Gas Ignition System for a Gas Cooking Appliance

Example aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to gas cooking appliances such as gas ovens, and more particularly, to gas control systems for gas cooking appliances.

Gas cooking appliances generally include one or more gas heating elements configured to provide heat to cook food items. Cooking appliances, such as ovens, include heating elements positioned within a cooking chamber of the gas cooking appliance. Further, cooking appliances, such as cooktops, may include heating elements positioned atop the cooking appliance. Cooking appliances that include both an oven and a cooktop are commonly referred to as “ranges.”

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or can be learned from the description, or can be learned through practice of the embodiments.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a gas ignition system for a gas cooking appliance. The gas ignition system includes an ignition component configured to provide a feedback signal indicative of a temperature of the ignition component. The gas ignition system further includes a gas valve configured to provide gas to the ignition component based at least in part on an enable signal and one or more redundancy signals. The gas ignition system further includes an ignition controller operably coupled to the ignition component and the gas valve. The ignition controller includes an enable circuit configured to provide the enable signal based at least in part on the feedback signal. The ignition controller further includes one or more redundancy circuits configured to provide one or more redundancy signals based at least in part on the feedback signal.

Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method for providing gas to an ignition component of a gas cooking appliance. The method includes receiving, from the ignition component, a feedback signal indicative of a temperature of the ignition component. The method further includes determining, by an enable circuit of an ignition controller, an enable signal based at least in part on the feedback signal. The method further includes determining, by one or more redundancy circuits of the ignition controller, one or more redundancy signals based at least in part on the feedback signal. The method further includes providing gas to the ignition component based at least in part on the enable signal and the one or more redundancy signals.

Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a gas cooking appliance. The gas cooking appliance includes one or more ignition components configured to provide one or more feedback signals indicative of a temperature of the one or more ignition components. The gas cooking appliance further includes one or more gas valves configured to provide gas to the one or more ignition components based at least in part on an enable signal and one or more redundancy signals. The gas cooking appliance further includes an ignition controller operably coupled to the one or more ignition components and the one or more gas valves. The ignition controller includes an enable circuit configured to provide the enable signal based at least in part on a feedback signal of the one or more feedback signals. The ignition controller further includes one or more redundancy circuits configured to provide the one or more redundancy signals based at least in part on the feedback signal of the one or more feedback signals.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments 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 present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the related principles.

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. 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 aspects of the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations.

Gas cooking appliances may generally include one or more gas heating elements configured to provide heat to cook food items. The heating element may include an ignition component configured to ignite gas supplied, for example, by a gas valve. If the gas is provided and the ignition component fails to ignite, a potentially hazardous situation is created as the gas may continue to be provided. Ensuring that an ignition component will ignite (e.g., provide proof that an ignition component is capable of igniting gas) before allowing gas flow to the heating element may be important in ensuring the safety of a user. As such, electrical controls for gas cooking appliances (e.g., gas ovens) may fall under UL 60730 Class C. This may require a second level failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) or two independent failures and for the system to still fail safe.

Some gas cooking appliances use direct spark ignition and flame monitoring, however these systems may be expensive, increasing the cost of manufacturing the appliance. Alternatively, negative temperature coefficient (NTC) ignitors may be used. With this type of ignitor, a bi-metal solution may allow gas flow after a certain current level is reached. For example, the increase in current as the ignitor heats up energizes the bi-metal switch and, in turn, opens a valve to allow the flow of gas. However, these heating systems may be expensive and may not fit in smaller gas cooking appliances as the components of the system take up a large amount of space.

Accordingly, the present disclosure includes a hardware solution for providing proof that an ignition component, such as a hot surface igniter (HSI), is capable of igniting gas in a gas fueled cooking system with a smaller footprint using electronic control. An ignition controller, such as an integrated circuit (IC) chip, is configured to control gas flow to an ignition component based at least in part on a feedback signal indicative of a temperature of the ignition component. The ignition controller includes three independent electrical pathways, each configured to receive the feedback signal. Accordingly, a gas valve is electronically controlled to provide gas to the ignition component based at least in part on signals provided by the three independent pathways of the controller.

Example aspects of the present disclosure provide many technical effects and benefits. For example, the three independent pathways of the controller may provide needed redundancy for electronic control of the gas cooking appliances (e.g., gas ovens). In addition, the use of a controller, such as an IC chip, instead of discreet components greatly reduces costs and board space while maintaining functionality. Further, the gas control system provided herein provides for a smaller footprint due to, for example, the HSI ignition component and electronically controlled gas valve.

As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (e.g., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The term “at least one of” in the context of, e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C” refers to only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,” “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, 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 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.

The terms “coupled,” “fixed,” “attached to,” and the like refer to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein.

Except as explicitly indicated otherwise, recitation of a singular processing element (e.g., “a controller,” “a processor,” “a microprocessor,” etc.) is understood to include more than one processing element. In other words, “a processing element” is generally understood as “one or more processing element.” Furthermore, barring a specific statement to the contrary, any steps or functions recited as being performed by “the processing element” or “said processing element” are generally understood to be capable of being performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements.” Thus, a first step or function performed by “the processing element” may be performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements,” and a second step or function performed by “the processing element” may be performed by “any one of the one or more processing elements and not necessarily by the same one of the one or more processing elements by which the first step or function is performed.” Moreover, it is understood that recitation of “the processing element” or “said processing element” performing a plurality of steps or functions does not require that at least one discrete processing element be capable of performing each one of the plurality of steps or functions.

Referring now to the figures, example aspects of the present disclosure will be discussed in greater detail.

provide perspective views of a gas cooking system according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically,provides a front, perspective view of gas cooking applianceas may be employed with the present subject matter, whileprovides a side cross-sectional view of gas cooking applianceof. As shown in, gas cooking applianceof the present disclosure may be a range appliance, including both and oven and a cooktop. However, it should be appreciated that gas cooking applianceis provided by way of example only, and aspects of the present subject matter may be used in any suitable gas cooking appliance, such as a gas oven, a gas cooktop, or a gas range appliance. Thus, the example embodiment shown inare not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular cooking configuration or arrangement. Indeed, aspects of the present subject matter may be applied to gas heating elements of any suitable appliance.

Gas cooking appliancegenerally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. As illustrated, gas cooking applianceincludes an insulated cabinet. Cabinetof gas cooking applianceextends between a topand a bottomalong the vertical direction V, between a first side(left side when viewed from front) and a second side(right side when viewed from front) along the lateral direction L, and between a frontand a rearalong the transverse direction T.

Within cabinetis a cooking chamberwhich is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Gas cooking applianceis depicted inas a single oven range appliance with a single cooking chamber. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that this is done by way of example only and gas cooking appliancemay include any number of cooking chambers. For example, gas cooking appliancemay be a double oven range appliance which includes two cooking chambers. Gas cooking applianceincludes a doorrotatably attached to cabinetin order to permit selective access to cooking chamber. Handleis mounted to doorto assist a user with opening and closing doorin order to access cooking chamber. For example, a user can pull on handlemounted to doorto open or close doorand access cooking chamber. One or more transparent viewing windows() may be defined within doorto provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamberwhen dooris closed and also assist with insulating cooking chamber.

As shown in, cooking chamberis defined by a plurality of chamber walls. Specifically, cooking chambermay be defined by a top wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls. These chamber wallsmay be joined together to define an opening through which a user may selectively access cooking chamberby opening door. In order to insulate cooking chamber, gas cooking applianceincludes an insulating gap defined between the chamber wallsand cabinet. According to an example embodiment, the insulation gap is filled with an insulating material, such as insulating foam or fiberglass, for insulating cooking chamber.

Gas cooking appliancemay also include a cooktop. Cooktopis positioned at or adjacent topof cabinetsuch that it is positioned above cooking chamber. As shown in, cooktopincludes a top panelpositioned proximate topof cabinet. By way of example, top panelmay be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, and combinations thereof. One or more gratesare supported on a top surface of top panelfor supporting cooking utensils, such as pots or pans, during a cooking process.

Gas cooking appliancefurther includes one or more gas heating elementsfor selectively heating cooking utensils positioned on gratesor food items positioned within cooking chamber. For example, referring to, heating elementsmay be gas burners 150. Specifically, a plurality of gas burnersare mounted within or on top of top panelunderneath gratesthat supports cooking utensils over the gas burnerswhile gas burnersprovide thermal energy to cooking utensils positioned thereon, e.g., to heat food and/or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.). Gas burnerscan be configured in various sizes so as to provide e.g., for the receipt of cooking utensils (i.e., pots, pans, etc.) of various sizes and configurations and to provide different heat inputs for such cooking utensils. In some embodiments, gas cooking appliancemay have other cooktop configurations or burner elements.

In addition, gas heating elementsmay be positioned within or may otherwise be in thermal communication with cooking chamberfor regulating the temperature within cooking chamber. Specifically, an upper gas heating element(also referred to as a broil heating element or gas burner) may be positioned in cabinet, e.g., at a top portion of cooking chamber, and a lower gas heating element(also referred to as a bake heating element or gas burner) may be positioned at a bottom portion of cooking chamber. Upper gas heating elementand lower gas heating elementmay be used independently or simultaneously to heat cooking chamber, perform a baking or broil operation, perform a cleaning cycle, etc. The size and heat output of gas heating elements,can be selected based on, e.g., the size of gas cooking applianceor the desired heat output. Gas cooking appliancemay include any other suitable number, type, and configuration of heating elements within cabinetand/or on cooktop. For example, gas cooking appliancemay further include electric heating elements, induction heating elements, or any other suitable heat generating device.

As shown in, a control panel assemblyis located within convenient reach of a user of the gas cooking appliance. For this example embodiment, control panel assemblyis positioned at a topand frontof cabinet, e.g., above dooralong the vertical direction V and forward of cooktopalong the transverse direction T. Control panel assemblyincludes one or more user input devices (e.g., knobs, buttons). In some embodiments, knobsmay each be associated with a heating elementon cooktop. In addition, buttonsmay be associated with heating elementspositioned within cooking chamber. For example, buttonsmay allow the user to set cooking modes that automatically control heating elementspositioned within cooking chamber. In this manner, user input devices (e.g., knobs, buttons) may allow the user to activate each heating elementand determine the amount of heat input provided by each heating elementfor cooking food items within cooking chamberor on cooktop. Although shown with knobsand buttons, it should be understood that user input devices and the configuration of gas cooking applianceshown inis provided by way of example only. More specifically, control panel assemblymay include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. Control panel assemblymay also be provided with one or more graphical display devices or display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback or other information to the user such as e.g., whether a particular heating elementis activated and/or the rate at which the heating elementis set. Indeed, according to the illustrated embodiment, control panel assemblyincludes a display assembly, such as a liquid crystal display with an interactive display and interface.

Generally, gas cooking appliancemay include a control systemin operative communication with control panel assembly. Control panel assemblyof gas cooking appliancemay be in communication with control systemvia, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses, and signals generated in control systemoperate gas cooking appliancein response to user input via user input devices, e.g., control knobs, buttons, and/or display assembly. Input/Output ("I/O") signals may be routed between control systemand various operational components of gas cooking appliancesuch that operation of gas cooking appliancecan be regulated by control system. In addition, control systemmay also be in communication with one or more sensors, such as temperature sensor, which may be used to measure temperature inside cooking chamberand provide such measurements to the control system. Although temperature sensoris illustrated at a top and rear of cooking chamber, it should be appreciated that other sensor types, positions, and configurations may be used according to alternative embodiments.

Control systemincludes a “processing device” or “controller” and may be embodied as described herein. Control systemmay include a memory and one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of gas cooking appliance, and control systemis not restricted necessarily to a single element. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM, electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM), or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, control systemmay 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 gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

Although aspects of the present subject matter are described herein in the context of a single oven appliance, it should be appreciated that gas cooking applianceis provided by way of example only. Other oven or range appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter, e.g., double ovens, connected oven/cooktop units, etc. Moreover, aspects of the present subject matter are equally applicable to standalone cooktops (e.g., without cooking chambers) or other cooking appliances.

Referring now specifically to, a schematic view of upper gas heating elementand lower gas heating elementwithin a cooking chamberand a gas ignition systemwill be described. In general, fuel supply systemis configured for selectively supplying gaseous fuel such as propane, natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP), butane, or any other suitable fuel to heating elements. Fuel supply systemmay include a pressurized gaseous fuel source (not shown), such as a natural gas supply line, a propane tank, etc. In this manner, a flow of supply fuel, such as gaseous fuel (e.g., natural gas or propane), is flowable from the fuel supply systemto heating elements. Fuel supply systemmay further include a control valve or fuel regulating device operably coupling a gaseous fuel source to heating elements. In some embodiments, the fuel regulating device of fuel supply systemmay be a gas valve, such as gas valve.

Specifically, the fuel regulating device may be a three-way, solenoid-controlled valve or bimetal valve for selectively directing a metered amount of fuel to upper gas heating elementand lower gas heating element. More specifically, according to an example embodiment, a user input device of control panel assembly, such as a button(), may be operably coupled to fuel supply systemfor regulating the flow of supply fuel. In this regard, a user may press a button 172 () to set a cooking mode, automatically adjusting the flow of supply fuel from the gaseous fuel source to both upper gas heating elementand lower gas heating element.

Referring still to, gas cooking appliancefurther includes gas ignition system. Gas ignition systemincludes one or more ignition componentsand is configured to provide proof that the one or more ignition componentsare capable of igniting gaseous fuel. Ignition componentsare operably coupled to each gas heating elementfor igniting the flow of fuel as it passes into gas heating element. Specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, the ignition componentmay be defined as a hot surface igniter (HSI), e.g., such as a silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or any other suitable hot surface igniter for use with a gas heating element. In some embodiments, ignition componentmay be a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) hot surface igniter (HSI). For example, as the temperature of the HSI rises, the resistance rises. As shown, an ignition componentmay positioned proximate a rear of each of upper gas heating elementand lower gas heating element, (e.g., at the entrance where the flow of fuel was provided into the respective heating elements,).

Gas ignition systemfurther includes one or more gas valvesconfigured to provide gas to the one or more ignition components. As shown, gas valvesare electrically controlled gas valves that may be opened or closed by ignition controller. Accordingly, gas valvemay be fluidly coupled to a fuel supply line to receive gas from fuel supply system(e.g., gas source of gas distribution system). Although gas valveis illustrated as being a dedicated valve separate from fuel supply system, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, a single gas valvemay be used to control the flows of fuel to each gas heating element. However, as shown, each gas valvemay correspond to an ignition component. For example, gas cooking appliancemay include one or more ignition componentsand one or more gas valvescorresponding to the one or more ignition components.

As explained briefly above, gas ignition systemis configured to provide proof that an ignition component is capable of igniting gas. As such, gas ignition system(e.g., through gas valves) control the flow of fuel to ignition components. For example, the flow of fuel may typically ignite when ignition component(e.g., HSI) reaches an ignition temperature (e.g., predetermined threshold temperature) which indicates a sufficient temperature of the HSI for igniting the flow of fuel. In order to prevent the flow of fuel into gas heating elementsprior to ignition componentreaching the ignition temperature, gas valveis configured to provide gas (e.g., fuel) to the ignition componentbased at least in part on an enable signal and one or more redundancy signals provided by ignition controller.

As such, gas ignition systemfurther includes ignition controller. As shown in, ignition controlleris operably coupled to ignition componentsand gas valves. Ignition controllerincludes a plurality of internal, independent electrical pathways configured to receive a feedback signal indicative of a temperature of the ignition component(e.g., HSI). Ignition controlleris further configured to electrically control gas valvebased at least in part on the feedback signal.

In some embodiments, ignition controllermay be a sub-system of control systemsuch that ignition controlleris operatively coupled to control system. Accordingly, ignition controllermay be positioned in control panel assembly(). As such, ignition componentsmay be activated and deactivated by control systemto facilitate the igniting and extinguishing processes, respectively, of a gas burner. Specifically, for example, control systemmay regulate a position of an igniter relay (not shown) which may be closed to energize ignition component, thereby causing ignition componentto heat up and ignite the flow of fuel. By contrast, control systemmay open the igniter relay to permit ignition componentcool below temperature at which the flow of fuel may be stopped (e.g., by gas valve) and the flame may be extinguished.

In some embodiments, gas valvemay be a safety valve that is operably coupled to a fuel supply line between fuel supply systemand each ignition component. Gas valvemay remain in the closed position until ignition componentreaches or exceeds the ignition temperature for combustion. Once ignition componenthas reached the ignition temperature, corresponding gas valvemay be opened by ignition controllerto permit the flow of fuel from the fuel supply system. When ignition componentdrops below the ignition temperature after a heating cycle, gas valvemay be closed again to prevent the flow of fuel.

In some embodiments, gas valvemay be operably coupled to ignition componentin a manner suitable for providing a feedback signal indicating as to the temperature or the state of operation of ignition component. Accordingly, ignition controllermay receive the feedback signal from ignition componentvia gas valve.

provides a circuit schematic of an example gas ignition systemaccording to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Gas ignition systemis configured to provide proof that an ignition componentis capable of igniting gaseous fuel in a gas fueled cooking system, such as gas cooking applianceas shown in. While gas ignition systemis described with reference to gas cooking appliance, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that gas ignition systemmay be used in any suitable appliance or system.

As shown in, one or more ignition componentsare configured to provide one or more feedback signalsindicative of a temperature of the ignition component. Specifically, ignition componentmay be defined as a hot surface igniter (HSI). As shown, HSImay be represented as variable resistors.

HSImay be activated and deactivated by the opening and closing of a position on an igniter relaywhich may be closed to energize HSI, thereby causing HSIto heat up in order to ignite the flow of fuel. Igniter relaymay be a part of a machine control of a gas cooking appliance. In some embodiments, ignitor relaymay be controlled by control systemas shown in. In some embodiments, igniter relaymay activate (e.g., apply power to) an HSIof when a user selects a cycle.

As shown in, gas ignition systemmay further include one or more shunt sensors(e.g., shunt resistors) corresponding to the one or more HSIs. Shunt sensorsare configured such to provide feedback signalsto the ignition controller. In some embodiments, ignition componentmay be a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) HSIoperable to ignite gas at an ignition temperature. As shown in, the PTC HSImay be represented as a variable resistor. Specifically, the resistance of the PTC HSIincreases as the temperature of the PTC HSIincreases. Accordingly, the measured voltage of the shunt sensormay change when the HSIchanges. As such, feedback signalprovided from shunt sensoris indicative of a temperature of the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of the ignition component. For example, when the electrical voltage measured from the shunt sensor(e.g., shunt resistor) rises above a threshold, feedback signalindicates that the ignition componentis at or above a suitable ignition temperature and gas may be provided. Accordingly, the measured voltage from the shunt may be used to prove that the ignition component(e.g., HSI) is capable of ignition.

The one or more feedback signalsare provided to the ignition controllerof gas ignition system. As shown, ignition controlleris operably coupled to the one or more ignition componentsand the one or more corresponding gas valves. As previously shown in, gas valveis configured to provide gas to ignition componentbased at least in part on an enable signaland one or more redundancy signals(e.g., provided by ignition controller). For example, based at least in part on the feedback signal, ignition controlleris configured to open gas valve, providing gas to the ignition component.

In some embodiments, ignition controllermay receive power signalfrom power supply(e.g., offline switch-mode power supply). Power supplymay further provide neutral signalto ignition controller. As shown in, neutral signalmay be provided from ignition relay. In some embodiments, power supplyis configured to supply power to ignition controllerwhen there is an active call for heat.

In some embodiments, gas ignition systemmay include input connectorelectrically coupled to ignition relayand HSIs. As shown in, a call for heat signalmay be provided to ignition controllerfrom ignition relay(e.g., via input connector). The call for heat signal may be represented by voltage signals from ignition relay. Call for heat signalmay be used to indicate that a gas valvecorresponds to the ignition componentthat provides feedback signal. Specifically, call for heat signalmay be defined as an active voltage to both HSIas well as the ignition controller. For example, one or more HSIsmay be activated to heat a cavity of a gas cooking appliance to a desired temperature during a cooking cycle selected by a user. Accordingly, power may be cycled to the one or more HSIsfor the cavity to remain at the desired temperature. In some embodiments, gas ignition systemmay not be configured to hold in memory the current cycle selected by a user and may only be powered on when there is an active call for heat. Accordingly, ignition controllermay provide proof that the one or more HSIs(e.g., ignition components) are capable of igniting a gaseous fuel multiple times each cooking cycle. As such, gas ignition systemmay include a stand alone system (e.g., ignition system) configured to confirm that one or more ignition components(e.g., one or more HSIs) are electrically capable of igniting gaseous fuel such that gas valvescorresponding to the ignition components may be controlled electronically.

In some embodiments, ignition controllermay provide an enable signalas a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to switching device(e.g., MOSFET). Further, ignition controllermay provide one or more redundancy signals, such as two redundancy signals, to switching devices,(e.g., transistors, BJT transistors). Based on the one or more redundancy signals, a signal is provided to gas valve(e.g., solenoid switch of gas valve). When the enable signalis provided to gas valve, a switching device such as a solenoid switch corresponding to gas valveis opened and gas is provided to the corresponding ignition component.

For example, if redundancy signalsare provided to switching devices,, enable signalmay be provided to switching device, allowing Vto be applied to a solenoid switch corresponding to gas valve. If redundancy signalsare not applied to switching deviceor switching device, enable signalwill not be received at switching deviceand gas valvewill not be opened. In some embodiments, gas ignition systemmay include output connector. As shown in, output connectormay provide Vto a gas valvebased at least in part on redundancy signalsand enable signal.

As shown in, gas ignition systemmay include two ignition componentsand two corresponding gas valves. However, gas control system may provide proof that any number of ignition componentsare capable of igniting a gas supplied from any number of corresponding gas valveswithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to, a block diagram depicting internal logic of an example ignition controlleris provided. Ignition controllerincludes three independent electrical pathways for providing proof that an ignition component is capable of igniting gas in a gas cooking system, such as gas cooking systemshown in.

Ignition controllerincludes three independent electrical pathways (e.g., enable circuit, first redundancy circuit, and second redundancy circuit) configured to receive feedback signal. Ignition controllermay be defined as an Integrated Circuit (IC) controller, such as a CMIC. As such, enable circuit, first redundancy circuit, and second redundancy circuitmay be defined as internal circuits positioned within a controller packageof ignition controller.