General Electric Company

Jeffery Donald Hunt

James A White

Kenton J Graviss

Martin Edward Vink, Jr

A range which includes a mounting system for securing the heating element to the range so that the heating element is maintained against an underside surface of the glass plate with a substantially constant force over a broad temperature range is described. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a first swing leaf spring and a second swing leaf spring for engaging to the cooktop and to the radiant heating element for positioning the radiant heating element within the radiant heating element opening. More particularly, the cooktop includes at least one radiant heating element opening and a rim extending from an underside surface of the cooktop surrounding the radiant heating element opening. The rim includes a first slot and a second slot, and the first and second slots are located approximately about one hundred and eighty degrees apart in the rim. The first swing leaf spring has a spring hook portion at least partially inserted into the first rim slot, and the second swing leaf spring includes a spring hook portion at least partially inserted into the second rim slot. Each swing leaf spring also includes a lead-in portion for engaging to the heating element. Specifically the lead-in portion includes a spring barb for inserting into a slot in the heating element and an angular offset section for facilitating engagement between the spring and the heating element. Each swing leaf spring also includes an extension portion which, in one embodiment, is u-shaped.

Mounting system for radiant cooktop heating elements

Ranges which include mounting systems for securing the heating elements so that the heating elements are maintained against an underside surface of the glass panel with a substantially constant force over a broad temperature range are described. In one embodiment, the cooktop includes a frame having an opening for receiving the glass panel. Flanges extend into the opening from the frame and support the panel in the opening. A metal plate is secured to an underside surface of the glass panel, and the plate includes a plurality of radiant heating element openings. The mounting system includes coil springs, or other types of springs, for engaging to the plate and to the radiant heating elements for positioning the radiant heating elements within the radiant heating element openings and against the glass panel. Various alternative embodiments of the above described mounting system are also described.

Glass supported heating elements for radiant cooktop ranges

A control mechanism for simultaneously supplying air to a refrigerated compartment in two separate air streams includes a housing having an inlet communicating with first and second outlets. A first valve seat interconnects the inlet and first outlet and a second valve seat interconnects the inlet and second outlet. A unitary valve member rotatably mounted in the housing is movable between a closed condition engaging both of the valve seats to block air flow from the inlet to both of the outlets and an open condition out of engagement with both of the valve seats to permit air flow from the inlet to both of the outlets. A temperature responsive mechanism senses the temperature in the compartment and controls the condition of the valve member in response to the sensed temperature.

Growing community of inventors

Shelbyville, KY, United States of America

Jeffery Donald Hunt