GB2531018A

GB2531018A - Combination of electric cooking hob or stove with battery in a single integrated unit

Info

Publication number: GB2531018A
Application number: GB1417722.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Batchelor Simon; William Scott Nigel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-07
Filing date: 2014-10-07
Publication date: 2016-04-13
Also published as: GB201417722D0

Abstract

An integrated unit that enables cooking decoupled from an electric grid supply comprises an electric cooking surface 2 utilising a metal or ceramic hob, a controller 3, wiring or a busbar (6, figure 2) suitable for a high current, a rechargeable battery (8), a battery discharge controller (7) and a charge controller (9) including charge protection (10) that is connected to an electricity supply. The cooking surface may operate with either a DC or an AC power supply. Inverter circuitry (5) may be included. The unit may be connected to an intermittent renewable energy supply such as a wind generator or solar photovoltaic panels.

Description

Combination of electric cooking hob or stove with battery in a single integrated unit This patent covers combining an electric cooking surface with a battery to form an integrated unit for domestic and institutional use.

Background of invention

Most electrical cooking appliances draw power directly from the energy source, typically the electricity mains supply. The invention relates to a device that permits decoupling of the supply of cooking energy from the availability of energy from the primary source of energy.

In some locations) particularly Africa, the availability of mains electricity is restricted by the practice of load shedding' whereby sections of the electricity grid within a country can be disconnected for a period of time. Load shedding can either be planned, so that customers can make alternative arrangements, or it can be spontaneous with no warning. In such locations, it becomes impractical to use electricity as a primary cooking fuel because its availability is unreliable. A meal can be wasted if the power is cut in the middle of cooking a meal. The invention permits charging of a battery when the electricity supply is available, enabling uninterrupted cooking of food by drawing charge from the battery in the event of a mains power cut.

When using renewable energy as the primary source of electrical power) a similar incompatibility is evident between the time at which energy is typically available) and the time at which energy is typically required for cooking. For example, solar energy is most abundant around midday, whilst most cooking is done in the early evening.

A further incompatibility relating to electrical power capacity is inherent in the use of renewable energy as the primary source of electrical power. If the capacity of the renewable energy generating equipment is matched directly to the cooking load, then the equipment will waste' energy generated outside of the limited period of demand.

By decoupling the supply of cooking energy from the renewable energy generation equipment) energy generated throughout the day can be stored in the battery, and subsequently used at a higher power rate for cooking during a short time period.

Statement of invention

The invention permits charging of a battery when an electricity supply is available, typically from a mains electricity supply or a renewable energy generator, and subsequent use of energy stored in the battery for cooking at any time on an integrated cooking surface.

Advantages The device can be used for any situation warranting decoupling from the grid, such as in areas of zero or weak grid supply where the grid may not be available 24 hrs a day every day) and in particular in combination with renewable energy such as wind generators or Solar Photovoltaic panels which have characteristics of intermittent supply.

It has long been possible to connect a battery to an electric cookstove via an inverter. Few people have attempted this for a number of reasons. The power drain from such a system can overheat the

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battery causing damage, and overheat the wiring causing melting of the covering. The rapid discharge from the battery can also damage the battery life if it is not sized correctly. Camping equipment is therefore protected at 20 amps, and there are few cooking appliances designed to run directly from battery. The exceptions are those limited to under 20 amp draw of current. The invention ensures safety and durability by providing a battery that is correctly sized for the heating capacity of the cooking surface, by concealing connectors carrying high DC current, and by providing battery protection circuitry all within the integrated housing. Connections are designed to draw high current from the battery without overheating, which include variants of a busbar and/or wiring sized to dispel excess heat safely.

Depending on the type of primary energy availability, the battery charging circuitry can be designed to accommodate either an AC supply from the mains electricity supply (110V or 250V) or a DC supply (at any specified voltage).

The integrated cooking surface can be designed to operate either with a DC power supply or an AC power supply, in which case the integrated unit will incorporate inverter circuitry. In the context of a developing country, one of the considerations influencing the design choice will be the availability of electrical skills and components e.g. if local electricians are familiar with inverters then it may be better to use AC heating rings.

The integrated unit can incorporate any type of cookstove heating ring. Common alternatives currently available include resistive heating coils, hotplates, infrared halogen heating, and electromagnetic induction hobs.

The integrated unit can incorporate any type of battery and any configuration of cells. Although current market conditions are likely to mandate the use of lead acid, lead acid gel, lead acid matrix, Lithium Ion and Lithium iron phosphate batteries, the unit can also accommodate any alternative chemical batteries emerging as cost effective in the future.

Description of Drawings.

Figure 1 represents the integrated nature of the unit, a single product with all the accompanying features. Figure 2 schematically shows the essential elements of the design. Figure 1 represents an integrated unit (Figure 1, 1) that enables cooking decoupled from an electric grid supply (Figure 2,4) comprising * An electric cooking surface utilising metal or ceramic designs (Figures 1 & 2, 2) * Connected with appropriate controller (figures 1& 2, 3) * With optional appropriate inverter (Figure 2, 5) * To wiring or busbar suitable for high current (Figure 2, 6) * Connected to a battery discharge controller (figure 2, 7) * Connected to a battery (figure 2 8) * With appropriate charge controller from the supply of electricity (Figure 2,9) * Including charge protection, (figure 2,10) * Presented in a single integrated product suitable for domestic or institutional use. (Figure 1, 1)