Abstract: A manifold tube is formed from a straight length of thin wall tube initially having a uniform circular cross section. A first segment of the tube is left in its initial circular cross section configuration. The first segment includes an inlet end of the tube. A second segment of the tube is flattened to form opposed flat wall portions spaced apart by a distance smaller than the diameter of the circular portion and separated by side walls spaced apart by a distance greater than the diameter. An inlet fitting is attached to the inlet end of the tube. A bend is formed in the first segment of the tube between the inlet end and the second segment. Burner valves and on oven control valve are secured with metal-to-metal contact to the flat wall portions in the second segment of the tube.

Abstract: A modulating thermostat for a gas oven includes a body with supply, main and pilot passages. Feeder passages from the supply passage to the main and pilot passages provide a pilot gas flow for a pilot burner and a minimum combustion bypass flow to a main oven burner. The feeder passages are drilled along paths leading from mouths of the main and pilot passages and adjustment sleeves installed at the mouths adjust the gas flows for particular oven and fuel requirements. A temperature modulating valve assembly in the supply passage includes a valve member cooperating with a valve seat in the body to modulate gas flow and maintain an oven temperature set by rotation of a valve stem at the front of the thermostat. The thermostat is calibrated by rotating a sleeve accessible through the hollow stem at the front of the thermostat.

Abstract: A gas distribution connector and a gas distribution manifold assembly are provided for gas burners for a gas stove. The gas distribution manifold assembly includes an elongated gas distribution manifold defining a gas distribution chamber. The gas distribution manifold includes a first aperture formed in a first wall and a second aperture formed in a second wall. At least one gas distribution connector is mounted on the gas manifold. The gas distribution connector includes a connector body defining a gas passageway including a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The connector body includes a downwardly depending connector body portion slidingly received through the first manifold aperture and extending within the manifold chamber, locating the gas outlet within the manifold chamber. The downwardly depending connector body portion includes mounting means for mounting engagement with a fastener received through the second manifold aperture.

Abstract: A spark ignition electrode assembly includes an electrode wire and an electrically insulative support member receiving and positioning the electrode wire proximate to the gas burner. The electrically insulative support member includes an upper body portion covering the electrode wire. The upper body portion contains a spark ignition passageway for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. A ceramic material is formed to define the electrically insulative support member having an electrode wire receiving opening for receiving and positioning an electrode wire proximate to the gas burner and a spark ignition passageway for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. The electrode wire is inserted in the electrode wire receiving opening and then the formed ceramic material including the inserted electrode wire is fired.

Abstract: A direct spark ignition control system is provided for controlling for a gas fireplace burner. A solenoid is operatively controlled for supplying gas to the gas fireplace burner. A high voltage spark ignition circuit is operatively controlled for generating ignition sparks near the gas fireplace burner. A flame sensing circuit coupled to the gas fireplace burner provides a feedback signal to activate and deactivate the high voltage spark ignition circuit. A timing and control circuit provides a control signal to energize the solenoid and provides a control signal to deactivate the high voltage spark ignition circuit and a control signal to deenergize the solenoid after a set time period with the burner flame feedback signal activated.

Abstract: A gas burner assembly is provided for use with a gas stove top. The gas burner assembly includes a burner base with an inlet receiving a mixture of gas and primary air. A burner cap is supported by the burner base. The burner base and the burner cap together define a burner fuel chamber. The burner cap includes a plurality of main burner ports where the air and gas mixture exits and burns in the presence of secondary air. A spark ignition assembly is operatively associated with the burner base for igniting the mixture. The burner cap includes an ignition pocket for capturing gas for reignition for drafts or door slam conditions. A venturi assembly communicates with the burner base inlet providing the air and gas mixture. The venturi assembly includes mounting features for mounting the gas burner assembly to the gas stove, thereby eliminating the need for fasteners to secure the burner base to the gas stove.

Abstract: A spark ignition electrode assembly includes an electrode wire and an electrically insulative support member receiving and positioning the electrode wire proximate to the gas burner. The electrically insulative support member includes a threaded outer wall portion for receipt within a corresponding internally threaded aperture in the cooktop wall. The threaded outer wall portion is threadingly inserted in the corresponding cooktop aperture for positioning the spark ignition electrode assembly with the gas burner.

Abstract: A gas burner is interconnected with structure such as a range top wall or mixing tube flange by interengagement of a mounting projection and a locking hole. The locking hole has an entry portion and a narrower capture portion. The mounting projection has a neck portion and an enlarged head portion. The enlarged head portion is inserted through the entry portion of the locking hole and the neck portion is then shifted into the capture portion to accomplish a locking function. In one arrangement the gas burner is of mild cold rolled steel and the mounting projection is formed integral and of one single piece with the burner wall. In another arrangement, the burner is formed of galvanized or stainless steel, and the locking projection is formed integral and of one single piece with the cooperating mounting element. In another arrangement, the burner is supported by a bracket having mounting projections.

Abstract: An oven control system and a method are provided for controlling for a gas oven burner. A gas valve is operatively controlled to supply gas to the gas oven burner. A spark voltage supply is operatively controlled for generating ignition sparks near the gas oven burner. A flame sensing circuit coupled to the gas oven burner provides a flame status representative signal to a control processor. The control processor operatively controls both the gas valve and the spark voltage supply.

Abstract: A thermostat for an electric/gas oven includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, a switch spring arm for moving the electrical contacts into and out of engagement and a pair of actuators for coupling forces to the switch spring arm. An enclosure encloses the switch spring arm and the first and second electrical contacts. The enclosure has axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls for slidably receiving the actuators. A temperature responsive subassembly includes a mechanism for movement responsive to changes in oven temperature and a spindle subassembly including mechanism for movement responsive to manual rotation of a spindle. A frame supports the enclosure and supports both the temperature responsive subassembly and the spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators. A self cleaning temperature calibration mechanism selectively determines a self cleaning oven temperature setting.

Abstract: An improved spark ignition switch and gas valve assembly is provided. A gas valve includes a manually rotatable stem for controlling gas flow rates through the valve. A spark ignition switch includes a first stationary electrical contact; a second electrical contact including an arm for moving the second electrical contact into and out of engagement with the first stationary electrical contact; and a rotor rotatable by the valve stem. The rotor includes a cam moving the arm for moving the electrical contacts into engagement for a predetermined range of rotation of the valve stem and for moving the electrical contacts out of engagement with rotation of the valve stem past the predetermined range. A detent mechanism is operatively arranged with the rotor for providing tactile feedback to a user. The detent mechanism is arranged for engagement at a predefined rotational angle within the predetermined range of rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: An assembly method and a thermostat for an electric/gas oven are provided. An enclosure formed by a base and a cover for enclosing a switch subassembly includes axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls and external keying and positioning features. A pair of axially aligned actuators are received within the axially aligned channels. A frame having cooperating keying and positioning features positions and supports the enclosure containing the switch subassembly and supports both a temperature responsive subassembly and a spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators.

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.

Abstract: An assembly method and a thermostat for an electric/gas oven are provided. An enclosure formed by a base and a cover for enclosing a switch subassembly includes axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls and external keying and positioning features. A pair of axially aligned actuators are received within the axially aligned channels. A frame having cooperating keying and positioning features positions and supports the enclosure containing the switch subassembly and supports both a temperature responsive subassembly and a spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators. The spindle subassembly includes a cam member mounted on a spindle for rotation with the spindle. The cam member provides a cam surface having a first cam rise equivalent in a first range of rotation of the spindle and a second cam rise equivalent in a second range of rotation of the spindle.

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.

Abstract: An assembly method and a thermostat for an electric/gas oven are provided. An enclosure formed by a base and a cover for enclosing a switch subassembly includes axially aligned channels extending through opposed walls and external keying and positioning features. A pair of axially aligned actuators are received within the axially aligned channels. A frame having cooperating keying and positioning features positions and supports the enclosure containing the switch subassembly and supports both a temperature responsive subassembly and a spindle subassembly in operative position with respect to the actuators.

Abstract: A linear turn down metering valve for gaseous fuels comprises a valve body having a frustoconical valve chamber receiving a rotatable valve plug and including an inlet on one side and an outlet at one end opposite a control shaft at the opposite end. The frustoconical valve plug is rotatable about a central axis aligned coaxially with an outlet end adjacent the chamber outlet. The valve plug includes an annular side wall defining a central bore and normally closes off the valve chamber inlet when the plug is in an "off" position. The valve plug is formed with a maximum flow, inlet port movable into alignment with the chamber inlet when the valve plug is initially rotated out of the off position to a maximum flow position.

Abstract: An integral infinite switch is provided for controlling a first coil and a second coil of a radiant heating element. The integral infinite switch includes a first switch assembly for opening and closing an electrical path between a first AC electrical line L1 and a first end of the first coil. The first AC electrical line L1 is directly connected to a first end of the second coil. The integral infinite switch includes a second switch assembly for opening and closing an electrical path between a second AC electrical line L2 and a second opposite end of both the first coil and the second coil. A spindle is rotatable between an OFF position, a first range of ON positions for the second coil and a second range of ON positions for the first coil and the second coil. A cam member is mounted on the spindle for rotation with the spindle.

Abstract: An improved power supply circuit is provided for use with programmable electronic digital thermostats of the type including a controlled semiconductor switch connected in series with an external alternating current (AC) voltage source. The power supply circuit includes a first rectifier bridge coupled across the controlled semiconductor switch for rectifying the external AC voltage to produce a first direct current voltage. A transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is connected in series with the controlled semiconductor switch and the external AC voltage source. A second rectifier bridge is connected across the secondary winding for rectifying the alternating current to produce a second direct current voltage. A voltage regulator has an input coupled to the first and second rectifier bridges and an output for providing a predetermined supply voltage for the programmable electronic digital thermostat.