Abstract A time delayed solenoid valve includes a control circuit coupled between a source of AC power and a solenoid coil, the energization of which coil controls the opening and closing of the valve to supply fuel oil or the like at appropriate times. The control circuit has a half wave rectifier coupled to the source of AC power through a thermostat or the like in order to supply half wave rectified power to a time delay circuit and a normally nonconductive silicon control rectifier coupled between the half wave rectifier and the solenoid coil. After a specified time delay following the closing of the thermostat, the time delay circuit, which is regulated so as not to be significantly affected by changes in the AC power, renders the silicon controlled rectifier conductive so that a half wave rectified energizing current is supplied to the solenoid coil. The silicon controlled rectifier is maintained conductive by means of a latching circuit including the solenoid coil. In the preferred embodiment, the solenoid coil and the control circuit are disposed in a single housing with the valve portion of the solenoid valve attached thereto.
A time delayed control circuit adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power to energize a solenoid coil, said control circuit comprising: a half wave rectifier means coupled to said source of AC power; a controlled conduction means coupled to said half wave rectifier means and said solenoid coil; a timing circuit coupled to said half wave rectifier means and said controlled conduction means, said timing circuit rendering said controlled conduction means operable to supply said solenoid coil with power from said half wave rectifier means after a predetermined time subsequent to the supplying of said half wave rectifier means with power from said source of AC power; and a latching circuit means including said solenoid coil and a rectifier means coupled to said controlled conduction means to maintain said controlled conduction means operable during the time in which said half wave rectifier means in receiving power from said source of AC power and in which said controlled conduction means is not maintained operable by said half wave rectifier means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A time delayed control circuit adapted to be coupled to a source of AC power to energize a solenoid coil, said control circuit comprising: a half wave rectifier means coupled to said source of AC power; a controlled conduction means coupled to said half wave rectifier means and said solenoid coil; a timing circuit coupled to said half wave rectifier means and said controlled conduction means, said timing circuit rendering said controlled conduction means operable to supply said solenoid coil with power from said half wave rectifier means after a predetermined time subsequent to the supplying of said half wave rectifier means with power from said source of AC power; and a latching circuit means including said solenoid coil and a rectifier means coupled to said controlled conduction means to maintain said controlled conduction means operable during the time in which said half wave rectifier means in receiving power from said source of AC power and in which said controlled conduction means is not maintained operable by said half wave rectifier means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The time delay circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timing circuit includes a regulator means to maintain said predetermined time constant notwithstanding changes in the power received from said source of AC power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The time delay circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controlled conduction means is a silicon controlled rectifier having a pair of output electrodes and a control electrode, said half wave rectifier means being coupled to one of said output electrodes, said timing circuit being coupled to said control electrode, and said solenoid coil being coupled to said other output electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The time delayed control circuit as set forth in claim 1 including mounting means on which is mounted said control circuit, and a housing in which is disposed said mounting means adjacent said solenoid coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The time delayed control circuit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said housing has a single compartment in which said mounting means and said solenoid coil are disposed.