Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GAS C~LLECTOR ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY
FOR GAS BURNERS
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present in~ention relates generally to gas
collector electrode assemblies for gas grills and more
particularly to a gas collector electrode assembly that can
be easily assembled and/or disassembled by the end user to
permit the cleaning of same.
BACKGROUND ART
Gas grills typically use propane or natural gas as fuel
and generally employ an ignition device in order to ignite
same. Such an ignition device may include a gas collector
electrode assembly and a manually operated piezoelectric
transducer which acts as a spark generator. The manually
operated piezoelectric transducer is electrically connected
to the gas collector electrode assembly and provides the
spark which is required to ignite the fuel-air mixture
within the gas collector.
Gas collectors have many configurations, depending upon
their application, and have an electrode assembly attached
thereto and positioned therein so that the tip of the
electrode ancl the top of the gas collector form a spark
gap. The electrode is typically retained within a sleeve of
cer~mic material which acts as an insulator between the
electrode and the metalli~ collector. The sleeve of ceramic
material is typically attached to the gas collector by one
or more retaining rings. Since retaining rings are
utilized, the disassembly of the ceramic sleeve from the
gas collector is a relatively di~ficult task, thus
preventing the cleaning of the gas collector electrode
assembly by the end user. In addition, since one or more
retaining rings are typically utilized to attach the sleeve
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of ceramic material to the gas collector, assembly costs
are relatively high. This type of assembly is almost
always done in the factory because of the difficulty that
would be encountered with assembly by the purchaser of the
gas grill. In addition, after the sleeve of ceramic
material has been attached to the gas collector there is
always the possibility of breaking the ceramic sleeve
during shipping since it is difficult to protect same when
in the assembled state.
Because of the foregoing, it has become desirable
to develop a simple, inexpensive structure for the gas
collector and the electrode which permits same to be
readily assembled and/or disassembled by the end user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the problems
associated with the prior art gas collector electrode
assemblies and other problems by providing a gas collector
having a unique design. According to one aspect of the
invention, the gas collector comprises a housing which has
spaced apart walls defining a collection chamber. Means
for engaging the spark electrode assembly is formed in one
of the walls of the collection chamber so that a portion
thereof is within the chamber. The engaging means
includes a first aperture which receives the spark
electrode assembly and a tab portion which grippingly
engages the spark electrode assembly. Preferably, the gas
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collector of the present invention includes two apertures
connected by an elongated slot in its bottom wall. A
first aperture is sized so as to receive the end of the
sleeve of ceramic material which surrounds the electrode.
A second aperture is sized to grippingly engage a
circumferential groove on the sleeve. ~ tab portion is
provided in the bottom wall adjacent the latter aperture
and is bent slightly downwardly with respect to the bottom
wall. By inserting the end of the sleeve of ceramic
material into the first aperture and then by depressing
the tab portion while laterally moving the sleeve into the
second aperture, the tab portion can then spring back to
its original position and grippingly engage the ceramic
sleeve firmly attaching the sleeve to the gas collector.
Disassembly of the sleeve of ceramic material from the gas
collector is easily accomplished by depressing the tab
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portion slightly arld by laterally ~oving the ceraIllic
sleeve from tI~e second aperture into the flrst a~erture
perInitting the withdrawal of same from the gas collector.
Thus, no retaining rings are utilized in order to attach tl~e
sleeve of ceramic material to the gas collector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a gas grill
illustrating a gas collector electrode assembly installed
therein.
Figure 2 15 a side vlew, in cross-section, of a prior
art gas collector electrode assembly.
Figure 3 is a side view, in cross-section, of another
prior art gas collector electrode assembly.
Figure ~ is a side view, in cross-section, of the
present invention.
Figure 5 is a bottom view of the present inveIltlon
illustrating the apertures therein, the elongated slot
betweeIl the apertures, and the locking tab in t11e bottoIn
wall thereof.
Figure 6 is a rear view of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION_OF TIIE PREFERRED EMB~DIMENT
Referring now to the drawings where the illustratioIls
are for the purpose of describing the preEerred embodiInerlt
of the present invention and are not intended to limit tlle
invention hereto, Figure 1 is a partial perspective view oE
a gas grill 10. The gas grill 10 includes a bottoIn housing
12 to which a hinged lid (not shown~ is normally attached in
a Icnown manner. A food support rack 14 is n1ouIlted on the
housing 12 above a layer of rock or briquettes beneath which
a cJclS burner 16 is positioned to heat saMe. The gas burner
16 is mounted adjacent the bottom wall 18 of the housing 12
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and is supplied with gas from a supply conduit (not shown)
extending through a hollow vertical post which,supports
the housing 12 and the burner 16. A selectively operable
S control valve is provided for controlling the flow of gas to
the burner 16.
A prior art gas collector electrode assembly 30, shown
in Figure 2, acts as a spark ignitor for igniting gas
flowing from the burner 16, and is comprised of a gas
collector 32 and an electrode assembly 34 received within
the gas collector 32. The gas collector 32 is formed from
sheet metal and has a top wall 36, a bottom wall 38,
opposite side walls 40 connecting the top wall 36 and the
bottom wall 38, and a back wall 42 connecting the rear edge
of the top wall 36 to the rear edge of the bottom wall 38.
The spaced apart top wall 36, bottom wall 38, side walls 40
and back wall 42 define a gas collector chamber 44 having a
front inlet opening 46 positioned adjacent the gas ports of
'the burner 16 for receiving gas and allowing the gas to flow
into the chamber 44.
Mounting means for adjustably mounting the gas
collector electrode assembly 30 to the bottom wall 18 of the
housing 12 includes an elongated tube 48 in the,form of an
externally threaded pipe. An aperture 50 is provided in the
bottom wall 38 of the gas collector 32 to receive an end of
the tube 48. A pair of nuts,52 are threaded onto the tube
48 so as to be on opposite sides of the bottom wall 38 of
the gas collector 32 to securely hold an end of the tube 48
thereto. A sleeve 54 of ceramic material or other suitable
high temperature resistant electrical insulating material is
received through the tube 48. An end 56 of the sleeve 54
extends through the aperture 5~ in the bottom wall 38 of the
gas collector 32 so as to be within the gas collector
chamber 44. A circumferential groove 58 is provided
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adjacent the end 56 of the sleeve 54 and a retaining ring 60
is received therein. A similar circumferential groove 62 is
provided in the opposite end 64 of the sleeve 54 and a
retaining ring 66 is received therein. The retaining rings
and 66 prevent relative axial movement between the sleeve
54 and the tube 48 after assembly. The sleeve 54 of ceramic
material has a central bore 68 therethrough to receive an
elongated metallic electrode 70. Typically, the tip 72 of
the electrode 70 ad;acent the end 56 of the sleeve 54 is
somewhat flattened or enlarged. The opposite end 74 of the
electrode 70 is similarly flattened in order to receive an
electrical connector (not shown) thereon.
An electrical conductor 76 sheathed in a high
temperature resistant electrical insulating material is
attached to the end 74 of the electrode 70 by an electrical
connector. The conductor 76 is attached to an electro-
mechanical transducer, such as a piezoelectric transducer,
having a manually operable push button 80. Actuation of the
manually operable push button 80 causes the transducer to
apply a voltage pulse to the electrode 70. Since the gap
between the tip 72 of the electrode 70 and the inner
surface the top wall 36 of the gas collector 32 defines a
spark gap, the application of a voltage pulse to the
electrode 70 c~uses a spark to "jump" across the gap. The
foregolng spark lgnites the combustible mixture within the
gas collector chamber 44.
The size of the spark gap between the tip 72 of the
electrode 70 and the inner surface of the top wall 36 of the
gas collector 32 can be adjusted by means o~ selective
rotation of the pair of nuts 52 on the tube 48. The end 82
of the tube 48 is received through an aperture 84 in the
bottom wall 18 of the grill housing 12 and is attached
thereto by means of a pair of nuts 86 on opposite sides of
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the bottom wall 18 of the housing 12. Selective rotation
of the nuts 86 allows for vertical adjustment o~ the gas
collector electrode assembly 30 for positioning its front
inlet opening 46 at a proper location relative to the gas
ports of the burner 16.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that this prior art
gas collector electrode assembly 30 is a relatively
expensive device to produce inasmuch as it is comprised of
numerous elements which require factory assembly. In
addi~ion, since the spark gap can be aajusted by selective
rotation the pair of nuts 52 on the tube 48, the end user
can adjust same which is undesirable since the spar]c gap
should be fixed to insure proper operation of the gas
collector electrode assembly. An improper spark gap can
result in the non-ignition of the gas emanating from the
ports in the burner 16. In addition, since retaining rings
and 66 are used to maintain the sleeve 54 of ceramic
material within the tube 48, fixturing is required to insert
the rings in circumferential grooves 58 and 62,
respectively. Placement of the tube 48 and the sleeve 54
within such fixturing for the insertion of these rings is a
time consuming operation. Because such retaining rings are
used, it is extremely difficult to remove same so that the
sleeve 54 of ceramic material can be removed from the tube
48 for cleaning purposes. Thus, cleaning of this gas
collector electrode assembly 30 is extremely difficult to
accomplish.
Figure 3 illustrates another prior art gas collector
electrode assembly 90 comprised of a gas collec~or 92 and an
electrode assembly 94. The gas collector 92 is formed from
sheet metal and includes a top wall 96, a bottom wall 98,
opposite side walls 1G0 connecting the top wall 96 and the
bottom wall 98, and a back wall 102 connecting the rear edge
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of the top wall 96 to the rear edge of the bottom wall 98.
The spaced apart top wall 96, ~ottom wall 98, opposite side
walls 100 and back wall 102 define a gas collector chamber
104 having a front inlet opening 106 positioned adjacent the
gas ports of the burner 16 in order to receive gas and allow
the gas to flow into the chamber 104. The bottom wall 98 of
the gas collector 92 has an extension in the form of a
flange 108 protruding outwardly therefrom. The flange 108
has a plurality of downwardly directed dimples 110 adjacent
its end which are utilized ior positioning and securing the
gas collector electrode assembly 90 against the bottom wall
18 of the gas grill 10.
~ sleeve 112 of ceramic or other suitable high
temperature resistant electrical insulating material is
provided with a metallic electrode 114 passing
therethrough. The sleeve 112 is comprised of a first
diameter portion 116 and a second larger diameter portion
118 with a circumferential shoulder 120 at their juncture.
A circumferential groove 122 is provided in the first
diameter portion 116 adjacent to the circumferential
shoulder 120 but spaced apart therefrom. The width of the
circumferential groove 122 approximates the thickness of a
retaining ring 124 which is received therein. The width of
the first diameter portion 116 of the sleeve 112 between the
retaining ring 124 and the circumferential shoulder 120
approximates the thickness of the bottom wall 98 of the gas
collector 92~ The end of the electrode 114 adjacent the
end of the sleeve 112 containing the circumferential groove
122 is flattened or enlarged to form an electrode tip 126.
The opposite end 128 of the electrode 114 is flattened for
connection to an electrical conductor (not shown) which
supplies voltage pulses to the electrode 114 for ignition of
the gas within the gas collector chamber. In order to
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assemble the gas collector electrode assembly 90, the first
diameter portion 116 of the sleeve 112 is inserted through
an aperture 130 provided in the bottom wall 9~ of the gas
collector 92 until the circumferential shoulder 120 engages
the outer surface of the bottom wall 98. After such
engagement has been made, the retaining ring 124 is received
in the circumferential groove 122. In thls manner, the top
and bottom surfaces of the bottom wall 98 of the gas
collector 92 are contacted by the retaining ring 124 and the
circumferential shoulder 120 respectively, attaching the
sleeve 112 to the gas collector 92.
It has been found that the foregoing prior art gas
collector electrode assembly 90 has a number of inherent
disadvantages. For example, the placement of the retaining
ring 124 within the circumferential groove 122 requires
fixturing to accomplish sameO Placement in such fixturing
is a relatively expensive assembly operation. In addition,
since a retaining ring ls utilized to secure the gas
collector 92 to the sleeve 112, disassembly of same for
cleaning purposes is difficult. Lastly, because of the use
of the retaining ring and the fixturing required to attach
the gas collector 92 to the sleeve 112, the gas collector
and the sleeve are typically shipped to the end user as a
complete assembly. Such shipment results in the sleeve of
ceramlc material being in an unprotected state resulting in
breakage of same. Such breakage could be greatly alleviated
or eliminated if the sleeve of ceramic material could be
shipped separately from the gas collector, but such shipment
30 would require the end user to attach the sleeve to the gas
collector. Such assembly would be difficult because of the
use of the retaining ring to attach the foregoing elements.
Referring now to F~gure 4, a gas collector electrode
assembly 140 of the present invention is illustrated. The
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gas collector electrode assembly 140 is comprised of a gas
collector 142 and an electrode assembly 144. The gas
collector 142 is similar to gas collector 92 in -that it is
formed from sheet metal and includes a top wall 146, a
bottom wall 148, opposite slde walls 150 connecting the top
wall 146 and the bottom wall 148, and a back wall 152
connecting the rear edge of the top wall 146 to the rear
edge of the bottom wall 148. The spaced apart top wall 146,
bottom wall 148, opposite side walls 150 and back wall 152
define a gas collector chamber 154 havîng a front inlet
opening 156 positioned adjacent the gas ports of the burner
16 in order to receive gas and allow gas to flow into the
chamber 154. It should be noted that one or both of the
side walls 150, or a portion thereof, can be omitted, if
required. The bottom wall 148 of the gas collector 142 has
an extension in the form of a flange 158 protruding
outwardly therefrom. The flange 158 has a plurality of
downwardly directed dimples 160 adjacent its end which are
utilized for positioning and securing the gas collector 142
against the bottom wall 18 of the gas grill 10.
A sleeve 162 of ceramic or other suitable high
temperature resistant electrical insulating material is
provided with a metallic electrode 164 passing
therethrough. The sleeve 162 is comprised of a first
diameter portion 166 and a second larger diameter portion
168 with a circumferential shoulder 170 at their juncture.
A circumferential groove 172 is provided adjacent the
circumferential shoulder 170. The width of the
circumferential groove 172 approximates the thickness of the
bottom wall 148 of the gas collector 142. The end of the
electrode 164 adjacent the end of the sleeve 162 containing
the circumferential ~roove 172 is flattened or enlarged to
form an electrode tip 174. An inwardly directed dimple 176
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is provided in the top wall 146 of the gas collector 140 an~
is positioned so as to be opposite electrode tip 174 forming
a spark gap therebetween. The opposite end 178 of the
electrode 164 is flattened to receive an electrical
conductor (not shown) which supplies voltage pulses to the
electrode 164 for ignition of the gas within the gas
collector chamber 154.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that the overall
configuration of the gas collector 142 is similar to that of
the gas collector 92, however, the method for attaching the
sleeve 162 to the gas collector 142 is significantly
different. Referring now to Figure 5, an enlarged view of
the bottom wall 148 of the gas collector 142 is shown. The
bottom wall 148 contains apertures 180 and 182 which are
connected by a slot 184. The diameter of aperture 180 is
approximately the same as the diameter of the first diameter
portion 166 of the sleeve 162, whereas the diameter of the
aperture 182 is approximately the same as the root diameter
of the clrcumferential groove 172 in the first diameter
portion 165 of the sleeve 162. The centers of the apertures
180 and 182 are offset resulting in one edge 186 of the slot
184 being tangent to both apertures 180 and 182 and
resulting in a corner 188 being formed on the opposite edge
190 of the slot 184. An L-shaped slot 192 is formed in the
bottom wall 148 so that one portion 194 thereof is
substantially perpendicular to edge 186 of slot 184 whereas
the other portion 196 of the L-shaped 510t 192 slot is
substantially parallel to the edge 186 of the slot 1 a4. The
placement of the foregoing L-shaped slot 132 results in a
tab 198 being formed between the edge 186 of the slot 184
and portion 196 of the L-shaped slot 192. This tab 198 is
bent slightly outwardly from the bottom wall 148 of the gas
collector 1420 In order to attach the sleeve 162 of
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ceramic material to the gas collector 142, the first
diameter portion 166 of the sleeve 162 is inserted through
aperture 180 in the bottom wall 148 of the gas collector
142. The sleeve 162 is then pressed against the bottom
wall 148 of the gas collector 142 so that circumferential
shoulder 170 compresses the outwardly directed tab 198 on
the bottom wall 148. While the foregoing compression is
occurring, the sleeve 162 is moved laterally through
slot 184 until circumferential groove 172 engages the
surface of bottom wall 148 defining aperture 182. When
such engagement occurs, the sleeve 162 is released causing
an edge 200 on the tab 198 to engage the surface of the
second diameter portion 168 of the sleeve 162. In this
manner, engagement of the tab 198 with the second diameter
portion 168 of the sleeve 162 results in firm attachment
between the sleeve 162 and the gas collector 142.
In order to disassemble the sleeve 162 from the gas
collector 142, while manually depressing the tab 198, the
sleeve 162 is moved laterally through slot 184 until first
diameter portion 166 is received within aperture 180
permitting its easy withdrawal from the gas collector 142
to clarify the procedure for withdrawal of the sleeve 162
from the aperture 180. Thus, attachment and detachment of
the sleeve 162 with the gas collector 142 is an extremely
easy operation.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that the gas
collector 142 offers a number of advantages over the prior
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art collectors. For example, the spark gap is set and
cannot be changed by the end user. This ensures that the
proper spark gap will always be maintained guaranteeing
the ignition of the fuel from the burner. In addition,
since retaining rings are not utilized for attaching the
sleeve of ceramic material to the gas collector, fixturing
is not
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re~]uired for the assembly or disassembly of same. Thus,
asselnbly and disassem~ly of the sleeve of ceramic material
witll the gas collector is an extremely simple operation
whicll can be performed by the end user. Because the
foregoing is an e~tremely simple operation, the sleeve can
be easily detached from the gas collector permitting the
clealling of same by the end user. Lastly, since retaining
rings are not required to attach the sleeve o~ ceramlc
material to the gas collector, the gas collector and the
sleeve can be shipped separately to the end user. In this
manner, measures can be taken to protect the sleeve of
ceramic material from breakage of same. After the sleeve
and the gas collector have reached the end user, the end
user can readily attach the sleeve to the gas collector by
the method previously outlined. Thus, the present invention
solves the previousl~ stated problems associated with the
prior art gas collector electrode assemblies.
Certain modifications and improvements will occur to
those skilled in the art upon reading the Eoregoing. It
should be understood that all such modifications and
irnprovements have been deleted herein for the sake of
conciseness and reada~llity, but are properly within the
scope of the following claims.
B
