Abstract: A radiant electric heater includes at least first (7) and second (11) adjacent heating zones. The first heating zone (7) includes a first heating element portion (5) and the second heating zone includes a second heating element portion (9). An electrical terminal (19) is provided at a periphery of the heater for connecting the first and second heating element portions to a source of electrical energy. The heating element portions (5, 9) are integral with conjoined ends connected to a first electrical connector (21), with one free end connected to a second electrical (23) connector, and with another free end connected to a third electrical connector (25). The first, second and third electrical connectors include means for connecting to the heating element portions in such a way that the heating element portions are not deflected from their intended path to any substantial extent.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) comprises a dish-like support (6) having a base layer (8) of thermal insulation material. At least one heating element (10) is supported relative to the base layer. A temperature-responsive device (16) has a rod-like component (18) secured at one end at a peripheral region of the dish-like support (6) and extends without support partly across the heater over the at least one heating element (10). Restraining means (30) is provided at a free end region (28) of the rod-like component (18). The restraining means (30) has a first portion (32) thereof secured in the base layer (8) of thermal insulation material and a second portion (34) thereof at least partially surrounding and spaced from the rod-like component (18) to allow limited relative movement between the rod-like component and the second portion of the restraining means (30).

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) comprises a dish-like support (6) having a base layer (8) of thermal insulation material. At least one heating element (10) is supported relative to the base layer. A temperature-responsive device (16) has a rod-like component (18) secured at one end at a peripheral region of the dish-like support (6) and extends without support partly across the heater over the at least one heating element (10). Restraining means (30) is provided at a free end region (28) of the rod-like component (18). The restraining means (30) has a first portion (32) thereof secured in the base layer (8) of thermal insulation material and a second portion (34) thereof at least partially surrounding and spaced from the rod-like component (18) to allow limited relative movement between the rod-like component and the second portion of the restraining means (30).

Abstract: An asymmetric radiant electric heater has multiple heating zones which can be arranged in a plurality of configurations. The heater comprises a dish-like support having two orthogonal axes of symmetry, a base of thermal and electrical insulation material in the dish-like support, a first heating element and a second heating element supported adjacent one another on a major surface of the base and forming an asymmetric arrangement in the dish-like support, a terminal block secured at a fixed location at an edge of the dish-like support, and a wall arrangement of thermal insulation material supported on the base and comprising a peripheral wall extending around the heater and a dividing wall, integral therewith, extending between the adjacent first and second heating elements to form at least two asymmetric heating zones.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater comprises concentrically-arranged heating elements separated by a dividing wall to form inner and outer heating zones, the heater having a peripheral wall. A tunnel extends between the peripheral wall and the dividing wall. A rod-like temperature-responsive device extends through the tunnel and across the inner heating zone. An end portion of the inner element extends along the tunnel. A terminal block is located at the periphery of the heater, end portions of the inner and outer elements being electrically connected to terminals provided in the terminal block. An elongate electrically conductive link is provided having a first end electrically connected to one terminal and bridging an end portion of the outer element connected to another terminal, the link being profiled such that a second end thereof is located within the tunnel and connected to an end portion of the inner element.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater comprises concentrically-arranged heating elements separated by a dividing wall to form inner and outer heating zones, the heater having a peripheral wall. A tunnel extends between the peripheral wall and the dividing wall. A rod-like temperature-responsive device extends through the tunnel and across the inner heating zone. An end portion of the inner element extends along the tunnel. A terminal block is located at the periphery of the heater, end portions of the inner and outer elements being electrically connected to terminals provided in the terminal block. An elongate electrically conductive link is provided having a first end electrically connected to one terminal and bridging an end portion of the outer element connected to another terminal, the link being profiled such that a second end thereof is located within the tunnel and connected to an end portion of the inner element.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater comprises a base (3) of thermal insulation material having supported thereon or adjacent thereto at least two concentrically-arranged heating elements (7, 9) separated by a dividing wall (5) of thermal insulation material to form an outer heating zone (8) and an inner heating zone (6), the heater having a peripheral wall (4) of thermal insulation material. A tunnel (11) formed of thermal insulation material extends between the peripheral wall and the dividing wall across the outer heating zone such that heating element or elements of the outer heating zone are substantially absent from an area occupied by the tunnel. A rod-like temperature-responsive device (10) extends from a periphery of the heater through the tunnel (11) and at least partly across the inner heating zone (6), through an aperture provided in the dividing wall (5). One or more portions of one or more heating elements (7) of the inner heating zone extend into the tunnel.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater comprises a base (3) of thermal insulation material having supported thereon or adjacent thereto at least two concentrically-arranged heating elements (7, 9) separated by a dividing wall (5) of thermal insulation material to form an outer heating zone (8) and an inner heating zone (6), the heater having a peripheral wall (4) of thermal insulation material. A tunnel (11) formed of thermal insulation material extends between the peripheral wall and the dividing wall across the outer heating zone such that heating element or elements of the outer heating zone are substantially absent from an area occupied by the tunnel. A rod-like temperature-responsive device (10) extends from a periphery of the heater through the tunnel (11) and at least partly across the inner heating zone (6), through an aperture provided in the dividing wall (5). One or more portions of one or more heating elements (7) of the inner heating zone extend into the tunnel.

Abstract: An asymmetric radiant electric heater has multiple heating zones which can be arranged in a plurality of configurations. The heater comprises a dish-like support having two orthogonal axes of symmetry, a base of thermal and electrical insulation material in the dish-like support, a first heating element and a second heating element supported adjacent one another on a major surface of the base and forming an asymmetric arrangement in the dish-like support, a terminal block secured at a fixed location at an edge of the dish-like support, and a wall arrangement of thermal insulation material supported on the base and comprising a peripheral wall extending around the heater and a dividing wall, integral therewith, extending between the adjacent first and second heating elements to form at least two asymmetric heating zones.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater includes a base (2) of insulation material and a lamp-form heating element (3) supported adjacent to a surface of the base. The lamp-form heating element is in the form of a filament (4) inside an elongate envelope (5). The surface of the base (2) is locally depressed (dished or ramped) beneath the envelope (5). A corrugated ribbon heating element (7) is supported on edge relative to the surface of the base (2). A portion of the corrugated ribbon heating element (7) crosses the at least one lamp-form heating element (3) beneath the envelope (5) and substantially conforms to the contour of the locally depressed surface and is free from contact with the envelope (5).

Abstract: A radiant electric heater has first, second and third heating zones (1, 2, 3) arranged substantially side-by-side. The first heating zone (1) is provided with at least one first heating element (9). The second heating zone (2) is arranged adjacent to the first heating zone and is provided with at least one second heating element (10). The third heating zone (3) is arranged adjacent to the second heating zone and is provided with at least one third and one fourth heating element (11, 12). A switch (15) is provided for switching between first, second and third heating states. In the first heating state the at least one first heating element (9) of the first heating zone (1) is energised alone, the at least one second, third and fourth heating elements (10, 11, 12) of the second and third heating zones (2, 3) being de-energised.

Abstract: A base for an electric heater comprises a base layer (13) of compacted insulation material (12) and a substantially U-shaped electrically conductive link (6) having upstanding leg portions (8, 9) with an elongate portion (7) extending therebetween. The link is embedded in the base layer with the leg portions protruding therefrom.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater arrangement for a glass-ceramic top cooking appliance includes a heater in the form of a dish-like support supporting a first heating element and a second heating element. The first heating element has a predetermined minimum operating life expectancy at a predetermined optimum operating temperature. During user-selectable periods of boost heating the first heating element is connected independently to a voltage supply and operates at a first temperature higher than the predetermined optimum operating temperature. In contrast, during user-selectable periods of normal heating, the second heating element is connected to the voltage supply in series with the first heating element, the first heating element operating at a second temperature lower than the predetermined optimum operating temperature.

Abstract: An infra-red heater arrangement for a glass-ceramic top cooking appliance includes a heater connected to a manually adjustable cyclic energy regulator having a full power setting and a plurality of other, lower power, settings. The heater incorporates at least one infra-red heating element having a substantial positive temperature coefficient of electrical resistance and first and second electrical resistance heating elements having low temperature coefficients of electrical resistance relative to that of the at least one infra-red heating element. The first electrical resistance heating element can be connected in series with the at least one infra-red heating element and to a power supply in the full power setting of the cyclic energy regulator, which setting is attainable directly from an `OFF` setting of the regulator.