Gas valve for heating system

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas valve for a heating system. A heating system includes a gas burner configured to burn a gas to generate heat. The gas burner includes a gas inlet and a gas burner controller. The gas valve is arranged to regulate gas flow to a gas inlet of the gas burner. The system includes power lines, and the gas valve is connected to the gas burner controller via one or more of the power lines. A gas valve control unit is operatively connected to the gas valve. The gas valve control unit includes stored parameter data of the gas valve. The gas burner controller transmits an interrogation signal to the gas valve control unit, and the gas valve control unit is operative to transmit parameter data to the gas burner controller in response to receiving the interrogation signal. The interrogation signal and the parameter data are transmitted via one or more power lines interconnecting the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a heating system (eg for a house or a building), a gas valve suitable for use in said heating system to control the flow of gas to a gas burner, and a gas valve control unit for controlling the gas valve and communicating with a gas burner controller. Background Art

[0002] Heating systems typically use a boiler to heat water, which burns a gas such as propane or natural gas in a burner. This heat can then be passed through a heat exchanger so that the heat is transferred to another fluid (e.g., water or air), which can then be distributed through pipework to warm an environment such as a house or building. Such gas burners therefore require a gas valve that can be used to regulate or control the flow of gas into the gas burner, and therefore regulate or control the heat generation.

[0003] A typical gas burner is operated by a controller, which also controls the operation of an associated gas valve. Within the meaning of the present disclosure, the operation of a gas valve includes the operation of opening and closing the valve. In order to ensure the correct operation of the gas valve, the valve must be calibrated. Typically, the calibration is performed by the manufacturer before the gas valve is provided to the consumer. A valve including a stepper motor may have a varying relationship between the step size of the stepper motor and the resulting change in gas gas flow. The calibration data must be transmitted to the controller of the burner and stored in a memory of the controller of the burner to ensure that the heating system operates reliably in accordance with regulations and / or relevant safety standards. However, the step of synchronizing the gas valve with the gas burner by transmitting or loading the calibration data of the gas valve to the gas burner controller may be challenging. If the burner controller is provided with incorrect data and / or an incorrect or inappropriate gas valve is set for use therewith, the operation of the gas burner is impaired.

[0004] Known methods for transmitting calibration data of a gas valve to a controller of a gas burner may involve printing the calibration data on a valve which is used by a gas burner installer to manually enter the data onto the burner controller during installation. Alternatively, the data may be provided in the form of a QR code and a QR code reader may be used during installation to obtain the date and write the data to the controller. However, these methods have the following problems: errors may be introduced during data entry due to manual entry errors or by incorrectly labeling the calibration data. For example, a gas valve may be incorrectly assigned, or have an incorrect QR code or printed label affixed. This may result in an inappropriate gas valve being installed, or the burner controller being operated with incorrect calibration data.

[0005] Alternatively, components with very narrow tolerance bands can be used in the gas valve to avoid calibration altogether. However, such components are very expensive and render the system unaffordable for the general consumer market.

[0006] The present application aims to provide an improved heating system and gas valve which solves at least one of the above problems and / or which generally provides improvements. Summary of the invention

[0007] In a first aspect, a heating system is provided, the heating system comprising: a gas burner configured to burn gas to generate heat, the gas burner comprising a gas inlet and a gas burner controller; a gas valve arranged to regulate gas flow to a gas inlet of the gas burner and connected to the gas burner controller via one or more power lines; and A gas valve control unit is operatively connected to the gas valve, wherein the gas valve control unit comprises stored parameter data of the gas valve and is configured to transmit the parameter data of the gas valve to the gas burner controller via the one or more power lines between the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

[0008] The gas valve can be operated by operation of an actuator such as a stepper motor to adjust / modulate the gas flow through the valve. It will be appreciated that in order for the gas valve to operate, power must be supplied to it via a power line to provide the energy required to open and close the gas valve. The gas valve and the gas burner controller are electrically connected. The electrical connection between the gas valve and the gas burner operates as a communication line to enable the gas burner controller to communicate with the gas valve and control the gas valve. The gas valve control unit of the present disclosure advantageously utilizes the power line to transmit parameter data of the gas valve directly from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller. The parameter data may be calibration data and may be loaded onto the gas valve control unit during manufacturing, so that the data is directly stored on the valve and associated with the valve. The ability to transmit parameter data directly from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller advantageously eliminates the requirement for manual entry and ensures that the gas valve parameters are correctly transmitted to the gas burner controller. The operation and installation of the heating system are thereby improved. The gas valve control unit may be connected to the gas valve and form part of the gas valve as an integrated component.

[0009] The gas burner controller may be operable to transmit an interrogation signal to the gas valve control unit, and the gas valve control unit is operable to transmit parameter data to the gas burner controller in response to receiving the interrogation signal. The transmission of the interrogation signal may include transmitting a data packet to the gas valve control unit.

[0010] The gas valve and the gas valve control unit may each be arranged as a retrofit unit. For example, a pre-existing gas burner may be retrofitted with a gas valve comprising a gas valve control unit. For example, a pre-existing gas valve may be retrofitted with a gas valve control unit to provide a heating system. In some embodiments, the gas valve may be retrofitted with the gas valve control unit before the gas valve is connected to the gas burner. In other embodiments, the gas valve may be retrofitted with the gas valve control unit after the gas valve is connected to the gas burner. In other words, gas valve parameter data may be transmitted from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller without modifying the existing gas burner and / or gas valve. Thus, advantageously, no additional communication lines need to be provided to allow parameter data of the gas valve to be transmitted from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner, in addition to pre-existing power lines already present in the heating system.

[0011] The gas valve may have an operating voltage required to operate the valve, and wherein the interrogation signal comprises a voltage provided along at least one of the power lines between the gas burner controller and the gas valve that is lower than the operating voltage of the gas valve. The interrogation signal may be transmitted when the gas burner is powered on.

[0012] The gas valve may include an actuator, such as a stepper motor, for operating the valve, and the operating voltage is the voltage required to operate the actuator. Operating the valve may include modulating the opening of the valve to adjust the gas flow through the valve and / or opening and closing the valve (i.e., on / off). The opening and closing of the valve may be performed by a separate component of the system from the actuator, where the actuator only modulates the opening.

[0013] The parameter data may be transmitted from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller via the power line in the form of a modulated signal. The modulated signal may be a binary signal including two voltage bands, and the gas burner controller includes a demodulation unit for decoding the modulated signal. The two voltage bands may include a first voltage and a second voltage, and wherein both the first voltage and the second voltage are lower than an operating voltage of the gas valve. The operating voltage of the gas valve may be in the range of 18V to 30V, the first voltage may be in the range of 2V to 10V, and the second voltage is less than the first voltage 24V. In an embodiment, the first voltage may be 5V and the second voltage may be less than 5V.

[0014] The parameter data may include a gas valve identifier, and the gas burner controller is configured to verify installation of a correct gas valve based on the gas valve identifier.

[0015] In a second aspect of the disclosure, a gas valve for a heating system (e.g., the heating system of the first aspect) is provided. The gas valve comprises a gas valve control unit, the gas valve control unit being operative and configured to: -Store gas valve parameter data; - communicate with the gas burner controller; and - The parameter data is transmitted to the gas burner controller using the power line between the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

[0016] In a third aspect of the disclosure, a gas valve control unit for controlling a gas valve (e.g., the gas valve of the second aspect) in a heating system (e.g., the heating system of the first aspect), the gas valve control unit being configured to: - controlling a gas valve to operate the opening and closing of the valve for regulating the amount of gas flow through the gas valve; -Store gas valve parameter data; - communicate with the gas burner controller; and - The parameter data is transmitted to the gas burner controller using the power line between the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

[0017] Therefore, the following features and embodiments are equally applicable to the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0018] In some embodiments, the gas valve control unit includes a microcontroller, for example, an MCU unit including a microcontroller. The microcontroller can be configured to electronically communicate with a gas burner controller. The gas valve can include a stepper motor for controlling the operation of the valve, and the microcontroller can be connected to the stepper motor of the gas valve. The microcontroller can be configured to control the opening and closing of the valve by moving the stepper motor. The microcontroller can also be connected to the gas burner controller of the gas burner, and can receive power from the gas burner controller via a power line extending therebetween. The microcontroller can include a memory unit, wherein the memory unit stores parameter data associated with the gas valve. Alternatively or additionally, a CLPD (complex programmable logic device) or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) can be used.

[0019] In some embodiments, the gas valve control unit may be configured and operable to transmit parameter data to the gas burner controller in response to receiving an interrogation signal transmitted from the gas burner controller. The microcontroller may receive the interrogation signal and, in response to the interrogation signal, transmit the parameter data to the gas burner controller. Thus, in some embodiments, the gas burner controller may be configured to transmit the interrogation signal to the gas valve control unit via the power line, which in turn may include a microcontroller. Similarly, in some embodiments, the gas valve control unit is configured to receive the interrogation signal from the gas burner controller.

[0020] In some embodiments, the interrogation signal may be transmitted when the gas burner is powered on. The interrogation signal may be transmitted automatically when powered on. The gas burner may be provided with a timer so that it is arranged to be turned on at a certain time and turned off at a later specified time. Alternatively, the gas burner may be turned on manually. The gas burner may transmit an interrogation signal to the gas valve control unit when the gas burner is turned on, when the gas burner is activated by a timer and / or when the gas burner is turned on manually.

[0021] In some embodiments, the interrogation signal may be transmitted each time the gas burner is turned on. In other embodiments, the interrogation signal may be transmitted only when the gas burner is turned on for the first time (e.g., after installation) and / or after a power outage (e.g., a power outage). In some embodiments, the interrogation signal may be transmitted to the gas valve periodically. This may help ensure that the calibration data stored on the gas burner controller has not changed or become corrupted over time.

[0022] The gas valve requires a certain power or voltage to operate, such as 24V, which generates a current that is conducted along the power line from the gas burner controller to the gas valve. For example, the power line may connect a stepper motor of the gas valve to the gas burner controller. Alternatively or additionally, the power line may connect a microcontroller of a gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller. Upon receiving this current, sufficient power is provided to the gas valve to open and close the valve (e.g., move the position of the stepper motor) under minimum voltage conditions. In some embodiments, the interrogation signal may be a voltage provided along the power line between the gas burner controller and the gas valve (so that the gas burner can provide power to the gas valve) that is lower than the voltage required to operate the valve (i.e., move the stepper motor to modulate the gas flow). For example, the stepper motor has a threshold voltage at which the stepper motor can change position and therefore be used to change the rate of gas flow through the valve and / or open or close the valve. If the voltage required to operate the valve is 24V, the interrogation signal conducted along the same power line may include a voltage less than 24V. In some embodiments, the interrogation signal includes providing a 5V voltage to the gas valve along the power line. Because the interrogation signal is provided at a voltage lower than the voltage required to operate the gas valve, the interrogation signal can be transmitted without causing the gas valve to operate. However, the lower voltage is sufficient to power the electronics on the gas valve control unit to establish communication with the gas burner controller and transmit parameter data, but insufficient energy is provided for operation of the valve itself. As such, the valve is not operated and / or the position of the stepper motor cannot be changed due to insufficient power being supplied. At the same time, the interrogation signal provides sufficient energy to allow parameter data to be transmitted from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller without activating or operating the gas valve.

[0023] In some embodiments, after receiving the interrogation signal, the parameter data is transmitted from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller in the form of a modulated signal via the power line. For example, the gas valve control unit of the gas valve transmits a binary signal including two voltage bands to the gas burner controller. The microcontroller of the gas valve control unit can transmit a binary signal including two voltage bands to the gas burner controller.

[0024] Preferably, one of the two voltage bands corresponds to a 0 and the other voltage band corresponds to a 1 Boolean value. In other words, the modulated signal is a binary signal comprising a first voltage band and a second voltage band. In some embodiments, the first voltage band is substantially equal to the voltage of the interrogation signal, and the second voltage band may be less than the voltage of the interrogation signal. For example, the first voltage band may be 5V, and the second voltage band may be less than 5V, such as one of 4V, 3V, 2V, 1V, 0V, or ground.

[0025] In some embodiments, the gas burner controller includes a demodulation unit to decode a modulated (e.g. binary) signal. Thus, the gas burner controller may be further configured to receive the parameter data as a modulated signal and demodulate or decode the modulated signal to extract the parameter data therefrom. The gas burner controller may also be configured to store the demodulated or decoded data in its memory.

[0026] In some embodiments, the parameter data may be decoded before or after being transferred to and stored in the memory of the gas burner controller. The gas burner controller memory may be a non-volatile memory unit or a volatile memory unit. The gas valve parameter data may be stored in the gas burner controller in an encoded or decoded form. Therefore, the gas burner controller is further configured to store the parameter data received from the gas valve control unit. If the interrogation signal is stored in a volatile memory unit, the interrogation signal may need to be transmitted more frequently than if it is stored in a non-volatile memory unit.

[0027] In some embodiments, the parameter data includes calibration data. The calibration data is determined by the manufacturer and pre-stored on the gas valve control unit. Preferably, this is performed prior to installation in the heating system, and may be performed during manufacturing. The calibration data packet may include an integrity check overhead (CRC), a hash checksum overhead (e.g., using SHA-256), and / or an electronic signature (e.g., using RSA). In some embodiments, the calibration data may include a calibration "curve" that provides a relationship between the gas valve position and the volume of gas flowing through the gas valve. Thus, the calibration data may define a relationship between the degree to which the valve is open or closed and the gas gas flow, and enable the gas burner controller to control the gas valve to a specific open position corresponding to a desired gas flow rate. It will be appreciated that the degree to which the gas valve is open or closed is directly related to the number of steps of the stepper motor. It will also be appreciated that the calibration curve may be linear or non-linear in nature, and may be directly or indirectly proportional, depending on the axis used. For example, a gas valve including a stepper motor will typically have a direct relationship between the number of steps taken (assuming that 0 steps taken correspond to a closed valve) and the resulting gas gas flow through the gas valve. Thus, if the stepper motor includes 480 steps per revolution (e.g., 480 steps are required to move between the fully closed valve and the fully open valve), then at step 480, the gas flow volume may not be twice the gas flow volume at step 240. For example, at step 480, the gas flow volume may be 2.3 m 3 , and at step 240, the airflow volume may be 1m 3 , which is less than half of the gas flow volume at step 480. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the change in gas flow volume when transitioning from one step position to another will vary depending on the initial step position. For example, the change in gas flow volume by moving from step 100 to 101 may be less than or greater than the change in gas flow volume by moving from step 444 to 445. It will be appreciated that the operation of the valve between an open (on) state and a closed (off) state may be performed independently of the actuator, wherein the actuator modulates the degree of its opening to vary the gas flow.

[0028] The parameter data may include a gas valve identification. The gas valve identification may be indicated by a product number, brand, model, serial number, and / or OS number. The parameter data may further include statistical information associated with the gas valve, such as a number of cycles associated with the operation of the valve. The parameter data may be transmitted using a modulated signal that may include clock information such as a Manchester code.

[0029] In some embodiments, the parameter data includes a gas valve identification, and the gas burner controller operates to query the gas valve identification. In response to the query from the gas burner controller, the gas valve identification is transmitted from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller. The gas burner controller may be further configured to compare the gas valve identification with the expected gas valve identification data to confirm whether the correct (expected) gas valve is installed. The gas burner controller may also be further configured to prevent operation of the gas valve if it is determined that the installed gas valve is incorrect.

[0030] In some embodiments, the gas burner controller is configured to determine whether the gas valve is suitable for the gas burner, for example, based on the gas valve identification. It will be appreciated that different gas burners may require different ranges of the rate of the gas flow entering the gas burner to operate. Like this, a gas valve that cannot operate in the range required by the burner may not be suitable for use in a heating system including the burner. For example, when the hole of the gas valve is fully opened and the maximum gas flow of the valve is reached, a gas valve with a small hole may not meet the required maximum rate airflow required by the burner. Similarly, a specific gas burner may require a gas valve with fine step control to accurately control the gas flow. For example, more steps in a stepper motor can provide more precise control of the opening and closing of the gas valve. Like this, a gas valve with a large step length (e.g., a smaller number of steps) may not be suitable.

[0031] In some embodiments, in order to determine whether a valve is suitable for gas, the gas burner controller is configured to store gas valve data in its memory, such as a list or database of gas valves that may be suitable for use by the gas burner controller. This data may take the form of a list of gas valve identifications, such as OS numbers associated with appropriate gas valves that are pre-determined to be suitable. Therefore, in some embodiments, the gas burner controller is configured to, upon receiving parameter data, compare the parameter data with a database of gas valves suitable for use with the gas burner stored in the memory of the gas burner controller, and determine whether the gas valve is suitable for use with the gas burner. For example, the parameter data may include the OS number of the gas valve, and the gas burner controller may compare this OS number with a list of OS numbers stored in its memory that represent gas valves that will be suitable for use with the gas burner.

[0032] If the gas valve is determined to be inappropriate, the gas burner controller can be configured to shut down the gas burner, and optionally, the gas burner controller can be configured to transmit an error message. In some embodiments, the transmission of the error message can be direct via wired communication. The transmission can be wireless. In some embodiments, the error message can be presented on a display panel on a user device and / or on the controller. The error message can be transmitted wirelessly from the gas burner controller, and the gas burner controller can include a wireless transmitter.

[0033] Similarly, if it is determined that the gas valve is suitable, the gas burner controller can be configured to switch the operation of the gas burner from the inquiry mode to the operating mode. In the inquiry mode, the inquiry signal is transmitted. In the operating mode, the gas valve is in operation and is configured to control the gas flow entering the gas burner. Optionally, the gas burner controller can be configured to transmit a confirmation message that the gas valve installation has been successfully completed. In some embodiments, the transmission can be direct via wired communication. In some embodiments, the transmission can be wireless via a wireless transmitter. This confirmation message can be presented on the user device and / or on the gas burner controller display panel.

[0034] In some embodiments, after the parameter data has been received at the gas burner controller and / or stored in a memory of the gas burner controller, the gas burner controller is configured to switch to an operating mode. In order to switch to the operating mode, a voltage sufficient to operate the gas valve may be supplied to the power line. This operating voltage is greater than the voltage of the interrogation signal. The switch to the operating mode may be triggered manually or may be triggered by controller logic (e.g., once the parameter data has been transferred to the memory unit). In such an embodiment, the gas valve control unit may be further configured to detect that the interrogation signal is no longer transmitted, and in response, stop transmitting the parameter data to the gas burner controller. The gas valve control unit may be further or alternatively configured to detect that the voltage has increased from the interrogation signal voltage to the full power operating voltage, and in response, stop transmitting the modulation signal to the gas burner controller.

[0035] In some embodiments, the gas valve control unit may be configured to collect data indicating the operation of the gas valve across time. The gas burner controller may also be used to collect operational data in cooperation with the gas valve controller. For example, the gas valve controller may not have a real-time clock (RTC) module, so timestamp information may be supplied from the burner controller as part of the collected data. The gas valve control unit may be configured to collect data representing the operation of the gas valve across a predetermined operating cycle. This operational data may be collected and stored in a memory unit of the gas valve controller unit. In some embodiments, the gas valve controller unit may be configured to transmit the collected data to a user device, for example as raw data or as part of a diagnostic report of the operation of the gas valve. The collected data may be transmitted wirelessly directly via a wired communication line at regular intervals (such as at predetermined intervals) and / or when a threshold has been met (such as when the gas valve has performed a certain number of cycles). Alternatively, the data may be transmitted to the device upon request, for example during a maintenance check.

[0036] The gas valve control unit may thus allow diagnostics to be performed on the operation of the device and allow early indication that the gas valve is not operating correctly and / or requires replacement.Preferably, the memory unit of the gas valve control unit is large enough to store data over the operational life of the gas valve.

[0037] The present application thus provides a gas valve that can be installed more simply into a heating system and with increased confidence, and thus provides a heating system with improved safety and simplified installation.

[0038] In another aspect, the gas valve includes a control unit configured to: -Store gas valve parameter data; and - The stored parameter data is transmitted to the gas burner controller using the power line between the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

[0039] The control unit may include a microcontroller, and the parameter data may include calibration data. The control unit may be configured to receive an interrogation signal from the gas burner controller, and transmit the parameter data to the gas burner along the power line in response to receiving the interrogation signal. The interrogation signal is transmitted when the gas burner is powered on. The interrogation signal may include a voltage provided along the power line between the gas burner controller and the gas valve, wherein the voltage of the interrogation signal is lower than the voltage required to operate the gas valve. The parameter data is transmitted from the control unit to the gas burner controller via the power line in the form of a modulated signal. The modulated signal may be a binary signal including two voltage bands, wherein one of the two voltage bands corresponds to a 0 Boolean value and the other of the two voltage bands corresponds to a 1 Boolean value.

[0040] In another aspect, a gas valve control unit for controlling a gas valve for a heating system is provided, the gas valve control unit being configured to: -Communicate with the gas valve to operate the opening and closing of the gas valve; -Store gas valve parameter data; - communicate with the gas burner controller; and - The parameter data is transmitted to the gas burner controller using the power line between the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

[0041] Thus, the heating system of the present disclosure enables calibration data to be transmitted to a gas burner controller by storing the calibration data directly on the gas valve and utilizing the pre-existing power line connection between the gas valve and the gas burner controller to facilitate low voltage communication between components that would otherwise not communicate. This inter-device communication is created with only 2 endpoints. The gas flow parameterization data of the gas valve transmitted to the gas burner controller (boiler control board) via the power line replaces the 2D QR code or manual data entry label and ensures that the correct data is transmitted to the controller. The present system also enables verification of the type of gas valve connected, thereby ensuring correct operation, and also enables the system to ensure that any replacement parts added to the system are correct, for example. This also future-proofs the system by allowing upgrade kits (such as hydrogen upgrade kits (which may include burner upgrades)) to be easily installed, wherein the power line data transmission is shielded, enabling the system to verify that the existing components (i.e., valves) can be safely operated with upgraded hydrogen fuel. The system can also determine whether the valve can continue to operate after a given cycle or number of operating cycles. Providing read / write memory on the gas valve control unit also enables other data such as boiler configuration (i.e. gas burner controller parameters) to be on the gas valve so that the system can recover a replacement controller in the event of a failure, where the previous configuration is restored from a shadow copy stored on the gas valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following illustrative drawings, in which:

[0043] Figure 1 A gas valve according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0044] Figure 2 A flow chart according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0045] Figure 3 A circuit diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Certain embodiments of the invention will be discussed with respect to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Figure 1 A gas valve 100 is shown that includes a gas valve control unit 110. The gas valve 100 controls the flow of gas through a gas inlet to a gas burner. The gas burner includes a gas burner controller. The gas valve 100 includes a stepper motor 112 arranged to control the opening of the valve. The gas burner controller controls the operation of the stepper motor within the gas valve 100, and thus controls the operation of the gas valve 100 to control the flow of gas into the gas burner. The gas valve 100 is in electronic communication with the gas burner controller via one or more power lines. The gas burner controller can provide power to the stepper motor and the gas valve control unit via the power lines.

[0048] The gas valve control unit 110 includes a memory unit storing parameter data therein. The parameter data may include one or more of calibration data, a gas valve identifier, and / or statistical information associated with the gas valve, such as a number of cycles associated with the operation of the valve. The gas burner controller is configured to transmit an interrogation signal to the gas valve control unit 110 along the power line. The gas valve control unit transmits the parameter data from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller via the pre-existing power line in response to the interrogation. The gas burner controller uses the parameter data to properly operate the gas valve upon receiving the parameter data. For example, the parameter data may include calibration data that allows the gas burner controller to determine how many steps to move the stepper motor to affect a desired gas gas flow change, and operate the stepper motor accordingly.

[0049] refer to Figure 2 , the parameter data is transferred to the gas valve control unit 110 and stored in the gas valve control unit 110 (step 200), i.e. during manufacturing. The gas valve 100 may be provided with a pre-installed gas valve control unit 110. The parameter data is loaded onto the gas valve control unit 110 after the gas valve control unit 110 has been installed on the gas valve 100, thereby ensuring that the data is associated with the correct valve.

[0050] The gas valve 100 including the control unit 110 is installed on the gas burner (step 210). The gas valve control unit 110 is in electronic communication with the gas burner controller. When the system is operating, the gas burner controller transmits an interrogation signal to the gas valve control unit via the power line connection between the two components (step 220). For example, this may occur at startup or after installation when manual input from the installer is completed. The interrogation signal is generated by a voltage that is less than the operating voltage of the valve. For example, the interrogation signal may be generated by a 5V voltage along the power line to the gas valve, while the operating voltage of the gas valve is 24V.

[0051] Upon receiving the interrogation signal (step 220), the gas valve control unit 110 transmits the parameter data to the gas burner controller (step 230). The transmission may occur as a modulated signal via a pre-existing power line. The parameter data is then stored by the gas burner controller (step 240) for use in operating the gas valve 100.

[0052] When the parameter data is transmitted as a modulated signal, the parameter data is received in an encoded form. Therefore, it is necessary to decode the modulated signal (representing the parameter data) at the gas burner controller in a demodulation unit. In some embodiments, the modulated signal may be decoded before or after the parameter data is stored in the memory of the gas burner controller.

[0053] Once the gas burner controller 105 has received and stored the parameter data, the gas burner controller 105 stops transmitting the interrogation signal (step 250). At this point in time, the gas burner is switched to the operating mode. To switch to the operating mode, the power supplied to the gas valve 100 via the same line that transmitted the interrogation signal is increased to the operating voltage of the gas valve 100 (e.g., 24V), which is sufficient to enable the gas valve to be operated by the stepper motor.

[0054] Figure 3 A circuit diagram illustrating electronic communication between a gas burner controller 105 and a gas valve control unit 110 is shown. In an embodiment, the circuit may be used in the following manner. After the system is powered on, the gas burner controller 105 provides a 5V voltage on the power line 120 of the gas valve 100 as an interrogation signal, and grounds one of its stepper motor coils 112 via the power line 120. This provides enough energy for the electronics on the gas valve 100 (the gas valve control unit 110) to operate, but does not provide enough energy for the stepper motor 112 to change its position. Upon receiving the interrogation signal, the MCU of the gas valve control unit 110 begins transmitting a modulated signal to the gas burner controller 105 by shorting a weak 5V to ground via a resistor (5V level 1s, 4V level 0s). The modulated 5V signal on the power line 120 is then decoded using a receiver circuit, and the demodulated signal 125 is processed by the microcontroller on the gas burner controller 105, and parameter data (e.g., calibration data) is stored on the gas burner controller memory. After the parameter data has been transferred, the burner controller 105 switches the power supplied to the stepper motor to a 24V operating voltage so that the gas burner is placed in an operating mode. This change in voltage on the power line 120 is detected by the gas valve control unit 110, and in response, the gas valve control unit 110 stops sending the modulated signal on the power line 120, and the stepper motor operates in normal operation to open or close the valve.

Claims

1. A heating system, comprising: a gas burner configured to burn gas to generate heat, the gas burner comprising a gas inlet and a gas burner controller; a gas valve arranged to regulate the gas flow to the gas inlet of the gas burner and connected to the gas burner controller via one or more power lines; as well as A gas valve control unit, wherein the gas valve control unit comprises stored parameter data of the gas valve and is configured to transmit the parameter data of the gas valve to the gas burner controller via the one or more power lines between the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

2. The heating system according to claim 1, wherein: The gas burner controller is operative to transmit an interrogation signal to the gas valve control unit, and the gas valve control unit is operative to transmit the parameter data to the gas burner controller in response to receiving the interrogation signal.

3. The heating system according to claim 2, wherein: The gas valve has an operating voltage required to operate the valve, and wherein the interrogation signal comprises a voltage provided along at least one of the power lines between the gas burner controller and the gas valve that is lower than the operating voltage of the gas valve.

4. The heating system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The interrogation signal is transmitted when the gas burner is powered on.

5. The heating system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The gas valve includes an actuator for operating the valve, and the operating voltage is the voltage required to operate the actuator.

6. A heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The parameter data is transmitted in the form of a modulated signal from the gas valve control unit to the gas burner controller via the power line.

7. The heating system according to claim 6, wherein: The modulation signal is a binary signal comprising two voltage bands, and the gas burner controller comprises a demodulation unit for decoding the modulation signal.

8. The heating system according to claim 7, wherein: The two voltage bands include a first voltage and a second voltage, and wherein both the first voltage and the second voltage are lower than the operating voltage of the gas valve.

9. The heating system according to claim 8, wherein: The operating voltage of the gas valve is within a range of 18V to 30V, the first voltage is within a range of 2V to 10V, and the second voltage is less than the first voltage.

10. A heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The parameter data comprises a gas valve identifier, and the gas valve control unit burner controller is configured to verify installation of a correct gas valve based on the gas valve identifier.

11. The heating system according to claim 10, wherein: The gas burner controller comprises a database of stored gas valve identifiers corresponding to gas valves suitable for use with the gas burner, and the gas burner controller is configured to, upon receiving the parameter data, compare the gas valve identifier to the database to verify installation of a suitable gas valve.

12. A heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The parameter data includes calibration data of the gas valve.

13. The heating system according to claim 12, wherein: The gas burner controller is operative to control the gas valve based on the calibration data.

14. A heating system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The gas burner controller is operative to transmit data to the gas valve control unit.

15. A gas valve, comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to: - storing parameter data of the gas valve; and - Transmitting the stored parameter data to the gas burner controller using the power line between the gas valve and the gas burner controller.

16. A gas valve control unit for controlling a gas valve for a heating system, the gas valve control unit being configured to: -Storing parameter data of the gas valve; - communicate with the gas burner controller; and - transmitting said parameter data to a gas burner controller using a power line between said gas valve and said gas burner controller.

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