Control of the burner heat output in a gas-operated cooking or baking appliance

• US 6,287,108 B1
• Filed: 11/18/1999
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Rothenberger, Gerhard, Weiss, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): CLARKE, SARA SACHIE
• Application Number:
  US09/443,554
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 126/39.E, 126/39.G, 126/39.BA, 431/89, 431/12, 137/486, 137/487.5, 732/042.5, 738/617.7, 738/617.9, 738/616.3, 738/616.5
• US Class Current: 431/12
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2005/185 using detectors sensitive to rate of flow of fuel
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2235/16 variable flow or proportional valves
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2241/08 Household apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/184 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft

Abstract

The method allows accurate setting of the volumetric gas flow through a gas feed line to a burner nozzle of a gas-operated cooking or baking appliance and required for a desired burner heat output. A corresponding cooking or baking appliance, in particular a gas stove, gas cooker, a gas hob, or gas oven, has a burner with a nozzle connected to the gas feed line. A gas valve is arranged in the gas feed line. The accuracy and reproducibility of the setting of the volumetric gas flow is improved owing to the fact that a current flow (actual measured value) of the gas through the gas feed line is detected by means of a meter and is regulated to a calculated or preset desired flow value that corresponds to the desired burner heat output by means of a controller and an actuating device for varying the gas flow.

Claims

1. A method of setting a volumetric gas flow of a gas flowing through a gas feed line to a burner nozzle of a gas-operated cooking or baking appliance, which comprises:

measuring, with a meter, a current flow of a gas through a gas feed line to a burner nozzle;

regulating, with a controller and an actuating device, the gas flow to a calculated or preset setpoint flow value and thereby adjusting a burner heat output to a desired burner heat output; and

adapting the controller to one of a gas type and a burner type and controlling the gas flow as a function of one of the gas type and the burner type.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring step comprises detecting with the meter a pressure difference in the gas feed line.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring step comprises detecting with the meter a cooling of a temperature sensor arranged in the gas feed line.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the temperature sensor is a heatable sensor.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measuring step comprises detecting with the meter a velocity of the gas flowing in the gas feed line.

6. The method according to claim 1, which comprises detecting at least one ambient disturbance factor influencing the burner heat output and taking the ambient disturbance factor into account during the control of the flow.

7. A cooking or baking appliance, comprising:

a burner having a burner nozzle connected to a gas feed line having a constriction of a flow cross section and measuring points;

a gas valve arranged in said gas feed line;

a control system including;

a meter connected to said gas feed line for detecting a current gas flow through said gas feed line, said meter adapted to detect a flow-induced pressure difference in said gas feed line and having a differential-pressure sensor for measuring a difference in a static pressure between said measuring points, each of said measuring points defining a different flow cross section of said gas feed line; and

a controller for comparing the current gas flow with a predetermined setpoint gas flow value corresponding to a desired burner heat output and for determining a controlled variable; and

an actuating device connected to said controller for receiving the controlled variable and for varying the gas flow through said gas feed line as a function of the controlled variable.

8. The appliance according to claim 7, wherein said actuating device comprises the gas valve.

9. The appliance according to claim 7, wherein said gas valve is a continuously adjustable valve.

10. The appliance according to claim 7, wherein said gas valve is adjustable in discrete steps.

11. The appliance according to claim 7, wherein said gas valve is a valve selected from the group consisting of electromotive, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric valve.

14. The appliance according to claim 7, wherein said control system includes a sensor for detecting an ambient disturbance factor influencing the burner heat output.

12. A cooking or baking appliance, comprising:

a burner having a burner nozzle connected to a gas feed line;

a gas valve arranged in said gas feed line;

a control system including a meter connected to said gas feed line for detecting a current gas flow through said gas feed line, and a controller for comparing the current gas flow with a predetermined setpoint gas flow value corresponding to a desired burner heat output and for determining a controlled variable, said controller adaptable to control a flow of gas for different types of gas and for different types of burners; and

an actuating device connected to said controller for receiving the controlled variable and for varying the gas flow through said gas feed line as a function of the controlled variable.

13. The appliance according to claim 12, wherein said control system includes a gas sensor to be brought into contact with the gas in the gas feed line for detecting a composition of the gas.

15. The appliance according to claim 12, wherein said meter includes a temperature sensor.

16. The appliance according to claim 12, wherein said meter includes a heatable temperature sensor.

17. The appliance according to claim 12, wherein said meter includes a velocity-measuring element.