A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.

A cooking appliance includes a self-closing user control for a cooking element that is capable of automatically returning to an off position whenever it is released by a user in a portion of the movable range of positions for the self-closing user control, yet also is capable of maintaining its position in another portion of the movable range of positions for the self-closing user control.

Gas cooking appliance including at least one burner and an ignition device configured to ignite the burner. The ignition device includes a pulse generator configured to send at least one electric pulse for the purpose of generating a spark to ignite the burner. The cooking appliance also includes a flame detector configured to detect the presence/absence of a flame in the burner. The pulse generator is in electrical contact with a part of the burner and the flame detector is connected to ground. The cooking appliance further includes insulating means that insulates the burner with respect to ground, such that when the pulse generator sends at least one electric pulse, an electric spark capable of igniting the burner is generated between the burner and the flame detector.

An ignition device of a gas cooktop, and a gas cooktop. The ignition device of the gas cooktop includes a discharge end, a receiving end and an ignition control module. An ignition frequency generated by the ignition control module is within a range of [15 kHz, 22 kHz], a distance between the discharge end and the receiving end is within a range of [2 mm, 5 mm], and at ignition, a continuous arc is generated between the discharge end and the receiving end to ignite gas. When the ignition device of this scheme is ignited, an ignition sound is extremely low and there is no noise pollution.

A burner assembly includes a base body. A cap is positioned on the base body such that the base body and the cap collectively define a plurality of flame ports. A pilot insert is mounted to the base body. The pilot insert and the base body collectively defining a pilot port. An igniter is configured to generate an ignition spark. An upper spark target is positioned proximate the plurality of flame ports, and a lower spark target is positioned proximate the pilot port. An electrode of the igniter is positionable proximate either the upper spark target or the lower spark target.

Apparatus for igniting a burner of a barbeque includes a housing, a mesh, an orifice, a pair of conductors and a generator. The housing defines a conduit having an inlet and an outlet spaced apart from the inlet. The mesh occludes the conduit and is positioned adjacent the outlet. The orifice is for receiving combustible gas and communicates with the inlet. The pair of conductors define a gap, the gap being positioned such that the gap is disposed in spaced relation to the mesh and the mesh is disposed intermediate the orifice and the gap. The generator is for producing a spark across the gap.

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. The igniters are less than 0.04 inches thick, and when energized, they reach surface temperatures in excess of 2000° F. in under 4 seconds to ignite combustible gas such as propane, butane, or natural gas. Examples of cook top burner systems are also provided which allow the igniter to remain on after ignition at a power level that is lower than during ignition but high enough to ignite the cooking gas should a flame out occur. Examples are also provided of burners that ignite on a low flow setting (e.g., simmer) as opposed the high flow settings that are common in cook top industry.

Hot surface igniter assemblies used in cooktops are shown and described. The hot surface igniters include a silicon nitride ceramic body with an embedded, resistive, heat-generating circuit. The igniters are less than 0.04 inches thick, and when energized, they reach surface temperatures in excess of 2000° F. in under 4 seconds to ignite cooking gas such as propane, butane, or natural gas. Examples of cook top burner systems are also provided which allow the igniter to remain on after ignition at a power level that is lower than during ignition but high enough to ignite the cooking gas should a flame out occur. Examples are also provided of burners that ignite on a low flow setting (e.g., simmer) as opposed the high flow settings that are common in cook top industry.

An apparatus, cooking appliance and method functionally verify a gas burner that is controlled by two or more electronically-controlled gas valves coupled in series with one another. Functional verification is performed during ignition and/or shut off of the gas burner at least in part by sequencing the activation and/or deactivation of the gas valves and testing the ignition state of the gas burner while one of the valves is activated and the other is deactivated.

A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.