Emerson Electric Company

Emerson Electric, Inc.

Subhash R Deo

Simon P Griffiths

Christopher R Taylor

Randall T Markum

Herbert G Ray

Jeffrey A Bates

Byron Neal Cantrell

Herb Ray

A modular radiant heating unit adapted for installation into a cooktop or the like. In one embodiment, the heating unit comprises an open-topped pan having a bottom and circumferential sidewall defining a flanged upper rim. A thermally insulating support element disposed in the bottom of the pan, and a radiant heating element is disposed in a pattern on the support element. An insulation ring is extends around and adjacent to the inner surface of the circumferential sidewall of the pan. A thermally insulating washer-like gasket is disposed atop the insulation ring and the flanged upper rim of the pan. A glass-ceramic cover plate is disposed atop the gasket, such that the gasket enhances the seal between the plate and the pan. The present invention also includes methods of assembling a modular radiant heating unit having such a gasket.

Modular radiant heating unit having a thermally insulating gasket and methods of assembling same

Modular radiant heating unit

A heating unit (H) for a cook top includes a ribbon-type heating element (E). The heating element is mounted on the upper surface of a cake (I) of microporous insulation material. The heating element is arranged in a predetermined pattern on the material and a plurality of staples (10) are used to attach and hold the heating element on the material surface. Each staple is a microwire staple and the staples are spaced along the length of the heating element to mount the heating element to the insulation. The microwire staples have a small thermal mass and so do not create heat sinks at their locations of use. Thus, they do not affect the efficiency of heat transfer between the heating element and that which is being heated. The staples are also preferably of the same metal alloy as that from which the heating element is formed so the staples can withstand high temperatures and numerous temperature cycles to provide a long service life.

Microwire staple for holding the resistive member of a heating element

A modular radiant heater unit (10) is for use in a stove top (RT) designed for installation of a tubular coil type heating unit (C). The heater can either use a coil (12), or a ribbon heating element (14). The element rests upon a cake (20) of an insulation material fitted within a pan (16) sized to be installed in an opening (6) in the stove type in which a coil type heating unit is normally installed. The heating unit has an electrical connector (24) adapted to readily connect with the electrical connector installed in the stove top. A radiant glass cover (30), sized to fit over the heater unit, is fitted over the pan and held in place by an annular ring (34) which fits about the circumference of the pan and a shield (38) which covers a gap (6) between the heater unit and stove top. Utensils for cooking food are placed upon the glass top. The heater control (K) normally used to control the temperature of a tubular, coil heater, is now used to control the temperature of the radiant heater unit.

A bracket (12) for installing a replacement heating unit (R) in place on a cooktop (C). One leg (14) of each of a pair of L-shaped brackets (12a, 12b) is attached to the bottom (B) of a pan portion (P) of the heating unit. The pan portion is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the opening in the cooktop where the replacement unit fits. The other leg (16) of each bracket extends upwardly along the side of the pan and is spaced outwardly of the pan. This other end of the bracket fits behind a downturned lip (L) defining an opening (O) in the cooktop in which the replacement unit is fitted. This allows the heating unit, with the brackets attached, to be set in place in the cooktop opening with the upwardly extending legs of the brackets bearing against an inner portion of the opening sidewall so to fit the replacement heating unit in place.

Mounting apparatus for modular radiant heating element

A heating element (10) for a cook top or the like has a predetermined heating profile by which the temperature of the heating element is rapidly increased from room temperature to a cooking temperature because of an initially high level of power dissipation in the element when a current is applied to the element. As a result of the high level of power dissipation, as the temperature of the element rises toward the cooking temperature, the power dissipation level falls to a predetermined level at which it subsequently remains. A first heating element material (12) has a first predetermined set of heating characteristics, and a second heating element material (14) has a second and different predetermined set of characteristics. When the materials are combined together to form the heating element, the element incorporates therein heating characteristics by which a desired heating profile is achieved; i.e., the rapid initial temperature increase and accompanying decrease in power dissipation.

Composition heating element for rapid heating

A heating unit (H) for a cook top includes a thin and relatively fragile resistive heating element like, but not necessarily limited to, a ribbon (E). The heating element is mounted on the upper surface of a cake (I) of microporous insulation material. The heating element is arranged in a predetermined pattern on the material and a plurality of staples (10) are used to attach and hold the heating element on the material surface. Each staple is a glass staple and the staples are spaced along the length of the heating element to mount the heating element to the insulation. The staples are electrically non-conductive and do not create heat sinks at their locations of use. Thus, they do not affect the efficiency of heat transfer between the heating element and that which is being heated. The staples are also of a glass material which can withstand high temperatures and numerous temperature cycles to provide a long service life.

Growing community of inventors

Fayette, AL, United States of America

Subhash R Deo