GB2463014A

GB2463014A - Time and Temperature Control of an Oil-fired Cooker

Info

Publication number: GB2463014A
Application number: GB0815546A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Ian Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-27
Filing date: 2008-08-27
Publication date: 2010-03-03
Also published as: GB0815546D0

Abstract

A motorized switch 7 and a timer unit arrangement are associated with an oil-fired burner control valve 1 of a cooker appliance. The burner control valve has an oil supply 2, an oil outlet 3 to the burner, a control knob 6 for control of temperature and a spring-loaded pin 5 extending from a hole in the valve to indicate that the burner is firing at a high temperature setting. The timer unit includes a mains [220VAC] electrical supply 13, a step-down transformer 12 for providing electrical power at 12 VDC and a digital timer unit 11, all housed within a timer unit casing 9. The timer unit is used to power the motorized switch at appropriate times. The motorized switch, when energized, is able to force the spring loaded pin from a 'high-fire' to a 'low-fire' setting. The arrangement allows an oil-fired cooker, for example an AGA or a Rayburn type, to be set at a low heat setting under the command of a timer, and thus reduce fuel consumption.

Description

Timed regulator for oil fired cookers.

This invention relates to an electrically controlled timing device which fits to an existing fuel oil control valve controlling the temperature of a domestic oil fired cooker, eg AGA, Rayburn etc. Domestic oil fired cookers are traditionally left ON" at a preset temperature over the 24 hour period. The required temperature setting can be adjusted manually and can take up to 2 hours for the adjustment to take effect.

Oil fired cookers are therefore left at a particular setting, usually at operating temperature, for the full 24 hours. Most domestic cooking takes place during the day and would require the cooker to be up to cooking heat for just 2 hours, typically in the evening. Therefore, it will be using oil to maintain operating temperature unnecessarily for 22 hours a day. This is both a waste of oil and money.

To overcome this problem of energy waste, the present invention proposes a timed electrically operated valve, that for 22 hours of the day allows the cooker to run at a low heat or low fire setting.

The period of low fire setting can be adjusted to suit the needs of the owners cooking habits.

At a prescribed time, the system would activate to allow the oil control valve to bring the cooker up to cooking temperature from a much lower temperature.

The timing would be provided by a digital multi setting domestic timer supplying 220 volt current to a stepdown 220v/l2volt transformer, which in turn is connected to a 12 volt motorised switch. The switch is fitted to the existing control valve fitted to the cooker. All control valves are fitted with a spring loaded pin which when allowed to extend fully will open the control valve to its highest setting, high fire. When the motorised switch is activated, the spring loaded pin is depressed effectively switching the control valve to its lowest setting, low fire. 2.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows an oil fired domestic style cooker with an oil control valve fitted to one side.

Figure 2 shows an oil control valve as fitted to oil fired domestic cookers Figure 3 shows a side view of an oil control valve fitted with a motorised switch 7, connected to a transformer 12 and a timer 11 all inside a protective casing 9.

In figure 1 an oil control valve 1 is shown in position at the side of a cooker.

The oil flows into the valve 2, is regulated by the valve and then piped 3 into the burner unit within the cooker.

Figure 2 is of a standard oil control valve 1. The temperature being controlled by the control knob 6. A spring loaded pin 5 extends from a hole in the top of the valve. When fully extended by the spring, the valve allows full regulated oil flow into the burner, known as high fire. By placing a motorised switch 7 over the pin and activate the switch by means of the timer 11, the pin is forced back down to the low fire setting causing the cooker to burn oil at a much lower rate. This low setting will remain until released by the timer 11.

In figure 3 a digital timer unit 11 is connected to a mains supply 13 of 220 volts. The timer is connected 14 to a stepdown transformer 12 which is then connected 8 to the motorised switch 7. The whole unit being encased in a protective outer casing 9.

In the event of a power failure, the motorised switch can be manually overridden allowing the oil control valve 1 to be operated manually. 3.

Claims

Claims 1. A motorised switch fitted to an existing oil control valve regulating the temperature of a domestic oil fired cooker, which through an electrically operated timer allows the cooker to operate at a much lower temperature when not in use.
2. A motorised switch and timer according to claim 1, in which the length of time which the cooker is at high temperature can be varied by adjustment of the timer.