Patent Application
20180266684
The present invention relates to an electro-pilotstatic system for gas burners, in particular an electro-actuator for gas cooktops or the like equipped with a safety system.
Currently the prior art provides different solutions for the delivery and regulation of the fuel gas for cooktops and also contemplates different systems that ensure safety.
For example, the common cooktops are equipped with a safety system, advantageously comprising valves, which automatically stops the flow of the fuel gas to the burner in case of accidental switching off of the flame.
The most known and used solution provides the use of a linear shut-off valve mounted in series to a manual regulation valve, typically a rotary plug valve (tap).
The user, by interacting with the tap, performs a manual action that moves back the shutter of the safety valve, bringing a ferromagnetic keeper constrained thereto in contact with an electromagnet allowing the passage of gas for the ignition of the burner; said electromagnet being controlled and supplied by a flame detector.
Said flame detector generally makes use of a thermocouple placed in the proximity of the flame of the burner; in the presence of a flame said thermocouple generates a potential difference capable of producing an electric current that feeds the solenoid of said electromagnet.
The magnetic field created by the solenoid is sufficient to retain the shutter in its open position and to ensure the supply of the fuel gas to the burner.
In the event that the flame accidentally goes out, the thermocouple does no longer produce any potential difference, as a consequence it ceases the electrical supply to the solenoid of the electromagnet, which is no longer able to generate a magnetic field sufficient to retain the shutter, which under the thrust of an elastic means, such as a spring, returns to the rest position closing the valve and thus interrupting the gas flow; this avoids that in case of inadvertent switching off of the flame the gas continues to be delivered by the valve, dispersing in the surrounding indoor environment (normally kitchens or rooms for the preparation and cooking of foods and meals) with serious risks for people and things.
The electromagnet—thermocouple coupling is known as “pilotstat” and is widely used on each burner to ensure a safe use of the cooktops.
The various solutions proposed by the prior art provide to keep separate and distinct the devices adapted to the control and regulation of the gas flow from the devices adapted to safety.
Said division involves the installation of multiple components in cooktops or the like where the nature of the overall dimensions is extremely relevant and space saving is one of the objectives to be pursued for the designers and manufacturers.
Normally closed shut-off valves exist on the market, which carry out the passage of gas through a remote electrical control.
In fact, said shut-off valves are closed in the rest position, as a matter of safety, while in the working position they are constantly kept open through a continuous control signal.
This operating configuration involves a waste of energy and heating of the electrical and electronic equipment; the latter may generate over time a degradation of the insulator of the electric cables and a deterioration of the same circuit, leading to malfunctions or breakages.
The main object of the present invention is to provide an electro-actuator for gas cooktops or the like that combines in a single element both the part concerning safety and the part concerning the regulation of the flow.
In particular, the main object of the present invention is to provide an electro-actuator for gas cooktops or the like which integrates in a single element the regulation of the flow of the fuel gas and the automatic cut-off of the same in case of accidental switching off of the flame.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electro-actuator for gas cooktops or the like which allows to feed the control and regulation devices of the gas flow only during the actuations of the same, by suspending the electrical supply once the regulation is complete.
This and other objects, which shall appear clear hereinafter, are achieved with an electro-actuator for gas cooktops or the like illustrated in the following description and in the annexed claims, which constitute an integral part of the same description.
Further features of the present invention shall be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, in accordance with the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of a non-limiting example, in the annexed drawing tables, in which:
Unless otherwise specified, in this report any possible spatial reference such as the terms up/down, front/rear, right/left etc. refers to the position in which the elements are represented in the annexed figures.
The features of the invention are now described using the references in the figures.
In relation to the figures, the electro-actuator 1 for gas cooktops or the like according to the present invention, is provided with a safety electromagnet 4, shut-off means 2 of the fuel gas, substantially a sleeve equipped with an outlet channel 22 and a fuel gas duct 23, at least one service shutter 20 and at least one safety shutter 20, cooperating with said shut-off means 2, whereon a pressing/pulling force acts that operates the safety closing of said electro-actuator 1, advantageously said pressing/pulling force being of magnetic or elastic nature.
Said service shutter and said safety shutter coincide in a same shutter 20 that performs two tasks simultaneously:
Said pressing/pulling force acts on said shutter 20 operating the safety closing of said electro-actuator 1, in particular said pressing force operates the safety closing of said outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas.
The electro-actuator 1 comprises a support structure 10, of substantially tubular shape and preferably made of non-magnetic material, at the ends whereof a safety electromagnet means 4 and a cut-off means 2 of the fuel gas, substantially a sleeve, are respectively arranged.
Inside the said support structure 10 a cavity 100 is provided within which a stem 21 provided with an element 30 sensitive to the magnetic field is placed sliding.
The stem 21, suitably controlled, operates the opening and/or closing of the shut-off means 2 of the fuel gas.
A detailed description of the figures, brought by way of a non-limiting example is provided below.
Inside the said support structure 10 a cavity 100 housing a bottom 101 is provided, within which a cursor 30 integral with a stem 21 is placed, said cursor 30 being sensitive to the magnetic field.
Said bottom 101 cooperates with the cursor 30 to achieve the magnetic force that operates the safety closing of the electro-actuator 1 according to the present invention.
In this construction variant said cursor 30 comprises a permanent magnet, while said bottom 101 comprises a ferro-magnet.
Nothing prevents, in accordance with alternative embodiments, that said cursor 30 may advantageously comprise a ferro-magnet, while the bottom 101 may comprise a permanent magnet, without altering the correct operation of the electro-actuator 1, or that both may comprise permanent magnets.
In general, the magnetic interaction between the bottom 101 and the cursor 30, due to the materials with which they are made and to their reciprocal position, must ensure for any condition of use and for any position of the shutter 20 or the electromagnet 4, the “normally closed” condition.
The position of the cursor 30 and the bottom 101, the materials with which they are created and the switching on and/or off modes of the burner, are thus parameters to be chosen and defined in order to ensure the “normally closed” condition of the electro-actuator 1.
Said bottom 101, comprising a disk of ferromagnetic material, is provided with a central hole 111 for the passage and the sliding of the stem 21, said stem 21 being integral with said cursor 30.
One end of said stem 21, advantageously made of non-magnetic material, is provided with at least one ferromagnetic element 32 that cooperates with the safety electromagnet means 4; the other end of the stem 21 is integral with the shutter 20.
The shutter 20 cooperates with the sleeve 2 of the fuel gas; in particular said shutter 20 opens or closes the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas, allowing the passage of the fuel gas from the conduit 23 to said outlet channel 22, towards the corresponding burner (not shown).
The safety electromagnet 4 is advantageously controlled through the thermocouple placed in the proximity of the flame zone of the burner, according to what shown and described above with reference to the prior art.
When the burner is switched off, therefore, the thermocouple does not provide any type of electric current to said electromagnet 4, which is then de-energized and does not produce any magnetic field; in this case there is not any kind of significant interaction between the electromagnet 4 and the ferromagnetic element 32.
In
The closing of the electro-actuator 1 according to this variant of the invention is guaranteed by the magnetic force existing between the cursor 30 and the bottom 101; said magnetic force keeps the stem 21 fixed and stable, so as to lock the shutter 20 at the mouth of the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas, preventing the entry to the fuel gas.
By analysing in more detail the closed configuration represented in
In fact, the electromagnet 4 is de-energized, so there are not significant attractive magnetic forces between said electromagnet 4 and the ferromagnetic element 32; the stem 21, therefore, is translated toward the sleeve 2 by the attractive magnetic force between the bottom 101 and the cursor 30.
Said magnetic force achieves and ensures the closing of the electro-actuator 1, engaging the shutter 2 at the mouth of the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas, so as to occlude it.
In the figure the electro-actuator 1 is visible in the open position, i.e. with the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas communicating with the conduit 23 of the fuel gas.
Considering
The user, by means of suitable actuating means (not shown), manually activates the electro-actuator 1, by translating the stem 21 towards said electromagnet 4, bringing the ferromagnetic element 32 in contact with said electromagnet 4.
The shutter 20, being positioned on the stem 21, is moved away from said outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas 22, thus allowing the gas to enter from the outlet channel 22 and reach the burner, allowing the switching on thereof.
When the flame of the burner is switched on, the thermocouple starts to generate an electric current that energizes the electromagnet 4, ensuring the magnetic coupling between said electromagnet 4 and the ferromagnetic element 32.
In fact, the attractive magnetic force between the electromagnet 4 and the ferromagnetic element 32 is greater than the attractive magnetic force present between the cursor 30 and the bottom 101; this allows to keep the electromagnet 4 and the ferromagnetic element 32 integral.
With the flame switched on the mechanical action (exerted by the user through the actuating means) that kept the electromagnet 4 and the ferromagnetic element 32 in contact is suspended, and the opening of the valve is ensured by the thermocouple, which generates the electric current necessary to keep the electromagnet 4 energized.
In the transitional period that goes from the switching on command imparted by the user and the entry into operation of the thermocouple, the passage of the gas is ensured by said mechanical action that maintains the ferromagnetic element 32 in contact with the electromagnet 4.
In case of accidental switching off of the flame, the thermocouple does not generate any potential difference, as a consequence the electromagnet 4 is no longer fed electrically and the magnetic coupling with the ferromagnetic element 32 of the stem 21 is lost; this results in the closing of the electro-actuator 1 due to the magnetic force of attraction between the bottom 101 and the cursor 30.
If wished to proceed with the voluntary switching off of the burner, the user, through suitable actuating means, uncouples the ferromagnetic element 32 from the electromagnet 4, or stops the passage of electric current to the electromagnet; also in this case the closing of the electro-actuator 1 is given by the attractive force between the cursor 30 and the bottom 101.
The closing command may further be obtained by means of a microswitch on the thermocouple circuit or through a by-pass circuit of the electromagnet 4, through which when the user closes, all or part of the electric current generated by said thermocouple passes, making the magnetic field of the electromagnet 4 so small as to allow the pressing force to close the passage of the fuel gas.
The embodiment shown in
In the case just described, an attractive force that brings the cursor 30 towards the bottom 101 is employed, bringing the stem 21 to translate towards the sleeve 2 and engage the shutter 2 at the mouth of the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas occluding it.
A construction variant (not shown) provides to employ a repulsive force.
Said configuration (valve closed in the rest condition) remains such until the user manipulates the electro-actuator 1 through the actuating means to switch on the burner of the cooktop.
In the existing electro-actuators, an elastic force is used, normally exerted by a compression helical spring in order to achieve the “normally closed” condition.
The electro-actuator 1 according to the embodiment just described, is characterised in that it achieves the “normally closed” condition through a magnetic force and uses it to ensure the closing of the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas when said electric actuator 1 is closed or in rest condition.
The replacement of the spring with a magnetic force implies several advantages, first of all the elimination of an element subject to wear.
In fact, the spring is a component subject to constant mechanical stress, resulting in deterioration and wear of the elastic element that may lead to operating problems.
Furthermore, the spring may jam or stop compromising the safety of the valve, while the magnetic force existing between a ferro-magnet and a permanent magnet, by its nature, does not present issues of this kind.
With ref. to
In this construction variant the electro-actuator 1 in addition to the elements already described, advantageously comprises a solenoid 33 connected to the walls of the said support structure 10 through the support element 330.
Said solenoid 33 is coaxial with respect to the support structure 10 and cooperates with the cursor 30 to achieve the closing and opening of the electro-actuator 1.
In
Considering
The user, by means of suitable actuating means (not shown), activates the electrical supply to the solenoid 33, which immediately creates a magnetic field inside the support element 330.
Said induced magnetic field exerts a force on the cursor 30 forcing the stem 21 to translate towards the electromagnet 4, the force generated by said induced magnetic field being greater and of opposite direction with respect to the attractive magnetic force existing between the bottom 101 and the cursor 30.
The translation of the stem 21 brings the ferromagnetic element 32 in contact with the surface of the electromagnet 4 and opens the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas.
The electrical supply to the solenoid 33, which no longer generates any type of magnetic field, is suspended when the flame is switched on, and the keeping of the valve open is ensured by the attractive magnetic force between the ferromagnetic element 32 and the electromagnet 4.
In the transitional period that goes from the switching on command imparted by the user and the entry into operation of the thermocouple, the gas passage is ensured by the solenoid 33, which continues to be fed electrically for said time interval, so as to maintain, through the interaction between the induced magnetic field and the cursor 30, the ferromagnetic element 32 in contact with the electromagnet 4.
In case of accidental switching off of the flame, the electromagnet 4 is no longer fed electrically by the thermocouple and the magnetic coupling with the ferromagnetic element 32 is lost; the closing of the electro-actuator 1 is carried out by the magnetic force of attraction between the bottom 101 and the cursor 30.
If wished to proceed with the voluntary switching off of the burner, the user, through suitable actuating means, activates the electrical supply to the solenoid 33, but with reversed polarity compared to the switching on signal, so as to generate a magnetic field in the opposite direction to the previous, or interrupting the passage of electric current in the electromagnet 4.
In this case the magnetic field induces the cursor 30 to move toward the sleeve 2, by uncoupling the ferromagnetic element 32 from the electromagnet 4, and locking the shutter 20 at the mouth of the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas, through said magnetic force.
Said configuration, that is of closed valve in rest condition, remains such until the user manipulates the electro-actuator 1 through the actuating means to switch on the burner of the cooktop.
The electro-actuator 1 according to the present invention provides for powering the solenoid 33 only during the switching on and voluntary switching off step of the burner, while as regards the normal activity of the burner the solenoid 33 is de-energized.
Said solution allows to reduce the energy absorption of the electro-actuator 1 according to the present invention and protects from excessive heating of the electrical parts due to the long operating times.
Preferably the typical operating voltage for the solenoid 33 is substantially less than or equal to 24V in direct current and the number of solenoid coils is substantially greater than or equal to 200.
In order to further reduce heating of the solenoid 33 and to increase its operational life, it can be advantageously fed with a square wave with variable duty cycle so as to obtain the maximum movement force.
The duty cycle, or useful work cycle is the fraction of time that an entity passes in an active state in proportion to the total time examined, for example considering a square-wave signal the duty cycle is the ratio between the duration of the active signal and the total period of the signal, and serves to express how much portion of period the signal is active for.
Furthermore, the electro-actuator 1 according to the present invention allows the switching on and switching off of the burner from remote locations, because the actuating commands carried out by the user are essentially of the electrical and non-mechanical type.
In
In this construction variant, the pressing force is of elastic nature and the electro-actuator 1 is maintained in its normally closed position by an elastic loading means, advantageously a compression helical spring 200.
In fact, by observing the figure it is understood that the spring 200 insists on the shutter 20 while keeping the outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas closed.
Compared to previous embodiments, the magnetic force (that keeps the outlet channel of the fuel gas closed) has been replaced with an elastic force given by said spring 200.
In this construction variant a cursor 210 is provided comprising a ferromagnetic element.
Said cursor 210 cooperates with the bottom 102, also made of ferromagnetic material, placed inside the cavity 100.
With respect to what previously described, let us assume that the switching on of the burner of the cooktop is desired.
The user, by means of suitable actuating means (not shown), activates the electrical supply to the solenoid 33, generating a magnetic field that induces the cursor 210 to translate towards the electromagnet 4, the force generated by said induced magnetic field being greater and of opposite direction with respect to the elastic force that the compression helical spring 200 exerts on the shutter 20.
The shutter 20 is moved away from said outlet channel 22 of the fuel gas, thus allowing the gas to enter from the outlet channel 22 and reach the burner.
The translation of the stem 21 brings the ferromagnetic element 32 in contact with the surface of the electromagnet 4.
When the ferromagnetic element 32 and the electromagnet 4 are in contact and said electromagnet 4 is powered by the thermocouple (or flame sensor) exposed to the flame, it is intuitive that the magnetic force existing between said ferromagnetic element 32 of the stem 21 and said electromagnet 4 is greater than the elastic force generated by the compression helical spring 200.
The closing command is obtained substantially with the annulment of the electric current generated by the thermocouple.
Alternatively the variant of
In short, the electro-actuator 1 according to the present invention comprises at least a pressing/pulling force that achieves the normally closed condition, interrupting the passage of the fuel gas to the burner.
Said pressing/pulling force may advantageously be of elastic or magnetic nature, according to the construction variants.
Where the pressing/pulling force is of elastic nature, the electro-actuator 1 comprises at least an elastic means, such as for example a compression spring, while in the case of pressing/pulling force said electro-actuator comprises at least one ferromagnetic element and at least one permanent magnet, suitably arranged and cooperating with each other.
In general said pressing/pulling force is susceptible to be won by the command forces exerted for the opening of said outlet channel 22 and from said anchoring force between the ferromagnetic element 32 and the electromagnet 4.
With regards to the opening and closing command of the electro-actuator 1 according to the present invention, it can be advantageously manual or electrically controlled.
In the case of manual opening and closing the user, through appropriate control means, translates the stem 21 of the valve bringing the ferromagnetic element 32 in contact with the electromagnet 32, while in the case of closing the user uncouples said elements.
The opening and closing by electric control takes place through the interaction between a cursor, sensitive to the magnetic field, and an electromagnet, advantageously a solenoid 33.
If said cursor comprises a permanent magnet the opening and closing command may be exerted through said solenoid 33, in particular through the inversion of its poles.
In the case in which said cursor comprises a ferromagnetic element, the opening of the electro-actuator 1 takes place via the solenoid 33 that pushes said cursor towards the bottom 102, while the closing command may be obtained substantially causing the annulment of the electric current generated by the thermocouple.
This can be obtained at least in two ways:
Nothing prevents to apply these switching off modes also to the variant in which the cursor is a permanent magnet.
Advantageously said interference membrane 230 is applicable to all the executive variants described.
In figure the numerals of the various components are not provided in order to facilitate the reading and understanding, and advantageously the terms and the concept expressed by
Referring then to the numerals of
Said force FF is the pressing/pulling force that operates the safety closing of said electro-actuator 1, and is susceptible to be won by the command forces FS exerted for the opening of said outlet channel 22 and by said anchoring force FP. Additionally the anchoring force FP is such that:
In particular, once the geometry is fixed the intensity and direction of the current being equal FS may be considered approximately constant as the position X varies and equal to FS_MAX(+) when the resultant of the forces on the element 30 acts in the positive direction of the axis x (opening command of the outlet channel 22); FS_MAX(−) when said resultant acts in the negative direction of the same axis (closing command of the outlet channel 22).
Additionally FS may take a positive value FS_MAX(+) and a negative value FS_MAX(−) corresponding to the sign of the electric current that feeds the solenoid 33.
The table shows:
Preferably the command ON(+) provides for the opening of the electro-actuator 1, while the command ON(−) provides for the closing of the said electro-actuator 1.
The state is explained for various operating conditions of the burner controlled by the electro-actuator 1 according to the present invention where:
In short the active forces in the electro-actuator 1 may be summarised as follows:
It is clear that the combination in various ways of the variants just described may lead to further variants without departing from the scope of the invention as well as many embodiments and applications are possible.
The electro-actuator according to the invention may for example be very useful for the supply of the premix burners for cooktops, both of the atmospheric type and blown type such as those described in documents AN2014A000130, AN2014A000176, AN2015A000041, AN2015A00042, AN2015A000060, AN2015A000061 and 102015000018411.
By “premix burner” it is meant a burner in which the primary air is fed in amounts sufficient for the complete combustion without the need for the supply of secondary air on the flames.
By “blown burner” it is meant a burner in which the primary air intended to take part in the combustion is not drawn by Venturi effect but is fed into the same burner through a fan and in precisely controlled amounts. In such burners the primary air therefore enters through calibrated orifices and in many cases it is appropriate that it is fed into or intercepted simultaneously upon the feeding/interception of the gas.
Both figures with 21 indicate the stem whereto one or more shutters 20 are constrained that intercept the passage of gas and air from the respective distribution conduits 23 and 24 towards the outlet channel 22 to the burner.
In particular,
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102015000037606 | Jul 2015 | IT | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2016/001043 | 7/21/2016 | WO | 00 |
