Multi-Burner Cooktop Temperature Feedback for Even Griddle Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooktop appliances with multiple gas burners struggle to evenly heat a griddle across their surface, leading to uneven cooking due to hot spots and difficulties in balancing heat output, and existing integrated griddles are limited in size and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop appliance with a grate featuring multiple fingers, each equipped with a temperature sensor, and control valves that adjust gas flow to maintain a set temperature across multiple burners, ensuring even heating of a removable griddle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple gas burners are used to heat a griddle, then the heating area is increased, but heat distribution becomes uneven creating hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are positioned at multiple locations (center and perimeter) on the griddle to continuously monitor temperature distribution. The control system receives feedback from these sensors and dynamically adjusts the gas flow to individual burners to compensate for hot spots and ensure uniform heat distribution across the entire heating area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of each burner independently by adjusting gas flow rates based on real-time temperature measurements. This allows different burners to operate at different power levels to achieve uniform overall heat distribution, transforming the fixed parameter approach into a dynamic parameter adjustment strategy.
2Power
If multiple burners operate independently, then heating capacity is increased, but controlling heat output balance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically balances heat output from multiple burners by receiving temperature feedback from sensors positioned at different griddle locations. The system calculates the required gas flow adjustments for each burner to achieve the desired setpoint temperature, eliminating the difficulty of manual balancing and enabling precise control of total heating capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation of heat output balance without requiring user intervention. The control algorithm automatically distributes the heating capacity among multiple burners based on real-time temperature measurements, allowing the system to self-adjust and maintain optimal heat distribution across the griddle surface.
3Temperature
If an integrated griddle is used, then heat distribution is improved, but the griddle blocks airflow to the burner
Solution Approach 1:
The griddle is designed with segmented or perforated structures that allow airflow to pass through while still providing a solid cooking surface. This segmentation enables thermal contact between the griddle and food while maintaining adequate air circulation to the burners below, reducing energy loss from poor combustion and excessive heating of cooktop components.
Solution Approach 2:
The grate with temperature sensors acts as an intermediary structure between the burners and the griddle. It allows airflow to reach the burners while supporting the griddle, and the temperature sensors provide feedback without blocking the thermal path. This intermediary structure resolves the conflict between needing a solid griddle surface and maintaining airflow for efficient combustion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for consistent and even heating of a large griddle across multiple burners, preventing hot spots and enabling precise control of heat output, thus ensuring uniform cooking.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor mounted to a first sensor finger of the plurality of fingers is positioned over the first burner and a second temperature sensor mounted to a second sensor finger of the plurality of fingers is positioned over the second burner
Implementation Method 2
The controller is further operable to adjust the first control valve based on the first temperature measurement and the set temperature and to adjust the second control valve based on the second temperature measurement and the set temperature
Implementation Method 3
a first burner and a second burner spaced apart from the first burner... a first control valve in fluid communication with the first burner to selectively direct a flow of gas thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A cooktop appliance includes a first burner and a second burner which are spaced apart with a grate positioned above the burners. The grate includes a first sensor finger with a first temperature sensor over the first burner and a second sensor finger with a second temperature sensor over the second burner. The cooktop appliance also includes a first control valve and a second control valve which selectively direct fuel to the respective burners. A controller of the cooktop appliance is operably coupled to the temperature sensors and the control valves. The controller may be operable for and/or methods of operating the cooktop appliance may include receiving a set temperature, receiving a first temperature measurement from the first temperature sensor and a second temperature measurement from the second temperature sensor, and adjusting each control valve based on the set temperature and the corresponding temperature measurement.