the absence of dirt on the seating surfaces and the operative condition in which the valvehas been retained. It may be noted that the continual opening and closing of such a valve will tend to make it self-cleaning.

The embodiment of the invention herein shown and described is to be regarded as illustrative only, and it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims. without departing from the spirit of this invention.

We claim:

1. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners, the combination of a main fuel valve movable between positions for controlling supply of fuel to the burner, a control valve positioned normal to said main valve for intercepting the supply of fuel to the burner, electromagnetic means in axial alignment with said control valve and adapted to govern the operation thereof, manu ally actuable means extending substantially parallel with the axis of said control valve and into the path of movement of said main valve to set said electromagnetic means for governing operation, said manually actuable means being operable in only one position of said main valve, and a pivoted member extending between said electromagnetic and manually actuable means for transmitting movements of one to the other.

2. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners, the combination of a main fuel valve, a thermally operated control valve intercepting the supply of fuel, a pilot burner having communication with said main fuel valve, means responsive to the presence of a flame at said pilot burner for governing the operation of said control valve, manually actuable meansfor setting said flame responsive means for governing operation, means for preventing operation of said manually actuable means when said main fuel valve is in open position, and manually actuable means to set the temperature at which said control valve will be operated.

3. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners, the combination of a main fuel valve; a thermally operated control valve intercepting the supply of fuel to the burner, thermoelectric means adapted to govern the operation of said control valve, manually actuable means to set said thermoelectric means for governing opera of fuel to both the main and pilot burners, means for controlling the supply of fuel from the main valve to the main burner, means for controlling the supply of fuel from the main valve to the pilot burner, biasing means for each controlling means urging the same to a position where fuel supply is prevented; thermoelectric means energizable by said'pilot burner and having an armature movable to attracted position, manually actuable means for simultaneously moving said armature and operating said pilot burner, means for overcoming the biasing means" for the main controlling means and operating said means to permit fuel supply to the main burner, and means associated with said armature and movable therewith into and out of operative engagement with said main controlling means for permitting operation of said main controlling means to supply fuel to the main burner only when said armature is in attracted position.

5. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners having main and pilot burners, the combination of a main fuel valve, a main control valve intercepting the supply of fuel to the main burner, a pilot control valve intercepting the supply of fuel to the pilot burner, thermoelectric means energizable by said pilot burner and having an 1 armature movable to attracted position, manually actuable means for simultaneously moving said armature and operating said pilot control valve, means permitting operation of said main control valve to supply fuel to said main burner only when said armature is in attracted position,-and means associated with said main fuel valve permitting operation of said manually actuable means only when said main valve is in one position.

6. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners having main and pilot burners, the combination of a main fuel valve, a thermally operated valve intercepting the supply of fuel to the main burner, a pilot burner control valve intercepting the supply of fuel to the pilot burner, thermoelectric means energizable by said pilot burner and having an armature movable to attracted position, manually actuable means for simultaneously moving said armature and operating said pilot control valve, means permitting operation of said thermally operated valve to supply fuel to said main burner only when said armature is in attracted position, and means associated with said main fuel valve permitting operation of said manually actuable means only when said main fuel valve is in one position.

7. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners having main and pilot burners, the combination of a main fuel valve having a pilot position, a thermally operated valve intercepting the supply of fuel to the main burner, a pilot burner control valve intercepting the supplyoffuel from said main fuel valve to the pilot burner, thermoelectric means energizable by said pilot burner, an armature for said thermoelectric means movable between free and attracted positions, means extending between said armature and said thermally operated valve to retain said valve in a closed position when said armature is free, manually actuable means for simultaneously moving said armature to attracted position and. operating said pilot control valve to open position, and means associated with said main fuel valve permitting operation of said manually actuable means only when said main fuel valve is in pilot position.

8. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners having" and pilot burners. the combination of a main control valve for the main burner. a

' means and in cooperation with said biasing means upon 'the'main valve to compress said spring and reverse the position of said main valve from open g to closed, means for opening the pilot control valve and actuating the safety means to a position permitting the thermally responsive means to acmate the main valve, and means responsive to the presence" of a flame at the pilot burner forholding the last said means in said position.

- 9. In a fuel control device, the combination of a casing forming a conduit supplying fuel to a main burner, a pilot burner having a fuel supply connection separate from the conduit, a valve mounted inthe casing for controlling theflow of fuel in the conduit, snap-acting means biasing said valve to a position where passage of fuel to the main burner is prevented, thermostat means associated with the snap-acting'means and responsive to heat fluctuations caused by the main burner for reversing the position of said snapacting means and holding the valve in a position where passage of fuel to the main burner is permitted. and separate valve closing means responsive to absence of heat from the pilot burner to ove p wer the thermostat-means and reestablish the biased position of the valve. said means comprising a plunger cooperable with the snap-acting means for moving the valve to biased position. a magnet for holding the plunger in position to permit reversal of the position of the snap-acting'means, and a thermocouple exposed to the heat of the pilot burner for energizing the magnet. a

10. In a safety control for gaseous fuel burners, the combination of means movable between positions for controlling the suppLv of fuel to the burner, actuating means for said fuel controlling means positioned for operation on one side there- "of, means biasing said fuel controlling means to a first position where supply of fuel to the burner is prevented. yieldable means interposed between said controlling means and actuating means and having a stronger bias than said biasing means,

-thermally responsive means adapted to exert a force upon said actuating means for overcoming said biasing means and thereby operating said controlling means from said first to a second position where fuel supply is permitted, and thermally responsive means adapted to exert sums,

cient force upon said controlling means from the opposite side to said actuating means to cause return of said controlling means from said second to said first position to cut off the fuel supply to the burner, said yleldable means being adapted to absorb the force of the first said thermally responsive means upon said return operation. 4

11. A safety vcontrol for fuel burners having main and pilot burners, comprising a body memoperation from one side of said seat, yiclda le v i 12 means interposed between said actuating means and valve member and operative to vary said relation, thermally operable means responsive to the main burner for causing operation of said actuating means to disengage said valve from itsseat while said yieldablemeans remains inoperative to vary said relation, and means responsive to the absence of heat at pilot burneradapted for operative engagement with said valve member from the opposite side of said seat for returning said valve member into engagement with said seat, said yieldable means becoming operative to vary said relation thereby permitting said valve member to return irrespective of operation of said actuatlng means tending to continue said disengagement thereof.

12. In a safety controlfor fuel burners having main and pilot burners, comprising a body member having a passage for fuel, a valve seat in said body defining the inlet and outlet sides of said passage, a valve member engageable with said seat for controlling flow of fuel from the passage to the main burner, actuating means for said valve member positioned in spaced relation thereto for operation from one side of said seat, means biasing said valve member toward said valve seat and operable from the opposite side of said seat relative to said actuating means,

yieldable means interposed between saidvalve member and actuating means and having a stronger bias than said biasing means, said yieldable means being operative to vary said relation, means thermally responsive to operation of the main burner operatively engaging said actuating means to exert a forcethereon for overcoming said'biasing means and disengaging said valve member from said seat, said yieldable means remaining inoperative to vary said relation during said disengaging operation, and means thermally responsive to operation of the pilot burner adapted for operative engagement with said valve member from said opposite sicle of said valve seat for returning said valve member into en- Basement therewith in the-absence of heat at the pilot burner, said yieldable means becoming operative to vary said relation thereby permitting said valve member to return irrespective of disengaging operation of said actuating means.

13. In a burner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel for a main burner and a pilot outlet for supplying fuel for a pilot burner, a shutoff valve having an fon position for the supply of fuel to the main burner and to the pilot burner, a "pile position shutting off the supply of fuel to the main burner and permitting the supply of fuel .to the pilot burner, and an 03" position shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means, means for operating said first mentioned shutoff valve, reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoff means independently of the operating means for said first mentioned shutofi valve when said valve is in pilot position, and means for preventing the resetting operation of said reset 4 means when said first-mentioned shutoff valve is in on"-position.

14. In a burner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel for a main burner and a pilot outlet for supplying fuel for a pilot burner, a shutoff valve having an on" position for the supply of fuel to the main burner and to' the pilot case? position shutting off the supply of ma to both the main burner and the pilot burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means, means for operating said first mentioned shutoff valve, reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoff means independently of the operating means for said first mentioned shutofl valve when said valve is in pilot position, and means for preventing the resetting operation of said reset means when said first-mentioned shutoff valve is in "on" position and also when said first mentioned shutofl valve is in off, position.

15. In a burner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel for a main burner and a pilot outlet for supplying fuel for a pilot burner, a shutoff valve having an on" position for the supply of fuel to the main burner and to the-pilot burner, a "pilot" position shutting off the supply of fuel to the main burner and permitting the supply of fuel to the pilot burner, and an "off" position shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means, means for operating with said first mentioned shutoff valve and positioned to prevent movement of said reset means when said first mentioned shutoff valve is in "on position and clear of said reset means to permit movement of said reset means when said first mentioned shutoff valve is in pilot position.

16. In a burner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel for a main burner and a pilot outlet for supplying fuel fora pilot burner, a shutofi valve having an on" position for the supply of fuel to the main burner and to the pilot burner, a pilot position shutting off the supply of fuel to the main burner and permitting the supply of fuel to-the-pilot burner, and an off position shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means, means for operating said first mentioned shutoff valve, reset means for resetting said thermoelectrlc safety shutoff means independently of the operating means for said first mentioned shutoff valve when said valve is in pilot position, and means for preventing the resetting operation of said reset means when said first-mentioned shutoff valve is in on position, said last means comprising stop means operable with said first mentioned shutoff valve and positioned to prevent movement of said reset means when said first mentioned shutoff valve is in "On and off positions and clear of said reset-means to permit movement of said reset means when said first mentioned shutofl valve is in pilot position.

17. In a burner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel for a main burner and a pilot outletfor supplying fuel for a pilot burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means, a shutoff valve mounted for turning movement and having an "on" position for the supply of fuel to the main burner and to the pilot burner, a pilot position shutting off the supply of fuel to the main burner and permitting the supply of fuel to the pilot burner, and an off position shutting off the supply of fuel to both the main burner and the pilot burner, reset means having rectllinear movement for resetting said thermoelectric sa'fety shutoff means, and a stop member mounted to turn with said shutofl valve, said stop member being movable into position preventing rectilinear movement of said reset means when said shutoff valve is turned to position for supplying fuel for the main burner and when said shutoif valve is tumed to "off" position, said stop member being movable to position clear of said reset means to permit rectilinear resetting movement thereof when said shutoff valve is turned to "pilot" position.

18. In safety control means of the character described, a valve body having an outlet for supplying fuel to a main burner and an outlet for supplying fuel to a pilot burner associated with the main burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means to be energized by heat derived from the pilot burner, reset means for resetting said shutoff means, a valve controlling flow of fuel to said main burner outlet and to said pilot outlet movable to a first position establishing how of fuel to both of said outlets and to a second position cutting off flow of fuel to said main burner outlet while establishing flow of fuel to said pilot burner outlet, and stop ,means carried by said valve for movement therewith and cooperating with said resetting means efl'ective for preventing the resetting operation except when said valve is in its said second position.

19. In safety control means of the character described, a valve body having an outlet for supplying fuel to a main burner and an outlet for supplying fuel to a pilot burner associated with the main burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means to be energized by heat derived from the pilot burner, reset means for resetting said shutoff means, a valve controlling flow of fuel to said main burner outlet and to said pilot outlet movable to a first position establishing flow of fuel to both of said outlets and to a second position cutting off fiow of fuel to saidmain burner outlet and to a third position cutting of! flow of fuel to both of said outlets, and stop means carried by said valve for movement therewith and cooperating with said resetting means effective for preventing the resetting operation in said first and third positions of said valve while enabling the resetting operation in said second position of said valve.

20. In safety control means of the character described,- a valve body having an outlet for supplying fuel to a main burner and an outlet for supplying fuel to a pilot burner associated with the main burner, thermoelectric safety shutoff means to be energized by heat derived from the pilot burner, reset means for resetting said shutoff means, a valve controlling flow of fuel'to said main burner outlet and to said pilot resetting operation except when said valve is in its said scond position.

' 21. In safety control means of the character described, a valve body having an outlet for supplying fuel to a main burner and an outlet for supplying fuel to a pilot burner associated with the main burner, thermoelectric safety shutoif means to be energized byheat derived from the pilot burner, reset means for resetting said shutoif means. a valve controlling flow of fuel to said main burner outlet and to said pilot outlet, said valve'being mounted for turning movement to a first position establishing flow of fuel to 'both of said outlets and to a second position cutting off flow of fuel to said main burner outlet while establishing flow of fuel to said pilot burner and to a third position cutting oil flow of fuel to both of said outlets, and a stop member fixed to said valve for turning therewith and cooperating with said resetting means effective for preventing the resetting operation in said first and third positions of said valve while enabling the resetting operation in said second position of said valve.

22. In aburner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel to a main burner and an outlet for supplying fuel to a pilot burner assoelated with the main burner, thermoelectric when said valve is in its said 'flrst position and releasing said resetting means for resetting operation when said valve is in its said second posias. me device of the class described, a valve having a generally conical bore, a/hollow generally conical plug seated in said bore, said valve body having an-inlet passage opening into said bore and an outlet passage leading from said bore, a port in the wallof said plug opening through the wall of said plug into the interior of the plug, said port being adapted to be moved into register with said inlet by turning the plug,

said plug having a pilot supply port adapted to register with said inlet passage when said first mentioned port is out of register with said inlet a 1 a pilot supply passage for supplying fuel for a pilot burner from said pilot supply port when said pilot supply port is in register with said inlet passage, a thermoelectric safety shutoff valve mounted in said valve body in series with said valve plug. reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoff valve, and stop means mounted to turn with said valve plug and cooperable with said reset means to prevent, the resetting operation of said reset means except when said plug is in position with said pilot supply port in register with said inlet passage.

24. In a deviceof the class described, a valve body having a generally conical bore; a hollow generally conical plug seated in said bore. said valve body having an inlet passage opening into said bore and an outlet passage leading from said bore, a 'port in the wall-of said plug opening through the wall of said plug into the lnterioref the plug, said port being adapted to be moved into register with said inlet -by turning the plug, said plug having a pilot supply port adaptedto register with said inlet passage when said first mentioned port is out of register'with said'inlet passage, a pilot supply passage for supplying fuel for a pilot burner from said pilot supply port when said pilot supply port is in register with said inlet e, a thermoelectric safety shutoff valve mounted in said valve body in series with said valve D11 8, reset means for resetting said thermoelectricsafety shutoff valve, stop means mounted to turn with said valve plug and cooperable with said reset means to prevent the resetting operation of said reset means except when said plug isin position with saidpilot supply port in register with said inlet passage, and stop means on said valve body for cooperation with said last mentioned stop means to limit turning movement of said plug, I

25. In a device of the class described, in combination, a valve body. a thermoelectric safety shutoff valve mounted in said valve body, an electromagnet mounted in said valve body-and comprising a magnet frame and an armature having a bias to a retracted position. said armahim being operable when attracted to said magnet frame to overcome said bias and free said thermoelectric safety shutoff valve for movement to open position and, when retracted. causing movement of'said thermoelectric safety shutoff valve under said bias to closed position, a housing for said electromagnet, a reset member operable .relatively to said electromagnet housingand having rectilinear sliding movement in said valve body for resetting said mature to attracted position and freeing said thermoelectric safety shutoflvalve for movement to open position, a spring lcooperable with said reset member for returning said reset member to its outwardly projected position, a shutoif valve mounted for turning movement in said valve body. and a stop member mounted to turn with said last mentioned valve and having position obstructing rectilinear resetting movement of said reset member when said last mentioned valve is in a predetermined position.

I 26.- In a burner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel fora main burner "and an outlet for supplying fuel for a pilot burner associated with the main burner, a valve body, a thermoelectric safety shutoff valve mounted in said body yieldingly urged 'in closing direction. a stem for said valve, an electromagnet mounted in said valve body having an-armature provided with a stem having abutting engagement with the valve stem and operable when attracted to .saidelectromagnet to free said valve for move- 50 'ment to open position, said armature being biased so that when released from said electromagnet, said armature is adapted to cause closing of said valve, a-housing for said electromagnet, a reset member operable relatively to said housing yieldingly urged outward thereof and having rectilinear sliding movement inward of said valve body for resetting said armature to attracted position and freeing said valve for movement to open position. a second valve mounted in said valve body for turning movement into a first .positionvfor supplying fuel for both the main burner outlet and said pilot burner outlet and a second position -for supplying fuel for the pilot burner outlet-only. and stop means carried by said second valve effective in cooperation with said reset member for preventing the resetting operationvwhen said second valve is in its said first position while permitting the resetting'oper ation when said second valve is in its said second position.

27. In a burner control device having an outlet for supplying fuel to a main burner'and an outlet shut-oif valve, a tum-valve mounted for turning l7 movement on an axis separate from the axis of said thermoelectric safety shut-off valve into a first position tor supplying iuel for both 0! said outlets and a second position ior supplying fuel for said pilot burner outlet only. reset means mounted on the control device in position externally of said turn-valve for resetting said thermoelectric safety shut-oi! valvetor movement to open position. means responsive to the heat of the pilot flame for closing said thermo- 10 electric safety shut-o8 valve in the absence of said time. and means carried by said turn-valve and cooperating with said reset means ior holding said reset means against resetting operation when said turn-valve is in its said first position and releasing said reset means for resetting operation when said turn-valve is inits second position.

m 1. JACKSON. THOMAS H. sm'szas.

Images