Patent ID: 6940048

Claim:
A cooking apparatus comprising a radiant electric heater ( 2 ) and electronic control apparatus ( 20 ), the heater being arranged for location underneath and against a cooking plate ( 12 ) and incorporating a heating element ( 14 ) spaced from the cooking plate and a temperature sensor assembly ( 26 ), wherein the temperature sensor assembly comprises a beam ( 28 ) of ceramic material provided within the heater ( 2 ) and extending at least partially across the heater over the heating element ( 14 ), the beam having a substantially planar upper surface ( 32 ) arranged to face the cooking plate ( 12 ) and an under surface ( 34 ) arranged for exposure to direct radiation from the heating element, the planar upper surface having provided thereon an electrical component ( 36 ) having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature of the cooking plate, the electrical component ( 36 ) being electrically connected by means of electrical leads ( 54 ) to the electronic control apparatus ( 20 ), which electronic control apparatus receives input signals from at least one electrical component ( 36 ) on the upper surface of the beam ( 28 ) and also input signals from a manual control switch device ( 22 ), the input signals from the at least one electrical component being processed by a fail-safe circuit ( 70 ) having a fixed threshold temperature such that at least one heating element ( 14 ) is arranged to be de-energised at a temperature above such fixed threshold.