US 10,240,789 B2 · Dual fuel heating assembly with reset switch

Abstract

A heating assembly can include a locking valve with a reset switch which can include certain pressure sensitive features. These features can be configured to change from a first position to a second position based on a pressure of a fuel. The valve can be used with either a first fuel or a second fuel different from the first. The valve can become locked or be held in either the first or the second position. For example, a set fuel pressure can cause the valve to move to a closed position and the valve can become locked or held in that position. If the pressure decreases, the valve can remain in the locked position. Actuation of the reset switch can allow the valve to move to a new position, such as an open position. The locking valve can be linked to additional valves to lock them in position as well.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims21

Dependent claims

A dual fuel heating assembly for use with either a first fuel or a second fuel different from the first, the heating assembly comprising:

a pressure regulator configured to regulate a flow of fuel within a predetermined pressure range;
a burner configured for combustion of fuel;
a first burner orifice configured to direct fuel flow to the burner for combustion;
a second burner orifice configured to direct fuel flow to the burner for combustion;
a gas valve configured to receive fuel flow from the pressure regulator and to direct fuel flow to the first and second burner orifices;
and
a locking selector valve configured to allow or prevent fuel flow from the gas valve to the first burner orifice, the nozzle selector valve comprising:
a valve seat;
a valve member having first and second positions with respect to the valve seat;
and
a reset switch;
wherein the locking selector valve is configured such that a fluid pressure of fuel within the heating assembly determines whether the valve member is in the first or second position, wherein when the valve member is in the second position the valve member is fixed in position with respect to the valve seat requiring actuation of the reset switch to move the valve member from the second position.

9 more elements

A dual fuel heating assembly for use with either a first fuel or a second fuel different from the first, the heating assembly comprising:

a first pressure regulator configured to regulate a flow of fuel within a first predetermined pressure range;
a second pressure regulator configured to regulate a flow of fluid within a second predetermined pressure range different from the first predetermined pressure range;
a burner configured for combustion of fuel;
a first burner orifice configured to direct fuel flow to the burner for combustion;
a second burner orifice configured to direct fuel flow to the burner for combustion;
a gas valve configured to receive fuel flow from either the first or the second pressure regulator and to direct fuel flow to the first and second burner orifices;
and
a selector valve configured to allow or prevent fuel flow from the gas valve to the first burner orifice, the selector valve comprising:
a valve seat;
a valve member configured for a first position spaced from the valve seat to allow fuel flow from the gas valve to the first burner orifice and a second position engaged with the valve seat to prevent fuel flow from the gas valve to the first burner orifice;
and
a reset switch;
wherein the selector valve is configured such that a fluid pressure of fuel within the heating assembly determines whether the valve member is in the first or second position, wherein when the valve member is in the second position the valve member is fixed in position with respect to the valve seat requiring actuation of the reset switch to move the valve member from the second position to open the selector valve and allow flow therethrough.

10 more elements

A fuel selector switch for use with either a first fuel or a second fuel different from the first, the fuel selector switch comprising:

a housing having a first inlet, a first outlet, a first flow path between the first inlet and the first outlet, a second flow path between the first inlet and the first outlet, a second inlet, a second outlet and a third flow path between the second inlet and the second outlet;
a first valve positioned in the first flow path, the first valve comprising a first valve body and a first valve seat, the first valve configured to have a closed position wherein the first valve body is engaged with the first valve seat and an open position wherein the first valve body is disengaged from the first valve seat;
a first pressure regulator positioned in the first flow path and configured to regulate a flow of fuel within a first predetermined pressure range;
a second valve positioned in the second flow path, the second valve comprising a second valve body and a second valve seat, the second valve configured to have a closed position wherein the second valve body is engaged with the second valve seat and an open position wherein the second valve body is disengaged from the second valve seat;
a second pressure regulator positioned in the second flow path and configured to regulate a flow of fluid within a second predetermined pressure range different from the first predetermined pressure range;
wherein the fuel selector switch is configured such that a fluid pressure of the fuel flowing through the fuel selector switch determines whether the first flow path and the second path is open or closed as predetermined threshold fluid pressures determine the position of the respective first and second valves;
a third valve positioned in the third flow path, the third valve comprising a third valve body and a third valve seat, the third valve configured to have a closed position wherein the third valve body is engaged with the third valve seat and an open position wherein the third valve body is disengaged from the third valve seat;
and
a reset switch;
wherein the third valve is configured such that a fluid pressure of fuel determines whether the third valve member moves from the open to the closed position, wherein when the third valve member is in the closed position the third valve member being fixed in position with respect to the third valve seat requiring actuation of the reset switch to move the third valve member from the closed position.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description25,544 words

Summary5,009 words

#Field of the Invention

#Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a heating assembly for use in a gas appliance. Certain embodiments can include a selector valve for a heating assembly that may have a reset switch. Aspects of certain embodiments may be particularly adapted for single fuel, dual fuel or multi-fuel use. The gas appliance can include, but is not limited to: heaters, boilers, dryers, washing machines, ovens, fireplaces, stoves, etc.

#Description of the Related Art

Brief description of the drawings25 figures

#Various embodiments are depicted in the accompanying drawings for illustrative purposes, and should in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the inventions, in which like reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout similar embodiments.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of a portion of one embodiment of a heater configured to operate using either a first fuel source or a second fuel source.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective cutaway view of the heater of FIG. 1.

Detailed description20,025 words

#Many varieties of heaters, boilers, dryers, washing machines, ovens, fireplaces, stoves, and other heat-producing devices utilize employ combustible fluid fuels, such as liquid propane and natural gas. The term “fluid,” as used herein, is a broad term used in its ordinary sense, and includes materials or substances capable of fluid flow, such as, for example, one or more gases, one or more liquids, or any combination thereof. Fluid-fueled units, such as those listed above, generally are designed to operate with a single fluid fuel type at a specific pressure or within a range of pressures. For example, some fluid-fueled heaters that are configured to be installed on a wall or a floor operate with natural gas at a pressure in a range from about 3 inches of water column to about 6 inches of water column, while others are configured to operate with liquid propane at a pressure in a range from about 8 inches of water column to about 12 inches of water column. Similarly, some gas fireplaces and gas logs are configured to operate with natural gas at a first pressure, while others are configured to operate with liquid propane at a second pressure that is different from the first pressure. As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” are used for convenience, and do not connote a hierarchical relationship among the items so identified, unless otherwise indicated.

#Certain advantageous embodiments disclosed herein reduce or eliminate various problems associated with devices having heating sources that operate with only a single type of fuel source. Furthermore, although certain of the embodiments described hereafter are presented in a particular context, the apparatus and devices disclosed and enabled herein can benefit a wide variety of other applications and appliances.

#FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a heater 100. The heater 100 can be a vent-free infrared heater, a vent-free blue flame heater, or some other variety of heater, such as a direct vent heater. Some embodiments include boilers, stoves, dryers, fireplaces, gas logs, etc. Other configurations are also possible for the heater 100. In many embodiments, the heater 100 is configured to be mounted to a wall or a floor or to otherwise rest in a substantially static position. In other embodiments, the heater 100 is configured to move within a limited range. In still other embodiments, the heater 100 is portable.

Facts

Application

14/713,947Filed 15 May 2015 · us provisional application

Priority

16 May 2014

Published

US 2015/0338099 A126 Nov 2015

Granted

26 Mar 2019

Term ends

20 Apr 2037

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 706 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification15 codes

F23N 1/007
Regulating fuel supply: using mechanical means
F23D 23/00
Assemblies of two or more burners
F24H 3/006
Air heaters: using fluid fuel
F24H 9/2085
For air heaters: using fluid fuel

Family

Application61/994,796Us provisional application · filed 16 May 2014

Application61/994,786Us provisional application · filed 16 May 2014

Application61/994,790Us provisional application · filed 16 May 2014

Application62/022,605Us provisional application · filed 9 Jul 2014

Application62/034,063Us provisional application · filed 6 Aug 2014

US 2015/0338099 A1Pre-grant publication · published 26 Nov 2015

US 10,240,789 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Dual fuel heating assembly with reset switch

Life of this patent

Dual fuel heating assembly with reset switch

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims21

Description25,544 words

Drawings

Classification15 codes

Life of this patent

Description25,544 words