US20080173298A1

US20080173298A1 - Gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure

Info

Publication number: US20080173298A1
Application number: US11/624,371
Authority: US
Inventors: Tsung-Ming Hsu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-18
Filing date: 2007-01-18
Publication date: 2008-07-24

Abstract

A gas stove apparatus includes a gas supply unit, a gas-flow adjusting cap and a flame guiding member. The gas supply unit has a gas reservoir and an annular opening formed at a top portion of the reservoir. The gas reservoir is connected with a gas inlet conduit for supplying a gas. The gas-flow adjusting cap is disposed on the annular opening of the gas supply unit, and is formed with a plurality of longitudinal gas nozzles and a plurality of slanted gas nozzle. Bias gas flows exhausted from the slanted gas nozzles are incorporated into straight gas flows exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles to thereby create a spiral concentrated gas flow in an axial direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to the gas-guiding structure of the gas stove apparatus including a gas-flow adjusting cap which is formed with a plurality of longitudinal gas nozzles and a plurality of slanted gas nozzles with a predetermined oblique angle with respect to an axial direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Taiwanese Patent Publication No. M265551, entitled “FLAT-TYPE GAS-DISPENSING BODY STRUCTURE OF GAS STOVE,” discloses a gas stove, including a gas-dispensing body and a gas inlet conduit connected thereto. The gas inlet conduit is in fluid communication with an interior of the gas-dispensing body. The interior of the gas-dispensing body includes a main channel which is in fluid communication with a set of gas nozzles (i.e. straight gas nozzles). The gas nozzles are longitudinally extended, and are parallel each other. When a gas is supplied, the gas can flow through the main channel to ends of the gas nozzles, and can exhaust and flow upwardly from the gas nozzles. In use, an igniting element (i.e. high-voltage igniting element) is utilized to spark the gas so as to form a series of vertical gas flames on the gas nozzles of the gas-dispensing body.
Generally, the straight gas nozzles are uniformly arranged to provide a uniform set of the vertical gas flames on the gas stove. With regard to the problematic aspects actually occurring during use of the above-mentioned gas stove apparatus, the vertical gas flames are in close contact with a bottom surface of a cooking utensil such as a pan, a griddle or a pot while heating it. Inevitably, the bottom surface of the cooking utensil can turn the vertical gas flames into horizontal flames extending along radical directions, and can thus limit the vertical gas flames. The primary problem with such a gas stove apparatus is due to the fact that the limited vertical gas flames cannot provide a high degree of a uniform heating effect on the bottom surface of the cooking utensil. Hence, there is a need for improving the arrangement of the gas nozzles of the gas stove apparatus so as to provide a high degree of uniformly heating effect.
As is described in greater detail below, the present invention provides a gas-guiding structure of a gas stove apparatus, wherein a gas-flow adjusting cap is formed with a plurality of longitudinal gas nozzles and a plurality of slanted gas nozzles in such a way as to mitigate and overcome the above problem. Each of the slanted gas nozzles is formed with a predetermined oblique angle with respect to an axial direction. Bias gas flows exhausted from the slanted gas nozzles can be incorporated into straight gas flows exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles to thereby create a spiral concentrated gas flow which can provide a high degree of uniformly heating effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this invention is to provide a gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure, wherein a gas-flow adjusting cap is formed with a plurality of slanted gas nozzles having a predetermined oblique angle with respect to an axial direction. Accordingly, the gas-flow adjusting cap can carry out a high degree of uniformly heating effect.
The gas stove apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a gas supply unit and a gas-flow adjusting cap attached thereto. The gas supply unit has a gas reservoir and an annular opening formed at a top portion of the reservoir. The gas reservoir is connected with a gas inlet conduit for supplying a gas. The gas-flow adjusting cap is disposed on the annular opening of the gas supply unit, and is formed with a plurality of longitudinal gas nozzles and a plurality of slanted gas nozzle. Bias gas flows exhausted from the slanted gas nozzles are incorporated into straight gas flows exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles to thereby create a spiral concentrated gas flow in an axial direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap.
In a separate aspect of the present invention, the gas stove apparatus further includes a flame-guiding member.
In a further separate aspect of the present invention, the flame-guiding member is provided with a plurality of flame exiting holes.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the flame-guiding member is provided with a plurality of auxiliary ventilation notches which are disposed along an inner bottom edge of the flame-guiding member.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the flame-guiding member is provided with an annular bottom flange which extends radially and outwardly from a bottom edge of the flame-guiding member.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the gas-flow adjusting cap further includes a plurality of oblique grooves in which to provide a plurality of inner gas nozzles.
In a yet further separate aspect of the present invention, the inner gas nozzle has a predetermined oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap.
Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway, exploded perspective view illustrating a gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway, perspective view illustrating a gas-flow adjusting cap of the gas stove apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental, cross-sectional view illustrating the gas-flow adjusting cap of the gas stove apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the gas stove apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view illustrating the gas stove apparatus, similar to FIG. 4, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective views of a gas stove apparatus and a gas-flow adjusting cap in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. In general, the gas stove apparatus includes a stove chassis designated numeral 1, a gas supply unit designated numeral 2, a gas-flow adjusting cap designated numeral 3, a flame-guiding member designated numeral 4 and a stove stand designated numeral 5. The stove chassis 1 is used to carry the combination of the gas supply unit 2, the gas-flow adjusting cap 3, the flame-guiding member 4 and the stove stand 5. Preferably, the gas supply unit 2 is selected from a ring-like mechanism which can support the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Accordingly, the stove chassis 1, the gas supply unit 2 and the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 are assembled to form an essential gas stove structure. Preferably, the flame-guiding member 4 is constructed as a roughly cone-like hollow member which is disposed above the gas supply unit 2 and the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. The flame-guiding member 4 is provided with an inner hollow space (unlabeled) in which to receive the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Preferably, the stove stand 5 is selected from an inverted horn-like tubular member which is used to support a cooking utensil such as a pan or a griddle while heating it.
Still referring to FIG. 1, constructions of the stove chassis 1 shall be described in detail. The stove chassis 1 is selected from a flat plate member which is circular in form. The stove chassis 1 includes a plurality of support legs 10 arranged at its bottom periphery. The support legs 10 are extended downwardly from the stove chassis 1 so as to upraise the stove chassis 1 while standing. An annular wall 111 is bent uprightly from an outer periphery of the stove chassis 1. The stove chassis 1 further includes a plurality of ventilation holes 12 which are equi-spaced and arranged to surround a longitudinal direction of the stove chassis 1. In operation, the ventilation holes 12 can supply fresh ambient air into the gas stove chassis 1 for enhancing a degree of combustion effect.
Constructions of the gas supply unit 2 shall be described in detail, with continued reference to FIG. 1. The gas supply unit 2 includes a gas reservoir 20 delimited by an inner wall. A top portion of the gas reservoir 20 defines an annular opening 21. An upright axial tube (unlabeled) is formed at a center portion of the gas reservoir 20, and is preferably constructed from a hollow tube. The upright axial tube is provided with a radially extended inner wall 22 to define an inner periphery of the annular opening 21, and an upright inner wall 23 projected upwardly from the radially extended inner wall 22. Similarly, the gas supply unit 2 further is provided with a radially extended outer wall 22′ to define an outer periphery of the annular opening 21, and an upright outer wall 23′ projected upwardly from the radially extended outer wall 22′. In assembling operation, the radially extended inner wall 22 and the radially extended outer wall 22′ support an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 respectively. When the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 is received in the annular opening 21, the upright inner wall 23 and the upright outer wall 23′ limit any unwanted horizontal movement of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Preferably, the gas supply unit 2 further includes a gas inlet (unlabeled) to connect with a gas inlet conduit (unlabeled) for supplying a gas into the gas reservoir 20.
Constructions of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 shall be described in detail, with continued reference to FIG. 2. The inner periphery of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 defines an axial hole (unlabeled) corresponding to the radially extended inner wall 22 and the upright inner wall 23. The outer periphery of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 defines an outer edge (unlabeled) corresponding to the radially extended outer wall 22′ and the upright outer wall 23′. When assembled, the radially extended inner wall 22 and the upright inner wall 23 are engaged with the inner periphery of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 while the radially extended outer wall 22′ and the upright outer wall 23′ are engaged with the outer periphery of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a fragmental, cross-sectional view of the gas-flow adjusting cap of the gas stove apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 is formed with a plurality of nozzles through which to spray the gas from the reservoir 20 of the gas supply unit 2. Preferably, the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 is constructed as a ring body, and is formed with an inclined annular surface at its top periphery. The inclined annular surface inclines to the outer periphery of the top surface of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. The gas-flow adjusting cap 3 includes a series of oblique grooves 30 each of which having a distal end connected with the inclined annular surface. Each of the oblique grooves 30 has a predetermined oblique angle with respect to an axial direction. The gas-flow adjusting cap 3 further includes a plurality of longitudinal gas nozzles 31 and a plurality of slanted gas nozzles 32 with a predetermined oblique angle with respect to an axial direction. A series of inner nozzles 33 is provided in each of the oblique grooves 30. In gas-dispensing operation, the speeds of the gas flows exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles 31 and the slanted gas nozzles 32 are lower than those exhausted from the inner nozzles 33 due to the fact that the inner nozzle 30 has a length shorter than either of the longitudinal gas nozzle 31 or the slanted gas nozzle 32.
Bias gas flows exhausted from the slanted gas nozzles 32 are incorporated into straight gas flows exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles 31 to thereby create a spiral concentrated gas flow in the longitudinal direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. To provide a greater spiral gas flow, each of the oblique grooves 30 guides gas flows exhausted from the inner gas nozzles 33 along its oblique direction. Preferably, each series of the longitudinal gas nozzles 31 is arranged on a radial direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Similarly, each series of the slanted gas nozzles 32 is also arranged on a radial direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Each series of the inner gas nozzles 33 is arranged on a direction of the corresponding oblique groove 30 in length. The series of the longitudinal gas nozzles 31, the slanted gas nozzles 32 and the inner gas nozzles 33 are equi-spaced, and the series are repeatedly arranged in order along a circular direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. The longitudinal gas nozzles 31, the slanted gas nozzles 32 and the inner gas nozzles 33 connect through two opposite sides of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. In a preferred embodiment, the inner gas nozzles 33 connect with bottom surfaces of the oblique grooves 30.
Referring particularly to FIG. 3, each direction of the slanted gas nozzle 32 and the inner gas nozzle 33 slants to a vertical direction of the longitudinal gas nozzle 31 with a predetermined oblique angle. The vertical direction (identified as a reference line “L1”) of the longitudinal gas nozzle 31 extends along an axial direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. In a preferred embodiment, the direction (identified as a reference line “L2”) of the slanted gas nozzle 32 and the direction (identified as a reference line “L3”) the inner gas nozzles 33 are parallel, and have a predetermined oblique angle with respect to the reference line “L1”. Alternatively, the inner gas nozzles 33 are selected from straight gas nozzles (like longitudinal gas nozzles 31) and parallel each other.
Referring back to FIGS. 1 through 3, when the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 is stacked on the gas supply unit 2, the gas diffused in the gas reservoir 20 can be synchronously exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles 31, the slanted gas nozzles 32 and the inner gas nozzles 33. Exhausted gas flows may gather above the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Some of the exhausted gas from the inner gas nozzles 33 may be diffused in the oblique groove 30 to exit from the distal ends located at the inclined annular surface of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Bias gas flows exhausted from the slanted gas nozzles 32 and the oblique groove 30 are incorporated into straight gas flows exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles 31 to thereby create a spiral concentrated gas flow in the longitudinal direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3.
Turning now to FIG. 4, an assembled perspective view of the gas stove apparatus in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the flame-guiding member 4 is hollow in form, and is tapered to form a roughly cone-like hollow member whose interior has a channel corresponding to the nozzles of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. The flame-guiding member 4 has an engaging bottom edge engaging with an outer circumference of the gas supply unit 2 such that the flame-guiding member 4 is positioned above the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Preferably, the flame-guiding member 4 includes a series of flame exiting holes 40, a series of auxiliary ventilation notches 41 and an annular bottom flange 42. In a preferred embodiment, each longitudinal direction of the flame exiting holes 40 slants to have a predetermined oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the flame-guiding member 4. The auxiliary ventilation notches 41 are disposed along an inner bottom edge of the flame-guiding member 4 for supplying ambient air into the interior of the flame-guiding member 4. The annular bottom flange 42 extends radially and outwardly from the bottom edge of the flame-guiding member 4.
Constructions of the stove stand 5 shall be described in detail, with continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. The stove stand 5 is constructed as an inverted horn-like tubular member which has a top end opening and a bottom end opening. The stove stand 5 includes a bottom notch 50 and a series of support lugs 51. Preferably, the support lugs 51 are equi-spaced on a top end edge of the stove stand 5 to support a bottom surface of a pan, as shown in dotted line in FIG. 4. A bottom end edge of the stove stand 5 is engaged with the annular wall 111 of the stove chassis 1 when assembled, and is further recessed to form the bottom notch 50 for passage of the gas inlet conduit to connect with the gas supply unit 2.
With continued reference to FIG. 4, in gas-dispensing operation, the gas collected in the gas reservoir 20 is exhausted from the longitudinal gas nozzles 31, the slanted gas nozzles 32 and the inner gas nozzles 33 of the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 to form an array of straight and oblique gas flows (i.e. solid direction arrows in FIG. 4) which can create spiral concentrated gas flows (i.e. dotted direction arrows in FIG. 4) in the longitudinal direction for carrying out a high degree of uniformly heating effect. Furthermore, ambient air can be supplied into the interior of the flame-guiding member 4 via the auxiliary ventilation apertures 41, and can be mixed with the gas flows above the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. In heating operation, the spiral concentrated gas flows are ignited to form a set of gas flames which take up a space located above the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 and the flame-guiding member 4 within the stove stand 5. The gas flames can exit by the flame exiting holes 40 of the flame-guiding member 4 other than a top end opening. Preferably, the top end edge of the stove stand 5 is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the bottom surface of the pan. Advantageously, the collapse of the gas flames cannot occur under the pan even though the bottom surface of the pan limit the spiral concentrated gas flow and the vertical gas flames thereof.
Turning now to FIG. 5, an assembled perspective view of the gas stove apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In comparison with the first embodiment, the gas stove apparatus of the second embodiment further includes another series of flame exiting holes 40 provided on the annular wall of the flame-guiding member 4. In the second embodiment, the stove stand 5 further includes an inner rack 52 and a ventilation opening formed thereon. The inner rack 52 is separately or integrally formed on an inner wall of the stove stand 5, and is extended radially and inwardly therefrom. Once assembled, an inner edge of the ventilation opening 53 and the outer circumference of the gas supply unit 2 define a gap 54 through which to supply ambient air into the interior of the flame-guiding member 4. The support lugs 51 of the stove stand 5 are used to support a spherical bottom surface of a pot, as shown in dotted line in FIG. 5. In operation, when the spiral concentrated gas flows are ignited to form a set of gas flames, an additional air flow can pass through the gap 54 to enter the interior of the flame-guiding member 4 to provide a higher degree of gas burning efficiency.
As has been discussed above, the conventional gas stove is in absent of providing a gas-flow adjusting cap formed with slanted gas nozzles which can create oblique gas flows on the gas-flow adjusting cap or the gas-dispensing body. Disadvantageously, the straight gas nozzles of the gas-dispensing body can only provide a set of vertical gas flames which cannot create a high degree of uniformly heating effect. Conversely, the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 of the present invention includes a number of the longitudinal gas nozzle 31 and slanted gas nozzles 32 which can create spiral concentrated gas flows in the longitudinal direction above the gas-flow adjusting cap 3. Advantageously, the spiral concentrated gas flows created from the gas-flow adjusting cap 3 can be burnt to form a set of uniform gas flames.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure, comprising:

a gas supply unit connected with a gas inlet conduit;

a gas-flow adjusting cap provided with gas nozzles, said gas-flow adjusting cap being attached to the gas supply unit; and

a flame guiding member constructed as a hollow member, said flame guiding member positioned above the gas-flow adjusting cap.

2. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said flame-guiding member is constructed as a roughly cone-like hollow member, and is provided with a plurality of flame exiting holes each of which slants to have a predetermined oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the flame-guiding member.

3. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said flame-guiding member is provided with a plurality of auxiliary ventilation notches which are disposed along an inner bottom edge of the flame-guiding member.

4. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said flame-guiding member is provided with an annular bottom flange which extends radially and outwardly from an bottom edge of the flame-guiding member.

5. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said gas nozzles of the gas-flow adjusting cap includes a plurality of slanted gas nozzles each of which has a predetermined oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap to create a bias gas flow.

6. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said gas nozzles of the gas-flow adjusting cap includes a plurality of longitudinal gas nozzles which create straight gas flows.

7. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said gas-flow adjusting cap further includes a plurality of oblique grooves in which to provide a plurality of inner gas nozzles.

8. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 7, wherein arranged between any two of said oblique grooves are the gas nozzles consisting of longitudinal gas nozzles and slanted gas nozzles.

9. The gas stove apparatus having a gas-guiding structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said inner gas nozzle has a predetermined oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the gas-flow adjusting cap.