GB2307038A

GB2307038A - Baffle arrangement for distributing heat

Info

Publication number: GB2307038A
Application number: GB9522128A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter W Crossley; Stewart Gray
Original assignee: VICTOR Manufacturing Ltd
Current assignee: VICTOR Manufacturing Ltd
Priority date: 1995-10-28
Filing date: 1995-10-28
Publication date: 1997-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-28
Also published as: GB2307038B; GB9522128D0

Abstract

A baffle arrangement (22) for distributing the heat of a gas burner comprises a top plate (26) and below the top plate one or more baffle units (28) each of an inverted generally 'U'-shaped section, and each tapering in the same direction, the baffle units being fixed to the top plate by means of flexible fixings (34). The flexible fixings may be thin stainless steel brackets which will take up relative expansion and contraction between the baffle unit and the top plate without causing distortion. The tapered shape of the baffle units allows each baffle to overlap with the next successive baffle, leaving an open space therebetween through which hot gasses can escape.

Description

BAFFLE This invention relates to a baffle arrangement and in particular relates to a baffle arrangement for distributing the heat from a gas burner within a heated cabinet.

Heated cabinets, in particular for keeping and serving hot food, including "bain maries", are usually electrically heated.

However a number have gas burners. It is desired to heat the interior of the cabinet as evenly as possible (and the containers in a bain marie) and, to this end, a baffle arrangement is normally put above the gas burner or burners.

A conventional baffle may comprise several sheets of metal held apart by screw and nut arrangements. The lowermost sheet, in contact with the gas flame, would normally be high temperature resistant metal such as stainless steel and the upper sheet would normally be a low radiating metal such as aluminium.

The intervening layers could be of material such as mild steel.

Because of the differential expansion coefficients of these various metals, the baffles used to twist and distort in use, often to the extent where they were rendered useless.

The invention seeks to provide a baffle arrangement improved in the above respects.

According to the present invention there is provided a baffle arrangement for distributing the heat of a gas burner which comprises a top plate, and below the top plate one or more baffle units each of an inverted generally 'U'-shaped section, and each tapering in the same direction, the baffle units being fixed to the top plate by means of flexible fixings.

The flexible fixings may be thin stainless steel brackets which will take up relative expansion and contraction between the baffle unit and the top plate without causing distortion.

Preferably the baffle units may be made of stainless steel and the top plate may be made of a cheaper and less heat resistant material such as galvanised steel.

The tapered shape of the baffle units allows each baffle to overlap with the next successive baffle, leaving an open space therebetween through which hot gasses can escape.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a bain marie containing baffles in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the underside of the baffle turned upside down.

Referring to the drawings, a bain marie/hot cupboard generally designated 10 for keeping food hot both in an upper well 12 and on a shelf 14 within the cupboard portion, is heated by means of gas burners 18,20. Above each burner 18,20 is located a baffle 22 in accordance with the invention. As is known per se, the cupboard portion 16 is closed by means of doors 24.

As can be seen more clearly from figure 2, the baffle 22 comprises a top plate 26 and a series of baffle units or segments 28. The latter are shaped in cross-section as an inverted 'U'-shape, but are each tapered from their narrower front end 30 to their wider rear end 32. Each baffle segment 28 is secured to the top plate 26 by means of thin, spring-like strips or brackets of stainless steel 34 which may be welded, bolted or the like to the respective parts.

Each gas burner 18,20 (not shown in figure 2) extends along the baffle 22 and may be co-extensive therewith or of a shorter length. Where the burner 18,20 is of a shorter length than the baffle 22, it should be positioned at the end corresponding to the left hand side as viewed in figure 2 for the reasons which will become apparent hereinafter.

In use, the burners 18,20 are ignited and the flames therefrom play on the upper portions of the baffle unit 28. Owing to the tapered nature of the units 28, a succession of gaps 36 are created through which hot combustion products can escape to the sides. Again, owing to the tapered nature of the baffle segments 28, the general direction of such hot gasses is in the direction of arrow "A" in figure 2. Thus if the burners 18,20 do not extend the full length of the baffle then this is at least partly compensated for by the shape of the baffle urging hot gasses towards the end beyond the burner. It has been found in practice that one size of burner can be used with a number of different sizes of baffles to produce different sizes of heated unit using the baffles of the invention and this is a considerable saving in manufacturing. Moreover, it has been found that the distribution of the baffle of the invention is good and provides an even heat distribution within the heated cabinet 16 or within the food well 12. In addition, the baffle of the invention does not distort since the individual units 28 are free to move relative to one another and relative to the top plate 26 owing to the flexible nature of the supports 34.

Claims

1. A baffle arrangement for distributing the heat of a gas burner which comprises a top plate and, below the top plate, one or more baffle units, each of an inverted generally 'U'shaped section and each tapering in the same direction, the baffle units being fixed to the top plate by means of flexible fixings.

2 A baffle as claimed in claimes 1 in which the flexible fixings are thin stainless steel brackets which will take up relative expansion and contraction between the baffle unit and the top plate without causing distortion.

3 A baffle as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the baffle units may be made of stainless steel and the top plate may be made of a cheaper and less heat resistant material.

4 A baffle as claimed in claim 3 in which the material is galvanised steel.

5. A baffle arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.