Gas Valve Bracket Assembly for Accessible HVAC Furnace Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas valves in HVAC furnace systems are often inopportunely positioned, obstructing access and being insufficiently sturdy to prevent movement or vibration, making maintenance and adjustment difficult.
Innovation Solution
A gas valve assembly with a bracket that securely mounts the gas valve to the furnace system, using a mounting panel and support flanges to block rotational and lateral movement, allowing for various orientations and improved accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the gas valve is coupled directly to the burner assembly manifold, then the gas valve is positioned within the housing, but access to the gas valve is obstructed and placement is inopportune
Solution Approach 1:
A bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the burner assembly manifold and the gas valve. The bracket includes a mounting panel with support flanges that receive the gas valve, positioning it in an accessible location while maintaining connection to the manifold through flexible conduit. This resolves the contradiction by providing both accessibility and proper functional connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is segmented into separate functional components: the bracket for positioning and accessibility, the flexible conduit for gas connection, and the manifold for system integration. This segmentation allows the gas valve to be positioned independently for optimal access while maintaining all necessary functional connections.
2Reliability
If the burner assembly manifold is used to support the gas valve, then the gas valve is mounted within the housing, but the manifold is insufficiently sturdy to block undesirable movement or vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure uses a composite approach combining the rigid bracket (made from sturdy material like stamped steel or aluminum) with the flexible conduit. The rigid bracket provides the necessary strength and stability to prevent gas valve movement and vibration, while the flexible conduit accommodates positional adjustments and thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible conduit portion introduces curvature and flexibility to the mounting system, allowing the rigid bracket to provide stability while the curved/flexible section absorbs movement and vibration, protecting the gas valve from undesirable mechanical stress.
3Ease of repair
If the gas valve is positioned to be accessible, then maintenance is easier, but the mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed as a universal mounting solution that serves multiple functions: positioning the gas valve for accessibility, providing structural support, enabling vibration isolation, and facilitating installation/removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, offsetting the apparent complexity with functional consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a gas valve assembly for a furnace. The gas valve assembly includes a gas valve including an inlet flange having an outer geometric profile and defining a gas inlet of the gas valve. The gas valve assembly also includes a bracket having a mounting panel, a first support flange, and a second support flange, where the mounting panel extends between and is integral with the first support flange and the second support flange. A slot is formed in the first support flange and defined by a portion of a perimeter of the bracket. The outer geometric profile of the inlet flange corresponds to a profile of the slot, and the slot is configured to receive and abut a portion of the outer geometric profile. A passage is formed in the second support flange and configured to receive a gas flow from the gas valve.