SYSTEM FOR GAS OVEN CONTROL

摘要

An improved system for control of a gas oven appliance is provided. A valve provides for control of the flow of gas to the burner. After preheating the oven, the valve is cycled between high and low (or zero) gas flow rates at frequency that provides the overall desired heating rate of the cooking chamber during cooking operations. A variety of valve types may be used including proportional types and predetermined set point types (e.g., high-low, high-medium-low, or on-off). During cooking operations, between periods of cycling, the valve is at least partially closed (e.g., set to a lower gas flow rate or an off state).

主权项

1. A method of operating a gas oven appliance having a cooking chamber, the gas oven appliance having a maximum rate of heating, HMAX, the method comprising the steps of:
opening a valve to preheat the cooking chamber at the maximum rate of heating, HMAX, until at least a temperature T1 is obtained in the cooking chamber; closing the valve partially or completely until the temperature in the cooking chamber decreases to at least a temperature T2 that is less than temperature T1; cycling the valve between a higher gas flow rate setting and a lower gas flow rate setting or an off setting so as to heat the cooking chamber at a rate of heating HCK that is less than the maximum rate of heating HMAX, the step of cycling continuing until the temperature of the cooking chamber increases to at least a temperature T3 that is greater than temperature T2; and shutting the valve partially or completely so as to provide a lower rate of heating that is less than HMAX while the cooking chamber decreases to at least the temperature T2.