"Regulation valve for a gas cooking appliance and gas cooking appliance incorporating said regulation valve" TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to gas valves that include a rotatable regulating organ, fitted in a gas cooking appliance, and to the means for regulating the flow rate according to the gas type used.

PRIOR ART

There are known gas valves for household cooking appliances that use a single valve for regulating the flow of two different gas types, such as natural gas (NG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

US 2006/0175566 A1 describes a gas valve for a household cooking appliance, which may be supplied by different types of gas: natural gas (NG) or liquefied gas (LPG). Said valve comprises a valve body that comprises an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, and a rotatable regulating organ housed in said valve body. The regulating organ has two successive minimum-flow inlet holes spaced in the rotational direction, one for natural gas (NG) and the other for liquefied gas (LPG). The regulating organ is situated, in its minimum-flow position, with the minimum-flow inlet hole corresponding to the type of gas to be used, natural (NG) or liquefied (LPG), aligned with the inlet conduit. Depending on whether a stop is included or not, one or the other minimum-flow inlet hole is aligned with the inlet conduit in the minimum-flow position. US 2005/0202361 A1 discloses a gas valve for a household cooking appliance, which may be supplied by different types of gas, natural gas (NG) or liquefied gas (LPG), and which comprises a regulating organ such as the one described in US 2006/0175566 A1. The outlet conduit of this gas valve comprises a restrictor disc with a calibrated hole for the maximum flow of natural gas (NG), and a detachable nozzle with a calibrated hole for the maximum flow of liquefied gas (LPG), substantially smaller than the calibrated hole for natural gas (NG). To use natural gas (NG) said detachable nozzle is removed, and to use liquefied gas (LPG) it is fitted on the outlet conduit.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a regulation valve for a gas cooking appliance as described in the claims.

The regulation valve of the invention supplied by different types of gas, natural gas (NG) or liquefied gas (LPG), comprises a valve body with an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, a rotatable regulating organ housed in said valve body, said regulating organ comprising a plurality of inlet holes connected to the inlet conduit which, by means of the rotation of said regulating organ, allow a gas flow "Q" to be altered. The inlet holes of the regulating organ corresponding to a first type of gas are in a first axial position, and the inlet holes corresponding to a second type of gas are in a second axial position.

In the valve of the invention, as the inlet holes corresponding to each type of gas are disposed in different axial positions of the regulating organ, they allow the gas flow "Q" of each type of gas to be altered independently. In the prior art, as the inlet holes of the different types of gases share the same axial position, it is necessary to set two different minimum-flow positions and add, replace or remove a stop element depending on the type of gas selected. However, in the gas valve of the invention it is not necessary to add, replace or remove any element to ensure that the regulating organ is correctly aligned, regardless of the type of gas used.

These and other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be made evident in the light of the drawings and the detailed description thereof. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a gas valve according to the invention adapted for liquefied gas (LPG).

Figure 2 shows a development view of the regulating organ of the valve of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the regulating organ of the valve along the ll-ll line of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the area according to the circle C of the embodiment of the valve of Figure 1 adapted for liquefied gas (LPG). Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the area according to the circle C of the embodiment of the valve of Figure 1 adapted for natural gas (NG).

Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a second embodiment of the gas valve according to the invention adapted for liquefied gas (LPG).

Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the embodiment of Figure 6 adapted for natural gas (NG).

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the regulation element of the valve of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5.

Figure 9 shows a sectional view of the regulation element of the valve of the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7. Figure 10 shows a detailed view of a third embodiment of the gas valve according to the invention adapted for liquefied gas (LPG).

Figure 1 1 shows a detailed view of the embodiment of Figure 10 adapted for natural gas (NG). Figure 12 shows a view of a fourth embodiment of the gas valve according to the invention adapted for liquefied gas (LPG).

Figure 13 shows a detailed view of the embodiment of Figure 12 adapted for natural gas (NG).

Figure 14 shows a detailed view of a fifth embodiment of the gas valve according to the invention adapted for liquefied gas (LPG). Figure 15 shows a detailed view of the embodiment of Figure 14 adapted for natural gas (NG).

Figure 16 shows a sectional view and a plan view of the retainer cap of the embodiments of Figures 10, 1 1 , 12 and 13.

Figure 17 shows a sectional view and a plan view of the retainer cap of the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15.

Figure 18 shows a plan view of the valve of the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15 with a flange-type inlet.

Figure 19 shows a plan view of the valve of the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15 with a threaded-type inlet. Figure 20 shows a plan view of the valve of the embodiment of Figures 14 and 15 with a square-type inlet shown in section.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A gas cooking appliance, such as a barbecue, may be of a different type depending on the type of gas used from an external GAS I N source, either natural gas (NG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In said gas cooking appliance one or more regulation valves 1 are fitted. Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment of a regulation valve for a gas cooking appliance adapted for the supply of natural gas (NG) or liquefied gas (LPG), adapted for liquefied gas (LPG). The valve 1 comprises a valve body 2 with an inlet conduit 3 connected to the external GAS IN gas source, and an outlet conduit 4. Said regulation valve 1 also comprises a regulating organ 5 rotating around a central shaft 6, and housed in said valve body 2, said regulating organ 5 comprising a plurality of inlet holes connected to the inlet conduit 3, which, by means of the rotation of said regulating organ 5, allow a gas flow "Q" directed to a burner adapted to one or another fuel gas to be altered. The inlet holes of the regulating organ 5 corresponding to a first type of gas, such as liquefied gas (LPG), are in a first axial position 7 in the direction of the exit of the gas towards the outlet conduit 4, and the inlet holes corresponding to a second type of gas, such as natural gas (NG), are in a second axial position 8 in the direction of the exit of the gas towards the outlet conduit 4 and closest to this outlet conduit 4.

Figures 2 and 3 respectively show a development view of the regulating organ 5 of the valve 1 of Figure 1 , and a sectional view of the regulating organ 5 of the valve 1 along the ll-ll line of Figure 2. The inlet holes of the regulating organ 5 corresponding to each type of gas, which are located in different axial positions 7 and 8, comprise a first hole 9 corresponding to a maximum flow Q _Ma x, a progressive groove 10 corresponding to a descending intermediate flow Qi _nt , and a third hole 1 1 corresponding to a minimum flow Q _M i _n , in correspondence with different angular positions A1 , A1 -A2 and A2, from an initial "OFF" position, the angular position "A" corresponding to each hole of the same flow level of each type of gas being the same. The regulating organ 5 may rotate by an angle "A", usually an angle "A" greater than 180° and smaller than 360°, which in the embodiment shown is 270°, from an initial angular "OFF" position situated at 0°, in which the valve 1 is closed. In Figure 2 the regulating organ 5 rotates to an angular position A1 at 90°, for the supply of a maximum flow QMax Of any NG or LPG gas. The flow QitoJs regulated by a first hole 9 in the regulating organ 5, facing the inlet conduit 3. If the rotation of the regulating organ 5 continues between the angular position A1 at 90° and an angular position A2 at 270°, an intermediate flow Qi _nt is supplied through a progressive groove 10 that has a decreasing area that may be disposed between the angular positions A1 and A2. Depending on the angle "A" rotated, a third hole 1 1 for supplying a minimum flow Q _M i _n faces the inlet conduit 3 in an angular position A2 to 270°. The diameter of the third hole 1 1 is calibrated for the supply of the minimum gas flow Q _M i _n .- Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the area according to the circle C of the embodiment of the valve of Figure 1 adapted for liquefied gas (LPG), and Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the area according to the circle C of the embodiment of the valve of Figure 1 adapted for natural gas (NG). In the embodiment of the valve shown in Figures 4 and 5, the flow of each type of gas, liquefied (LPG) and natural (NG), takes a different path 12 from the inlet conduit 3 to the inlet holes 9-1 1 of the regulating organ 5 corresponding to said type of gas. In order to differentiate the path 12 of the two types of gases, the valve body 2 comprises a substantially cylindrical housing 13 inserted in the path 12 of the flow of each type of gas, said housing 13 comprising at least one inlet hole 14 that connects the inlet conduit 3 to said housing 13, and an outlet hole 15 for each type of gas that connects said housing 13 to the inlet holes 9-1 1 of the regulating organ 5 corresponding to said type of gas.

The regulation valve 1 of the first embodiment comprises, as shown in Figure 1 , a selection means 16 that enables the user to operate said valve 1 in a simple manner, with the aid merely of a common tool such as a screwdriver, which allows them to regulate said valve to a defined gas. Said selection means 16 is configured to select the path 12 corresponding to the type of gas defined in the regulation valve 1 , said selection means 16 comprising a body 17 housed in the housing 13 of the valve body 2, which allows the passage of gas along the selected path 12, and a regulation unit 18 that allows the selection of the type of gas.

The selection means 16 of the regulation valve 1 of Figure 1 is shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5. The body 17 of said selection means 16 comprises a central body 19 that may be moved axially along the housing 13, which is substantially cylindrical. Said central body 19 comprises along its length a plurality of circular segments connected and transversal to the central body 19, with a greater diameter, separated from each other, and which are fitted on their outer diameter to the inner walls of the housing 13. These circular segments have an ending on their outer diameter in the form of a wedge with a rounded end, with the result that the contact with the walls of the housing 13 is made on an edge, thus enhancing the sliding effect and maintaining the seal between the spaces separating said segments. These segments have a coating with a sliding, abrasion-resistant material, which may be formed, for example, in a vulcanising process with silicon or viton. The body 17 of the selection means 16 also comprises two lateral bodies 20 that are substantially cylindrical, each one of the lateral bodies 20 coming out of one end of the central body 19 in an axial direction and centred on the same axial shaft, with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the central body 19.

The regulation unit 18 of the selection means 16 may be disposed in an active position and in a passive position. In order to achieve these positions, the regulation unit 18 comprises a regulation element 21 , which comprises a retainer element 22, which may be a bolt, a screw or a similar retainer element, which supports one end on one end of one of the lateral bodies 20. Figure 8 shows an embodiment of said regulation element 21 in a sectional view. In this embodiment the retainer element 22 of the regulation element 21 comprises a body 23 out of which laterally emerge, in a radial direction in a section of the length of the body 23, two protuberances 24, said protuberances 24 being separated by 180°. The retainer element 22 is housed in a space 40, preferably a hole, which forms in an overlapping manner a cover 25 of the valve body 2 and a retainer cap 26 that forms part of the regulation organ 21. The cover 25 and the retainer cap 26 present a hole that allows the passage of the retainer element 22, and which allows cooperation with said retainer organ 22 when the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the active position and in the passive position. The regulation unit 18, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, also comprises a substantially cylindrical retainer disc 27, and with a central hole 28 on the axial shaft, the retainer disc 27 being housed, either pressed or threaded into the valve body 2, in one end 29 of the housing 13, the central hole 28 allowing the passage of one of the lateral bodies 20 of the body 17 in a sliding manner. The regulation unit 18 also comprises an elastic means 30, preferably a spring, said elastic means 30 being housed in one end 31 of the housing 13 opposite the housing of the retainer disc 27. Said elastic means 30 is supported at one end on one of the segments of the central body 19 and at the other end in a base 32 of the valve body 2 disposed on the end 31 of the housing 13, the elastic means 30 surrounding the central body 19. The base 32 of the valve body 2 comprises a hole 33 disposed centred with the axial shaft of the body 17, the hole 33 allowing the passage of the other lateral body 20 of the body 17 in a sliding manner. The housing 13 of the valve body 2 comprises a central chamber 34 with a larger diameter than the diameter of the housing 13, said central chamber 34 connecting laterally to the inlet hole 14. The segments, which in this embodiment are four in total, comprise two central segments 35 that in the axial movement of the body 17 move opposite the inlet hole 14 and along the central chamber 34, and two lateral segments 36, each one between each end of the central body 19 and one of the central segments 35, each lateral segment 36 forming with each corresponding central segment 35 and with the housing 13, lateral chambers 37 and 38 corresponding to the first type of gas and to the second type of gas respectively.

When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the active position, the retainer element 22 is pressed and rotates 90°, the protuberances 24 cooperating with the cover 25 of the valve body 2 and thereby retaining the retainer element 22. In this active position the body 17 moves to a position in which one of the central segments 35 is fitted to the walls of the housing 13, and the other central segment 35 leaves an opening 39 between the central chamber 34 and the wall of the housing 13, the flow of the first type of gas being capable of passing from the inlet hole 14. Said flow of gas passes to the lateral chamber 37 corresponding to said first type of gas, and from here to the outlet hole 15 of said gas. When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the passive position, the retainer element 22 is pressed and rotates 90° again, the protuberances 24 are released from their cooperation with the cover 25, and the retainer element 22 is thus released. The elastic means 30 pushes and moves the body 17 until the central body 19 comes up against the retainer disc 27 and the protuberances 24 cooperate with the retainer cap 26, retaining the retainer element 22. In the passive position one of the central segments 35 is fitted to the walls of the housing 13, and the other central segment 35 leaves an opening 39 between the central chamber 34 and the wall of the housing 13, the flow of the second type of gas being capable of passing from the inlet hole 14. Said flow of gas passes to the lateral chamber 38 corresponding to said second type of gas, and from here to the outlet hole 15 of said gas.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , and in the other embodiments to be shown, the regulating organ 5 of the valve 1 comprises an axial inner chamber 69, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, said inner chamber 69 being connected, in an independent manner, to the inlet holes corresponding to the liquefied gas LPG, with the inlet holes corresponding to the natural gas NG, and with the outlet conduit 4 of the valve body 2, as shown in Figure 1 . In the embodiments shown, the inlet holes of the regulating organ 5 corresponding to the liquefied gas LPG are connected to the outlet conduit 4 of the valve body 2 by a conduit that comprises a calibrated hole 71 for the maximum flow of liquefied gas LPG. As a result, as the liquefied gas LPG and the natural gas NG reach the outlet conduit 4 by different paths, the path corresponding to the liquefied gas (LPG) may have the calibrated hole for the maximum flow incorporated into it, without there being any need to remove or fit a nozzle with said calibrated hole in accordance with the type of gas to be used, as is the case in the prior art. In addition, the valve 1 comprises in the outlet conduit 4 a nozzle 74 with a calibrated hole 75 for the maximum flow of the natural gas GN. The liquefied gas LPG also passes through said nozzle 74, although this is not a problem as the calibrated hole 75 corresponding to the natural gas NG is substantially larger than the calibrated hole 71 corresponding to the liquefied gas LPG. Preferably, the inlet holes of the regulating organ 5 corresponding to the liquefied gas LPG are disposed in the axial position 7 furthest from the outlet conduit 4 of the valve body 2, as this configuration enables the implementation of the conduit comprising the calibrated hole 71 .

In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 , the calibrated hole 71 for the maximum flow of liquefied gas LPG is disposed on the end of a nozzle 70 fixed in the inner chamber 69 of the regulating organ 5. Said nozzle 70 comprises a first section with a contour substantially equal to the contour of the inner chamber 69 and fixed to said inner chamber 69, and a narrower second section, said second section extending at least from the axial position 8 of the inlet holes corresponding to the natural gas GN. In this embodiment, the second section of the nozzle 70 projects out of the regulating organ 5 and extends towards the outlet conduit 4. In an alternative embodiment, instead of using a nozzle 70, the calibrated hole 71 for the maximum flow of liquefied gas LPG may be disposed in a restrictor disc 70a housed in the inner chamber 69 between the first axial position 7 and the second axial position 8, as shown for example in Figure 6. The nozzle 70 or the restrictor disc 70a are housed in the inner chamber 69 under pressure or by threading.

Figures 6 and 7 show a detailed view of a second embodiment of the selection means 16, the valve 1 adapted for liquefied gas (LPG) being shown in Figure 6, and adapted for natural gas (NG) in Figure 7. In this second embodiment, the body 17 of the regulation valve 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical central body 19 that is fitted on its outer diameter to the inner walls of the housing 13 and may be moved axially along said housing 13, said central body 19 comprising a hole 41 that passes through it in a radial direction. The central body 19 is disposed in the embodiment shown with a reduction of its diameter in the area where the hole 41 is situated, centred in the axis of said hole and with a height somewhat greater than its diameter, forming a gas chamber 44 between the wall of the housing 13 and the surface of the central body 19. The regulation unit 18 of the selection means 16 may be disposed in an active position and in a passive position. In order to achieve these positions, in this embodiment the regulation unit 18 comprises a regulation element 21 , which comprises a retainer element 22, which may be a bolt, a screw or a similar retainer element, which supports one end on one end of the central body 19. This regulation element 21 is shown in Figure 9 in a sectional view. The retainer element 22 comprises a body 23 out of which laterally emerge, in a radial direction in a section of the length of the body 23, two protuberances 24, said protuberances 24 being separated by 180°. The retainer element 22 is housed in a space 40, preferably a hole, which form in an overlapping manner a cover 25 of the valve body 2 and a retainer cap 26 that forms part of the regulation element 21. The cover 25 and the retainer cap 26 present a hole that allows the passage of the retainer element 22 to the inside of the housing 13 of the valve body 2.

The regulation unit 18, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, also comprises a substantially cylindrical retainer disc 27, and with a central hole 28 on the axial shaft, the retainer disc 27 being housed, either pressed or threaded, in an outer end of the retainer cap 26, the central hole 28 and the space 40 allowing the passage of the retainer element 22 in a sliding manner. The regulation unit 18 also comprises an elastic means 30, preferably a spring, said elastic means 30 being housed in one end 31 of the housing 13 opposite the housing of the retainer element 22. Said elastic means 30 is supported at one end in the base 32 of the housing 13 and at the other end it is housed in a housing 42 of the end of the central body 19.

When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the active position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90°, the protuberances 24 cooperating with the cover 25 of the valve body 2, and thereby retaining the retainer element 22. In this active position the central body 19 moves to a position in which the hole 41 of the central body 19 coincides with one of the inlet holes 14 and one of the outlet holes 15 of the housing 13, allowing the passage of the flow of the second type of gas through the gas chamber 44.

When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the passive position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90° again, and the protuberances 24 are released from their cooperation with the cover 25, releasing the retainer element 22. The elastic means 30 pushes and moves the central body 19 and this in turn moves the retainer element 22, the protuberances 24 of which pass through channels 43 in the cover 25, as shown in Figure 9, until the protuberances 24 of the retainer element 22 come up against the retainer disc 27, retaining the retainer element 22. In this passive position the hole 41 of the central body 19 coincides with the other inlet hole 14 and the other outlet hole 15 of the housing 13, allowing the flow of the first type of gas to pass through the gas chamber 44.

Figures 10 and 1 1 show a detailed view of a third embodiment of the selection means 16, the valve 1 being adapted in Figure 10 to liquefied gas (LPG), and being adapted in Figure 1 1 to natural gas (NG). In this third embodiment, the body 17 of the regulation valve 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical central body 19, that is fitted on its outer diameter to the inner walls of the housing 13, and is supported at one end in a base 32 of the housing 13 of the valve body 2, said central body 19 comprising two holes 45 and 46 that pass through it in a radial direction, moved along the axial axis of said central body 19, and rotated between them by an angle, preferably 90°. The regulation unit 18 of the selection means 16 may be disposed in an active position and in a passive position. In order to achieve these positions, the regulation unit 18 comprises a regulation element 21 , said regulation element 21 comprising a retainer element 22 connected to one end of the central body 19, which projects out of the housing 13 of the valve body 2, with a projection 49 in an axial direction, forming an outer wall in a section of the circumference, preferably 180°, and with a housing 50 in the centre of the retainer element 22 and in an axial direction that allows it to be operated with a tool. The regulation element 21 also comprises a retainer cap 26 with a hollow cylindrical area 51 that projects out of the surface of the cap and which allows the guiding of the retainer element 22, which projects out of the housing 13, the cylindrical area 51 being disposed with a projection 52 in its upper part and which projects out towards the inside, in an axial direction fitting together with the projection 49 of the retainer element 22, and in a radial direction in an angular section, preferably 90°, between the outer circumference and the centre, this projection 52 allowing a rotation of 90° of the retainer element 22. This retainer cap 26 is shown in Figure 16 in a sectional view.

When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the active position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90°, the projection 49 of the retainer element 22 cooperating with the projection 52 of the retainer cap 26, and thereby retaining the retainer element 22 and with it the central body 19. In this active position the central body 19 moves to a position in which the hole 46 of the central body 19 coincides with one of the inlet holes 14 and one of the outlet holes 15 of the housing 13, allowing the flow of the second type of gas to pass.

When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the passive position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90° again in an opposite direction, the projection 49 of the retainer element 22 cooperating with the other face of the projection 52 of the retainer cap 26, and thereby retaining the retainer element 22 and with it the central body 19. In this passive position the central body 19 moves to a position in which the hole 45 of the central body 19 coincides with the other inlet hole 14 and the other outlet hole 15 of the housing 13, allowing the flow of the first type of gas to pass.

Figures 12 and 13 show a detailed view of a fourth embodiment of the selection means 16, the valve 1 being adapted in Figure 12 to liquefied gas (LPG), and being adapted in Figure 13 to natural gas (NG). In this fourth embodiment the body 17 of the regulation valve 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical central body 19, which fits on its outer diameter to the inner walls of the housing 13, said central body 19 comprising two sections in its length with different diameters, a section 53 with a larger diameter that fits in a section 54 of the housing 13 also with a greater diameter, and a section 55 with a smaller diameter that fits in a section 56 of the housing 13 also with a smaller diameter, with the result that the central body 19 is supported in the section 54 of the housing 13 being supported in it, there existing a space between the end of the main body 19 and the end 31 of the housing 13 that forms a gas chamber 57 that connects laterally with the inlet hole 14. The central body 19 comprises a hole 58 along its axial shaft and in a section of its length, which connects at one end with the gas chamber 57, and with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the central body 19, and two holes 59 and 60 that perforate it in a radial direction until it connects with the hole 58, the holes 59 and 60 being moved along the axial shaft of said central body 19, along the section of the length of the hole 58, and rotated between them by an angle, preferably 90°.

The regulation unit 18 of the selection means 16 may be disposed in an active position and in a passive position. In order to achieve these positions, the regulation unit 18 comprises a regulation element 21 , said regulation element 21 comprising a retainer element 22 connected to one end of the central body 19, which projects out of the housing 13 of the valve body 2, with a projection 49 in an axial direction, forming an outer wall in a section of the circumference, preferably 180°, and with a housing 50 in the centre of the retainer element 22 and in an axial direction that allows it to be operated with a tool. The regulation element 21 also comprises a retainer cap 26 with a hollow cylindrical area 51 that projects out of the surface of the cover and which allows the guiding of the retainer element 22 that projects out of the housing 13, the cylindrical area 51 being disposed with a projection 52 in its upper part and which projects out towards the inside, in an axial direction fitting together with the projection 49 of the retainer element 22, and in a radial direction in an angular section, preferably 90°, between the outer circumference and the centre, this projection 52 allowing a rotation of 90° of the retainer element 22. This retainer cap 26 is shown in Figure 16 in a sectional view. When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the active position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90°, the projection 49 of the retainer element 22 cooperating with the projection 52 of the retainer cap 26, and thereby retaining the retainer element 22 and with it the central body 19. In this active position the central body 19 moves to a position in which the hole 59 of the central body 19 coincides with one of the outlet holes 15, allowing the flow of the first type of gas to pass through the gas chamber 57 and the hole 58.

When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the passive position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90° again in an opposite direction, the projection 49 of the retainer element 22 cooperating with the other face of the projection 52 of the retainer cap 26, and thereby retaining the retainer element 22 and with it the central body 19. In this passive position the central body 19 moves to a position in which the hole 60 of the central body 19 coincides with the other outlet hole 15, allowing the flow of the second type of gas to pass through the gas chamber 57 and the hole 58.

Figures 14 and 15 show a detailed view of the area according to the circle C of the valve of Figure 1 in a fifth embodiment of the selection means 16, the valve 1 being adapted in Figure 14 to liquefied gas (LPG), and being adapted in Figure 15 to natural gas (NG). In this fifth embodiment the housing 13 of the valve body 2 comprises a central chamber 61 with a larger diameter than the diameter of the housing 13, said central chamber 61 connecting laterally with the inlet hole 14, not shown in Figures 14 and 15, but shown in Figure 20, and also comprises two lateral chambers 62 and 63, one on each side of the central chamber 61 , with a larger diameter than the diameter of the housing 13, but smaller than the diameter of the central chamber 61 , forming a projection 64 between each lateral chamber 62 and 63 and the central chamber 61 , each one of said lateral chambers 62 and 63 connecting with each one of the outlet holes 15 corresponding to the first type of gas and to the second type of gas respectively. The body 17 of the regulation valve 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical central body 19, which may be displaced axially along the housing 13, projecting out of said housing 13 at one end, and being fitted on its outer diameter to the walls of said housing 13. Said central body 19 comprises at least one circular segment 65 connected and transversal to the central body 19, and with a larger diameter than it, with a termination on its outer diameter in the form of a shortened wedge and with a coating with a sliding, abrasion-resistant material, which may be formed, for example, in a vulcanising process with silicon or viton. In the axial movement of the central body 19, the segment 65 moves along the central chamber 61 opposite the inlet hole 14.

The regulation unit 18 may be disposed in an active position and in a passive position. In order to achieve these positions, the regulation unit 18 comprises a regulation element 21 , which comprises a retainer element 22 formed on the end of the central body 19, which projects out of the housing 13. This retainer element 22 comprises a pin 66, preferably a cylinder, housed in a connected manner in a hole in the lateral surface of the central body 19, and projecting out of said surface by a length, and a housing 50 in the upper surface of the end of the central body 19, in an axial direction, which allows it to be operated with a tool. The regulation element 21 also comprises a retainer cap 26 with a hollow cylindrical area 51 that projects out of the surface of the retainer cap 26, and which allows the guiding of the retainer element 22 which projects out of the housing 13. The wall of the cylindrical area 51 has the same thickness in an angular section, preferably 270°, and in the remaining angular section of 90° therefore, until the entire circumference is completed, the thickness is reduced by a height of the wall from the lower part of the cylindrical area 51 forming a first step 67, allowing the end of the pin 66 to be slid against the inner side wall of the cylindrical area 51 , and to slide the lateral face of said pin 66 against the lower part of the first step 67. At the end of this angular section of 90°, the first step 67 ends in a second step 68, thereby reducing the height of said first step 67 towards the upper part of the cylindrical area 51 , the pin 66 fitting in the second step 68. This retainer cap 26 is shown in Figure 17 in a sectional view. The regulation unit 18 also comprises an elastic means 30, preferably a spring, said elastic means 30 being housed in one end 31 of the housing 13 opposite the position of the regulation element 21. Said elastic means 30 is supported at one end in a base 32 of the housing 13 of the valve body 2, and at the other end in one end of the central body 19, with the result that it is fitted in the existing space between the end of the central body 19 and the bottom of the housing 13.

When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the active position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90°, the pin 66 of the retainer element 22 cooperating with the first step 67 of the retainer cap 26, and thereby retaining the retainer element 22 and with it the central body 19. In this active position the central body 19 moves to a position in which the segment 65 is fitted with the projection 64, formed between the lateral chamber 63 and the central chamber 61 , allowing the flow of the first type of gas to pass from the central chamber 61 to the lateral chamber 62 and from this to the outlet hole 15 of said type of gas. When the regulation unit 18 is disposed in the passive position, the retainer element 22 rotates 90° again in an opposite direction, the pin 66 of the retainer element 22 cooperating with the second step 68 of the retainer cap 26, being housed in it, and thereby retaining the retainer element 22 and with it the central body 19. In this passive position the central body 19 moves to a position in which the segment 65 is fitted with the projection 64, formed between the lateral chamber 62 and the central chamber 61 , allowing the flow of the second type of gas to pass from the central chamber 61 towards the lateral chamber 63 and from this to the outlet hole 15 of said type of gas. As shown in Figure 1 , the regulating organ 5 of the regulation valve 1 comprises a substantially cylindrical inner gas chamber 69 that is connected to the inlet holes 9- 1 1 and to the outlet conduit 4. This inner gas chamber 69 comprises in its interior a first restriction, which may be a nozzle 70 or a disc 70a inserted or threaded into the inner chamber 69, said first restriction 70 or 70a comprising a hole 71 in its axial shaft that passes through it, said hole 71 restricting the passage of the flow of gas. At least the gas inlet of the first restriction is disposed in the direction of the axial shaft of the inner gas chamber 69, between the inlet holes 9-1 1 of the regulating organ 5 corresponding to the first type of gas, and the inlet holes 9-1 1 corresponding to the second type of gas. As a result, the inner gas chamber 69 is divided into two chambers 72 and 73, the chamber 72 corresponding to the first type of gas disposed between the end of the inner gas chamber 69 and the first restriction 70 or 70a, and the chamber 73 corresponding to the second type of gas disposed between the first restriction 70 or 70a and the outlet conduit 4. After the first restriction 70 or 70a, and in the direction of the flow of gas, the regulation valve 1 comprises a second restriction 74, which may be a disc or a nozzle inserted or threaded into the outlet conduit 4, said second restriction 74 comprising a hole 75 in its axial shaft that passes through it, said hole 75 restricting the passage of the flow of gas. The hole 71 of the first restriction 70 or 70a determines a first maximum-flow level of the first type of gas, and the hole 74 of the second restriction determines a second maximum-flow level of the second type of gas, the first maximum-gas-flow level being lower than the second maximum-gas-flow level, with the result that if the valve 1 is adapted to the second type of gas, natural gas (NG), the flow of gas passes from the outlet hole 15 to the gas chamber 73 and from here it exits to the outside through the outlet conduit 4 through the second restriction 74 that restricts it.

If the valve 1 is adapted to the first type of gas, liquefied gas (LPG), the flow of gas moves from the outlet hole 15 to the gas chamber 72, and from here flows through the first restriction 70 or 70a, which restricts its passage, it then passing through the gas chamber 73, and from here it exits to the outside through the outlet conduit 4 through the second restriction 74, which does not restrict its passage because the first gas flow level determined by the hole 71 of the first restriction 70 or 70a is lower than the second gas flow level determined by the hole 75 of the second restriction 74. As a result, the positioning of the inlet holes 9-1 1 of the regulating organ 5 in different axial positions allows the regulation of the different types of gases to be separated, and this in conjunction with the arrangement of the first and second restriction 70 and 74 in the direction of the flow of gas, the first restriction 70 being disposed axially between the inlet holes of both types of gases, allows the gas in question to be regulated without adding, replacing or removing any component, enabling the use of the regulation valve 1 , its cost being reduced as it has a smaller number of components and it complying with the strictest safety regulations.

As shown in Figure 1 , the valve body 2 has an elongated shape and comprises a housing cavity 76 in which the regulating organ 5 is housed, the latter being pushed by a spring 77 to achieve a sealed closure, the housing cavity 76 being covered by the cover 25 of the valve body 2. In order to achieve the rotary movements of the regulating organ 5 around the central shaft 6 and regulate its angular position "A", the regulation valve 1 comprises an actuating shaft 78 connected to said regulating organ 5, a tubular sleeve 25a of the cover 25 being extended on the actuating shaft 78. Said actuating shaft presents a free and configured end with the result that a control knob (not shown in the figures) may be connected to said end. The actuating shaft 78 also comprises a guide means 79, configured as a radial pin, which interacts with an end-of-stroke stop element 80, configured as a recess, which is disposed in the cover 25, the guide means 79 sliding on the smooth inner face of the cover 25 up to said recess 80, determining the end of the angular stroke A2 of the regulating organ 5, corresponding with the angular position of the third hole corresponding to the minimum flow Q _M i _n - Figures 18, 19 and 20 show a plan view of the fifth embodiment of the valve 1 of Figure 1 shown in Figures 14 and 15, with an indication of the D-D cross-section shown in said Figures 14 and 15. Figures 18, 19 and 20 show the different types of inlet that the valve of the invention may have in its different embodiments, in its connection with the gas conduits (not shown in the figures). These types of inlets may be of the flange 81 type, embracing the gas conduit with two projecting flaps of the valve body 2, and the thread 82 type, threading a projection that acts as an inlet conduit 3 and which may be seen in the embodiment of the valve 1 shown in Figure 1 . The projecting flaps of the flange-type inlet 81 , and the threaded projection 82 are connected to the gas conduit, the gas conduit being round in both cases. And the inlet may be of the square 83 type, being connected with the assistance of a flange to square gas conduits.