Abstract: An electric cooking unit, a gas-fired cooking unit, and a burner assembly usable with the gas-fired unit for rapidly or slowly grilling large or small quantities of food in a controlled manner. The cooking unit includes side walls defining a heating enclosure, a plurality of food holding members supported by top surfaces of the side walls for positioning food within the heating enclosure, a grate assembly mounted within the heating enclosure for supporting a bed of refractory coals below the food holding members, and gas-fired or electric heating elements for heating the grate assembly and heating the bed of refractory coals to incandescent temperatures. When the cooking unit is gas-fired, the unit includes a plurality of burner assemblies which can be individually controlled, each assembly having a flame guard assembly releasably mounted on a tubular member having a plurality of apertures for distributing a cooking gas within the heating enclosure.

Abstract: A compact pizza storage and bake unit which takes up a maximum of twenty inches wide on a counter space, eighteen inches deep, and thirty-one inches high. This unit carries in its lower portion at least ten refrigerated or frozen pizza crusts and ingredients for the pizza including sauce, cheese packets adequately proportioned for the amount required, and garnishing such as pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, capers and the like. The oven is the top half and separated entirely from the bottom half refrigeration area by dead air space and the compressor area. A blower is provided adjacent the compressor to accomplish the twofold purpose of evacuating the dead air space between the oven and refrigerator to prevent undesirable transfer of heat to the refrigerator, and at the same time to accelerate the cooling through the condenser refrigeration coils mounted in the rear portion of the unit. The sidewalls of the frame are lowered adjacent the dead air space with the blower directly covering one.

Abstract: An oven especially--but not exclusively--for baking French bread has a single loading opening which is closed by a principal door having a fill opening therein which, in turn, is closed by a series of small longitudinal, superimposed folding doors. One edge of each folding door covers the adjacent edge of the folding door immediately next to it. The small doors either pivot over an arc 180.degree. or slide laterally. The back of the oven may be equipped with a set of doors, such as the small doors. A gap separates the front edge of plates for supporting the bread and the plane of the interior side of the small doors. The plates are relatively thin, movable perforated sheets. The ends of a latch or hook-up bar may slide into supports on the stiles of the loading opening or be held in struts provided on each side of the small doors.

Abstract: A baking apparatus including an oven having an inlet and an outlet through which pans are taken into and out of the oven is disclosed. Stationary pan receiving members are vertically arranged in multiple layers in the oven. First and second vertical feed members are provided on each side of the stationary multiple-layer pan receiving members. Movable pan receiving members are rigidly secured in multiple layers to the first and second vertical feed members at intervals twice as large as those of the stationary pan receiving members. Lateral feed members are provided to feed the pans laterally when the movable pan receiving members are aligned horizontally with the stationary pan receiving members, whereby the pans are made to move up or down in a zigzag pattern and pass the heat sources while they are moving horizontally, thus enabling the oven to be designed to have a vertical structure.

Abstract: According to the invention, a universal frame is provided for use in both high and low broiler configuration gas ranges. The range frame has a housing with an internal wall surface defining a cooking space. A gas burner is mounted in the cooking space between a main oven compartment and a broiling compartment in the low broiler configuration. Structure is provided to selectively mount a wall within the cooking space to shield the lower compartment from the heating element. The lower compartment can thereby be adapted for use as a storage compartment in a high broiler configuration. With the wall omitted, the heating element is directly exposed to the bottom compartment for broiling therein.

Abstract: A heater cabinet which utilizes a source of steam heat to elevate to a predetermined working temperature various industrial containers and the contents thereof. Containers suitable for use with the heater cabinet include barrels, drums, pails, nondisposable and disposable liquibins, and the like. In a preferred embodiment the cabinet includes a plurality of insulated walls which define an enclosure. Access to the enclosure is provided by a pair of swinging doors hinged to the front wall of the cabinet. Mounted near the bottom of the enclosure is an open grate for supporting containers placed within the enclosure for heating. Beneath the grate and contiguous therewith is a steam coil for connection to a source of steam which imparts heat into the enclosure. Below the steam coil is a drip pan for collecting and containing any spillage or drippage which may inadvertently flow from the container.

Abstract: A barbeque smoker housing having an interior provided with food holders therein, a bottom portion of the housing having a perforate wall which admits combustion air therebeyond, and a heat source, and a control for altering the rate at which the food cooks disposed at upper and lower portions of the housing.

Abstract: A plurality of ceramic oven tiles (36) are supported on a metal frame (10) and the frame is supported in an oven on an oven rack (38) the frame (10) has an angle construction on all four sides. The two sides and the rear comprise upstanding walls (14, 16, 18) and inwardly extending walls (22, 24, 26) on which the tiles (36) are supported. The front has a vertically depending front wall (20) and an inwardly directed wall (28) on which front portions of the tiles (36) are supported. The front wall (20) functions to stiffen the front of the frame (10), and contributes to the overall stiffness of the frame (10). It rests against the front edge (40) of the oven rack (38), and in this manner positively positions the frame (10) on the oven rack (38). Wall (20) also functions as a handle for the frame (10). The frame (10) is constructed from sections of angle metal and metal strips, secured together by spot welding or rivets, or is a one-piece casting.

Abstract: An oven includes a baking chamber defined by the inner case. The two storied upper and lower racks are provided in the baking chamber with a distance in-between. On both edges of these racks the rear end part of a U-letter shaped supporting member is fixed respectively, with the tips of said supporting members penetrating through a long hole formed horizontally at a predetermined height on the inner case. Consequently, both upper and lower racks are respectively so constructed as to move horizontally in the baking chamber. On each of both outer sides of the inner case a connecting rod is provided which is pivotally sustained at its upper end so that it can be turned round. This connecting rod is connected with the tips of the supporting member, and at its lower end it is connected through an arm with the door which pivotally opens and closes at its lower end line. By opening the door, therefore, both upper and lower racks are withdrawn forward to the opening side of the oven.

Abstract: A domestic cooking appliance vent system including a first vertical vent conduit communicating with the oven, extending through a support plate, and a second vertical conduit that is located above the first conduit but horizontally offset therefrom. A horizontal adapter duct positioned in a locating area on the support plate joins the first vent conduit with the second vent conduit. The adapter duct includes a continuous side wall, a top wall forming an open bottom positioned over the first vertical duct and a top vent opening in one end of the top wall communicating with the second vertical conduit. The support area and adapter duct is dimensioned so that its position in the locating area insures that the top vent opening in the adapter duct is axially aligned with the second vertical conduit.

Abstract: A cooking oven which comprises a pair of opposing end walls, a pair of opposing side walls, the side walls disposed inside of the end walls and defining, together with the end walls, a cooking chamber, a supporting frame adapted to support the end walls and the side walls an, opposing slider member mounted for movement on the supporting frame, the side walls being operatively mounted on the slider member, and a moving member the slider member containing the side walls mounted thereon towards or away from each other, whereby the size of the cooking chamber can be varied depending on the size of the food to be cooked.

Abstract: A hot-air circulation type cooking appliance comprising a partition plate separating a heating chamber from a compartment storing a fan. The partition plate is provided with hot air blow-out ports divided into right and left groups, a control wall for controlling the blowing direction of hot air is provided adjacent the hot air blow-out ports while a bypass passage for hot air continuous with the control wall is provided to set the blowing direction of hot air substantially to the middle of the heating chamber so as to avoid differences in temperature between the middle and peripheral regions of the heating chamber. The invention is particularly effective for multistage cooking.

Abstract: A slidable sight panel for a cooking unit wherein the panel member is slidably positioned in a guide track over an opening in a cover member with one of the panel sections spaced away from the opening and another panel orientated with the opening. One of the panel members is transparent so that when it is orientated with the opening in the grill the contents inside the grill cover can be inspected. The other panel is usually of a nontransparent material and covers the opening when it is not necessary to view the contents of the grill. In this manner, the transparent section is kept clean from the smoke and grease which usually accompany cooking in a barbecue grill unit. A light source is mounted outside the cooking unit for illuminating the interior thereof through a window unit.

Abstract: A gas oven having a broil burner recessed up into a chamber above the ceiling to provide more usable space in the oven cavity. A partition closely above or extending from the sides of the burner forms an upper chamber duct which extends from an exhaust flue at the rear to a passageway to the cavity at the front of the chamber. The products of combustion from the burner flow forwardly in lateral troughs to the passageway where they mix with other cavity vapors and then rearwardly in the duct to the exhaust flue. The duct functions to reduce the body temperature of the burner to prevent flashback and also enhances stack action.

Abstract: A plurality of plate elements are curled with one another to provide a heating compartment for a cooking apparatus including a microwave oven. The plate elements have ends which are curled to a circular form and may include a front plate, a base plate having two side walls, and a top plate containing a back plate. In another specific form of the present invention, such plate elements are the front plate, the base plate having the side walls, the back plate and a separate top plate.

Abstract: A baking oven has a baking chamber in which plate members carrying the baking good are stepwisely conveyed along an endless path. The baking chamber has a charging and discharging opening through which a branch of this endless path is fed to a charging and discharging station located outside of the baking chamber. Hot air is blown into the baking chamber by means of a blower. In order to prevent that the hot atmosphere within the baking chamber escapes through the charging opening, this opening can be closed by a closure means actuated in synchronism with the steps of movement of the plate members. Further in synchronism with this actuation, a change-over means is actuated which guides the hot air either into the baking chamber or into a by-pass-channel leading back to the blower.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful broiler oven comprising an elongated cooking compartment, first and second rotisserie drive drums, and a dual drive unit, the cooking compartment defined by bottom and rear walls, a front wall including a door, and first and second end walls each including a large circular opening therethrough, and including at least one heating unit in an upper part of the compartment, the compartment substantially unobstructed below the heating unit; the first and second rotisserie drive drums each having a front face of diameter just less than the circular openings and being mounted for rotation on respective first and second coaxial shafts in respective ones of the circular openings, each drum having a series of spit sockets extending into and mounted for rotation in the front face thereof, the sockets being equispaced around a circular axis on the drums, and individual ones of the sockets in the first drum being axially aligned with corresponding ones in the second drum, the sockets in

Abstract: A self-contained oven using an intense source of radiant heat applied directly onto the bottom surface of a heat transfer grill that can directly support food or objects being heated. The grill includes a lower section having downwardly open hollow cells formed by intersecting metal walls, a solid metal plate capping the lower section, and a covering insulating section that can support the food or objects. A natural draft is permitted to flow through the oven chamber from an inlet leading to the area directly beneath the heat transfer grill. Warmed air and gas then flows in a convoluted path through the oven in convection currents to transfer heat to the food or objects.

Abstract: A control panel is provided for a household appliance which includes a clock-timer lens which is effectively sealed to the rear of the control panel assembly. The integral clock-timer lens and control panel combine to prevent the infiltration of soil into the face of the clock-timer. The assembly is simple to clean without soil particles dropping into the face of the clock-timer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated metal substrate useful for decomposing cooking residues, e.g. oils through a gasification cracking reaction by providing a specific catalytic surface. The catalyst is at least one of Group 1A or 2A oxides or compounds of the formula (MA).sub.x (MB).sub.y (O).sub.z whereMA: element of Group 1A or 2AMB: element of Group 3A or 4AO: Oxygenx, y, z: integersaid catalyst being the sole effective catalyst for decomposing oils and being present in an amount sufficient to effect such decomposition and an inorganic binder, a hardening agent, and a pigment.

Abstract: The specification describes a combination wood burning stove and oven comprising a housing having a combustion chamber, a heat transfer chamber and an oven disposed in the heat transfer chamber, a combustion product intake opening means communicating the combustion chamber and heat transfer chamber, a combustion product outlet opening in the heat transfer chamber for connection with an exterior flue pipe and an interior flue pipe means disposed in the heat transfer chamber adjacent the oven and interconnecting the intake opening means and outlet opening, the interior flue pipe means serving as a heat exchanger for the transfer of heat therefrom to the oven.

Abstract: A broiler for cooking food products has an upper heating unit located in a spaced relationship from the food and a lower heating unit in a close heat transfer relationship with the food. The upper unit is preferably a U-shaped radiant fire tube with a gas-fired power burner mounted at one end as a heat source. Hot flue products exiting the radiant tube are directed to the lower heating unit which is preferably a heat pipe assembly with evaporator and condenser zones for a working fluid. In one form the condenser zone includes a generally flat wall portion with a cooking surface defining a set of upwardly facing grooves. In another form the condenser zone is a series of generally parallel pipes that extend under the food in a horizontal, mutually spaced relationship. A movable rack supports the food and moves it into and out of a cooking relationship with the condenser zone of the heat pipe assembly.

Abstract: An oven with air convection combustion, particularly for bakehouses (bread, pastries, cakes), to achieve considerable economy of energy and to improve efficiency has primary and secondary air circuits sealed and closed, the secondary air being heated in ducts surrounding the fire-box and exhaust conduits and admitted into the baking chamber through adjustable nozzles. The cooled secondary air leaving oven is recycled by the a turbine. A vapor generator is formed from metal tubes extending into the exhaust gas conduit and the vapor is fed to a ramp pierced with calibrated holes disposed vertically in the baking chamber through which it is disposed into the chamber after being saturated by a water injector.

Abstract: An improved cooking oven having two flat surfaces covered by an enclosure. One of the flat surfaces serves as a base on which the enclosure rests and on which both fuel to be burned and food to be cooked are placed. The second of the flat surfaces, which is substantially parallel to and positioned above the flat surface that acts as the base, serves as a baffle to control the flow of combustion products from the burning fuel through the enclosure and as an additional cooking surface. Three openings in the wall of the enclosure are provided; two of which are used for passage of food and fuel therethrough. The third opening serves as a flue and provides a path through which combustion products from the burning fuel escape from the oven.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for heating food products by forced air convection are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a tunnel heater having a tunnel-like cavity through which food products to be heated are conveyed. Air is drawn from within the tunnel cavity by a circulating blower arrangement, with air flow directed against the food products through upper and lower foraminous plates disposed above and below and adjacent to the tunnel cavity. Aerodynamically efficient ducting of the circulating air is provided by scroll-shaped passages positioned in association with the blower arrangement, and venturi-like passages positioned upstream of the foraminous upper and lower plates. A conveyor is provided for automatically advancing food products through the tunnel cavity, with heating of the food products taking place in an efficient and readily controlled manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated metal substrate useful for decomposing cooking residues, e.g. oils through a gasification cracking reaction by providing a specific catalytic surface. The catalyst is at least one of Group 1A or 2A oxides or compounds of the formula (MA).sub.x (MB).sub.y (O).sub.z where:MA: element of Groups 1A or 2AMB: element of Group 3A or 4AO: oxygenx, y, z: integer.

Abstract: A temperature controlled oven for heat treating materials such as solid state electronic devices in which a housing forms an enclosure and has an opening for receiving a first sub assembly which forms a second enclosure with an aperture confronting the opening in the housing, and a second sub assembly is disposed within the first sub assembly and removable through the aperture of the first sub assembly to permit external cleaning, the second sub assembly having an opening confronting the opening of the housing and forming a closed air circulation path which contains a heater, blower, and filter for the purpose of maintaining the atmosphere in the second sub assembly relatively particle free.

Abstract: A long wavelength counter top radiation oven in which the top and bottom surfaces of the oven cavity are formed by metal radiator panels each heated by an electric resistance heating element. A low temperature cured ceramic surface coating applied to each panel gives it a surface emissivity near unity to enhance the thermal efficiency of the oven. Separate high temperature thermostats control the upper and lower heating elements independently.

Abstract: A tunnel oven-broiler wherein food products of ordinarily flame-producing character such as steaks, chops or other greasy meats prone to burn or produce flame are broiled in a flame-controlled manner. In a tubular, tunnel-form heating chamber with a conveyor food products are broiled by direct infrared emission from the interior chamber surfaces, heated to a predetermined emission temperature which is maintained by direct, intimate temperature probe contact with the exterior surface of the tubular chamber surrounded by electrical heating panel elements. An outer tubular member surrounds the heating element. Downwardly angled end sections extend from opposite ends of the oven to define the entrance and exit to the chamber. The entrance and exit are open at all times except when plugged during self-cleaning and are lower than the heating chamber to provide an oxygen-starved atmosphere therein having a slight overpressure for suppressing flaming or flaring during broiling.

Abstract: A self-cleaning coating film is formed using a self-cleaning coating composition including an oxidation, catalyst mixed within a composition including silicone synthetic resin and an organic solvent. The oxidation catalyst includes at least one element selected from a metal such as a noble metal and a metal oxide such as manganese dioxide, copper oxide, iron oxide, nickel oxide, chrome oxide, and the like. The metal is blended with a powder made of alumina, or the like, in the range of about 0.1 to 1.0 weight %. The diameter of the particles of the powder is on the order of about 40 to 300.mu.. The powder is mixed with the composition in the range of about 5 to 100 weight %. The metal oxide is present in the composition at about 50 weight %. The self-cleaning coating film is formed at about 40 to 300.mu. thickness. The thus formed self-cleaning coating film is exposed to an elevated temperature of about 300.degree. to 400.degree.

Abstract: An oven includes an oven structure having an oven interior, an oven door for closing the oven interior, the oven door having a transparent or translucent front plate for allowing viewing of the oven interior through the oven door, and visible adjustment and display elements for setting and displaying parameters relating to the operation of the oven. The adjustment and display elements are visual elements mounted to be covered by the front plate when the oven door is closed. The front plate has light absorbing coloration or a reflective, translucent coating to allow only the visual elements and the oven interior when illuminated to be viewed therethrough.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-cleaning plate of a metallic porous body having a three dimensional network structure and a specific surface area of at least 2,000 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 or more, characterized by having oxidation catalyst particles uniformly distributed throughout the binder with which the framework of said porous body is coated and with which the porosities are filled, said binder being preferably any one of an alkali metal silicate, a colloidal silica, a colloidal alumina, a monobasic metal phosphate, and a silicone resin, said oxidation catalyst being preferably at least one selected from the group of metals Pt and Pd or the metal oxides of Mn, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, and Fe.

Abstract: A hot air recirculation oven for baking products of bakeries, Viennese bread bakehouses, pastry bakehouses and the like comprises a baking chamber (2), an open trolley (8) disposable in the baking chamber and having shelves (15, 16) for supporting products to be baked, and means (46, 47) for admitting heated air to the baking chamber so as to sweep over products on the trolley. The baking chamber (2) has at each corner a continuously rotatable cylindrical distributor (52, 53, 54, 55) connected into ducts (46, 47) which direct hot air from a fan (30) to the interior of the cylindrical distributor (52, 53, 54, 55) in order to be diffused into the baking chamber (2) by way of a vertical jet through a slot (62) located in the circumference of the cylindrical distributor.

Abstract: A convection flow broiler of open front configuration having an elevator-drawer carrying a food supporting and contacting griddle controllably dipped from horizontal for continuous drainage of greases therefrom, and having fixedly positioned radiant top heat to which the griddle is adjustably positioned, and held supported by weight compensator means applying substantially uniform lift regardless of elevation.

Abstract: A cooking range has a pair of side panels as its main structural members. A range top, back panel, bottom member and oven frame are all secured to the side panels and a heat insulated oven shell having an open front is supported at its forward end by the oven frame and by spaced brackets engaging the back panel. Heat conductive contact between the oven shell and oven frame, between the oven frame and side panels and between inner and outer walls of the side panels is minimized by forming upstanding pads on one of each of the pairs of members and through which suitable fastening means extend. The pads are of small area and are the only portions of the members that are in direct contact.

Abstract: A tunnel oven includes a framework forming an elongated cooking tunnel with an entrance at one end for ingress of products to be heated in the tunnel during traverse through the tunnel and an exit at the opposite end for egress of heated products. A conveyor of either in-line type with over-and-under reaches or a return type with coplanar reaches conveys products from the entrance to the exit. The tunnel floor is a plate constituting a hearth. Infrared radiant heater panels along the tunnel length above and below the hearth provide heat. Pairs of thermocouples arranged in two sets, each set having an upper and lower thermocouple, to provide sensing of the temperatures of the hearth and the upper heating elements.

Abstract: A free-standing, convection-cooled domestic range of the pyrolytic self-cleaning type including heat sink means for limiting the temperature of user accessible exterior surfaces of the range body to safe levels during a high temperature, oven-cleaning operation. A pair of downwardly extending, elongated channel members having U-shaped cross sections is positioned within the range body, one under each upper front corner thereof between a respective side wall of the range body and an opposed oven liner side wall. Apertured, horizontal mounting flanges from which the channel members are hung advantageously allow for the unimpeded upward flow of convected air along the entire lengths of the heat sink channel members.

Abstract: A microwave oven cooking control system is provided with a comestible probe for temperature sampling. The comestible probe is only intermittently energized so that self-heating is avoided. Energization of the probe is under the control of a timing mechanism, which concurrently produces a voltage signal that rapidly increments in steps corresponding to possible internal temperatures of the comestible. The voltage signal is compared against a reference voltage level, which in turn is governed by the internal temperature of the comestible as sensed by the probe. The comparison results are used to deactuate energization of the probe and to control the microwave energy transmitted to the comestible by the microwave oven magnetron. A threshold a.c. current detector is also connected to said magnetron control to deactuate operation of the magnetron when a low amplitude a.c. power signal is received.

Abstract: An oven roof or wall is formed from modular panels, each of which comprises an inner fabric and an outer fabric. Each such fabric is formed with an angle iron framework and somewhat resilient tie-bars or welded at their ends to flanges of the angle irons to maintain the inner and outer frameworks in spaced disposition while minimizing heat transfer by conduction and permitting some degree of relative movement on expansion and contraction of the module components. Suitable thermal insulation is provided within the module. Panels or skins are secured to the fabric frameworks and each such skin is secured to a framework and projects laterally so as slidingly to overlie the adjacent frame member of an adjacent panel in turn to permit relative movement during expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A coating formed on a surface of an article, which is heated during use as typified by a cooking device, to accomplish catalytic oxidation decomposition of oil and grease spattered thereon. The coating is fundamentally a porous matrix layer of an inorganic binder having a matte surface and comprises, in the form of uniformly dispersed particles, an oxidation catalyst and a nondiscoloring material, for example a ferrite, which has the effect of concealing a change in color of the oxidation catalyst resulting from its catalytic action. Preferably the coating comprises additionally a solid acid catalyst such as a zeolite as a decomposition-inducing catalyst in order to acquire an improved catalytic self-cleaning ability at relatively low temperatures such as 200.degree.-300.degree. C.

Abstract: The specification discloses an oven liner suspension assembly for rigidly suspending an oven liner, while allowing for expansion and contraction of the oven liner undergoing heating and cooling during cooking and self-cleaning operations. A pair of elongated anchor legs is secured to the rear portion of the oven liner, and each anchor leg extends a predetermined distance beyond the bottom wall of the oven liner. An L-shaped base member of each anchor leg is rigidly secured to a main base plate of the frame assembly for the oven, thereby allowing for lengthwise expansion and contraction of the oven liner. A center flange extending from the front of the oven liner is rigidly secured to a flange extending upwardly from the main base plate assembly such that the front of the oven liner is rigidly suspended above the main base plate the same predetermined distance the rear portion of the bottom wall of the oven liner is suspended above the main base plate.

Abstract: A slip containing a frit and an oxidizing catalyst is sprayed over a substrate and fused at a temperature as low as 550.degree. C. The frit consists of 15-60% by weight of SiO.sub.2, 9-35% of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, 10-30% Na.sub.2 O, 1-25% of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 0-20% of Li.sub.2 O, 0-10% of K.sub.2 O and 0-10% of CaO but must have at least two of Li.sub.2 O, K.sub.2 O and CaO. The oxidizing catalyst is MnOx or CuCO.sub.3 Cu(OH).sub.2 or a mixture thereof, the content being preferably between 5 and 50% by weight. The self-cleaning is effected at a temperature as low as at 280.degree. C.

Abstract: An industrial process oven is provided with a false outer skin spaced from the oven wall. A plurality of air currents are induced and estalished in a like plurality of air passages provided between the oven wall and the outer skin. As ambient air passes over the oven wall it is preheated. The preheated air from the plurality of air passages is collected in a transfer duct and conveyed to an oven heater where its temperature is further raised to a desired operating temperature.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of thermally ionizable particles and vapors is disclosed. The sensor comprises an ionizer for supplying sufficient heat to thermally ionize the particles to be detected. The ionized particles are then caused to flow between the ionizer and an anode by impressing an electrical potential between the ionizer and the anode. The magnitude of the ion current is indicative of the concentration of the particles of vapors to be detected. The sensor is particularly useful in detecting alkali vapors and other particles, for example sodium, which may be easily thermally ionized. In most applications it is contemplated that the sensor will serve as a detector for alkali vapors and particles present in a gaseous atmosphere. Specifically it will serve as a detector for locating leaks in components of the fast breeder nuclear reactor system which employs sodium as a heat exchanger fluid.

Abstract: A cooking oven is made with a flat base of refractory material and a dome of refractory material forming an enclosure in which solid fuel is burned while resting directly on the base and food is also cooked directly on the base. An opening is provided in the dome wall through which fuel and food can be separately inserted within the oven. Only a relatively small part of the dome is removed to form the opening, which extends only part way up the full height of the dome. A flue is located just outside the opening so that combustion products from the fuel pass generally horizontally through the enclosed space and out the opening and up the flue. A closure is provided to shut the opening to limit the escape of heat. The dome is made by casting hemispherical sectors of refractory material and assembling the sectors into a dome on the base. The sectors are formed with interlocking edges to help hold them together and the entire dome can be enclosed within an insulated chamber..

Abstract: A frit composition is disclosed adapted to be applied to a metal substrate containing iron and fired to form a ceramic coat. The frit composition comprises a primary devitrifiable frit adapted to fuse at a firing temperature and upon cooling form devitrified particles; and a secondary frit containing a volatilizable metal oxide adapted to form at a firing temperature substantially an amorphous glass and precipitate crystals of the volatilizable metal oxide. The crystals at least partially volatilize at the firing temperature to provide protective vapors effective to inhibit oxidation of the substrate. Upon cooling, the amorphous glass of the secondary frit bonds the devitrified particles of the primary frit one to another. Preferably, the devitrified particles of the primary frit provide a porous ceramic coat such as on a surface of a self-cleaning cooking device exposed to cooking residues. In this case, the primary frit may also contain an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A lock assembly for a domestic cooking appliance for use during a pyrolytic self-cleaning operation. The assembly includes a pair of cams mounted on a common shaft which provide the dual functions of energizing and de-energizing certain switches in the operating circuit as well as mechanically engaging and locking certain door latch components. The cams are rotated into and out of the locked and unlocked positions by a single lock motor.

Abstract: A composition for applying an easily removable coating of oxidative catalyst to solid substrates comprising finely divided catalytic oxidation metal solids dispersed in an aqueous solution of alkaline silicate in which is dissolved a vicinal alkane polyol. The composition contains 10-40 pbw alkaline silicate per 100 pbw of catalytic oxidation metal and other water insoluble solids and 40-125 pbw polyol per 100 pbw of alkaline silicate.

Abstract: Disclosed are products and processes useful in catalysis of chemical reactions, especially the oxidation of organic materials. Specifically described are oxidation processes involving catalytically-active compositions derived from the admixture by smelting of certain metal oxides, or derived as an ash by-product from the combustion of coal, and which preferably include oxides of titanium, iron, magnesium and manganese as well as oxides of silicon, aluminum, calcium and potassium. Also described are substantially non-porous catalytic layers including such compositions which are useful in the manufacture of liners for "continuous cleaning" cooking devices.

Abstract: A catalytic oxidation unit of the type used for oxidizing fumes from ovens and the like comprises a metallic housing providing a tubular body portion with spaced shoulders in the through passage and a block of cellular ceramic material therebetween. One of the spaced shoulders is provided by an apertured front wall on the housing, and the block of ceramic material is biased against this front wall shoulder by resiliently compressible means acting between the block and the other shoulder. The ceramic material block has an oxidation catalyst on the walls of the cells thereof which is effective to oxidize organic materials in the fumes passing through the metallic housing and the block of ceramic material therewithin.