Abstract: An electric heater (10) incorporates at least one heating element (20), at least one wall member (16) upstanding in the heater, and a device (42) is provided for detecting a cooking utensil (6) supported on an upper surface (4) of a cooking plate (2) overlying the heater. The device (42) includes at least one inductively-operating loop (44) of electrically conductive material having a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) adapted to extend over and spaced from the at least one electric heating element (20) between fixed supporting regions (56, 58, 60, 62) on the at least one wall member (16). The at least one loop (44) of electrically conductive material is such that the plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are substantially incapable of self-support as such at normal operating temperatures of the electric heater. The plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are supported by elongate members (64, 66, 68) of heat-withstanding material.

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: 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: 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: A radiant electric heater (2) is arranged for location underneath and against a cooking plate (12) and incorporates a heating element (14) spaced from the cooking plate and a temperature sensor assembly (26). The temperature sensor assembly (26) comprises a beam (28) of ceramic material provided within the heater and extending at least partially across the heater over the at least one heating element (14). The beam (28) has a substantially planar upper surface (32) arranged to face the cooking plate (12), in contact with the cooking plate or in close proximity to it, and an under surface (34) arranged for exposure to direct radiation from the heating element (14). Provided on the planar upper surface (32) is an electrical component (36), such as of film or foil form, having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature of the cooking plate.

Abstract: An electric heater (10) incorporates at least one heating element (20), at least one wall member (16) upstanding in the heater, and a device (42) is provided for detecting a cooking utensil (6) supported on an upper surface (4) of a cooking plate (2) overlying the heater. The device (42) comprises at least one inductively-operating loop (44) of electrically conductive material having a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) adapted to extend over and spaced from the at least one electric heating element (20) between fixed supporting regions (56, 58, 60, 62) on the at least one wall member (16). The at least one loop (44) of electrically conductive material is such that the plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are substantially incapable of self-support as such at normal operating temperatures of the electric heater. The plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are supported by elongate members (64, 66, 68) of heat-withstanding material.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) is arranged for location underneath and against a cooking plate (12) and incorporates a heating element (14) spaced from the cooking plate and a temperature sensor assembly (26). The temperature sensor assembly (26) comprises a beam (28) of ceramic material provided within the heater and extending at least partially across the heater over the at least one heating element (14). The beam (28) has a substantially planar upper surface (32) arranged to face the cooking plate (12), in contact with the cooking plate or in close proximity to it, and an under surface (34) arranged for exposure to direct radiation from the heating element (14). Provided on the planar upper surface (32) is an electrical component (36), such as of film or foil form, having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature of the cooking plate.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) comprises a dish-like support (6) having a base layer (8) of thermal insulation material. At least one heating element (10) is supported relative to the base layer. A temperature-responsive device (16) has a rod-like component (18) secured at one end at a peripheral region of the dish-like support (6) and extends without support partly across the heater over the at least one heating element (10). Restraining means (30) is provided at a free end region (28) of the rod-like component (18). The restraining means (30) has a first portion (32) thereof secured in the base layer (8) of thermal insulation material and a second portion (34) thereof at least partially surrounding and spaced from the rod-like component (18) to allow limited relative movement between the rod-like component and the second portion of the restraining means (30).

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (2) comprises a dish-like support (6) having a base layer (8) of thermal insulation material. At least one heating element (10) is supported relative to the base layer. A temperature-responsive device (16) has a rod-like component (18) secured at one end at a peripheral region of the dish-like support (6) and extends without support partly across the heater over the at least one heating element (10). Restraining means (30) is provided at a free end region (28) of the rod-like component (18). The restraining means (30) has a first portion (32) thereof secured in the base layer (8) of thermal insulation material and a second portion (34) thereof at least partially surrounding and spaced from the rod-like component (18) to allow limited relative movement between the rod-like component and the second portion of the restraining means (30).

Abstract: A temperature sensing probe assembly (2) for use with a heater (4), such as a radiant electric heater, comprises a tube (16) of ceramic material secured to a metal support bracket (20). The support bracket (20) is adapted to be secured to the heater (4) at a peripheral region (8A) of the heater and such that the tube (16) extends at least partly across the heater. The tube (16) has received therein at a first end (40) thereof an electrical component (38) having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature. The component (38) has electrical leads (42, 44) electrically insulated from each other and extending along the tube and from the tube at a second end thereof. The support bracket (20) incorporates a tubular metal portion (28) which securely receives the tube (16) therein.

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 (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 (1) includes a heating element (4) and at least one covering sheet (7) spaced from the heating element. The at least one covering sheet is in the form of a fabric comprising glass filaments, ceramic filaments or metal filaments. Metal filaments, such as of a high temperature withstanding alloy, may be woven in the form of a fabric. Glass filaments, or ceramic filaments such as of alumino-silicate material, alumino-boro-silicate material or zirconia, may be of woven, knitted or mat form in the fabric. An apertured member (10) may be provided in contact with, or adjacent, to the covering sheet (7) of the fabric material.

Abstract: A temperature sensing and limiting device is described for use in a radiant electric heater (8) incorporating at least one heating element (14). The device comprises an elongate tubular housing (1) adapted to at least partly traverse the heater so as to be heated externally by the heating element. A component (4) is provided within the housing and provides an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature. At least a thermal-sensing portion (11) of a thermally-responsive bimetallic cut-out device (10) is provided within the housing (1), the cut-out device being adapted to deenergize the heater (8) at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a trough-shaped container arrangement (2) formed of frangible material and supported and arranged for receiving at least one food item to be thermally processed. At least one electric heater (5) is supported underneath the container arrangement and incorporates at least one heating element (8). At least one apertured member (11) is provided between the at least one heater and the underside of the container arrangement and covers the at least one heater. With this configuration, in the event of breakage of the container arrangement (2) the apertured member (11) remains intact and user contact with the heating element (8) in the heater (5) is prevented.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (1) includes a heating element (4) and at least one covering sheet (7) spaced from the heating element. The at least one covering sheet is in the form of a fabric comprising glass filaments, ceramic filaments or metal filaments. Metal filaments, such as of a high temperature withstanding alloy, may be woven in the form of a fabric. Glass filaments, or ceramic filaments such as of aluminosilicate material, alumino-boro-silicate material or zirconia, may be of woven, knitted or mat form in the fabric. An apertured member (10) may be provided in contact with, or adjacent, to the covering sheet (7) of the fabric material.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater includes a base (2) of thermal and electrical insulation material and at least one electrical heating element (4) supported on a surface (3) of the base. A rod-like temperature-responsive device (10) extends across the heater from a periphery and is spaced from the electrical heating element (4). The rod-like temperature-responsive device (10) extends only partly across the heater and the surface (3) of the base (2) has a substantially continuous concave profile, at least where the at least one heating element (4) is supported, for accommodating an end region (12) of the device.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater includes a base (2) of thermal and electrical insulation material having a surface supporting at least one heating element (3) in the form of an elongate electrically conductive ribbon (4). The ribbon (4) is supported on edge and is partially embedded in the surface of the base (2). A rod-like temperature-responsive device (7, 8) extends at least partly across the heater from an edge of the heater and over the at least one heating element (3). The surface of the base (2) is provided with a shallow recess (9) beneath the rod-like temperature-responsive device (7, 8) and the ribbon (4) is partially embedded in the shallow recess (9) to a lesser extent than in the surface of the base (2) at either side of the shallow recess.