Cooktop appliance with temperature sensor

A cooktop appliance includes a top panel with a gas burner disposed on the top panel. The cooktop appliance also includes a grate with a plurality of fingers. The grate is removably positioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes a sensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a temperature sensor extending from the top panel adjacent to the gas burner. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of a footprint of the gas burner. The cooktop appliance further includes a thermally conductive probe extending from the temperature sensor to the sensor finger above the gas burner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to cooktop appliances with one or more gas burners, and in particular to such cooktop appliances with one or more temperature sensors therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gas cooktop appliances generally include a plurality of gas burners mounted at a top surface of the appliance. Gas burners heat a cooking utensil positioned on a grate over the gas burner primarily via convective heating. Thus, measuring cooking utensil temperatures on gas cooktop appliances poses challenges because any sensor that contacts the cooking utensil is significantly heated by swirling heated air from the gas burner.

Some gas cooktops include a sensor that passes through the gas burner and presses against the cooking utensil on the grate. Such sensors have drawbacks. For example, assembly and cleaning of burner parts is greatly complicated due to the construction of the gas burner that includes a sensor passing through the gas burner. As another example, openings in the gas burner and other cooktop components that accommodate the sensors can undesirably pass spills through the gas burner. Such temperature sensors also generally include sensitive electronics which may not be robust for a cooking environment, e.g., due to spills or dripping from the cooking surface which may contaminate the sensor. Additionally, such temperature sensors may not be robust for cleaning, e.g., the temperature sensor may not be suitable for submersion during washing or washing in a dishwasher appliance.

Accordingly, a gas cooktop appliance with features for monitoring the heating provided, such as monitoring for excessive cookware temperatures, e.g., temperatures in excess of a temperature limit, would be useful. In particular, a gas cooktop appliance with robust, durable features for monitoring a temperature of a cooking utensil thereon would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an example embodiment, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical direction, the lateral direction, and the transverse direction are mutually perpendicular. The cooktop appliance includes a top panel with a gas burner disposed on the top panel. The cooktop appliance also includes a grate with a plurality of fingers. The grate is removably positioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes a sensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a temperature sensor extending upward along the vertical direction from the top panel adjacent to the gas burner. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of a footprint of the gas burner. The cooktop appliance further includes a thermally conductive probe extending from the temperature sensor to the sensor finger above the gas burner.

In another example embodiment, a cooktop appliance includes a top panel with a gas burner disposed on the top panel. The cooktop appliance also includes a grate with a plurality of fingers. The grate is removably positioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes a sensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a temperature sensor extending from the top panel adjacent to the gas burner. The temperature sensor is positioned outside of a footprint of the gas burner. The cooktop appliance further includes a thermally conductive probe extending from the temperature sensor to the sensor finger above the gas burner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

FIGS.1through5illustrate an exemplary cooktop appliance100according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. The example cooktop appliance100includes a top panel102. The cooktop appliance100extends in a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T, e.g., perpendicular to a vertical direction V. Each of the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T is mutually perpendicular to every other of the vertical direction V, the lateral direction L, and the transverse direction T, such that an orthogonal direction system is formed.

More particularly,FIGS.1and2depict the exemplary cooktop appliance100with a plurality of frames200mounted on the panel102, with each frame200positioned above and around a pair of gas burners110, and a pair of grates400mounted on each frame200. Thus, each grate400in the illustrated exemplary embodiments corresponds to one burner110. The panel102may include a top surface104and a bottom surface106. By way of example, the panel102may be constructed of enameled steel, stainless steel, glass, ceramics, and combinations thereof.

As may be seen, e.g., inFIGS.1through5, the cooktop appliance100may include a plurality of burners. For example, the cooktop appliance100may include a plurality of burners110disposed on the top panel102. For example, as illustrated, the burners110may be arranged along a regular array wherein the burners110are uniformly spaced apart along the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T. In additional embodiments, the cooktop appliance100may include any suitable number and arrangement of burners, including burners of varying sizes and shapes. The panel102may also include a recessed portion108, e.g., which extends downward along the vertical direction V. The burners110may be positioned within the recessed portion108. The recessed portion108may collect spilled material, e.g., foodstuffs, during operation of the cooktop appliance.

The cooktop appliance100may also include a user interface panel132located within convenient reach of a user of the cooktop appliance100. In various embodiments, the user interface panel132may include user inputs134, such as knobs, buttons, or a touchscreen, etc., which are generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and are therefore not shown or described in extensive detail herein for the sake of brevity and clarity. The user inputs134may allow the user to activate one or more burners110and determine an amount of heat provided by each gas burner110. The user interface panel132may also be provided with one or more graphical display devices that deliver certain information to the user, e.g., whether a particular burner is activated and/or the output level at which the burner is set.

Operation of the cooktop appliance100can be regulated by a controller130that is operably coupled to (i.e., in operative communication with) the user inputs and/or gas burners. For example, in response to user manipulation of the user input(s), the controller130operates one or more of the burners110. By way of example, the controller130may include a memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of appliance100. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In some embodiments, the processor may execute programming instructions stored in non-transitory memory. For example, the instructions may include a software package configured to operate appliance100and execute an operation routine such as one or more methods of operating the cooktop appliance100. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. The controller130may be programmed to operate the cooktop appliance100by executing instructions stored in memory. For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. Controller130may be configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions and/or instructions (e.g. performing methods, steps, calculations and the like and storing relevant data). It should be noted that controllers130as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as may be disclosed herein.

The controller130may be disposed in a variety of locations throughout appliance100. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the controller130and various operational components of appliance100, such as the gas burners110, inputs134, a graphical display, one or more sensors, and/or one or more alarms. For example, the controller130may be in operative communication with one or more temperature sensors450, e.g., as will be described in more detail below, the controller130may be in operative communication with one or more temperature sensors450positioned on, e.g., mounted to, the top panel102.

Generally, each gas burner110includes a generally circular shape from which a flame may be emitted. In additional embodiments, one or more of the burners may have a different shape, such as oval, oblong, obround, etc., among other possible shapes. As may be seen, e.g., inFIG.3, each gas burner110(or the gas burner110in embodiments where only one gas burner110is provided) includes a plurality of fuel ports114defined perimetrically, e.g., circumferentially, therearound. The plurality of fuel ports144may be arranged in groups, e.g., the fuel ports114may be arranged with one or more gaps112between adjacent fuel ports114around the circumference of the gas burner110rather than continuously around the circumference of the gas burner110. Each fuel port114is in fluid communication with an internal passage of each respective burner110. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated inFIG.1, one or more of the burners110may be a multi-ring burner including a first plurality of fuel ports defining a first ring of the burner110and a second plurality of fuel ports defining a second ring of the burner110(such as the three burners110along the back row inFIG.1, where “back” is used with reference to the perspective of a user at the user interface panel132, e.g., the back row is the row of burners110farthest from the user interface panel132along the transverse direction T), and the first and second rings may be spaced apart along the vertical direction V and/or may be concentric rings. In some embodiments of a cooktop appliance, multiple burners of differing types may be provided in combination, e.g., one or more single-ring burners as well as one or more multi-ring burners. Moreover, other suitable burner configurations are also possible.

As mentioned above, the cooktop appliance100may also include a frame200which may be mounted, such as removably mounted, to the top surface104of the panel102. The frame200may be configured to selectively support one or more grates400over the burners110. The frame200may thusly be positioned above the plurality of gas burners110, e.g., along the vertical direction V. For instance, in some embodiments, the frame200may span the two burners110, e.g., the frame200may consist of a single piece spanning unsupported across a first burner of the plurality of burners110and a second burner110of the plurality of burners.

For example, the frame200may include or consist of four corners, and may have a leg226extending generally along the vertical direction V at each corner. As will be described further below, the frame may include a shroud or sleeve222. In embodiments where the frame200includes the sleeve222, the sleeve222may be positioned between the corners, e.g., between the legs226. The legs226of the frame200may be positioned on top panel102, e.g., may extend from an outer rail202of the frame200to the top surface104of panel102when the frame200is mounted on the panel102. The outer rail202may extend around and at least partially define an external perimeter of the frame200.

In some embodiments, the frame200may span unsupported across a first burner110and a second burner110, e.g., without any legs or other portions of the frame200resting on the panel102between the legs226and/or between the burners110, along the transverse direction T. The first and second burners110may be positioned between the legs226along the transverse direction T when the frame200is mounted to the top surface104of the panel102.

As mentioned, the frame200may include an outer rail202. The outer rail202of the frame may extend around a perimeter of the frame, such as completely around the entire perimeter of the frame200and may define a peripheral support surface204(FIG.8), e.g., for at least partially supporting the grates400thereon. For example, the peripheral support surface204may be configured to selectively support a first grate400on a first portion, e.g., half, of the peripheral support204surface and a second grate400on a second portion, e.g., a second half, of the peripheral support surface204adjacent to the first portion.

The frame200may also include a crossbar218(see, e.g.,FIGS.4and5, and note thatFIG.8is truncated at a vertical plane extending through a center of the crossbar218) extending through the frame200at about the middle of the frame200. In some embodiments, the crossbar218may define an intermediate support surface221. The intermediate support surface221may be configured to selectively support a first grate400at a first side of the intermediate support surface221and a second grate400at a second side of the intermediate support surface221.

The frame200may be formed of cast metal, such as cast iron or steel, such that the outer rail202, crossbar218, legs226, and sleeve222are formed from a single, seamless piece of metal. Frame200may be removable from panel102, e.g., by lifting upwardly on the frame200. Moreover, it is to be understood that further additional or alternative embodiments of the frame200may be placed over only one burner assembly or more than two burner assemblies.

In some embodiments, the cooktop appliance includes one or more grates, e.g., the frame200or frames200may be configured to receive and support a plurality selectively removable grates400. Each grate400may extend at least partially above a corresponding burner110when the grates400are in a mounted position on the frame200and the frame200is mounted on the panel102. Generally, each grate400is configured for supporting a cooking utensil, such as a pot, pan, etc., on top of the grate400when the grates400are in the mounted position on the frame200and the frame200is mounted on the top panel102.

For example, each grate400of the exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of fingers404, e.g., formed of cast metal, such as cast iron. The cooking utensil may be placed on the fingers404of one of the grates400such that the cooking utensil rests on a top surface468of some or all of the fingers of the plurality of fingers404. The grate400, or each grate400in embodiments with a plurality of grates400, may include an outer frame406that extends around or defines a perimeter of first grate400. Thus, the outer frame406may be disposed at an outer portion of the respective grate400. The fingers404of each grate400may extend from the respective outer frame406such as along a radial direction generally perpendicular to the vertical direction V. For example, the fingers404may each extend along the radial direction inward towards a center of the grate400and/or a center of the gas burner110or a nearest one gas burner110of the plurality of gas burners110in embodiments which include more than one gas burner110, from the outer frame406.

When mounted, the grates400may selectively rest on the frame200, such as on the peripheral support surface204and the intermediate support surface221thereof.

In some embodiments, the grates400may be selectively removable (e.g., to an unmounted position), such that the grates400can be readily lifted from the frame200. In such embodiments, the frame200may, in turn, be removable from the top panel102. In other embodiments, the grates400and frame200may be formed of a single piece, wherein the one-piece grate400and frame200may be removable from the top panel102.

The plurality of fingers404includes a sensor finger410. A temperature probe454may be mounted in the sensor finger410, and the temperature probe454may be selectively in conductive thermal communication with a temperature sensor450(e.g., when the grate400with the temperature probe454in the sensor finger410thereof is mounted on the top panel102and/or on the frame200), whereby the temperature sensor450is operable to indirectly measure a temperature of a cooking utensil on the grate400. Thus, the grate400with the temperature probe454therein may be easily removed by a user while the temperature sensor450remains in place on the top panel102. For example, the grate400may be removed for cleaning, including washing, such as submerging in a sink or in a dishwasher appliance, where the grate, including the sensor finger410thereof, does not include any moisture-sensitive components such as electronic components, e.g., of the temperature sensor450.

The temperature sensor450may be or include any suitable temperature sensor, such as a resistance temperature detector, a thermocouple, an infrared temperature sensor, a bimetallic switch, etc. In particular, the suitable temperature sensor450need not necessarily be particularly suited to a high-temperature environment, due to the temperature sensor450being spaced apart from and/or shielded from the nearby, e.g., most proximate, gas burner110of the plurality of gas burners110(in embodiments where a plurality of gas burners are provided, or the gas burner110in embodiments where only one gas burner is provided) and combustion products emitted therefrom. For example, the temperature sensor450may be positioned outside of a footprint of the gas burner110. For example, the temperature sensor450may be positioned radially outward of a second (radially outermost, with the center of the gas burner110or the center of the grate400being the center point for reference to the radial direction) end420of the sensor finger410. For example, the temperature sensor450may be positioned away from all fingers404or410of the grate400, such as the temperature sensor450may be positioned below the outer frame406of the grate400, e.g., directly below the outer frame406along the vertical direction V.

As may be seen inFIGS.4,5,6, and7, the sensor finger410defines a slot414at a bottom surface416of the sensor finger410. The slot414is open and faces downward, e.g., along the vertical direction V, such as towards the panel102when the grate400is in the mounted position on the panel102.

A cover plate460may also be mounted to the sensor finger410within the slot414or adjoining the slot414at the bottom surface416of sensor finger410. Cover plate460may be positioned between the temperature probe454and gas burner110, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, cover plate460may advantageously shield thermally conductive probe454from direct heating by gas burner110. For example, cover plate460may block direct radiative heat transfer from surfaces at gas burner110to the temperature sensor450, and/or cover plate460may shield the temperature probe454from direct convective heat transfer from gas burner110and/or combustion products, e.g., flames and/or heated gases, emanating from the gas burner110. For example, in some embodiments, the cover plate460may be fastened to the sensor finger410.

In some embodiments, the sensor finger410extends between a first end418and a second end420from the outer frame406of the grate400along a radial direction that is generally perpendicular to the vertical direction V towards a center of the gas burner110. In some embodiments, sensor finger410may be elongated between the first and second ends418,420of sensor finger410. Second end420of sensor finger410may be positioned at the outer frame406of the grate402. Conversely, first end418of sensor finger410may be spaced from the outer frame406, and may be positioned above the corresponding gas burner110when the grate400is mounted on the frame200, e.g., as best seen inFIG.3.

As best seen inFIG.3, the flame ports114may be arranged in a circumferential array around the gas burner110. The flame ports114may be spaced intermittently around the gas burner110, e.g., with two or more groups of flame ports114and a corresponding number of gaps between the groups. For example, the flame ports114may be arranged in four generally equal groups, with four gaps112between the groups, e.g., the gaps112may be spaced about ninety degrees apart along or generally parallel to the perimeter, e.g., circumference, of the gas burner110. Further, in some embodiments, e.g., as may be seen inFIG.3, the sensor finger410may be aligned with one of the gaps112, e.g., whereby the sensor finger410is not directly above one of the flame ports114along the vertical direction V.

As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, the gas burner110, when activated, generates combustion products, e.g., flames and heated gases, which emanate from the flame ports114. Thus, based on the configuration of the flame ports114, e.g., the size, number, and spacing of the flame ports114, the gas burner110may define a footprint, e.g., a maximum area on which the combustion products from the gas burner110may be impinged, and/or the maximum area through which such combustion products may flow. For example, when the quantity of fuel supplied to the gas burner110during operation is at maximum, the entire footprint of the gas burner110may be impinged upon by combustion products from the gas burner100and/or may have combustion products from the gas burner110flowing therethrough. As mentioned above, the temperature sensor450may be positioned outside of the footprint of the gas burner110, and, as will be described below, the temperature probe454may extend from the temperature sensor450across a portion of the footprint of the gas burner110to contact a cooking utensil on the grate400, thereby permitting the temperature sensor450to monitor a temperature at the cooking utensil through the temperature probe454.

The thermally conductive temperature probe454may be mounted to or in the sensor finger410, e.g., at least partly within the slot414as mentioned above. In some embodiments, the temperature probe454extends from the temperature sensor450to the sensor finger410above the gas burner110. For example, the temperature sensor450may be spaced apart from the gas burner110and the sensor finger410above the gas burner110, while the temperature probe454extends across the space between the temperature sensor450and the sensor finger410, in particular to a cooking utensil position on the sensor finger410, in order to permit the temperature sensor450to monitor a temperature of the cooking utensil (or at least a temperature that is directly related to the temperature of the cooking utensil by a known relationship, e.g. offset) while the temperature sensor450is also spaced apart from the cooking utensil and the gas burner110. For example, temperature sensor450may contact thermally conductive probe454(see, e.g.,FIGS.6and7) at or proximate the second end420of sensor finger410, e.g., away from the gas burner110, whereby the temperature sensor450may be shielded from heating by the gas burner110at least in part by the distance between the temperature sensor450and the gas burner110, e.g., according to the spacing as described. In particular, the temperature sensor450may include a tip419or uppermost end, and the tip419of the temperature sensor450may contact the thermally conductive probe454, whereby the temperature sensor450may be positioned and configured to measure a temperature of the thermally conductive probe454and, when the probe454is in contact with a cooking utensil, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor450at the thermally conductive probe454may be related to the temperature of the cooking utensil, such as within a known range of the temperature of the cooking utensil based on the size, e.g., mass and/or length, of the probe454and thermal loss between the upper contact surface (e.g., at tip419) of the probe454and the head464of the baseplate462of the thermally conductive probe454. Thus, while the temperature sensor450may not necessarily measure or monitor the exact temperature of the cooking utensil, e.g., due to thermal losses through the temperature probe454as mentioned above, the temperature probe450described herein may monitor the temperature of the cooking utensil to ensure a temperature threshold, e.g. upper limit, is not exceeded. For example, an offset may be applied to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor450to arrive at or approximate the temperature of the cooking utensil in order to determine when the upper limit temperature for the cooking utensil and/or contents thereof is approached or reached, and, in some embodiments, the gas burner110may then be deactivated or its power reduced to avoid exceeding the upper limit temperature or to minimize the time during which the upper limit temperature is exceeded.

As mentioned above, the temperature sensor450may be spaced apart from the gas burner110, e.g., along the radial direction and/or along the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor or each temperature sensor may be positioned above the burner(s)110along the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, the temperature sensor450may be positioned outside of, e.g., above along the vertical direction V, the recessed portion108of the panel102. Thus, the temperature sensor450may be protected from spillage, e.g., by positioning the temperature sensor450above the recessed portion108of the panel102, and may be spaced apart from the gas burner(s)110by positioning the temperature sensor450above the recessed portion108.

The temperature probe454may be in direct contact with the tip419of the temperature sensor450. Thus, the temperature probe454may be in conductive thermal communication with the temperature sensor450via the tip419of the temperature sensor450. For example, the tip419may be in direct contact with the temperature probe454, and the temperature probe454may be in direct contact with a cooking utensil positioned on the grate400above the gas burner110, such that the temperature sensor450is in conductive thermal communication with the temperature probe454and with the cooking utensil via the temperature probe454.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated inFIGS.6,7, and8, the cooktop appliance100may also include a sleeve222, e.g., the frame200may include a sleeve222which encloses the temperature sensor450on at least three sides when the frame200is mounted to the top surface104of the panel102. In additional embodiments, the sleeve222may also be provided as part of the temperature sensor450or top panel102instead of as a part of the frame200.

The temperature probe454may be coupled to or in operative communication with a biasing member or spring480(see, e.g.,FIG.7) such that the temperature probe454is urged upwardly. As mentioned, each finger of the plurality of fingers404, including the sensor finger410, may include a top surface468. Thus, the temperature probe454may be urged towards the top surface468of the sensor finger410, e.g., towards a utensil positioned thereon, by the spring480. In particular, the temperature probe454may be urged upward along the vertical direction V by the spring480, e.g., towards the top surface468of the sensor finger410from within the sensor finger410and at least partially above the top surface468, e.g., at least a contact surface486of the temperature probe454on the button466of the temperature probe454may be positioned above the top surface468. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated inFIG.7, the biasing element may be a helical spring or conical spring480, and more than one biasing element may be provided, such as two biasing elements as illustrated inFIG.7. In additional embodiments, the biasing element may also or instead include one or more other suitable springs, such as a leaf spring, a cylindrical spring, or other suitable biasing element as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Thus, the temperature probe454may be positioned in sensor finger410such that the temperature probe454is configured to contact a cooking utensil and is configured to be in conductive thermal communication with the cooking utensil, such that a temperature of the temperature probe454measured by the temperature sensor450is related to the temperature of the cooking utensil on the grate400when the cooking utensil is heated by the corresponding gas burner110. For example, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor450may be used as a safety feature, such as to define an upper limit, e.g., a cut-off temperature, at or above which the gas burner110may be shut down, such as to avoid overheating the cooking utensil and/or items therein, in particular oils which may have a high evaporation point. In such embodiments, the cut-off temperature may include or be based on an offset or safety factor, such as the cut-off temperature may be less than a temperature of concern by the offset, and the offset may be based on the thermal properties of the temperature probe454, such as based on a temperature loss from the cooking utensil to the temperature sensor450through the temperature probe454.

The temperature probe454may include a baseplate462, and a contact pad or head464may be formed on an end of the baseplate462. For example, as may be seen inFIGS.6,7, and8, the temperature sensor450, e.g., the tip419thereof, may contact the baseplate462of the temperature probe454at the contact pad or head464, such as on a bottom surface of the baseplate462. The temperature probe454may further include a projection or button466which extends, e.g., generally upwardly along the vertical direction V when installed in the sensor finger410, from the baseplate462.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the contact between the tip419of the temperature sensor450and the temperature probe454may vary when the temperature probe454is weighed down by a cooking utensil, e.g., a degree of contact pressure where the tip419touches the temperature probe454may vary. In such embodiments, the temperature probe454, in particular when the temperature probe454is spring-loaded, e.g., is biased upwards by one or more biasing elements as described above, may also provide deflection information, such that cookware presence may be assessed, e.g., in response to a variation in contact pressure from the temperature probe454. Thus, the temperature sensor450may be able to determine when a cooking utensil is present and, e.g., may relay a corresponding signal to the controller130of the cooktop appliance100.

The temperature probe454may advantageously provide an enlarged contact surface486for contacting the underside of a cooking utensil and thereby promoting heat transfer from the cooking utensil to the temperature probe454. For example, the contact surface486may be an elongated contact surface, e.g., elongated generally along the radial direction, in order to contact cooking utensils of various sizes, e.g., various diameters. For example, the radially elongated shape of the button466and the contact surface486thereon may ensure that at least a portion of the cooking utensil is in direct contact with the temperature probe454, e.g., regardless of the size, e.g., diameter, of the cooking utensil, within a certain range of common or expected cooking utensil diameters, e.g., proportional to the size, e.g., diameter, of the gas burner110.

In some embodiments, the temperature probe454may be spaced apart from the grate400, including the sensor finger410thereof, to prevent conductive heat transfer between the grate400and the temperature probe454. For example, the temperature probe454, in some embodiments, does not touch the grate400. In some embodiments, the temperature probe454may be spaced apart from the grate400continuously around a circumference of the temperature probe454, e.g., such that the entire perimeter, e.g., circumference, of the temperature probe454is not in contact with the sensor finger410(or any other part of the grate400), including the button466of the temperature probe454which extends through the sensor finger410is not in contact with the sensor finger410.

In some embodiments, the temperature probe454may define an outer dimension, such as a width and/or length, which is less than a corresponding dimension, e.g., an inner width and/or length of the sensor finger410. For example, the sensor finger410may include an aperture428, and the temperature probe454, e.g., the button466thereof, may pass upwards along the vertical direction V through the aperture428without contacting any edges of the aperture428.

In some embodiments, the temperature probe454may be further thermally isolated from the grate400and the sensor finger410by a thermally insulative housing456. Where the temperature probe454comprises a thermally conductive material, the housing456may comprise a thermally insulative material, where the terms “thermally conductive” and “thermally insulative” may be understood each with respect to and relative to the other. For example, the thermally conductive temperature probe454may be at least about five times as thermally conductive as the thermally insulative housing456, e.g., a ratio of the thermal conductivity of the probe454to the thermal conductivity of the housing456may be at least about 5:1, such as about 10:1 or more, such as about 50:1 or more, such as about 100:1 or more, such as about 150:1 or more, such as about 200:1 or more, such as about 275:1 or about 300:1. In various embodiments, the temperature probe454may comprise any suitable heat conductive material, such as a highly heat conductive metallic material, e.g., aluminum, copper, and/or alloys thereof such as A360 aluminum alloy, and the housing456may comprise a less heat conductive material such as a ceramic material, or a low heat conductivity metal material such as alumina (aluminum oxide) or stainless steel. Thus, the temperature probe454may, by way of example, have a k-value (in Watts per meter-Kelvin or W/mK) of about 150 (e.g., for A360 alloy, which may permit the temperature probe454to be cast), or about 230 (e.g., for aluminum, where the temperature probe454may be formed by casting), or about 410 (e.g., for copper), whereas such probe454may be paired with a housing having a k-value of between about one and about two (e.g., for a ceramic material), or a k-value of about fifteen (e.g., for a stainless steel alloy), or about thirty (e.g., for alumina).

As may be seen, e.g., inFIG.8, the temperature sensor450may extend upward generally along the vertical direction V from the top panel102, e.g., to the tip419of the temperature sensor450, where a portion of the temperature sensor450, e.g., at least the tip419thereof, extends into the grate400in order to contact the thermally conductive probe454within the grate400, e.g., within the sensor finger410of the grate400. In some embodiments, the cover plate460may extend along the radial direction across the entire slot414in the sensor finger410. In such embodiments, the cover plate460may include an aperture (as illustrated, e.g., inFIG.8) through which the temperature sensor450extends, whereby the tip419is located above the cover plate460when assembled (see, e.g.,FIGS.6and7) to contact the temperature probe454.

The construction of the sensor finger410and temperature sensor450as described herein provides numerous advantages. For example, temperature sensor450is advantageously positioned in thermal communication, e.g., indirect conductive thermal communication through the temperature probe454, with a cooking utensil on the grate400yet temperature sensor450is also shielded by sleeve222and the temperature probe454is shielded by cover plate460from direct convective heating by gas burner110. The foregoing advantages are described by way of example only and without limitation. Additional advantages of the present disclosure may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The cooktop appliance100shown in the accompanying figures and described herein illustrates various example embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, although described in the context of cooktop appliance100, the present disclosure may be used in cooktop appliances having other configurations, e.g., a cooktop appliance with fewer burner assemblies or additional burner assemblies. Similarly, the present disclosure may be used in cooktop appliances that include an oven, i.e., range appliances. As another example, the present disclosure may be used with a cooktop appliance without a separate frame or frames, e.g., where the grate(s) may be positioned directly on the top panel, such as grates400and/or402may include vertical portions, such as legs, and may be positioned directly on panel102. Additional other and further variations in the configuration of the cooktop appliance100as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure.