Abstract: A description is given of a temperature detection device for an electric radiant heater, with which is associated an active sensor for detecting the positioning of a cooking vessel on a hotplate, particularly a glass ceramic plate, covering the radiant heater. This sensor is part of an inductive resonant circuit of a control means and preferably has a single sensor loop of electrically conductive material located in the vicinity of at least one heating zone heatable by electric radiant elements and preferably partly overlapping the same. According to the invention, with at least one portion the sensor loop forms a functional element of a temperature sensor of the temperature detection device. For example, a tubular sensor loop portion can serve as a supporting or protective jacket of a jacket thermocouple.

Abstract: The device for controlling cooking areas of glass-ceramic cooking surfaces includes a combined device or conductor track structure consisting of a temperature measurement device for measuring cooking area temperatures and a cooking utensil detection device for detecting the presence of cooking utensils on the cooking areas. The temperature measurement device includes two conductor tracks, a conductor track arranged in the glass-ceramic surface in an edge region of the cooking area and another conductor track, in a central region. The temperature measurement device is part of the cooking utensil device so that fewer cooking area leads are required than in the prior art. The temperature of the glass-ceramic cooking surface located between the at least two conductor tracks is measured.

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 (2) of thermal and electrical insulation material, an electrical heating element (3) supported on or adjacent to the base and having a terminal region (7) at a location in the heater remote from a periphery of the heater, and a rod-like temperature-responsive device (9) extending at least partly across the heater from the periphery thereof at least to a region proximate the terminal region of the heating element. Electrical connecting means extends from the terminal region (7) of the heating element (3) to the periphery of the heater by way of the rod-like temperature-responsive device (9).

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 (2) of thermal and electrical insulation material, an electrical heating element (3) supported on or adjacent to the base and having a terminal region (7) at a location in the heater remote from a periphery of the heater, and a rod-like temperature-responsive device (9) extending at least partly across the heater from the periphery thereof at least to a region proximate the terminal region of the heating element. Electrical connecting means extends from the terminal region (7) of the heating element (3) to the periphery of the heater by way of the rod-like temperature-responsive device (9).

Abstract: The temperature of a cooktop is controlled such that a maximum temperature of a cooktop reaches about a predetermined maximum temperature. The temperature is controlled by controlling power supplied to a radiant heating element positioned below the cooktop. The radiant heating element heats the cooktop. A user power input device allows a user to select a user power level corresponding to a desired temperature range for heating the cooktop. A temperature sensor is supplied that senses the temperature of the cooktop. A thermal limiter controller is connected to the radiant heating element, the user power input device and the temperature sensor. The thermal limiter controller determines a thermal limiting power level. The thermal limiter controller applies the smaller of the user power level and the thermal limiter power level to the radiant heating element.

Abstract: A method for sensing overheating of a food container positioned on a glass ceramic cooking hob, for example during the preparation of a food contained in said container, electrical heating elements being provided for predefined regions of said hob. The method includes continuously measuring the variation in temperature of the region of the cooking hob during the activation of a corresponding heating element on which the container is positioned on the hob. The method further includes halting said activation when said temperature undergoes a sudden increase relative to a temperature value maintained substantially constant with time during activation of the heating element.

Abstract: An improved heating unit (10) used in a cooktop (12). Operation of the heating unit is by a controller (16). An electric current is applied to a composition heating element (20). The heating element is supported on a cake (24) of insulation material installed in a pan (22) located beneath a glasstop (14) of the cooktop. A thermal sensor (28) senses the temperature of the heating element and supplies an indication of the heating element temperature to the controller which changes the amount of current supplied to the heating element as a function of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: A casing (11) of a thermostat (12), which is to be fixed to the rim (17) of a reception container (16) for a heating device, is substantially inserted in a recess (23) of the rim (17). The recess (23) is open to the outer edge of the rim (17) and has two lateral boundaries (24). In the fitted state the casing (11) forms a mechanical connection between the lateral boundaries (24) and closes the transmission of forces in the course of the rim (17) and in particular clamps together the rim in the circumferential direction. The fastening of the casing (11) and the bracing takes place by means of at least partly bent round and/or bend roundable fastening tongues (25) and/or clamping tongues (27), preferably emanating from the lateral boundaries (24). The invention inter alia leads to a positionally reliable positioning of the thermostat (12) on the reception container (16).

Abstract: The sensor-controlled cooktop has a cooktop plate, in particular made of glass ceramic, with one or more defined cooking zones that can be heated with a heating element arranged below the cooktop plate. A heat radiation sensor unit is also arranged below the cooktop plate and is directed toward the underside of the latter in the region of a measuring spot of limited area. The sensor unit is connected to a control unit for regulating the heat output of the heating element. In order to achieve as accurate a regulation of the heat output as possible independently of the pot, there is provision, according to the invention, for the value of the transmittance of the material of the cooktop plate, at least in the region of the measuring spot, to be, at least in the spectral measuring range of the heat radiation sensor unit, lower than 30%, preferably lower than 10% and, in particular, approximately 0%.

Abstract: Glass or glass-ceramic materials for a cooking surface of a modern cooking unit can only withstand a certain predetermined limited temperature/time load. In order to guarantee that the permissible temperature/time load is not exceeded during the guaranteed lifetime at a given “standard” usage frequency, a shut-off temperature must be determined by an operating temperature limiting device provided in the cooking unit. So that the full potential of the cooking unit in regard to the load that the cooking surface bears can be attained when the actual usage frequency is less than a nominal value or predetermined guideline, the method provides for a continuous measurement of the accumulated temperature/time load and for continuous determination of the shut-off temperature by comparison of the accumulated temperature/time load with the permissible load for the actual usage duration.