Abstract:
An improved valve system for use in Chinese wok ranges of the type that require valves to turn water and gas on and off. The improvement uses a valve coupling arrangement that operates the gas and water valves simultaneously. When the gas is turned off, the water is also turned off, and when the gas is turned on, the water is also turned on. Separate valve control devices operate to open and close off the gas and water lines, and the valve coupling arrangement is operative to open and close the two valve control devises simultaneously. Cooling water lines, provided to supply a flow of cooling water across the wok range top, are sectional, whereby cooling water runs to cool the wok range top only in the region where the wok range is being used.

Description:
REFERENCE TO DOCUMENT DISCLOSURE CERTIFICATES  
       [0001]     Reference is made to U.S. Disclosure Document No. 581597, recorded Jul. 8, 2005, and entitled “Gas and Water Joint Valve for Chinese Wok Range”, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to the field of Chinese wok ranges, and in particular to a wok range having an improved valving system which saves operational costs, extends the life of the wok range, and provides a greater level of safety and convenience for the cooks using the wok range.  
         [0004]     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     A conventional and traditional Chinese wok range requires separate valves to turn water and gas on and off. Since a constant stream of cooling water is required whenever the stove burners are on, and very hot, Chinese cooks generally work with the water valve on, but usually do not bother, or remember, to turn them off when they turn off the gas. The result is that most Chinese restaurants waste a great deal of water, causing high water bills and a detriment to the environment.  
         [0006]     Additionally, in a traditional Chinese wok range, the cooling water runs the full length across the top of the wok range, when the water is turned on. Consequently, water continually runs over the entire range top, even though some of the burners are not in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a Chinese wok range which overcomes the above-noted deficiencies of the prior art.  
         [0008]     In accordance with the invention, there is provided: an improved valve system for a Chinese wok range; and a Chinese wok range employing such improved valve system.  
         [0009]     The wok range is of the type that has a plurality of designated wok locations on said range top for placement of a wok, a burner arranged below the range top at each designated wok location, a gas line for distributing gas to each burner, a water line for distributing cooling water to the range top, and a valve system controlling the flow of gas and water through the gas and water lines, respectively.  
         [0010]     In addition to cooling the wok range top, the flow of cooling water across the top of the wok range also prevents the accumulation of grease and splatters at all wok locations on the wok range top. All residues are gently washed toward the rear of the wok range and deposited in a drain gutter, thereby self-cleaning the wok range top and preventing the wok range top surface from corroding due to the build-up of debris.  
         [0011]     At each designated wok burner location/station, the wok range valve system comprises a gas valve for opening and closing off the gas line, thereby adjusting gas flow to the burner. It likewise comprises a water valve for opening and closing off the water line, thereby adjusting water flow to the range top.  
         [0012]     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a valve coupling arrangement for operationally coupling the gas and water valves together, whereby, in a first “on” state of operation of the valve coupling arrangement, the gas line valve and water line valve are opened simultaneously, and, in a second “off” state of operation of the valve coupling arrangement, the gas line valve and water line valve are closed off simultaneously. Of course, in operating the improved valve system between the first and second states of operation, the gas and water lines have flows at any level between full-flow when the valve coupling arrangement is in the “on” state and no-flow when the valve coupling arrangement is in the “off” state.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the invention, the cooling water lines are sectional, or segmented. The number of segments are equal to the number of burners installed in the wok range. In this manner, cooling water runs to cool the range top only in locations where the wok range is being used, i.e., where a wok burner is being used. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Further objects and advantages and a better understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a three burner Chinese wok range showing, in the exploded view sections, the components of a typical wok burner, the arrangement of cleaning faucets and associated water line connection, and the range back; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the system of gas and water lines of the wok range in  FIG. 1 , and showing, in detail, the system of valves connected to the gas and water lines. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a three burner Chinese wok range  1  showing, in exploded view style, the components of a typical wok burner  13 ,  15 ,  17 , the arrangement of cleaning faucets  31  and associated connections to water line  25 , and the range back  5 , all to be described in detail in the description which follows.  
         [0017]     Chinese wok ranges are manufactured and sold with single or multiple burner locations. For ease of explanation and understanding of the present invention, this description will primarily describe the construction and function of a single wok burner station, part of a multiple burner wok range. It will be understood that the concepts of the present invention apply equally well to a multiple wok range of any number of burner stations as well as to a single burner wok range.  
         [0018]     In  FIG. 1 , the wok range  1  has a range back panel  5  that is removable for ease of cleaning, maintenance, and/or repair of the wok range  1 .  
         [0019]     The range top  7  is a flat sheet of stainless steel, and, in the preferred embodiment, has a number of circular openings  8  located intermediate the front and back of the range top  7 , at the location of each of a similar number of wok range burner stations. A landing, or serving, shelf  9  extends along the top front edge of the wok range.  
         [0020]     For purposes of this description, a wok range burner arrangement is defined as comprising a gas jet burner  15 , and an insulated drum-like burner chamber  13 . Adding a removable wok ring  17  defines a complete wok burner, i.e., a wok burner station. The gas jet burner  15  is located inside the insulated burner chamber  13  at about 1 to 1.5 feet below the range top  7 . The insulated burner chamber  13  is secured to a respective range top opening  8 , with supports (not shown) at the bottom of wok range  1 . The insulated burner chamber  13  keeps the flames and heat inside the chamber, and directs the flames to the wok above. The wok ring  17  is made of cast iron and is used to hold a wok in place over the gas jet burner  15 . For ease of description, hereinafter the numeral  14  will be used to refer to a wok range burner arrangement  14 , which may also be referred to, simply, as a burner arrangement  14 .  
         [0021]     The edges  10  of the circular openings  8  are volcano shaped, formed by hydraulically pressing the region surrounding each of the circular openings  8 , placing the raised edges  10  a distance above the wok range top  7 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the gas and water lines of the wok range in  FIG. 1 , showing the distribution of gas and water, as well as the system of valves connected to and operating the flow of gas and water through the lines.  
         [0023]     A gas inlet pipe  19 , hereinafter referred to as gas line  19 , is shown rising up at one end of the wok range  1 , running along the top front edge thereof, and extending downwardly at the other end of the wok range. Gas line  19  is the source of gas which flows through a gas valve  20 , through a burner gas line  21 , then on to each of the wok jet burners  15 .  
         [0024]     A water inlet pipe  25 , hereinafter referred to as water line  25 , is shown running along the bottom front edge of the wok range  1 . Water line  25  is the source of water which flows through a water valve  26  and a distributor water line  28 , then on to each perforated water distributor tube segment  27 , preferably made of stainless steel. Each perforated water distributor tube segment  27  is positioned above the wok range top  7  and is arranged to uniformly distribute water over the range top  7  from along the front side of the wok range  1 .  
         [0025]     Shelf  9  covers and protects the water distributor tubes  27 , and is removable for cleaning or servicing the area underneath. The raised volcano shaped edges  10  keep water flowing on the range top from getting into the wok burner arrangements  14 .  
         [0026]     Water line  25  also provides a water source to overriding water valve  30  which may be opened manually, by rotating valve handle  32 , to send water to all of the perforated water distributor tube segments  27  simultaneously via supplemental water lines  50 . In this way, the top  7  of the wok range  1  may be cleaned with a fresh water supply even when there is no water being supplied through the water valves  26 , e.g., a cook can clean the range top during closing hours.  
         [0027]     A valve operating member  23  is effective to open and close each gas valve  20  and each associated water valve  26  simultaneously, such that, when gas is supplied to a wok burners  15 , water is supplied to the associated perforated water distributor tube  27 .  
         [0028]     The gentle flow of water from the perforated water distributor tubes  27  thus flows across the range top from front to back, and is collected in an elongated drain gutter  29  extending along the entire length of the back of the range.  
         [0029]     Designing the wok range such that cooling water flows from front to back of the range top is an advantage over ranges that have a reverse water flow, in that the chef&#39;s arms can be closer to the wok burner arrangements  14 , as is highly desirable for popular Chinese wok cooking styles. If the drain gutter  29  was located at the front of the wok range, this would make the distance between the wok burner arrangement  14  and the chef much greater.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  also shows two swingable faucet and spray nozzle arms  31 , mounted on the range back panel  5 , which, when the back panel  5  is attached to the wok range  1 , places each swingable arm  31  between a pair of wok burner arrangements  14 . The faucet and spray nozzle arms  31  are supported by, and movable left and right in, respective faucet valve and handle combinations  33 . In this manner, each swingable arm  31  can swing over a wok burner arrangement  14  and the region on either side of it. In addition to facilitating cleaning of the range top, swingable arms  31  may be used to distribute water needed for cooking.  
         [0031]     In  FIG. 2 , a cross section of the landing/serving shelf  9  is shown for spacial reference only. Other elements of the wok range  1 , not involved with the distribution of gas and water or the functioning of the associated valve system, are not shown in order to simplify the drawing figure.  
         [0032]     As mentioned above, a gas line  19  is connected to a gas source and has gas inlet possibilities at both left and right ends, as clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , for distributing gas to the wok burners  14 . The purpose of having two gas inlet possibilities is for convenience of installation. One of the gas inlets will be sealed with a gas pipe nut.  
         [0033]     Gas line  19  is routed to all gas valves  20 , one located in each of the three positions shown. Likewise, water line  25  is routed to all water valves  26 , one located in each of the three positions shown.  
         [0034]     Gas valve  20  opens and closes off gas to burner gas line  21 , thereby adjusting gas flow to the associated wok burner  15  ( FIG. 1 ).  
         [0035]     Water valve  26  opens and closes off water to the associated perforated water distributor tube  27 , thereby adjusting water flow to the range top.  
         [0036]     A valve coupling arrangement  42  operationally couples a gas valve  20  and a water valve  26  associated with the same wok burner arrangement  13  ( FIG. 1 ). In a first operating condition of the valve coupling arrangement  42 , the gas valve  20  opens to allow gas to pass to a wok burner  15 , and the water valve  26  simultaneously opens to allow water to pass to a perforated water distributor tube  27 . In a second operating condition of the valve coupling arrangement  42 , the gas valve  20  closes off gas to wok burner  15 , and the water valve  26  simultaneously closes off water to perforated water distributor tube  27 .  
         [0037]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve coupling arrangement  42  comprises a first gear member  43 , having gear teeth and connected to gas valve  20 , for opening and closing off gas passing to the wok burner  15  when the first gear member  43  is rotated. Likewise, the valve coupling arrangement  42  comprises a second gear member  47 , having gear teeth and connected to water valve  26  for opening and closing off water passing to the range top  7  when the second gear member  47  is rotated, the second gear member teeth meshing with the first gear member teeth.  
         [0038]     A valve operating member  23 , mechanically associate with one of the first and second gear members  43 , 47 , is adapted to rotate the associated gear member  43  or  47 , thereby simultaneously rotating the other gear member  47  or  43 , and opening or closing off the gas and water passing through their respective valves  20 , 26 , depending upon the direction of rotation of the first and second gear members  43 , 47 .  
         [0039]     Each of the first and second gear members  43 , 47  has a plurality of teeth sufficient to keep meshed with each other as the gas and water valves  20 ,  26  effect gradual changes in gas and water flow from completely open to completely shut off, and all positions therebetween.  
         [0040]     As previously noted, but better seen in  FIG. 2 , water line  25  provides water to overriding water valve  30  which, when open by rotating valve handle  32 , sends water to all of the perforated water distributor tubes  27  simultaneously via supplemental water lines  50 .  
         [0041]     One-way valves  51  are inserted in supplemental water line  50  leading to all sections/segments of the perforated water distributor tubes  27 , allowing water to flow to all tubes  27  when valve  30  is open, and preventing water from flowing backwards from each perforated tube  27  to any other perforated tube  27 .  
         [0042]     While only a particular embodiment of the invention has been set forth, alternative embodiments and various modifications will be apparent from the above description to those skilled in the art. For example, the number of wok locations may be any practical number. Additionally, while the valve operating member  23  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a manually rotatable handle, it should be understood that replacing the manual valve operating member  23  with pneumatic or electrical control devices for the simultaneous opening and closing of gas and water valves  20 , 26  is within the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art of Chinese wok range design, and the invention is not to be limited to manual operation for implementing the valve operating member  23 .