Single-stage gas valve

Abstract

A combustion assembly includes a single stage gas valve, a burner member having a flame end, a spark generating member, a flame sensing member, and a controller. The spark generating member generates a spark in response to a spark signal and is positioned adjacent to the flame end of the burner member. The flame sensing member senses the presence of a flame and is also positioned adjacent to the flame end. The controller provides a valve open signal to the valve to control a flow of gas to the burner member, provides a spark signal to the spark generating member to generate a spark that ignites the flow of gas, receives a flame sense signal from the flame sensing member related to the state of the flame, and provides a valve closed signal to stop the flow of gas when the flame sense signal indicates no flame is present.

1 . A combustion assembly, comprising: 
 a single stage gas valve;    a burner member having a flame end;    a spark generating member configured to generate a spark in response to a spark signal, the spark generating member being positioned adjacent to the flame end of the burner member;    a flame sensing member configured to sense the presence of a flame, the flame sensing member being positioned adjacent to the flame end of the burner member; and    a controller configured to control the valve, spark generating member, and flame sensing member for the generation of a flame at the flame end of the burner member.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a grounding member extending from the flame end of the burner assembly, the grounding member providing a grounding function for the generation of a spark by the spark generating member and a grounding function for the flame sensing member.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to provide a valve open signal to the single stage valve to provide a flow of gas to the burner member, to provide a spark signal to the spark generating member generates a spark to ignite the flow of gas, to receive a flame sense signal from the flame sensing member related to the state of the flame, and to provide a valve closed signal to stop the flow of gas when the flame sense signal indicates no flame is present.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the single stage valve includes a regulator, the regulator including a magnetic member and a moveable valve member, the magnetic member being configured to move the moveable valve member between opened and closed positions in respond to a change in polarization of the magnetic member.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gas valve includes an electromagnetic member, a gas conduit, and a moveable plate moveable in response to magnetic forces provided by the electromagnetic member to open or close the gas conduit to provide the flow of gas.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the vent assembly does not include a pilot valve or a pilot flame.  
   
   
       7 . A gas burner assembly, comprising: 
 a burner device having a gas outlet at a flame end of the burner device, the burner device being configured to generate a flame that extends from the flame end;    a single stage gas valve including a single valve member movable between a closed position obstructing a gas flow path through the valve wherein no gas flow is provided to the burner device and an open position removed from the gas path wherein a gas flow is provided to the gas outlet of the burner device;    a flame sensing device positioned adjacent to the flame end of the burner device and configured to provide a flame signal indicative of the presence of the flame; and    an ignition device positioned adjacent to the flame end of the burner device and configured to provide a spark when the gas valve is open, the spark igniting the flow of gas out of the gas outlet of the burner device to generate the flame;    wherein the gas valve automatically moves to the closed position when the flame signal indicates that no flame is present.    
   
   
       8 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a grounding member extending from the flame end of the burner assembly, wherein the grounding member provides a grounding function for the generation of a spark by the ignition device and provides a grounding function for the flame sensing device.  
   
   
       9 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the burner has an elongate structure and defines a conduit that extends along a length of the burner, and an axis of the conduit is aligned in a vertical orientation in alignment with an outlet conduit of the gas valve.  
   
   
       10 . A gas lantern, comprising: 
 a support stand;    a lamp housing supported by the support stand; and    the gas burner assembly of  claim 7  positioned at least partially within the support stand and the lamp housing.    
   
   
       11 . A method of generating and monitoring a flame with a combustion assembly, the combustion assembly including a gas valve, a burner device, an ignition system, and a flame sense member, the gas valve including a regulator member that control the flow of gas out of the gas valve, the burner device including a gas outlet at a flame end of the burner device, the method comprising the steps of: 
 opening the gas valve with the regulator to provide a flow of gas from the gas valve to the gas outlet of the burner device;    generating a spark with the ignition system for igniting the flow of gas into a flame at the flame end of the burner device, the flame providing light generated by the combustion assembly;    sensing the state of the flame with the flame sense member; and    closing the gas valve when the presence of the flame is not sensed by the flame sense member.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , coupling a grounding member to the burner device at the flame end, the grounding member extending into a path of the flame, wherein the grounding member provides grounding for generation of a spark by the ignition system and grounding for the flame sense member.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1   1 , further comprising repeating the opening, generating and sensing steps after the closing step until a flame is sensed by the flame sense device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the combination further includes a controller, wherein the controller provides a valve signal for opening and closing the gas valve, provides an ignition signal for control of the ignition system, and receives flame signals from the flame sense member related to the state of the flame.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1   1 , further comprising waiting a first predetermined time period between the opening and generating steps and a second predetermined time period between the generating and sensing steps.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1   1 , wherein after the flame sense member senses that no flame is present, repeating the generating and sensing steps before the closing step.  
   
   
       17 . A lantern single stage gas valve and burner assembly, comprising: 
 a valve housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;    a moveable plate positioned between the gas inlet and the gas outlet to control gas flow through the valve housing;    a magnetoresistive member configured to move the moveable plate upon activation by a power input;    a power source that provides the power input in the range of about 1 to 6 volts DC;    a burner assembly coupled to the housing and configured to produce a flame;    wherein the magnetoresistive member automatically moves the moveable plate to stop gas flow when no flame is present at the burner assembly.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the power input is about 3 volts DC.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the power input is provided in the form of AC or DC power.