The present disclosure relates to an electric cooking apparatus, and more particularly to an electric cooking apparatus with independently controllable temperature zones.
Various cooking devices that utilize electric heating elements are known. However, such cooking apparatuses generally utilize heating elements configured to heat a cooking surface to a generally uniform temperature. For example, many electrical stovetops include a plurality of individual heating elements separated by unheated spaces. The temperature of each element is generally not controllably variable across a surface area of the element, but rather is configured to be uniform across the element.
Various embodiments of an electrical cooking apparatus are described. In one embodiment, an electrical cooking apparatus includes a substantially continuous cooking surface, a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed under the substantially continuous cooking surface, and at least two temperature controllers configured to allow independent control of temperatures of at least two of the plurality of heating elements.
The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying figures, in which the like references indicate similar elements and in which:
The present disclosure relates to electric cooking apparatuses for both indoor and outdoor use.
Cooking apparatus 10 further includes a substantially continuous cooking surface 24 disposed over one or more heating elements, as described in more detail below. The term “substantially continuous” as used herein indicates that substantially the entire cooking surface is useable for the cooking of foods, as opposed to an electric stove top having heating elements spaced apart by non-cooking surfaces. While the depicted embodiment has a generally flat, circular cooking surface, it will be appreciated that the cooking surface may have any suitable shape, profile, surface texture, etc. Examples of suitable shapes include but are not limited to oval, rectangular, other curvilinear and/or polygonal shapes, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, while the depicted embodiment includes two control knobs 20, 22 for controlling two temperature zones, it will be appreciated that a cooking apparatus according to the present disclosure may have any suitable number of control knobs and associated temperature zones, including but not limited to three or more. Further, some embodiments may include only a single control knob for controlling one or more heating elements.
Cooking surface 24 may be formed from any suitable material. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, ceramic coated stainless steel or mild steel, or uncoated stainless steel or mild steel that may be oil-seasoned or otherwise treated. Likewise, cooking surface 24 may have any suitable size. Suitable sizes include, but are not limited to, diameters between 20-35 inches. In one specific exemplary embodiment the cooking surface has a diameter of 25 inches, and in another specific exemplary embodiment the cooking surface has a diameter of 30 inches. In alternative embodiments, cooking surface 24 may have a diameter outside of this range. Cooking surface 24 may have a flat configuration, or may be convex (crowned) edge-to-edge. Where the cooking surface is crowned, the crown may have any suitable elevation measured from edge to center. Examples include, but are not limited to, elevation of 0.125-0.25 inches. Alternatively, the crown may have an elevation outside of this range.
An integral downward flange 26 may be provided around the edge of cooking surface 24 to capture radiant heat generated by the heating elements. Flange 26 also may be configured to direct excess cooking juices to a center portion of a drip pan 28 located below the rim of the cooking surface, thereby preventing such juices from missing drip pan 28. Alternatively, flange 26 may be omitted.
Cooking apparatus 10 further may include a base 29 configured to facilitate the mounting of the apparatus to one of the above support structures. In the depicted embodiment, base 29 is shown having a generally square or rectangular shape, except for a curved front panel portion that forms one side of the square or rectangle. However, it will be appreciated that the base may have any other suitable shape.
In some embodiments, drip pan 28 may be configured to overhang base 29. This may help to cover the area where cooking apparatus 10 is mounted to a supporting surface, and therefore may give cooking apparatus 10 a pleasing appearance and also may help to keep the mounting area clean from cooking residues.
Inner heating element segments 30a-c are connected in series to form inner heating element assembly 30, and outer heating element segments 32a-c may likewise be connected in series to form outer heating element assembly 32. For example, each inner heating element segment (for example, 30b) includes a first terminal 35 and a second terminal 36. First terminal 35 of one inner heating element segment may be electrically to second terminal 36 of an adjacent inner heating element segment to electrically connect the two segments. Likewise, outer inner heating element segment (for example, 32c) includes a first terminal 37 and a second terminal 38 connectable in a like fashion. In this manner, inner heating element segments 30a-c can be connected together in series such that the inner heating element segments 30a-c act as a single heating element, and likewise for outer heating elements 32a-c. This arrangement may allow inner heating element assembly 30 to be controlled independently of outer heating element assembly 32, and therefore may allow generally concentric temperature zones on cooking surface 24 to be maintained at controllably different temperatures. Two terminals of inner heating element assembly 30 and two terminals of outer heating element assembly 32 may be connected to one or more power supplies to provide power for the heating element assemblies 30 and 32.
While the depicted heating elements are disclosed as heating generally concentric inner and outer heating zones, it will be appreciated that the heating elements may be configured to create separate heating zones of any other suitable shape, and/or any other suitable number of heating zones besides the depicted two. Furthermore, it will be understood that many of the concepts disclosed herein may be also be applicable to cooking systems with a single heating element.
Any suitable type of electric heating elements may be used as heating element assemblies 30 and 32. For example, the electric heating elements may be tubular or strip heating elements. In one exemplary embodiment, the heating elements are etched foil mica heating elements. Likewise, the heating elements may have any suitable power rating and thermal output. In one exemplary embodiment, the inner heating element(s) may have a maximum power of 1700 Watts, and the outer element(s) may have a maximum power of 6900 Watts. In another exemplary embodiment, the inner heating element(s) may have a maximum power of 3500 Watts, and the outer element(s) may have a maximum power of 4500 Watts. It will be appreciated that these values are merely set forth for the purpose of example, and that the inner and outer heating elements may have any other suitable maximum power outputs. These exemplary configurations of heating elements may be used to generate highly controllable cooking surface temperatures in the range of 150-800 degrees Fahrenheit. It will be appreciated that other wattages may be applied or used to vary the cooking surface temperature. The typical voltages used to power the heating elements include voltages of 240-208/120 VAC/60 HZ, using 3-wire conduit. International voltage conversions may also be applied.
Heating elements 30a-c and 32a-c may be contained in modular or otherwise separated assemblies coupled to or attached to the underside of the cooking surface.
Base 29, as well as any other suitable portion of cooking apparatus 10, may be designed with a dual wall construction for zero clearance installation to any suitable structure, including but not limited to indoor kitchen counters, outdoor masonry kitchens, metal cabinet enclosures, etc., and other combustible and non-combustible surfaces. Likewise, rubber feet (not shown) may be mounted to an underside of the cooking apparatus to allow the cooking apparatus to be placed on a banquet table or other support surface in a portable configuration.
Referring next to
An exemplary mechanism for the attachment of the drip pan is shown in more detail in
Temperature detectors, depicted schematically at 64 in
Furthermore, temperature sensors 64 may be configured to provide feedback to allow the controller to control the temperatures of each heating zone to keep the temperatures within a desired range. In one embodiment, the temperature sensors and controller may be configured to maintain accurate temperatures within a maximum range of approximately 150-500 degrees Fahrenheit. In alternative embodiments, the controller may be configured to maintain temperatures outside of this range.
As described above, separate temperature control knobs 20, 22 may be provided to allow the independent control the temperature of each cooking surface temperature zone. Control knobs 20, 22 may, for example, have printed on a flat peripheral edge an “off” location, followed by temperature settings “warm”, “low”, “medium” and “high.” Likewise, control panel 12 may include a legend located above, below or to the side of the knobs identifying the inner and outer heating element control knobs. Furthermore, a master power switch (not shown) may be provided to control power to all of the electronics of the system, including each heating element 30, 32, display 66, etc. The master power switch may be located on control panel 12, or at any other suitable location. Referring to
Referring to
To heat a desired heating zone on cooking surface 24, the corresponding control knob 20, 22 is turned from the “off” position to the “warm” setting. If control knob 20 or 22 is rotated past “warm” to any location between the “warm” and “high” settings, the control panel may be configured to show the target temperature related to the selected knob position, as shown in
Controller 65 may be configured to increase or decrease the heating element temperatures in steps of any suitable size. For example, the temperature variations may occur in steps of 5-50 degrees Fahrenheit. In one specific embodiment, the temperature variations occur in steps of 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the foregoing specification, various features are described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments of heater elements, cooking surfaces, base constructions, etc. are exemplary in nature, and these specific embodiments are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and subcombinations of the various features, functions, elements, and/or properties disclosed herein may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/724,247, filed Oct. 5, 2005 for an ELECTRIC COOKING APPARATUS, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60724247 | Oct 2005 | US |