US 11,125,439 B2 · Hot surface igniters for cooktops

Abstract

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. When energized, the circuit generates temperatures in excess of 2000° F. in under 4 seconds to ignite cooking gas such as natural gas. To prevent damage to the igniter during use or cleaning, an insulator assembly is provided which protects the distal end of the igniter ceramic body from damage while still exposing it to the cooking gas flow from the burner. In addition, a number of different terminal connection schemes for connecting the igniters to a power source are shown and described.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A method of sensing the presence of a gas flame in a burner, comprising:

providing a hot surface igniter comprising a resistive heating circuit;
providing a resistive temperature sensing circuit;
determining one selected from the group consisting of a resistance of the resistive temperature sensing circuit and a change in resistance of the resistive temperature sensing circuit, and
determining whether a gas flame is present in the burner based on the one selected from the group consisting of a resistance and a change in resistance, wherein the hot surface igniter further comprises the temperature sensing circuit.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/366,147Filed 27 Mar 2019 · us provisional application

Priority

27 Mar 2018

Published

US 2019/0301742 A13 Oct 2019

Granted

21 Sep 2021

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

F24C 3/103
Arrangement or mounting of ignition devices: of electric ignition devices
F23N 5/24
Systems for controlling combustion: preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements
F23Q 7/10
Structurally associated with fluid-fuel burners: for gaseous fuel, e.g. in welding appliances
F23Q 7/12
For gaseous fuel, e.g. in welding appliances: actuated by gas-controlling device

Hot surface igniters for cooktops

Life of this patent

Hot surface igniters for cooktops

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13