The invention is generally related to heating devices for cooking ranges, and, more particularly, to a hybrid cooking range operable with both gas and electric energy sources.
It is known that certain design features (e.g., venturi design and burner port flow passage geometry) that tend to promote high power output in gas burners for cooking ranges also tend to oppose favorable low power output. As a result, operational issues may be experienced at low burn rate settings in conventional gas cooking ranges.
For example, maintenance of relatively low BTU rates may be desirable for simmering. That is, a cooking operation in which a liquefied substance is maintained in a state just below the boiling point of that substance. Examples may include the melting of chocolate or butter, in which the temperature of the liquid should be held below temperatures that could otherwise result in the undesirable burning or boiling of the liquid.
Heating devices that use gas and electric heating elements to heat the contents of a cooking vessel in cooking ranges have been proposed. It is believed that user accessibility to the heating elements and the interior of the range has been difficult. Moreover, it would be desirable to provide a hybrid cooking range that enables consumers to enjoy the aesthetically pleasing aspects (as well as cooking capabilities) of the so-called glass top electric ranges together with the benefits afforded by a gas cooking range.
Generally, the present invention fulfills the foregoing needs-by providing in one aspect thereof, a cooking range including a support structure. A burner assembly is provided on the support structure. The burner assembly includes a gas-heat subassembly, and a radiant heat subassembly. An electromechanical interface is configured to detachably interconnect the subassemblies to one another and relative to the support structure. The electromechanical interface is further configured to pass electrical power to the radiant heat subassembly.
In another aspect thereof, the present invention further fulfills the foregoing needs by providing a burner assembly for a cooking range. The burner assembly includes a gas-heat subassembly, and a radiant heat subassembly. An electromechanical interface is configured to detachably interconnect the subassemblies to one another. The electromechanical interface is further configured to pass electrical power to the radiant heat subassembly.
The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
As shown in
The gas-heat subassembly 16 may comprise a gas burner head 32 including a chamber 34 for mixing fuel gas and air. In one exemplary embodiment, electromechanical interface 20 may comprise at least two electrically-insulating bushings 36 and 38 embedded in the gas-heat subassembly for receiving the two electrical terminals 26 and 28 for electrically energizing the radiant heat source. In one exemplary embodiment, electrical terminals 26 and 28 provide a convenient slip-fit interface between the gas-heat subassembly 16 and the radiant heat subassembly 18. Each bushing 36 and 38 may receive at its interior an electrically conductive element for establishing respective electrical connections between terminals 26 and 28 and a corresponding pair of electrical terminals 40 and 42, as may be connectable through suitable wiring and associated components to an external power outlet (not shown).
It will be appreciated that aspects of the present invention allow broadening the operating range of gas-based cooking ranges. Operating range may be defined as the range between minimum heat output (also known as “simmer power”) and maximum heat output. The terms “heat” and “power” may be used interchangeably throughout this description.
Other aspects of the present invention are directed to a hybrid cooking range that allows users to enjoy the advantages of both gas cooking and top glass electric cooking. Chemical energy in the form of gaseous fuel is released in flames stabilized on a plurality of burner ports 44 (FIG. 1). Electrical energy is released as radiant heat from radiant heat source 24 that may be situated above the gas burner head.
In operation, a user would command a desired power level through a suitable user interface 46 (
In operation, heat is primarily conveyed from the radiant heat source 24 to a cooking vessel by radiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the radiant heat source 24 is covered with a high-temperature glass cover that has relatively high optical transmission in the infrared region and in addition exhibits relatively high heat resistance. The glass cover may be shaped as an inverted dish to shield the electrical element and burner head from spills that may occur during operation of the cooking range.
In one exemplary embodiment, electrical leads from radiant heat source 24 may be routed through the burner head. By way of example, electromechanical interface 20 may comprise male electrical terminals coupled to radiant heat source 24 to snap into female terminals disposed in the burner head for supplying electrical power to radiant heat source 24. An additional functionality that may be provided by electromechanical interface 20 is enabling a mechanical interface between the electric element and the burner head that would allow a user to readily disconnect/connect these components. In one exemplary embodiment, radiant heat source 24 may comprise a ribbon heater stabilized in a material or composition with low thermal conductivity and high dielectric strength to avoid electrical arcing.
In one exemplary embodiment, the glass cover may be mounted by way of a slip fit onto housing 22 and consequently cover 30 is easily removed and can be cleaned in a mechanical dishwasher or manually. This removability characteristic also applies to the entire gas-heat and radiant heat subassemblies with respect to one another and with respect to support structure 12.
A grate structure 62 (
Table 1 below illustrates performance data obtained with a prototype of a hybrid/gas range embodying aspects of the present invention. The data illustrates that the radiant heat subassembly can appropriately maintain an exemplary simmer temperature (e.g., simmer temperature for spaghetti sauce) under various conditions, such as different power levels and/or pot separation relative to the radiant heat.
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those of skill in the art without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1475608 | Templeton | Nov 1923 | A |
1716329 | Simpson | Jun 1929 | A |
2304302 | Crupi | Dec 1942 | A |
4899723 | Pajares | Feb 1990 | A |
5275147 | Aktinson, III | Jan 1994 | A |
5329918 | Di Bari | Jul 1994 | A |
Number | Date | Country |
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55-65834 | May 1980 | JP |
55-92823 | Jul 1980 | JP |
55-92825 | Jul 1980 | JP |
1-269824 | Oct 1989 | JP |
WO 0173350 | Oct 2001 | WO |