Gas Burner

The present invention relates to range top burners, and more particularly to an improved burner specifically adapted to be used in a range requiring "sealed top" burners.

One of the current trends in the design of gas fired kitchen ranges is the use of sealed top burners. This is an arrangement wherein there is no annular gap or air space around the burner: i.e., the top of the range engages the entire periphery of the burner. This provides a cleaner look, and is actually cleaner because spillover material cannot now go down into the burner box below the former, but remains on top where it may be easily wiped up. Ranges of this type provide different problems and needs than those of a conventional range top.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an extremely simple and inexpensive burner, comprising only a few parts, which has good efficiency and is particularly suited for use on a sealed top range. A related object resides in the provision of such a burner which is ideally suited for incorporation of electronic ignition, with the igniter disposed either inside or outside of the burner itself. A further object resides in the provision of an alternative extra light-weight version of a burner cap.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a conventional sealed top range incorporating the burner of the present invention but with the trivit removed;

FIG. 2 is a is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a is a vertical sectional view of another embodiment of a burner cap forming part of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a is a vertical sectional view of the burner of the present invention showing the ignition in an alternative location.

The range incorporating the burner of the present invention comprises a generally horizontal top partition 10 connected via a lip 12 to side walls 14, and an intermediate partition 16 disposed below and generally parallel to top partition 10 and defining a burner box therebetween. Most ranges have a plurality of burners, but because they are usually all the same only one burner, indicated at 18, will be described herein. At the location of each burner 18 top partition 10 has a first depressed annular recess 20 and a second concentric further depressed annular recess 22 defining an opening 24 through top partition 10. A conventional trivit 26 is disposed in recess 20 and burner 18 is disposed in recess 22 overlying opening 24. A conventional gas nozzle 28, supplied by gaseous fuel line 30, is mounted on intermediate partition 16 in a position for directing gaseous fuel, and ambient air, vertically upwardly into opening 24 and burner 18.

The burner of the present invention generally comprises a one-piece upwardly open generally cup-shaped sheet-metal burner body 32 of generally circular cross-section and having a generally flat annular bottom wall 33 fastened to top partition 10 by means of a plurality of fasteners 36, a gaseous fuel and air inlet port 38 (FIG. 4) disposed in alignment with opening 24, a generally cylindrical but slightly conical lower portion 34 joining the outer periphery of bottom wall 33 and extending upwardly and slightly outwardly therefrom, a generally cylindrical upper portion 40 joining the upper periphery of lower portion 34 via a generally horizontal annular flange 41 and having a diameter greater than that of lower portion 34, a first flange 42 extending radially outwardly from the upper periphery of upper portion 40, a second flange 44 extending upwardly from the outer periphery of first flange 42, a plurality of radially directed flame ports 45 extending through upper portion 40, a generally cylindrical venturi or gas mixing tube 46 having an outwardly flared lower end centrally disposed in body 32 and affixed, by upsetting or crimping, to the edge of inlet port 38, and a generally horizontal circular flat imperforate burner cap 48 loosely supported by the upper periphery of second flange 44, said cap being of an outside diameter slightly greater than that of second flange 44. Cap 48, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, is a relatively heavy casting, formed of cast iron, glass (clear or opaque) or the like, which can be easily lifted off for cleaning or service of the burner. An annular notch 50 around the periphery thereof retains it in position on body 32. Removal of the entire burner is easily accomplished by removing the cap and then fasteners 36. Preferably a layer 51 of heat insulating and electrically non-conductive material is disposed between burners 18 and partition 16 to isolate the two elements.

If desired, the burner of this invention may be provided with an electric igniter 52. In FIG. 2 igniter 52 is located outside the burner and comprises an insulating body 54 extending through and affixed to partition 10 and an electrode 56 projecting from the upper end thereof in close proximity to the burner. Electricity is supplied using conventional circuitry via a wire 58 which is connected to electrode 56. When energized, an electric potential is created between electrode 56 and metal burner body 32 to cause a spark to arc therebetween and ignite the gasous fuel issuing from ports 45. In FIG. 4 igniter 52 is disposed in an alternative position inside burner body 32. This igniter is the same as the one in FIG. 2 except that the upper end of electrode 56 projects radially outwardly, as at 57, through an opening 60 in body 32 to a point in close proximity to the body so the necessary electrical arc may be created. To prevent a short circuit, electrode portion 57 is disposed within an insulating sleeve 62 which also extends through opening 60, with a slight clearance therebetween to provide an additional gaseous fuel passage. This embodiment of the igniter is described in greater detail in applicant's copending application for U.S. Letters Patent Ser. No. 255,514, filed Oct. 11, 1988, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Note than in both embodiments cap 48 is of a sufficient diameter, and body 32 is so contoured, that normal spillage will not hit the igniter (and possibly cause electrical shorts) or the flame ports.

In FIG. 3 there is illustrated a less expensive sheet metal version of a burner cap, comprising a generally horizontal flat body 64 having the outer periphery folded back on itself as shown at 66, and having affixed to the bottom thereof, as by welding or brazing in the manner shown, a centrally located generally channel-shaped bracket 68 having an opening 70 through the bight portion thereof which is slightly larger than and adapted to loosely receive mixing tube 46. A plurality of ports 72 may be provided through the side wall of bracket 68 to facilitate the flow of gaseous fuel to ports 45. Tube 68 functions to stabilize the relatively light weight cap in its assembled position; however, the cap may still be easily lifted off for cleaning or burner service.

While this invention has been described in connection with these particular examples, no limitation is intended except as defined by the following claims. The skilled practitioner will realize that other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention after studying the specification and drawings.