Fuel Selector Valve

Abstract

Provided is a fuel selector valve comprising a valve body, a flow selector, an inlet aperture, and a plurality of outlet apertures. A flow selector may be adjustable by rotation of a rotatable member. A rotatable member may comprise an engagement surface comprising adaptations to permit operational engagement with a tool. A plurality of outlet apertures may be in selectable fluid communication with the inlet aperture. The selectable fluid communication may be adjusted by adjustment of the flow selector.

1 . A fuel selector valve, wherein said fuel selector valve comprises,
 a valve body;   a flow selector adjustable by rotation of a rotatable member, said rotatable member comprising an engagement surface comprising adaptations to permit operational engagement with a tool;   an inlet aperture; and   a plurality of outlet apertures in selectable fluid communication with said inlet aperture, wherein said selectable fluid communication may be adjusted by adjustment of said flow selector.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 1 , further comprising an adaptation to prevent adjustment of the flow selector by means other than the tool 
     
     
         3 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of outlet apertures comprises,
 a first outlet aperture set, and   a second outlet aperture set.   
     
     
         4 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 3 , wherein said engagement surface is recessed within the valve body. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 4 , wherein said adaptation to prevent adjustment of the flow selector by means other than the tool comprises a shroud or barrier to restrict or block access to the engagement surface. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 5 , wherein said first outlet aperture set comprises a plurality of outlets. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 6 , wherein said second outlet aperture set comprises a plurality of outlets. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 7 , wherein said tool comprises a key, hex key, screwdriver, socket, lever, or wrench. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 8 , wherein said engagement surface comprises a pin reject feature or other tamper-resistant feature. 
     
     
         10 . A heater comprising,
 a fuel selector valve, wherein said fuel selector valve comprises,
 a valve body 
 a flow selector adjustable by rotation of a rotatable member, said rotatable member comprising, an engagement surface comprising adaptations to permit operational engagement with a tool; 
 an inlet aperture; 
 a plurality of outlet apertures in selectable fluid communication with said inlet aperture, wherein said selectable fluid communication may be adjusted by adjustment of said flow selector 
   a first burner adapted to combust a first fuel, said first burner being in fluid communication with an outlet aperture.   
     
     
         11 . The heater of  claim 10 , further comprising an adaptation to prevent adjustment of the flow selector by means other than the tool. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 11 , wherein said plurality of outlet apertures comprises,
 a first outlet aperture set, and   a second outlet aperture set.   
     
     
         13 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 12 , wherein said engagement surface is recessed within the valve body. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 13 , wherein said adaptation to prevent adjustment of the flow selector by means other than the tool comprises a shroud or barrier to restrict or block access to the engagement surface. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 14 , wherein said tool comprises a key, hex key, screwdriver, socket, lever, or wrench. 
     
     
         16 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 15 , wherein said first burner is adapted to combust propane and said first burner is in fluid communication with said first outlet aperture set. 
     
     
         17 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 16 , further comprising a second burner adapted to combust natural gas and said second burner is in fluid communication with said second outlet aperture set. 
     
     
         18 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 17 , further comprising an oxygen depletion sensor adapted to use either propane or natural gas, said oxygen depletion sensor being in fluid communication with said first outlet aperture set and with said second outlet aperture set. 
     
     
         19 . The fuel selector valve of  claim 18 , wherein said engagement surface comprises a pin reject feature or other tamper-resistant feature. 
     
     
         20 . A method for providing fuel to a heater, comprising 
       providing a heater comprising,
 a fuel selector valve, wherein said fuel selector valve comprises,
 a valve body 
 a flow selector adjustable by rotation of a rotatable member, said rotatable member comprising,
 an engagement surface recessed within said valve body, said engagement surface, said engagement surface comprising,
 adaptations to permit operational engagement with a tool, wherein said tool comprises a key, hex key, screwdriver, socket, lever, or wrench, and 
 an adaptation to prevent adjustment of the flow selector by means other than the tool, wherein said adaptation to prevent adjustment of flow comprises, 
  a shroud or barrier to restrict or block access to the engagement surface, or 
  a pin reject feature or other tamper-resistant feature; 
 
 
 an inlet aperture; 
 a plurality of outlet apertures in selectable fluid communication with said inlet aperture, wherein said selectable fluid communication may be adjusted by adjustment of said flow selector, wherein said plurality of outlet apertures comprises,
 a first outlet aperture set, and 
 a second outlet aperture set; and 
 
 
 a first burner adapted to combust propane in fluid communication with said first outlet aperture set; 
 a second burner adapted to combust natural gas in fluid communication with said second outlet aperture set; and 
 an oxygen depletion sensor adapted to use either propane or natural gas, said oxygen depletion sensor being in fluid communication with said first outlet aperture set and with said second outlet aperture set; and 
 
       providing an associated fuel source comprising either a propane source or a natural gas source; 
       fluidly engaging said associated fuel source with said inlet aperture; 
       if said associated fuel source comprises a propane source, then adjusting said flow selector with the tool to fluidly connect the inlet aperture with said first set of outlet apertures; and 
       if said associated fuel source comprises a natural gas source, then adjusting said flow selector with the tool to fluidly connect the inlet aperture with said second set of outlet apertures.