초록 ▼

A three-stage relay control is provided for regulating the flow of gas through, for example, gas valves. The relay control includes a control arm for providing three levels of gas flow and having three adjustment screws, one for controlling the flow at each stage of operation. The control arm prefer

A three-stage relay control is provided for regulating the flow of gas through, for example, gas valves. The relay control includes a control arm for providing three levels of gas flow and having three adjustment screws, one for controlling the flow at each stage of operation. The control arm preferably pivotally rotates to provide the three gas flow levels. Energizing the relay control at three different amperage levels provides the three-stages. At a low-flow stage, the relay is de-energized. At a high-flow stage, the relay is fully energized. At a mid-flow stage, between the high-flow and low-flow stage, the relay is energized at an intermediate amperage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A control for regulating the flow through a gas valve, the control comprising:a flow regulator operated by the relative position of a single control arm operable about a pivot between at least three positions to select at least three flow rates; anda plurality of adjustment members for setting at

1. A control for regulating the flow through a gas valve, the control comprising:a flow regulator operated by the relative position of a single control arm operable about a pivot between at least three positions to select at least three flow rates; anda plurality of adjustment members for setting at least three different flow levels through the gas valve as regulated by the flow regulator using the control arm; each adjustment member associated with a corresponding flow level. 2. The control according to claim 1 wherein a first adjustment member is configured in combination with the flow regulator to provide a first flow level through the gas valve, a second adjustment member is configured in combination with the flow regulator to provide a second flow level through the gas valve, and a third adjustment member is configured in combination with the flow regulator to provide a third flow level through the gas valve. 3. The control according to claim 2 further comprising an energization member for activating the flow regulator to thereby provide each of the flow levels, and wherein a different energization level is provided for each of the flow levels. 4. The control according to claim 3 further comprising a connection member for connecting the control arm to the gas valve. 5. The control according to claim 4 further comprising a biasing member connected to the control arm. 6. A three-stage relay adjustably configurable for regulating the outlet flow of a gas valve at three different flow levels, the three-stage relay comprising:a single control arm operatively connected to the gas valve and configured for operating the gas valve in each of the three stages;a first adjustment member configured to operate in conjunction with the control arm to provide a first level of outlet flow;a second adjustment member configured to operate in conjunction with the control arm to provide a second level of outlet flow; anda third adjustment member configured to operate in conjunction with the control arm to provide a third level of outlet flow. 7. The three-stage relay according to claim 6 further comprising a control spring connected to the control arm for biasing the control arm. 8. The three-stage relay according to claim 7 wherein the first adjustment member is a first adjustable screw and in conjunction with the control arm provides a low outlet flow. 9. The three-stage relay according to claim 8 wherein the second adjustment member is a second adjustable screw and in conjunction with the control arm provides a high outlet flow. 10. The three-stage relay according to claim 9 wherein the third adjustment member is a third adjustable screw and in conjunction with the control arm provides an outlet flow greater than the low outlet flow and less than the high outlet flow. 11. The three-stage relay according to claim 6 wherein the gas valve includes a regulator with the control arm operatively connected to the regulator for providing the three gas flow levels. 12. In combination with a gas valve having a regulator, a relay assembly providing three different gas valve output levels, the relay assembly comprising:a single control arm configured for operation in conjunction with the regulator for providing the three different gas valve output levels; anda plurality of adjustment members, each adjustment member corresponding to a position of the control arm, to provide one of the three different gas valve output levels. 13. The relay assembly according to claim 12 wherein a first adjustment member is configured to set a first gas valve output level, a second adjustment member is configured to set a second gas valve output level, and a third adjustment member is configured to set a third gas valve output level. 14. The relay assembly according to claim 13 wherein the adjustment members are adjustable screws, each of which is settable within a range for configuring each of the gas valves output levels. 15. The relay assembly according to claim 13 fur ther comprising an energizable member configured to activate at different energization levels, and in conjunction with the adjustment members, to provide for operating the gas valve at each of the gas valve output levels corresponding to a different energization level. 16. The relay assembly according to claim 15 wherein the different energization levels are different amperage levels. 17. The relay assembly according to claim 15 wherein the different energization levels are different voltage levels. 18. A gas valve having an adjustable relay assembly for operating the gas valve at a plurality of different output flow levels, the gas valve comprising an inlet and an outlet with a control valve therebetween, a regulator assembly for regulating gas flow from the inlet to the outlet, with the adjustable relay assembly operatively connected to the regulator assembly by a control arm and configured for operating the control arm to each of at least three positions, each position providing operation of the gas valve at a different output flow level;the relay assembly further comprising a plurality of adjustment members for adjustable control of the plurality of flow levels. 19. The gas valve according to claim 18 further comprising a separate adjustment member provided for setting the flow through the gas valve as regulated by the control valve for each level of operation. 20. The gas valve according to claim 19 further comprising an energizable member for activating the relay assembly which thereby controls operation of the control valve, and wherein a different energization level is supplied to the relay assembly for each of the operating flow levels. 21. The gas valve according to claim 20 wherein the gas valve is configured for operating in conjunction with a plurality of gas types and the relay assembly provides three operating levels for any of the plurality of gas types. 22. A method of controlling operation of a gas valve having a regulator for regulating gas flow and providing at least three different output flow levels, the method comprising:configuring a plurality of adjustment members to set at least three positions of a control arm, each position corresponding to a different output flow level;using an adjustable relay to position the control arm into each of the positions set by the adjustment members, setting the gas flow at each of the output levels; andactivating the regulator for operation at each of the output levels. 23. The method according to claim 22 wherein configuring a plurality of adjustment members further comprises configuring a different adjustment member for control of the gas valve at each of the output levels. 24. The method according to claim 23 further comprising energizing the relay at three different levels wherein each energized level corresponds to a different output level. 25. A method of controlling operation of a gas valve, wherein a plurality of output levels are provided, the method comprising connecting a three stage relay, for regulating gas flow through the gas valve, thereby providing three different operating levels with each operating level providing a different output level, andenergizing the relay at three different energization levels to move a control arm into three different positions for regulating the gas flow, each position corresponding to a different output level. 26. The method according to claim 25 further comprising setting the level of gas flow provided by the three stage relay at each of the output levels. 27. A controller for operating a gas valve at three different flow levels, the controller comprising:a single control arm pivotally connected to the gas valve;a first adjustment means for providing a first flow level through the gas valve using the control arm;a second adjustment means for providing a second flow level through the gas valve using the control arm; anda third adjustment means for providing a third flow level through the gas valve using the control arm. 28 . In combination with a heating system having a furnace and a blower for providing heat to a building, wherein the furnace includes a gas valve, an improved relay control operating in conjunction with a regulator to provide three different operating levels of the gas valve, the improved relay control comprising a control arm connected to the gas valve and in conjunction with the regulator controlling the flow of gas through the gas valve, an energizable member providing movement of the control arm to thereby adjust the flow of gas through the valve, and three adjustment members which together with the control arm are configurable to stop the movement of the control arm to thereby define three different operating levels corresponding to the three different gas flow levels, and wherein the blower is operated at three corresponding levels. 29. The improved relay control of claim 28 wherein each of the adjustment member is configured to define a different operating level corresponding to a gas flow level. 30. In combination with a climate control system having a thermostat for controlling the operation of a furnace having a gas valve, a relay for operating the gas valve at three different output flow levels, the relay comprising a control arm connected to the gas valve for controlling the output flow levels and having three adjustable elements for defining the flow at each of the output flow levels provided by the control arm; wherein the control arm is positionable in three positions, each position corresponding to a different one of the output flow levels. 31. A gas valve with adjustable low, medium, and high flow rates, the gas valve including a regulator for changing the flow rate through the valve, a moveable control arm for operating the regulator, and a two stage solenoid for moving the control arm, a first adjustment member for adjusting the position of the control arm when the solenoid is off, to set the low flow rate, a second adjustment member for adjusting the position of the control arm when the solenoid is in its first stage, to set the medium flow rate, and a third adjustment member for adjusting the operation of the regulator by the control arm when the solenoid is in its second stage, to set the high flow rate. 32. A gas valve with three adjustable flow rates, the gas valve having a regulator for controlling the flow rate through the valve, a moveable control member for operating the regulator, and a coil with at least three magnetic energization levels, the control member assuming a first position when the coil is in its first energization level, a second position when the coil is in its second energization level, and a third position when the coil is in its third energization level, an adjustment mechanism for changing the first position of the control member to thereby adjust the first flow rate, an adjustment mechanism for changing the second position of the control member to adjust the second flow rate, and an adjustment mechanism for changing the effect of the control member on the regulator when the control member is in the third position to adjust the third flow rate. 33. A gas valve with at least three adjustable flow rates, the gas valve having a regulator for controlling the flow rate through the valve, a moveable control member for operating the regulator, and a coil with at least off, intermediate and full power, the control member assuming a first position when the coil is off, a second position when the coil is at intermediate power, and a third position when the coil is at full power, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the flow rate when the control member is in the first, second, and third positions. 34. The gas valve according to claim 33 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a first mechanism that changes the first position to adjust the flow rate in the first position. 35. The gas valve according to claim 34 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a second mechanism that changes the second position to adjust the flow rate in the second position. 36. The gas valve according to claim 34 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a third mechanism for changing the effect of the moveable control member on the regulator when the moveable control member is in the third position. 37. The gas valve according to claim 35 wherein the control member includes a mechanism for positional adjustment of the control member. 38. A gas valve having three separately adjustable gas flow rates, the gas valve having a regulator for controlling the flow rate through the valve, a moveable control member for operating the regulator, the moveable control member being resiliently biased to a first position corresponding to a first flow rate, a coil having at least low and high magnetic power levels, and a resilient stop engaging the control member in a second position at low power levels, corresponding to a second flow rate, and allowing the control member to move to a third position at high power levels, and a first adjustment mechanism for changing the first flow rate, a second adjustment mechanism for changing the second flow rate, and an third adjustment mechanism for changing the third flow rate. 39. The gas valve according to claim 38 wherein the first adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the resilient stop to change the first position and thereby adjust the first flow rate. 40. The gas valve according to claim 39 wherein the second adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the resilient stop, wherein the resilient stop engages the control member at low power levels, changing the second position to thereby adjust the second flow rate. 41. The gas valve according to claim 40 wherein the third adjustment mechanism adjusts the contact between the control member and the regulator when the control member is in the third position to adjust the third flow rate. 42. A controller for operating a gas valve to at least three different flow levels, the controller comprising:a control member operating a regulator of the gas valve; andan adjustable relay operating the control member to at least three different positions to provide at least three different flow levels;the controller further comprising a plurality of adjustment members extending through the control member for setting a plurality of the different positions. 43. A gas valve having three separately adjustable gas flow rates, the gas valve having a regulator for controlling the flow rate through the valve, a moveable control member for operating the regulator, the moveable control member being resiliently biased to a first position corresponding to a first flow rate, a coil having at least low and high power levels, and a resilient stop engaging the control member in a second position at low power levels, corresponding to a second flow rate, and allowing the control member to move to a third position at high power levels, and a first adjustment mechanism for changing the first flow rate, a second adjustment mechanism for changing the second flow rate, and an third adjustment mechanism for changing the third flow rate;wherein the first adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the resilient stop to change the first position and thereby adjust the first flow rate; andwherein the second adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the resilient stop, wherein the resilient stop engages the control member at low power levels, changing the second position to thereby adjust the second flow rate. 44. The gas valve according to claim 43 wherein the third adjustment mechanism adjusts the contact between the control member and the regulator when the control member is in the third position to adjust the third flow rate. 45. A control for regulating the flow through a gas valve, the control comprising:a flow regulator operated by the relative position of a single control arm operable about a pivot between at least three positions to select at least three flow rates; anda plu rality of adjustment members for setting at least three different flow levels through the gas valve as regulated by the flow regulator using the control arm;wherein a first adjustment member is configured in combination with the flow regulator to provide a first flow level through the gas valve, a second adjustment member is configured in combination with the flow regulator to provide a second flow level through the gas valve, and a third adjustment member is configured in combination with the flow regulator to provide a third flow level through the gas valve. 46. The control according to claim 45 further comprising an energization member for activating the flow regulator to thereby provide each of the flow levels, and wherein a different energization level is provided for each of the flow levels. 47. The control according to claim 46 further comprising a connection member for connecting the control arm to the gas valve. 48. The control according to claim 47 further comprising a biasing member connected to the control arm. 49. In combination with a gas valve having a regulator, a relay assembly providing three different gas valve output levels, the relay assembly comprising:a single control arm configured for operation in conjunction with the regulator for providing the three different gas valve output levels; anda plurality of adjustment members in combination with the control arm, the adjustment members configurable to set the relay at the three different gas valve output levels; wherein a first adjustment member is configured to set a first gas valve output level, a second adjustment member is configured to set a second gas valve output level, and a third adjustment member is configured to set a third gas valve output level. 50. The relay assembly according to claim 49 wherein the adjustment members are adjustable screws, each of which is settable within a range for configuring each of the gas valves output levels. 51. The relay assembly according to claim 49 further comprising an energizable member configured to activate at different energization levels, and in conjunction with the adjustment members, to provide for operating the gas valve at each of the gas valve output levels corresponding to a different energization level. 52. The relay assembly according to claim 51 wherein the different energization levels are different amperage levels. 53. The relay assembly according to claim 51 wherein the different energization levels are different voltage levels. 54. A gas valve having an adjustable relay assembly for operating the gas valve at a plurality of different output flow levels, the gas valve comprising an inlet and an outlet with a control valve therebetween, a regulator assembly for regulating gas flow from the inlet to the outlet, with the adjustable relay assembly operatively connected to the regulator by a control arm and configured for operating the control arm to each of at least three positions, each position providing operation of the gas valve at a different output flow level; wherein the relay assembly further comprises a plurality of adjustment members for adjustable control of the plurality of flow levels; the gas valve further comprising a separate adjustment member provided for setting the flow through the gas valve as regulated by the control valve for each level of operation. 55. The gas valve according to claim 54 further comprising an energizable member for activating the relay assembly which thereby controls operation of the control valve, and wherein a different energization level is supplied to the relay assembly for each of the operating flow levels. 56. The gas valve according to claim 55 wherein the gas valve is configured for operating in conjunction with a plurality of gas types and the relay assembly provides three operating levels for any of the plurality of gas types. 57. A method of controlling operation of a gas valve having a regulator for regulating gas flow and providing at least three different output flow levels, the method comprising:using an adjustable relay to position a control arm into at least three positions, each position corresponding to a different output flow level, setting the gas flow at each of the output levels; andactivating the regulator for operation at each of the output levels;wherein setting the gas flow at each output level further comprises configuring a plurality of adjustment members to thereby provide each of the output levels;wherein configuring a plurality of adjustment members further comprises configuring a different adjustment member for control of the gas valve at each of the output levels. 58. The method according to claim 57 further comprising energizing the relay at three different levels wherein each energized level corresponds to a different output level. 1