Abstract: An electrical heating arrangement (2) includes a temperature sensor assembly which comprises a housing member (34) mounted on, and extending partially across, a heater (12). The housing (34) has a first end region (36) in spaced relationship with an electric heating element (20), and a second end region (38) which traverses and extends externally of a peripheral wall (18). A first temperature-sensitive electrical element (52) is provided at the first end region (36) of the housing (34) and first electrical leads (54) extend to the second end region (38) of the housing (34). A layer (58) of thermal insulation material is provided and a second temperature-sensitive electrical element (60) overlies the layer (58). The second element (60) is provided at the first end region (36) of the housing (34) and second electrical leads (62) extend to the second end region (38) of the housing (34).

Abstract: An electrical heating assembly (2) includes a control system (26). The control system (26) comprises cooking mode selection means (34) having a plurality of settings whereby a predetermined cooking mode is user-selectable for the electrical heating assembly (2), and cooking value selection means (36) adapted for user-selection of a cooking temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The control system (26) is adapted whereby operation of the cooking mode selection means (34) from one setting to at least one other setting results in a change in the predetermined temperature range provided by the cooking value selection means (36).

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) comprises a base (8) of insulation material having a surface supporting at least one electric heating ribbon element (10) supported on edge. A rod-like temperature-responsive device (16) extends lengthwise partly across the heater (2) from an edge and over the at least one electric heating element (10). The surface of the base (8) is provided with an elongate recess (22) with sloping sides (24, 26) extending beneath and along the length of the temperature-responsive device (16). The ribbon (10) is supported in and traversing the elongate recess (22) such that an upper edge (28) of the ribbon (10) substantially follows a contour of the surface of the recess. The upper edge (28) of the ribbon (10) at a region (30) underlying the temperature-responsive device (16) is provided at a predetermined distance from the temperature-responsive device (16) and is at a lower level relative to the upper edge (28) of the ribbon (10) at regions at either side of the elongate recess (22).

Abstract: A temperature-limiting device (14) is provided for an electric heater (2), the heater (2) being located behind a heatable surface (4) and comprising a dish-like support (6) having therein at least one electric heating element (12) having first and second terminal regions (12A, 12B). The device comprises thermally responsive bimetallic means (22) provided in a housing (16). The housing (16) is supported at a peripheral region of the heater (2), at least partially externally of the support (6). The bimetallic means (22) is thermally coupled with the heater (2) to sense heat generated therein by the heating element (12) and to respond at a predetermined temperature to operate at least one switch means (18) located in the housing (16).

Abstract: In apparatus and a method for providing electronic control of an electric heating assembly, a radiant electric heater (10, 110) is arranged at a lower surface (22, 124) of a glass-ceramic cooking plate (12, 112), the plate having an upper surface (40, 138) for receiving a cooking vessel (42, 136A, 136B). A temperature sensor (24, 140) monitors temperature at or adjacent to the cooking plate (12, 112) and provides an electrical output as a function of temperature. Control means (30, 142) connected to the temperature sensor (24, 140) and to the heater (10, 110) controls energising of the heater from a power supply (28, 134) for energising the heater at a plurality of user selectable power levels including a full power level.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly (30) is provided for an electrical heating arrangement (2). The temperature sensor assembly (30) includes a substrate (32) located in a heater (12). The substrate (32) has an upper surface (38) in contact with the lower surface (10) of a cooking plate (4). The upper and/or lower surface or surfaces (38, 66) of the substrate (32) is provided with a first temperature-sensitive resistance element (40) at a first region (42) of the substrate (32) proximate a peripheral region (34) of the heater. The upper (38) and/or lower (66) surface or surfaces of the substrate (32) is or are provided with a second temperature-sensitive resistance element (54; 54A; 54B) at a second region (56) of the substrate (32) proximate the central region (36) of the heater.

Abstract: An electric cooking assembly includes a cooking surface having supported under the surface an electric heater incorporating an electric heating element and a temperature limiter including a thermally responsive assembly incorporating only a single switch, the switch being adapted to open at a predetermined sensed temperature. A control is provided, adapted to energise the electric heater from a power supply through the switch of the temperature limiter. A modular electronic monitoring device is provided, separate from the control, adapted to monitor energising of the electric heater and to activate a signal device when the cooking surface is too hot to touch.

Abstract: In the manufacture of an electric heater, means (24, 26) is provided for feeding and guiding a ribbon heating element (14) progressively into overlying edgewise relationship with a base (2). Means (6, 8) is provided for supporting the base (2) and for effecting relative motion between the base (2) and the feeding and guiding means (24, 26), such that motion of the base (2) is synchronised with feeding of the element (14) as it is fed and guided into the relationship with the base (2), to urge the heating element (14) towards the base (2) and cause an edge portion (22) of the heating element (14) to become embedded in the base (2).

Abstract: A temperature-responsive device (14) is provided for an electric heater (2). The heater (2) is located behind a heatable surface and comprises a dish-like support (6) having therein at least one electric heating element (12) having first and second terminal regions, (12A, 12B). An electrical component (18), having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature, is supported inside the heater (2) by an elongate member (16). The elongate member (16) is secured to the heater (2) and extends at least partially across the heater (2). An electrically insulating carrier member (30) is secured to the elongate member (16) at a location externally of the periphery of the heater (2). The carrier member (30) has first and second side edges (32, 38) at opposite sides of the elongate member (16) and is provided with first and second electrically conductive elements (34, 40) accessible at the opposite side edges (32, 38) for electrical connection to the first and second terminal regions (12A, 12B).

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for detecting and controlling an abnormal rise in temperature associated with a combination of a cooking utensil (10) and a cooking surface (4) overlying an electric heater (6). A temperature-responsive device (24) monitors the temperature of the cooking utensil (10), while cooking utensil detection means (26) detects the location of the cooking utensil (10). Control means (30) is adapted to control energizing of the heater (6) whereby an abnormal rise in temperature associated with an event within the cooking utensil (10) is distinguished from an abnormal rise in temperature sensed by the temperature-responsive device (24) and associated with removal of the cooking utensil (10) from the cooking surface (4).

Abstract: An electric heating assembly includes a cooking plate (4) having a lower surface (6) relative to which is supported an electric heater (10) and an upper surface (8) adapted to receive a cooking utensil (12) on a heating zone (14) overlying the electric heater. The electric heater incorporates an electric heating element (22) and a temperature-responsive device (32) adapted to monitor temperature of the cooking utensil through the cooking plate at a predetermined region (34) of the overlying heating zone. The predetermined region is provided with visual identification (44) on the upper surface of the cooking plate for location of the cooking utensil at least partially over the visual identification.

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: Apparatus and a method are provided for detecting an abnormal rise in temperature associated with a combination of a cooking utensil (10) and a cooking zone (8) of a cooking surface (4) overlying an electric heater (6). The apparatus has a first temperature-responsive device (24) is provided within the heater and adapted to monitor temperature of the cooking surface (4). A second temperature-responsive device (26) is provided within the heater and adapted to monitor temperature of the cooking utensil (10) through the cooking surface (4) to provide an electrical output as a function of temperature of the cooking utensil. Means (28) is provided for calculating first and second derivatives (D1, D2) with time of the temperature sensed by the second temperature-responsive device (26) over an operating temperature range of the heater. Means (28) is provided to determine stabilization of the first derivative (D1) within stabilizing threshold limit values.

Abstract: An electric heating assembly comprises a plate (2) having a front face (4) and a rear face (10), and at least one electric heater unit (8) located at the rear face (10) of the plate (2). The electric heater unit (8) is secured to the rear face (10) of the plate (2) by adhesive (20), the adhesive (20) being adapted to withstand a maximum temperature to which it is subjected during operation of the heating assembly.

Abstract: An electrical heating assembly (2) comprises a glass-ceramic cooking plate (4) having an upper surface (6) for receiving a cooking vessel (8) and a lower surface (10). A radiant electric heater (12) incorporating at least one electric heating element (20) is supported in contact with the lower surface of the cooking plate. Temperature sensing means (29) is spaced above the at least one heating element (20). The temperature sensing means includes a support member (33) which has provided on an upper surface a film form temperature-sensitive electrical resistance element (30) and which is provided with electrical connecting leads (34). Thermal insulation means (40) is adapted and arranged to shield the support member (33) and a corresponding region of the lower surface (10) of the cooking plate (4) from direct thermal radiation from the at least one electric heating element (20).

Abstract: A turntable (19) for an oven comprising a surface for heating a food item (27, 75) placed on the turntable (19), wherein the turntable (19) is provided with integral heating means (29). The turntable may be incorporated into an oven cavity (17, 67) of an oven.