OVEN APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING OVEN APPLIANCE

Abstract

Oven appliances and methods for operating oven appliances are provided. An oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction that are each perpendicular to each other. The oven appliance includes a cabinet defining a cooking chamber, the cooking chamber configured for receipt of items to be cooked and including a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart along the vertical direction. The oven appliance further includes a baking gas burner disposed adjacent the bottom wall and configured to heat the cooking chamber, and a broiling gas burner disposed adjacent the top wall and configured to heat the cooking chamber. The oven appliance further includes a controller in communication with the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner, the controller operable to activate a preheat mode wherein the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner are simultaneously on.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to oven appliances, such as oven appliances having gas burners, and to methods for operating such oven appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oven appliances are frequently utilized in a variety of settings to cook food items. For example, oven appliances having cooking chambers with both bake and broil capabilities have been developed. An oven appliance may thus include a baking gas burner and a broiling gas burner therein which combust gaseous fuels, e.g., to heat water, food items, or air. Two commonly utilized gas fuels are, for example, propane and natural gas.

One particular arrangement is to utilize a baking gas burner adjacent a bottom wall of the cooking chamber, and a broiling gas burner adjacent a top wall thereof. Such arrangement, however, is not without drawbacks. For example, in such oven constructions, the upper broiling gas burner operates within a space that the exhaust from the lower baking gas burner would occupy. When the baking gas burner is operating, this exhaust displaces fresh air required by the broiling gas burner to operate cleanly. Further, the amount of fresh air supplied to the oven is limited by the size of the exhaust vent that is in communication with the cooking chamber.

Specifically, the upper broiling gas burner has a shorter stack height, and thus exhaust path, through a vent of the oven appliance due to the vertical proximity of the upper broiling gas burner to the vent relative to the lower baking gas burner. Exhaust from the upper broiling gas burner flows through a short path to the vent, while exhaust from the lower baking gas burner must first flow through a significant majority of the cooking chamber before reaching the vent. In order to compensate for this arrangement and allow sufficient venting, typical oven appliances utilized vents with larger areas, such as 1.5 times larger, than the area required if the oven appliance only had a lower baking gas burner. This design adjustment, however, can cause excess venting when just the lower baking gas burner is utilized, yet such vents are not sufficiently large for the upper broiling gas burner to operate at full rate while the lower baking gas burner is operated.

Accordingly, the broiling and baking gas burners are not currently utilized simultaneously, due to such exhaust vent limits. Thus, in cooking modes wherein simultaneous use would be advantageous, such as in preheat modes, simultaneous use is currently unavailable. In fact, currently known oven appliances utilize lockout switches to prevent simultaneous operation of these burners.

One solution to this problem would be to increase the exhaust vent size. However, this would result in excessive air flow within the cooking chamber. Such excessive air flow would increase heat losses and result in over-venting.

An additional drawback of known oven appliances is that, due to the inability to utilize the broiling and baking gas burners simultaneously, there can be a lack of top heat during baking modes. One solution to this problem would be to alternate the use of the broiling and baking gas burners during a baking mode. However, currently known ignition limitations generally limit the controllability of such alternating use.

Accordingly, improved oven appliances and methods for operating oven appliances are desired in the art. For example, oven appliances and methods that allow simultaneous baking gas burner and broiling gas burner use during various cooking modes, such as preheat mode and bake mode, would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction that are each perpendicular to each other. The oven appliance includes a cabinet defining a cooking chamber, the cooking chamber configured for receipt of items to be cooked and including a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart along the vertical direction. The oven appliance further includes a baking gas burner disposed adjacent the bottom wall and configured to heat the cooking chamber, and a broiling gas burner disposed adjacent the top wall and configured to heat the cooking chamber. The oven appliance further includes a controller in communication with the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner, the controller operable to activate a preheat mode wherein the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner are simultaneously on.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a method for operating an oven appliance is provided. The method includes activating a baking gas burner to provide heat to a cooking chamber defined in the oven appliance when a preheat mode is selected, and activating a broiling gas burner to provide heat to the cooking chamber when the preheat mode is selected. The baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner are simultaneously on in the preheat mode.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a range appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a section view of the range appliance of FIG. 1 taken along the 2-2 line of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a flow chart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 provides a flow chart of a method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 provides a flow chart of a method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an oven appliance 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a section view of oven appliance 10 taken along the 2-2 line of FIG. 1. Oven appliance 10 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, oven appliance 10 is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable oven appliance. Thus, the present subject matter may be used with other oven or range appliance configurations, e.g., that define multiple interior cavities for the receipt of food and/or having different pan or rack arrangements than what is shown in FIG. 2.

Range appliance 10 includes an insulated cabinet 12 with an interior cooking chamber 14 defined by an interior surface 15 of cabinet 12. Cooking chamber 14 is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Range appliance 10 includes a door 16 rotatably mounted to cabinet 12, e.g., with a hinge (not shown). A handle 18 is mounted to door 16 and assists a user with opening and closing door 16 in order to access cooking chamber 14. For example, a user can pull on handle 18 to open or close door 16 and access cooking chamber 14.

Range appliance 10 can includes a seal (not shown) between door 16 and cabinet 12 that assist with maintaining heat and cooking fumes within cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is closed as shown in FIG. 2. Multiple parallel glass panes 22 provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber 14. A baking rack 24 is positioned in cooking chamber 14 for the receipt of food items or utensils containing food items. Baking rack 24 is slidably received onto embossed ribs or sliding rails 26 such that rack 24 may be conveniently moved into and out of cooking chamber 14 when door 16 is open.

As shown, various sidewalls define the cooking chamber 14. For example, cooking chamber 14 includes a top wall 30 and a bottom wall 32 which are spaced apart along the vertical direction V. Left sidewall 34 and right sidewall 36 (as defined according to a front view as shown in FIG. 2) extend between the top wall 30 and bottom wall 32, and are spaced apart along the lateral direction L. A rear wall 38 may additionally extend between the top wall 30 and bottom wall 32 as well as between the left sidewall 34 and right sidewall 36, and is spaced apart from the door 16 along the transverse direction T. Cooking chamber 14 is thus defined between the top wall 30, bottom wall 32, left sidewall 34, right sidewall 36, and rear wall 38.

A gas fueled, bottom heating element, e.g. a baking gas burner 40 is positioned in cabinet 12, e.g., at a bottom portion of cabinet 12. For example, burner 40 may be positioned adjacent to bottom wall 32 and below cooking chamber 14. Baking gas burner 40 is used to heat cooking chamber 14 for both cooking and cleaning of range appliance 10, through combustion of gaseous fuel as is generally understood.

A gas fueled, top heating element, e.g. a broiling gas burner 42 is positioned in cabinet 12, e.g., at a top portion of cabinet 12. For example, burner 40 may be positioned adjacent to top wall 30 and within cooking chamber 14. Broiling gas burner 40 is additionally used to heat cooking chamber 14 for both cooking and cleaning of range appliance 10, through combustion of gaseous fuel as is generally understood.

The operation of oven appliance 10 including burners 40 and 42 is controlled by a processing device such as a controller 50, which may include a microprocessor or other device that is in communication with such components. Such controller 50 may also be communication with a temperature sensor 52 that is used to measure temperature inside cooking chamber 14 and provide such measurements to the controller 50. Temperature sensor 52 is shown (in FIG. 2) in the top and rear of cooking chamber 14. However, other locations may be used and, if desired, multiple temperature sensors may be applied as well.

Controller 50 is operable to activate various cooking modes based on, for example, user selection thereof. For example, controller 50 may be operable to activate a preheat mode, a bake mode and/or a broil mode. Preheat mode may generally be a mode in which the cooking chamber 14 is initially heated in preparation for another mode, such as bake mode or broil mode. Bake and broil modes may variously be utilized to cook food items, etc. within the cooking chamber 14.

In exemplary embodiments, controller 50 is operable to activate a preheat mode in which both the baking gas burner 40 and the broiling gas burner 42 are simultaneously on, and thus operating. Such operation in the preheat mode can advantageously heat the oven appliance 10 quickly and efficiently. Further, as discussed herein, such simultaneous operation according to the present disclosure may be accomplished while not compromising or requiring modification of an exhaust vent 55 which is in fluid communication with the cooking chamber 14.

For example, as further illustrated in FIG. 2, a valve 60 may be in communication with and disposed between the controller 50 and the broiling gas burner 42. The valve 60 may in exemplary embodiments be a firing rate valve which is operable to control, and thus vary as required, a firing rate of the broiling gas burner 42 based on signals from the controller 50. For example, when a preheat mode is selected, the controller 50 may send signals to the valve 60 to allow gaseous fuel to flow through a fuel line to the broiling gas burner 42 at a regulated flow rate. Valve 60 may thus be utilized to control the firing rate of the broiling gas burner 42 such that a maximum vent capacity of the oven appliance 10 is advantageously not exceeded. For example, when the maximum vent capacity is exceeded, the amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaust from the oven appliance may exceed allowable limits (such as for example 800 parts-per-million carbon dioxide after oven appliance operation for 5 minutes, as measure using the “air free” method). Valve 60 may thus control the firing rate such that the allowable limit is not exceeded.

In some exemplary embodiments, the valve 60 may be a two-stage valve having a high stage and a low stage. In the high stage, the valve 60 may allow a relatively high firing rate which may, for example, be suitable for broiling operations. In the low stage, the valve 60 may allow a relatively low firing rate. This low firing rate may be calibrated such that, for example, the output from the broiling gas burner 42 in combination with the output from the baking gas burner 40 in the preheat mode does not exceed the maximum vent capacity. Thus, when the preheat mode is selected, the controller 50 may activate the valve 60 to the low stage.

In other exemplary embodiments, the valve 60 may be a proportional valve. In this embodiment, generally any suitable firing rate may be selected, as desired or required. In the preheat mode, for example, the controller 50 may activate the valve 60 at a predetermined or calculated firing rate such that, for example, the output from the broiling gas burner 42 in combination with the output from the baking gas burner 40 in the preheat mode does not exceed the maximum vent capacity.

In further exemplary embodiments, controller 50 may be operable to activate a bake mode in which both the baking gas burner 40 and the broiling gas burner 42 are simultaneously on, and thus operating. Such operation in the bake mode can advantageously heat the oven appliance 10 in order to, for example, cook food items. Additionally, the advantageous simultaneous use of the broiling gas burner 42 in the bake mode can facilitate more even cooking. Further, as discussed herein, such simultaneous operation according to the present disclosure may be accomplished while not compromising or requiring modification of an exhaust vent 55 which is in fluid communication with the cooking chamber 14.

For example, valve 60 as discussed above may be utilized to control the firing rate of the broiling gas burner 42 based on signals from the controller 50 in the bake mode. In embodiments wherein the valve 60 is a two-way valve, the valve 60 may be activated at the low stage during the bake mode, to provide extra upper heat for cooking. In embodiments wherein the valve 60 is a proportional valve, the valve 60 may be activated at a relatively low firing rate, such as in some embodiments a minimum firing rate, during the baking mode.

In still further exemplary embodiments, controller 50 may be operable to activate a broil mode in which the broiling gas burner 42, and typically not the baking gas burner 40, is on and thus operating. For example, valve 60 as discussed above may be utilized to control the firing rate of the broiling gas burner 42 based on signals from the controller 50 in the broil mode. In embodiments wherein the valve 60 is a two-way valve, the valve 60 may be activated at either the high state or the low stage during the broil mode, to provide heat as desired for cooking. In embodiments wherein the valve 60 is a proportional valve, the valve 60 may be activated at any suitable firing rate as desired for cooking.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, a valve 62 may be in communication with and disposed between the controller 50 and the baking gas burner 40. The valve 62 may in exemplary embodiments be a firing rate valve which is operable to control, and thus vary as required, a firing rate of the baking gas burner 40 based on signals from the controller 50. For example, when a preheat mode is selected, the controller 50 may send signals to the valve 62 to allow gaseous fuel to flow through a fuel line to the baking gas burner 40 at a regulated flow rate.

In some exemplary embodiments, the valve 62 may be a two-stage valve having a high stage and a low stage. In the high stage, the valve 62 may allow a relatively high firing rate which may, for example, be suitable for preheat and some baking operations. In the low stage, the valve 60 may allow a relatively low firing rate, which may be suitable for other baking operations. For example, when the preheat mode is selected, the controller 50 may activate the valve 62 to the high stage. When the bake mode is selected, the controller 50 may activate the valve 62 to the high stage or the low stage, as desired or required.

In other exemplary embodiments, the valve 62 may be a proportional valve. In this embodiment, generally any suitable firing rate may be selected, as desired or required. In the preheat mode, for example, the controller 50 may activate the valve 62 at a maximum firing rate or some other suitable predetermined or calculated firing rate such that, for example, the output from the broiling gas burner 42 in combination with the output from the baking gas burner 40 in the preheat mode does not exceed the maximum vent capacity. In the bake mode, the controller 50 may activate the valve 62 to any suitable firing rate as desired or required for baking operations.

In still other exemplary embodiments, the valve 62 may be a single sate valve. In these embodiments, the valve 62 may be operable only at a single firing rate when activated by the controller 50.

Accordingly, oven appliance 10 may advantageously have more efficient preheat features and may facilitate more even baking operations. Further, the vent capacity of the oven appliance 10 may be maximized, without being exceeded and causing the oven appliance 10 to not cleanly operate, due to use of the controller 50 and various valves 60, 62 as discussed herein.

The present disclosure is further directed to methods for operating oven appliances. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, a method may include the step 100 of activating a baking gas burner 40 to provide heat to the cooking chamber 14 when the preheat mode 102 is selected. As discussed, controller 50 and valve 60 may be utilized to activate baking gas burner 40. A method may further include the step 104 of activating the broiling gas burner 42 to provide heat to the cooking chamber 14 when the preheat mode 102 is selected. As discussed, controller 50 and valve 62 may be utilized to activate broiling gas burner 42. As discussed, the baking gas burner 40 and the broiling gas burner 42 may thus be simultaneously on in the preheat mode 102.

Further, in some embodiments, a method may include the step 110 of activating a baking gas burner 40 to provide heat to the cooking chamber 14 when the bake mode 112 is selected. As discussed, controller 50 and valve 60 may be utilized to activate baking gas burner 40. A method may further include the step 114 of activating the broiling gas burner 42 to provide heat to the cooking chamber 14 when the preheat mode 112 is selected. As discussed, controller 50 and valve 62 may be utilized to activate broiling gas burner 42. As discussed, the baking gas burner 40 and the broiling gas burner 42 may thus be simultaneously on in the bake mode 112.

Further, in some embodiments, a method may include the step 120 of activating a broiling gas burner 42 to provide heat to the cooking chamber 14 when the broil mode 122 is selected. As discussed, controller 50 and valve 62 may be utilized to activate broiling gas burner 42.

In some embodiments, as discussed, the broiling gas burner 42 may be selectively operable at a low firing rate 130 and a high firing rate 132. For example, valve 60 in some embodiments, such as a two-stage valve, may provide such operation. Thus, in some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the broiling gas burner 42 may operate at the low firing rate 130 in the preheat mode 102 and the bake mode 112, and the high firing rate 132 or the low firing rate 130 in the broil mode 122.

Further, in some embodiments, the broiling gas burner 42 may be operable at a firing rate during the preheat mode 102 such that a maximum vent capacity of the oven appliance 10 is not exceeded. Such maximum available firing rate 134 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Additionally, in some embodiments, the broiling gas burner 42 may be operable at a desired or “as needed” firing rate to, for example, maintain a desired chamber 14 temperature. Such as needed firing rate 136 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Valve 60 in some embodiments, such as a proportional valve, may provide such operation.

Additionally, in some embodiments, as discussed, the baking gas burner 40 may be selectively operable at a low firing rate 140 and a high firing rate 142. For example, valve 62 in some embodiments, such as a two-stage valve, may provide such operation. Thus, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the baking gas burner 40 may operate at the high firing rate 142 in the preheat mode 102, and the high firing rate 142 (not shown) or the low firing rate 140 in the bake mode 112. In most embodiments, the baking gas burner 40 may not be operational in the broil mode 122.

Further, in some embodiments, the baking gas burner 40 may be operable at a firing rate during the preheat mode 102 such that a maximum vent capacity of the oven appliance 10 is not exceeded. Such maximum available firing rate 144 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Additionally, in some embodiments, the baking gas burner 40 may be operable at a desired or “as needed” firing rate to, for example, maintain a desired chamber 14 temperature. Such as needed firing rate 146 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Valve 62 in some embodiments, such as a proportional valve, may provide such operation.

Further, in some embodiments, the baking gas burner 40 may be operable at a single firing rate 150. For example, valve 62 in some embodiments, such as a single-stage valve, may provide such operation. Thus, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the baking gas burner 40 may operate at the single firing rate 150 in the preheat mode 102 and the bake mode 112.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above disclosed embodiments, and rather that any suitable operation of the baking gas burner 40 and broiling gas burner 42 is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. An oven appliance that defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction that are each perpendicular to each other, comprising:

a cabinet defining a cooking chamber, the cooking chamber configured for receipt of items to be cooked and comprising a top wall and a bottom wall spaced apart along the vertical direction;

a baking gas burner disposed adjacent the bottom wall and configured to heat the cooking chamber;

a broiling gas burner disposed adjacent the top wall and configured to heat the cooking chamber; and

a controller in communication with the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner, the controller operable to activate a preheat mode wherein the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner are simultaneously on.

2. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising a valve in communication with the controller and the broiling gas burner, the valve operable to control a firing rate of the broiling gas burner based on signals from the controller.

3. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the valve is a two-stage valve having a high stage and a low stage.

4. The oven appliance of claim 3, wherein the controller activates the valve to the low stage in the preheat mode.

5. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the valve is a proportional valve.

6. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the valve operates in the preheat mode at a firing rate such that a maximum vent capacity of the oven appliance is not exceeded.

7. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operable to activate a bake mode wherein the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner are on.

8. The oven appliance of claim 7, further comprising a valve in communication with the controller and the baking gas burner, the valve operable to control a firing rate of the baking gas burner based on signals from the controller.

9. The oven appliance of claim 8, wherein the valve is a two-stage valve having a high stage and a low stage.

10. The oven appliance of claim 8, wherein the valve is a single-stage valve.

11. The oven appliance of claim 8, wherein the valve is a proportional valve.

12. A method for operating an oven appliance, the method comprising:

activating a baking gas burner to provide heat to a cooking chamber defined in the oven appliance when a preheat mode is selected; and

activating a broiling gas burner to provide heat to the cooking chamber when the preheat mode is selected;

wherein the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner are simultaneously on in the preheat mode.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the broiling gas burner is selectively operable at a low firing rate and a high firing rate.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the broiling gas burner operates at the low firing rate in the preheat mode.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the broiling gas burner operates at a firing rate during the preheat mode such that a maximum vent capacity of the oven appliance is not exceeded.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

activating a baking gas burner to provide heat to a cooking chamber defined in the oven appliance when a bake mode is selected; and

activating a broiling gas burner to provide heat to the cooking chamber when the bake mode is selected;

wherein the baking gas burner and the broiling gas burner are simultaneously on in the bake mode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the baking gas burner is selectively operable at a low firing rate and a high firing rate.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the baking gas burner is operable at a single firing rate.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the broiling gas burner is selectively operable at a low firing rate and a high firing rate.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the broiling gas burner operates at the low firing rate in the bake mode.