Abstract:
A gas valve having a gas enclosure with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a passage opening situated between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A valve seat of the valve cooperates with the passage opening to regulate the flow of gas through the valve. An electrical actuator assembly is operatively coupled with the valve seat to regulate the flow of gas through the valve. In one implementation the gas enclosure is at least in part sealed by an elastic sealing member that is pressed upon by a printed circuit board that electrically connects the actuator assembly to an exterior of the gas valve.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application relates to and claims the benefit and priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2011/062889 filed Jul. 27, 2011, which claims the benefit and priority to European Patent Application No. EP10382239.1 filed Aug. 27, 2010. Both applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to gas valves. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Gas valves are generally used to control or regulate the flow of gas reaching a burner (or another device of this type), the flame generated in said burner thereby being regulated. The regulation can mean to regulate the amount of gas flow reaching the burner (regulation valves), or even to allow or not the passage of a gas flow towards said burner (ON/OFF-type valves). Said valves comprise a gas inlet through which they receive the gas coming from a gas source for example, a gas outlet through which the regulated gas flow exits towards the burner, a passage opening that communicates the inlet with the outlet, a valve seat that cooperates with the passage opening to regulate (or allow and/or prevent) the gas flow, the outlet gas flow to said burner thereby being regulated, and internal means accessible from the exterior. 
         [0004]    The internal means can comprise at least one sensor or actuation means for example. The sensor can be a temperature sensor for example, and can provide the detected temperature to the exterior of the valve. The actuation means exerts a force on the valve seat to move it and thus causes it to cooperate with the passage opening when power is supplied to it. As a result, power must be supplied to the actuation means to regulate the gas flow, and generally the supply comes from the exterior of the valve. 
         [0005]    Such a valve must comprise a connection to the exterior, through which the actuation means can be supplied from the exterior and/or through which the sensor provide the detected temperature, for example. 
         [0006]    Document EP1382907A1 discloses a gas valve comprising internal means connected to the exterior, and connections that run out to the exterior to communicate or connect the internal means with the exterior. In this case the internal means comprise actuation means, said actuation means corresponding with electromagnetic means. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    The gas valve of the invention comprises a gas enclosure with an inlet, an outlet and a passage opening to communicate the outlet with the inlet, a valve body that comprises an attached valve seat that cooperates with the passage opening to regulate (or allow or prevent) the gas flow, internal means connected to the exterior of the valve, connection means to communicate or connect the internal means to the exterior of the valve, and elastic means to close the gas enclosure in a sealed manner from the exterior of the valve with the exception of the inlet and the outlet. 
         [0008]    The valve also comprises a metal printed circuit board that presses the elastic means towards the inside of the gas enclosure, the printed circuit board being connected to the internal means and said printed circuit board comprising a connection area that comprises, at least partially, the connection means and which is accessible from the exterior, the internal means being communicated or connected to the exterior through said connection area. 
         [0009]    As a result, the interior of the valve can be communicated or connected to the exterior in a simple and safe manner while the elastic means are pressed at all times by a metal material, a sealed closure of the valve being also provided. 
         [0010]    These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be made evident in the light of the drawings and the detailed description thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a valve according to the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 1 , showing the inlet and outlet of said valve. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 1 , showing a connection area of a printed circuit board of said valve. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a valve according to the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 4 , showing the inlet and the outlet of said valve. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the valve of  FIG. 4 , showing a connection area of a printed circuit board of said valve. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a ground view of the valve of  FIG. 4 , without the second body of said valve. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  shows a valve assembly, comprising two valves of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  joined in series. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    A gas valve  300  according to the invention comprises a gas enclosure  1  with a gas inlet  10 , a gas outlet  11 , and a passage opening  13  to communicate the outlet  11  with the inlet  10 , as it is shown in the embodiment of the  FIG. 2  for example. 
         [0020]    A valve  300  according to the invention also comprises in its interior a valve member  3  that comprises an attached valve seat  30  which cooperates with the passage opening  13  to allow or prevent the gas flow from reaching the outlet  11 , and which cooperates with said passage opening  13  to regulate the gas flow that reaches the outlet  11 , and internal means communicated or connected to the exterior of the valve  300 . The valve  300  can act as an ON/OFF valve, allowing the flow entering through the inlet  10  to reach the outlet  11  or preventing it, or as a regulation valve, where the valve seat  30  can close the passage opening  13  completely or only partially, thereby regulating the gas flow that reaches the outlet  11 . 
         [0021]    The gas enclosure  1 , without taking into account the inlet  10  and the outlet  11 , is closed in a sealed manner with respect of the exterior by means of elastic means  5 , in those areas where a connection with the exterior or even with another body of the valve  300  is required. 
         [0022]    A valve  300  according to the invention also comprises a metal printed circuit board  6 , preferably made of aluminium, which presses the elastic means  5  towards the gas enclosure  1  allowing said elastic means  5  to provide a sealed and safe closure of the gas enclosure  1 . The printed circuit board  6  is connected to the internal means and comprises a connection area  60  that comprises, at least partially, the connection means, the internal means being communicated or connected to the exterior through said connection area  60 . The connection area  60  preferably corresponds with an extension of the printed circuit board  6 , and is preferably adapted to receive a connector (not shown in the figures), it thereby being possible to connect the interior of the valve  300  with the exterior in a very simple manner. Said printed circuit board  6  is connected to the internal means by means of at least one connection fixed at one end to said internal means and at the other end to the printed circuit board  6 , the connection means corresponding with one track that extend from the connection area  60  of said printed circuit board  6  to the point where the connection is connected to the printed circuit board  6 , the track being connected to a corresponding connection. 
         [0023]    In a first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  the valve  300  acts as a regulation valve, and in a second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 to 7  the valve  300  acts as an ON/OFF-type valve. In both embodiments the internal means comprise actuation means  20  that act on the valve member  3  so that the valve seat  30  cooperates with the passage opening  13 , and the actuation means  20  are supplied from the exterior of the valve  300  through the connection means. The actuation means  20  can be electromagnetic as shown in the figures, preferably comprising in this case a static permanent magnet  26 , a moving part  27 , and a coil  28  wound in the moving part  27 , the moving part  27  being connected to the valve seat  30  of the valve member  3 . By means of the connection means a supply is provided to the coil  28 , said coil  28  being supplied when said actuation means  20  are supplied. When the coil  28  is supplied a magnetic field is generated between said coil  28  and the permanent magnet  26 , which creates a regulation force F 2 , thereby causing the movement of the moving part  27  when said regulation force F 2  exceeds an opposite maintenance force F 1  exerted by closure means  7  of the valve  300 , the valve seat  30  being moved in conjunction with said moving part  27 . The closure means  7  comprise a spring and in the absence of supply to the actuation means  20  cause the valve seat  30  to close the passage opening  13  completely. In the second embodiment, depending on the value of the supply current applied to the coil  28 , the movement of said valve seat  30  can be regulated, thereby enabling the outlet gas flow of the valve  300  to be regulated. The actuation means  20  can also comprise a linear displacement device, a step motor or an electronic multiple-connection device that can be used to regulate the gas, not shown in the figures. 
         [0024]    In the first and second embodiments, the printed circuit board  6  is connected to the actuation means  20  by means of two connections  21  and  22  fixed at one end to said actuation means  20  (to the coil  28 ) and at the other end to the printed circuit board  6 , the connection means corresponding with two tracks  41  and  42  that extend from the connection area  60  of said printed circuit board  6  to the point where the connections  21  and  22  are connected to the printed circuit board  6 , each track  41  and  42  being connected to a corresponding connection  21  and  22 . In order to avoid possible short-circuits, the tracks  41  and  42  are covered with an electric insulating material. 
         [0025]    In the first embodiment the valve  300  also comprises an actuator  301  that is operated externally and which preferably comprises a switch. Said actuator  301 , when operated, presses on the valve seat  30 , moving it against the force exerted by the closure means  7 , thereby opening the passage opening  13 . By applying a supply to the actuation means  20  said passage opening  13  is kept open, and in the absence of said supply, the closure force F 1  imposes itself and the closure means  7  cause the closure of said passage opening  13  (provided that the actuator  301  is not being operated externally). 
         [0026]    The internal means of a valve  300  according to the invention can be housed in the gas enclosure  1 , as occurs in the first embodiment for example. The elastic means  5  comprises a hole  51 , 52  for each connection, the connection passing through said hole to connect to the printed circuit board  6 . The printed circuit board  6  can comprise a respective hole  61 , 62  for each connection, the connection passing through said hole after passing through the respective hole of the elastic means  5 . Said connection is connected to the face of the printed circuit board  6  opposite the face that presses on the elastic means  5 , and correspond with one pins (or wire), preferably made of copper, the track being formed on said face opposite the face that presses on said elastic means  5 . To ensure the gas enclosure  1  is sealed, the elastic means  5  comprise an extension  50  for each hole of the printed circuit board  6 , which passes through the corresponding hole, so that said elastic means  5  surround the connection as it passes through the hole of the printed circuit board  6 . The connection could also be directly connected to the face of the printed circuit board  6  that presses on the elastic means  5  and preferably correspond with one copper wire, the track being formed on said face. 
         [0027]    Thanks to the use of a metal printed circuit board  6 , the elastic means  5  is pressed by metal materials, and, in addition, the internal means can be connected to the exterior in a simple manner without this affecting the sealed nature of the gas enclosure  1 . Said internal means can also be positioned in said gas enclosure  1 , so that the size of an ON/OFF-type valve may be reduced considerably in comparison to the prior art. In addition, when the internal means is disposed in the gas enclosure  1  no type of seal is required between said gas enclosure  1  and a possible air enclosure  2  to house said internal means, as the existence of said air enclosure  2  is not necessary. 
         [0028]    When the internal means is disposed in the gas enclosure  1 , the valve  300  comprises a body  302 , and the body  302  can comprise a housing  303  for housing the printed circuit board  6 . Said printed circuit board  6  is fixed to the body  302  by rivets, for example, or other equivalent connection means. The body  302  also preferably comprises an additional housing  304  in the area of the connection area  60 , adapted to enable the insertion of a connector, for example, which also serves to protect said connection area  60 . 
         [0029]    A valve  300  according to the invention can also comprise an air enclosure  2  where the internal means are disposed, as occurs in the second embodiment for example. The valve  300  comprises a first body  100  that comprises the gas enclosure  1 , and a second body  200  that comprises the air enclosure  2  and which is connected to the first body  100 , the internal means being housed in the air enclosure  2  and the elastic means  5  being disposed between said air enclosure  2  and the gas enclosure  1 , said gas enclosure  1  being closed in a sealed manner in relation to said air enclosure  2 . The printed circuit board  6  is disposed in the air enclosure  2 , and the second body  200  comprises an inner perimeter wall  29  that presses on a face of the printed circuit board  6 , preferably on an outer edge of said printed circuit board  6 , so that said printed circuit board  6 , as well as being held in place, is exerting pressure against the elastic means  5  with the opposite face. In said second embodiment the elastic means  5  preferably comprise a membrane. The required connections are directly connected to the face of the printed circuit board  6  opposite to the one exerting pressure on the elastic means  5 , and preferably each one comprise a wire (which can be covered with an insulating material). The required tracks are formed on said face of the printed circuit board  6  opposite to the one exerting pressure on said elastic means  5 . The first body  100  preferably comprises a projection  15  to protect the connection area  60 , which can also serve as a support for said connection area  60 , also providing rigidity to said connection area  60 . 
         [0030]    When the internal means is disposed in the air enclosure  2  the second body  200  comprises a metal structure  23  that is directly connected to a metal structure  14  of the first body  100 , the metal structure  23  of the second body  200  comprising a window  24  through which the connection area  60  of the printed circuit board  6  extends so that it can be accessed from the exterior. Said metal structure  23  also comprises an inner perimeter recess that makes the inner wall  29  possible. Thanks to the recess the metal structure  23  can press the printed circuit board  6  against the inner wall  29 , the elastic means  5  against a contact surface, as shown in  FIG. 6 , and can even be supported on the metal structure  14  of the body  100 , also against said contact surface, thereby providing a sealed and safe closure between both bodies  100  and  200 . The elastic means  5  is thus pressed by metal means: the metal printed circuit board  6  and the metal structures  14  and  23 . Said metal structures  14  and  23  are preferably made of aluminium. 
         [0031]    When the internal means is disposed in the air enclosure  2 , all that presses on the elastic means  5  can be the metal printed circuit board  6 , the metal structures  14  and  23  being capable of being connected together to connect the bodies  100  and  200  directly or by means of said printed circuit board  6 , although in whichever case the second structure  23  also presses on the printed circuit board  6  in order to hold it in place. 
         [0032]    When the internal means comprise actuation means, through the connection area  60  of the printed circuit board  6  can arrive the supply for the actuation means  20  and other additional signals (and/or can also exit other additional signals), such as control signals in the event that the actuation means  20  comprise a step motor, for example. In this case the printed circuit board  6  comprises additional tracks that reach the step motor (or the electronic multiple-connection device) or the point where said motor is connected to said printed circuit board  6  by means of wires, pins or another type of connection. 
         [0033]    In a valve  300  according to the invention the internal means can comprise at least one sensor disposed in the gas enclosure  1  or in the air enclosure  2  if any in addition to the actuating means, said sensor being reached by the requiring signals through the connection area  60  of the printed circuit board  6  and/or the signals generated by it being projected outwards through said connection area  60 . In this case the printed circuit board  6  comprises additional tracks that reach the sensor or the point where said sensor is connected to said printed circuit board  6  by means of wires, pins or another type of connection. The internal means can also comprise at least one sensor and actuation means  20 , case in which, preferably, the actuation means  20  and the sensor are disposed in the same enclosure  1  or  2 . In a valve  300  according to the invention the internal means can also comprise at least one sensor without comprising any actuating means. 
         [0034]    A valve assembly can comprise a valve  300 , or even two valves  300  connected in series, as it is shown as an example in  FIG. 8 . In this case, the first valve  300  comprises the gas inlet  10  and the second valve  300  comprises the gas outlet  11 , the valve assembly comprising a communication passage, not shown in the figures, between the first valve  300  and the second valve  300 . Different configurations for both valves  300  are possible. In one configuration, for example, the first valve  300  acts as a regulation valve and regulates the amount of gas that flows towards the second valve  300 , and said second valve  300  acts as an ON/OFF valve allowing or not the flow of gas towards the gas outlet  11 . In another configuration, for example, the first valve  300  acts as an ON/OFF valve and allows or not the gas to flow towards the second valve  300 , and said second valve  300  acts as a regulation valve and regulates the amount of gas that flows towards the gas outlet  11 .