US2698051A - Chain ignition - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28, 1954 R. F. KQEBBEMAN ETAL 4 2,698,051

CHAIN IGNITION Filed March 23, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 28, 1954 R. F. KOEBBEZMAN ETAL CHAIN IGNITION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 23, 1951 X WM flil orneys United States Patent O CHAIN IGNITION Application March 23, 1951, Serial No. 217,164

6 Claims. (Cl. 158-115) This invention relates to an automatic top burner ignition system for gas stoves.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel top burner ignition system for a gas stove in which the hot spot on the top of the stove, which is ordinarily caused by the constantly burning pilot burner, is eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel automatic top burner ignition system for gas stov'es which is entirely gaseous in its operation.

Still further objects of this invention are to ignite an ignition pilot burner for the top burners on the gas stove from a constantly burning pilot burner located at the back of the stove substantially out of heat transmitting relation with the stove top and to ignite this ignition pilot burner automatically in response to turning on one of the top burners of the stove.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment.

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating our novel ignition system associated with two top burners on a gas stove;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the main elements of the ignition system according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View, partly broken away, illustrating a portion of the flash tube and one of the supply tubes supplying gas thereto;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the manual valve-controlled gas supply to our ignition system. i

In Figure l, the stove is generally indicated .at 11 and includes a horizontal cooking top 12 and a back rail portion 13 upstanding from the stove top at the rear thereof. Top burners 14, 15 each include a simmerburner 16 and 17, respectively, and a main burner 18 and 19, respectively. The gas supply to the top burners is through conduits 20, 21 under the control of valves 22, 23, which are manually actuated by turning the knobs 24, 25. The gas input to each of these valves is from gas main 26, which extends along the front of the stove beneath the top thereof. The output from the "alves extends through gas- air mixing chambers 27, 28 and thence to the top burners. Valve 23 is provided with two top burner outlet conduits, one, conduit 29 leading to simmer burner 17, and the other. conduit 30 leading to main burner 19. A similar pair of fuel conduits is provided between valve 22 and the top burner 14, consisting of simmer burner 16 and main burner 18, which it controls.

The ignition means for these burners includes a con stantly burning pilot 31 which receives its gas supply through pipe 32 directly from gas main 26. Constant pilot burner 31 is positioned under the back rail of the stove and is provided with an upwardly extending tube 33 disposed above it and communicating with the atmosphere through aport 34 formed in the top of the back rail of the stove. The tube 33 serves as a chimney to vent part of the heat produced by the constant pilot burner-31 and also as a flash tube for lighting the constantpilot burner from a lighted match held immediately above the port 34 when the stove is first installed. A horizontal flash tube 35 communicates at one endwith constant pilot burner 31 and has its otherke nd disposed iii-communication with 2,698,051 Patented Dec. 28, 1.954

secondary pilot burner 36 which acts as the ignition pilot for top burners 14, 15. The secondary pilot burner is disposed between top burners 14, 15 and communicates with the simmer sections thereof by means of flash tubes 37 and 38, respectively. In operation, when one of the manual knobs is turned on to supply gas to the corresponding top burner, gas is also supplied to charge up flash tube 35 with an explosive fuel mixture and to feed gas to secondary pilot 36. The combustible air-gas mixture in flash tube 35 is ignited by the flame at constant pilot burner 31 and flashes back to ignite secondary pilot burner 36. Simultaneously the adjacent flash tube 37 or 33 is filled with a combustible fuel mixture from its top burner, which mixture is ignited by the flame at the secondary pilot burner and flashes back to light the corresponding top burner.

Flash tube 35 is provided at its under side with a plurality of apertures 39, here shown as evenly spaced and three in number. into each of these apertures extends a gas jet supply tube 40 inclined upwardly at an angle to communicate with the respective apertures 39. Each supply tube 40 is mounted at its other end in a mounting stud 41 positioned on flash tube manifold 42. Each tube 40 communicates with the interior of manifold 42 to receive its gas supply therefrom. Manifold 42 is connected at one end to a fitting 43 on which the secondary pilot burner 36 is supported. Both the flash-tube manifold and the secondary pilot burner communicate interiorly with fitting 43 and with gas supply conduit 44, which supplies an air-gas mixture to both the flash-tube manifold and the secondary pilot burner. An air-gas mixing chamber 44a positioned ahead of conduit 44 serves to mix air and gas to form a combustible fuel mixture. A fitting 45 in the supply line to conduit 44 receives its gas supply from both valve 22, through line 46, and valve 23, through line 47. The manually actuated main shutofl valves 22 and 23 are suitably constructed so that by opening either of these valves a combustible air-gas mixture is supplied to the flash tube 35 and to secondary pilot burner 36, as well as to the corresponding top burner. If desired, a throttling valve 48 may be interposed in the gas line to the flash-tube manifold and secondary pilot burner to limit the gas pressure therein.

The construction of flash tube 35 is in many respects ice ' substantially similar to that shown in the U. S. patent application of Peter I. Hellman, Serial No. 91,373, filed May 4, 1949, and includes a lower generally U-shaped member 49 and a separable, overlapping, inverted U-shaped member 50. As best seen in Figs. 3 and 5, the lower flash tube member 49 includes upstanding, flat side walls 51, 52 and a flat bottom wall 53 which interconnects the side walls and in which the apertures 39 are formed. Preferably apertures 39 are formed to include a major oblong portion extending across substantially the entire width of bottomwall 53 and a communicating minor portion, or neck 39a, of less width. As best seen in Fig. 3, the relatively slender neck portion 39a of the aperture forms a passageway into which the upper end of the inclined charging tube 40 extends. The upper flash tube member is formed with depending spaced side walls 54, 55 and a flat top wall 56 which extends transversely of the side walls and interconnects them. It will be noted that the top Wall 56 of the upper flash tube member is wider than the bottom wall 53 of the lower flash tube member, so that when the flash tube members are assembled the depending sidewalls 54, 55 of the upper flash tube member overlap the upstanding side walls 51, 52 of the lower flash tube member on the outside thereof and are slightly spaced therefrom to form slots 57, 58 which extend longitudinally of the flash tube and communicate with its interior. The slots thusformed permit the products of combustion to escape along the entire length of the flash tube so as not to affect the flames at the charging ports 40 after the flash has occurred in the flash tube to ignite the gas issuing at these ports. Also these slots apparently serve to entrain air into .the flash tube before combustion.

To facilitate assembly of the flash tube, aligned struckoutprojections 59, 60 are formed at the upper ends of the upstanding side walls51, 52, respectively, on the lower flash tube member. Depressed portions 61, 62 are formed in the upper wall and depending side walls of the upper flash tube member. These depressions are oflset from one another along the length of the flash tube so that the depression 61 lies to one side of the projection 59 on the adjacent upstanding side wall 51 while the other depression 62 lies to the other side of the corresponding projection 60 in the adjacent upstanding side wall 52 when the flash tube members are assembled. In the initial assembly of the flash tube members, the lower flash tube member 49 is inserted into the upper flash tube member 50, with projections 59, 60 snugly abutting the adjacent depending side walls 54, 55 on the upper flash tube member 50 between the respective depressions 61, 62 therein, as described. Bolts 63 are inserted through aligned holes 64, 65 formed in the upper and lower walls 56 and 53, respectively, of the flash tube members and are threadedly received in the respective fittings 41 on the flash tube manifold. Thus, the bolts perform the double function of positively securing the flash tube members in assembled relation and physically mounting the flash tube on the manifold 42.

Secondary or ignition pilot burner 36 is positioned adjacent the open front end 35a of horizontal flash tube 35. An aperture 36a (Fig. 2) formed in the side of secondary pilot burner 36 communicates with the open end 35a of the flash tube, while another aperture 36b formed in the top of secondary pilot burner 36 communicates with the flash tubes 37 and 38 which lead, respectively, to the top burners 14 and 15. These latter flash tubes 37, 38 extend outward horizontally from an annular member 66 disposed above secondary pilot 36.

Operation of the system is as follows:

When the stove is first installed, constant pilot burner 31 is initially ignited by a match flame or the like held immediately above aperture 34 at the back rail of the stove. In this manner gas issuing from pilot burner 31 is ignited through flash tube 33.

Actuation of knob 25 opens valve 23 to feed gas simultaneously to the simmer section 17 of top burner and through conduits 47 and 44 to the flash tube manifold 42 and to the secondary ignition pilot burner 36. Gas jet supply tubes 40 provide a plurality of spaced jets of combustible air-gas mixture directed into horizontal flash tube 35 along the length thereof, while the side port 36a formed in secondary pilot burner 36 directs an air-gas jet into the open front end 35a of flash tube 35. In this manner, the entire length of flash tube 35 is rapidly and substantially simultaneously filled with the combustible air-gas mixture. stantly burning pilot 31, located at the rear open end of flash tube 35, immediately causes an ignition flash over the entire length of flash tube 35 to ignite the gas at secondary pilot burner 36. While this has been going on, the flash tube 38 associated with top burner 15 has filled with a combustible air-gas mixture from the line 21, in a manner well known in the art. Flame issuing from the top port 36b of secondary pilot '36 ignites the combustible fuel mixture in flash tube 38, which flashes back to the top burner 15 to ignite the same.

If the manual knob 24 is the first one to be actuated, then the burner 14 is ignited from the secondary ignition pilot burner 36, which is ignited from the constant pilot burner 31 at the back of the stove in the same manner as just described.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that secondary pilot burner 36 is ignited When either top burner 14 or 15 is first turned on. The secondary pilot burner remains lighted as long as either top burner 14 or 15 is on. Turning ofi all of the control knobs 24, serves to shut off the flow of gas to the secondary pilot burner 36 to extinguish the same.

The danger of over-charging flash tube by an excessive supply of gas thereto is eliminated by the provision of the described elongated slots 57, 58 along the topthereof.

It will be understood that a plurality of top burners normally will be provided on the stove, and that for each of these top burners there will be provided a separate shut-off valve and control knob. To simplify this disclosure only two such top burners have been shown, but it will be obvious that any convenient number may be provided on the stove. Likewise, it will be apparent that the number of individual manual shut-off valves, which Ignition of this mixture from the conindependently are adapted to supply gas to the secondary pilot burner, may be varied.

Also, while the flash tube apertures 39 have been described as being evenly spaced successful operation of the system may be had even though this specific design is departed from.

While there has been described a preferred embodiment of our invention it will be apparent that various modifications, omissions and refinements which depart from the described form of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a gas stove including a stove top having a back rail extending upwardly from the cooking level of the stove top, a plurality of top burners located below the cooking level of the stove top, individual valves for controlling the supply of gas to the respective top burners, an ignition system for the top burners which comprises a constantly burning pilot burner located at the back of the stove, a heat dissipating tube for the constant pilot burner extending upwardly from the constant pilot burner with its lower end communicating therewith and its upper end terminating in a port at the back rail above the cooking level of the stove top, a secondary pilot burner mounted below the cooking level of the stove top in spaced relation from the constant pilot burner, flash tube means communicating at one end with each of the top burners and at the other end with said secondary pilot burner for igniting the top burners from said secondary pilot burner, a substantially horizontal flash tube open at each end and communicating thereat with the constant pilot burner and the secondary pilot burner, respectively, a plurality of ports respectively communicating with the interior of said flash tube at spaced intervals along the length thereof, conduit means for supplying a combustible gas mixture substantially simultaneously to all of said flash tube ports and to said secondary pilot burner in response to opening of any of said valves for supplying gas to a top burner, whereby to effect ignition of said secondary pilot burner by flash-back through said flash tube from said constant pilot burner, and conduits extending respectively between said valves and said top burners for supplying gas directly to the respective top burner responsive to opening of the corresponding valve for ignition from said secondary pilot burner.

2. In a gas stove including a stove top having a back rail extending upwardly from the cooking level of the stove top, a plurality of top burners located below the cooking level of the stove top and including a burner located adjacent the front of the stove, individual valves for controlling the supply of gas to respective top burners, an ignition system for the top burners which comprises a constantly burning pilot burner positioned at the rear of the stove beneath the back rail thereof, a secondary pilot burner located rearwardly from said front top burner and below the cooking level of the stove top, flash tube means communicating at one end with each of said top burners including said front top burner and at the other end with said secondary pilot burner for igniting the top burners from said secondary pilot burner, a substantially horizontal flash tube open at each end and communicating at opposite ends with the constant pilot burner and with the secondary pilot burner, respectively, a plurality of spaced ports communicating respectively with the interior of said flash tube at intervals along the length thereof, conduit means for supplying a combustible gas mixture substantially simultaneously to all said flash tube ports and to said secondary pilot burner in response to opening of any of said top burner valves for igniting said secondary pilot burner by flash-back through said flash tube from said constant pilot burner, and conduits communicating respectively between said valves and said top burners and supplying gas to the respective top burner responsive to opening of the respective valve for immediate ignition from said secondary pilot burner.

3. In a gas stove including a stove top having a back rail extending upwardly from the cooking level of the stove top at the rear thereof, a plurality of top burners located below the cooking level of the stove top, individual valves for controlling the supply of gas to respective top burners, an ignition system for the top burners which comprises a constantly burning pilot burner located at the rear of the stove, a flash ignition and heat dissipating tube for the constant pilot burner extending upwardly from the constantly burning pilot burner with its lower end communicating therewith and its upper end terminating in a port at the top of the back rail, a secondary pilot burner mounted in spaced relation from the constant pilot burner below the cooking level of the stove top and between said top burners, flash tube means communicating at one end with each of the top burners and at the other end with said secondary pilot burner for igniting the top burners from the secondary pilot burner, a manifold communicating with said secondary pilot burner and extending therefrom toward the constant pilot burner, a plurality of supply tubes communicating with the interior of said manifold and extending upwardly therefrom at intervals along the length thereof, a flash tube communicating with all of said supply tubes to receive a gas supply from said manifold, said flash tube being supported by said manifold to extend substantially horizontally between said secondary pilot burner and said constant pilot burner and being open at each end to communicate thereat with said secondary and constant pilot burners, respectively, said manifold receiving a gas supply responsive to opening of any of said top burner valves to supply gas substantially simultaneously to all said supply tubes communicating with said flash tube and to said secondary pilot burner, where by to eifect ignition of said secondary pilot burner by flash-back through said flash tube from said constant pilot burner, and conduits communicating respectively between said valves and said top burners and supplying gas directly to the respective top burner responsive to opening of the respective valve for immediate ignition from said secondary pilot burner.

4. In a gas stove including a stove top having a back rail extending upwardly from the rear of the stove top, a plurality of top burners located below the cooking level of the stove and including a burner located adjacent the rear of the stove and a burner located adjacent the front of the stove, individual. valves for controlling the supply of gas to respective top burners, an ignition system for the top burners which comprises a constantly burning pilot burner positioned at the rear of the stove beneath the back rail thereof, a secondary pilot burner disposed below the cooking level of the stove top and between said front and rear top burners from front to back along the stove, flash tube means communicating at one end with each of the top burners and at the other end with said secondary pilot burner for igniting the top burners from said secondary pilot burner, a horizontal manifold communicating with said secondary pilot burner and extending rearwardly therefrom toward the constant pilot burner, a plurality of supply tubes communicating with the interior of the manifold and extending upwardly therefrom at spaced intervals along the length thereof, a flash tube communicating with said supply tubes to receive a gas supply from said manifold, said flash tube being supported by said manifold to extend horizontally from said secondary pilot burner, said flash tube being open at each end and communicating at opposite ends with the constant pilot burner and with the secondary pilot burner, respectively, said manifold receiving a gas supply responsive to opening of any of a plurality of said top burner valves to supply gas substantially simultaneously to all said supply tubes communicating with said horizontal flash tube and to said secondary pilot burner, whereby to elfect ignition of said secondary pilot burner by flash-back through said flash tube from said constant pilot burner, and conduits communicating respectively between said valves and said top burners and supplying gas directly to the respective top burner responsive to opening of the respective valve for immediate ignition from said secondary pilot burner.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said flash tube is formed with a plurality of elongated slots extending along its length at its top to prevent overcharging of the flash tube and for liberating the excess products of combustion in the flash tube.

6. In a gas stove including a stove top having a back rail extending upwardly from the rear of the cooking level of the stove top, a plurality of top burners located below the cooking level of the stove top and including a burner positioned adjacent the front of the stove, individual valves for controlling the supply of gas to respective top burners, an ignition system for the top burners which comprises a constantly burning pilot burner positioned at the rear of the stove beneath the back rail thereof, a secondary pilot burner positioned below the cooking level of the stove between the constant pilot burner and the top burner positioned adjacent the front of the stove, flash tube means communicating at one end with each of said top burners including the top burner positioned adjacent the front of the stove and at the other end with said secondary pilot burner for igniting the top burners from the secondary pilot burner, horizontal flash tube means communicating at opposite ends with the constant pilot burner and the secondary pilot burner for igniting the secondary pilot burner from the constant pilot burner, conduit means for supplying a combustible gas mixture to said horizontal flash tube means and to said secondary pilot burner in response to the opening of any of said top burner valves for igniting said secondary pilot burner by flash-back through said flash tube from said constant pilot burner, and conduits communicating respectively between said valves and said top burners and supplying gas directly to the top burner responsive to opening of the respective valve for immediate ignition from said secondary pilot burner.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 413,809 Marsh Oct. 29, 1889 2,515,102 Taylor July 11, 1950 2,517,782 Gauger Aug. 8, 1950 2,520,298 Antrim Aug. 29, 1950 2,604,150 Taylor July 22, 1952

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