Abstract: An electronically activated gas cooktop control system, responsive to a touch-sensitive user interface, and capable of providing a predetermined range of cooking and simmer levels of BTU output, has two complementary heating modes of operation A first heating mode of operation is provided to produce a wide selection of simmer levels of BTU output, by electronically sequencing a solenoid-operated modulating gas valve “on” and “off”, at a predetermined level of flame. A second cooking mode of operation is provided by electronically modulating the level of flame, through use of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) output signal to produce a wide selection of cooking levels of BTU output. An igniter system capable of insuring proper ignition of gas without generating harmful electromagnetic interference is also provided.

Abstract: An electronically activated gas cooktop control system, responsive to a touch-sensitive user interface, and capable of providing a predetermined range of cooking and simmer levels of BTU output, has two complementary heating modes of operation A first heating mode of operation is provided to produce a wide selection of simmer levels of BTU output, by electronically sequencing a solenoid-operated modulating gas valve “on” and “off”, at a predetermined level of flame. A second cooking mode of operation is provided by electronically modulating the level of flame, through use of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) output signal to produce a wide selection of cooking levels of BTU output. An igniter system capable of insuring proper ignition of gas without generating harmful electromagnetic interference is also provided.

Abstract: A counter-top or free-standing cooking unit with a top surface of natural stone, such as granite, is made especially resistant to cracking and fracture caused by mechanical or thermal stress. The natural stone's perimeter is cut and holes cut to match the diameters of the heating elements to be installed. The stone is preferably annealed for a suitable time at a suitable temperature to relieve stresses introduced by cutting. A reinforcing plate material is selected to have sufficient tensile strength, good thermal conductivity, and a thermal expansion coefficient that matches to some extent the stone's lateral thermal expansion. The plate may be a laminated composite of several metals, chosen such that the thermal expansion of the laminate matches that of the stone as closely as possible. The plate is cut smaller than the stone slab's outer dimensions.

Abstract: A power burner adaptable for use in conjunction with a wood burning stove employs a blower to produce a forced flow of air and a fuel valve which provides selective fuel communication with a fuel nozzle. Forced air and fuel is mixed in the nozzle and propelled through the nozzle outlet along a generally unidirectional exit path. A target is spaced from the nozzle outlet and interposed in the exit path. A heating assembly which is spaced from the target heats the target to a temperature sufficient to ignite the mixture traversing the exit path. A blast tube surrounds the target and forms an axially extending passageway which functions as a combustion chamber and a passageway for propelling the combusted fuel through an outlet opening of the blast tube. The burner is automatically controlled by an electronic controller.