Gas cooking appliance

• US 20050199232A1
• Filed: 03/09/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
• Inventors: Yamada, Hiroyuki, Hata, Shinichiro, Gama, Atsuhito, Hirota, Kazuya
• Granted Patent: US 7,628,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/39.0BA
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/085 the axis of supply passage and the axis of discharge passage being coaxial and parallel to the axis of rotation of the plates
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/041 for rotating valves F16K31/055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/046 with electric means, e.g. electric switches, to control the motor or to control a clutch between the valve and the motor F16K31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/124 Control panels
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/126 on ranges

Abstract

A microcomputer 51 of an electronic circuit unit 50 actuates an electric motor (stepping motor) 20 driving a thermal power control valve of a burner during or just after extinguishment of the burner to displace the thermal power control valve to an opening degree position for ignition. In this way, the delay of the start of an ignition process of the burner for an ignition request can be eliminated to start the ignition process promptly.

Claims

1. A gas cooking appliance comprising:

a thermal power control valve provided in a gas flow channel to a burner for controlling the thermal power of the burner;

an electric motor for driving the thermal power control valve; and

control means for controlling the electric motor via a motor drive circuit,

wherein said control means comprises extinguishing time motor controlling means for actuating said electric motor so that said thermal power control valve is displaced to an ignition position predetermined as a displacement position of the thermal power control valve when said burner is ignited, at least during or just after extinguishment of said burner.

2. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein said electric motor is a stepping motor which is operated by supplying pulses thereto via said motor drive circuit, and said control means comprises means for actuating said stepping motor so that said thermal power control valve is displaced to a predetermined home position when electric source power is supplied to at least the control means and said motor drive circuit, and means for actuating the stepping motor just thereafter so that said thermal power control valve is displaced to said ignition position or a position close thereto.

3. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein said gas cooking appliance comprises a plurality of sets of said burner, thermal power control valve, electric motor and motor drive circuit.