An improved gas fireplace hearth provides a controller and can perform new features. A pressure sensor may be provided to communicate to the controller to warn of a drop of inlet gas pressure to indicate a problem with gas service rather than the hearth. An ambient temperature sensor can provide an input to the controller for various features including a safety feature to shut off gas flow if the hearth becomes too hot. The hearth can be made more efficient by having the controller implement a zero voltage alternating current system to adjust the speed of the fan, flame height, lighting, BTU output or other feature.

A system for controlling digital gas valves of an appliance utilizing a configurable duty cycle that includes a configurable ON time, a configurable cycle period and one or more configurable burner power level variables. In some instances, the configurable duty cycle may be configured at least in part by operation of a control knob, and in some instances, multiple burner power levels may be specified such that cycling may be performed between multiple burner power levels.

Provided are embodiments of a gas valve for an intermittent pilot ignition system. The gas valve includes features designed to address the buildup of negative pressure in a fuel line connected to the gas valve that could cause internal valve diaphragms to open, drawing fuel from the gas valve. In embodiments, the gas valve includes a system of check valves designed to seal off the gas valve when a negative pressure develops. In other embodiments, the gas valve includes a relief valve having a relief port so that air is able to enter the valve proximate to the inlet port so as to avoid building a negative pressure sufficient to open the diaphragms. In both cases, the valve remains primed with fuel for subsequent ignition. The gas valve is envisioned to be useful for a variety of pilot operated systems.

Provided are embodiments of a gas valve for an intermittent pilot ignition system. The gas valve includes features designed to address the buildup of negative pressure in a fuel line connected to the gas valve that could cause internal valve diaphragms to open, drawing fuel from the gas valve. In embodiments, the gas valve includes a system of check valves designed to seal off the gas valve when a negative pressure develops. In other embodiments, the gas valve includes a relief valve having a relief port so that air is able to enter the valve proximate to the inlet port so as to avoid building a negative pressure sufficient to open the diaphragms. In both cases, the valve remains primed with fuel for subsequent ignition. The gas valve is envisioned to be useful for a variety of pilot operated systems.

A system for controlling digital gas valves of an appliance utilizing a configurable duty cycle that includes a configurable ON time, a configurable cycle period and one or more configurable burner power level variables. In some instances, the configurable duty cycle may be configured at least in part by operation of a control knob, and in some instances, multiple burner power levels may be specified such that cycling may be performed between multiple burner power levels.

The method is for controlling a deflagration combustion process in a pistonless combustor. The method includes scavenging combustion products of the previous cycle, introducing air into the combustor thereby initiating a flow pattern having a first flow component within the combustor. Air is introduced into the pistonless combustor in a nonparallel angle in relation to the previous air input and thereby creating a second flow component to the flow pattern for increasing speed of combustion propagation. Fuel mixed into the air is introduced for creating a fuel-air mixture flowing within the flow pattern, and igniting the fuelair mixture within the pistonless combustor thereby increasing pressure within the pistonless combustor.

A self-energized programmable timer valve is provided in embodiments of this invention that can be used in watering and other systems, such as lawn watering systems and agricultural watering systems. The invention provides one or more components that serve the functions of a clock, a valve and an energizer (e.g., turbine) (i.e., a clock function, a valve function, and an energizing and/or turbine function) to control the flow of media (e.g., water) through the valve.

A self-energized programmable timer valve is provided in embodiments of this invention that can be used in watering and other systems, such as lawn watering systems and agricultural watering systems. The invention provides one or more components that serve the functions of a clock, a valve and an energizer (e.g., turbine) (i.e., a clock function, a valve function, and an energizing and/or turbine function) to control the flow of media (e.g., water) through the valve.

Methods and systems for a flame display may comprise flowing fuel from a fuel source to a burner via an electric valve fuel passage that includes an electric valve and via a mechanical valve fuel passage that includes a mechanical valve, receiving a flame boost mode request, and adjusting the electric valve to a wide open position. The flame display may further be operated in a music mode in which the electric valve is adjusted based on an audio input or in a standard mode.

A controller memorizes an accumulated combustion time by accumulating combustion time of a burner, and is set in a first lower-limit and a second lower-limit higher than the first lower-limit as a lower-limit lower than an initial value of an excess air ratio when reducing an excess air limit of a mixture gas of combustion air and a fuel gas, and the former is the lower-limit in case the accumulated combustion time is under a predetermined set time and the latter is the one in case the accumulated combustion time is the predetermined set time and over.