PORTABLE GAS COOKING RANGE

Abstract: A portable gas cooking range having a burner (6) and a piezoelectric igniter (5) therefor, means for supplying gas from a gas canister to said burner and an adjustable gas regulator (4) for varying the flow of gas to the burner, is provided with a flame failure safety device comprising a thermocouple (7) located in close proximity to the burner and which is operably connected to a gas valve (8) in the gas regulator, the gas valve being capable of opening and closing according to the electromotive force produced in use by the thermocouple, so as to shut off the flow of gas through the valve if the ignited burner is accidentally or inadvertently extinguished and hence prevent escape of gas from the burner when in a non-ignited condition.

Description: Portable gas cooking range This invention relates to portable gas cooking ranges and is concerned with a flame failure safety device for incorporation in a portable gas range. Portable gas ranges are used for cooking mainly in outdoor locations, for example for picnics or barbeques, and in mobile locations, such as in pleasure and fishing boats and caravans and motorhomes (campervans). However, because of the relatively small size of such portable gas ranges, problems can arise during their use, causing the ignited burner to be extinguished, for example by overflowing food or windy conditions. Such sudden accidental extinguishing of the ignited burner normally causes gas to escape, and if the user attempts to reignite the burner, an accidental fire or explosion can occur. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a portable gas range which will obviate the danger accompanying the use of known portable gas ranges. According to the present invention, there is provided a portable gas cooking range having a burner and a piezoelectric igniter therefor, means for supplying gas from a gas canister to said burner and an adjustable gas regulator for varying the flow of gas to the burner, characterised in that a thermocouple is located in close proximity to the burner and is operably connected to a gas valve in the gas regulator, said gas valve being capable of opening and closing according to the electromotive force produced in use by the thermocouple, so as to shut off the flow of gas through the valve if the ignited burner is accidentally extinguished, thereby preventing escape of gas from the burner when in a non- ignited condition. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a portable gas range according to the invention; Figure 2A is a partial front view of the portable gas range of Figure 1 in a turn on position; Figure 2B is a partial side view of the portable gas range of Figure 2A; Figure 3A is a partial front view of the portable gas range in a turn off position; and Figure 3B is a partial side view of the portable gas range of Figure 3A. Referring to the drawings, a casing (1) houses an igniter (5), a burner (6), a gas canister holder (2) and a gas regulator (4) which is connected to a flame regulating knob (3) on the exterior of the casing. The gas regulator (4) incorporates a magnetic gas valve (8) having a press button (10) and is connected to a thermocouple (7) situated beside the burner (6). On the upper part of the gas valve (8) there is a revolvable lever (9) comprising a safety device (9a) and a main body (9b). The safety device (9a) is operated up and down by a projecting part (11 ) of the flame regulating knob (3). The main body (9b) includes the press button (10) at the lower part which is to be pushed by an inclining part (12) for setting or releasing. In order to use the gas range for cooking, as shown in Figures 2A/2B, the flame regulating knob (3) is to be turned on. Then the revolvable lever (9) on the upper part of gas valve (8) is to be pushed upwards to turn on the safety device (9a). The inclining part (12) in the main body (9b) of revolvable lever (9) pushes the press button (10) of gas valve (8) to open the gas valve (8) and to supply gas to the burner (6). At the same time, ignition is effected by spark by igniter (5) and heat is transferred to the thermocouple (7) placed at one side of burner (6) after a lapse of time. Heat from the burner (6) causes the thermocouple (7) to generate an electromotive force by thermosensor between two dissimilar metallic conductors having different resistivity. Even after the press button (10) is released and is projected back, the electromotive force can hold open the gas valve (8) and the gas is continuously supplied to the burner (6). Even if the flame at the burner (6) is extinguished due to overflowing of food or by instant breakdown while using the gas range, as shown in Figures 3A/3B the thermocouple (7) senses that there is no more heat and then it operates the gas valve (8) by electromotive force produced by the thermocouple (7). The press button (10) then returns back to a gas shut-off position and the gas supply is automatically shut-off. For initial ignition the press button (10) of gas valve (8) is pushed by flame regulating knob (3) and revolvable lever (9) together. After ignition by igniter (5), when the gas is supplied to the burner (6), the electromotive force produced by the heat sensed by thermocouple (7) keeps the gas supply continuously flowing to the burner (6). If the igniter fails or when the flame goes out, the thermocouple (7) senses it and cuts off the gas supply. In this manner, the automatic prevention of gas leakage ensures the user's convenience and safety. In addition, this embodiment of the invention which includes the magnetic gas valve (8) operated by revolvable lever (9) and thermocouple (7) is of the same size as the existing small-sized portable gas ranges, which solves the current problem that the existing portable gas ranges cannot be equipped with a safety device due to their limiting small size.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A portable gas cooking range having a burner (6) and a piezoelectric igniter (5) therefor, means for supplying gas from a gas canister to said burner and an adjustable gas regulator (4) for varying the flow of gas to the burner, characterised in that a thermocouple (7) is located in close proximity to the burner (6) and is operably connected to a gas valve (8) in the gas regulator (4), the arrangement being such that said gas valve is capable of opening and closing according to the electromotive force produced in use by the thermocouple, so as to shut off the flow of gas through the valve if the ignited burner is accidentally extinguished, thereby preventing escape of gas from the bumer when in a non-ignited condition. 2. A portable gas range as claimed in Claim 1 , characterised in that the gas regulator (4) incorporates a magnetic gas valve (8) operated by a revolvable lever (9) in conjunction with a press button (10) and a flame regulating knob (3).

Inventors: KIM CHUNG-IL, KIM, CHUNG-IL
Applicants: JFA LTD, KIM CHUNG IL, TOUCHLITE CO LTD, JFA LIMITED, KIM, CHUNG-IL, TOUCHLITE CO., LTD.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: F24C3
IPC codes: F24C3