US5575638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stove burner simmer control
Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corp
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Filing: 1995-01-12
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Granted: 1996-11-19
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Expires: 2015-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A burner control provides a pulsed flame sequence in response to a user's selective manipulation of an actuator through a range of response. A microcontroller-based control module switches both a burner ignitor control and an electric valve for gas supply to the burner in a predetermined time sequence depending upon the actuator position within the predetermined range. Preferably, one or more of a plurality of burners on a single cooking top are controlled for pulsed sequence operation, and a single actuator for each channel, preferably in a form of a rotary knob, provides a simple user interface for utilizing the pulsed flame sequence, preferably in a low gas flow or simmer cooking range.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Witham
- 👤 Michael W. Barbato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:35
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/20; F23N5/203; F24; F24C; F24C3/00; F24C3/12; F24C3/126; F23N2223/00; F23N2223/08; F23N2223/22; F23N2227/00; F23N2227/02; F23N2227/10; F23N2227/36; F23N2231/00; F23N2231/04; F23N2235/00; F23N2235/12; F23N2235/14; F23N2237/00; F23N2237/02; F23N2241/00; F23N2241/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A burner control for a burner having an ignitor and a gas conduit coupled to a gas source, the control comprising; a valve coupled to said gas conduit for selectively delivering a variable volume of gas to said burner from the gas source; an actuator having a valve control responsive to manipulation of said actuator throughout a predetermined range, an ignitor control for controlling an electrical charge to the ignitor in response to manipulation of said actuator through at least a first portion of said predetermined range; and means for periodic sequencing of the flow of gas and the ignitor charge when said actuator is in said first portion of said predetermined range of said control, including a switch responsive to manipulation of said actuator throughout said first portion for adjusting the period of sequencing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A burner control for a burner having an ignitor and a gas conduit coupled to a gas source, the control comprising; a valve coupled to said gas conduit for selectively delivering a variable volume of gas to said burner from the gas source; an actuator having a valve control responsive to manipulation of said actuator throughout a predetermined range, an ignitor control for controlling an electrical charge to the ignitor in response to manipulation of said actuator through at least a first portion of said predetermined range; and means for periodic sequencing of the flow of gas and the ignitor charge when said actuator is in said first portion of said predetermined range of said control, including a switch responsive to manipulation of said actuator throughout said first portion for adjusting the period of sequencing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for periodic sequencing comprises at least one control module with a microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said actuator includes a mechanical valve control and said ignitor control comprises a switch for controlling electrical charge to the ignitor in response to manipulation of said actuator through said first portion and a second portion of said predetermined range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said switch comprises a potentiometer with a rotor engaged with said mechanical valve control.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one control module includes a power up cycle check for disabling delivery of said variable volume of gas and said electrical charge unless said actuator is returned to a preset limit of said predetermined range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one control module includes an under voltage lockout to disable delivery of said variable volume of gas and said electrical charge if a supply voltage is below a predetermined limit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said at least one control module includes a timer for generating periodic sequencing derived from a mains line voltage signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a single rotary knob.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
A stove having a plurality of burners a source of gas, an ignitor at each burner, and a control channel for at least one of the plurality of burners comprising: an actuator having a range of response; a valve coupled to said actuator for controlling delivery of a variable volume of gas from said source to its respective burner; at least one solenoid valve interposed between the gas source and one said control channel burner; an ignitor control coupling said actuator to a respective control channel ignitor; a timer control having a periodic sequencing control output for charging said respective control channel ignitor and controlling said solenoid valve for periodic gas flow to its respective burner; wherein said actuator has a switch for actuating and adjusting said periodic sequencing in said timer control in at least a portion of said range of response.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
A stove having a plurality of burners a source of gas, an ignitor at each burner, and a control channel for at least one of the plurality of burners comprising: an actuator having a range of response; a valve coupled to said actuator for controlling delivery of a variable volume of gas from said source to its respective burner; at least one solenoid valve interposed between the gas source and one said control channel burner; an ignitor control coupling said actuator to a respective control channel ignitor; a timer control having a periodic sequencing control output for charging said respective control channel ignitor and controlling said solenoid valve for periodic gas flow to its respective burner; wherein said actuator has a switch for actuating and adjusting said periodic sequencing in said timer control in at least a portion of said range of response.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said actuator comprises a rotary knob.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said switch comprises a sensor for detecting a predetermined rotary displacement of said knob.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein said sensor comprises a potentiometer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said stove comprises at least two control channels having said switch for actuating said periodic sequencing control.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-11-19 | 2000-05-20 | 2000-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-19 | 2004-05-20 | 2004-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-19 | 2008-05-20 | 2008-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |