Remotely controlling modulated flow to a fuel gas burner and valve therefor

A method for remotely controlling flow of gaseous fuel to a burner having an electrically operated electromagnetically actuated modulating valve. The electromagnetic actuator comprises a coil having about one thousand turns of fine wire disposed proximate an annular permanent magnet. Either the magnet or coil may be attached to a moveable valve member which has a resilient poppet biased to close on a valve seat to shut off gas flow. Upon energization of the coil, a magnetomotive force is generated and moves the poppet off the seat to permit flow. Increased current flow in the coil proportionately increases opening of the poppet and movement of a metering member which throttles flow. When the poppet is fully open, flow is reduced to minimum metered level. A single user operated, remotely located potentiometer can be used to effect the proportional control of flow to the burner. In the preferred embodiment the metering member is cylindrical with a varying area grove or recess. In another embodiment, the metering member is a reversely conically tapered member throttling in a conically tapered metering passage.