Hydrogen-fired cooking range assembly for gas cooking assembly, gas cooking appliance having hydrogen-fired cooking range assembly, and method of manufacturing hydrogen-fired cooking range assembly

Abstract

The invention in particular relates to a hydrogen-fired cooking range assembly (3) for a gas-fired cooking appliance (1) and configured for firing pure hydrogen. The hydrogen-fired cooking range assembly (3) comprises a cooking range body (7) having an internal volume for supplying hydrogen from a gas inlet opening (10) to a plurality of gas outlet openings (13); a cup-shaped recess (28) open at the second side (S2) and delimited by a circumferential collar (15) having a distal side oriented away from the cooking range body (7) and including therein a plurality of groove-shaped recesses (27); a passage (11) fluidly connecting the gas inlet opening (10) to the cup-shaped recess (28); and a substantially flat cover plate (16) placed in which the cooking range body (7) is a one-piece part having a continuous inner wall structure which seals the internal volume other than the gas inlet opening (10) and the outlet opening (13) in a gas-tight manner from the outer atmosphere (14).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen combustion burner assembly for a gas cooking appliance, in particular a gas cooking stove or a gas range, and more particularly a hydrogen combustion burner for a gas cooking stove, the gas cooking appliance comprising the hydrogen combustion burner assembly and being configured to heat a cooking vessel by burning pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a gas cooking appliance, preferably a gas cooking stove or a gas range, the gas cooking appliance comprising at least one hydrogen combustion burner assembly and being configured to heat a cooking vessel by burning pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a hydrogen combustion burner assembly.

[0004] Gas cooking stoves for heat-treating food are well known. Typically, a gas cooking stove or a gas range includes one or more heating zones, each heating zone including a gas burner assembly that allows the controlled combustion of a gas (such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, town gas, etc.) or generally a carbon-based gas or a gas mixture.

[0005] In addition to gas cooking stoves suitable for burning carbon-based gases (such as hydrocarbon gases, for example methane, propane, butane) as described, for example, in US 8,753,112 B2, cooking stoves suitable for supplying a hydrogen-oxygen mixture (i.e., a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen), such as those described in EP 2 146 144 A2, have also been developed.

[0006] The burner assemblies for conventional carbon-based gases are relatively complex and require the assembly of several different and separate parts (such as a base and a crown), such that in the assembled state, a passage suitable for supplying primary air is established. Although the known gas cooking stoves work satisfactorily, the industry still has an interest in further reducing the ecological impact of food preparation.

[0007] Gas burner assemblies suitable for supplying a hydrogen-oxygen mixture (HHO) are quite critical in terms of safety, operation, and handling, because the hydrogen-oxygen mixture is a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen supplied and fed in a substantially stoichiometric ratio and thus has a relatively high explosiveness. This is particularly important because gas burner assemblies for cooking are typically installed and used in locations such as in a user's home or kitchen, and the average user has not been trained to handle HHO, which is much more explosive than carbon-based gases. Due to the relatively high explosiveness, the manufacturing process of such burners is relatively complex and requires all parts for gas supply and guidance to be firmly attached to each other to prevent the parts of the burner from being ejected in the event of an explosion caused by a malfunction or an operating error.

[0008] In view of this, an alternative burner for heating a cooking utensil should be provided, which is relatively easy to manufacture, provides a relatively safe operation in terms of the explosiveness of the gaseous fuel used, and is easy to reduce the ecological impact.

[0009] This object is solved by the present invention, which is defined by the features of the independent claims respectively. The embodiments result from the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments described below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hydrogen burner assembly for a gas cooking appliance is provided, and the hydrogen burner assembly is configured to (i.e., the hydrogen burner assembly is specifically adapted to) combust pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen (i.e., gaseous hydrogen). The hydrogen burner can be used for household or industrial use for cooking purposes.

[0011] The expression "pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen" shall mean that the burner assembly itself is configured to combust pure hydrogen or pure hydrogen gas consisting of hydrogen (H2) and negligible amounts of possible trace impurities, contaminants, and / or admixture substances other than hydrogen (H2), but without oxygen (O2). Accordingly, the term "substantially pure hydrogen gas" shall refer to gaseous hydrogen (H2) without oxygen (O2), and may include substances other than hydrogen (H2). Substantially pure hydrogen gas shall also cover mixtures with negligible (i.e., negligible in terms of combustion and heating) trace impurities or admixtures of other gaseous fuels or components, but without oxygen (O2). To avoid doubt, pure hydrogen gas or substantially pure hydrogen gas shall be related to gaseous hydrogen fuel, where hydrogen (H2) is the main fuel component, but does not include and does not contain oxygen (O2). It should be noted that the proposed gas burner assembly is specifically adapted, designed, and suitable for use with pure hydrogen directly supplied from a gas supply pipeline associated with a local hydrogen storage tank, hydrogen container, or H2 gas-based public hydrogen supply network to the hydrogen burner assembly (i.e., to the burner body of the hydrogen burner assembly).

[0012] The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly includes a burner head body having an internal volume or internal free volume, i.e., a burner head body having a wall structure defining the internal volume. The internal volume is used to supply hydrogen or gaseous hydrogen from a gas inlet opening of the burner head body to a plurality of gas outlet openings. In normal operation, the gas outlet openings can be referred to as flame ports because the gas leaving the gas outlet openings will burn when ignited, for example, to heat a cooking utensil placed above the gas burner head assembly. The gas inlet opening represents a supply opening for supplying hydrogen from a source such as a gas cylinder, container, or public or private hydrogen supply network. For example, the gas inlet opening can be associated with or be part of a gas inlet interface for connecting to a hydrogen supply pipeline. The burner head body is designed such that hydrogen (H2) is oxygen-free (O2) when it is inside the burner head body, and the burner head body has no air inlet that might allow oxygen to enter the burner head body during use and mix with the hydrogen inside the burner head body. In the case of a conventional gas burner head, the burner head body has no so-called primary air inlet. In order for hydrogen to burn at the burner head body, only when the hydrogen leaves the flame port does it mix with ambient air and form a combustible mixture with atmospheric oxygen (i.e., the oxygen in the ambient air). Then, the hydrogen can be ignited.

[0013] The gas inlet opening is located at a first side of the burner head body, where in a normal use and operation arrangement and orientation, this first side can be considered the lower side of the burner head body. The outlet openings are located at a second side of the burner head body opposite the first side. Considering normal use, installation, and operation, this second side can be referred to as the upper side, i.e., the side facing the bottom of the cooking utensil placed above the burner head assembly for heating the utensil.

[0014] The burner head body includes a cup-shaped recess that is open at the second side (i.e., open upward) and is defined by a bottom wall and a circumferential collar or circumferential wall extending at the second side.

[0015] The circumferential collar (referred to herein simply as the collar) has a distal side face oriented away from the burner head body at the second side. The distal side face corresponds to the face side of the collar when viewed from a top view of the second side. The term "distal" shall mean that this face side represents the outermost side of the burner head body in the direction from the first side to the second side. For reference purposes, an axis extending parallel to the direction from the first side to the second side of the burner head body is referred to herein as the longitudinal axis, which can be a central axis. The distal side face preferably defines a plane that is substantially parallel, preferably precisely parallel, to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0016] The collar includes a plurality of grooved recesses or depressions on the free distal side. The recesses traverse the circumferential collar, i.e., the recesses extend from the inner side of the collar facing the cup-shaped recess to the outer side of the burner body. Preferably, the recesses extend or extend locally perpendicular to the collar (e.g., parallel to the local normal vector of the wall of the collar at the respective recess). Or in other words, the recesses preferably traverse the collar locally perpendicular to the collar. This particularly means that the recesses traversing the collar have a minimum length measured transversely to the collar. The angular orientation and thus the length of the recesses may be related to obtaining a desired or advantageous flame pattern, since for example, the length and its diameter of the recesses forming the flame ports in the assembled state may affect the pressure distribution. In particular, the recesses extend from the inner side of the collar facing the cup-shaped recess to the outer side of the collar facing away from the inner side (e.g., the outer side facing the outer atmosphere of the burner body). The bottom or base region of the recesses may be parallel to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, i.e., the bottom or base region may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. However, the bottom or base region of one or more of the recesses may be inclined with respect to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0017] The burner body further includes a passage, in particular an internal passage or through-hole, fluidly connecting the gas inlet opening to the cup-shaped recess. That is, the passage interconnects the inlet opening to the cup-shaped recess for supplying hydrogen supplied via the inlet opening from the gas line to the cup-shaped recess. In the operating and assembled state, the hydrogen supplied to the cup-shaped recess finally exits the flame port and can be ignited and then burned at the outer side or the burner body to heat the vessel. Similarly, in order for hydrogen to burn at the burner body, more precisely at the flame port, the hydrogen will only mix with ambient air and form a combustible mixture with atmospheric oxygen when the hydrogen exits the flame port. Then, the hydrogen can be ignited.

[0018] The burner head assembly further includes a substantially flat cover plate (also referred to herein as a cover member), which is placed or adapted to be placed on the distal side to cover the cup-shaped recess and the depression from the second side when placed on the burner body. In the normal operating assembled state where the cover member is placed on the burner body, the cover member closes the cup-shaped recess and the depression from the second side, thus establishing a gas distribution chamber, particularly for forming a hydrogen atmosphere in the gas distribution chamber when hydrogen is supplied via the passage. The gas distribution chamber is defined by the volume of the cup-shaped recess when covered by the cover member. Further, placing the cover member on the distal side of the collar defines a plurality of outlet openings, which are respectively defined by the volume of the depression when covered by the cover member. The outlet openings define the flame ports as mentioned above. The cover member is flat, and particularly it should be meant that, for example, in the assembled state, the upper and lower sides of the cover member (i.e., the two sides facing away from and towards the burner body respectively) can be approximated as two or more substantially parallel planes. For example, if the cup-shaped recess and / or the circumferential collar have a circular shape, the cover member can be formed as a flat circular plate (e.g., like a disk). However, the shape of the cup-shaped recess and / or the circumferential collar is not limited to circular, but can have other shapes, such as oval, egg-shaped or a shape similar to a Cassini curve. Accordingly, the collar can have a corresponding oval, egg-shaped or a shape similar to a Cassini curve. However, the term "flat" does not exclude a cover member having a stepped surface structure, particularly the side of the cover member having a stepped surface structure, such as the side facing the cup-shaped recess when placed on the burner body. For example, the cover member can include two or more sections or regions at different height levels (relative to the central normal) on the lower side or the side facing the burner body.

[0019] As an example, the lower side of the cover member can include an annular outer surface region adjacent to a circular inner surface region, where the annular outer surface is slightly indented relative to the circular inner surface region. The annular outer surface can be arranged to cover the depression when placed on the collar, while the stepped portion or shoulder in the transition region to the circular inner surface region can be arranged to dock or interact with a centering element implemented on or at the burner body (e.g., on the inner side of the collar). The centering element can be, for example, arranged as a protrusion extending inward from the inner side of the collar. This can be advantageous and support the correct alignment of the cover member on the burner body.

[0020] As outlined above, when the base body is covered by the cover plate, the recess defines a gas outlet opening, and the cup-shaped recess defines a gas supply chamber, wherein the gas supply chamber is in fluid communication with the gas inlet opening via a passage on the one hand and with the outlet opening on the other hand for supplying gas from the gas inlet opening to the gas outlet opening via the gas supply chamber. Further, the gas outlet opening is in fluid communication with the gas supply chamber on the one hand and with the outer atmosphere on the other hand.

[0021] For the proposed hydrogen burner head assembly, the distal side includes substantially flat (or smooth) bearing surfaces respectively between the recesses adjacent in the circumferential direction of the collar, which bearing surfaces rest against the cover plate in the assembled state (i.e., when the cover member is placed or mounted on the burner body), and at least inhibit hydrogen crosstalk between the recesses in the circumferential direction of the collar and / or transversely to the collar. Further, the flat surfaces inhibit or at least suitably inhibit atmospheric air, in particular atmospheric oxygen (O2), from crosstalking with hydrogen through the circumferential wall. In particular, the surfaces of the distal side of the collar and of the cover member that bear against each other in the assembled state are suitably flat or smooth, such that crosstalk between adjacent recesses and / or between hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen is inhibited or excluded during normal operation. Here, the fact that the cover member and the bearing surfaces (at least the corresponding mating areas) are flat and suitably smooth is one aspect of achieving sufficient tightness to avoid gas crosstalk during operation.

[0022] The term "gas crosstalk" shall mean the event of gaseous hydrogen entering one outlet opening and propagating to an adjacent outlet opening by passing through between the bearing surface and the cover member, and / or the event of gaseous hydrogen leaving the gas supply chamber to the outer atmosphere by passing through between the bearing surface and the cover member, and / or the event of oxygen entering between the bearing surfaces from the outer atmosphere. It has been found that avoiding such crosstalk (which is achieved by providing flat (or smooth) surfaces at the bearing surface and the cover member respectively and having these surfaces rest against each other) can improve the resulting flame pattern, especially considering the fact that hydrogen is more permeable than conventional carbon-based gases due to its smaller molecular size. In particular, and despite the relatively high permeability due to the relatively low molecular weight and molecular size, the present invention is based on the finding that proper operation can be achieved by using corresponding flat surfaces without necessarily requiring a member for pressing the cover member onto the bearing surface. However, such a member can be applied in embodiments, for example, fastening with screws.

[0023] According to the proposed hydrogen combustion burner head assembly, the burner head body is a one-piece part with a continuous inner wall structure that, in the assembled state, hermetically seals the internal volume, except for the gas inlet opening and the outlet opening, relative to the outer atmosphere. In other words, the walls and passages of the burner head body adjacent to and defining the cup-shaped recess are airtight, and there are no openings, through-holes or gaps between the internal volume and the outer atmosphere. This means that, in the assembled state, when the cover is placed on the burner head body, the inlet opening and the outlet opening represent the only fluid passages for gaseous hydrogen to enter and exit the burner head body. Compared with a conventional carbon-based burner head, the proposed burner head body does not have a so-called "primary air" supply duct or passage for supplying primary air from the outer atmosphere to the internal volume before the gas exits the flame port.

[0024] It has been found that implementing the burner head body in an airtight manner is important for preventing oxygen contained in ambient air from mixing with the hydrogen in the internal volume of the burner head body before the hydrogen exits the outlet opening. In particular, by avoiding the entry of oxygen in the described manner, an appropriate flame pattern for pure hydrogen combustion can be obtained. Further, the risk of explosive enhancement of the gas mixture can be avoided, which would occur if the hydrogen were oxygen-rich before exiting the outlet opening.

[0025] In summary, the above discussion shows that the proposed hydrogen combustion burner head solves potential problems. In particular, compared with conventional burner heads, the carbon footprint can be reduced. Further, the burner head assembly has a simple structure, can be easily manufactured, and is capable of achieving safe and compliant operation and pure hydrogen combustion for use during cooking, even for untrained users, whether for home cooking purposes or for industrial cooking purposes. The burner head body does not require the primary air ducts required by conventional burner heads, but can operate efficiently with only secondary air (i.e., ambient air supplied from the outer atmosphere of the burner head body at the flame holes).

[0026] In an embodiment, the passage interconnects (i.e., fluidly interconnects) the gas inlet opening and the cup-shaped recess. For example, at the bottom of the cup-shaped recess, there may be an orifice represented by a hole in the passage leading to the cup-shaped recess. The interconnect may not have any penetrations or recesses extending from the passage through the burner head body to the outer atmosphere or from the passage through the burner head body to the outer atmosphere. Considering the volume of the passage leading from the gas inlet opening to the cup-shaped recess, particularly the bottom portion of the cup-shaped recess, in the absence of penetrations, etc., this volume does not include any additional openings other than the gas inlet opening and the hole leading to the cup-shaped recess. Accordingly, the burner head body does not have any primary air supply channels, etc. The hydrogen uses only secondary air drawn from the outer atmosphere for combustion when exiting the flame port.

[0027] The passage preferably comprises a nozzle, in particular an injection nozzle, or a support for attaching a nozzle. The corresponding nozzle can be adapted to control the flow of hydrogen from the inlet opening into the gas supply chamber, i.e., to control the injection of hydrogen into the gas supply chamber. The nozzle can be configured and arranged as a pressure regulating member, wherein during operation the input pressure prevailing at the inlet opening is reduced to the operating pressure prevailing in the gas supply chamber. As an example, the input pressure can be in the range of 20 mbar, which corresponds to the normal gas pressure in the gas supply line or supply network, while the nozzle can regulate this pressure to an operating pressure value in the range of 0.2 mbar to 3 mbar or more, depending on the maximum burner power and burner design, for example depending on the size and / or number and / or length of the outlet openings.

[0028] As an example, in the case of a cooktop burner with a maximum power of 1 kW (kilowatt), for a cooktop burner assembly having 8 outlet openings, and the cross-sectional size of these outlet openings being 1 mm × 1 mm, the operating pressure (at maximum power) can be approximately 0.2 mbar. In another example, for a cooktop burner assembly having 12 outlet openings, and the size of these outlet openings being 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm, and the maximum cooktop power being 1 kW, the operating pressure can be or at least be 1.1 mbar. In the case of a 2 kW maximum power cooktop burner, for a cooktop burner assembly having 12 outlet openings, and the cross-sectional size of these outlet openings being 1 mm × 1 mm, the operating pressure (at maximum cooktop power) can be approximately 0.4 mbar; or for a cooktop burner assembly having 16 outlet openings, and the cross-sectional size of these outlet openings being 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm, the operating pressure can be or at least be 2.3 mbar. In the case of a cooktop burner with a maximum cooktop power of 3.5 kW or greater, for a cooktop burner assembly having 16 outlet openings, and the cross-sectional size of these outlet openings being 1 mm × 1 mm, the operating pressure (at maximum cooktop power) can be approximately 0.55 mbar; or for a cooktop burner assembly having 28 outlet openings, and the cross-sectional size of these outlet openings being 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm, the operating pressure can be or at least be 3 mbar. The examples mentioned represent specific embodiments that have been elaborated in detail in relation to the conception of the present invention through in-depth investigation, modeling, calculation, and experimentation. It should be noted that the pressures and dimensions mentioned, as well as the corresponding ranges further given below, are not just arbitrary choices, but are based on a large amount of research in developing a hydrogen combustion cooktop burner suitable for burning pure hydrogen and providing appropriate cooktop and flame characteristics. This applies to all other ranges, sizes, and dimensions mentioned elsewhere below. In particular, the ranges, sizes, and dimensions mentioned provide good cross-ignition ability (i.e., the spread of the ignition spark along the outer circumference of the cooktop burner body onto the flame ports in response to an ignition event), good combustion ability, and flame characteristics for the proposed hydrogen combustion cooktop burner.

[0029] Preferably, the nozzle is made of brass.

[0030] In an embodiment, the cover member is preferably a disk or disk-shaped, having at least one flat surface, particularly at least one flat surface section, which in the assembled state abuts against the support surface on the distal side. In particular, the cover member can be a flat-shaped disk, such as a circular plate, an oval plate, or an egg-shaped plate.

[0031] In the assembled state, the support surface and the flat (or smooth) surface of the cover member abutting against each other can preferably have a flatness (or smoothness) of less than 0.3 mm.

[0032] In this regard, flatness can be determined as the distance between two imaginary parallel planes that extend parallel to the corresponding sides or surfaces of the cover or perpendicular to the surface normal of the cover, where one plane passes through the lowest surface point of the surface or surface section and the other plane passes through the highest surface point of the surface or surface section, with the terms "highest" and "lowest" being related to the level measured parallel to the surface normal or perpendicular to the surface or surface area.

[0033] Using such flatness (i.e., flatness below 0.3 mm) has proven suitable for suppressing or completely eliminating or substantially eliminating gas crosstalk, even without intermediate small parts or the like, and / or even without attaching or pressing the cover and the collar against each other. It has been found that, given the lower molecular weight of hydrogen compared to conventional gaseous fuels (such as carbon-based fuels and even hydrogen-oxygen mixtures), crosstalk can deteriorate combustion and flame morphology, where, as has been found, crosstalk, especially crosstalk between adjacent output openings in the circumferential direction of the collar and crosstalk transverse to the collar between the docking surface on the far side surface on the one hand and the docking surface of the cover on the other hand, represents an aspect, especially a material aspect.

[0034] In an embodiment, and as further indicated above, the cover and / or the cooktop body may include one or more centering elements (such as protrusions and / or shoulders) that are arranged and configured for mechanical interaction to correctly align the cover and the cooktop body in the assembled state.

[0035] In an embodiment, all the recesses or one or more groups of recesses may have substantially equal geometric dimensions or shapes, especially substantially the same size, cross-section, and length transverse to the circumferential collar. Regarding varying dimensions, for example, there may be two groups of recesses, each group having recesses with the same (i.e., substantially the same) geometric dimensions. The recesses in such a group may be arranged circumferentially in an alternating pattern, for example, the recesses may be arranged and distributed on the circumference of the collar in a nested pattern. In a preferred embodiment, all the recesses have the same geometric shape and size.

[0036] In an embodiment, the cross-section of the recess in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recess transverse to the circumferential collar may be rectangular, preferably square. The bottom of the corresponding rectangular recess may be substantially flat and may extend substantially parallel to the far side surface. The bottom of the recess may have a rectangular shape. In an embodiment, the longitudinal cross-section of the recess may be substantially constant along the longitudinal axis of the recess.

[0037] In an embodiment, the size of the recess measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective recess may be in the range given by 0.4 mm × 0.4 mm to 1.4 mm × 1.4 mm, preferably 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm to 1 mm × 1 mm. Such a range, particularly in combination with other burner parameters such as the operating pressure (operating pressure at maximum burner power), maximum burner power, total number of flame ports, etc., has proven to provide good combustion and favorable cross-ignition properties.

[0038] In an embodiment, in the assembled state, the cover may be placed loosely on the burner body. Preferably, in such an embodiment, the size of the recess measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective recess may be in the range given by 0.8 mm × 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm × 1.2 mm, particularly 1 mm × 1 mm. Depending on the maximum burner power, such an embodiment may involve an operating pressure in the range between 0.2 mbar and 0.6 mbar for burner powers between 1 kW and 3.5 kW (or > 3.5 kW), for example: for a burner power of 1 kW, the operating pressure is 0.2 mbar; for a burner power of 2 kW, the operating pressure is 0.4 mbar; and for a burner power of 3.5 kW (or > 3.5 kW), the operating pressure is 0.55 mbar.

[0039] In an embodiment, the cover may be removably attached to the burner body, particularly screwed to the burner body. In this case, in the assembled state, the cover is fixed (i.e., attached) to the burner body. Compared to the embodiment where the cover is placed loosely on the burner body, such an embodiment may involve a smaller outlet opening cross-section or recess cross-section and a higher operating pressure. Preferably, in such an embodiment including an attached cover, the size of the recess measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective recess may be in the range given by 0.4 mm × 0.4 mm to 0.5 mm × 0.6 mm, particularly 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm. Depending on the maximum burner power, such an embodiment may involve an operating pressure in the range given by 1 mbar to 3 mbar or more for burner powers between 1 kW and 3.5 kW (or greater), for example: for a burner power of 1 kW, the operating pressure is 1.1 mbar (or higher); for a burner power of 2 kW, the operating pressure is 2.3 mbar (or higher); and for a burner power of 3.5 kW (or > 3.5 kW), the operating pressure is 3 mbar (or higher).

[0040] In an embodiment, in the assembled state, the cover member can project laterally beyond the outer edge of the circumferential collar. In other embodiments, the cover member can be sized such that in the assembled state, i.e., when the cover member is correctly placed on the cooktop body, the cover member is substantially flush with the outer edge of the circumferential collar.

[0041] In an embodiment, the hydrogen combustion cooktop assembly can be associated with a specified maximum cooktop power, and the nozzle can be configured to regulate the internal pressure in the gas supply chamber (at the maximum cooktop power). For example, the nozzle can be adapted such that the ratio between the internal pressure in the gas supply chamber measured in millibars (mbar) and the maximum cooktop power measured in kilowatts (kW) is in the range of 0.1 mbar / kW to 1 mbar / kW, preferably 0.2 mbar / kW to 0.9 mbar / kW. For example, a cooktop assembly with the cover member loosely placed on the cooktop body can involve approximately or about 0.2 mbar at 1 kW (ratio of 0.2 mbar / kW), approximately or about 0.4 mbar at 2 kW (ratio of 0.2 mbar / kW), and approximately or about 0.55 mbar at 3.5 kW (ratio of approximately 0.157 mbar / kW). An embodiment with the cover member attached to the cooktop body can involve at least or about 1.1 mbar at 1 kW (ratio of 1.1 mbar / kW), approximately or about 2.3 mbar at 2 kW (ratio of 1.15 mbar / kW), and approximately or about 3 mbar at 3.5 kW (ratio of approximately 0.875 mbar / kW). The given ratios have been shown to provide good combustion and / or cross-ignition.

[0042] For example, the corresponding inlet pressure at the inlet opening can be 20 mbar.

[0043] In an embodiment, the hydrogen combustion cooktop assembly can further include a cooking utensil support structure configured to support a cooking utensil (such as a frying pan or pot) at a predefined level above the cooktop assembly, where the bottom side of the utensil faces the cover member. In the assembled state, i.e., when the cooking utensil support structure and the cooktop assembly are arranged according to the desired operation, the maximum distance between the predefined level and the cover member can be in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm, preferably 7 mm to 15 mm, particularly approximately or about 10 mm. Compared to cooktops known in the prior art, with the proposed cooktop design, the distance can be reduced (e.g., reduced to about 10 mm), which can be advantageous in terms of efficient heat transfer.

[0044] In an embodiment, the thickness of the circumferential collar measured transversely to the circumferential collar (e.g., in the case of a circular collar, measured in the radial direction) (e.g., defining the thickness of the wall of the collar) and / or the longitudinal length of the recess measured transversely to the circumferential collar may be in the range of 1.5 mm to 18 mm, or 1.5 mm to 16 mm. For example, in the case of a cooktop body on which the cover is loosely placed and / or a cooktop with an outlet opening dimensioned close to approximately 1 mm × 1 mm, the thickness or the length may be approximately or about 1.5 mm to 5 mm (±1 mm). In the case of a cooktop body to which the cover is attached and / or a cooktop with an outlet opening dimensioned close to approximately 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm, the thickness or the length may be approximately or about 14 mm to 16 mm (±1 mm to 3 mm).

[0045] In view of this, using a cover that is loosely placed on the cooktop body facilitates reducing the amount or material required to manufacture the cooktop body, where the ranges mentioned will simultaneously provide sufficient mechanical strength and thermal strength.

[0046] With a design in which the cover is attached to the cooktop body, the thickness can be greater and can be implemented, for example, such that the distal side of the collar provides sufficient material strength to attach the cover, for example, via one or more screws or the like. For example, in the distal side, particularly in the region of the flat support surface, the collar may include screw holes that open towards the second side and match corresponding through-holes in the cover such that the corresponding through-holes are aligned with the corresponding screw holes in the assembled state. In this case, the cover can be attached by screwing screws into the screw holes, thereby firmly attaching the cover to the cooktop body.

[0047] In an embodiment, the cooktop body may be made of aluminum and the cover may be made of steel. It has been found that the given material combination provides sufficient, particularly optimal, heat resistance and mechanical tolerance for using pure hydrogen as the combustion gas. Further, using aluminum for the cooktop body has proven to be advantageous for manufacturing the cooktop body using a casting process and / or molding or forging. Steel has proven to be advantageous for the cover in terms of heat resistance, workability or machinability, mechanical strength, and / or in obtaining a suitable flatness to avoid or at least largely avoid or suppress crosstalk.

[0048] Embodiments of the hydrogen combustion cooktop may be designed according to one of the following dimensions:

[0049] - According to one embodiment, the hydrogen combustion burner head may have a maximum burner head power of about 1 kW, wherein the maximum diameter of the circumferential collar is in the range of 35 mm to 60 mm, and / or the number of recesses or flame holes may be in the range of 6 to 12, particularly 8 (loosely placed cover) or 12 (attached cover), and / or the distance between adjacent recesses measured along the outer circumference of the burner head body may be in the range of 12 mm to 20 mm, preferably about 12.3 mm (attached cover) or 18.1 mm (loosely placed cover).

[0050] - According to one embodiment, the hydrogen combustion burner head may have a maximum burner head power of about 2 kW, wherein the maximum diameter of the circumferential collar is in the range of 60 mm to 80 mm, and / or the number of recesses may be in the range of 7 to 16, preferably 7 to 14, particularly 12 (attached cover) or 16 (loosely placed cover), and / or the distance between adjacent recesses measured along the outer circumference of the burner head body may be in the range of 11 mm to 12 mm, preferably about 11.8 mm (for both loosely placed cover and attached cover).

[0051] - According to one embodiment, the hydrogen combustion burner head may have a maximum burner head power of 3.5 kW or greater than 3.5 kW, wherein the maximum diameter of the circumferential collar is 85 mm or more than 85 mm, and / or the number of recesses may be in the range of 8 to 28, preferably 16 to 28, particularly 16 (loosely placed cover) or 28 (attached cover), and / or the distance between adjacent recesses measured along the outer circumference of the burner head body may be in the range of 15 mm to 18 mm, preferably about 15.5 mm (attached cover) or 17.7 mm (loosely placed cover).

[0052] The above embodiments and the given dimensions have been proven to provide good combustion and / or cross-ignition characteristics and, at the same time, good safety characteristics regarding pure hydrogen combustion. It should be noted that for all embodiments described herein in connection with the present invention, the previously mentioned objectives, namely good combustion, good cross-ignition, and good safety, can be achieved while avoiding safety-related failures.

[0053] In an embodiment, a gas cooking appliance is provided for heating a cooking vessel by burning substantially pure hydrogen. The gas cooking appliance includes one or more heating zones, wherein at least one, preferably each heating zone, includes at least one hydrogen combustion burner head assembly according to any of the embodiments described herein in connection with the present invention.

[0054] In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a hydrogen burner head assembly according to any of the embodiments described herein in connection with the present invention is provided. The method includes:

[0055] - manufacturing a burner head body, the burner head body including a cup-shaped recess and a recessed portion is manufactured in a single casting step or process; and casting the burner head body into a continuous body that has no penetrations to the outer atmosphere except for a gas inlet opening and the cup-shaped recess leading to the second side.

[0056] The advantages of the proposed burner head design and manufacturing method are that the burner head body can be manufactured in a relatively cost-effective manner and does not require complex operations, such as drilling a plurality of very small holes (e.g., 0.2 mm in diameter) for the flame ports. Further, using molding can provide efficient manufacturing, especially in large-scale production. In view of this, the proposed method for manufacturing a hydrogen burner head, especially the burner head body, is relatively simple and efficient.

[0057] In an embodiment, the method may include a forging or forming process, especially a cold forging or cold forming process, applied to the cast burner head body.

[0058] In an embodiment, the method may include providing, especially manufacturing, a cover member and placing the cover member on the far side surface such that the lower side of the cover member faces the cup-shaped recess and abuts against a flat support surface, thereby closing the cup-shaped recess and the groove-shaped recess on the second side to define a gas supply chamber and a gas outlet opening serving as a flame port of the hydrogen burner head assembly. In view of this, the assembly of the hydrogen burner head assembly is relatively simple.

[0059] The method may include additional optional steps, such as installing a pilot device including an igniter to the burner head body, for example, such that the igniter is close to at least one flame port defined by the outlet opening.

[0060] The method may further include installing a cooking utensil support structure, wherein the cooking utensil support structure may include a grid and / or a plurality of support elements (such as support arms) that project from a base or pedestal and are attached to the burner head body and / or a cooking range or a cooking range cover plate associated with the burner head body. The support structure, especially the support elements (such as support arms), may be configured to extend substantially parallel to the upper surface of the hydrogen burner head assembly in the installed configuration.

[0061] Further, the method may involve attaching a hydrogen burner head assembly to a cooking hob or a hob cover plate. In particular, the cooking hob or the hob cover plate may include one or more cutouts for accommodating the hydrogen burner head assembly, respectively. The hydrogen burner head assembly may include one or more mounting elements, such as one or more protrusions or one or more flanged protrusions that radially extend from the burner head body and are configured to engage the corresponding cutouts. The mounting elements may be integral with the burner head body and may be formed during a casting step for manufacturing the burner head body.

[0062] As explained above, the proposed hydrogen burner head assembly is efficient in burning pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen and can be manufactured in a relatively efficient manner. Further, embodiments of the hydrogen burner head may include a cover member removably disposed on the burner head body (e.g., loosely placed or attached to the burner head body), which may be advantageous in terms of cleaning and maintenance. Further, the advantage of the removable cover member is that the gas supply chamber (cup-shaped recess) and the grooved recess can be cleaned and maintained relatively simply, and the gas supply chamber and the recess may be easily soiled during the cooking process (e.g., in the case of pot overflow and / or food spillage, etc.).

[0063] In an embodiment, the hydrogen supply line or source may be configured to supply pure hydrogen gas or substantially pure hydrogen gas, and the average hydrogen volume fraction of such gas is at least 95%, preferably at least 98%, more preferably at least 99%.

[0064] In an embodiment, the hydrogen burner head assembly may include a sensor device for detecting the correct placement of the cover member on the burner head body (which may also be referred to as the main body). The sensor device may be configured to emit a signal indicating incorrect placement of the cover member, for example, in the form of a warning signal. Further, the control unit may use the signal to interrupt the supply of hydrogen to the corresponding burner head.

[0065] In an embodiment, the hydrogen burner head assembly may further include an auxiliary cover member for placement on the cover member. The auxiliary cover member may be configured to protect the cover member and / or may include a lining, plating, or finish suitable for adjusting the appearance of the cover member according to the aesthetic design of the surrounding design. The auxiliary cover member may be beneficial for promoting manufacturing because it is not necessary to provide a final aesthetic finish for the cover member made of, for example, steel.

[0066] In an embodiment, the outlet openings, particularly the flame ports, may be arranged equidistantly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction of the collar or around the central axis of the burner head body (or main body). This can ensure uniform flame properties and heating.

[0067] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or functionally corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the drawings:

[0068] - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a gas cooking appliance according to the present invention, with some parts removed for clarity;

[0069] - Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of details of the gas cooking appliance of , particularly showing a first embodiment of a hydrogen burner head assembly, with some parts removed for clarity;

[0070] - Figure 3 is Figure 2 a partial exploded perspective view of details of , with some parts removed for clarity;

[0071] - Figure 4 is Figure 2 an enlarged perspective view of a part of the details of , with some parts removed for clarity;

[0072] - Figure 5 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of details of , with some parts removed for clarity;

[0073] - Figure 6 is Figure 1 a perspective view of details of the gas cooking appliance of , particularly showing a second embodiment of a hydrogen burner head assembly, with some parts removed for clarity;

[0074] - Figure 7 is Figure 6 a cross-sectional view of details of , with some parts removed for clarity; and

[0075] - Figure 8 is Figure 6 a perspective view of a part of the details of , with some parts removed for clarity.

[0076] Specifically referring to Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 generally indicates a hydrogen gas cooking appliance for heat-treating food, particularly for heating and / or cooking.

[0077] In a specific example, reference is made below to a hydrogen gas cooking stove 1, but alternatively, the hydrogen gas cooking appliance may also be a hydrogen gas stove or the like, and the following description is equally applicable to a general hydrogen gas cooking appliance with necessary modifications.

[0078] More specifically, the hydrogen gas cooking stove 1 (hereinafter referred to as the gas cooking stove for simplicity) is configured to heat a cooking vessel containing food by burning gaseous hydrogen, particularly pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen.

[0079] The food to be heat-treated can be a single ingredient or a mixture of multiple ingredients. It should also be noted that the food to be treated may change throughout the heat-treatment process; that is, ingredients can be added to or removed from the food during the heat-treatment. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible that parts of the food may disappear during the heat-treatment process (e.g., by evaporation, etc.), and / or parts of the food may undergo physical and / or chemical transformations.

[0080] The gas cooking stove 1 includes one or more heating zones 2, each heating zone being configured to receive, for example, a cooking utensil containing the food to be heat-treated and being configured to heat the corresponding cooking utensil and / or the food present in the corresponding cooking utensil by burning gaseous hydrogen, pure hydrogen, or substantially pure hydrogen.

[0081] Preferably, each cooking zone 2 can include at least one, preferably exactly one, hydrogen burner head assembly 3, as shown and described in detail in Figures 2 to 8 shown and described in detail.

[0082] Each hydrogen burner head assembly 3 is configured to allow hydrogen (hydrogen in gaseous form) to burn in a controlled manner.

[0083] Preferably, the gas cooking stove 1 can also include a control unit 4, which is configured to control, preferably selectively control, the operation of each heating zone 2, preferably the operation of the corresponding hydrogen burner head assembly 3. In the example shown, the control unit 4 or the control interface includes one or more control buttons 5, each control button being operatively connected to a corresponding heating zone 2 and being configured to allow the user to selectively control, preferably by adjusting the flow rate of the hydrogen to be burned and / or by activating (specifically including ignition) the corresponding heating zone 2 or hydrogen burner head assembly 3 to selectively control the corresponding heating zone 2. Alternatively and / or additionally, the control unit 4 can include digital input members, particularly touch-sensitive input members, voice control input members, gesture control input members, or other input members for selectively controlling one or more of the heating zones 2.

[0084] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the control unit 4 can include one or more control valves or be associated with the one or more control valves, each control valve being configured to control the hydrogen flow and the passage to a corresponding hydrogen burner head assembly 3. In addition, one or more safety valves can be provided for cutting off or disabling the gas supply or for enabling the gas supply, for example, from a gas source (e.g., a container or a gas supply network).

[0085] The cooking utensil can be of any kind. The cooking utensil can be a pot, kettle, pan, dinner plate, bowl, etc. The cooking utensil can include or can not include the corresponding lid.

[0086] In the specific case shown, the gas cooking appliance 1 includes a plurality of heating zones 2, in particular five heating zones. However, the gas cooking appliance 1 may include only one heating zone 2, two heating zones, three heating zones, four heating zones, or even more heating zones. Further, the arrangement and shape of the cooking zones as shown are not restrictive, and the cooking zones may be circular (as shown), oval, egg-shaped, or may have an elongated and / or rectangular shape, for example in order to heat vessels having a non-circular footprint.

[0087] Preferably, each heating zone 2 may include a support structure (not shown) configured to carry or support at least one cooking vessel. According to some possible embodiments, the respective support structures of each heating zone 2 may be separable or removably attached to the cooking appliance 2 and / or the burner head assembly 3. Some or each of the respective support structures may be implemented in one piece.

[0088] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the gas cooking appliance 1 may further include a housing structure 6, and each hydrogen burner head assembly 3 may be assembled into the housing structure 6, in particular the cooktop and / or carried by the housing structure, where the hydrogen burner head assembly 3 may be assembled into a cutout provided in the cooktop. Additionally, the housing structure 6 may further include one or more support structures, for example for supporting or carrying the cooking appliance 1 by a support or bearing structure. The cooking appliance 1 may be a freestanding appliance, or may be configured for installation or integration into a workbench, or is a combined appliance, including for example a baking chamber or a cooking chamber or a muffle furnace.

[0089] Hereinafter, the structure and function of a single hydrogen burner head assembly 3 will be described, which corresponds in structure and function to other hydrogen burner head assemblies having, for example, different sizes or shapes.

[0090] With particular reference to Figures 2 to 5 , the hydrogen burner head assembly 3 includes a body or burner head body 7.

[0091] Preferably, the hydrogen burner head assembly 3 may further include an injection nozzle 9, which is arranged within the burner head body 7 and is configured to control the flow of gaseous hydrogen within the burner head body 7.

[0092] The burner head body 7 is formed in one piece, for example, the burner head body may be formed as a single block, preferably by casting and (if necessary) shaping.

[0093] The burner body 7 includes a gas inlet opening 10 and a flow channel or passage 11. The gas inlet opening is configured to be connected to a hydrogen supply device (such as a hydrogen supply pipeline). The flow channel or passage is in fluid connection with the gas inlet opening 10 and is configured to receive hydrogen from the hydrogen supply device and through the inlet opening 10. The injection nozzle 9 is preferably positioned in the passage 11.

[0094] Preferably, the hydrogen supply device can be configured to supply pure hydrogen (i.e., the gas supplied by the hydrogen supply device can transport a gas with a hydrogen volume ratio of at least 95%, preferably at least 98%, more preferably at least 99%).

[0095] The injection nozzle 9 is in fluid connection with the gas inlet opening 10 on the one hand and the passage 11 on the other hand, and is configured to control the injection of gaseous hydrogen into the upstream part of the passage 11 and the more upstream components of the burner body 7. In a given example, the injection nozzle 9 is arranged within the passage 11.

[0096] In the assembled state, the burner body 7 and the cover member 16 to be placed on the burner body 7 together define a gas supply chamber 12, that is, a chamber formed in the assembled state for distributing and supplying hydrogen to the flame ports of the hydrogen burner assembly 3. Hydrogen will enter this gas supply chamber from the passage 11. The gas supply chamber 12 is in fluid communication with the passage 11 and is configured to receive gaseous hydrogen through the passage 11 and allow a hydrogen atmosphere to be formed within the gas supply chamber 12 itself. In the assembled state, the cover member 16 covers the groove-shaped recess 27 in the distal side surface of the burner body 7, more precisely, the annular collar 15 of the burner body 7 (the collar 15 radially and / or laterally defines a cup-shaped recess 28, which defines the gas supply chamber 12 when covered by the cover member), thereby defining a plurality of outlet openings 13.

[0097] The outlet openings 13 represent or define the flame ports of the hydrogen combustion burner assembly 3 in the operating state, and are in fluid communication with the gas supply chamber 12 on the one hand and the outer atmosphere 14 of the hydrogen combustion burner assembly 3 on the other hand. Regarding normal operation and use, the outer atmosphere can be an air atmosphere. At the flame ports, hydrogen leaves the gas supply chamber 12 via the outlet openings 13 and can be ignited, for example, by an igniter arranged near one or more flame ports. If ignited, the flowing hydrogen will burn with the supply of oxygen from the outer atmosphere.

[0098] In particular, the burner body 7 and the gas supply chamber 12 are designed such that the hydrogen atmosphere within the gas supply chamber 12 can contain substantially only hydrogen injected via the passage 11, preferably by the injection nozzle 9, during operation.

[0099] Preferably, in use, the hydrogen atmosphere in the gas supply chamber may comprise hydrogen in a volume proportion of at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95%, and even most preferably substantially 100%.

[0100] Preferably, the hydrogen source may be configured to supply pure hydrogen (i.e., the hydrogen source may deliver hydrogen gas with a hydrogen volume proportion of at least 95%, preferably at least 98%, more preferably at least 99%; any contamination can be neglected).

[0101] In particular, except for the outlet opening 13 and the inlet opening 10, the hydrogen burner head assembly 3 has no additional orifices that may allow air to enter the passage 11 and / or the gas supply chamber 12 during use, or more generally, into the internal free volume of the burner body. Accordingly, in use, the gas supply chamber 12 only contains hydrogen gas supplied via the inlet opening 10 and ejected via the passage 11, preferably by the injection nozzle 9.

[0102] Preferably, the burner body 7 may be designed such that the gaseous hydrogen ejected into the passage 11 passes through the passage 11 and directly flows into the gas supply chamber 12, and then flows from the gas supply chamber 12 through the outlet opening 13 or the flame port into the outer atmosphere 14, where the hydrogen gas will burn once ignited.

[0103] Preferably, each outlet opening 13, especially each recess 27, may extend from an inlet portion facing the gas supply chamber 12 to an outlet portion facing the outer atmosphere 14.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the burner body 7 includes an annular collar 15 that laterally and / or radially defines the gas supply chamber 12 and includes a plurality of elongated groove-shaped recesses 27, where each recess 27 at least partially defines a corresponding outlet opening 13, and once the cover 16 is placed on the burner body 7, the cup-shaped recess 28 and the cover 16 together define the gas supply chamber 12.

[0105] Regarding the burner body 7 and / or the collar 15, a longitudinal axis A may be defined, which represents a central axis of the burner body 7 and / or the collar 15 in the current case, especially considering the overall circular shape of the burner body 7. The longitudinal axis A extends from a first side S1 (the side where the inlet opening 10 is located) in the burner body 7 to a second side S2 (the side where the cover 16 or the outlet opening 13 or the flame port is located respectively). In the illustrated example, the longitudinal axis A coincides with the central axis of the passage 11.

[0106] The collar 15 and the bottom wall 17 (or base) together define a cup-shaped recess 28 and laterally and / or radially (in particular transversely or perpendicularly to the central axis A) delimit the gas supply chamber 12.

[0107] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the outlet openings 13, preferably the corresponding recesses 27 (which may also be considered as grooves), may be equidistantly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction with respect to the central axis A (i.e., along the circumferential collar 15).

[0108] Furthermore, the holes of the outlet openings 13 are arranged along the perimeter, preferably equidistantly spaced at the outer circumference of the burner body 7 with respect to the central axis A.

[0109] Furthermore, the distal side surface of the collar 15 may be considered to be divided into a plurality of segments distributed in the circumferential direction, with the recesses 27 being interposed between two corresponding adjacent segments. Or in other words, each segment (which may be a flat support surface 20 for abutting against the corresponding flat segment of the cover member 16) may be circumferentially delimited by two adjacent recesses 27.

[0110] With particular reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the hydrogen burner assembly 3 further includes a cover member 16 arranged on the burner body 7, preferably arranged on the collar 15, more preferably arranged on the distal side surface of the collar 15. The distal side surface of the collar 15 is given or defined by the top plane or crown plane or top surface (or surface) / crown surface (or surface) of the collar 15 oriented towards the second side S2. During normal use, the first side S1 corresponds to the lower side of the burner body 7, while the second side S2 corresponds to the upper side of the burner body 7 and is intended for heating a cooking utensil arranged above the burner body. The cover member 16 cooperates with the burner body 7 and / or the collar 15 to define a plurality of recesses 27 and a cup-shaped recess 28 to respectively define the outlet openings 13 and the gas supply chamber 12.

[0111] The cover member 16 is arranged on the burner body 7, preferably on the collar 15, in an airtight manner; that is, so that there is no unwanted fluid communication and crosstalk between the outer atmosphere 14 and the gas supply chamber 12, and so that hydrogen can only leave the gas supply chamber 12 through the outlet openings 13 to reach the outer atmosphere 14. This helps to avoid the formation of a potentially dangerous hydrogen-oxygen mixture within the internal volume of the burner body 7 (i.e., before the outflowing gas burns at the flame ports).

[0112] The cover member 16 preferably cooperates with the burner body 7 in a direction parallel to the central axis A to define and delimit the gas supply chamber 12. More specifically, the burner body 7 may include a bottom wall 17 facing the cover member 16, where the bottom wall 17 forms the bottom part of the gas supply chamber 12.

[0113] More particularly, the bottom wall 17 may include an orifice 18, and the passageway 11 merges into the orifice 18. The passageway 11 is implemented as an internal void of the burner body and is in fluid communication with the orifice 18 and, via the orifice 18, with the gas supply chamber 12. In use, gaseous hydrogen flows from the inlet opening 10 through the passageway 11 and the orifice 18 into the gas supply chamber 12 and then from the gas supply chamber 12 into the outlet opening 13.

[0114] The passageway 11 may at least partially have a circular cross-section.

[0115] Preferably, the passageway 11 may be defined by a circumferential lateral wall of the burner body 7 and a base or base wall opposite the orifice 18. More preferably, the injection nozzle 9 may be fixed on, at or in the region of the base.

[0116] In a given example, the injection nozzle 9 provides the only fluid passage for gaseous hydrogen from the inlet opening 10 to the gas supply chamber 12.

[0117] According to some non-limiting embodiments, the cover member 16 may be removably arranged on the burner body, in particular removably attached to the burner body (according to Figures 1 to 5 the embodiment), or may be loosely placed on the burner body 7, preferably on the collar 15 (according to Figures 6 to 8 the embodiment).

[0118] More particularly, the burner body 7 (which may also be considered as the body of the burner assembly), preferably the collar 15, may include a docking surface 19. Preferably, the docking surface 19 may include a plurality of flat bearing surfaces 20 or corresponding flat bearing surface portions (or simply referred to as surface portions). As shown, the flat bearing surfaces 20 are separated by recesses 27.

[0119] In addition, one outlet opening 13, preferably a corresponding recess 27 or groove, is interposed between two corresponding flat bearing surfaces 20.

[0120] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the docking surface 19 may be located on a second side S2 of the burner body 7 opposite to a first side S1 (the side on which the inlet opening 10 is located) of the burner body 7 and be oriented towards the second side S2. The docking surface 19 and the flat bearing surfaces 20 may be located in a first plane substantially perpendicular to the central axis A. In particular, each flat bearing surface 20 may be perpendicular to the central axis A.

[0121] Preferably, the engagement surface 21 of the cover member 16 located on the lower side of the cover member 16 (i.e., the side of the cover member 16 facing the burner body 7 in the assembled state) may be located in a second plane perpendicular to the central axis A.

[0122] According to some preferred non - limiting embodiments, the docking surface 19, preferably the flat support surface 20 and the engagement surface 21 can be flat or planar, for example having a flatness of less than 0.3 mm respectively.

[0123] According to some non - limiting embodiments, the cover member 16 can be joined to the flat support surface 20 in an airtight manner, such that in particular the only fluid connection between the gas supply chamber 12 and the outer atmosphere 14 is given by the outlet opening 13, and such that for example crosstalk via the flat support surface 20 is at least avoided or prevented. In particular, the formation of a presumably dangerous hydrogen - oxygen mixture before leaving the outlet opening 13 or the flame port can be avoided.

[0124] According to Figures 2 to 5 some preferred non - limiting embodiments shown, the hydrogen burner head assembly 3 can include one or more fastening elements 22 (in Figures 1 to 5 the specific case, exactly four fastening elements 22), which are arranged and applied to fix or attach the cover member 16 to the burner body 7, preferably to the collar 15.

[0125] The fastening elements 22 can be selected from the group including screws, bolts, rivets, etc.

[0126] Preferably, the fastening elements 22 can be configured to attach the cover member 16 to the burner body 7 non - permanently (i.e., removably), preferably to the collar 16. In other words, the fastening elements 22 can be configured to removably fix the cover member 16 to the burner body 7, preferably to the collar 16.

[0127] In an embodiment, the fastening elements 22 can only be removed by a person with technical training. In this way, it can be ensured that an untrained user cannot remove the cover member 16 and subsequently cannot operate the hydrogen burner head assembly 3 in an incorrect and presumably dangerous manner.

[0128] For example, the fastening elements 22 can only be removed by means of a specific tool that is only available to a person with technical training.

[0129] Alternatively, the fastening elements 22 can also be non - removable, whereby the cover member 16 can also be non - removable. In this case, the cover member 16 and the burner body 7 are also two separate parts or components.

[0130] Preferably, the fastening elements 22 can also be configured to apply a compressive force to the cover member 16 towards the burner body 7, preferably towards the collar 15 and / or the docking surface 19. This compressive force can improve the airtightness between the cover member 16 and the collar 15.

[0131] Preferably, the burner body 7, preferably the collar 15, may include corresponding seats 23 for each fastening element 22. For example, each fastening element 22 may include a thread, and the corresponding seat 23 may include a counter-thread, i.e., in the form of a threaded hole.

[0132] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the fastening elements 22 may be equidistantly spaced around the central axis A and / or in the circumferential direction of the collar 15.

[0133] The hydrogen burner head assembly 3 may further include an auxiliary cover 24 which is preferably placed freely or loosely (i.e., without any fastening members) on the cover 16.

[0134] With particular reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , each recess 27 which forms the outlet opening 13 in the assembled state has a linear shape and cross-section.

[0135] Preferably, the range of the corresponding length of each recess 27 may be between 8 mm and 18 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 15 mm. All the recesses 27 preferably have the same or substantially the same length (measured locally perpendicular to the collar 15).

[0136] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments in which the cover 16 is attached to the burner body 7 by means of one or more fixing elements, the range of the width of each recess 27 may be between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. For example, the width may be 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm.

[0137] Preferably, each recess 27 or the outlet opening 13 may have a constant width along its entire extension across the collar 15. All the recesses 27 and the outlet openings 13 may have the same dimensions, i.e., substantially the same dimensions within the normal manufacturing tolerances of the manufacturing methods and processes used.

[0138] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each hydrogen burner head assembly 3 may further include a sensor device which is preferably operatively coupled to the control unit 4 and is configured to detect the correct placement of the cover 16 on the burner body 7, preferably on the collar 15.

[0139] Preferably, the sensor device may be configured to emit a signal for incorrect placement of the cover 16 and to interrupt, preferably by the control unit 4, any hydrogen delivery to the passage 11, preferably also to the injection nozzle 9.

[0140] According to some preferred non - limiting embodiments, the control unit 4 may include a flame safety device, in particular a flame detector, associated with each heating zone 2, preferably so as to interrupt the hydrogen flow to the corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3 if the temperature of the corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3 is below a threshold temperature during use and / or if no flame is detected, for example, after ignition while the supply valve remains open.

[0141] The flame safety device may include one or more respective temperature sensors 25, each associated with a corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3 configured to detect the temperature of the corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3. The control unit 4 may be configured to selectively control a control valve provided for controlling the hydrogen supply based on the detected temperature. In particular, the control unit 4 may be configured to close one or more corresponding control valves if the detected temperature associated with the corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3 is below the threshold temperature.

[0142] According to some preferred non - limiting embodiments, each hydrogen burner assembly 3 may further include an ignition device 26 (or igniter), which is preferably operatively connected to the control unit 4 and configured to ignite the gaseous hydrogen leaving the corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3 and passing through the corresponding outlet openings 13 (which represent the flame ports in the operating state).

[0143] According to some preferred non - limiting embodiments, each support structure of the cooking appliance 1 for supporting the cooking vessel may be configured such that the distance between the cooking vessel and the corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3 may be in the range of 5 mm to 15 mm, for example 10 mm.

[0144] In particular, the distance between the cooking vessel and the corresponding hydrogen burner assembly 3 may be defined as the distance measured in a direction parallel to the central axis A between a plane coinciding with the bottom surface of the cooking vessel and a plane crossing the outlet opening 13 (or channel) or the flame port.

[0145] Figures 6 to 8 A second embodiment of the burner assembly 3 is shown. The burner assembly 3 of the second embodiment differs from the burner assembly in Figures 2 to 5 (in particular but not limited to this) in that: i) the cover member 16 is loosely placed on the burner body 7 or the collar 15 (i.e., no fixing elements are provided or fixing elements are not required); ii) the thickness T of the collar 15 measured perpendicular to or radially of the longitudinal axis A is lower; and iii) the recess 27 that forms or defines the outlet opening 13 has different dimensions when covered by the cover member 16.

[0146] Specifically, according to Figures 6 to 8The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly 3 includes a burner head body 7 having an internal volume for supplying hydrogen from a gas inlet opening 10 to a plurality of gas outlet openings 13. The gas inlet opening 10 is arranged at a first side S1, and the outlet openings 13 are arranged at a second side S2 of the burner head body 7 opposite the first side S1.

[0147] The burner head body 7 includes a cup-shaped recess 28 that is open at the second side S2 (see Figure 8 ), and is defined by a bottom wall 17 (or base) and a circumferential collar 15 that projects from the bottom wall 17 at the second side S2. The collar 15 has a distal side surface oriented away from the burner head body 7 at the second side S2, and includes a plurality of grooved depressions 27 in the distal side surface that traverse the circumferential collar 15 and extend from the inner side of the collar 15 facing the cup-shaped recess 28 to the outer side of the collar 15 facing away from the inner wall.

[0148] The burner head body 7 includes a passage 11 that fluidly connects the gas inlet opening 10 to the cup-shaped recess 28 and, in the assembled state, to a gas supply chamber 12.

[0149] The burner assembly 3 or the burner head body 7 includes a substantially flat cover plate 16 that is placed or adapted to be placed on the distal side surface of the collar 15 to cover the cup-shaped recess 28 and the depressions 27 at the second side S2 when placed on the collar 15.

[0150] When covered by the cover plate 16, the depressions 27 define the gas outlet openings 13, and the cup-shaped recess 28 defines the gas supply chamber 12. The gas supply chamber 12 is in fluid communication with the gas inlet opening 10 via the passage 11 and is in fluid communication with the outlet openings 13 for supplying gaseous hydrogen from the gas inlet opening 10 to the gas outlet openings 13. The gas outlet openings 13 are in fluid communication with the gas supply chamber 12 and the outer atmosphere 14.

[0151] The distal side surface includes substantially flat support surfaces 20 respectively between adjacent depressions 27 in the circumferential direction, and these support surfaces rest against the cover member 16 in the assembled state and at least inhibit hydrogen crosstalk.

[0152] The burner head body 7 is a one-piece part having a continuous inner wall structure that seals the internal free volume including the passage 11. Except for the gas inlet opening 10 and the outlet openings 13, or if the cover member 16 is not placed on the burner head body 7, except for the orifice 18, the free internal volume is airtight with respect to the outer atmosphere.

[0153] This means that the internal volume of the burner body 7 extending between the inlet opening 10 and the orifice 18 and the bottom and inner side walls (except for the recess 27) defining the cup-shaped recess 28 are airtight with respect to the outer atmosphere 14.

[0154] As discussed above, the hydrogen burner assembly 3 provides relatively easy and efficient, particularly cost-efficient, manufacturing and good combustion characteristics for pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen.

[0155] As mentioned above, compared with the Figures 2 to 5 embodiment, Figures 6 to 8 the thickness T of the circumferential wall of the collar 15 of the embodiment of is smaller, where the collar 15 may have a wall thickness T of about or approximately 1.5 mm to 5 mm. Thus, compared with the first embodiment, the burner body 7 can be designed to be lighter in weight and require less material for manufacturing. Further, the preferred cross-sectional size of the recess 27 or the outlet opening 13 may be about or approximately 1 mm × 1 mm.

[0156] Still further, the number of flame ports or outlet openings 13 may be different from that of the Figures 2 to 5 burner assembly 3. For example, burners with a maximum burner power of 1 kW, 2 kW, or > 3.5 kW may have 8, 12, or 16 flame ports respectively, while in the Figures 2 to 5 embodiment, assuming the same maximum burner power, the burner assembly may have 12, 16, or 28 flame ports respectively.

[0157] Additionally, again referring to the maximum burner powers of 1 kW, 2 kW, and 3.5 kW or > 3.5 kW, regarding the Figures 6 to 8 burner assembly 3, at the maximum burner power, the internal pressure in the gas supply chamber 12 may be about or approximately 0.2 mbar, 0.4 mbar, or 0.55 mbar, while the Figures 2 to 5 corresponding internal pressure of the burner assembly 3 may be > 1.1 mbar, > 2.3 mbar, or > 3 mbar.

[0158] For the respective maximum burner powers, the diameter of the burner body 7 in the region of the outlet opening 12 may be 35 mm to 60 mm, 60 mm to 85 mm, or > 85 mm.

[0159] The proposed design of the burner body 7 and the burner assembly 3 has the advantage that the burner assembly 3 can be used with a conventional stove or worktop design, particularly without or with minimal substantial structural changes to the stove or worktop, except for adaptation regarding the supply of gaseous hydrogen.

[0160] Figure 7The cross-sectional view shows the cover member 16 placed loosely on the cooktop body 7, in particular where the flat or planar lower surface area of the cover member 16 rests or abuts against the flat support surface 20 of the collar 15. The flat surface area of the cover member 16 can be implemented as, for example, an outer annular ring area, where the outer annular ring can be slightly indented towards the first side S1 compared to the adjacent central area of the cover member 16 (e.g., the radially inner area).

[0161] A stepped portion or shoulder established between the annular ring area of the cover member 16 and the central area of the cover member (on the side facing the cup-shaped recess 28 in the assembled state) can engage with a protrusion 30 provided on the inner wall of the collar 15 and protruding into the gas supply chamber 12. The protrusion 30 can be designed to ensure the correct alignment of the cover member 16 when placed on the cooktop body 7.

[0162] Furthermore, as can be inferred from Figure 7 the passage 11 can be divided into two sections or volumes by the injection nozzle 9 or the corresponding valve seat, one section or volume being in fluid communication with the inlet opening 10, while one section or volume is in fluid communication with the cup-shaped recess 28 or the gas supply chamber 12.

[0163] In the given example, the injection nozzle 9 is attached to the cooktop body 7 at the valve seat, which is implemented as an orifice located between the two sections of the passage 11. The two sections of the passage 11 are arranged such that the gaseous hydrogen supplied via the inlet opening 10 follows a flow path from the inlet opening 10 to the gas supply chamber 12 flowing through the injection nozzle 9 in the radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis A (i.e., transverse to the longitudinal axis A, corresponding to the horizontal direction in the operating state), the flow direction of the injection nozzle being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis A (i.e., in the operating state, corresponding to the vertical direction and pointing upwards), and then continuing upwards, i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis A towards the cup-shaped recess 28 or the gas distribution chamber 12.

[0164] The injection nozzle 9 is configured and adapted to regulate the internal pressure prevailing in the gas supply chamber (and the adjacent section of the passage 11) to, for example, the value given above at the maximum power level.

[0165] In the region of the inlet opening 10, the cooktop body 7 can include an inlet interface for connecting a hydrogen supply line (not shown). The inlet interface is Figure 7 schematically indicated by the section located at the inlet opening 10, which has an enlarged cross-section compared to the passage 11 extending upstream.

[0166] The circular cross-section and diameter of the sections of passage 11 upstream and downstream of injection nozzle 11 can be larger than the circular cross-section and diameter of the valve seat. In particular, with respect to supplying hydrogen to gas supply chamber 12 and outlet opening 13, the section upstream of injection nozzle 11 or the valve seat can define or represent a buffer volume for gaseous hydrogen. This buffer volume can be set or selected to reduce possible fluctuations in flame patterns and the like.

[0167] Figure 8 A detailed perspective view of a section of burner body 7 is shown. As can be inferred from Figure 8 Depression 27 has a rectangular cross-section that is substantially constant throughout the length of collar 15 transverse to the depression. All depressions 27 have substantially the same shape.

[0168] Furthermore, Figure 8 It is shown that injection nozzle 9 can be installed through orifice 18 from second side S2.

[0169] As shown, burner body 7 can include an integral flange 31 ( Figure 6 ), which is provided for attaching burner body 7 to a cutout in a cooking hob and for attaching temperature sensor 25 and ignition device 26.

[0170] In addition, Figure 6 Mounting brackets 29 are shown, which are provided for and configured to releasably secure, for example, temperature sensor 25 and ignition device 26 to the flange. It is noted that the mounting brackets are not installed in the Figure 6 illustrations.

[0171] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, changes can be made to gas cooking appliance 1 and / or hydrogen burner head assembly 3 to the extent of the exemplary embodiments described above and further described above.

[0172] In summary, the above discussion shows that the hydrogen burner head assembly as presented herein achieves the basic objectives.

[0173] The present invention particularly relates to a hydrogen burner head assembly for a gas cooking appliance and configured to combust pure hydrogen, i.e., the present invention particularly relates to a pure hydrogen burner head assembly, which can also be referred to as a pure hydrogen gas burner head assembly.

[0174] The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly includes a burner head body having an internal volume for supplying hydrogen from a gas inlet opening to a plurality of gas outlet openings; a cup-shaped recess that is open at a second side and defined by a circumferential collar having a distal side facing away from the burner head body and including a plurality of grooved depressions in the distal side; a passage that fluidly connects the gas inlet opening to the cup-shaped recess; and a substantially flat cover plate that is placed thereon. The burner head body is a one-piece part having a continuous inner wall structure that hermetically seals the internal volume, except for the gas inlet and outlet openings, from the outer atmosphere.

[0175] List of Reference Numerals

[0176] 1 Hydrogen cooking appliance

[0177] 2 Heating zone

[0178] 3 Hydrogen combustion burner head assembly

[0179] 4 Control unit

[0180] 5 Control button

[0181] 6 Housing structure

[0182] 7 Burner head body

[0183] 9 Injection nozzle

[0184] 10 Gas inlet opening

[0185] 11 Passage

[0186] 12 Gas supply chamber

[0187] 13 Outlet opening

[0188] 14 Outer atmosphere

[0189] 15 Annular collar

[0190] 16 Cover piece

[0191] 17 Bottom wall

[0192] 18 Orifice

[0193] 19 Docking surface

[0194] 20 Flat support surface

[0195] 21 Joining surface

[0196] 22 Fixing element

[0197] 23 Support

[0198] 24 Auxiliary cover

[0199] 25 Temperature sensor

[0200] 26 Ignition device

[0201] 27 Depression

[0202] 28 Cup-shaped recess

[0203] 29 Mounting bracket

[0204] 30 Protrusion

[0205] 31 Flange

[0206] A Longitudinal axis

[0207] S1 First side

[0208] S2 Second side

[0209] T Thickness

Claims

1. A hydrogen burner head assembly (3) for a gas cooking appliance (1) and configured to burn pure hydrogen or substantially pure hydrogen, the hydrogen burner head assembly (3) comprising a burner head body (7) having an internal volume for supplying hydrogen from a gas inlet opening (10) to a plurality of gas outlet openings (13), the gas inlet opening (10) being arranged at a first side (S1) of the burner head body (7), and the outlet openings (13) being arranged at a second side (S2) of the burner head body opposite to the first side (S1); the burner head body (7) further comprising: - a cup-shaped recess (28) that is open at the second side (S2) and is defined by a bottom wall (17) and a circumferential collar (15) projecting at the second side (S2); the collar (15) has a distal side facing away from the burner head body at the second side, and includes a plurality of groove-like depressions (27) in the distal side, the plurality of groove-like depressions traversing the circumferential collar (15) and extending from the inner side of the collar (15) facing the cup-shaped recess (28) to the outer side of the collar (15) facing away from the inner wall; - a passageway (11) that fluidly connects the gas inlet opening (10) to the cup-shaped recess (28); and the hydrogen burner head assembly further comprises: - a substantially flat cover plate (16) that is placed or adapted to be placed on the distal side to cover the cup-shaped recess (28) and the depressions (27) at the second side when placed on the burner head body, wherein, - when covered by the cover plate (16), the depressions (27) define the gas outlet openings (13), and the cup-shaped recess (28) defines a gas supply chamber (12), wherein the gas supply chamber (12) is in fluid communication with the gas inlet opening (10) and the outlet openings (13) for supplying gas from the gas inlet opening (10) to the gas outlet openings (13), and the gas outlet openings (13) are in fluid communication with the gas supply chamber (12) and the outer atmosphere (14); - the distal side includes substantially flat support surfaces (20) respectively between circumferentially adjacent depressions (27), the substantially flat support surfaces resting against the cover plate (16) in the assembled state and at least inhibiting hydrogen crosstalk in the circumferential direction and / or transversely between the depressions (27) of the collar (15); and - the burner head body (7) is a one-piece part having a continuous inner wall structure that hermetically seals the internal volume except for the gas inlet opening (10) and the outlet openings (13) relative to the outer atmosphere (14).

2. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to claim 1, wherein, The passageway (11) interconnects the gas inlet opening (10) and the cup-shaped recess (28), wherein the passageway (11) includes a nozzle (9) or a support for attaching the nozzle (9), and the nozzle (9) is adapted to control the flow of hydrogen from the inlet opening (10) to the gas supply chamber (12), and the nozzle (9) is preferably made of brass.

3. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cover plate (16) is a disc or disc-shaped and has at least one flat surface that abuts against the flat support surface (20) on the distal side surface in the assembled state, wherein the cover plate (16) is preferably a disc of flat shape, and the flat support surface (20) and the flat surface of the cover plate (16) that abut against each other in the assembled state preferably have a flatness of less than 0.3 mm respectively.

4. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, All of the recesses (27) or one or more groups of recesses (27) have substantially equal geometric dimensions, in particular substantially the same size, cross-section and length transverse to the circumferential collar (15).

5. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cross-section of all of the recesses (27) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the recesses (27) transverse to the circumferential collar (15) is rectangular, preferably square, and / or wherein the cross-section of the recess (27) is substantially constant along the longitudinal axis of the recess.

6. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The size of these recesses (27) measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective recess is in the range given by 0.4 mm × 0.4 mm to 1.4 mm × 1.4 mm, preferably 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm to 1 mm × 1 mm.

7. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the assembled state, the cover plate (16) is loosely placed on the burner body (7), or the cover plate (16) is removably attached to, in particular screwed to, the burner body (7).

8. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the assembled state, the cover plate (16) laterally protrudes beyond the outer edge of the circumferential collar (15) or is substantially flush with the outer edge of the circumferential collar (15).

9. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to claim 2, wherein, The burner assembly (3) is associated with a specified maximum burner power, and the nozzle (9) is configured to regulate the internal pressure in the gas supply chamber (12), in particular such that the ratio between the internal pressure measured in millibars (mbar) and the maximum burner power measured in kilowatts (kW) is in the range of 0.1 mbar / kW to 1 mbar / kW, preferably 0.2 mbar / kW to 0.9 mbar / kW.

10. The hydrogen combustion burner assembly (3) according to any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising: A cooking utensil support structure configured to support a cooking utensil at a predefined level above the burner assembly (3), wherein the bottom side of the utensil faces the cover plate (16), and wherein, in the assembled state, the maximum distance between the predefined level and the cover member is in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm, preferably in the range of 7 mm to 15 mm, in particular approximately 10 mm.

11. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The thickness (T) of the circumferential collar (15) measured transverse to the circumferential collar (15) and / or the longitudinal length of these recesses (27) measured transverse to the circumferential collar is in the range of 1.5 mm to 18 mm.

12. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The burner body (7) is made of aluminum and / or the cover plate (16) is made of steel.

13. The hydrogen combustion burner head assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The hydrogen combustion burner assembly (3) has the following maximum burner power: - A maximum burner power of approximately 1 kilowatt (kW), wherein the maximum diameter of the circumferential collar (15) is in the range of 35 mm to 60 mm, and / or the number of recesses (27) is in the range of 6 to 12, particularly 8 or 12, and / or the distance between adjacent recesses (27) measured along the outer circumference of the burner body (7) is in the range of 12 mm to 20 mm, preferably approximately 12.3 mm or 18.1 mm. - A maximum burner power of approximately 2 kilowatts, wherein the maximum diameter of the circumferential collar (15) is in the range of 60 mm to 80 mm, and / or the number of recesses (27) is in the range of 7 to 16, preferably 7 to 14, particularly 12 or 16, and / or the distance between adjacent recesses (27) measured along the outer circumference of the burner body (7) is in the range of 11 mm to 12 mm, preferably approximately 11.8 mm, or - The hydrogen combustion burner assembly (3) has a maximum burner power of 3 kilowatts or more than 3 kilowatts, wherein the maximum diameter of the circumferential collar (15) is 85 mm or more than 85 mm, and / or the number of recesses (27) is in the range of 8 to 28, preferably 16 to 28, particularly 16 or 28, and / or the distance between adjacent recesses (27) measured along the outer circumference of the burner body (7) is in the range of 15 mm to 18 mm, preferably approximately 15.5 mm or 17.7 mm.

14. A gas cooking appliance (1) for heating a cooking utensil by burning substantially pure hydrogen, the gas cooking appliance comprising one or more heating zones (2), wherein, At least one, preferably each, heating zone (2) includes at least one hydrogen combustion burner assembly (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. A method of manufacturing a hydrogen combustion burner assembly (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: - Manufacturing the burner body (7), wherein the burner body (7) including the cup-shaped recess (28) and these recesses (27) is manufactured using a single casting step or process; and casting the burner body (7) into a continuous body that, except for the gas inlet opening (10) and the cup-shaped recess (28) leading to the second side (S2), has no penetrations leading to the outer atmosphere (17). And, Optionally, the method further comprises: - A forging or shaping process, particularly a cold forging or cold forming process, applied to the cast burner body (7), and / or - Providing, particularly manufacturing, the cover plate (16), and placing the cover plate (16) on the distal side such that the lower side of the cover plate faces the cup-shaped recess (28) and abuts against these flat support surfaces (20), thereby closing the cup-shaped recess (28) and these recesses (27) on the second side (S2) to define the gas supply chamber (12) and the gas outlet openings (10) that serve as the flame ports of the hydrogen combustion burner assembly (3).

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