CA2124980A1 - Low profile radiant heating element - Google Patents
Low profile radiant heating elementInfo
- Publication number
- CA2124980A1 CA2124980A1 CA 2124980 CA2124980A CA2124980A1 CA 2124980 A1 CA2124980 A1 CA 2124980A1 CA 2124980 CA2124980 CA 2124980 CA 2124980 A CA2124980 A CA 2124980A CA 2124980 A1 CA2124980 A1 CA 2124980A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrical heating
- cooking top
- heating apparatus
- heat
- underside
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Electric Stoves And Ranges (AREA)
- Resistance Heating (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure Electrical heating apparatus for use in an electric range having a glass/ceramic type cooking top. A pan is mounted beneath the cooking top, and an electrical heating element is installed in the pan. When electrical current is supplied to the element, the heat produced is directed at an underside of the cooking top to uniformly heat a defined area of the top. The heating element is installed on, and attached to, a contoured upper surface of the support. The support is made of a heat reflective material which directs heat radiated by the heating element toward the underside of the top. Spacers space the heating element from the underside of the cooking top. Because the heating element is of a positive temperature coefficient material, minimum separation is required between the heating element and the cooking top.
Description
2~9~0 Backqround of the Invention This invention relates to heating units for range tops and similar cooking units; and, more particularly, to an improved low profile radiant heating element for use in such heating units.
Heating elements attach to the underside of cooking tops to provide heat. Several attempts have been made to produce a heating element that requires miniumum separation with the cooking top surface and provides heat quickly and evenly.
However, these attempts are limited in that most heating elements require a considerable amount of space and a relatively large distance between the source of heat and the underside of the cooking top. The large area and distance are required to contain the components of the heating elements and to prevent the cooking top surface from getting too hot respectively. The large area required to house the components makes the heating elements bulky and cumbersome to manufacture and install. In addition, the excess space decreases power usage efficiency contributing to an overall energy loss. Specifically, a relatively large distance prevents a direct supply of heat from reaching the cooking top.
The greater distance provides more space for heat diffusion and therefore interferes with direct and uniform heat application to the cooking top surface. An uneven heat supply to the surface affects the heat distribution to the utensils placed on top of the surface. As a result, the preparation time for cooking substances increases when heat distribution is uneven. Another limitation with heating elements known in the art is the 0046I/4686 ~IGND
'~12~0 ,~` ~.
complexity of their designs. Heating elements having complex designs require additional time and expense to manufacture, install and repair.
Summary of the Invention Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of an improved heating unit for use in a range top for stoves and the like; the provision of such a heating unit having an improved profile which is shallower than conventional heating units;
the provision of such a heating unit to use an lmproved heating coil because of which the distance between the coil and underside of a glass/ceramic cooking top in which the unit is installed can be reduced from that of conventional heating units;
the provision of such an improved heating unit to provide a variety of heating element patterns so heat energy is distributed evenly and consistently through the cooktop to the substance being heated;
the provision of such an improved heating unit in which the heating element is readily installed in the unit;
the provision of such an improved heating element to have highly efficient power consumption, to be relatively easy to manufacture, and to have a simplified design which increases the useful life of the heating unit.
_~ ~7~9~0 In accordance with the invention, generally stated, electrical heating apparatus is for use in an electric range of the type having a glass/ceramic type cooking top. A pan is mounted beneath the cooking top. An electrical heating element is installed in the pan and an electrical current is supplied to the element. The heating element produces heat which is directed at an underside of the cooXing top to uniformly heat a defined area of the cooking top. A support unii is fitted in the base of the pan to support the heating element. The heating ele~ment is installed on a (preferably contoured) upper surface of the support. The support is made of a heat reflective material which directs heat radiated by the heating element toward the underside of the cooking top. Spacers are used for spacing the heating element from the underside of the cooking top. The heating element employs an electrically resistant heat material (preferably, a positive temperature coefficient material), which requires a minimum separation between the heating element and the underside of the cooking top. Lastly, an attachment is used to attach the heating element to the upper surface of the support. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed our hereinafter.
~ 3.0 Brief Descri~tion of the Drawin~s Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a cooking top assembly in which the heating unit of the present invention is used;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the heating unit taken along line 2-2 of Fig~ l;
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Descri~tion of a Pre_ferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings, an electric stove or range is indicated generally R in Fig. 1. The range may have an oven (not shown) and a range top RT on which cooking implements such as pots and pans are placed. The range top has an upper section S
which is of a glass/ceramic construction. Such cooking tops are well-known in the art. The cook top typically includes a plurality of defined cooking area; four such areas Al-A4 being shown in Fig. 1. The areas may be of the same size as areas A1 and A2; or, some cooking areas such as A3 and A4 may be smaller than others. This allows different size cooking implements to be heated on the stove top. A control panel P, which is located adjacent the cooking top (or other convenient location), includes a plurality of heat control knobs Kl-K4. One knob controls the heat for each cooking area. As is known in the art, heat is directed to each individual cooking area from a heating unit 10 located beneath the cook top. Cooking top S spreads the heat out over the defined cooking area to warm the pot or pan set on it.
~~ 2~24~rO
Heating Uhit 10 includes pan means 11 ~no~lnted directly beneath the cooking top s. ~an means 11 contains a heat source for pro~lding heat to ~he ~ookihg area. The heat sour~e is an electrical heating means 12 that is insta~led in pan me~ns 11.
Electric heating means 12 supplies an electric~l cu~rent for heating ~he ~ooking a~ea ~eating means 12 has a low profile and therefore requires ~ini~um sep~ation with ~ooking top S. ~he ~i~imu~ separation is ac~ieved by using a positive te~perature ~oef~icient materi~l in heating me~ns 12. Positive ~emperature coerfi~ien~ (P.T.C) is ~ sensor material that ~llows hea~ing me~ns 12 to be in close proximity with cooking top S creating the overall low pro~ile. The material provides a more direct and e~ioient ~pplicatio~ o~ he~t to the underside of cookin~ top S.
~ore specifically, P.T.C. material ~ell~s on wire size of resistan~e he~ting wire and watts-density loading to maxi~iæe power usage effioiency. The wire size supplies a spacing wit~in the ~ea~ing ele~ent that is more effi~ien~ ~y impl~men~ing more watts/area thah larger wires. This size allows for a more direct supply o~ heat, takes less space and is more e~fi~ient than the larger wires. Speci~ically, the.watts-density loading.in~oives a wire size with respect to the w~tts dissipated, p~oviding;a wire te~perature transmitted ~y radiation and conduction, that reaches cri~i~al points of te~pe~ature. These features provide optimum temperature in the heating ele~en~ for increa~ed o~erall ef~iciency.
004G~/4~16 UGND
A support means 13 is fitted in the base of pan mear~s 11 for bracing heatin~ means 12. Suppor~ means 13 comprises heat re1eetive material that enhances powe~ usage efficiency nf the heati~g element. T~e heat refle~tive material of ~upport means 13 di~ects he~t radiated ~y heating mea~s 12 toward the underside o~ cooki~g top s Spacing ~eans 14 separate cooking top S and heatih~
means 12. 5p~cing means 14 m~in~ain a mini~n~n division between heati~g means 12 and t~e under~ide of cooking top S consistent with a low profile ~rrangemen~. Lastly, an atta~ihment ~ean~ 15 is used to att~ch heating ~eans lZ tc the upper surface of support means 13. In one embodiment, as shown in ~ig. 2, attachment ~eans 15 comprises ridges fo~med in support mea~. 13 to i~terlock with heating means 12.
What ~as been des~ribed is an i~proved heating unît for use in stove tops. The heating unit hAs an i~proved p~ofile whiah ~s shallowe~ than conventi~nal heating units so to ~ake up ~s~ space than ~he conventional units. ~his is ac~omplished by ~sing an i~proved P.T.C. he~ting coil which is readily installed in the ~nit and which allo~s the dista~ce between the coil and underside of the cooktop to be smalle~ than in t~e con~ent~io~al heating unitB~ Also, the heating unit has increased e~iciency because of ~elia~ce upon the wixe size of ~he resistance P.
hQatinq wir~, watts-density loading, and underlayment of reflective insulation in a pan of the ~nit. The heating ele~ent can be arran~ed in a variet~ o~ patterns each of which allows 00-6~ t~ 6~6 UCND
heat energy to be evenly distributed over the cooking surface.
As a result, the heating unit is energy efficient, easy to manufacture, and has a simplified design which increases its useful life.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
0046~ 606 I~GND
Heating elements attach to the underside of cooking tops to provide heat. Several attempts have been made to produce a heating element that requires miniumum separation with the cooking top surface and provides heat quickly and evenly.
However, these attempts are limited in that most heating elements require a considerable amount of space and a relatively large distance between the source of heat and the underside of the cooking top. The large area and distance are required to contain the components of the heating elements and to prevent the cooking top surface from getting too hot respectively. The large area required to house the components makes the heating elements bulky and cumbersome to manufacture and install. In addition, the excess space decreases power usage efficiency contributing to an overall energy loss. Specifically, a relatively large distance prevents a direct supply of heat from reaching the cooking top.
The greater distance provides more space for heat diffusion and therefore interferes with direct and uniform heat application to the cooking top surface. An uneven heat supply to the surface affects the heat distribution to the utensils placed on top of the surface. As a result, the preparation time for cooking substances increases when heat distribution is uneven. Another limitation with heating elements known in the art is the 0046I/4686 ~IGND
'~12~0 ,~` ~.
complexity of their designs. Heating elements having complex designs require additional time and expense to manufacture, install and repair.
Summary of the Invention Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of an improved heating unit for use in a range top for stoves and the like; the provision of such a heating unit having an improved profile which is shallower than conventional heating units;
the provision of such a heating unit to use an lmproved heating coil because of which the distance between the coil and underside of a glass/ceramic cooking top in which the unit is installed can be reduced from that of conventional heating units;
the provision of such an improved heating unit to provide a variety of heating element patterns so heat energy is distributed evenly and consistently through the cooktop to the substance being heated;
the provision of such an improved heating unit in which the heating element is readily installed in the unit;
the provision of such an improved heating element to have highly efficient power consumption, to be relatively easy to manufacture, and to have a simplified design which increases the useful life of the heating unit.
_~ ~7~9~0 In accordance with the invention, generally stated, electrical heating apparatus is for use in an electric range of the type having a glass/ceramic type cooking top. A pan is mounted beneath the cooking top. An electrical heating element is installed in the pan and an electrical current is supplied to the element. The heating element produces heat which is directed at an underside of the cooXing top to uniformly heat a defined area of the cooking top. A support unii is fitted in the base of the pan to support the heating element. The heating ele~ment is installed on a (preferably contoured) upper surface of the support. The support is made of a heat reflective material which directs heat radiated by the heating element toward the underside of the cooking top. Spacers are used for spacing the heating element from the underside of the cooking top. The heating element employs an electrically resistant heat material (preferably, a positive temperature coefficient material), which requires a minimum separation between the heating element and the underside of the cooking top. Lastly, an attachment is used to attach the heating element to the upper surface of the support. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed our hereinafter.
~ 3.0 Brief Descri~tion of the Drawin~s Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a cooking top assembly in which the heating unit of the present invention is used;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the heating unit taken along line 2-2 of Fig~ l;
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Descri~tion of a Pre_ferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings, an electric stove or range is indicated generally R in Fig. 1. The range may have an oven (not shown) and a range top RT on which cooking implements such as pots and pans are placed. The range top has an upper section S
which is of a glass/ceramic construction. Such cooking tops are well-known in the art. The cook top typically includes a plurality of defined cooking area; four such areas Al-A4 being shown in Fig. 1. The areas may be of the same size as areas A1 and A2; or, some cooking areas such as A3 and A4 may be smaller than others. This allows different size cooking implements to be heated on the stove top. A control panel P, which is located adjacent the cooking top (or other convenient location), includes a plurality of heat control knobs Kl-K4. One knob controls the heat for each cooking area. As is known in the art, heat is directed to each individual cooking area from a heating unit 10 located beneath the cook top. Cooking top S spreads the heat out over the defined cooking area to warm the pot or pan set on it.
~~ 2~24~rO
Heating Uhit 10 includes pan means 11 ~no~lnted directly beneath the cooking top s. ~an means 11 contains a heat source for pro~lding heat to ~he ~ookihg area. The heat sour~e is an electrical heating means 12 that is insta~led in pan me~ns 11.
Electric heating means 12 supplies an electric~l cu~rent for heating ~he ~ooking a~ea ~eating means 12 has a low profile and therefore requires ~ini~um sep~ation with ~ooking top S. ~he ~i~imu~ separation is ac~ieved by using a positive te~perature ~oef~icient materi~l in heating me~ns 12. Positive ~emperature coerfi~ien~ (P.T.C) is ~ sensor material that ~llows hea~ing me~ns 12 to be in close proximity with cooking top S creating the overall low pro~ile. The material provides a more direct and e~ioient ~pplicatio~ o~ he~t to the underside of cookin~ top S.
~ore specifically, P.T.C. material ~ell~s on wire size of resistan~e he~ting wire and watts-density loading to maxi~iæe power usage effioiency. The wire size supplies a spacing wit~in the ~ea~ing ele~ent that is more effi~ien~ ~y impl~men~ing more watts/area thah larger wires. This size allows for a more direct supply o~ heat, takes less space and is more e~fi~ient than the larger wires. Speci~ically, the.watts-density loading.in~oives a wire size with respect to the w~tts dissipated, p~oviding;a wire te~perature transmitted ~y radiation and conduction, that reaches cri~i~al points of te~pe~ature. These features provide optimum temperature in the heating ele~en~ for increa~ed o~erall ef~iciency.
004G~/4~16 UGND
A support means 13 is fitted in the base of pan mear~s 11 for bracing heatin~ means 12. Suppor~ means 13 comprises heat re1eetive material that enhances powe~ usage efficiency nf the heati~g element. T~e heat refle~tive material of ~upport means 13 di~ects he~t radiated ~y heating mea~s 12 toward the underside o~ cooki~g top s Spacing ~eans 14 separate cooking top S and heatih~
means 12. 5p~cing means 14 m~in~ain a mini~n~n division between heati~g means 12 and t~e under~ide of cooking top S consistent with a low profile ~rrangemen~. Lastly, an atta~ihment ~ean~ 15 is used to att~ch heating ~eans lZ tc the upper surface of support means 13. In one embodiment, as shown in ~ig. 2, attachment ~eans 15 comprises ridges fo~med in support mea~. 13 to i~terlock with heating means 12.
What ~as been des~ribed is an i~proved heating unît for use in stove tops. The heating unit hAs an i~proved p~ofile whiah ~s shallowe~ than conventi~nal heating units so to ~ake up ~s~ space than ~he conventional units. ~his is ac~omplished by ~sing an i~proved P.T.C. he~ting coil which is readily installed in the ~nit and which allo~s the dista~ce between the coil and underside of the cooktop to be smalle~ than in t~e con~ent~io~al heating unitB~ Also, the heating unit has increased e~iciency because of ~elia~ce upon the wixe size of ~he resistance P.
hQatinq wir~, watts-density loading, and underlayment of reflective insulation in a pan of the ~nit. The heating ele~ent can be arran~ed in a variet~ o~ patterns each of which allows 00-6~ t~ 6~6 UCND
heat energy to be evenly distributed over the cooking surface.
As a result, the heating unit is energy efficient, easy to manufacture, and has a simplified design which increases its useful life.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
0046~ 606 I~GND
Claims (12)
1. Electrical heating apparatus for use in an electric range having a glass/ceramic type cooking top comprising:
pan means mounted beneath the cooking top;
electrical heating means installed in the pan means and to which an electrical current is supplied for producing heat which is directed at an underside of the cooking top to heat a defined area of the cooking top;
support means fitted in the pan means for supporting the heating means, the heating means being installed on an upper surface of the support means and the support means being of a heat reflective material which directs heat radiated by the heating means toward the underside of the cooking top;
spacing means for spacing the heating means from the underside of the cooking top, the heating means employing an electrically resistant heat material which requires a minimum separation between the heating means and the underside of the cooking top; and, attachment means for attaching the heating means to the upper surface of the support means.
pan means mounted beneath the cooking top;
electrical heating means installed in the pan means and to which an electrical current is supplied for producing heat which is directed at an underside of the cooking top to heat a defined area of the cooking top;
support means fitted in the pan means for supporting the heating means, the heating means being installed on an upper surface of the support means and the support means being of a heat reflective material which directs heat radiated by the heating means toward the underside of the cooking top;
spacing means for spacing the heating means from the underside of the cooking top, the heating means employing an electrically resistant heat material which requires a minimum separation between the heating means and the underside of the cooking top; and, attachment means for attaching the heating means to the upper surface of the support means.
2. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrically resistant heat material is positive temperature coefficient material.
3. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heating apparatus has a low profile for minimizing the distance between the underside of the cooking top and the heating means.
4. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical heating means provides a plurality of patterns for distributing heat energy evenly.
5. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plurality of patterns are coils laid in parallel arrangement.
6. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plurality of patterns are coils laid in octagonal arrangement.
7. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plurality of patterns are coils laid in round arrangement.
8. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plurality of patterns are laid in square arrangement.
9. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 4 wherein said electrical heating means is a resistor circuit.
10. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said electrical heating means relies on watts density loading.
11. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrical heating means relies on wire size of a resistance heating wire.
12. The electrical heating apparatus of claim 10 wherein said electrical heating means relies on underlayment of reflective insulation.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US9339193A | 1993-07-19 | 1993-07-19 | |
| US093,391 | 1993-07-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2124980A1 true CA2124980A1 (en) | 1995-01-20 |
Family
ID=22238660
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2124980 Abandoned CA2124980A1 (en) | 1993-07-19 | 1994-06-02 | Low profile radiant heating element |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2124980A1 (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-06-02 CA CA 2124980 patent/CA2124980A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |