Patent Grant
8899223
The subject matter of the present invention relates to a hot surface igniter shield for a gas fuel appliance.
Gas-based, cook top appliances generally include a device for igniting the gas fuel once a valve is opened to supply fuel to the gas burner. One type of igniter relies on the generation of a spark to ignite the fuel. The spark is created electrically through a voltage discharge between two conductors positioned near the burner. Another type, commonly referred to as a hot surface igniter, relies on generating sufficient heat on its surface to ignite gas supplied to the gas burner. Typically, the hot surface is made of a ceramic material.
Unfortunately, hot surface igniters can be extremely fragile as the ceramic construction can be very brittle. For applications in e.g., ovens, air heating systems, water heaters, and fireplaces, the igniter can be isolated from the consumer or otherwise easily protected. However, in applications such as a cook top appliance, the fragility of the hot surface igniter can present challenges as the igniter is subject to impact during use and can be more susceptible to contamination than a spark igniter. Impacts during use or cleaning can damage the igniter and require repairs or other servicing.
Additional challenges are also presented with the use of hot surface igniters on cook top appliances. Aesthetic considerations—i.e. the shape and color of the flame created by the burner—are important to consumer perception. The placement of a device near the burner has the potential to change the shape and/or color of the flame. Preferably, the flame is somewhat symmetrical and appears mostly blue in color. The placement of an igniter in the gas flow can cause the flame to lose symmetry and/or burn with a yellowish color—which can be undesirable to some consumers.
Also, modern gas burners typically must operate over a wide range of heat outputs. For example, a gas burner may be required to operate at outputs as high as 20,000 BTU/hour while also operating in a stable manner at outputs as low as 450 BTU/hour. This range is much greater than required for the previously described applications for a hot surface igniter. As the igniter must be capable of igniting the gas fuel at both ends of this range, the igniter must be located near the source of gas fuel in order to be able to provide ignition at low flow rates. However, at high flow rates, the close proximity to the igniter negatively impacts the aesthetic considerations previously mentioned. The presence of the igniter at high gas flow tends to spread out the fuel and cause a large local plume near the igniter. Adding shielding to protect the igniter can exacerbate this aesthetic issue.
Accordingly, a hot surface igniter for the gas burner assembly of a cook top appliance would be useful. More specifically, a hot surface igniter that includes shielding for protection from breaking or other damage would be beneficial. Such an igniter that can also operate at a wide range of gas flows and properly ignite the fuel without unacceptably affecting the appearance of the flame would also be particularly useful.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a gas burner assembly for connection to a source of gas. The assembly includes a burner body defining an opening for the flow-through of gas. A burner cap is positioned on top of the burner body. The burner cap defines a bottom surface. A hot surface igniter is positioned adjacent to the burner body and beneath the burner cap. A shield is positioned over the hot surface igniter. The shield defines an exit opening and an entrance opening. The shield also defines a planar top surface that is substantially parallel, and positioned in close proximity to, the bottom surface of the burner cap.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a gas fuel cooking appliance is provided that includes a cook top assembly. A gas burner is positioned on the cook top assembly. The gas burner includes a burner body defining an internal passage in communication with a plurality of orifices positioned around a circumference of the burner body and configured for the flow-through of gas supplied through the internal passage. A burner cap is positioned on top of the burner body. The burner cap defines a bottom surface. A hot surface igniter is positioned adjacent to the burner body and below the burner cap. A shield is positioned over the hot surface igniter. The shield defines an exit opening and an entrance opening. The shield also defines a top surface that is positioned immediately below the bottom surface of the burner cap.
In still another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for protecting a hot surface igniter is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a gas burner assembly for connection to a source of gas. The gas burner assembly includes a burner body defining an opening for the flow-through of gas; a burner cap positioned on top of the burner body, the burner cap defining a bottom surface; a hot surface igniter positioned adjacent to the said burner body and beneath the burner cap; and, a shield positioned over the hot surface igniter, where the shield defines an exit opening and an entrance opening, and the shield defines a planar top surface that is substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the burner cap. The method further includes the step of positioning the planar top surface of the shield in close proximity to the burner cap so as to maximize the area for flow of gas past the hot surface element and minimize the disturbance of the gas mixture flow through the hot surface igniter.
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.
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, in which:
The present invention relates to a gas burner assembly having a hot surface igniter. The hot surface igniter is provided with a shield that protects the igniter from e.g., impact or other damage during cleaning or use. The shield is configured with the gas burner in a manner that can minimize the aesthetic impact on the flame while also providing ignition at low and high gas flow rates. 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.
Cook-top 10 is provided by way of example only. The present invention may be used with other cooking appliances having one or more gas burner assemblies. Accordingly, the present invention may be used with a cook-top having e.g., a different number and/or positioning of burners 14, 16, 18, and 20. The present invention may also be used e.g., with a gas range appliance having a cook-top that uses gas burner assemblies. In addition, controls 26, 28, 30 and 32 may be mounted in other configurations and locations other than as shown in
As stated, burners 14, 16, 18, and 20 are associated with controls 26, 28, 30, and 32. More particularly, control 26 allows for the selective adjustment or control of burner 14 in that control 26 can activate or turn on burner 14 as well as control the amount of heat produced by burner 14. In the case of an appliance 10 that is based on gaseous fuel, control 26 is typically associated with a valve (not shown) for control of the gas flow. Similarly, burners 16, 18, and 20 are selectively adjusted by controls 28, 30, and 32. Indicia 34 are provided with each control 26, 28, 30, and 32 to provide a simple indication of the rotatable position of a particular control and, therefore, whether such control is turned on and to what extent.
Burner body 36 includes a plurality of orifices 40 that are positioned about the circumference of body 36. Orifices 40 are in fluid communication with an internal passage 42 whereby gas is selectively supplied by operation of control 28. When activated, gas mixes with air through passage 42 (as shown by arrow F) and exits orifices 40 (arrows) whereupon the combustible mixture can be ignited by hot surface igniter assembly 44.
Shield 48 includes a planar top surface 52 that extends between a pair of supports 54 and 56, which are located on opposing sides of hot surface igniter 46. For this exemplary embodiment, shield 48 includes apertures 58 and 60, one each located in supports 54 and 56. Gas flows though shield 48 as shown by arrows C. More particularly, surface 52 and supports 54 and 56 define an entrance opening 62 and an exit opening 64 for the ingress and egress of gaseous mixtures through shield 48.
As shown most clearly in
As will be understood by one of skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein, the present invention is not limited to the particular construction for a burner assembly as shown in the figures and may be used with other constructions as well. For example, the present invention may also be used with a burner assembly where the burner cap and burner body are combined into a unitary construction. The present invention may also be used with burner assemblies of different shapes and configurations. Accordingly, it should be understood that 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.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20130081611 A1 | Apr 2013 | US |
