U.S. patent number 3,870,457 [Application Number 05/432,547] was granted by the patent office on 1975-03-11 for blue flame gas smooth top range.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Tappan Company. Invention is credited to Richard L. Perl.
United States Patent |
3,870,457 |
Perl |
March 11, 1975 |
Blue flame gas smooth top range
Abstract
A gas smooth top range in which the burner beneath the glass
ceramic top is of powered blue flame, rather than radiant, type.
The burner in this and other possible environments is controlled by
electric circuit means including a resistance igniter element
having an appreciable energy output, electrically operated valve
means in circuit with the igniter, and cycle control means for
cyclically energizing the igniter and valve means at a rate that
can be varied to regulate the heat output of the burner. Heat
transfer structure is associated with the burner and arranged so
that hot exhaust gases from the burner are effective to preheat the
respective inflows of ambient air and fuel making up the mixture
which is combusted. The fuel valve can be adjusted from the
exterior while operating in closed and sealed condition, or a
simulation of such condition, so that the proper circuit
relationship of the valve and the igniter with which it is used can
be set as a manufacturing procedure to eliminate need for field or
installation adjustment.
Inventors: |
Perl; Richard L. (Mansfield,
OH) |
Assignee: |
The Tappan Company (Mansfield,
OH)
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Family
ID: |
26917790 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/432,547 |
Filed: |
January 11, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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223451 |
Feb 4, 1972 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
431/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q
7/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F23Q
7/22 (20060101); F23Q 7/00 (20060101); F23h
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;431/66,67 ;317/98 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Favors; Edward G.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Donnelly, Maky, Renner &
Otto
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 223,451, filed Feb.
4, 1972 and now abandoned.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. Ignition and control means for a gas burner, comprising a glow
type electric igniter the wattage of which is not less than about
fifty watts, a thermal fuel valve having a heat responsive actuator
and an electric heater means for heating said heat responsive
actuator, the glow type electric igniter adapted to be positioned
adjacent the burner port area and the thermal fuel valve being in
the gaseous fuel supply line to the same, circuit means for
electrically connecting in series circuit relation the glow type
electric igniter and the thermal fuel valve electric heater means,
and means for pre-adjusting the thermal fuel valve heat responsive
actuator to determine the response thereof while in at least
simulated operating condition with the thermal fuel valve electric
heater means in such circuit relation to the glow type electric
igniter, the response times of the thermal fuel valve and the glow
type electric igniter being related in normal operation of the
ignition and control means such that the thermal fuel valve remains
closed until the glow type electric igniter attains a temperature
approximately at which ignition of the gas occurs.
2. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, including
means for variably cyclically energizing said circuit means to
regulate operation of the controlled burner.
3. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
igniter comprises solid state silicon carbide.
4. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
means for pre-adjusting the thermal fuel valve heat responsive
actuator is operable exteriorly of the thermal fuel valve.
5. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a ballast coil connected in electrical series with said
glow type electric igniter.
6. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising a fuse connected in electrical series with said electric
heater means.
7. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, further
comprising means responsive to current flowing in said circuit
means for opening said circuit means upon occurrence of an
excessive current flow therethrough, said means responsive being
connected in electrical series connection with said electric heater
means.
8. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
configuration of the heat responsive actuator and electric heater
means therefor is such to provide a time delay in actuating the
thermal fuel valve to prevent fuel flow therethrough until the glow
type electric igniter has reached the ignition temperature of the
fuel.
9. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
electric heater means comprises a flat ribbon wound about said heat
responsive actuator.
10. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 6, wherein the
configuration of the heat responsive actuator and electric heater
means therefor is such to provide a time delay in actuating the
thermal fuel valve to prevent fuel flow therethrough until the glow
type electric igniter has reached the ignition temperature of the
fuel.
11. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 10, further
comprising a ballast coil connected in electrical series with said
glow type electric igniter.
12. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 11, further
comprising means responsive to current flowing in said circuit
means for opening said circuit means upon occurrence of an
excessive current flow therethrough, said means responsive being
connected in electrical series connection with said electric heater
means.
13. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 2, further
comprising a fuse connected in electrical series with said electric
heater means.
14. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 13, wherein
the configuration of the heat responsive actuator and electric
heater means therefor is such to provide a time delay in actuating
the thermal fuel valve to prevent fuel flow therethrough until the
glow type electric igniter has reached the ignition temperature of
the fuel.
15. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 14, further
comprising means responsive to current flowing in said circuit
means for opening said circuit means upon occurrence of an
excessive current flow therethrough, said means responsive being
connected in electrical series connection with said electric heater
means.
16. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 1, wherein
said glow type electric igniter has a negative coefficient of
resistance over at least a portion of its operational temperature
range.
17. Ignition and control means as set forth in claim 16, wherein
said glow type electric igniter has a positive coefficient of
resistance over at least a portion of its operational temperature
range including temperatures greater than that approximately at
which ingition of the gas occurs.
18. Ignition and control means for a gas burner, comprising a glow
type electric igniter the wattage of which is not less than about
fifty watts, said glow type electric igniter having a negative
coefficient of resistance over at least a portion of its
operational temperature range, a thermal fuel valve having a heat
responsive actuator and an electric heater means for heating said
heat responsive actuator, the glow type electric igniter adapted to
be positioned adjacent the burner port area and the thermal fuel
valve being in the gaseous fuel line to the same, circuit means for
series energization of the glow type electric igniter and thermal
fuel valve electric heater, and means for pre-adjusting the
response of the thermal fuel valve heat responsive actuator while
in at least simulated operating condition in such circuit relation
to the glow type electric igniter, whereby in normal operation of
the ignition and control means said thermal fuel valve remains
closed until said glow type electric igniter attains a temperature
approximately at which ignition of the gas occurs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a closed or smooth top range in which a
gas burning device provides the heat energy for cooking utensils
placed on the top surface of the range and to a controlling system
for the burner for providing variable heat output and safe and
reliable operation.
This general type of range employs a smooth top, usually of glass
ceramic material having a negligible temperature coefficient of
expansion, and conventionally plural heating units, with four the
most common arrangement. When the heating units are of gas type, a
substantial quantity of heat is developed and accommodation must be
made for dissipation of same either by way of a ducting system or
more commonly by controlled venting into the kitchen area. Various
expedients can be employed to achieve this function, including heat
exchange between the exhaust gases and incoming air, which provides
as well an increase in burner efficiency.
The thermal energy must be transmitted through an imperforate
member, rather than directly to the utensil as in the common open
burner configuration and heretofore the energy has been almost
entirely radiant in using both electric and gas heaters. Further,
consideration must be given to the spatial distribution of the
source of the energy so as to attain effective transmission
characteristics and avoid local hot spots and the like which can
have a deleterious effect upon the top surface. Still further,
inasmuch as a closed gas burning system is being employed, suitable
safeguards must be provided for proper ignition on demand as well
as for safe exhaust of the burned gases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved
blue flame type burner assembly for a gas smooth top range in which
thermal energy in the combustion chamber is controlled in a
predetermined and advantageous manner.
It is another object of this invention to provide such a gas burner
assembly which employes improved heat exchange between burned gases
and incoming fuel and air.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved
gas burner assembly which employs a glow type ignition system which
contributes significantly to the thermal energy developed.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a gas
burner assembly having an improved interaction between such an
igniter element and the fuel valve which is adaptable to production
line manufacture.
It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a gas
burner assembly which utilizes a variable duty cycle switching
scheme for controlling thermal energy from the burner.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an improved
electrically actuated, pre-adjusted valve assembly for use with
such burner apparatus.
These and other objects of the invention are attained in the
apparatus of the instant invention which includes a burner
assembly, especially suited for support beneath an imperforate
glass ceramic smooth top, having multiple stacked pans together
forming an outer surrounding air intake, mixed gas/air passages and
a burned gas outlet. These passages are arranged so that the burned
gases routed through the assembly preheat the incoming air and the
gaseous fuel delivered to the burner for combustion.
A glow type igniter element is disposed in the combustion chamber
of the burner for electrical ignition and is in series circuit
connection with a thermal valve in the fuel line, the circuit being
energized for heat control on a periodic basis by a variable duty
cycle motor driven switch. The fuel valve is provided with
adjustable means for pre-adjusting its response in relation to the
particular igniter with which it is used.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully
described, the following description and the annexed drawings
setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the
invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the
various ways in which the principles of the invention may be
employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In said annexed drawing:
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a range showing
a burner assembly in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fuel valve cover as indicated by the
lines 2--2 of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus of the invention
showing the electrical interconnection of components therein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawing in detail there is shown in FIG. 1 a
portion of a range embodying the teachings of this invention
including a top 10 which is preferably a sheet of glass ceramic
material which is imperforate and may be considered to have a zero
temperature coefficient of expansion. The top 10 is the support
surface for the range and utensils are placed thereon for heating
purposes and conventionally more than one burner assembly may be
disposed therebeneath, only a single one being described for
purposes of this disclosure.
This burner assembly 11 comprises inner 12, middle 13 and outer 14
pans of light-weight sheet metal having, respectively, cylindrical
center wells 15, 16, and 17 and peripheral vertical walls 18, 19,
and 20. The diameters of the pans and their center wells are
suitably dimensioned so that when stacked one within the other such
pans form chambers therebetween for controlling the flow of gases
through the assembly. The inner and outer pans are provided with
inward offsets which opposingly engage the middle pan at a number
of points as shown at 21 and are there joined by welding.
Additionally, but not shown for convenience, the bottom of the
middle well is preferably upset against and riveted to the bottom
of the middle well at several points, all to provide proper spacing
and a rigid and stable structure. The wells 16, 17 of the middle
and outer pans include central and downwardly disposed flanges 22,
23 which are nested one within the other and secured together by
welding or staking to form a central chamber 24 in the burner
assembly 11 for purposes to be described hereinafter.
The middle or main pan 12 includes a further out-turned flange 25
at its outermost periphery which engages the underside of the top
10 of the range and forms a barrier between the lower terminating
vertical walls 18 and 20 of the other two pans. An inverted cup 26
having a bottom closure 27 with an axial aperture 28 and plural
circumferentially spaced bottom orifices 29 is fitted within an
upright burner cup 30 supported on perforated and stepped ribs 31
formed interiorly about the inner pan well 15. Such burner pan is
dished upwardly at 32 to engage the closure 27 and also provided
with an axial opening 33 flanged through the aperture 28 of the
closure and thereby holding the latter in upwardly spaced relation
to define an annular chamber 34.
The vertical walls of the inverted cup 26 and burner pan 30 are
radially spaced and between the two is a vertical orifice defining
ring element 35 of corrugated metal, preferably stainless
steel.
Several of the upsets of middle pan 13 which penetrate the bottom
of the inner pan 12 are hollow, as shown at 36, to provide
communication between the chamber formed by the middle and outer
pans and the interior of the inner pan below the burner cup 30,
which is as illustrated also spaced radially inwardly of the inner
pan well 15. The upper ends or mouths of the annular chambers
between the outer and middle pan and the middle and inner pan
respectively to the side of middle wall 19 are unobstructed.
A heat tube 37 of stainless steel having an open top end orifice is
positioned axially in the assembly thus far described and is
employed to deliver the gaseous fuel for combustion to mixing
chamber 38 within the inverted burner cup 26.
As shown by arrows in full line in FIG. 1, ambient air is directed
to the mixing chamber 38 through the space between the outer and
middle pans, the passages 36, the space beneath cup 30, and the
center aperture 33 through which the heat tube extends about the
same. The mixture proceeds, as shown by the dashed arrows, from the
chamber 38 outwardly through the port or orifice member 35 to be
combusted at the annular top of the latter.
Additional ambient air proceeds, as secondary air to support such
combustion, from beneath pan 30 within the inner well 15 upwardly
through the vertical chamber between the two, as also shown by
arrows in full line, with such secondary air thus delivered in
controlled manner directly to the burner port or combustion area. A
fuel pipe 39 is joined with the heat tube 37 to supply the gaseous
fuel under pressure to the burner assembly 11.
The burner produces a high quality blue flame ring in a generally
vertical upward direction or toward the top 10. The flame is warped
outwardly somewhat by virtue of the fact that the assembly is
powered by a blower 40 (FIG. 3) connected to the assembly by an
exhaust duct 41 extending from the bottom center opening 24 formed
by the pan flanges 22 and 23. The blower of course places the
combustion chamber of the burner under negative pressure and causes
an outflow radially of the burning and burned gases as shown by the
dashed arrows to ultimate discharge at some suitable location
relative to the range.
It is especially to be noted that the burned gases are exhausted
from the combustion zone of the burner through the space between
the inner and middle pans in heat transfer relation to the inflow
of the ambient air over the other or outer side of the middle pan,
warming the intake air in the process and cooling the burned gases,
such effect occurring over a relatively large area determined by
the overall diameter of the burner assembly 11 typically on the
order of eight inches and the rate of air movement through the
respective chambers. Such heat transfer effect obtains throughout
the full assembly to the bottom center discharge opening 24.
Moreover, in such routing of the burned gases the heat tube 37 is
also contacted both in the assembly and in the exhaust duct 41 to
preheat the fuel supplied by the tube. This preheating of both the
fuel and air supplied to the burner assembly provides a well
diffused fuel/gas mixture more conducive to ignition and assists in
producing flame in the combustion chamber which efficiently
utilizes the fuel supplied. Because of the negative pressure
produced within the burner assembly 11 due to the partial vacuum
created by the blower 40 a preferred configuration for the burning
gases can be produced in the combustion chamber wherein the flame
ring occurring about the periphery of the cup 26 is drawn over the
wall 18 of the inner pan 12 substantially completely about the
periphery thereof creating a flame wash at the underside of the top
10. This avoids the creation of local hotspots and the like which
could be detrimental not only to the top 10 of the range but also
the components forming the burner assembly.
Further while it is indicated that a negative pressure condition is
preferable in the burner assembly 11 of this invention, such
apparatus could be operable as well by appreciably raising the
pressure of the fuel supplied by way of the heat tube 37, for
example, by insertion of a suitable booster pump, not shown, in the
fuel supply line. In such a positive pressure configuration no
substantial difference is obtained in the configuration of the
flame wash or in the heat transfer effects between the burned gases
and incoming air and fuel inasmuch as the burner is a completely
closed assembly except for the designated orifices provided for
incoming air. The flow through the assembly can be adjusted in
manufacture by including variable orifice means at some appropriate
location, such as, at the outlet 24.
Further forming a portion of the burner assembly 11 is an
electrical igniter unit 42 in the form of a glow coil element of
solid state silicon carbide held supported in a ceramic spool 43
fitted into a notch in the pan walls 18-20. The glow element
includes a pair of outer end conductors 44 for external circuit
connection, with the coil itself projecting radially into the
combustion chamber and its inner end proximate to the burner port
member 35. A ballast coil 45 consisting of plural turns of
resistance wire is shown in FIG. 3 as connected in series with the
glow coil. The latter is preferably a Gas Igniter manufactured by
the Carborundum Company, directly energizable from a conventional
source of power and characterized in providing a high ignition
temperature, very high reliability and a positive temperature
coefficient of resistance at high temperature levels which provides
a measure of self-regulation at operating temperatures. For
purposes of the invention, however, it is preferred that the
connector leads be directly applied by plasma spraying or an
equivalent technique for comparable withstanding of the high
temperatures to which the element is here subjected.
As further indicated in FIG. 3 such igniter element 42 and the
ballast 45, if the latter is used, are connected by one line 46 to
a source of power 47 and by a second line 48 to the heater element
49 of a thermal fuel valve 50, to be described, a variable duty
cycle motor driven mechanical switch 51, a fuse, and an air switch
52. The air switch is located to respond to the negative pressure
in the system when blower 40 is properly operating, as a safety
interlock for the burner, the burner circuit not being shown, but
obviously controlled by a main switch.
The mechanical switch 51 includes a motor driven cam and lever
contact operated thereby to provide periodic closure of the switch
over intervals determined by the rate of rotation of the drive
motor and the eccentricity of the cam, the latter or any suitable
equivalent thereof preferably being adjustable for selection of the
duty cycle of operation. Thus when heat is desired from the burner
assembly 11 the apparatus may be activated by energization of the
drive motor for the mechanical switch 51, the completion of the
circuit providing initiation of the blower 40 by way of the air
switch 52 and energization of the igniter element 42 to raise the
latter to ignition temperature. The configuration of the fuel valve
50 is selected to provide suitable delay in the actuation of same
to prevent the delivery of fuel to the burner assembly 11 until the
glow element 42 has reached ignition temperature. Even after
ignition has occurred the glow element is maintained in an
energized condition producing a relatively high level of energy
which supplements the thermal energy developed by burning of the
gas mixture in the burner apparatus 11. When the mechanical switch
51 is opened breaking the circuit to the components both the fuel
valve heater 49 and the igniter unit 42 will be deenergized and
cooled preparatory to recycling the same.
The structure of the fuel valve 50 is seen in more detail in FIGS.
1 and 2 as consisting of a substantially rectangular housing 53
having a fuel inlet connector 54 mounted thereon. The cover plate
55 of the housing is of a configuration designed for external
adjustment of the characteristics of the valve and comprises a
sheet metal plate having a depending flange 56 adapted to fit over
the body of the housing and to be secured thereto by a plurality of
screws, a fluid-tight joint being provided by an apertured
rectangular silicone gasket 57 inserted therein. A fuel outlet stud
connector 58 is swaged or brazed onto the cover plate at one end
and is adapted for communication with the fuel line 39 of the
burner assembly, the inner portion of the stud connector having a
raised ring 59 thereon forming a valve seat.
The valve closure element 60 is a resilient disc supported by a
spring steel piece 61, in turn supported at one end of a bimetal
blade 62, the other end of the latter being secured to the
underside of the cover in a suitable mounting block 63 by means of
a rivet 64. The resistance heater element 49 of the valve is a
ribbon of flat wire insulatively wound on the bimetal blade and
connected by eyelets 65, 66 to external mounting lugs 67 in
electrical isolation from the cover plate 55. The mounting block
for the bimetal blade is located adjacent the end of the cover
plate remote from the outlet 58 and the arrangement of components
is selected so that when the heater 49 is not energized the closure
member 60 will be tightly biased against the valve seat 59
preventing the flow of fuel to the fuel line 39. Upon energization
of the heater, a bending of the bimetal blade 62 will occur in the
downward direction as viewed in FIG. 1 withdrawing the closure
member from the valve seat and allowing the flow of fuel to the
burner assembly 11. For purposes of this invention a SAFLEX type of
bimetal blade is preferred, such component being manufactured by
Square D Co. and characterized by having a reverse bending action
at lower ambient temperatures and the desired downward bending at a
relatively fast rate at relatively high temperature levels. This
mode of operation is advantageous during the cooling-off period of
the burner assembly 11 in that a faster closure of the valve can be
obtained allowing a higher recycling capability and, further, the
reverse action of the bimetal at the low temperature level provides
a firm and reliable seating force for the closure member 60.
Adjustment of the valve seating force and the interrelation between
the operation of the latter and that of the igniter 42 is provided
by an external adjustment device comprising a rigid strap 68
spanning the top of the cover plate 55 and firmly affixed thereto
at the sides by welding or the like. A set screw 69 is threadably
received in the central portion of the strap and is adapted to abut
the cover plate 55 to cause deformation of same or a downward
bending as viewed in FIG. 1, thereby relieving in part the closure
pressure exerted by the blades 61, 62.
This pre-adjustment of the characteristics of operation of the fuel
valve 50 is made in production of the assembly to insure proper
operating relation between the particular igniter element 42 and
the given associated fuel valve. Variation in current
characteristics and operating temperatures of the igniter can
therefore be compensated in production to eliminate any need for
less desirable field adjustment, and it will of course be
appreciated that the pre-adjustment is made under simulated
operating condition of the valve.
The specific form of the igniter disclosed as preferred offers an
appreciable level of energy and therefore acts as a pilot in the
sense of insuring combustion when its energization circuit is
intact and functioning properly. The Carborundum element may, for
example, have a rating of about 300 watts equivalent roughly to
1,000 B.T.U. Another glow igniter made of molybdenum disilicide
wire might be utilized similarly, with a rating of about 50 watts,
and it is preferred for the above reason that not less than about
100 to 150 B.T.U. be provided by the igniter used.
It will also be apparent that other means for the desired
pre-adjustment of the fuel valve, and valve forms as well, can be
employed within the scheme for ignition and control of the burner
heat output described in the foregoing.
* * * * *