Oven appliances with improved gas burner assembly

Abstract

An oven appliance incudes a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet also extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines a cooking chamber. A broil gas burner assembly is positioned at a back wall of the cooking chamber and is in direct thermal communication with the cooking chamber. The broil gas burner assembly includes a burner tube extending in the lateral direction. The burner tube defines a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction. The series of outlets are positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction. An air deflector extends away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to oven appliances, and more specifically to gas burner systems therein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various oven appliance may include more than one cooking chamber. For example, such multi-cavity oven appliances may include double oven range appliances having upper and lower cooking chambers. A user of the double oven range appliances may conveniently utilize either or both of the upper and lower cooking chambers to cook food items. In certain double oven range appliances, the upper cooking chamber is smaller than the lower cooking chamber. Thus, the user may utilize the upper cooking chamber to cook smaller food items and the lower cooking chamber to cook larger food items.

[0003] Typical residential oven appliances include gas burners for broiling located adjacent to a top surface of the oven appliance and eject flames horizontally along a flame plate / spreader. The ejection of flames along the flame plate may not readily allow air to mix with the flames which may restrict combustion from occurring. Higher excess air, e.g., air within the oven appliance that is not mixing with the flames, may lead to reduced overall oven efficiency.

[0004] Accordingly, an oven appliance with features for improving oven efficiency, such as gas burner systems for reducing excess air in the oven appliance would be useful.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0006] In one example embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The oven appliance incudes a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet also extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines an upper cooking chamber positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet and a lower cooking chamber positioned adjacent the lower portion of the cabinet. A broil gas burner assembly is positioned at a back wall of the upper cooking chamber and is in direct thermal communication with the upper cooking chamber. The broil gas burner assembly includes a burner tube extending in the lateral direction. The burner tube defines a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction. The series of outlets are positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction. An air deflector extends away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

[0007] In another example embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The oven appliance incudes a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet also extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines a cooking chamber. A broil gas burner assembly is positioned at a back wall of the cooking chamber and is in direct thermal communication with the cooking chamber. The broil gas burner assembly includes a burner tube extending in the lateral direction. The burner tube defines a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction. The series of outlets are positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction. An air deflector extends away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

[0008] In another example embodiment, a broil gas burner assembly for an oven appliance is provided. The broil gas burner assembly defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The broil gas burner assembly includes a burner tube extending in the lateral direction. The burner tube defines a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction. The series of outlets are positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction. An air deflector extends away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective views of an oven range appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides a schematic illustration of a multi-cavity oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides a top view of an example burner assembly according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides a schematic illustration of the burner assembly of FIG. 3 operating within an oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0015] FIG. 5 provides another schematic illustration of the burner assembly of FIG. 3 operating within an oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0016] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0018] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a multi-cavity oven range appliance 100 according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 the oven range appliance is a double oven appliance including two cavities. It is to be understood that such is by way of example only, additional embodiments of the present disclosure may include three or more cavities. In the illustrated example, the multi-cavity oven appliance 100 includes a separate door for each cavity, e.g., an upper door 121 and a lower door 125 corresponding to the upper and lower cavities, respectively. In additional embodiments, a single door May be provided for simultaneous access to all of the multiple cavities within the oven appliance 100. Other combinations and variations are also possible, for example a triple cavity oven appliance with two doors, etc.

[0019] As may be seen in FIG. 1 oven appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.

[0020] Oven appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 110. Cabinet 110 extends between a top portion 111 and a bottom portion 112, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, top, and bottom portions 111, 112 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Cabinet 110 also extends between a first side portion 113 and a second side portion 114, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Thus, first and second side portions 113, 114 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. For example, from the perspective of a user standing in front of the oven appliance 100, e.g., to reach into one of the cavities and / or to access the controls, the first side portion 113 may be a right side portion and the second side portion 114 may be a left side portion. Cabinet 110 further extends between a front portion 115 and a back portion 116, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Thus, front, and back portions 115, 116 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

[0021] In the illustrated example, oven appliance 100 includes a cooktop 130 positioned at or adjacent top portion 111 of cabinet 110. Cooktop 130 includes various heating elements 132, such as gas burners, electric resistance elements, induction elements, etc., that are configured for heating cookware positioned thereon. In additional embodiments, the oven appliance 100 may be a built-in oven or a wall oven, e.g., without a cooktop 130 thereon.

[0022] As indicated in FIG. 1, cabinet 110 also defines an upper cooking chamber 120 and a lower cooking chamber 124. Thus, oven appliance 100 is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. In the present example embodiment, oven appliance 100 is provided as a double oven range appliance, and while details of the present disclosure will be described with respect to oven appliance 100, a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that aspects of the present subject matter may be incorporated or used with any other suitable oven appliance with any suitable number of coking chambers, such as a single oven wall appliance, double oven wall appliance, a single oven range appliance.

[0023] Upper cooking chamber 120 is positioned at or adjacent top portion 111 of cabinet 110. For example, upper cooking chamber 120 may include a ceiling 131 adjacent top portion 111, e.g., separated by insulation, and a back wall 133 adjacent back portion 116, e.g., separated by insulation, extending downwards in the vertical direction V from the ceiling 131. Conversely, lower cooking chamber 124 is positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 112 of cabinet 110. Thus, upper, and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 are spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction V. Upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 can have any suitable size relative to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, upper cooking chamber 120 may be smaller than lower cooking chamber 124.

[0024] Upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 are configured for receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. The upper door 121 and the lower door 125 are movably attached or coupled to cabinet 110, e.g., rotatably coupled with hinges, in order to permit selective access to upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 124, respectively. Handles 123, 127 are mounted to upper and lower doors 121, 125 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 121, 125 in order to access cooking chambers 120, 124. As an example, a user can pull on handle 123 mounted to upper door 121 to open or close upper door 121 and access upper cooking chamber 120. Glass window panes 122, 126 provide for viewing the contents of upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 when doors 121, 125 are closed and also assist with insulating upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124.

[0025] A control panel 140 of oven appliance 100 is positioned at top portion 111 and back portion 116 of cabinet 110. Control panel 140 includes user inputs 142. Control panel 140 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of oven appliance 100. For example, a user can touch control panel 140 to trigger one of user inputs 142. In response to user manipulation of user inputs 142, various components of the oven appliance 100, such as various heating elements, can be operated.

[0026] In general, oven appliance 100 may further include or be in operative communication with a processing device or a controller (not shown) that may be generally configured to facilitate appliance operation. In this regard, control panel 140, and user inputs 142 may be in communication with the controller such that the controller may receive control inputs from user inputs 142 and may otherwise regulate operation of oven appliance 100. For example, signals generated by the controller may operate oven appliance 100, including any or all system components, subsystems, or interconnected devices, in response to the position of user inputs 142 and other control commands. Control panel 140 and other components of oven appliance 100 may be in communication with the controller via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. In this manner, Input / Output (“I / O”) signals may be routed between the controller and various operational components of oven appliance 100.

[0027] As used herein, the terms “processing device,”“computing device,”“controller,” or the like may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic device, one or more central processing units (CPUs), a graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units performing other specialized calculations, semiconductor devices, etc. In addition, these “controllers” are not necessarily restricted to a single element but may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate appliance operation. Alternatively, the controller may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and / or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND / OR gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

[0028] The controller may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements or non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, or other suitable memory devices (including combinations thereof). These memory devices may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. In addition, these memory devices can store information and / or data accessible by one or more processors, including instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors. It should be appreciated that the instructions can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions can be executed logically and / or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors.

[0029] As may be seen in FIG. 2, upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 124 may be thermally isolated from one another. For example, insulation 150 may be positioned between the upper cooking chamber 120 and the lower cooking chamber 124, e.g., in the transverse and lateral directions T, L, respectively. The oven appliance 100 may generally include one, single gas heating element configured to provide heat, e.g., convection heat via heated air, to one or both of cooking chambers 120, 124. Thus, in the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 2, oven appliance 100 generally includes a gas heating element, such as a gas broil burner assembly 160 in the upper cooking chamber 120 generally configured to provide heat, e.g., convection heat via heated air, to upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124, respectively. In some embodiments, more than one type of heating element may be provided, e.g., one or more electrical heating elements 162 may be provided in either, or both, of the upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124.

[0030] Turning now to FIGS. 3-5, provided may be example embodiments of broil gas burner assembly 160. In general, broil gas burner assembly 160 may include a burner tube 164 (FIG. 3) extending in the lateral direction L and an air deflector, such as air deflector (200FIG. 4) or air deflector 300 (FIG. 5), extending away from burner tube 164 in one or more of the vertical direction V and the transverse direction T. In general, broil gas burner assembly 160 may be positioned proximate back wall 133 of the upper cooking chamber 120, such that broil gas burner assembly 160 may be in direct thermal communication with the upper cooking chamber 120.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, burner tube 164 of broil gas burner assembly 160 may generally extend along a length, such as between first side portion 113 and second side portion 114 of cabinet 110, in the lateral direction L. In general, burner tube 164 may generally define a series of outlets 161 dispersed along the lateral direction L. Particularly, the series of outlets 161 may be positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction V, e.g., the top of burner tube 164 may be an upward-most point of burner tube 164 in the vertical direction V. For example, burner tube 164 may define a vertical mid plane (VMP), e.g., a plane defined by the vertical direction V and lateral direction L positioned at the middle of burner tube 164 with respect to the transverse direction T. In one example embodiment, the series of outlets 161 may be positioned on burner tube 164 at the upward-most point of intersection of burner tube 164 and the VMP. In some example embodiments, the series of outlets 161 may include a plurality of alternating slots and holes, such as hole 163 and slot 165 of burner tube 164. In general, the vertical positioning of the series of outlets 161 may generally provide increased flow velocity of flames therefrom due to the buoyancy of gas. As such, flames may be generally ejected from burner tube 164 toward ceiling 131 of upper cooking chamber 120.

[0032] Turning now to FIG. 4, provided is a schematic illustration of broil gas burner assembly 160 operating within an oven appliance, such as oven appliance 100. As stated above, broil gas burner assembly 160 may include an air deflector, such as air deflector 200 in the present example embodiment. In general, air deflector 200 may be configured to couple to one of burner tube 164 of broil gas burner assembly 160 or back wall 133 of upper cooking chamber 120, such as by hooks, fasteners, or any other suitable system for positioning and mounting air deflector 200. Air deflector 200 may generally include a flame guide 202 extending from a lip end 204 to a distal end 206, e.g., flame guide 202 may extend forwards in the transverse direction T and upwards in the vertical direction V from lip end 204 to distal end 206. In particular, flame guide 202 may be curved or step-angled between lip end 204 and distal end 206.

[0033] The positioning of air deflector 200 may include lip end 204 of flame guide 202 generally defining a gap 208 between flame guide 202 and burner tube 164. Gap 208 will be further described herein below. In general, flames, such as flames 1000, exiting the series of outlets 161 of burner tube 164 may exhibit the Coandǎ effect when exiting in the direction of flame guide 202. In the present example embodiment, in order to direct the flames 1000 along flame guide 202, the series of outlets 161 may be shifted forwards, e.g., away from back wall 133, in the transverse direction T, from the VMP. Accordingly, the positioning and shape of the flame guide 202 of air deflector 200 permits directional control of the flames 1000 within oven appliance 100. In the present example embodiment, flame guide 202 may be configured to direct the flames 1000, and heat therefrom, toward front portion 115 of cabinet 110 to broil food items being cooked, such as either by radiating heat downwards in the vertical direction and / or by using the convective hot gases to heat the food items.

[0034] As may be seen in FIG. 4, burner tube 164 of broil gas burner assembly 160 may be positioned a specified distance D in the transverse direction T from back wall 133 of upper cooking chamber 120. For example, the specified distance D between burner tube 164 and back portion 116 may be between one half centimeter (0.5 cm) and ten centimeters (10 cm), such as between one centimeter (1 cm) and eight centimeters (8 cm), such as between two centimeters (2 cm) and six centimeters (6 cm). As such, burner tube 164 may generally include gap 208 on one side of burner tube 164 and another gap determined by the specified distance D between burner tube 164 and back portion 116. In general, gap 208 may be between one half centimeter (0.5 cm) and four centimeters (4 cm), such as between one centimeter (1 cm) and eight centimeters (3 cm), such as about two centimeters (2 cm). Accordingly, as flames 1000 exit the series of outlets 161, excess air, or otherwise referred to as secondary air 1100, may be pulled around each side of the burner tube 164 and mix with the flames 1000, e.g., secondary air 1100 may mix on both sides of the flames 1000.

[0035] In addition to the secondary air 1100 mixing with flames 1000, the increased flow velocity of flames 1000 due to the positioning of the series of outlets 161 may advantageously improve the combustion by broil gas burner assembly 160, thereby increasing the heating efficiency of oven appliance 100, particularly in oven appliances with limited airflow through the cooking chamber of the oven appliance. Furthermore, the secondary air 1100 flowing through gap 208 may reduce the heating of flame guide 202 by forming a boundary layer between flames 1000 and flame guide 202. Reducing the heat of flame guide 202 may advantageously reduce undesired radiation heat to the food items from flame 1000 and / or flame guide 202, thereby providing improved cooking performance of the oven appliance 100.

[0036] Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is another schematic illustration of broil gas burner assembly 160 operating within an oven appliance, such as oven appliance 100. As stated above, broil gas burner assembly 160 may include an air deflector, such as air deflector 300 in the present example embodiment. Air deflector 300 may generally be positioned above, in the vertical direction V, burner tube 164. For example, air deflector 300 may include a funnel 301 defined between a pair of deflector walls302 extending in the vertical direction from an intake end 304 to an exhaust end 306 of the funnel 301. In particular, the pair of deflector walls 302 may be spaced apart in the transverse direction T such that intake end 304 defines a first opening 308 between the pair of deflector walls 302 and exhaust end 306 defines a second opening 310 between the pair of deflector walls 302.

[0037] As may be seen in FIG. 5, first opening 308 between the pair of deflector walls 302 may be larger than second opening 310 between the pair of deflector walls 302. Accordingly, air flowing into funnel 301 may be compressed, advantageously increasing flow velocity through air deflector 300. As such, flames 1000 exiting burner tube 164 may pull secondary air 1100 into funnel 301 of air deflector 300 and thereby increase mixing of flames 1000 and secondary air 1100. Furthermore, the secondary air 1100 flowing through funnel 301 may reduce the heating of the pair of deflector walls 302 by forming a boundary layer between flames 1000 and the pair of deflector walls 302. Thus, the secondary air 1100 mixing with flames 1000 and the increased flow velocity of flames 1000 due to the positioning of the series of outlets 161 may advantageously improve the combustion by broil gas burner assembly 160, thereby increasing the heating efficiency of oven appliance 100, particularly in oven appliances with limited airflow through the cooking chamber of the oven appliance.

[0038] As may be seen from the above, a tubular burner with upward ports may be mounted at a rear wall of an oven cavity. The upward ports, in conjunction with a flame guide, allow for control of the hot gases for broiling and increases mixing of secondary air with the flames for improved combustions. In some examples, the ports may be directed slightly forward such that the gas / air flow attaches to the flame guide due to the Coandǎ effect. Thus, the flame guide allows for directional control of the hot gases via controlling the shape of the flame guide. Other example embodiments include upward ports with a secondary air deflector over the top of the ports, thus mixing the secondary air with the flame. The vertical ports may induce more secondary air into the flames and provide the opportunity to mix secondary air with the flame from both sides of the burner tube. As such the burner may include improved secondary air / gas mixing and therefore improved combustion.

[0039] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0017]Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0018]FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a multi-cavity oven range appliance 100 according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 the oven range appliance is a double oven appliance including two cavi...

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to oven appliances, and more specifically to gas burner systems therein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various oven appliance may include more than one cooking chamber. For example, such multi-cavity oven appliances may include double oven range appliances having upper and lower cooking chambers. A user of the double oven range appliances may conveniently utilize either or both of the upper and lower cooking chambers to cook food items. In certain double oven range appliances, the upper cooking chamber is smaller than the lower cooking chamber. Thus, the user may utilize the upper cooking chamber to cook smaller food items and the lower cooking chamber to cook larger food items.

[0003] Typical residential oven appliances include gas burners for broiling located adjacent to a top surface of the oven appliance and eject flames horizontally along a flame plate / spreader. The ejection of flames along the flame plate may not readily allow air to mix with the flames which may restrict combustion from occurring. Higher excess air, e.g., air within the oven appliance that is not mixing with the flames, may lead to reduced overall oven efficiency.

[0004] Accordingly, an oven appliance with features for improving oven efficiency, such as gas burner systems for reducing excess air in the oven appliance would be useful.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0006] In one example embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The oven appliance incudes a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet also extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines an upper cooking chamber positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet and a lower cooking chamber positioned adjacent the lower portion of the cabinet. A broil gas burner assembly is positioned at a back wall of the upper cooking chamber and is in direct thermal communication with the upper cooking chamber. The broil gas burner assembly includes a burner tube extending in the lateral direction. The burner tube defines a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction. The series of outlets are positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction. An air deflector extends away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

[0007] In another example embodiment, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The oven appliance incudes a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction. The cabinet also extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines a cooking chamber. A broil gas burner assembly is positioned at a back wall of the cooking chamber and is in direct thermal communication with the cooking chamber. The broil gas burner assembly includes a burner tube extending in the lateral direction. The burner tube defines a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction. The series of outlets are positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction. An air deflector extends away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

[0008] In another example embodiment, a broil gas burner assembly for an oven appliance is provided. The broil gas burner assembly defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The broil gas burner assembly includes a burner tube extending in the lateral direction. The burner tube defines a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction. The series of outlets are positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction. An air deflector extends away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective views of an oven range appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides a schematic illustration of a multi-cavity oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides a top view of an example burner assembly according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides a schematic illustration of the burner assembly of FIG. 3 operating within an oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0015] FIG. 5 provides another schematic illustration of the burner assembly of FIG. 3 operating within an oven appliance according to one or more example embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0016] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0018] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a multi-cavity oven range appliance 100 according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 the oven range appliance is a double oven appliance including two cavities. It is to be understood that such is by way of example only, additional embodiments of the present disclosure may include three or more cavities. In the illustrated example, the multi-cavity oven appliance 100 includes a separate door for each cavity, e.g., an upper door 121 and a lower door 125 corresponding to the upper and lower cavities, respectively. In additional embodiments, a single door May be provided for simultaneous access to all of the multiple cavities within the oven appliance 100. Other combinations and variations are also possible, for example a triple cavity oven appliance with two doors, etc.

[0019] As may be seen in FIG. 1 oven appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.

[0020] Oven appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 110. Cabinet 110 extends between a top portion 111 and a bottom portion 112, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Thus, top, and bottom portions 111, 112 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Cabinet 110 also extends between a first side portion 113 and a second side portion 114, e.g., along the lateral direction L. Thus, first and second side portions 113, 114 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the lateral direction L. For example, from the perspective of a user standing in front of the oven appliance 100, e.g., to reach into one of the cavities and / or to access the controls, the first side portion 113 may be a right side portion and the second side portion 114 may be a left side portion. Cabinet 110 further extends between a front portion 115 and a back portion 116, e.g., along the transverse direction T. Thus, front, and back portions 115, 116 of cabinet 110 are spaced apart from each other, e.g., along the transverse direction T.

[0021] In the illustrated example, oven appliance 100 includes a cooktop 130 positioned at or adjacent top portion 111 of cabinet 110. Cooktop 130 includes various heating elements 132, such as gas burners, electric resistance elements, induction elements, etc., that are configured for heating cookware positioned thereon. In additional embodiments, the oven appliance 100 may be a built-in oven or a wall oven, e.g., without a cooktop 130 thereon.

[0022] As indicated in FIG. 1, cabinet 110 also defines an upper cooking chamber 120 and a lower cooking chamber 124. Thus, oven appliance 100 is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. In the present example embodiment, oven appliance 100 is provided as a double oven range appliance, and while details of the present disclosure will be described with respect to oven appliance 100, a person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that aspects of the present subject matter may be incorporated or used with any other suitable oven appliance with any suitable number of coking chambers, such as a single oven wall appliance, double oven wall appliance, a single oven range appliance.

[0023] Upper cooking chamber 120 is positioned at or adjacent top portion 111 of cabinet 110. For example, upper cooking chamber 120 may include a ceiling 131 adjacent top portion 111, e.g., separated by insulation, and a back wall 133 adjacent back portion 116, e.g., separated by insulation, extending downwards in the vertical direction V from the ceiling 131. Conversely, lower cooking chamber 124 is positioned at or adjacent bottom portion 112 of cabinet 110. Thus, upper, and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 are spaced apart from each other along the vertical direction V. Upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 can have any suitable size relative to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, upper cooking chamber 120 may be smaller than lower cooking chamber 124.

[0024] Upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 are configured for receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. The upper door 121 and the lower door 125 are movably attached or coupled to cabinet 110, e.g., rotatably coupled with hinges, in order to permit selective access to upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 124, respectively. Handles 123, 127 are mounted to upper and lower doors 121, 125 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 121, 125 in order to access cooking chambers 120, 124. As an example, a user can pull on handle 123 mounted to upper door 121 to open or close upper door 121 and access upper cooking chamber 120. Glass window panes 122, 126 provide for viewing the contents of upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124 when doors 121, 125 are closed and also assist with insulating upper and lower cooking chambers 120, 124.

[0025] A control panel 140 of oven appliance 100 is positioned at top portion 111 and back portion 116 of cabinet 110. Control panel 140 includes user inputs 142. Control panel 140 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of oven appliance 100. For example, a user can touch control panel 140 to trigger one of user inputs 142. In response to user manipulation of user inputs 142, various components of the oven appliance 100, such as various heating elements, can be operated.

[0026] In general, oven appliance 100 may further include or be in operative communication with a processing device or a controller (not shown) that may be generally configured to facilitate appliance operation. In this regard, control panel 140, and user inputs 142 may be in communication with the controller such that the controller may receive control inputs from user inputs 142 and may otherwise regulate operation of oven appliance 100. For example, signals generated by the controller may operate oven appliance 100, including any or all system components, subsystems, or interconnected devices, in response to the position of user inputs 142 and other control commands. Control panel 140 and other components of oven appliance 100 may be in communication with the controller via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. In this manner, Input / Output (“I / O”) signals may be routed between the controller and various operational components of oven appliance 100.

[0027] As used herein, the terms “processing device,”“computing device,”“controller,” or the like may generally refer to any suitable processing device, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a logic device, one or more central processing units (CPUs), a graphics processing units (GPUs), processing units performing other specialized calculations, semiconductor devices, etc. In addition, these “controllers” are not necessarily restricted to a single element but may include any suitable number, type, and configuration of processing devices integrated in any suitable manner to facilitate appliance operation. Alternatively, the controller may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and / or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND / OR gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

[0028] The controller may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements or non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, or other suitable memory devices (including combinations thereof). These memory devices may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. In addition, these memory devices can store information and / or data accessible by one or more processors, including instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors. It should be appreciated that the instructions can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions can be executed logically and / or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors.

[0029] As may be seen in FIG. 2, upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 124 may be thermally isolated from one another. For example, insulation 150 may be positioned between the upper cooking chamber 120 and the lower cooking chamber 124, e.g., in the transverse and lateral directions T, L, respectively. The oven appliance 100 may generally include one, single gas heating element configured to provide heat, e.g., convection heat via heated air, to one or both of cooking chambers 120, 124. Thus, in the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 2, oven appliance 100 generally includes a gas heating element, such as a gas broil burner assembly 160 in the upper cooking chamber 120 generally configured to provide heat, e.g., convection heat via heated air, to upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124, respectively. In some embodiments, more than one type of heating element may be provided, e.g., one or more electrical heating elements 162 may be provided in either, or both, of the upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 124.

[0030] Turning now to FIGS. 3-5, provided may be example embodiments of broil gas burner assembly 160. In general, broil gas burner assembly 160 may include a burner tube 164 (FIG. 3) extending in the lateral direction L and an air deflector, such as air deflector (200FIG. 4) or air deflector 300 (FIG. 5), extending away from burner tube 164 in one or more of the vertical direction V and the transverse direction T. In general, broil gas burner assembly 160 may be positioned proximate back wall 133 of the upper cooking chamber 120, such that broil gas burner assembly 160 may be in direct thermal communication with the upper cooking chamber 120.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, burner tube 164 of broil gas burner assembly 160 may generally extend along a length, such as between first side portion 113 and second side portion 114 of cabinet 110, in the lateral direction L. In general, burner tube 164 may generally define a series of outlets 161 dispersed along the lateral direction L. Particularly, the series of outlets 161 may be positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction V, e.g., the top of burner tube 164 may be an upward-most point of burner tube 164 in the vertical direction V. For example, burner tube 164 may define a vertical mid plane (VMP), e.g., a plane defined by the vertical direction V and lateral direction L positioned at the middle of burner tube 164 with respect to the transverse direction T. In one example embodiment, the series of outlets 161 may be positioned on burner tube 164 at the upward-most point of intersection of burner tube 164 and the VMP. In some example embodiments, the series of outlets 161 may include a plurality of alternating slots and holes, such as hole 163 and slot 165 of burner tube 164. In general, the vertical positioning of the series of outlets 161 may generally provide increased flow velocity of flames therefrom due to the buoyancy of gas. As such, flames may be generally ejected from burner tube 164 toward ceiling 131 of upper cooking chamber 120.

[0032] Turning now to FIG. 4, provided is a schematic illustration of broil gas burner assembly 160 operating within an oven appliance, such as oven appliance 100. As stated above, broil gas burner assembly 160 may include an air deflector, such as air deflector 200 in the present example embodiment. In general, air deflector 200 may be configured to couple to one of burner tube 164 of broil gas burner assembly 160 or back wall 133 of upper cooking chamber 120, such as by hooks, fasteners, or any other suitable system for positioning and mounting air deflector 200. Air deflector 200 may generally include a flame guide 202 extending from a lip end 204 to a distal end 206, e.g., flame guide 202 may extend forwards in the transverse direction T and upwards in the vertical direction V from lip end 204 to distal end 206. In particular, flame guide 202 may be curved or step-angled between lip end 204 and distal end 206.

[0033] The positioning of air deflector 200 may include lip end 204 of flame guide 202 generally defining a gap 208 between flame guide 202 and burner tube 164. Gap 208 will be further described herein below. In general, flames, such as flames 1000, exiting the series of outlets 161 of burner tube 164 may exhibit the Coandǎ effect when exiting in the direction of flame guide 202. In the present example embodiment, in order to direct the flames 1000 along flame guide 202, the series of outlets 161 may be shifted forwards, e.g., away from back wall 133, in the transverse direction T, from the VMP. Accordingly, the positioning and shape of the flame guide 202 of air deflector 200 permits directional control of the flames 1000 within oven appliance 100. In the present example embodiment, flame guide 202 may be configured to direct the flames 1000, and heat therefrom, toward front portion 115 of cabinet 110 to broil food items being cooked, such as either by radiating heat downwards in the vertical direction and / or by using the convective hot gases to heat the food items.

[0034] As may be seen in FIG. 4, burner tube 164 of broil gas burner assembly 160 may be positioned a specified distance D in the transverse direction T from back wall 133 of upper cooking chamber 120. For example, the specified distance D between burner tube 164 and back portion 116 may be between one half centimeter (0.5 cm) and ten centimeters (10 cm), such as between one centimeter (1 cm) and eight centimeters (8 cm), such as between two centimeters (2 cm) and six centimeters (6 cm). As such, burner tube 164 may generally include gap 208 on one side of burner tube 164 and another gap determined by the specified distance D between burner tube 164 and back portion 116. In general, gap 208 may be between one half centimeter (0.5 cm) and four centimeters (4 cm), such as between one centimeter (1 cm) and eight centimeters (3 cm), such as about two centimeters (2 cm). Accordingly, as flames 1000 exit the series of outlets 161, excess air, or otherwise referred to as secondary air 1100, may be pulled around each side of the burner tube 164 and mix with the flames 1000, e.g., secondary air 1100 may mix on both sides of the flames 1000.

[0035] In addition to the secondary air 1100 mixing with flames 1000, the increased flow velocity of flames 1000 due to the positioning of the series of outlets 161 may advantageously improve the combustion by broil gas burner assembly 160, thereby increasing the heating efficiency of oven appliance 100, particularly in oven appliances with limited airflow through the cooking chamber of the oven appliance. Furthermore, the secondary air 1100 flowing through gap 208 may reduce the heating of flame guide 202 by forming a boundary layer between flames 1000 and flame guide 202. Reducing the heat of flame guide 202 may advantageously reduce undesired radiation heat to the food items from flame 1000 and / or flame guide 202, thereby providing improved cooking performance of the oven appliance 100.

[0036] Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is another schematic illustration of broil gas burner assembly 160 operating within an oven appliance, such as oven appliance 100. As stated above, broil gas burner assembly 160 may include an air deflector, such as air deflector 300 in the present example embodiment. Air deflector 300 may generally be positioned above, in the vertical direction V, burner tube 164. For example, air deflector 300 may include a funnel 301 defined between a pair of deflector walls302 extending in the vertical direction from an intake end 304 to an exhaust end 306 of the funnel 301. In particular, the pair of deflector walls 302 may be spaced apart in the transverse direction T such that intake end 304 defines a first opening 308 between the pair of deflector walls 302 and exhaust end 306 defines a second opening 310 between the pair of deflector walls 302.

[0037] As may be seen in FIG. 5, first opening 308 between the pair of deflector walls 302 may be larger than second opening 310 between the pair of deflector walls 302. Accordingly, air flowing into funnel 301 may be compressed, advantageously increasing flow velocity through air deflector 300. As such, flames 1000 exiting burner tube 164 may pull secondary air 1100 into funnel 301 of air deflector 300 and thereby increase mixing of flames 1000 and secondary air 1100. Furthermore, the secondary air 1100 flowing through funnel 301 may reduce the heating of the pair of deflector walls 302 by forming a boundary layer between flames 1000 and the pair of deflector walls 302. Thus, the secondary air 1100 mixing with flames 1000 and the increased flow velocity of flames 1000 due to the positioning of the series of outlets 161 may advantageously improve the combustion by broil gas burner assembly 160, thereby increasing the heating efficiency of oven appliance 100, particularly in oven appliances with limited airflow through the cooking chamber of the oven appliance.

[0038] As may be seen from the above, a tubular burner with upward ports may be mounted at a rear wall of an oven cavity. The upward ports, in conjunction with a flame guide, allow for control of the hot gases for broiling and increases mixing of secondary air with the flames for improved combustions. In some examples, the ports may be directed slightly forward such that the gas / air flow attaches to the flame guide due to the Coandǎ effect. Thus, the flame guide allows for directional control of the hot gases via controlling the shape of the flame guide. Other example embodiments include upward ports with a secondary air deflector over the top of the ports, thus mixing the secondary air with the flame. The vertical ports may induce more secondary air into the flames and provide the opportunity to mix secondary air with the flame from both sides of the burner tube. As such the burner may include improved secondary air / gas mixing and therefore improved combustion.

[0039] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0017]Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0018]FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a multi-cavity oven range appliance 100 according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 the oven range appliance is a double oven appliance including two cavi...

Claims

1. An oven appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the oven appliance comprising:a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the cabinet also extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the cabinet defining an upper cooking chamber positioned adjacent the top portion of the cabinet and a lower cooking chamber positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the cabinet; anda broil gas burner assembly positioned at a back wall of the upper cooking chamber and in direct thermal communication with the upper cooking chamber, the broil gas burner assembly comprising:a burner tube defining a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction, the series of outlets positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction; andan air deflector extending away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

2. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the burner tube of the broil gas burner assembly is positioned a specified distance in the transverse direction from the back wall of the cooking chamber.

3. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the air deflector comprises a flame guide curving from the vertical direction at a lip end to the transverse direction at a distal end.

4. The oven appliance of claim 3, wherein the lip end of the air deflector defines a gap between the air deflector and the burner tube.

5. The oven appliance of claim 2, wherein the air deflector comprises a funnel defined between a pair of deflector walls extending in the vertical direction from an intake end to an exhaust end of the funnel.

6. The oven appliance of claim 5, wherein the intake end of the funnel defines a first opening between the pair of deflector walls and the exhaust end of the funnel defines a second opening between the pair of deflector walls, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening.

7. The oven appliance of claim 1, further comprising one or more electrical heating elements in the upper cooking chamber and / or the lower cooking chamber.

8. An oven appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the oven appliance comprising:a cabinet extending between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, the cabinet also extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, the cabinet defining a cooking chamber;a broil gas burner assembly positioned at a back wall of the cooking chamber and in direct thermal communication with the cooking chamber, the broil gas burner assembly comprising:a burner tube extending in the lateral direction, the burner tube defining a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction, the series of outlets positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction;an air deflector extending away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

9. The oven appliance of claim 8, wherein the burner tube of the broil gas burner assembly is positioned a specified distance in the transverse direction from the back wall of the cooking chamber.

10. The oven appliance of claim 9, wherein the air deflector comprises a flame guide curving from the vertical direction at a lip end to the transverse direction at a distal end.

11. The oven appliance of claim 10, wherein the lip end of the air deflector defines a gap between the air deflector and the burner tube.

12. The oven appliance of claim 9, wherein the air deflector comprises a funnel defined between a pair of deflector walls extending in the vertical direction from an intake end to an exhaust end of the funnel.

13. The oven appliance of claim 12, wherein the intake end of the funnel defines a first opening between the pair of deflector walls and the exhaust end of the funnel defines a second opening between the pair of deflector walls, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening.

14. The oven appliance of claim 8, further comprising one or more electrical heating elements in the cooking chamber.

15. A broil gas burner assembly for an oven appliance, the broil gas burner assembly defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the broil gas burner assembly comprising:a burner tube extending in the lateral direction, the burner tube defining a series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction, the series of outlets positioned on a top of the burner tube in the vertical direction;an air deflector extending away from the burner tube in one or more of the vertical direction and the transverse direction.

16. The broil gas burner assembly of claim 15, wherein the air deflector comprises a flame guide curving from the vertical direction at a lip end to the transverse direction at a distal end.

17. The broil gas burner assembly of claim 16, wherein the lip end of the air deflector defines a gap between the air deflector and the burner tube.

18. The broil gas burner assembly of claim 15, wherein the air deflector comprises a funnel defined between a pair of deflector walls extending in the vertical direction from an intake end to an exhaust end of the funnel.

19. The broil gas burner assembly of claim 18, wherein the intake end of the funnel defines a first opening between the pair of deflector walls and the exhaust end of the funnel defines a second opening between the pair of deflector walls, wherein the first opening is larger than the second opening.

20. The broil gas burner assembly of claim 15, wherein the series of outlets dispersed along the lateral direction comprises plurality of alternating slots and holes.

Images