Gas valve with fuel rate monitor

摘要

This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a flow module for sensing one or more parameters of a gas flowing through the fluid path of the gas valve, and may determine a measure that is related to a gas flow through the fluid path. A measure related to a gas flow may include, but is not limited to, a measure of fuel consumption by a device or appliance attached to an output port of the valve assembly. Illustratively, the flow module may include one or more valve controllers in communication with one or more pressure sensors, one or more flow sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more valve position sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors as desired.

主权项

1. A gas valve assembly for controlling a gas flow to a combustion appliance, the gas valve assembly comprising:
a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, with a fluid path extending between the inlet port and the outlet port; a first gas valve member and a second gas valve member situated in the fluid path between the inlet port and the outlet port, the first gas valve member and the second gas valve member selectively movable between a closed position, which closes the fluid path between the inlet port and the outlet port, and an open position, which opens the fluid path between the inlet port and the outlet port; a flow module for sensing one or more parameters of a gas flowing through the fluid path, and determining a measure that is related to a gas flow rate through the fluid path; wherein the first gas valve member seals against a first valve seat situated in the fluid path between the inlet port to the outlet port; wherein the second gas valve member seals against a second valve seat situated in the fluid path between the inlet port to the outlet port; a characterized port that corresponds to the second valve seat; wherein the valve assembly defines the characterized port in the fluid path between the inlet port and the outlet port; and wherein the flow module includes a first pressure sensor for sensing a pressure upstream of the characterized port, and a second pressure sensor for sensing a pressure downstream of the characterized port.