Abstract: A radiant electric heater comprises a dish-shaped enclosure (1) formed of a first thermal insulation material and having a base (3) and a peripheral wall (5) and at least one upwardly-extending protrusion (7) formed in the base and defining a channel (9) in the base within the peripheral wall. A layer (11) of a second thermal insulation material, having greater thermal insulation properties than the first thermal insulation material, is provided in the channel. A radiant electric heating element (13) is supported on or in the layer of the second thermal insulation material.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for a radiant electric heater includes switch housing (7), first expansion element (3) secured at one end to the housing, and second expansion element (5) mounted such that free ends of the two elements are immovable relative to each other, the two expansion elements having different thermal expansion coefficients. Snap switch (11) is disposed within the housing and includes switch arm (9) provided with electrical contact (15). Electrically conducting support (29) is provided with counter contact (31), and resilient assembly (25, 27) is disposed in the housing and acts between the electrically conducting support and the switch arm and between the electrically conducting support and the end of the second expansion element.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: The appliance has a cooking plate (10) and a radiant electric heater (2) having multiple heating zones (12, 14, 16) arranged substantially side-by-side. A temperature sensing assembly (34) incorporates an electrical component (42) located in a position confined within a first heating zone (12) and having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature. Electronic control apparatus (30) is connected to the electrical component (42) by means of electrical leads (44), the electronic control apparatus being adapted to detect the number of heating zones that are energised and to control energisation of the heater in dependence thereon.

Abstract: An electric heater (2) is arranged for location in an oven (4) intermediate a cavity (6) of the oven and a flue arrangement (8) for venting the cavity (6). The heater (2) comprises a dish-like support (14) containing at least one electric heating element (22) and having a first face (24) open to the cavity (6) and a second face (16; 18) having an aperture (26) adapted to interface with the flue arrangement (8). Catalyst means (28) is provided incorporated in the heater (2).

Abstract: An electric heating element (10) for an oven (2) is provided at least in part with a coating (14) of a catalyst means.

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: A cooking appliance includes a cooking plate (10) and a radiant electric heater (2) having multiple heating zones (12, 14, 16) arranged substantially side-by-side. A temperature sensing assembly (34) incorporates an electrical component (42) located in a position confined within a first heating zone (12) and having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature. Electronic control apparatus (30) is connected to the electrical component (42) by means of electrical leads (44), the electronic control apparatus being adapted to detect the number of heating zones that are energised and to control energisation of the heater in dependence thereon.

Abstract: A temperature sensor (10) for use in a cooking appliance of the kind in which an electric heater (1) incorporating at least one heating element (5) is located behind a cooking plate (2). The temperature sensor is adapted to be located between the at least one heating element and the cooking plate. The sensor (10) comprises a sensing element (13) having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature and a housing (12) for the sensing element. The housing has a first surface region (15) with high thermal radiation absorption relative to a second surface region (16). The sensor is adapted to be located with the first surface region (15) of the housing facing substantially towards the cooking plate (2) and the second surface region (16) facing substantially towards the at least one heating element (5).

Abstract: An electric heater (2) is arranged for location in an oven (4) intermediate a cavity (6) of the oven and a flue arrangement (8) for venting the cavity (6). The heater (2) comprises a dish-like support (14) containing at least one electric heating element (22) and having a first face (24) open to the cavity (6) and a second face (16; 18) having an aperture (26) adapted to interface with the flue arrangement (8). Catalyst means (28) is provided incorporated in the heater (2).

Abstract: An electric heating element (10) for an oven (2) is provided at least in part with a coating (14) of a catalyst means.

Abstract: An electrical food warming apparatus (1) comprising: an electrically insulating plate (3) providing a cooking surface for supporting a utensil, a layer of dielectric material (5) arranged below the electrically insulating plate (3), at least one elongate electrical resistance heating element (11) wound around the dielectric layer (5), and means for supporting the dielectric layer (5), and the at least one heating element (11) thereon, such that at least a part of the at least one heating element (11) is maintained in direct contact with the underside of the electrically insulating plate (3).

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. A thick film temperature-sensitive electrical resistance element (30) is deposited on a region (32) of the lower surface (10) of the cooking plate (4) within the confines of the radiant electric heater (12) and is provided with electrical connecting leads (34). Thermal insulation means (40) is adapted and arranged to shield the thick film temperature-sensitive electrical resistance element (30) and at least the region (32) of the lower surface (10) of the cooking plate (4) on which it is deposited, from direct thermal radiation from the at least one electric heating element (20).

Abstract: A temperature sensor (10) for use in a cooking appliance of the kind in which an electric heater (1) incorporating at least one heating element (5) is located behind a cooking plate (2). The temperature sensor is adapted to be located between the at least one heating element and the cooking plate. The sensor (10) comprises a sensing element (13) having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature and a housing (12) for the sensing element. The housing has a first surface region (15) with high thermal radiation absorption relative to a second surface region (16). The sensor is adapted to be located with the first surface region (15) of the housing facing substantially towards the cooking plate (2) and the second surface region (16) facing substantially towards the at least one heating element (5).

Abstract: An electric heater (1) arranged beneath a glass-ceramic cook top (2) is controlled with the aid of a temperature sensor (7) for monitoring temperature at or adjacent to the glass-ceramic cook top. The sensor provides an electrical output as a function of temperature and permits monitoring, in time controlled manner, temperature at or adjacent to the glass-ceramic cook top. In a first stage the temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top (2) is permitted to exceed a predetermined continuous safe level (Y) for up to a predetermined maximum time period (X, W.sub.2, W) and such that a predetermined temporary safe level (Z) of temperature, in excess of the predetermined continuous safe level (Y), is not exceeded. In a second stage the heater (1) is regulated in accordance with the monitored temperature to achieve a selected temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top in a range up to the predetermined continuous safe level (Y) of temperature.