US 5,944,257 AGranted

Bulb-operated modulating gas valve with minimum bypass

AssigneeHoneywell Inc.

InventorsPaul Dietiker, Johan H. Pragt

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Abstract

A multi-way valve unit which provides low pressure unregulated gas flow and high pressure regulated gas flow in an integrated gas control system. A main and bypass diaphragm valves control gas flow through the gas valve system, the main and bypass valves being opened by pressure differentials on their respective valve diaphragms. A regulator valve and a snap valve modify gas pressure applied to the main and bypass valves diaphragms respectively. A control means actuates the regulator and snap valves based on degree of temperature deficiency sensed in a monitored space. The control means opens the snap valve to provide unregulated gas flow when low gas pressure is required, and opens the regulator valve to provide regulated high flow when high gas pressure is required.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A multi-way system comprising:

inlet and outlet ports;
a main valve having a main seat and a main seat-engaging member, which when in contact, separate said inlet port from said outlet port, and when separated allow direct communication therebetween, a main valve diaphragm, controlling movement of said seat-engaging member into and out of contact with said main valve seat, and a main valve chamber isolated from the flow path between said inlet and outlet ports by the main valve diaphragm;
a first passage having a first flow restrictor, connecting the main valve chamber and said inlet port;
a bypass conduit in direct communication with said outlet port, having a bypass flow control element;
a bypass valve, having a bypass valve seat and a bypass seat-engaging member, which when in contact, separate said inlet port and said bypass conduit, and when separated allow direct communication therebetween, a bypass valve diaphragm, controlling movement of said bypass seat-engaging member into and out of contact with said bypass valve seat, and a bypass valve chamber, isolated from the flow path between said bypass conduit and said inlet port by the bypass valve diaphragm;
a second passage having a second flow restrictor, connecting the bypass valve chamber and said inlet port;
a third passage, connecting the main valve chamber and said outlet port, said third passage including a regulator valve which hinders flow through said third passage when closed, and allows regulated flow therethrough when open;
a fourth passage, connecting the bypass valve chamber and said outlet port, said fourth passage including a snap valve which prevents flow through said fourth passage when closed, and allows flow therethrough when open;
and,
a primary control device, including a temperature sensitive element, which causes the snap valve to open when the temperature sensitive element indicates a slightly lower than desired temperature, and causes the regulator valve in said third passage to open when the temperature sensitive element indicates a substantially lower than desired temperature.

7 more elements

A valve system providing dual-mode gas flow control having first and second diaphragm valves, the diaphragm valves defining a common inlet port and outlet port for providing gas into and out of the valve system, respectively, said first and second diaphragm valves having associated therewith first and second valve diaphragms and first and second diaphragm valve chambers, respectively, the valve diaphragms separating said inlet port from the valve chamber of each diaphragm valve, pressure differences from the valve chamber to said inlet port causing actuation of each diaphragm valve, the improvement comprising:

said second diaphragm valve providing substantially lower gas flow than said first diaphragm valve;
first control valve connected to the first diaphragm valve chamber of said first diaphragm valve, said first control valve, when open, lowering the pressure in the first diaphragm valve chamber of said first diaphragm valve sufficient to cause said first diaphragm valve to open, said first control valve further capable of regulated control of pressure in the first diaphragm valve chamber,
second control valve connected to the second diaphragm valve chamber of said second diaphragm valve, said second control valve, when open, lowering the pressure in the second diaphragm valve chamber of said second diaphragm valve sufficient to cause said second diaphragm valve to open, said second control valve further capable of only fully opening or fully closing said second diaphragm valve;
and,
a primary control means, for operating said first and second control valves, said primary control means causing said second control valve to open under moderate gas demand, and causing said first control valve to provide regulated gas flow under heavy gas demand.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.