MXPA98007394A - Electrode unit of ignition by spark for parachemaster - Google Patents

Abstract

A spark ignition electrode unit (12) includes an electrode wire (40) and an electrically insulating support member (18) that receives and locates the electrode wire (40) proximate the gas burner (10). The electrically insulating support member (18) includes an upper body portion (45) that covers the electrode wire (40). The upper body portion (45) contains a spark ignition conduit (44) for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire (40) and the gas burner (10). A ceramic material is formed to define the electrically insulating support member (18) having a receiving aperture (42) of the electrode wire for receiving and locating the electrode wire (40) proximate to the gas burner and a conduit (44) of spark ignition to communicate the spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire (40) and the gas burner (10). The electrode wire (40) is inserted into the receiving opening (42) of the electrode wire and then the formed ceramic material (18) including the inserted electrode wire (40) is baked.

Description

ELECTRODE UNIT OF IGNITION BY SPARK FOR BURNER OF GAS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to spark ignition for gas burners and, more particularly, to an improved spark ignition electrode unit for the gas burner of the grills of a gas stove.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE Spark ignition is normally used with gas burners. Spark ignition avoids energy consumption and heat caused by the permanent flame of the igniter pilot that was frequently used in the past to ignite gas burners, such as the grills of a gas stove and the burners of the furnace . Examples of gas burners ignited by spark are provided in United States of America Patent No. 4,626,196 issued December 2, 1986; No. 4,810,188 issued March 7, 1989 and No. 4,846,671 issued July 11, 1989, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. U.S. Patent No. 5,364,264 issued November 15, 1994 and No.

P1521 / 98MX 5,397,234 issued March 14, 1995, which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, disclose spark ignition arrangements that eliminate the possibility of electric shock to the user. The spark electrode unit includes an electrically conductive electrode contained within an electrically insulating support member. The electrically conductive electrode is positioned thanks to the electrically insulating support member, close to a predetermined portion of the gas burner. The electrically insulating support member formed of ceramic material has a predetermined wall thickness proximate the portion of the gas burner that provides a cover for the electrically conductive electrode, while allowing a high voltage potential to be applied to the electrode. discharge through the ceramic material. While these spark-ignited gas burner arrangements provide improvements over many existing spark ignition arrangements, it is desirable to provide an improved spark ignition electrode unit that provides an effective and reliable operation that is rugged and does not easily break or damage both during assembly and during use and can be easily manufactured.

P1521 / 98MX SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the main objects of the present invention are to provide a spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner of the grills of a gas stove; provide a new and improved spark ignition electrode unit that provides an effective and reliable operation; and providing a spark ignition electrode unit that overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of known spark ignition arrangements. In summary, the objects and advantages of the present invention are obtained by a spark ignition electrode unit. The spark ignition electrode unit includes an electrode wire and an electrically insulating support member that receives and locates the electrode wire close to the gas burner. The electrically insulating support member includes a top body portion that covers the electrode wire. The upper body portion contains a spark ignition conduit for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. A ceramic material is formed to define the electrically insulating support member having an electrode wire receiving opening for receiving P1521 / 98 X and locate an electrode wire near the gas burner and a spark ignition conduit to communicate the spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. The electrode wire is inserted into the receiving opening of the electrode wire and then the formed ceramic material including the inserted electrode wire is burned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OR FIGURES The present invention together with the foregoing as well as other objects and advantages can be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gas burner unit together with a spark ignition electrode unit, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the spark ignition electrode unit of Figure 1, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1; P1521 / 98MX Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 3, illustrating an alternative spark ignition electrode unit and the mounting arrangement for the spark ignition electrode unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the alternative spark ignition electrode unit of Figure 6, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to that of Figures 3 and 6 illustrating another alternative of the spark ignition electrode unit and the mounting arrangement for the spark ignition electrode unit, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the P1521 / 98MX alternative spark ignition electrode unit of Figure 9, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; . and Figure 11 is a perspective view of an additional alternative spark ignition electrode unit, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring now to the drawings, in the Figures 1-5, a gas burner unit designated as a whole is illustrated by the reference numeral 10 together with a spark ignition electrode unit, designated as a whole by the reference character 12 and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The gas burner unit 10 includes a burner base 14 and a burner lid 16. In accordance with the features of the invention, the spark ignition electrode unit 12 includes an electrode support member 18 that is configured for effective and reliable operation, while avoiding the likelihood of electric shock to the user. The spark ignition electrode unit 12 is sturdy and does not break or easily damage both during the unit and during use.

P1S21 / 98MX In Figure 1, a perspective view of a gas burner unit 10 is shown with the spark ignition electrode unit 12 assembled with a grate 20 of the gas stove. The lid 16 of the gas burner is supported by the base 14 of the gas burner and together define a fuel chamber 22 of the burner. An inlet 24 to the base 14 of the gas burner receives a mixture of gas and primary air from a venruri member 26. The lid 16 of the gas burner includes a plurality of ports 28 of the main burner, where the mixture exits and Burns in the presence of secondary air. The base 14 of the gas burner also includes a plurality of ports 30 of the secondary burner, where the mixture exits and burns in the presence of the secondary air. The base 14 of the gas burner and the lid 16 of the gas burner are formed, for example, by the technique of casting an electrically conductive material, such as, for example, aluminum alloy. The ports 30 of the secondary burner provide a small secondary flame particularly effective in maintaining combustion at low fuel rates. The small secondary flare effectively maintains stable combustion by preventing alterations caused externally in some way, resulting from air currents or slamming of the furnace. The ports 30 P1521 / 98MX of the secondary burner are included within base 14 of the gas burner, without requiring additional machining processes during the manufacture of base 14 of the gas burner. The spark ignition unit 12 is operatively located outside the burner fuel chamber 22, near ports 28 of the main burner and ports 30 of the secondary burner. Referring also to Figure 2, a perspective view of the spark ignition unit 12 is shown in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The spark ignition unit 12 includes the electrode support member 18 and a spark ignition electrode wire 40. An ignition circuit (not shown) selectively provides a high voltage potential to the electrode wire 40. The base 14 and the cover 16 of the gas burner are provided with an electric ground potential, so that when applying a potential high voltage to the electrode wire 40, causes sparks to ignite. The electrode wire 40 is an integral member formed of electrically conductive material, for example stainless steel 310. The electrode support member 18 is formed of an electrically insulating material, preferably a ceramic material, such as P1521 / 98MX example a non-glazed soapstone L5 material. In accordance with the features of the present invention, an electrode wire 40 is inserted into an opening 42 of the raw ceramic material forming the electrode support member 18. Then, the baking of the raw ceramic material forming the electrode support member 18 is provided. A bake temperature of about 1550 degrees Fahrenheit or 843 degrees Celsius is used for the electrode support member 18. A wet vibratory finish is provided for the removal of scale from the electrode wire 40. Referring to Figure 3, the opening 42 receiving the electrode wire 40 is sized for an interference fit with the electrode wire 40 after baking . A spark ignition channel or conduit 44 defined in the electrode support member 18 communicates with the aperture 42 and provides a path for the spark sparks from the electrode wire 40. As shown in Figure 3, the portion The upper end 46 of the electrode wire 40 is disposed or located proximate the spark ignition conduit 44 formed in an upper portion 45 of the insulating support member 18. The upper portion 45 of the insulating support member hides and protects the wire from P1521 / 98MX electrode 40 against embedding, grease, dirt, etc. The upper portion 45 of the insulating support member covers the electrode wire 40 and protects the user against the possibility of electric shock. The upper portion 45 of the insulating support member eliminates the requirements of tight manufacturing tolerances for a predetermined thickness in the discharge path through the ceramic material, by including the spark ignition conduit 44. The spark ignition conduit 44 has a selected size to facilitate re-ignition. A stepped opening 48 is provided through the base 14 of the gas burner to receive and locate the spark ignition unit 12 with respect to ports 28 and 30 of the burner. The support member 18 enclosing the wire 40 extends through the stepped opening 48 with an enlarged upper portion 50 of the support member that sits on and is supported by the upper surface 20 of the gas stove. A lower elongated body portion 52 of the support member 18 is slidably received through a corresponding opening 54 in the upper surface 20 of the gas stove and extends below the upper surface 20 of. the gas stove for connecting the sparking electrode wire 40 with the high voltage potential.

P1521 / 98MX The lower elongate body portion 52 of the support member 18 includes a flat side wall 56 for placement wedged within the corresponding opening 54 for locating or locating the spark ignition conduit 44 and the upper end portion 46 of the electrode wire 40 near ports 28 and 30 of the burner. The lid 16 of the gas burner includes an ignition cavity designated generally by the number 60 formed in a side wall 62 of the gas burner cap below an upper wall or upper portion 64. The ignition conduit 44 spark and the upper end portion 46 of the electrode wire 40 is positioned proximate ports 28 and 30 of the burner inside the ignition cavity 60 when the spark ignition unit 12 is assembled or assembled with the burner unit 10 and the upper surface 20 of the gas stove, as seen in Figures 1, 3 and 4. Referring now to Figure 6, which is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 and illustrates an ignition electrode unit by alternative spark designated in general by the reference character 12A and arranged or arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In Figure 7, the alternative spark ignition electrode unit 12A is shown in a perspective view.

P1521 / 98MX In Figures 6 and 7, the same reference characters used in Figures 1-5 are used for similar or unchanged components. The spark ignition electrode unit 12A has a different mounting arrangement compared to the spark ignition electrode unit 12 of Figures 1-5. Referring to Figures 6-8, the spark ignition electrode unit 12A includes a spark ignition electrode wire 40, an electrically insulating support member 90 and a cooperative retainer ring member 72 for mounting the unit 12B with the gas burner unit 10. The electrically insulating support member 70 includes a spark ignition channel or conduit 44 defined in an elongated upper body portion 74 of the electrode support member 70 which communicates with the receiving aperture 42 of the electrode wire to provide a path to the ignition sparks from the electrode wire 40. The electrically insulating support member 70 includes a lower body portion 76 with a flat side wall 78 slidably received through a corresponding opening 80 in a dangling portion 82 or is suspended down from the base 14A of the gas burner for placement wedged with the unit 10 of the gas burner. The portion 82 suspended downward is P1521 / 98MX received through a corresponding opening 84 of the top of the stove. A groove 86 is formed below the upper portion 74 in the support member 70 of the electrode for receiving the mounting retaining ring 72. Identical materials and an identical manufacturing method were used for the spark-ignition electrode unit 12A alternative as for the spark ignition electrode unit 12 of Figures 1-5. Similarly, the electrode wire 40 is inserted into an aperture 42 of the raw ceramic material that forms the electrode support member 70. Then, baking of the raw ceramic material forming the support member 70 of the electrode is provided. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate another alternative spark ignition electrode unit, generally designated by the reference character 12B and arranged in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The spark ignition electrode unit 123 includes a spark ignition electrode wire 40, an electrically insulating support member 90 and a cooperative retainer ring member 72 for mounting the unit 12A with the gas burner unit 10 . The electrically insulating support member 90 includes a spark ignition conduit 44, defined in an upper body portion 94.

P1521 / 98 X elongate of the support member 70 of the electrode communicating with the receiving aperture 42 of the electrode wire, to provide a path for the ignition sparks from the electrode wire 40. The electrically insulating support member 90 includes a portion 96 of elongated lower body with a flat side wall 98 received in sliding form through a corresponding opening 100 in the upper part 20 of the stove for the placement wedged with the gas burner unit 10. A groove 102 is formed below the upper portion 94 in the electrode support member 90 to receive the mounting retaining ring 72 below the top 20 of the heater. Figure 11 is a perspective view of an additional alternative spark ignition electrode unit, designated in general by the reference character 12C and constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The spark ignition electrode unit 12C includes a spark ignition electrode wire 40, an electrically insulating support member 110 and a cooperative retainer ring member 72 (not shown in Figure 11) for mounting the unit 12C with the gas burner unit 10. The electrically insulating support member 110 includes a spark ignition channel or conduit 44, P1521 / 98MX defined in an elongate lower body portion 114 of the electrode support member 110 communicating with the receiving aperture 42 of the electrode wire, to provide a path to the ignition sparks from the electrode wire 40. The portion 114 of the elongated upper body of the electrode support member 110 has a rectangular configuration. The electrically insulating support member 110 includes a lower body portion 116 with a flat side wall 118 received in a sliding manner through a corresponding opening 100 in the upper part of the stove. A groove 120 is formed below the upper portion 114 in the electrode support member 110 to receive the mounting retaining ring 72 below the top 20 of the stove. Identical materials and an identical manufacturing method were used for the alternative 12B and 12C spark ignition electrode units as well as for the spark ignition electrode unit 12 of Figures 1-5. While the present invention has been described with reference to the details of the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings, it is not intended that these details limit the scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

P1521 / 98MX

Claims (12)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1. A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner, comprising : an electrode wire; an electrically insulating support member that receives and locates the electrode wire close to the gas burner; the electrically insulating support member includes an upper body portion covering the electrode wire and the upper body portion contains a spark ignition conduit for communicating the spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner.
2. 2. A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 1, wherein the gas burner includes a burner fuel chamber that receives a mixture of gas and primary air and a plurality of burner ports of the gas burner. where the mixture exits and burns in the presence of secondary air and where the electrically insulating support member locates the electrode wire outside the chamber P1521 / 98MX burner fuel close to gas burner ports.
3. 3. A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 1, wherein the electrode wire is an integral steel member.
4. 4. A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating support member is formed of a ceramic material. A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 1, wherein the electrode wire is inserted into an opening in the ceramic material that forms the electrically insulating support member prior to baking the ceramic material . A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 5, wherein the opening which receives the electrode wire is dimensioned for an interference fit with the electrode wire after firing of the ceramic material. 7. A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 1, wherein the gas burner includes a wall portion. P1521 / 98MX which defines an ignition cavity and wherein the electrically insulating support member locates the electrode wire proximate to the ignition cavity of the gas burner. A spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 7, wherein the spark ignition conduit is located adjacent to the ignition cavity of the gas burner. 9. A method for manufacturing a spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner, comprising the steps of: forming ceramic material to define an electrically insulating support member having a receiving opening of the electrode wire for receiving and locating an electrode wire close to the gas burner; the electrically insulating support member includes an upper body portion that covers the electrode wire and the upper body portion contains a spark ignition conduit for communicating the spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner; inserting the electrode wire into the receiving opening of the electrode wire; and Baking the formed ceramic material including P1521 / 98MX to the inserted electrode wire. A method for manufacturing a spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner, according to claim 9, wherein the step of baking the ceramic material including the inserted electrode wire includes the step of providing a temperature of baking selected above 800 degrees Celsius. 11. A method for manufacturing a spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner, according to claim 9, includes the step of providing an integral stainless steel member that forms the electrode wire. A method for manufacturing a spark ignition electrode unit for a gas burner according to claim 9, which includes the step of providing a wet vibratory finish to remove or remove the scale from the electrode wire. P1S21 / 98 X