US20200217501A1

US20200217501A1 - Cooktop appliance with a thermally isolated injet

Info

Publication number: US20200217501A1
Application number: US16/239,647
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Bryan Cadima
Original assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2019-01-04
Filing date: 2019-01-04
Publication date: 2020-07-09

Abstract

A cooktop appliance includes a top panel that defines a hole. A gas burner includes a burner body that defines a plurality of flame ports. A receptacle is mounted to the top panel at the hole of the top panel. The burner body is positioned on the receptacle. An injet is mounted to the top panel such that the injet is positioned opposite the burner body about the top panel. A fuel orifice is positioned on the injet. The fuel orifice is oriented for directing a flow of fuel to the burner body. The burner body is positioned such that the burner body does not contact the injet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to gas cooktops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional gas cooking appliances have one or more burners. A mixture of gaseous fuel and air combusts at the burners to generate heat for cooking. Known burners frequently include an orifice and Venturi mixing throat. A jet of gaseous fuel from the orifice entrains air while passing into the Venturi mixing throat. The air and gaseous fuel mix within the Venturi mixing throat, and the mixture of gaseous fuel and air is combusted at flame ports of the burners. Such burners are generally referred to as naturally aspirated gas burners.
Naturally aspirated gas burners can efficiently burn gaseous fuel. However, a power output of naturally aspirated gas burners is limited by the ability to entrain a suitable volume of air into the Venturi mixing throat with the jet of gaseous fuel. To provide increased entrainment of air, certain gas burners include a fan or pump that supplies pressurized air for mixing with the jet of gaseous fuel. Such gas burners are generally referred to as forced induction gas burners.
While offering increased power, known forced induction gas burners suffer from various drawbacks. For example, known forced induction gas burners are bulky and occupy large volumes within cooktop appliances. In addition, plumbing of the gas/air lines within known forced induction gas burners is complex and costly. Both naturally aspirated and forced induction gas burners can also suffer temperature related drawbacks, such as fuel thermal expansion leading to power output decreases and/or component impairment during operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In a first example embodiment, a cooktop appliance includes a top panel that defines a hole. A gas burner includes a burner body that defines a plurality of flame ports. A receptacle is mounted to the top panel at the hole of the top panel. The burner body is positioned on the receptacle. An injet is mounted to the top panel such that the injet is positioned opposite the burner body about the top panel. A fuel orifice is positioned on the injet. The fuel orifice is oriented for directing a flow of fuel to the burner body. The burner body is positioned such that the burner body does not contact the injet.
In a second example embodiment, a cooktop appliance includes a top panel that defines a hole. A gas burner includes a burner body that defines a plurality of flame ports. A receptacle is mounted to the top panel at the hole of the top panel. The burner body is positioned on the receptacle. An injet is mounted to the top panel such that the injet is positioned opposite the burner body about the top panel. An inlet conduit extends downwardly from the burner body through the receptacle and the hole. A fuel orifice is positioned on the injet. The fuel orifice is oriented for directing a flow of fuel to into the inlet conduit. The burner body is positioned such that the burner body does not contact the injet.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a top, plan view of a cooktop appliance according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a gas burner according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the example gas burner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, perspective view of the example gas burner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the example gas burner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of certain components of the example gas burner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the certain components of the example gas burner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a clip extending between a receptacle and an injet of the example gas burner of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the clip and the receptacle of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
The present disclosure relates generally to a gas burner for a cooktop appliance 100. Although cooktop appliance 100 is used below for the purpose of explaining the details of the present subject matter, it will be appreciated that the present subject matter may be used in or with any other suitable appliance in alternative example embodiments. For example, the gas burner described below may be used on other types of cooktop appliances, such as single or double oven range appliances. Cooktop appliance 100 is used in the discussion below only for the purpose of explanation, and such use is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular style of appliance.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a cooktop appliance 100 of the present disclosure. Cooktop appliance 100 may be, e.g., fitted integrally with a surface of a kitchen counter or may be configured as a slide-in cooktop unit. Cooktop appliance 100 includes a top panel 102 that includes one or more heating sources, such as gas burners 104 for use in, e.g., heating or cooking. In general, top panel 102 may be constructed of any suitably rigid material capable of supporting gas burners 104, cooking utensils, grates 110, and/or other components of cooktop appliance 100. By way of example, top panel 102 may be constructed of enameled steel, stainless steel, glass, ceramics, and combinations thereof.
According to the illustrated example embodiment, a user interface panel or control panel 106 is located within convenient reach of a user of cooktop appliance 100. For this example embodiment, control panel 106 includes control knobs 108 that are each associated with one of gas burners 104. Control knobs 108 allow the user to activate each gas burner 104 and regulate the amount of heat input each gas burner 104 provides to a cooking utensil located thereon, as described in more detail below. Although cooktop appliance 100 is illustrated as including control knobs 108 for controlling gas burners 104, it will be understood that control knobs 108 and the configuration of cooktop appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only. More specifically, control panel 106 may include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads.
Cooktop appliance 100 is generally referred to as a “gas cooktop.” For example, one or more of the gas burners in cooktop appliance may be a gas burner 300 described below. As illustrated, gas burners 104 are positioned on and/or within top panel 102 and have various sizes, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to provide for the receipt of cooking utensils (i.e., pots, pans, etc.) of various sizes and configurations and to provide different heat inputs for such cooking utensils. In addition, cooktop appliance 100 may include one or more grates 110 configured to support a cooking utensil, such as a pot, pan, etc. In general, grates 110 include a plurality of elongated members 112, e.g., formed of cast metal, such as cast iron. The cooking utensil may be placed on the elongated members 112 of each grate 110 such that the cooking utensil rests on an upper surface of elongated members 112 during the cooking process. Gas burners 104 are positioned underneath the various grates 110 such that gas burners 104 provide thermal energy to cooking utensils above top panel 102 by combustion of fuel below the cooking utensils.
Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 9, a gas burner 300 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Gas burner 300 may be used in cooktop appliance 100, e.g., as one of gas burners 104. Thus, gas burner 300 is described in greater detail below in the context of cooktop appliance 100. However, it will be understood that gas burner 300 may be used in or with any other suitable cooktop appliance in alternative example embodiments.
Gas burner 300 includes a burner body 310. Burner body 310 defines a plurality of naturally aspirated flame ports 312 and a plurality of forced induction flame ports 314. Naturally aspirated flame ports 312 may be distributed in a ring on burner body 310. Similarly, forced induction flame ports 314 may be distributed in a ring on burner body 310. Burner body 310 may also be stacked, e.g., such that forced induction flame ports 314 are positioned above naturally aspirated flame ports 312 on burner body 310. Thus, e.g., the ring of forced induction flame ports 314 may be positioned above the ring of naturally aspirated flame ports 312 on burner body 310. Burner body 310 may be positioned on top panel 102.
Naturally aspirated flame ports 312 may receive gaseous fuel from a gaseous fuel source 322, such as a natural gas line or propane line, when a user actuates one of control knobs 108 to adjust a control valve 304. Thus, e.g., a supply line 303 for naturally aspirated flame ports 312 may extend from gaseous fuel source 322 to an orifice 330 for naturally aspirated flame ports 312, and control valve 304 may be coupled to supply line 303.
Forced induction flame ports 314 may be plumbed in parallel to naturally aspirated flame ports 312 in gas burner 300. Thus, forced induction flame ports 314 may be capable of receiving gaseous fuel from gaseous fuel source 322 when the user actuates one of control knobs 108 to adjust control valve 304. Gas burner 300 also includes features for supplying air from a pressurized air source 324, such as an air pump or fan, to forced induction flame ports 314. Thus, forced induction flame ports 314 may operate with a higher flow rate of gaseous fuel and/or air compared to naturally aspirated flame ports 312. As an example, forced induction flame ports 314 may be activated by pressing a boost burner button 306 on control panel 106. In response to a user actuating boost burner button 306, pressurized air source 324 may be activated, e.g., with a timer control 308. Gas burner 300 also includes features for blocking the flow of gaseous fuel to forced induction flame ports 314 unless pressurized air source 324 is activated and/or pressurized air is supplied to forced induction flame ports 314, as discussed in greater detail below.
With reference to FIGS. 3 through 9, gas burner 300 also includes an injet assembly 320. Injet assembly 320 may be positioned below top panel 102, e.g., below an opening 103 of top panel 102. Conversely, burner body 310 may be positioned on top panel 102, e.g., over opening 103 of top panel 102. Thus, burner body 310 may cover opening 103 of top panel 102 when burner body 310 is positioned on top panel 102. When burner body 310 is removed from top panel 102, injet assembly 320 below top panel 102 may be accessible through opening 103. Thus, e.g., a fuel orifice(s) of gas burner 300 on injet assembly 320 may be accessed by removing burner body 310 from top panel 102, and an installer may reach through opening 103 (e.g., with a wrench or other suitable tool) to change out the fuel orifice(s) of gas burner 300.
Injet assembly 320 is configured for directing a flow of gaseous fuel to naturally aspirated flame ports 312 of burner body 310. Thus, injet assembly 320 may be coupled to gaseous fuel source 322. During operation of gas burner 300, gaseous fuel from gaseous fuel source 322 may flow from injet assembly 320 into a vertical Venturi mixing tube 311. In particular, injet assembly 320 includes a first gas orifice 330 that is in fluid communication with a gas passage 354. A jet of gaseous fuel from gaseous fuel source 322 may exit injet assembly 320 at first gas orifice 330 and flow towards vertical Venturi mixing tube 311. Between first gas orifice 330 and vertical Venturi mixing tube 311, the jet of gaseous fuel from first gas orifice 330 may entrain air into vertical Venturi mixing tube 311. Air and gaseous fuel may mix within vertical Venturi mixing tube 311 prior to flowing to naturally aspirated flame ports 312 where the mixture of air and gaseous fuel may be combusted.
Injet assembly 320 is also configured for directing a flow of air and gaseous fuel to forced induction flame ports 314 of burner body 310. Thus, as discussed in greater detail below, injet assembly 320 may be coupled to pressurized air source 324 in addition to gaseous fuel source 322. During boosted operation of gas burner 300, a mixed flow of gaseous fuel from gaseous fuel source 322 and air from pressurized air source 324 may flow from injet assembly 320 into an inlet tube 313 prior to flowing to forced induction flame ports 314 where the mixture of gaseous fuel and air may be combusted at forced induction flame ports 314.
In addition to first gas orifice 330, injet assembly 320 also includes a second gas orifice 332 (FIG. 2), a mixed outlet nozzle 334 and an injet body 350. Injet body 350 defines an air passage 352 and a gas passage 354. Air passage 352 may be in fluid communication with pressurized air source 324. For example, a pipe or conduit may extend between pressurized air source 324 and injet body 350, and pressurized air from pressurized air source 324 may flow into air passage 352 via such pipe or conduit. Gas passage 354 may be in fluid communication with gaseous fuel source 322. For example, a pipe or conduit may extend between gaseous fuel source 322 and injet body 350, and gaseous fuel from gaseous fuel source 322 may flow into gas passage 354 via such pipe or conduit. In certain example embodiments, injet body 350 defines a single inlet for air passage 352 through which the pressurized air from pressurized air source 324 may flow into air passage 352, and injet body 350 defines a single inlet for gas passage 354 through which the pressurized air from gaseous fuel source 322 may flow into gas passage 354.
First gas outlet orifice 330 is mounted to injet body 350, e.g., at a first outlet of gas passage 354. Thus, gaseous fuel from gaseous fuel source 322 may exit gas passage 354 through first gas outlet orifice 330, and gas passage 354 is configured for directing a flow of gaseous fuel through injet body 350 to first gas outlet orifice 330. On injet body 350, first gas outlet orifice 330 is oriented for directing a flow of gaseous fuel towards vertical Venturi mixing tube 311 and/or naturally aspirated flame ports 312, as discussed above.
Second gas orifice 332 and injet body 350, e.g., collectively, form an eductor mixer 380 within a mixing chamber 382 of injet body 350. Eductor mixer 380 is configured for mixing pressurized air from air passage 352 with gaseous fuel from gas passage 354 in mixing chamber 382. In particular, an outlet of air passage 352 is positioned at mixing chamber 382. A jet of pressurized air from pressurized air source 324 may flow from air passage 352 into mixing chamber 382 via the outlet of air passage 352. Second gas orifice 332 is positioned within injet body 350 between mixing chamber 382 and gas passage 354. Gaseous fuel from gaseous fuel source 322 may flow from gas passage 354 into mixing chamber 382 via second gas orifice 332. As an example, second gas orifice 332 may be a plate that defines a plurality of through holes, and the gaseous fuel in gas passage 354 may flow through the holes in second gas orifice 332 into mixing chamber 382.
The jet of pressurized air flowing into mixing chamber 382 via an outlet of air passage 352 may draw and entrain gaseous fuel flowing into mixing chamber 382 via second gas orifice 332. In addition, as the gaseous fuel is entrained into the air, a mixture of air and gaseous fuel is formed within mixing chamber 382. From mixing chamber 382, the mixture of air and gaseous fuel may flow from mixing chamber 382 via mixed outlet nozzle 334. In particular, mixed outlet nozzle 334 is mounted to injet body 350 at mixing chamber 382, and mixed outlet nozzle 334 is oriented on injet body 350 for directing the mixed flow of air and gaseous fuel from mixing chamber 382 into inlet tube 313 and/or towards forced induction flame ports 314, as discussed above.
Burner body 310 may be positioned over injet body 350, e.g., when burner body 310 is positioned top panel 102. In addition, first gas orifice 330 may be oriented on injet body 350 such that first gas orifice 330 directs the flow of gaseous fuel upwardly towards vertical Venturi mixing tube 311 and naturally aspirated flame ports 312. Similarly, mixed outlet nozzle 334 may be oriented on injet body 350 such that mixed outlet nozzle 334 directs the mixed flow of air and gaseous fuel upwardly towards inlet tube 313 and forced induction flame ports 314.
First and second gas orifices 330, 332 may be removeable from injet body 350. First and second gas orifices 330, 332 may also be positioned on injet body 350 directly below burner body 310, e.g., when burner body 310 is positioned on top panel 102. Thus, e.g., first and second gas orifices 330, 332 may be accessed by removing burner body 310 from top panel 102, and an installer may reach through opening 103 (e.g., with a wrench or other suitable tool) to change out first and second gas orifices 330, 332.
Injet assembly 320 also includes a pneumatically actuated gas valve 360. Pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 may be positioned within injet body 350, and pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 is adjustable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 blocks the flow of gaseous fuel through gas passage 354 to second gas orifice 332, eductor mixer 380 and/or mixed outlet nozzle 334. Conversely, pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 permits the flow of gaseous fuel through gas passage 354 to second gas orifice 332/eductor mixer 380 in the open configuration. Pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 is configured to adjust from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to the flow of air through air passage 352 to outlet 353 of air passage 352. Thus, e.g., pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 is in fluid communication with air passage 352 and opens in response to air passage 352 being pressurized by air from pressurized air source 324. As an example, pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 may be positioned on a branch of air passage 352 relative to the outlet of air passage 352 at mixing chamber 382.
It will be understood that first gas outlet orifice 330 may be in fluid communication with gas passage 354 in both the open and closed configurations of pneumatically actuated gas valve 360. Thus, first gas outlet orifice 330 may be positioned on gas passage 354 upstream of pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 relative to the flow of gas through gas passage 354. Thus, e.g., pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 may regulate the flow of gas through second gas orifice 332 but not first gas outlet orifice 330.
As shown in FIG. 5, pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 includes a diaphragm 362, a seal 364 and a plug 366. Diaphragm 362 is positioned between air passage 352 and gas passage 354 within injet body 350. For example, diaphragm 362 may be circular and may be clamped between a first injet body half 368 and a second injet body half 369. In particular, first and second injet body halves 368, 369 may be fastened together with diaphragm 362 positioned between first and second injet body halves 368, 369.
Seal 364 is mounted to injet body 350 within gas passage 354. Plug 366 is mounted to diaphragm 362, e.g., such that plug 366 travels with diaphragm 362 when diaphragm 362 deforms. Plug 366 is positioned against seal 364 when pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 is closed. A spring 370 may be coupled to plug 366. Spring 370 may urge plug 366 towards seal 364. Thus, pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 may be normally closed.
When air passage 352 is pressurized by air from pressurized air source 324, diaphragm 362 may deform due to the pressure of air in air passage 352 increasing, and plug 366 may shift away from seal 364 as diaphragm 362 deforms. In such a manner, diaphragm 362, seal 364 and plug 366 may cooperate to open pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 in response to air passage 352 being pressurized by air from pressurized air source 324. Conversely, diaphragm 362 may return to an undeformed state when air passage 352 is no longer pressurized by air from pressurized air source 324, and plug 366 may shift against seal 364. In such a manner, diaphragm 362, seal 364 and plug 366 may cooperate to close pneumatically actuated gas valve 360 in response to air passage 352 no longer being pressurized by air from pressurized air source 324.
As may be seen from the above, gas burner 300 includes a compact injet assembly 320. Thus, an installation footprint and/or required plumbing for gas burner 300 within cooktop appliance 100 may be reduced compared to known gas burners. Gas burner 300 also includes features for reducing conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320 (e.g., and thus injet body 350). Thus, during operation of gas burner 300, a temperature of injet assembly 320 may be significantly less than a temperature of burner body 310.
To reduce conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320, e.g., in particular to prevent direct conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320, burner body 310 does not contact injet assembly 320. As an example, injet assembly 320 may be mounted to top panel 102 with fasteners 321 (FIG. 6). In particular, legs 351 (FIG. 7) may extend upwardly from injet body 350 to top panel 102, and fasteners 321 may extend through top panel 102 into legs 351 to mount injet assembly 320 to top panel 102. Burner body 310 may be spaced from and not contact fasteners 321 to reduce conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320. Due to the gap or thermal break between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320, conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320 may be limited and/or direct conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320 may be prevented. Testing has shown such features reduce the temperature of injet assembly 320 by more than one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (100° F.) compared to known gas burners with burner bodies that contact injets.
To assist with mounting burner body 310 on top panel 102 without burner body 310 contacting injet assembly 320, gas burner 300 includes a receptacle 340. Receptacle 340 is mounted to top panel 102 at opening 103 of top panel 102, and burner body 310 may be positioned on receptacle 340 at opening 103. Thus, burner body 310 may sit on and contact receptacle 340 rather than injet assembly 320. In certain example embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, burner body 310 may be suspended over top panel 102 when burner body 310 is positioned on receptacle 340. Thus, e.g., receptacle 340 may support burner body 310 such that burner body 310 is spaced from and/or does not contact top panel 102.
Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, an outer perimeter 344 of receptacle 340 may be is shaped complementary to an edge 105 of top panel 102 at opening 103. In addition, an inner perimeter 346 of receptacle 340 may be shaped complementary to the combination of vertical Venturi mixing tube 311 and inlet tube 313. Thus, vertical Venturi mixing tube 311 and inlet tube 313 may be received within and extend through receptacle 340 when burner body 310 is positioned on receptacle 340. In particular, inner perimeter 346 may have a first portion 347 shaped complementary to vertical Venturi mixing tube 311, e.g., such that a diameter of inner perimeter 346 at first portion 347 may be slightly greater than an outer diameter of vertical Venturi mixing tube 311. Thus, vertical Venturi mixing tube 311 is receivable within first portion 347 of inner perimeter 346. Inner perimeter 346 may also have a second portion 348 shaped complementary to inlet tube 313, e.g., such that a diameter of inner perimeter 346 at second portion 348 may be slightly greater than an outer diameter of inlet tube 313. Thus, inlet tube 313 is receivable within second portion 348 of inner perimeter 346. A top 349 of receptacle 340 may be positioned above top panel 102 when receptacle 340 is mounted to top panel 102 at opening 103 of top panel 102. Burner body 310 may be positioned on top 349 of receptacle 340 when burner body 310 is suspended over top panel 102.
Reducing conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320 in the manner described above provides numerous benefits. For example, heating of gaseous fuel in injet assembly 320 may advantageously avoided. A density of gaseous fuel decreases as the gaseous fuel is heated, and a power output of gas burner 300 decreases as gaseous fuel supplied from injet assembly 320 increases in temperature. By decreasing conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320, gaseous fuel within injet assembly 320 may have an increased density relative to when such gaseous fuel is heated, and, thus, the power output losses over time due to the preheating of the gaseous fuel of gas burner 300 may be advantageously reduced. In addition, reducing conductive heat transfer between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320 may also avoid heating components of pneumatically actuated gas valve 360, including diaphragm 362, that can be temperature sensitive.
Gas burner assembly 300 also includes features for electrically grounding burner body 310. Such features may assist with allowing a spark electrode to operate and ignite gaseous fuel flowing from naturally aspirated flame ports 312 and/or forced induction flame ports 314. To ground burner body 310, gas burner assembly 300 includes a clip 342 that extends between receptacle 340 and injet assembly 320. As a particular example, clip 342 may be a highly compliant spring steel clip. As shown in FIG. 8, clip 342 may be mounted to receptacle 340 and be cantilevered such that clip 342 elastically deforms and a distal end portion of clip 342 is pressed against one of legs 351 of injet assembly 320 when receptacle 340 is mounted to top panel 102 at opening 103 of top panel 102. Clip 342 may establish an electrical conduction path between burner body 310 and injet assembly 320 while providing a negligible path for heat conduction.
In FIG. 8, clip 342 electrically couples receptacle 340 to injet assembly 320. As noted above, burner body 310 may contact receptacle 340 when burner body 310 is positioned at opening 103 of top panel 102. Receptacle 340 and clip 342 may be constructive of or with a suitably conductive material such that receptacle 340 and clip 342 electrically couple burner body 310 and injet assembly 320. Injet assembly 320 may be grounded via gas supply lines or suitable wiring, and, thus, a spark electrode adjacent burner body 310 may have a return ground path to a common ground of cooktop appliance 100. Clip 342 may particularly useful be used in cooktop appliance 100 with porcelain coated steel top panels and may be unnecessary in cooktop appliance 100 with bare stainless steel top panels.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cooktop appliance, comprising:

a top panel defining a hole; and

a gas burner comprising

a burner body defining a plurality of flame ports,

a receptacle mounted to the top panel at the hole of the top panel, the burner body positioned on the receptacle,

an injet mounted to the top panel such that the injet is positioned opposite the burner body about the top panel, and

a fuel orifice positioned on the injet, the fuel orifice oriented for directing a flow of fuel to the burner body;

wherein the burner body is positioned such that the burner body does not contact the injet.

2. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the burner body does not contact the injet to prevent direct conductive heat transfer from the burner body to the injet.

3. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the gas burner further comprises a clip that extends between the receptacle and the injet to electrically couple the receptacle to the injet.

4. The cooktop appliance of claim 3, wherein the injet is grounded.

5. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the burner body is positioned on the receptacle such that the burner body is suspended over the top panel on the receptacle.

6. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the gas burner further comprises an inlet conduit extending downwardly from the burner body through the hole, the fuel orifice oriented for directing the flow of fuel into the inlet conduit.

7. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein an outer perimeter of the receptacle is shaped complementary to an edge of the top panel at the hole.

8. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, further comprising a pneumatically actuated gas valve positioned on the injet.

9. The cooktop appliance of claim 8, wherein the pneumatically actuated gas valve comprises:

a diaphragm positioned between an air passage and a gas passage within the injet;

a seal mounted to the injet within the gas passage; and

a plug mounted to the diaphragm, the plug positioned against the seal in a closed configuration of the pneumatically actuated gas valve.

10. The gas burner of claim 1, wherein the fuel orifice is removable from the injet.

11. The gas burner of claim 1, wherein the fuel orifice is positioned directly below the burner body.

12. A cooktop appliance, comprising:

a top panel defining a hole; and

a gas burner comprising

a burner body defining a plurality of flame ports,

an injet mounted to the top panel such that the injet is positioned opposite the burner body about the top panel,

an inlet conduit extending downwardly from the burner body through the receptacle and the hole, and

a fuel orifice positioned on the injet, the fuel orifice oriented for directing a flow of fuel to into the inlet conduit,

13. The cooktop appliance of claim 12, wherein the burner body does not contact the injet to prevent direct conductive heat transfer from the burner body to the injet.

14. The cooktop appliance of claim 12, wherein the gas burner further comprises a clip that extends between the receptacle and the injet to electrically couple the receptacle to the injet.

15. The cooktop appliance of claim 14, wherein the injet is grounded.

16. The cooktop appliance of claim 12, wherein the burner body is positioned on the receptacle such that the burner body is suspended over the top panel on the receptacle.

17. The cooktop appliance of claim 12, wherein an outer perimeter of the receptacle is shaped complementary to an edge of the top panel at the hole.

18. The cooktop appliance of claim 12, further comprising a pneumatically actuated gas valve positioned on the injet.

19. The cooktop appliance of claim 18, wherein the pneumatically actuated gas valve comprises:

a seal mounted to the injet within the gas passage; and

20. The gas burner of claim 12, wherein the fuel orifice is removable from the injet, and the fuel orifice is positioned directly below the burner body.