Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A kit for a domestic gas appliance
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a kit for a domestic gas appliances, and, more
specifically,
to a kit for a domestic gas appliances in which a flame is generated and in
which the
flame can be modified by acting on at least one valve. The invention also
relates to a
domestic gas burner, and to a method for modulating a flame of a burner of a
domestic gas appliance.
PRIOR ART
Up until very recently domestic heating appliances and even lighting
appliances
functioned by burning solid materials such as wood. However, these types of
appliances are gradually being replaced by appliances that burn non-solid
materials
such as gas or which generate heat or light electrically. The latter types of
appliances do not, therefore, produce the combustion effect of flames that
appliances burning solid materials do (e.g., visual effect and/or sound
effect). The
combustion effect often causes the user to feel a sense of well-being and
relaxation
that they do not experience with gas or electrical appliances.
In order to solve the absence of the combustion effect and generate these
sensations in the user, different types of appliances are now appearing on the
market. One type is electrical appliances that simulate the flame or fire to
obtain
these combustion effects, some of them even simulating the sound produced by
the
flames. An example of this type of appliance is disclosed in the document
US20070125367A1 where a flame is simulated by electronic means. At least one
light source, such as LEDs, is used to achieve this in conjunction with a
microprocessor that is used to vary the intensity of the light and its colour
of the light
(of the LEDs) in order to simulate the natural effect of a live flame.
Simulation of logs
and wood are also disclosed.
Appliances that heat and/or light by means of a non-solid fuel such as gas for
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example, hereinafter referred to as gas appliances, comprise at least one
burner to
which the gas is supplied, a flame being generated in the burner when the gas
is
ignited. The intensity of the flame depends on the gas (or on an air-gas
mixture) that
reaches the burner, and there are known appliances that, in order to simulate
the
effect of combustion cause a modification of the flame by the blowing an air
current
directly into the burner (or onto the flame generated in the burner) for
example,
thereby altering the flame, which modifies its shape in accordance with the
air
current directed into the burner. U.S. Patent No. 6,162,045 discloses an
example of
this type of appliances, in which the vibrations of a speaker disposed in the
burner
disturb the air-gas mixture that reaches the burner, the flame being altered
in
accordance with the vibrations.
In other gas appliances, in order to simulate a combustion effect, the gas
that
reaches the burner is regulated by acting on a valve that regulates the
passage of
the gas to the burner. Normally, the valve is acted on in accordance with
preset
patterns, the user being able to select among a preset number of patterns at
any
given moment. These patterns can imitate known music or even certain ambiences
such as a romantic ambience. U.S. Publication No. 2005/0208443A1 discloses a
gas heating appliance that comprises a control device for regulating the
characteristics of a gas generated flame, such as its frequency and size,
thereby
providing a combustion effect. To achieve this, the control device acts on a
valve to
regulate the gas that reaches the burner. The control device comprises a
plurality of
preset control modes or patterns that can be selected to control the valve
according
to the pattern selected by the user. However, a user of such appliance is
unable to
recreate ambiences that have not been preset in the control device.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide kit for a domestic gas
appliance in
which a flame can be modified to provide an aesthetic visual effect, to
provide a
domestic gas appliance, and to provide a method for modulating a flame of a
burner
of a domestic gas appliance.
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The kit of the invention is adapted to be used in a domestic gas appliance
comprising at least one burner where a flame is generated. The kit comprises
at
least one valve associated to the burner and which regulates the passage of
gas to
the burner, and control a control device that is associated to the valve and
which is
adapted to generate a control signal for controlling the position of the valve
based on
an analog audio/sound input for the purpose of regulating the flow of gas to
the
burner.
The control device generates the control signal representative of sounds
generated
in real - time. As a result, the user can select in real-time a sequence of
sounds in
order to produce a flame to recreate a desired ambience or feeling at any
given
moment without being forced to select from among a limited number of preset
ambience. At the same time the domestic gas appliance fulfils its main
function,
which can be heating (if it is a gas stove/heater) or lighting (if it is a gas
lamp) for
example.
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
Figure 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a gas appliance of the
invention.
Figure 2a shows a linear relationship between a reference signal and a control
signal of an appliance, such as that illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 2b shows a logarithmic relationship between a reference signal and a
control
signal of an appliance, such as that illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 2c shows a potential relationship between a reference signal and a
control
signal of an appliance, such as that illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3a represents the variations in amplitude of a melody for which the
most
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suitable relationship is a linear relationship and also a reference signal
representative of the variations.
Figure 3b represents the variations in amplitude of a melody for which the
most
suitable relationship is a logarithmic relationship and also a reference
signal
representative of the variations.
Figure 3c represents the variations in volume of a melody for which the most
suitable relationship is the potential relationship and also a reference
signal
representative of the variations.
Figure 4a illustrates a burner of one embodiment of the appliance of the
invention.
Figure 4b illustrates a burner of another embodiment of the appliance of the
invention.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a valve of one embodiment of the
appliance of
the invention, corresponding with a voice-coil type actuator.
Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a kit of the
invention,
incorporated into a domestic gas appliance.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, a domestic gas appliance
100
according to one implementation of the present invention. The appliance 100
may
be, for example, a gas heating appliance, a gas stove, or a lighting appliance
such
as a gas lamp. In one implementation appliance 100 comprises at least one
burner 1
where a flame is generated, at least one valve 2 associated to the burner 1,
and
control device 3 that is associated with valve 2 and which is adapted to
generate at
least one control signal Sc used in the control of valve 2 to regulate the
passage of
gas to burner 1. The appliance 100 may also comprise lighting means, such as,
for
example, an igniter or a spark generator (not shown in the figures) to ignite
the
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flame in the burner 1. In one implementation the control device 3 is adapted
to cause
the lighting means to ignite the gas that reaches burner 1 at a given moment,
the
flame being generated as a result of the lighting. The control device 3 may
comprise
a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a control device, a microprocessor or an
equivalent device.
In one embodiment of the invention, the control device 3 receives an analog
reference signal Sref representative of the amplitudes of a sequence of
sounds, and
generates the control signal Sc in accordance with a reference signal Sref to
cause
the flame in the burner 1 to move in accordance with the sequence of sounds.
The
control signal Sc is preferably analogical, but it can also be digital.
The sequence of sounds comprises a melody or music, although any other type of
sequences can be used, such as, for example, the simulation of sea-waves. The
sequence of sounds can be generated by a stereo, music centre or any other
type
media player 5 that transmits an analog sound signal Sson identifying the
music it is
playing. In one embodiment the appliance 100 comprises an amplifying stage 6
that
receives the analog sound signal Sson and which regulates the gain of the
analog
sound signal Sson. If the analog sound signal Sson has very high voltage
values the
amplifying stage 6 decreases the voltage values, if the analog sound signal
Sson
has very low voltage values it increases the voltage values, and if the analog
sound
signal Sson has intermediate or acceptable voltage values it maintains voltage
values. Voltage values that can be accepted and treated by the control device
3 can
be understood as intermediate or acceptable voltage values, which can depend
on
the control device 3 used.
The appliance 100 can comprise an adaptation stage 7 where the signal leaving
the
amplifying stage 6 is treated. In one implementation the manufacturer presets
the
parameter of the signal that is to be taken into account in generating the
control
signal Sc, which can correspond with its size (instantaneous signal), its
effective
value or which can be in accordance with the detection of peaks, for example.
The
output signal of the adaptation stage 7 corresponds with the reference signal
Sref
that reaches the control device 3, as shown in Figure 1, the control device 3
generating the control signal Sc in accordance with the reference signal Sref.
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Figures 3a and 3c illustrate exemplary reference signals, Sref, producible by
an
adaptation stage 7.
The relationship between the reference signal Sref and the control signal Sc
may be,
for example, linear, logarithmic or potential, which are represented by the
curves
shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c respectively. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show three
different types of melodies, with different rhythms, shown in accordance with
the
variations in the amplitudes (peaks and/or valleys) of the melodies (reference
signal
Sref in the x-axis). In the representation shown in Figure 3a, the amplitude
of the
melody suffers frequent variations between an area of maximum levels Zmax and
an
area of minimum levels Zmin, these being major variations in amplitude, as a
result
of which the most suitable relationship to be applied in this case is the
linear
relationship shown in Figure 2a. In the representation shown in 3b, the volume
of the
melody suffers frequent variations only in the area of minimum levels Zmin,
these
being minor variations in amplitude, and suffers very few variations between
the
area of minimum levels Zmin and the area of maximum levels Zmax, and/or area
of
maximum levels Zmax. In this case, therefore, in order to achieve good
resolution,
especially in the variations in amplitude of the area of minimum levels Zmin,
as a
result of which the most suitable relationship to be applied in this case is
the
logarithmic relationship shown in Figure 2b, by means of which a small range
of
analog input values (x-axis) of the area of minimum levels Zmin corresponds to
a
large range of digital output values (control signal Sc in the y-axis). In the
representation shown in Figure 3c, the amplitude of the melody suffers
frequent
variations only in the area of maximum levels Zmax, these being minor
variations in
amplitude, and suffers very few variations between the area of maximum levels
Zmax and the area of minimum levels Zmin, and/or in the area of minimum levels
Zmin. In this case, therefore, in order to achieve a good resolution,
especially in the
variations in amplitude of the area of maximum levels Zmax, as a result of
which the
most suitable relationship to be applied in this case is the potential
relationship
shown in Figure 2c, by means of which a small range of analog input values (x-
axis)
of the area of maximum levels Zmax corresponds to a large range of digital
output
values (control signal Sc in the y-axis). In one implementation, the control
device 3
automatically selects the most appropriate relationship to be applied. In
another
implementation one or more user interfaces are provided that enables the user
to
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select between an automatic mode and a manual mode. In the automatic mode the
control device automatically selects the most appropriate relation, whereas in
the
manual mode the user is permit to select the relationship to be applied.
Appliance 100 may comprise a single burner 1 with a single combustion area la
where a flame is ignited, or with a plurality of combustion areas 1a where a
flame is
capable of being ignited in each of the combustion areas la. Appliance 100 may
also comprise a plurality of burners 1, each of them comprising one or more
combustion areas la. In one implementation appliance 100 comprises, for each
combustion area la, an associated gas supply valve 2 with the control device 3
capable of generating a control signal Sc for each valves 2. The control
signals Sc
may be equal or different for all the valves 2. In one implementation control
signals
Sc having different relationships (e.g., linear, logarithmic, potential) with
the
reference signal Sref are supplied to different valves 2 of a gas appliance.
For
example, in one implementation a control signal Sc having a linear
relationship with
the reference signal Sref is supplied to one valve 2 while a control signal Sc
having a
logarithmic or potential relationship with the reference signal Sref is
supplied to
another valve 2. In general, in each combustion area la the flame may be
modulated or modified separately to the rest of the combustion areas 1a. The
burner
1 is not restricted to a specific shape and/or arrangement and can comprise
any
conventional shape such as those shown in Figure 4a (with a single combustion
area 1a in this case) and in Figure 4b (with two combustion areas 1a in this
case,
also disposed at different heights). In each combustion area 1a the
corresponding
tube 1c comprises a plurality of grooves 1a' through which the flame exits to
the
outside. As shown in Figure 4b, additionally, the shape and/or arrangement of
a
combustion area 1 a (of a pipe 1 c where the combustion area 1 a is disposed)
may be
different to that of another combustion area la (the pipe 1c of another
combustion
area 1a), and the burner 1 can comprise an intermediate pipe lb to connect the
flame of one combustion area la with another combustion area la, so that the
flames present in the burner 1 display a continuity despite being generated in
different combustion areas 1 a.
To obtain a flame that represents the amplitude of the sequence of sounds in
the
most realistic way possible, the use of valves 2 that can be opened and closed
at
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high speeds, speeds in excess of about 30Hz for example, is advised. In one
implementation of the present invention the valve 2 comprises a voice-coil
type
actuator as shown in f=igure 5. This type of actuator comprises a permanent
magnet
2b, and in one implementation the permanent magnet 2b is axially magnetised
while
in another it is radially magnetised. Alternatively, the valve 2 may comprise,
without
limitation, a piezoelectric-bender actuator or an ultrasonic-type motor, which
can also
be opened and closed at high speeds.
In one implementation valve 2 comprises a voice-coil type actuator. This type
of
actuator comprises a moving part 2a (moving reel), the movement of which
causes
the valve 2 to open and close, thereby enabling or preventing the passage of
gas to
the burner 1. In one implementation the voice-coil has a low mechanical
inertia in
order to allow the moving part 2a to move at frequencies of 30Hz or greater.
In order
to cause the moving part 2a to move, an electrical current is supplied to the
actuator
with the result that a magnetic field is generated that is opposed to the
force exerted
by the permanent magnet 2b, causing the valve 2 to open. In one implementation
appliance 100 comprises a driver 8 or a control system (not shown in the
figures) for
the valve 2, which receives the control signal Sc. In such an implementation
the
driver 8 generates the electrical current for the actuator of the valve 2 in
accordance
with the control signal Sc, which in the implementation in which the control
signal Sc
is digital it can be a square wave signal. The square signals may comprise, in
each
period, an interval Ton in which the signal corresponds with a "1" logic, and
an
interval Toff in which the signal corresponds with a "0" logic, the
relationship
between the intervals Ton and Toff being known as a duty-cycle. The adjusting
of
the duty-cycle of the electrical current signal enables the opening and
closing of the
valve 2 to be controlled. In the implementation in which the control signal Sc
is
analogical, the valve 2 can comprise intermediate positions, not only a
totally open
position or a totally closed position, different amounts of gas being allowed
through
said valve 2 towards the burner 2 depending on said control signal Sc.
The sequence of sounds is generated by a sound device 5, which in one
implementation is a conventional device that is already disposed with an
output that
corresponds with the sound signal Sson. The sound device 5 can comprise, for
example, capture devices such as CD and DVD players, microphones etc, or
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devices known as virtual electronic devices, such as a guitar or an electronic
baton
for example. The sound device 5 can also be a device external to the heating
appliance 100, as shown in Figure 1, or it can be built into the appliance 100
itself. In
the event that the sound device 5 is external, the appliance 100 comprises an
input
15 for receiving the sound signal Sson originating from the sound device 5,
which in
one implementation comprises a plug.
In one implementation, a control system of the present invention includes a
user
interface 9 that permits, for example, a user of the system to deactivate the
control
system. When an OFF mode is selected, the gas control valve 2 is adapted to
remain open in spite of any audio signal introduced into the system. The user
interface 9 can be operatively connected to the control device 3 so that a
control
signal Sc is generated to maintain the gas control valve 2 open. The interface
9 can
also deactivate the control device 3, or otherwise acts upon other control
system
components in a manner such that no control signal Sc is delivered to the gas
control valve 2, the gas control valve 2 being adapted to assume and maintain
an
open position in the absence of receiving a control signal Sc. The user
interface 9
can also be used for selecting between an automatic mode and a manual mode to
select the relationship between the analog sound signal son and the reference
signal
Sref, or additional user interface can also be used for this purpose.
An advantage of present invention is that it may easily be integrated into a
wide
variety of gas appliances. In one implementation a kit 300 for integration or
incorporation into a gas appliance is provided. In one implementation, as
shown in
Figure 6, the kit 300 comprises a gas control valve 2 and a control device 3,
with an
optional ON/OFF switch 20. In the example of Figure 6, the gas control valve 2
is
installed in the gas line 208 between a shut-off valve 210 and a gas burner 1.
In one
implementation, the shut-off valve 210 is a safety valve that is coupled to a
thermocouple situated in or near the burner and is adapted to close upon a
disruption or extinguishing of a pilot flame associated with the burner 1. In
another
implementation the shut-off valve is a manually operated valve. In one
implementation the control device 3 comprises at least an analog input for
receiving
an analog audio signal, equal to that previously discussed, for generating a
control
signal Sc to be delivered to and regulate the position of gas control valve
200. In
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addition to the control device 3, the kit 300 also includes one or more of the
components 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 or any of the other features previously described
herein.
Although the present invention has been disclosed in the context of certain
embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art
that the
present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to
other
alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications
and
equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present
invention
herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments
described above.
