Abstract: A heating assembly is disclosed in which infra-red energy generated by one or more tungsten halogen lamps is transmitted through a glass ceramic layer covering the lamp or lamps. The operating temperature of the glass ceramic layer is monitored by a thermal limiter in the form of a rod of thermally expansive material which, upon expansion by a predetermined amount, actuates a cut-out switch which de-energizes the lamp or lamps. The rod is shielded from incident energy from the lamp or lamps to render it primarily responsive to the operating temperature of the glass ceramic layer.

Abstract: A heating assembly including at least one infra-red emissive tungsten halogen lamp supported beneath a glass ceramic cooktop which allows useful quantities of the infra-red radiation, as emitted by the lamp (or lamps) and directly incident on the undersurface of the cooktop, to emerge from the assembly and above non-metallic, thermally insulating material contained as a layer in the base of a shallow tray. The layer contains, or supports at its surface, material which efficiently reflects the infra-red radiation emitted from the lamp (or lamps) substantially unchanged in spectral content so that useful quantities of the radiation so reflected and then incident on the undersurface of the cooktop emerge from the assembly to supplement the directly incident radiation.

Abstract: A grilling compartment includes two tungsten-halogen lamps emissive of infra-red radiation and separated from a grilling area by a ceramic protective screen. Infra-red radiation emitted by the lamps passes through the protective screen to irradiate the grilling area to grill food placed therein. A metallic mesh screen is also provided between the lamps and the grilling area, only in close proximity to the lamps and configured to provide a substantially uniform distribution of intensity of infra-red radiation over substantially the whole of the grilling area.

Abstract: Heating apparatus consists of a shallow circular tray having a layer of thermally insulative material disposed therewithin and supporting four infra-red-emitting, tunsten-halogen lamps on flanges. A moulding of ceramic fibre material is press-fitted around the ends of the lamps and a thermal limiter is provided to limit the operating temperature of the apparatus. Each lamp is provided with a reflective coating along the lower part thereof, so as to reflect upwardly infra-red radiation emitted in a downward direction. A number, preferably four, of the heating apparatuses are disposed beneath a layer of glass ceramic to provide a cooking hob.

Abstract: A heating unit suitable for mounting in a cooking hob includes a circular tray having a layer of thermally-insulative material disposed therein and a peripheral thermally-insulative wall, within which four infra-red lamps, each containing a tungsten filament, are supported. The tray also includes an inner thermally-insulative wall, which encloses the length of each filament. Between the peripheral and inner walls, two conventional, wire-wound heating elements are disposed. The filaments and the elements are energizable independently and/or concurrently, and series and/or parallel combinations of the filaments and the elements may be switched to provide various discrete power outputs.