Burners And Lighters Patents (Class 126/39E)
  • Patent number: 5464345
    Abstract: An integrally formed metal burner ring has a coil spring with a reduced center coil inserted in the burner inlet. Upon insertion of a fuel supply tube into the coil spring the center coil frictionally engages and seals over the supply tube and the spring is expanded to engage and seal against the burner inlet. An ignitor with a hollow tubular refractory holder has a hollow tubular electrode disposed in the hollow of the holder. The holder has a flat end face as an arc discharge surface with the end of the electrode flush with the discharge surface. The holder is secured in an aperture provided in a recess in the burner ring by orbital staking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Kwiatek
  • Patent number: 5464004
    Abstract: An atmospheric gas burner produces improved flame stability by establishing a higher pressure drop pilot flame at at least one burner port. The burner has a preferably recessed pilot port which is isolated from the primary burner ports. A small portion of the total fuel introduced to the burner is directly fed to the pilot port without entrained air. Consequently, the pilot port supports a high pressure drop diffusion pilot flame which is better able to withstand ambient disturbances. Then in the event that a momentary disturbance extinguishes the primary flames, the pilot flame will serve as a reignition source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James R. Maughan
  • Patent number: 5443380
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having opposed ends one of which is open to the chamber and the other of which has structure for interconnecting a source of fuel to the chamber, and a removable cap closing the one end of the body, the cap having opposed sides and an annular peripheral edge interconnecting the opposed sides together, the burner construction having ports interconnecting the chamber to the exterior of the burner construction and through which the fuel can issue to burn externally to the burner construction, the cap having an annular groove in one of the opposed sides thereof and inboard of the peripheral edge thereof, the burner body having a projection disposed in the groove to hold the cap on the one end of the burner body in its closing position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5429111
    Abstract: A gas burning apparatus detects a gas pressure existing between a nozzle for supplying gas to a burner and an adjusting valve for adjusting combustion amount by means of a pressure sensor. A central control device, including a microcomputer, drives the adjusting valve so as to obtain a combustion amount desired by a user. This construction controls thermal power accurately. In addition, a different kind of gas stored by the microcomputer can be used by operating a switch corresponding to the kind of gas to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 5408984
    Abstract: This invention relates to a gas burner which employs a two stage flame stabilizer. At low input rates, a fully aerated flame is stabilized at the surface of a porous material. At higher input rates, the flame blows off and is held by flame stabilization tabs. Such structures of this type, generally, operate over a very wide range of input rates and employ a highly aerated flame which reduces the flame temperature, slows NOx production, and increases the overall reaction rate by shortening the flame while reducing carbon monoxide (CO) caused by flame impingement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James R. Maughan
  • Patent number: 5405263
    Abstract: A sealed gas surface burner having a ring portion that sits on the main top around the periphery of the main top aperture through which the burner extends. The ring portion forms a substantially liquid tight seal with the main top, and has a raised shoulder to prevent liquid on the main top from running down through the burner aperture in the main top. A burner body is supported by the ring portion at spaced intervals to provide passageways from underneath the main top. A cap is supported by the burner body thereby forming a chamber which receives a mixture of gaseous fuel and primary combustion air. The mixture issues from ports in the side wall of the burner body where it is ignited to produce a cooking flame. Secondary combustion air is drawn from underneath the main top through the passageways in the burner to support combustion of the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Caloric Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Walter J. Larkin, Richard T. Jahr
  • Patent number: 5397234
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly is provided for a gas stove. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base and a burner cap mounted by the burner base and defines a plurality of gas burner ports. The burner base and burner cap have cooperating members defining a gas stabilization port. The burner cap and the burner base are connected to electrical ground potential. An electrode assembly for manual spark ignition of the gas burner includes an electrically conductive electrode. An electrically insulative support member mounted by the burner base encloses and positions the electrically conductive electrode proximate to the gas burner. Responsive to a user's manual operation, a high voltage potential is applied to the electrically conductive electrode for spark ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventor: David J. Kwiatek
  • Patent number: 5391076
    Abstract: A gas burner has a domed head for shielding a plurality of gas outlets which are provided along the periphery of the gas burner. The gas outlets extend outward to perform the burning function. A flange extends outward along a periphery of the domed head and a skirt extends downward from and along a periphery of the flange. The bottom of the skirt is preferably 2 mm high above the gas outlets in order not to interfere with the flow of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: William Home
  • Patent number: 5375585
    Abstract: A gas range includes a burner, a burner control unit, a piezoelectric igniter and a safety valve. The safety valve is situated between a gas supply and the burner. A thermocouple is situated near the burner. The piezoelectric igniter is used to ignite gas which vents out of the burner. As a flame occurs at the burner, a temperature at the burner will ascend. The thermocouple detects the increased temperature and generates a current to open the safety valve. If the flame goes out, the temperature will descend to the predetermined value. The thermocouple detects the decreased temperature and stops generating any current to actuate the safety valve. Thus, the safety valve is closed so as to keep any gas from venting out of the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: William Home
  • Patent number: 5364264
    Abstract: A spark electrode assembly for manual spark ignition of a gas burner and a method for manual spark ignition of a gas burner are provided. The spark electrode assembly includes an electrically conductive electrode contained within an electrically insulative support member. The electrically conductive electrode is positioned by the electrically insulative support member proximate to a predetermined portion of the gas burner. At least the predetermined portion of the gas burner is provided at ground potential. A high voltage potential is applied to the electrically conductive electrode responsive to a user's manual operation for spark ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventor: David J. Kwiatek
  • Patent number: 5335646
    Abstract: A water heater, a burner unit therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the water heater comprising a tank for containing water therein and a burner unit for receiving fuel from a source thereof and issuing the fuel therefrom so as to burn and heat the tank and thus the water therein by conduction, the burner unit comprising a top burner plate having a top wall provided with an opening therethrough for draining away water that has accumulated thereon and that comprises condensate that has dripped from the flue of the tank onto the top wall, the opening to be so constructed and arranged that the water that drains therethrough is adapted to pass out through a central opening of the bottom burner plate of the burner unit and through which fuel is directed to the burner unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Jay R. Katchka
  • Patent number: 5336084
    Abstract: A liquid fuel campstove is provided with a piezoelectric ignition system. The campstove includes a liquid fuel tank, a burner assembly having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet orifices, a generator tube which is connected to the fuel tank and extends adjacent the burner assembly, and a U-shaped venturi tube which extends from the generator to the fuel inlet of the burner assembly. A pilot tube is inserted into the venturi tube and extends to adjacent the fuel outlet orifices of the burner assembly. The electrode of the piezoelectric ignition system is positioned adjacent the end of the pilot tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Norris R. Long
  • Patent number: 5328357
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and a removable cap closing one end of the burner body, one of the burner body and the cap having an annular surface interrupted by a plurality of radially disposed main grooves that are spaced apart by lands of the annular surface and that define a generally repeating pattern of a set of a certain number of the main grooves and the lands separated from the next adjacent set of the certain number of the main grooves and the lands by one of the lands that is not part of the sets and that has an annular length that is longer than the annular length of any one of the lands of the sets separated thereby, the free end surface of each land that is not part of the sets having a small radially disposed and substantially Y-shaped groove therein that is closed on one end thereof by an annular surface of the other of the burner body and the cap to provide small carry-over flames bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5327879
    Abstract: A supplemental heater is provided for use with a conventional cooking unit, such as an outdoor gas barbecue. One embodiment comprises a flexible hose which is linked to a conventional combustible fuel tank with an adapter. The other end of the hose is connected to the supplemental hand-held heater. The supplemental heater may also comprise a selectively controllable mechanism for igniting the combustible fuel and for controlling the flow of gas through the supplemental heater. The supplemental heater is designed for supplying additional heat to the items which are cooking on a grill of the main cooking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Frank A. Ferraro
  • Patent number: 5328358
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having opposed ends one of which is open to the chamber and the other of which has structure for interconnecting a source of fuel to the chamber, and a removable cap closing the one end of the body, the cap having opposed sides and an annular peripheral edge interconnecting the opposed sides together, the burner construction having ports interconnecting the chamber to the exterior of the burner construction and through which the fuel can issue to burn externally to the burner construction, the cap having an annular groove in one of the opposed sides thereof and inboard of the peripheral edge thereof, the burner body having a projection disposed in the groove to hold the cap on the one end of the burner body in its closing position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5301653
    Abstract: A gas surface range having a downdraft ventilation system with automatic shut off during ignition. A relay is activated by current flowing to the spark coil of the electrical igniter, and has contacts connected in series with the blower motor of the downdraft system. Thus, the downdraft system is disabled during attempted ignition, and is automatically enabled at the completion of ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Caloric Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Gerdes, Richard T. Jahr, William E. Nothe, Calvin J. Thomas, Richard A. Wrege
  • Patent number: 5275555
    Abstract: A device for holding and covering a gas pilot used to ignite a gas burner includes a rigid bracket for holding the pilot and a rigid cover over the pilot. The bracket includes a bifurcated plate that grips the pilot and holds it in fixed relation to the gas burner. The cover extends over the pilot to protect it from being misaligned by heavy objects and from being extinguished by drafts and by materials heated over the burner. The device increases the reliability of the gas burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Mark S. Goodridge
  • Patent number: 5273023
    Abstract: This invention relates to a spirit stove. The spirit stove comprises a top (11) which is provided with at least one hot plate (15) of hear conducting material which is placed so that the plate joins the top. The stove has a spirit burner (33, 36, 37, 38) which is placed below the plate and to which air flows and from which fumes leave by natural ventilation. The plate is surrounded by a heat insulating material (23) having a surface which is exposed to the flames and/or the fumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Bengt E. O. Ebbeson
  • Patent number: 5267849
    Abstract: At least two sets of point-to-flat spark electrodes are connected for high voltage excitation from a pulse source such as individual secondary windings of a common transformer. Each secondary winding has one end connected to one of the pointed electrodes, with the other end of the winding commonly grounded with the flat electrode to provide common polarity to all pointed electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond M. Paciorek
  • Patent number: 5266026
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having opposed ends one of which is open to the chamber and the other of which has structure for interconnecting a source of fuel to the chamber, and a removable cap closing the one end of the body, the burner construction having ports interconnecting the chamber to the exterior of the burner construction and through which the fuel can issue to burn externally to the burner construction, the burner construction comprising a removable venturi section disposed in the chamber and being removable therefrom through the open end of the body when the cap has been removed therefrom, the venturi section having an upper end temporarily fastened to a shoulder of the body by a fastening structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5241463
    Abstract: A top gas burner control employs touch keypads to provide operator input signals to a microcomputer. The microcomputer controls reversible gear motor to operate gas burner valves, and the positions of the shafts of the valves are fed back to the microcomputer via decoders. The initial operation of a burner requires the operator to touch and ON keypad, in response to which the microcomputer rotates the shaft of the valve to a maximum open position and energizes an igniter at this position. The operator must the touch a further keypad within a predetermined time in order to prevent the microprocessor from closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane A. Lee
  • Patent number: 5226406
    Abstract: A cooking range, specially for stir-fry cooking, characterized by an imperforate work top through which a chimney-like burner collar opens and which is covered and closed by a frying pan placed thereupon, with a lateral opening through said collar and discharging beneath the work top for lateral induction of the flame products of combustion to exhaust through a remote flue, preferably embodied is a stepped work top with pairs of tiered burner collars, whereby a multiplicity of frying pans are simultaneously employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Connerton Appliance Company
    Inventor: Howard S. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 5211157
    Abstract: A food warming device assembly supported on legs comprises a stand or a frame having a heater supporting shelf for supporting a tray-like food container, an opening disposed in the heater supporting shelf, a gas burner extending into the opening and supported therein by an annular flange, and a control box containing a fuel cartridge connected to the gas burner by means of an automatic piezo-electronic ignition line and a fuel supply line for automatically igniting and controlling the supply of fuel to the gas burner, whereby the food warming device assembly can be used to maintain food in a warm condition in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventors: Arnold Schwartz, Bong K. Park
  • Patent number: 5203317
    Abstract: An auxiliary burner unit for mounting on a shelf of a barbecue grill cart or the like is disclosed. The burner unit includes a housing with a burner element and a fuel source. Brackets are provided for securing the burner unit to an existing shelf in spaced relation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: W. C. Bradley Company
    Inventor: Charles W. James
  • Patent number: 5160256
    Abstract: A burner construction, igniter assembly therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the igniter assembly comprising an electrically insulating body member having an intermediate portion provided with a groove therein and having opposed end surfaces one of which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a cap of a burner construction, and an electrically conductive L-shaped electrode carried by the body member and having two legs one of which has a first part thereof disposed in the groove of the body member and has a second part extending out of the intermediate portion for sparking to the cap, the groove of the body member leading from the burner chamber to the second part of the one leg of the electrode between part of the one end surface and the intermediate portion of the body member for feeding fuel from the chamber to the second part of the one leg of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5160255
    Abstract: A burner construction, igniter assembly therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the igniter assembly comprising an electrically insulating body member having an intermediate portion and having opposed end surfaces one of which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a cap of a burner construction, and an electrically conductive L-shaped electrode carried by the body member and having two legs one of which extends out of the intermediate portion thereof for sparking to the cap and the other of which extends out of the other of the opposed end surfaces of the body member for electrical connection purposes, the body member comprising a one-piece member, the two legs of the electrode initially comprising two separate parts having adjacent ends that have now been secured together inside the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Kent K. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5152276
    Abstract: A sealed gas burner assembly provides fast spark ignition of the primary air/gas mixture by supporting the electrode in an electrically insulative member that is disposed in a fluid-tight sealing engagement through the electrode aperture of a burner head, whereby ignition is facilitated by providing an ignition port directly adjacent an exterior terminal end portion of the electrode. The burner head has a low profile defined partly by a circumferential curved sidewall which eliminates turbulence in secondary airflow to the burner ports during high burner rates. A venturi tube providing the primary air/gas mixture to the burner and ignition is fully contained within an internal chamber of the burner head. The assembly is detachably secured to the burner opening of a range top through a twist lock engagement therewith, and is also provided with a seal to prevent spillovers from leaking between the assembly and the range top into the burner box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Eddie M. Brock, William E. T. Stevens, Shelton T. Barnes
  • Patent number: 5119802
    Abstract: An improved gas fueled cooking appliance incorporating surface heating units comprising burners with automatic reignition capability adapted for use in combination with surface level downdraft venting is provided with an air deflector disposed proximate the igniter to alter the flow of air in the vicinity of the igniter so as to prevent the downdraft vent induced air flow from moving the flame from the igniter. In a preferred form the air deflector is a thin wall extending upwardly from the cooktop surface. The wall extends away from the burner with the end of the wall nearest the burner being laterally spaced from and even with or downstream from the igniter electrode located on the periphery of the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventors: David N. Cherry, David L. Kinny, Gerald J. Kushner
  • Patent number: 5112218
    Abstract: A burner construction, igniter assembly therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the igniter assembly comprising an electrically insulating body member having an intermediate portion and having opposed end surfaces one of which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a cap of a burner construction, and an electrically conductive L-shaped electrode carried by the body member and having two legs one of which extends out of the intermediate portion thereof for sparking to the cap and the other of which extends out of the other of the opposed end surfaces of the body member for electrical connection purposes, the body member comprising a one-piece member, the two legs of the electrode initially comprising two separate parts having adjacent ends that have now been secured together inside the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Kent K. Sigler
  • Patent number: 5099822
    Abstract: A cooking range in which a burner below a glass-ceramic plate is ignited with a glow igniter switched off in response to an ionization detector when combustion products are effected so as to prevent excessive heating of the glow igniter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Cramer GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Cramer, Dietmar Kaselow
  • Patent number: 5097818
    Abstract: In a gas governor for installation with a burner in a gas-fired appliance, all incoming gas is introduced into a common burner gas channel through a peripheral channel of a valve stem. A common burner gas channel branches into two channels to form a main burner channel and a pilot burner gas channel. By means of a flange integrally mounted around the outlet portion of main burner gas channel, the centerline of the main burner nozzle which is formed in the outlet of the main burner gas channel, may be coaxially aligned with the central axis of the venturi tube of main burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heui T. Kee, Seung H. Kim
  • Patent number: 5083915
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having opposed ends one of which is open to the chamber and the other of which has structure for interconnecting a source of fuel to the chamber, and a removable cap closing the one end of the body, the cap having opposed sides and an annular peripheral edge interconnecting the opposed sides together, the burner construction having ports interconnecting the chamber to the exterior of the burner construction and through which the fuel can issue to burn externally to the burner construction, the cap having an annular groove in one of the opposed sides thereof and inboard of the peripheral edge thereof, the burner body having a projection disposed in the groove to hold the cap on the one end of the burner body in its closing position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5040970
    Abstract: A burner construction and method of making the same are provided, the burner construction comprising a burner body having a chamber therein and having opposed ends one of which is open to the chamber and the other of which has structure for interconnecting a source of fuel to the chamber, and a removable cap closing the one end of the body, the cap having opposed sides and an annular peripheral edge interconnecting the opposed sides together, the burner construction having ports interconnecting the chamber to the exterior of the burner construction and through which the fuel can issue to burn externally to the burner construction, the cap having an annular groove in one of the opposed sides thereof and inboard of the peripheral edge thereof, the burner body having a projection disposed in the groove to hold the cap on the one end of the burner body in its closing position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Fred Riehl
  • Patent number: 5000157
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a heater with high heat output and a baffle carried outwardly of the heater on at least one side thereof to intercept substantially the heat radiated in the direction of the baffle and to increase the flexibility in the installation of the cooking apparatus. The heater and baffle can be combined in a removable unit that is particularly adapted for grilling foods in a proximity ventilated cooktop and the baffle can be located in the air flow generated in the operation of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Harper, Jr., Wallace E. Schmidt, Stanley H. Beach
  • Patent number: 4997161
    Abstract: A fuel control system, throttle valve unit therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the system comprising a burner, a source of fuel for the burner, and a throttle valve unit for interconnecting the source to the burner, the throttle valve unit having a movable valve member and a valve seat controlled by the valve member, the throttle associated with the valve member to control the position of the valve member relative to the valve seat so as to control the flame height at the burner, the electrically operated unit comprising a fixed magnet unit and a movable magnet unit each of which is adapted to provide a magnetic field that will react with the other magnetic field, one of the magnet units having an electrical conductor that is adapted to vary the force of its magnetic field in relation to the magnitude of an electrical current passing therethrough whereby the valve member is adapted to be positioned relative to the valve seat in relation to the effect created between the magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Hutchison, Steven A. Kimmel, Raymond J. Bonkovich, James P. Chew, David J. Rath
  • Patent number: 4993401
    Abstract: A cooking unit has a ceramic cooking surface, a gas burner underneath the surface, a gas supply including a solenoid valve for feeding a combustible gas to the burner, and an electric igniter juxtaposed with the burner and electrically energizable to ignite the combustible gas issuing from the burner. An electricity supply is connected to the igniter and to the gas supply for electrically energizing the igniter whenever the valve is open and supplying gas to the burner. In addition an electronic controller connected to the valve and to the electric supply monitors current consumption of the igniter and closes the valve when the current consumption of the igniter indicates same is malfunctioning. The controller includes a digital circuit that is also typically operated by the user of the cooker to turn the burners on and off and control their temperatures and an analog circuit connected parallel to each other. At least one of these circuits controls opening and closing of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Cramer GmbH & Co., Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Diekmann, Gunter Krohn, Wilhelm Cramer
  • Patent number: 4968246
    Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a burner including a burner body having an air-fuel mixture chamber and a burner cap formed with a plurality of flame ports, a pan formed with an opening for receiving the burner body, a top plate placed on an upper face of the heating apparatus and a trivet placed on the top plate. The burner cap includes a cylindrical portion formed with an air passage, a convex portion projecting upwardly from an inner face of the cylindrical portion and a cover member formed integrally with an upper portion of the cylindrical portion through the convex portion such that a gap is defined between an upper end of the cylindrical portion and a lower face of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Sasada, Nobuhide Nishiyama, Junzo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4932392
    Abstract: An adjustable mixing pipe for a gas-range including a flexible outer pipe, a first inner pipe and a second inner pipe. The flexible outer pipe has a first end communicated to a burner and is fastened to a frame of the burner. The flexible outer pipe further has a straight portion at a second end thereof with a first slot formed on a periphery of the straight portion. The first inner pipe is retractably received within the second end of the outer pipe and is fastened in the outer pipe by means of a first fastening spring provided in the first slot. The first inner pipe is slidable lengthwise in the outer pipe when the first fastening spring is pressed to be loosened. A second slot is formed on a periphery of the first inner pipe at a second end thereof. The second inner pipe is retractably received within the second end of the first inner pipe and is fastened in the first inner pipe by means of a second fastening spring provided in the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Grand Hall Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: William Home
  • Patent number: 4930488
    Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled gas appliance basically comprising three components: (1) a computer processor with a sensor interface, (2) a valve assembly, and (3) a human interface. The sensor interface is capable of passing the input from a series of sensors through the processor for subsequent use in controlling the operation of a burner valve in the valve assembly. Appropriate sensors are provided for connection to the sensor interface to measure, among other things, flame temperature, gas flow, carbon monoxide, combustibles, occupancy by an individual in the presence of the gas appliance, and gas composition. The valve controls the flow of natural gas through a line from a source of gas to a burner found in the appliance. The valve is controlled through a valve operator that responds to signals obtained from the computer processor via valve interface electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: A. Noel J. Pearman, Gerald D. Hunter, Michael A. Woessner
  • Patent number: 4930489
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a flame switchable gas burning device, adapted to be mounted or attached within the oven cavity of a gas stove, which provides an improved gas stove having control of the flame switching air and the convection cooking air. Such control is achieved by providing a shunt air path which may have one or more controlled dampers and a blower with variable and controllable speed. In another embodiment the combustion gases and the cooking air are kept separate by incorporation of a counterflow heat exchanger making the device indirect fired. In the indirect fired embodiment steam may be controllably introduced into the oven cavity to further speed the baking/cooking time. The improved gas oven can, within the one oven cavity, operate in the broil, bake, steam cook, and self-clean mode without the need for multiple burners or multiple oven cavities and without the need for manually operated baffles or dampers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: David H. McFadden
  • Patent number: 4921210
    Abstract: A fuel control system, throttle valve unit therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the system comprising a burner, a source of fuel for the burner, and a throttle valve unit for interconnecting the source to the burner, the throttle valve unit having a movable valve member and a valve seat controlled by the valve member, the throttle valve unit having an electrically operated unit operatively associated with the valve member to control the position of the valve member relative to the valve seat so as to control the flame height at the burner, the electrically operated unit comprising a fixed magnet unit and a movable magnet unit each of which is adapted to provide a magnetic field that will react with the other magnetic field, one of the magnet units having an electrical conductor that is adapted to vary the force of its magnetic field in relation to the magnitude of an electrical current passing therethrough whereby the valve member is adapted to be positioned relative to the valve seat in rela
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Hutchison, Steven A. Kimmel, Raymond J. Bonkovich, James P. Chew, David J. Rath
  • Patent number: 4919110
    Abstract: A gas cooking appliance for cooking chow mein, pan cakes or the like on a hot plate mounted thereon, which cooking appliance includes a pulse combustion burner installed within an internal compartment of the appliance and having a combustion chamber coupled with a bottom portion of the hot plate to take place pulse combustion of a mixture of gaseous fuel and air supplied thereinto, wherein the hot plate is in the form of a thick metallic plate formed therein with a tailpipe passage which is connected at one end thereof to an exhaust port of the combustion chamber and extends outwardly through the metallic plate to permit the flow of combustion products discharged therethrough from said combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Paloma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 4899722
    Abstract: A burner assembly for use with a chafing dish having a leg structure for support of a chafing dish above a support surface. The burner assembly includes a butane fuel source or reservoir, a burner head connected to the fuel source, a valve mounted between the fuel source and the burner head to control the flow of butane to the burner head, and burner head support structure supporting the burner head above the support surface. The burner support structure further includes a base having a portion formed for positioning proximate and outwardly of the leg structure of the chafing dish, and an arm portion which is preferably cantilevered relative to the base portion. The arm extends from a position outwardly of the chafing dish leg structure to a position between the chafing dish heater support tray and the bottom of the chafing dish to enable heating of the chafing dish. The base is formed for support of the arm portion and burner head for movement independently of the chafing dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Richard L. Horewitch
  • Patent number: 4894007
    Abstract: A ferrofluid seal assembly for providing gas to a rotatable member includes a chamber between the bore of the magnet within the seal and a shaft passing through the bore. Fluid inlet means provides fluid to the chamber. The shaft is hollow from the chamber to one end and communicates with the chamber for providing fluid to a rotable member affixed to the end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics
    Inventor: Stephen T. Opresko
  • Patent number: 4886043
    Abstract: A gas burner comprises a burner skirt (1) supporting a burner head (5) provided with combustion ports (6). A plate (9) notched at the edges allows part of the combustion mixture to escape around the bottom of the burner head and burn to form a retention flame below the main combustion ports (6). The flow of gas to the retention flame is metered by metering apertures formed by the bottom of the burner head and the notches in the plate (9). This construction allows the skirt to be made simply and inexpensively from materials such as mild steel, and to be vitreous enamelled, without sacrificing accuracy of metering of the supply to the retention flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Parkinson Cowan Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Homer
  • Patent number: 4870314
    Abstract: A gas appliance such as a propane lantern is provided with a piezoelectric ignition device which is operated by the on-off control knob of the appliance. The piezoelectric ignition device is actuated by a pushbutton. The control knob includes a cam which causes movement of the pushbutton as the control knob rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis V. Hefling
  • Patent number: 4861264
    Abstract: A gas collector electrode assembly that can be easily assembled and/or disassembled is disclosed. The bottom wall of the gas collector includes two apertures connected by an elongated slot. The first aperture is sized to receive the end of the spark electrode assembly and the second aperture is sized to grippingly engage a circumferential groove on the spark electrode assembly adjacent its end. A tab portion is provided in the bottom wall of the gas collector adjacent the second aperture therein. By inserting the end of the spark electrode assembly into the first aperture and then by depressing the tab portion while laterally moving the spark electrode assembly into the second aperture, the tab portion can then spring back to its original position and grippingly engage the spark electrode assembly firmly attaching same to the gas collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Channel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred J. Romanak, Russell W. Moss
  • Patent number: 4848310
    Abstract: A heating device for mounting in a window opening, particularly useful for vehicles, camper shells, and other enclosures, which includes a mounting plate; air intake and exhaust tubes, a burner contained within a sealed housing, an external fuel source, and a connecting line between the fuel source and the burner. The lower portion of the mounting plate rests upon the window sill and an upper portion engages the outer surface of the window framework to make the device useable for both vertically and horizontally movable windows. The sealed housing, which includes a cooking surface, precludes noxious fumes or explosive fumes from escaping into the confines of the area being heated. The external fuel source, preferably a portable propane tank, rests on the ground outside the enclosure, as an additional safety factor. A heat deflector, pivotal over the top surface of the burner housing, disperses the heated air to prevent overheating of the ceiling and also serves as a safety guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventor: Richard S. Millington
  • Patent number: 4846671
    Abstract: A gas burner assembly includes a detachable burner cap assembly having an electrically conductive burner cap body with a plurality of burner ports and an ignition port formed in a sidewall of the burner cap body. The burner cap body is connected to an electrical ground potential. An electrically insulative support member is mounted in the ignition port and defines an electrode receiving aperture. The electrically insulative support member cooperates with the ignition port to define an ignition gas pathway. A spark electrode extending through the support member aperture includes a portion extending though the ignition port and completely surrounded by the insulative support member. The spark electrode is selectively connected to an high voltage potential for providing ignition sparks between the electrode and the burner body through the ignition gas pathway. A stationary base assembly is adapted for detachable mating engagement with the burner cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventor: David J. Kwiatek
  • Patent number: 4846143
    Abstract: A gas power burner having a burner tube closed at one end and a venturi tube disposed within the burner tube with the mouth portion of the venturi tube disposed toward the closed end of the burner tube. The burner tube is provided with an air aperture in a side thereof at a position along the burner tube intermediate the mouth portion and the burner head portion of the venturi tube. A blower blows air into the air aperture of the burner tube where the air divides into a first pathway traveling toward the closed end of the burner tube and into the mouth of the venturi tube and also traveling in a second pathway toward the open end of the burner tube. The air traveling in the primary and secondary pathways provides combustion air for a flame burning at a burner head portion of the venturi located within the outer burner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Lincoln Foodservice Products, Inc.
    Inventor: George L. Csadenyi