Patent ID: 8766116

Claim:
A rotary encoder for use with a gas valve on a range, the gas valve having a valve stem, the rotary encoder comprising: a housing having a slot extending from one edge of the housing to a central portion so that the housing may be installed around the valve stem along an axis perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the valve stem, the housing sized to fit between a valve body and a control knob attachable on an end of the valve stem; a printed circuit board fitting within the housing and having a corresponding slot aligned with the slot of the housing, the printed circuit board having electrical conductors on at least a first surface; and a wiper assembly fitting within the housing against the first surface of the printed circuit board to contact the electrical conductors on the first surface with rotation of the wiper assembly, the wiper assembly further having a slot corresponding to the slot of the housing and the slot of the printed circuit board and aligned therewith at a predetermined rotational orientation wherein in the valve stem provides a key surface received by a corresponding key surface at the end of the slot of the wiper assembly to cause the valve stem and wiper assembly to rotate together when the wiper assembly is installed on the valve stem.