Gas flow control for gas burners utilizing a micro-electro-mechanical valve

Abstract

An electronically controlled gas burner system and method using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) valve. The system includes at least one gas burner and MEMS valves comprising an array of microvalves in fluid communication with the gas burner. The system also includes a microvalve controller for controlling the opening of each of the microvalves in the MEMS valve. The MEMS valve may be positioned remote from, or within, the gas burner. A method for controlling microvalves in a MEMS valve for firing a gas burner may include issuing a command for a desired gas flow and controlling an opening of at least some of the microvalves in the array to provide the desired gas flow corresponding to the command.

1 . An electronically controlled gas burner system comprising: 
 at least one gas burner;    a micro-electro-mechanical valve comprising a plurality of microvalves in parallel fluid communication with the gas burner; and    a microvalve controller for controlling the opening of each of the microvalves in the micro-electro-mechanical valve.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-electro-mechanical valve is positioned remote from the gas burner.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-electro-mechanical valve is positioned within the gas burner.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the micro-electro-mechanical valve is coupled to a plurality of gas burners.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the plurality of microvalves in the micro-electro-mechanical valve is coupled to a respective one of the plurality of gas burners.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microvalve controller further comprises a module to selectively control an opening of each of the microvalves for controlling a gas output.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the module comprises a pulse width modulator.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microvalve controller is further coupled to an electronic interface programmable by a user.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the microvalve controller is further coupled to a sensor positioned proximate the burner.  
   
   
       10 . An electronically controlled gas burner system comprising: 
 at least one gas burner; and    a micro-electro-mechanical valve comprising a plurality of independently controllable microvalves in parallel fluid communication with the gas burner.    
   
   
       11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . The gas burner of  claim 10 , further comprising a microvalve controller for controlling an opening of each of the microvalves.  
   
   
       13 . The gas burner of  claim 12 , wherein each of the microvalves is configured to contribute to a flame when opened by the microvalve controller.  
   
   
       14 . The gas burner of  claim 12 , wherein the microvalve controller further comprises a pulse width modulator to modulate the opening of each of the microvalves for controlling a gas output.  
   
   
       15 . The gas burner of  claim 14 , wherein the pulse width modulator operates at duty cycle in the range of between 90% and 10%.  
   
   
       16 . The gas burner of  claim 15 , wherein the pulse width modulator operates at duty cycle in the range of between 60% and 40%.  
   
   
       17 . A gas valve comprising a plurality of microvalves in parallel fluid communication with a gas burner of a cooking appliance.  
   
   
       18 . The gas valve of  claim 17 , further comprising a microvalve controller for controlling the opening of each of the microvalves.  
   
   
       19 . A method for controlling to a gas burner comprising: 
 issuing a command for a desired gas flow; and    controlling opening of at least some of a plurality of independently controllable microvalves in parallel fluid communication to provide the desired gas flow corresponding to the command.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising allocating a portion of the plurality of microvalves to a respective burner of a multiburner appliance.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein controlling an opening of each of the microvalves comprises driving the microvalve to be fully open.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 issuing a feedback command to adjust the gas flow; and    adjusting the gas flow by changing the opening of at least some of the microvalves.    
   
   
       23 . The gas valve of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of microvalves are independently controllable.