CN103175229B - Use the method and apparatus of the fuel gas culinary art of being produced by electrolytic cell - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a domestic appliance, such as a cooking appliance, which uses hydrogen and optionally electric heating to cook food. The cooking appliance may have a cooking surface, such as a grilling surface, resulting in an indoor grill that may be used with no or reduced ventilation requirements.

Description

Method and apparatus for cooking with combustible gases produced by electrolyzers

This application is an invention patent with the application date of May 1, 2006, the title of the invention is "Method and device for cooking using combustible gas produced by an electrolytic cell" and the application number is 200680055197.2 (the international application number is PCT/CA2006/000673) Divisional application of the application.

technical field

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cooking food. The appliance may be portable and may use or produce and use combustible gas to provide heat for cooking. Alternatively or additionally, the device may use electrical contact heating to produce convective cooking of the food. The invention also relates to a method and a device for producing a combustible gas and enabling the storage of the combustible gas. The device may be an indoor grill.

Background technique

Various types of cooking appliances are known. These include grills, ovens, and gas and electric cooking platforms. Grills use charcoal, propane (stored in the tank), or natural gas as their heating source. Burn gas or charcoal underneath the cooking surface and use the heat from the combustion to cook your food. Grilling food is popular, and indoor grills have been developed. These indoor grills typically include a grill provided as part of the cooking platform. The cooking platform includes a grill under which a natural gas burner is positioned. An exhaust system is located adjacent (for example, above or behind the grill) to exhaust combustion gases. These indoor grills have several disadvantages. First, they must be connected to an air supply. Retrofitting an indoor grill into an existing kitchen may be difficult or impossible if the kitchen is not already supplied with natural gas, such as for a natural gas oven. Another downside is the noise of the exhaust system. Combustion products have to be vented and exhaust systems often have high flow rates, which lead to high noise levels when cooking.

A gas grill utilizing hydrogen is known. This grill utilizes an external pressurized hydrogen tank. The tank is removable so that when the tank is empty, a new tank containing hydrogen can be installed. One disadvantage of this grill is that hydrogen is a very light gas and has a low power density. Therefore, a consumer transportable hydrogen tank will have a relatively small hydrogen supply compared to a propane tank.

Existing cooking platforms using resistance heating or gas burners are designed so that the food is placed in a frying pan or cooking pot that is placed on or over the cooking element. Food is not placed in direct contact with a heat source. Therefore, existing cooking platforms are used to cook food by means such as frying, boiling or steaming food.

Electrically heated cooking surfaces are known which are designed such that food is placed directly on the heated surface. These include electric frying pans, bake tins, and cooking utensils sold under various trademarks such as George Foreman. In each of these examples, food was placed on an electrically heated surface. The George Foreman utensil uses a corrugated cooking surface, creating channels in which fat from food can collect as it cooks. This cooking appliance does not simulate grilling food.

Cooking appliances are known to use both electricity and gas for cooking. An example is a cooking appliance comprising a gas cooking platform and an oven heated by electrical resistance heating with or without forced convection. Ovens and cooking platforms are also known to allow the use of gas and electric heating (see eg US Patent No. 5,275,147, US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0200825 and Japanese Patent Application No. 55065834). These cooking utensils do not simulate grilling food.

Contents of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance combining electrical contact heating and convection cooking. Food can thus be cooked by direct contact heat as well as convection.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cooking appliance combining heating by electrical contacts and cooking with a combustible fuel, preferably hydrogen.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an appliance, such as a cooking appliance, which produces a combustible gas for use by the cooking appliance. Some or all of the combustible gases produced may be used to cook food, and some or all of the combustible gases produced may be stored for later use.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance which is portable and can be used indoors without emitting combustion gas.

The various aspects disclosed herein can be used alone or in combination. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cooking appliance comprising: means for producing a combustible fuel; a burner in flow communication with said means; and a cooking surface, at least one of which may be food or a cooking vessel Receive on the cooking surface.

In one embodiment, the member is an electrolysis cell.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further includes a hydrogen storage member in flow communication with the electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable. In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a cooking area, wherein at least a portion of the cooking area is always open when the cooking appliance is in use.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance has a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance having an electrolytic cell, the cooking appliance comprising:

(a) the spine; and

(b) cooking surfaces;

wherein the cooking surface is mounted to the spine.

In one embodiment, the cooking appliance further includes a cover mounted on the spine.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface further includes a grease pan mounted on the ridge.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface is removably mounted to the spine.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface is heated electrically.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface and an electric heating member.

In another embodiment, the food receiving surface and the electrical heating member form a single component.

In another embodiment, the food receiving surface is removably mounted on the electrical heating member and the electrical heating member is mounted to the spine.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has an electric heating element, the cooking utensil has electrical contacts, and the cooking surface is removably mounted to the electrolytic bath, and the electric heating element is mounted to the The ridge is connected to the electrical contact.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has an electric heating element, the cooking surface has a first mounting member, the spine has a second mounting member, the first and second mounting members engage each other, whereby When the first and second mounting members are engaged with each other, the cooking surface is mounted to the spine and the electric heating element is electrically connected to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the first and second mounting members include conductive members.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a household device is provided, the household device comprising:

(a) electrolyzers; and

(b) A water-impermeable open-top container positioned below said electrolytic cell.

In one embodiment, the container has a volume and the electrolysis cell has a liquid volume, and the volume of the container is at least the same size as the volume of the electrolysis cell.

In another embodiment, the container is removable.

In another embodiment, the vessel is removably mounted to the spine and the electrolysis cell constitutes the spine.

In another embodiment, the household appliance further includes a cooking surface, and the container is dimensioned to extend under the entire cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the container includes a removable oil pan.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, the electrolytic cell has an outlet and the container is positioned below the outlet.

In another embodiment, the outlet comprises a drain plug.

In another embodiment, the household appliance comprises a cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the household appliance includes a charger that detachably receives the hydrogen storage medium.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage medium includes at least one of metal hydrides, carbon tubes, hydrogen salts, metal salts, magnesium dihydride, microporous oxides, metal nitrides, and zeolites.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage medium is removably receivable in at least one of a garden tool, a power tool, a pressure dishwasher, and a car jack.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels;

(b) the lower cooking surface including the food receiving surface; and

(c) an upper cooking member positioned above said lower cooking surface.

In one embodiment, openings are provided in the lower cooking surface.

In another embodiment, openings are provided in the upper cooking member.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a gas burner positioned below the cooking surface, wherein the burner is downstream of the electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, said lower cooking surface is electrically heated by means of electrical heating means.

In another embodiment, said lower cooking surface and said electric heating member form a single component.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface is removably mounted on the electric heating member and the electric heating member is mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, said lower cooking surface is removably mounted to said cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface is detachably connectable to an underframe provided in the cooking appliance, and the lower cooking surface is configured to electrically connected to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, said upper cooking member is removably mounted to said cooking appliance.

In another embodiment said upper cooking member is electrically heated.

In another embodiment, the upper cooking member is detachably connectable to a chassis provided in the cooking appliance, and the upper cooking member is configured to electrically connected to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, said upper cooking member is heated by combustion of a combustible fuel.

In another embodiment, said upper cooking member is heated by combustion products produced by the combustion of a combustible fuel.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface and the upper heating member are spaced apart to define a cooking zone therebetween, and the cooking appliance further comprises a fan to create forced convection in the cooking zone.

In another embodiment, the above cooking member comprises a cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels;

(b) the lower cooking surface; and

(c) an upper member positioned above said lower cooking surface, said upper member reflecting infrared radiation and positioned and configured to reflect infrared radiation received thereon towards said lower cooking surface.

In one embodiment, the upper member comprises aluminum.

In another embodiment, the lower surface of the upper member has aluminum disposed thereon.

In another embodiment, the upper member includes a cover.

In another embodiment, the lower surface of the cover is treated to reflect infrared radiation.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises an upper cooking member positioned above the lower cooking surface and below the upper member, wherein the upper cooking member has an opening therein.

In another embodiment, the upper cooking member comprises a cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a gas burner positioned below the cooking surface, wherein the burner is connected to a gas outlet of the electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, openings are provided in the lower cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface and the upper member are spaced apart to define a cooking area therebetween, and the cooking area has a vertical height of 1/16 to 4 inches.

In another embodiment, the cooking zone has a vertical height of 1/4 to 2 inches.

In another embodiment, the cooking zone has a vertical height of 3/4 to 1.5 inches.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface and the upper cooking member are spaced apart to define a cooking area therebetween, and the cooking area has a vertical height of 1/16 to 4 inches.

In another embodiment, the cooking zone has a vertical height of 1/4 to 2 inches.

In another embodiment, the cooking zone has a vertical height of 3/4 to 1.5 inches.

In another embodiment, the upper member is movably mounted between a closed position in which the upper member is positioned above the lower cooking surface and an open position.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, at least a portion of said upper member is transparent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels for cooking food;

(b) the lower cooking surface; and

(c) a lid positioned over the lower cooking surface, at least a portion of the lid being transparent.

In one embodiment, the lid is movably mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the lid is positioned above the lower cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the lid is rotatably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a burner for combustible fuel.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a cooking area above the lower cooking surface, the combustion of the combustible fuel generating heat to heat the cooking area.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, said lower cooking surface is electrically heated.

In another embodiment, at least a portion of the cover is transparent to visible light and at least a portion of the cover reflects infrared radiation.

In another embodiment, the cover has a lower surface, at least a portion of which has been applied with a coating that is transparent to visible light and reflects infrared radiation.

In another embodiment, said lower surface is aluminized.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels;

(b) the lower cooking surface;

(c) an upper member positioned above said lower cooking surface to define a cooking area between said lower cooking surface and said upper member;

(d) filter members; and

(e) A fan positioned to pass air through the filter member.

In one embodiment, the filter member comprises porous filter media.

In another embodiment, the filter member comprises a cyclone.

In another embodiment, the filter member comprises an electrostatic filter.

In another embodiment, the upper member includes a cover.

In another embodiment, the lid is movably mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the lid is positioned above the lower cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the lid is rotatably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a burner for combustible fuel.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels for cooking food;

(b) the lower cooking surface; and

(c) a lid positioned above the lower cooking surface and movably mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the lid is positioned above the lower cooking surface.

In one embodiment, the lid is rotatably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a burner for combustible fuel.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a cooking area above the lower cooking surface, the combustion of the combustible fuel generating heat to heat the cooking area.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, said lower cooking surface is electrically heated.

In another embodiment, at least a portion of the cover is transparent to visible light and at least a portion of the cover reflects infrared radiation.

In another embodiment, the cover has a lower surface, at least a portion of which has been applied with a coating that is transparent to visible light and reflects infrared radiation.

In another embodiment, the cover is removably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels; and

(b) a cooking surface on which food is received for cooking, wherein the cooking surface is removably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In one embodiment, the cooking appliance further includes a lid.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface is electrically heated by means of electrical heating means.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface and the electric heating member form a single component.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface is removably mounted on the electric heating member and the electric heating member is mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has an electric heating element, the cooking utensil has electrical contacts, and the cooking surface is removably mounted to the cooking utensil, and the electric heating element is mounted to the cooking utensil. connected to the electrical contacts when the cooking appliance is described.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has an electric heating element, the cooking surface has a first mounting member, the electrolytic bath has a second mounting member, the first and second mounting members engage each other, whereby When the first and second mounting members are engaged with each other, the cooking surface is mounted to the cooking appliance and the electric heating element is electrically connected to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the first and second mounting members include conductive members.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a household appliance comprising a plurality of electrolytic cells, each having a plurality of electrodes, the household appliance having a volume which is smaller than that of the same household appliance comprising a The volume of a single electrolyzer with the same number of electrodes in multiple electrolyzers.

In another embodiment, said household appliance has a length and width defining a footprint that is less than that of the same household appliance comprising a single electrolysis cell having the same number of electrodes as said plurality of electrolysis cells. footprint.

In another embodiment, at least two electrolyzers are electrically connected in series.

In another embodiment, at least two electrolyzers are electrically connected in parallel.

In another embodiment, at least two electrolysis cells are positioned one behind the other.

In another embodiment, at least one electrolysis cell is positioned above the second electrolysis cell.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a domestic appliance comprising: at least one electrolytic cell; at least one burner positioned in a combustion zone; a hydrogen flow path; and a fan positioned to direct air into the combustion zone.

In one embodiment, the hydrogen gas has an explosive threshold concentration and the fan directs sufficient air to the combustion zone to reduce the hydrogen gas concentration in the combustion zone below the explosive threshold concentration.

In another embodiment, the fan directs sufficient air to the combustion zone to reduce the hydrogen concentration in the combustion zone to less than half of the explosion threshold concentration.

In another embodiment, the fan directs sufficient air to the combustion zone to reduce the concentration of hydrogen in the combustion zone to less than one tenth of the explosion threshold concentration.

In another embodiment, the fan is automatically activated when the electrolyzer is activated.

In another embodiment, the household appliance further includes a hydrogen storage member, and the hydrogen flow path includes a first passage extending between the electrolyzer and the hydrogen storage member and a first passage extending between the hydrogen storage member and the hydrogen storage member. A second passageway extends between the burners, and the fan also directs air to a storage area where the hydrogen storage member is located.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen gas has a combustion threshold concentration and the fan directs sufficient air to the storage area to reduce the hydrogen concentration in the storage area below the combustion threshold concentration.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels;

(b) burners;

(c) a combustible fuel flow path extending between said electrolyzer and said burner;

(d) the lower cooking surface on which food is received for cooking;

(e) an upper member positioned above said lower cooking surface,

Wherein at least one of said lower cooking surface and said upper member is movable relative to the other.

In one embodiment, the upper member is a cover.

In another embodiment, the upper member is a heating member.

In another embodiment at least one of said lower cooking surface and said upper member is vertically movable.

In another embodiment, the upper member is movably mounted between a closed position in which the upper member is positioned above the lower cooking surface and an open position.

In another embodiment, the upper member is rotatably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, said lower cooking surface is electrically heated.

In another embodiment, said burners are positioned below said lower cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking member is vertically adjustable relative to the burner.

In another embodiment, the upper member is removably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolytic cells;

(b) burners;

(c) a combustible fuel flow path extending between said electrolyzer and said burner;

(d) the lower cooking surface;

(e) oil pans; and

(f) a circuit electrically connecting said cell to a power source, said circuit including a detector,

Wherein at least one of the lower cooking surface and the oil pan is detachably mounted to the cooking appliance, the detector detects at least one of the lower cooking surface and the oil pan in the cooking appliance The presence of one of said lower cooking surface and said saucer, said circuit isolating said electrolytic cell from said power source when at least one of said lower cooking surface and said saucer is removed from said cooking appliance.

In one embodiment, the power supply includes a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface includes a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, the lower cooking surface comprises electric heating means.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has an electrical heating element, the detector includes electrical contacts, and the electrical heating element is connected to the electrical contacts when mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has a first mounting member and the cooking appliance has a second mounting member comprising electrical contacts, the first and second mounting members engaging each other whereby when the first When the first and second mounting members are engaged with each other, the cooking surface is mounted to the cooking appliance and the electric heating element is electrically connected to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a household appliance comprising: an electrolyser for producing hydrogen; a burner positioned in a combustion zone; a hydrogen gas extending between said electrolyser and said burner a flow path; and a lighting member that illuminates the combustion zone.

In one embodiment, the lighting member comprises a member positioned in the combustion zone that emits light when heated.

In another embodiment, the lighting member is combustible.

In another embodiment, the lighting member is non-combustible.

In another embodiment, the lighting member is one or more of light-emitting diodes, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, or a combination of the above.

In another embodiment, the lighting means comprises elements contained in combusted hydrogen.

In another embodiment, the element is incorporated into an electrolyte solution in an electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen flow path includes an injector, and the element is in liquid in the injector.

In another embodiment, in operation a flame is produced by the burner and the lighting means comprises a mirror positioned to reflect an image of the flame towards a user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolytic cells;

(b) heat source;

(c) a cooking zone heated by said heat source; and

(d) a cooking support member positioned in said cooking zone,

Wherein at least one of the lower heat source and the cooking support member is movable.

In one embodiment, the cooking support member comprises a stem for the rotisserie, wherein the stem is rotatably mounted.

In another embodiment, the cooking support member includes a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, at least one of the heat source and the cooking surface is vertically movable.

In another embodiment, the heat source includes a burner.

In another embodiment, the heat source further comprises electric heating means.

In another embodiment, said burner and said electrical heating means are operable simultaneously.

In another embodiment, at least one of said burner and said electric heating member is vertically movable.

In another embodiment, the cooking support member comprises a food receiving surface and said electric heating member is included in said cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible gases;

(b) a heat source comprising a burner producing a flame when said combustible gas is combusted;

(c) a cooking zone heated by said heat source, said cooking zone having an adjustable cooking temperature; and

(d) a cooking support member positioned in said cooking zone and spaced a distance from said heat source,

Wherein said cooking temperature is adjustable.

In one embodiment, the cooking temperature is adjustable by changing at least one of:

(a) the temperature of the heat source; and

(b) Temperature in the cooking zone.

In another embodiment, the cooking temperature is adjustable by:

(a) varying the distance between the heat source and the cooking support member;

(b) supply dilution air to said cooking zone;

(c) vary the amount of dilution air to the cooking zone;

(d) altering the amount of combustible gas produced by said electrolyzer; and

(e) Changing the size of the flame.

In another embodiment, the heat source further includes an electric heating element.

In another embodiment, said distance between at least one of said burner and said electric heating element and said cooking support member is variable.

In another embodiment, said burner and said electrical heating means are operable simultaneously.

In another embodiment, the cooking support member comprises a stem for a rotisserie grill.

In another embodiment, the cooking support member includes a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, the heat source further comprises an electric heating element positioned to heat the cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the power supplied to the electric heating element is adjustable.

In another embodiment, the cooking temperature is adjustable by varying the power supplied to the electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, the burner has an orifice and the cooking temperature is adjustable by changing the size of the orifice.

In another embodiment, a diluent gas is combined with the combustible gas, and the cooking temperature is adjustable by varying the amount of diluent gas combined with the combustible gas.

In another embodiment, the heat source also includes an electric heating element, and both the power supplied to the electric heating element and the heat generated by the burner are variable.

In another embodiment, both the power supplied to the electric heating element and the heat generated by the burner are independently variable.

In another embodiment, the heat generated by said burner is varied by at least one of:

(a) altering the amount of combustible gas produced by said electrolyzer; and

(b) Vary the size of the flame.

In another embodiment, the cooking support member includes a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, the cooking temperature is automatically adjustable based on at least one of the temperature of the food in the cooking zone, the temperature of the cooking zone and the temperature of the cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a household appliance comprising: at least one electrolyser; at least one burner; hydrogen storage means; and a A first hydrogen flow path and a second hydrogen flow path extending between the hydrogen storage member and the combustor.

In one embodiment, the household appliance further comprises a third hydrogen flow path extending between the electrolyzer and the burner.

In another embodiment, the burner combusts the hydrogen gas obtained from the electrolyzer and the hydrogen gas obtained from the hydrogen storage means simultaneously.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage member includes a hydrogen storage medium.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage medium includes at least one of metal hydrides, carbon tubes, hydrogen salts, metal salts, magnesium dihydride, microporous oxides, metal nitrides, and zeolites.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage medium releases hydrogen gas when an electric current is applied, and the household appliance further comprises a conductive member connecting the hydrogen storage medium to a current source.

In another embodiment, the conductive member connects the hydrogen storage medium to a variable current source.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage medium releases hydrogen gas when heat is applied, and the household appliance further comprises an electric heating element thermally connected to the hydrogen storage medium.

In another embodiment, the power supplied to the electric heating element is variable, whereby the amount of hydrogen gas provided by the hydrogen storage medium per unit time is varied by varying the power supplied to the electric heating element .

In another embodiment, the household appliance includes a cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

In another embodiment, the household appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing heat in a domestic appliance comprising at least one electrolyzer, at least one burner and a hydrogen storage medium, the method comprising:

(a) obtaining hydrogen gas from at least one of said electrolyzer and said hydrogen storage medium; and

(b) Combusting the hydrogen to generate heat.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises operating the electrolyser when heat is not required and storing hydrogen produced by the electrolyser in the hydrogen storage means.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises removing the plug from the household socket and burning hydrogen from the hydrogen storage member. hydrogen.

In another embodiment, said household appliance has a battery and said method further comprises charging said battery when said household outlet receives said plug and using the electrical energy stored in said battery to generate The hydrogen storage member releases hydrogen gas.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage means includes a hydrogen storage medium that releases hydrogen gas when heat is applied, and the method further includes using electrical energy stored in the battery to heat the hydrogen storage medium thereby releasing hydrogen from the hydrogen storage medium. The hydrogen storage medium releases hydrogen gas.

In another embodiment, the household appliance comprises a cooking appliance, and the method further comprises using the heat to cook food.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels which are combusted in combustion zones;

(b) the lower cooking surface;

(c) cooking areas; and

(d) Flavor containers.

In one embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a lid positioned over the lower cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the flavor container is heat resistant and positioned in or above the combustion zone.

In another embodiment, the flavoring agent comprises a liquid, and the flavoring agent container is configured to deliver the flavoring agent to at least one of the burning zone, a location above the burning zone, and to the cooking zone in the food.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels;

(b) a gas burner downstream of the electrolytic cell, the gas burner having a burner port; and

(c) A cooking surface having an opening therein positioned above the burner and configured to direct liquid produced when cooking food away from the burner mouth.

In one embodiment, the cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface.

In another embodiment, the food receiving surface is generally corrugated in shape.

In another embodiment, said corrugations are substantially V-shaped.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface is removably mounted to the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface is heated electrically.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface and an electric heating member.

In another embodiment, the food receiving surface and the electrical heating member form a single component.

In another embodiment, the food receiving surface is removably mounted on the electric heating member.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

In another embodiment, the electrolytic cell includes a ridge of the cookware.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a household appliance comprising: an electrolyser for producing hydrogen; a burner positioned in a combustion zone; a hydrogen gas extending between said electrolyser and said burner a flow path; and an injector positioned in the hydrogen flow path.

In one embodiment, the household appliance further includes hydrogen storage means.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage means includes at least one of a pressure storage vessel and a hydrogen storage medium.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen flow path comprises a first flow path extending from the electrolyzer to the hydrogen storage member and a second flow path extending from the hydrogen storage member to the burner, and the The injector is positioned in the second flow path.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen flow path includes a third flow path extending from the electrolyzer to the burner.

In another embodiment, said third flow path merges with said second flow path upstream of said injector.

In another embodiment, the third flow path includes an injector.

In another embodiment, the household appliance further includes a charger detachably receiving the hydrogen storage member.

In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage member is removably receivable in a garden tool or power tool.

In another embodiment, the household appliance comprises a household appliance.

In another embodiment, the household appliance comprises a cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the household device is portable.

In another embodiment, the household appliance further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

In another embodiment, the sprayer has an inlet positioned to be accessible when the household appliance is assembled.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has an outer housing and the sprayer has an inlet positioned on the outer housing.

In another embodiment, the inlet has a removable cap and the household appliance has an injector level indicator.

In another embodiment, the inlet has a removable cap and a liquid level warning member whereby personnel can Refill the kit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cleaning a cooking appliance having: a cooking surface on which food can be received for cooking; at least one of an electrolytic cell and a hydrogen storage medium, the method include:

(a) cooling the cooking appliance;

(b) disassembling said cooking surface; and

(c) cleaning said cooking surface in a dishwasher or sink.

In one embodiment, the cooking appliance comprises at least one of an upper cooking member, a lid and a pan, and the method further comprises removing at least one of the upper cooking member, lid and pan for cleaning .

In another embodiment, the method further comprises an electric heating element detachable from the cooking appliance, and the method further comprises electrically disconnecting the electric heating element when the electric heating element is removed from the cooking appliance element.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has mounting means for releasably attaching the cooking member to the cooking appliance, the electric heating element is detachable from the cooking surface, and the electric A heating element is electrically connected to the cooking appliance through the mounting member, and the method further includes electrically disconnecting the heating element when the cooking surface is detached from the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface is removably mounted on the electric heating member, and step (b) comprises detaching the cooking surface from the electric heating member.

In another embodiment, the electric heating member remains in the cooking appliance during normal cleaning, and step (b) further comprises maintaining the electric heating member in the cooking surface when the cooking surface is removed for cleaning in cooking utensils.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface and the electric heating member form a single assembly and step (b) comprises disassembling the cooking surface and the electric heating member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cleaning a portable cooking appliance comprising at least one of an electrolytic cell and a hydrogen storage medium, the method comprising:

(a) cooling the cooking appliance;

(b) disassembling said cooking surface; and

(c) cleaning said cooking surface in a dishwasher or sink.

In one embodiment, the cooking appliance comprises at least one of an upper cooking member, a lid and a pan, and the method further comprises removing at least one of the upper cooking member, lid and pan for cleaning .

In another embodiment, the method further comprises an electric heating element detachable from the cooking appliance, and the method further comprises electrically disconnecting the electric heating element when the electric heating element is removed from the cooking appliance element.

In another embodiment, the cooking surface has mounting means for releasably attaching the cooking member to the cooking appliance, the electric heating element is detachable from the cooking surface, and the electric A heating element is electrically connected to the cooking appliance through the mounting member, and the method further includes electrically disconnecting the heating element when the cooking surface is detached from the cooking appliance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cooking food, the method comprising:

(a) activate the electrolyzer to produce hydrogen;

(b) combusting said hydrogen to generate heat and using that heat to cook food; and

(c) Use electricity to generate additional heat to cook food.

In one embodiment, steps (b) and (c) are performed simultaneously.

In another embodiment, step (c) includes heating the cooking surface using electricity.

In another embodiment, the method further includes placing food on the cooking surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cooking food in a portable cooking appliance, the method comprising:

(a) activate the electrolyzer to produce hydrogen;

(b) combusting said hydrogen to generate heat; and

(c) Cooking food using said heat.

In one embodiment, the method further includes using electricity to generate additional heat to cook the food.

In another embodiment, the method further includes simultaneously burning the hydrogen to generate heat and using electricity to generate additional heat for cooking food.

In another embodiment, the method further includes heating the cooking surface using electricity.

In another embodiment, the method further includes placing food on the cooking surface.

In another embodiment, the method further includes placing food on a rotisserie grill in the cooking appliance.

In another embodiment, the portable cooking appliance has a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises inserting the plug into the household socket prior to activating the electrolytic cell .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance comprising a discontinuous electrically heated cooking surface having a plurality of surface portions laterally spaced to provide an electrical connection between adjacent laterally spaced surface portions. A gap is defined therebetween that is sized to allow convective air flow to be formed therein.

In one embodiment, the convective air flow has an ascent velocity of 1 to 1000 inches per second.

In another embodiment, the gap comprises an opening in the cooking surface and the cooking appliance further comprises at least one burner positioned below the cooking surface.

In another embodiment, said cooking appliance comprises means for producing combustible fuel supplied to said at least one burner.

In another embodiment, the member is an electrolysis cell.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance further comprises at least one container in flow communication with the electrolytic cell, wherein the at least one container stores gas produced by the electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, the cooking appliance is portable.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cooking food, the method comprising:

(a) placing food on an electrically heated surface; and

(b) providing hydrogen from at least one of an electrolyzer and a hydrogen storage medium; and

(c) Burning the gas to provide additional heat to cook the food.

In one embodiment, the method further includes using an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen.

In another embodiment, the method further includes storing at least a portion of the hydrogen.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises combusting at least a portion of the stored hydrogen to cook the food.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises using only said stored hydrogen to cook said food.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises operating the electrolyser to produce hydrogen and simultaneously combusting already stored hydrogen and hydrogen produced by the electrolyser to cook the food.

In another embodiment, the method is carried out using a cooking appliance having a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises inserting the plug into the household socket.

In another embodiment, the method is performed using a cooking appliance having a battery, a hydrogen storage member, and a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises: when the plug is inserted into a household socket operating the electrolyzer to at least partially charge the hydrogen storage member; removing the plug from the household socket; and operating the cooking appliance using the battery.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cooking food, the method comprising:

(a) deriving combustible fuel for cooking appliances from at least one of an electrolyzer and a hydrogen storage medium;

(b) burn said combustible fuel to heat the cooking area; and

(c) placing said food on at least one of a cooking surface in said cooking zone, a stem of a rotisserie grill in said cooking zone, and a cooking vessel located on a cooking surface provided in said cooking zone .

In one embodiment, the method further includes storing at least a portion of the combustible fuel prior to combusting the combustible fuel to generate heat.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises placing food on the electrically heated surface while the food is also being cooked by heat from the combustion of the combustible fuel.

In another embodiment, the method is carried out using a cooking appliance having a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises inserting the plug into the household socket.

In another embodiment, step (c) includes placing said food item on a cooking surface in said cooking zone.

In another embodiment, step (c) includes placing the food on a rotisserie grill in the cooking area.

In another embodiment, at least a part of said cooking zone is always open, and step (c) comprises placing said food in a cooking vessel on a cooking surface provided in said cooking zone.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking utensil comprising:

(a) a source of hydrogen comprising at least one of an electrolyzer and a hydrogen storage medium; and

(b) Electric heating elements positioned to heat the cooking surface.

In one embodiment, the cooking appliance further includes an electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, the implement is portable.

In another embodiment, the appliance is operated from household power.

In another embodiment, the appliance has a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a domestic appliance comprising an electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolytic cell includes at least one gas outlet and at least one fluid inlet, and the domestic appliance has at least one gas outlet in fluid communication with the electrolytic cell. outlet.

In another embodiment, said discharge opening is positioned to be accessible when said electrolysis cell is positioned in said household appliance.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has an outer housing and the outlet is positioned on the outer housing.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has an outer surface and the outlet is positioned to be accessible from the outer surface.

In another embodiment, the household appliance further includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the electrolytic cell, and the outlet is provided in at least one of the electrolytic cell and the accumulator, or is provided from In a conduit extending from at least one of the electrolytic cell and the accumulator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a household device is provided, the household device comprising:

(a) electrolytic cells;

(b) a liquid reservoir in fluid flow communication with said electrolytic cell;

(c) at least one of the electrolysis cell, the liquid reservoir, and the fluid passage between the electrolysis cell and the reservoir has an openable inlet; and

(d) Burners for the gases produced by said electrolyzer.

In one embodiment, said liquid reservoir has said inlet.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has an outer housing and the inlet is positioned on the outer housing.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has an exterior surface and the inlet is positioned to be accessible from the exterior surface.

In another embodiment, the inlet has a removable cap and the household appliance further includes a level indicator.

In another embodiment, said inlet has a removable cap, and said household appliance further comprises liquid level warning means, whereby when said liquid level warning means signals Personnel can refill the reservoirs when the liquid in at least one of them has dropped below a predetermined level.

In another embodiment, the liquid reservoir has a volume at least as large as the volume of the liquid of the electrolytic cell.

In another embodiment, the liquid reservoir is configured to remain watertight when the liquid solidifies therein.

In another embodiment, at least one of said electrolytic cell and said liquid reservoir is movable relative to the other so as to be positioned below the other, whereby when said liquid reservoir is positioned in said electrolytic cell Electrolyte solution is able to flow from the electrolytic cell to the liquid reservoir due to gravity when below, and is capable of flowing from the liquid reservoir due to gravity when the electrolytic cell is positioned below the liquid reservoir to the electrolyzer.

In another embodiment, the electrolytic cell and the liquid reservoir are connected together in an assembly and the assembly is rotatably mounted.

In another embodiment, one of the electrolysis cell and the liquid reservoir is mounted to the other of the electrolysis cell and the liquid reservoir.

In another embodiment, said electrolytic cell and said liquid reservoir are rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation.

In another embodiment, the electrolysis cell and the substantially horizontal axis of rotation are located approximately midway in the assembly of the electrolysis cell and the liquid reservoir.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, the method comprising:

(a) providing an apparatus comprising an electrolysis cell, a fluid reservoir, and a first fluid flow path extending between the electrolysis cell and the fluid reservoir, the electrolysis cell and the fluid reservoir at least one of them is movable relative to the other so as to be positioned below the other; and

(b) draining electrolyte solution from the electrolytic cell to the fluid reservoir by displacing at least one of the electrolytic cell and the liquid reservoir so that the fluid reservoir is below the electrolytic cell .

In one embodiment, the electrolyzer has a fluid flow port, the fluid reservoir has a fluid flow port, and the fluid flow path includes the electrolyzer fluid flow port, the fluid reservoir fluid flow port and a valve, and The method includes opening the valve.

In another embodiment, the electrolysis cell and the liquid reservoir are connected together in an assembly, and the method further comprises rotating the assembly about a substantially horizontal axis.

In another embodiment, the electrolytic cell and the liquid reservoir are connected together in an assembly, and the assembly has a middle section, and the method further comprises rotating the assembly about an axis passing through the middle section.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises inserting the plug into the household socket prior to actuating the electrolysis cell.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises draining the electrolyte solution from the electrolysis cell to the fluid reservoir, and allowing the electrolyte solution to solidify in the fluid reservoir.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a heating member thermally connected to the fluid reservoir, and the method further comprises using the heating member to liquefy electrolyte solution in the fluid reservoir that has solidified.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises draining the liquefied electrolyte solution from the fluid reservoir to the electrolytic cell.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided, the method comprising:

(a) providing an apparatus comprising an electrolysis cell, a fluid reservoir, and a first fluid flow path extending between the electrolysis cell and the fluid reservoir, the electrolysis cell and the fluid reservoir at least one of them is movable relative to the other so as to be positioned below the other; and

(b) draining the electrolyte solution from the electrolytic cell to the fluid reservoir prior to exposing the device to a temperature at which the electrolyte solution freezes.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises inserting the plug into the household socket prior to actuating the electrolysis cell.

In another embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a heating member thermally connected to the fluid reservoir, and the method further comprises using the heating member to liquefy electrolyte solution in the fluid reservoir that has solidified.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises draining the liquefied electrolyte solution from the fluid reservoir to the electrolytic cell.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a household device is provided, the household device comprising:

(a) electrolytic cells;

(b) an inlet for supplying liquid to said cell; and

(c) Burners for the gases produced by said electrolyzer.

In one embodiment, said inlet is positioned to be accessible when said electrolysis cell is positioned in said household appliance.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has an outer housing and the inlet is positioned on the outer housing.

In another embodiment, the household appliance has an exterior surface and the inlet is positioned to be accessible from the exterior surface.

In another embodiment, the inlet has a removable cap and the household appliance has a level indicator.

In another embodiment, the inlet has a removable cap and level warning member whereby personnel can Refill the kit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising:

(a) at least one of a hydrogen storage medium and an electrolyzer for the production of combustible fuel;

(b) burners;

(c) a first flow path extending between at least one of the electrolysis cell and the hydrogen storage medium and the burner;

(d) a fan in fluid flow communication with a source of dilution air and said burner,

wherein the fan directs dilution air to the burner.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a second flow path extending between the fan and the burner.

In another embodiment, the second flow path is in fluid flow communication with the first flow path.

In another embodiment, the device is portable.

In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plug removably receivable in a household socket.

In another embodiment, the device is a household appliance.

In another embodiment, the device is a cooking appliance.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preventing flashback in an apparatus comprising at least one of an electrolyzer and a hydrogen storage medium, the method comprising:

(a) using at least one of said electrolyzer and said hydrogen storage medium to produce combustible gas;

(b) supply combustible gas to the burner; and

(c) Provide sufficient dilution gas to the burner under pressure to prevent flashback.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises mixing the dilution gas and the combustible gas upstream of the burner.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises storing the combustible gas produced by the electrolyzer in a storage member.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises subsequently delivering combustible gas from the storage member to the burner.

In another embodiment, the method further includes cooking food with the combustible gas.

In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plug removably receivable in a household socket, and the method further comprises inserting the plug into the household socket prior to actuating the electrolysis cell.

In another embodiment, the method further includes adjusting the amount of dilution gas provided to the burner based on the amount of combustible gas produced by the electrolyzer.

Description of drawings

In order to better understand the invention and to show more clearly how to carry it out, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention employing a trough and an electric heating element;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention employing a trough, electric heating element and frame;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention employing troughs, grooves, electric heating elements and frames;

Figure 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a fluid schematic diagram of an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention depicted in Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a grill according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the grill of Figure 7 with the lid in a raised position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the grill of Figure 7 with the cover in a lowered position;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the grill of Figure 7 in disassembled or disassembled form;

Figure 11 is a side view of the grill of Figure 7 in disassembled or disassembled form;

12 is a schematic illustration of components inside the main housing of the grill of FIG. 7;

13 is an alternative schematic illustration of components that may be positioned within the main housing of the grill of FIG. 7;

Figure 14 is an exploded view of the alternative embodiment of Figure 7;

15a-15c are schematic illustrations of methods and apparatus for draining electrolyzers;

Figures 16a-16c are schematic illustrations of alternative methods and apparatus for draining electrolyzers;

17a-17c are schematic illustrations of yet another alternative method and apparatus for draining an electrolyzer; and

18a-18c are schematic illustrations of yet another alternative method and apparatus for draining an electrolysis cell.

Detailed ways

According to the invention, an apparatus includes an electrolysis cell. The electrolyzer is used for the production of combustible gases. For example, if the electrolyte solution used in an electrolyzer is water, the electrolyzer will produce hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyser may be configured to produce separate hydrogen and oxygen streams (for example, the electrolyser may have one or more oxygen outlets and one or more hydrogen outlets), or the electrolyser may be configured to produce mixed hydrogen and oxygen streams, such as known in the art. Preferably, the combustible gas is hydrogen. Burning hydrogen produces heat. The heat will be used to generate energy, eg as a heat source for a Stirling engine, or to cook food.

The device is preferably a domestic device (ie a device designed to be used in a domestic location such as a house, apartment or cottage) and more preferably a cooking appliance. Examples of household equipment include garden tools (such as weed trimmers, lawn mowers, or similar), pressure dishwashers, chargers, car jacks, fireplaces, power tools (such as drills, circular saws, and similar) , steam cleaners, jackhammers, high temperature devices that dehydrate weeds thereby killing them. Examples of cooking appliances include indoor grills, outdoor grills, sandwich makers, rotisserie grills, microwave ovens, conventional ovens, hot pots, flametappanyaki, food steamers, smokers in which Hydrogen flame vaporizes, burns or chemically alters aromatic materials imparting aroma and/or smell (aroma) to food where hydrogen is used in cooking. Cooking appliances such as indoor grills, outdoor grills, sandwich makers, microwave ovens, and conventional ovens have cooking surfaces. A cooking surface is a surface on which food is placed to be cooked (ie a food receiving surface) or a support surface on which a container (eg pot, pan) is placed in which food is placed for cooking. In particularly preferred embodiments, the cooking surface is a food receiving surface such as may be used in indoor grills, outdoor grills and sandwich makers. Alternatively, the cooking appliance may have a food support (eg, the stem of a rotisserie grill). The food support supports food in the cooking area.

Combustion of hydrogen in air or of a mixed hydrogen and oxygen stream produces water vapor. As a result, hydrogen-burning appliances can be used indoors without having to vent combustion products to the outside (such as exhaust fans for natural gas or propane-heated cooking surfaces) or with reduced ventilation requirements. Therefore, cooking equipment that uses hydrogen allows cooking food with flames in an indoor environment. Thus, using an electrolyzer allows consumers to simulate cooking on an indoor grill. Therefore, consumers can grill food indoors when it is raining or if they do not have any available outdoor space (for example, an apartment or residential unit that does not have a balcony or has a balcony but restrictions on grilling).

This specification sets forth several features that can be included in a device using an electrolytic cell. A device may use one or more of these features. Accordingly, each feature is an alternative preferred embodiment. It should be understood that one or more of the described features may be used in a single device and that thus various combinations and sub-combinations of features may be incorporated into a single device. The following part of the description exemplifies the features as used in a cooking appliance, preferably a domestic cooking appliance, most preferably a portable domestic cooking appliance.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a food receiving surface configured to allow natural convection. It should be understood that the configuration of the food receiving surface may be used in any cooking appliance. Heat is provided to cook or reheat food placed on the food receiving surface. The heat source can be electricity and/or flame. Preferably, however, the configuration of the food receiving surface is utilized in appliances that use flame alone or in combination with electrical heating. More preferably, the flame is generated by the combustion of hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer. In another embodiment, hydrogen combustion is used to heat ceramics, metals or glasses that radiate energy at the frequency required to cook or enhance the cooking of food and can optionally be combined with a hydrogen flame, propane flame One or more combinations of , propane infrared heating, electric contact heating, electric infrared heating, microwave cooking, resistance cooking, steaming or smoking.

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment where the heat source is resistive heating, where heat is transferred by conduction to a food receiving surface (ie, electrical contact heating) that is configured to create convection to cook or heat the food. In this embodiment, cooking appliance 10 includes an electric heating element 12 and a cooking surface 14, which is a food receiving surface on which food may be cooked. The electric heating element 12 may be any electric heating element known in the art. Such elements typically include resistive heating elements (ie, elements that are heated by passing an electric current) and may be calrod or quartz elements. The cooking surface 14 is heated by the electric heating element 12 . The cooking surface is configured so as to allow convective airflow beneath food 16 located on the cooking surface 14 and to allow convective airflow to directly contact food 16 . Thus, cooking surface 14 includes a discontinuous surface.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the cooking surface includes a plurality of ribs 18 spaced laterally so as to have a top surface 20 and side walls 22 . Top surface 20 is in thermal communication with side wall 22 , and side wall 22 is in thermal communication with electric heating element 12 . Thus, heat is transferred to the top surface 20 by conduction. Electrical heating element 12 may be in thermal communication with substrate 24 . For example, base 24 may contain electrical heating element 12 by mechanical attachment or by being cast. The rib 18 is removably mounted on the base 24 . For example, the ribs 18 may only rest on the upper surface of the base 24 . Thus, the rib 18 can be disassembled so that the rib 18 can be cleaned or used to serve food cooked thereon. It should be understood that the upper surface of the base 24 can be used as a grease pan and that the base 24 can be removably mounted to a cooking appliance. Alternatively, rib 18 may be secured to base 24 . Thus, the rib 18 and base 24 can be detachably mounted to the cooking appliance. In either case, the top surface 20 can be heated to the desired cooking temperature and thus can be used as a contact grilling element. In use, food cooked on the top surface 20 may have grill marks if the top surface 20 is heated sufficiently. It should be understood that in alternative embodiments, the top surface 20 could have or could actually include an electrical heating element associated therewith. Therefore, the substrate 24 is not necessary. An oil pan or the like may be provided below the rib 18 .

If the top surface 20 is heated by an electric heating element positioned below the surface shown in FIG. 1 , the side walls 22 may be hollow or solid when used as heat transfer members. Thus, the ribs 18 may be configured as heat transfer members in thermal communication with the electric heating element 12 . The ribs 18 may be fixed to the base 24 or cast integrally with the base 24 . Ribs 18 are constructed of a thermally conductive material such as aluminum, copper, cast iron or steel.

The top surfaces 20 are separated by a gap 26 to define an open space 28 below the top surfaces 20 . The rear portion of side wall 22 has a height H and the front portion of side wall 22 has a height H'. Heights H and H' can be the same or different. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the heights H, H' and the gap 26 between adjacent top surfaces 20 are sized to allow convective airflow 30 to be formed below the food 16 to assist the top surface 20 in cooking the food. The height H, H' of the side walls 22 may be greater than 0.75 inches, preferably 0.75 to 3 inches, more preferably 1.0 inches to 2.0 inches, and most preferably 1.25 to 1.5 inches, and the gap between the top surface 20 26 may be greater than 0.125 inches, preferably 0.125 to 2 inches, more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 inches, and most preferably 0.75 to 1.0 inches, to create convective airflow 30 below food 16 being cooked.

It should be understood that when heat is applied to the cooking surface 14 , natural convective airflow will be drawn into the open space 28 . Thus, food 16 will be cooked by both conduction (contact heating from top surface 20 ) and convection. Preferably, convective airflow 30 has an ascent velocity of 1 to 100 inches per second, more preferably 3 to 50 inches per second, and most preferably 5 to 20 inches per second. The heights H, H' and gap 26 can be chosen to produce such a rate of rise. Convective airflow is established under the center portion of the food 16 being cooked, not just at the edges. Current troughs that contact cooking utensils do not generate convective air flow suitable for cooking food. Additionally, the grooves often trap moisture dripping from the food, which tends to cook the food rather than simulating the process of flame grilling.

It should be understood that as food 16 cooks, fat may drip and collect on substrate 24 . Accordingly, the base 24 can be used as an oil pan. In this case, the base 24 is preferably inclined so that fat falling on the base 24 flows to a collection area for disposal. Accordingly, the upper surface of base 24 is preferably solid. In alternative configurations, the base 24 may be configured to allow fat to pass beneath the base 24 where it collects. The base 24 can be inclined at an angle A of 0 to 20 degrees (preferably 2 to 12 degrees, and more preferably 5 to 8 degrees) relative to the horizontal plane 32 .

In alternative configurations, the base 24 may be horizontal and the heights H, H' may be varied to create an angle of 0 to 20 degrees (preferably 2 to 12 degrees, and more preferably 5 to 8 degrees) relative to horizontal.

It should be understood that the ribs 18 can be applied to the top surface of the food 16 only, or to both the top and bottom surfaces of the food 16 to increase the speed of cooking, for example, by adding heat to the upper and lower surfaces of the food to be cooked or heated. Both provide heat. Thus, the food receiving surface may be positioned below and/or above the food to be cooked in the cooking appliance.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking surface dimensioned to generate natural convective airflow, and to cook food by combustion of fuel and/or electrical heating. For example, the alternative preferred embodiment cooking appliance 10 of FIG. 2 combines electrical contact heating and cooking with combustible fuel. Thus, there is provided a burner which can be the sole source of heat, which can be used alternately with, and preferably simultaneously with, the electric heating element 12 . It should be understood that one or more burners can be positioned so as to provide heat to only a portion of the cooking surface 14 (e.g., the portion not heated by the burners will be cooler and can be used to cook food more slowly or keep food that has already cooked warm until it is eaten) or to the bottom of all cooking surfaces 14. Burners 34 may be positioned in some or all of open space 28 and may be positioned adjacent substrate 24 . Preferably, the burner is sufficiently recessed so that a user cannot insert a finger into contact with the burner, and more preferably, a user cannot insert a finger into what would be the tip of the flame. Preferably, the burners are positioned below a solid portion of the grilling or cooking surface, or a baffle therebeneath, to prevent people from touching the flames.

The burner can be any burner known in the art. According to another aspect of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the combustor 34 includes one or more manifolds 36 containing a series of ports 38 through which a combustible fuel (gas, liquid or solid) to create a flame 40 that will provide heat or additional heat to cook the food and enhance the convective airflow 30. The flame 40 can be used to cook the food 16 , or the electric heating element 12 can be used to cook the food 16 , or a combination of both can be used to cook the food 16 .

The diameter of port 38 may be between 0.001 and 0.035 inches, preferably between 0.003 and 0.025 inches, more preferably between 0.005 and 0.012 inches, and most preferably between 0.007 and 0.010 inches. The wall thickness of manifold 36 is preferably 0.02 to 0.100 inches, more preferably 0.005 to 0.035 inches, and most preferably 0.010 to 0.020 inches. The inside diameter of the manifold 36 and the pipes connecting the manifold 36 to the electrolysis cell are preferably 0.020 to 0.5 inches, more preferably 0.025 to 0.250 inches, and most preferably 0.050 to 0.125 inches. The ports 38 are preferably produced by cutting with a laser beam or by drilling at very high speeds. Manifold 36 may be made of aluminum, steel, brass, copper, stainless steel, nickel, or any other high temperature metal, glass, plastic, or composite material. The spacing between orifices or ports 38 may be 0.125 to 2 inches, preferably 0.5 to 2 inches, and more preferably 1.0 to 1.5 inches. The axis defined by the airflow through the orifice 38 may be between -10 degrees and plus 30 degrees (upward) relative to the surface 14 .

The cooking surface may include a food receiving surface (eg, ribs 18 ) and an electrical heating member (eg, electrical heating element 12 in base 24 ). The food receiving surface and the electrical heating member may be a unitary structure (ie they may be assembled as a unit). Preferably, the food receiving surface and the electric heating member are detachably mounted to the cooking appliance so that both the food receiving surface and the electric heating member are simultaneously detachable from the cooking appliance (as separate elements). For example, the electric heating element 12 may be integrally integrated into the food receiving surface. As shown in FIG. 14 , cooking surfaces 136 and 200 are each slidably receivable in bracket 208 . Cooking surfaces 136 and 200 each have electrical contacts 210 on the rear thereof. Mating contacts 212 are disposed in the bracket 208 . Thus, when the cooking surface 136, 200 is slid into position in the cradle 208, the electric heating element is electrically connected to the appliance. It should be understood that the mating contacts 212 may be connected to the power source by any means known in the art, for example, they may be hardwired to the electronic control package 214 . The contacts 210, 212 may be any electrical connector known in the art.

Alternatively, the food receiving surface can be removably received on the electric heating member (eg, positioned on or removably secured to the base 24). It should be understood that the food receiving surface can be removably mounted to the electric heating element 12 and that the electric heating element 12 need not be mounted in a substrate.

According to another aspect of the invention, the orifice 38 is preferably positioned such that drips from the cooked food 16 will not drip thereon, thereby preventing foreign matter from contaminating, clogging or damaging the port 38 through which the combustible gas flows. Preferably, the cooking surface has an opening provided therein, and the cooking surface is positioned above the burner and is configured to direct liquid produced as the food cooks away from the burner port 38 . These openings allow the products of combustion to rise up and directly contact the food on the cooking surface. The cooking surface may be angled downwardly towards these openings. For example, the cooking surface may be substantially corrugated, the openings being disposed in the troughs of the corrugation. Preferably, the corrugation is substantially V-shaped.

According to another aspect of the invention, combustion products may be utilized to heat the ribs 18 . For example, if sidewall 22 is hollow and has an open bottom, port 38 may be positioned below top surface 20 and below sidewall 22 to allow combustion products to rise to heat the underside of top surface 20 . It should be understood that the port 38 may be positioned between the side walls 22 and thus the flame within the rib 18 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the combustion products may be conveyed through channels to the interior hollow space of the rib 18 . In this case, the ports 38 need not be positioned below the cooking surface 14, so long as the combustion products are conveyed to flow through the ribs.

Combustible gases can be ignited by any means known in the art. For example, a user may manually light burner 34 when fuel is supplied to port 38 . For example, a user may light a match near a fuel inlet source. Preferably, an ignition member 42 is provided. The ignition member 42 may be any ignition member known in the art. Manual ignition means (eg electric spark generators) are known in the art of grills and cooking platforms. Accordingly, an ignition member 42 may be positioned adjacent to and below one or more ports 38 of the manifold 36 to provide a means for igniting the combustible fuel. Preferably, the ignition member 42 is positioned sufficiently close to the port 38 to ignite the combustible fuel delivered by the manifold 36, yet sufficiently distanced so that it is not destroyed by the flame 40 during cooking. The ignition member 42 may be an electric heating wire made of nichrome or another suitable material capable of withstanding high temperature operation. Alternatively, the ignition member 42 may be a high voltage applied wire mounted such that a spark is periodically generated between the grounded manifold 36 and the ignition member 42 in the region proximate to the port 30 to ignite the combustible fuel. The ignition member 42 may be a hot wire ignition member at a distance of 0.050″ to 0.125″ from the port 38 .

The ignition member may be activated by the user when the cooking surface is first turned on, or preferably may remain active throughout the cooking process to ensure that if the flame 40 is accidentally extinguished (e.g. by dripping fluid from the food onto the flame), the flame will was quickly re-lit.

The combustible fuel may be one commonly used for cooking or heating, such as methane (natural gas), propane, butane, naphtha or methylated spirits. Preferably, hydrogen can be used as the combustible fuel. The advantage of using hydrogen is that the gaseous products of combustion do not need to be vented. Preferably, hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water.

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a hydrogen storage member other than a pressure tank. Hydrogen can be stored in hydrogen storage media such as metal hydrides, carbon nanotubes, hydrogen salts, metal salts, or in plastic, ceramic, or glass-adsorbed materials, or combinations of these multiple materials, and used when needed For example cooking. Many such methodological techniques and any such method known in the art can be used herein. Some hydrogen storage media such as magnesium hydride, microporous oxides, metal nitrides, zeolites, or combinations thereof absorb hydrogen at ambient temperature and moderately high pressure, while releasing hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures or when an electric current is passed through the material. Thus, this storage medium provides a safe method for storing hydrogen without the risk of leakage from the pressure storage vessel.

A device using such a storage medium preferably has a heat source to heat the hydrogen storage medium. For example, a hydrogen storage medium may have a resistive heating element in thermal contact therewith. When hydrogen is required, electrical current is supplied to the resistive heating element to release the hydrogen. Preferably, the amount of applied current is variable (eg, a variable rheostat). Therefore, when more current is applied, more hydrogen gas is released. Thus, for example, settings on a variable rheostat could be labeled as low heat, medium heat, and high heat or the like. The electrical current for the resistive heating element can be supplied from a household socket such as a device that can be plugged into a power supply. Thus, in operation, the device can be connected to a household socket. When hydrogen is required, electrical current can be supplied to the resistive heating element at the required flow rate to produce the required flow of hydrogen.

Alternatively, batteries or other current storage means may be provided if it is desired to operate the device at locations where no electrical power is available. The current storage means may be used to provide an electric current to heat the resistive heating element to cause the hydrogen storage medium to release hydrogen gas at the location of the device to be used. For example, if the device is a cooking appliance, the appliance can be plugged in at the residence to be plugged in and charged indoors. The hydrogen storage medium can then also be charged. The appliance can then be taken to a picnic, eg, where no electrical power is available, such as in a park, and the appliance uses the stored hydrogen and electrical current to cook the food.

In an alternative embodiment, the hydrogen storage medium can be removably received in the device. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be adapted to receive one or more hydrogen storage media. Thus, a device may be provided with hydrogen from two or more hydrogen storage media. The hydrogen storage medium can be used continuously (to extend the operating time of the device) or simultaneously (to extend the amount of hydrogen available to the device).

In yet another alternative embodiment, the device may include a charger, or the device may be a charger. The charger has means (such as an electrolyzer) to provide hydrogen gas stored in a hydrogen storage medium. One or more hydrogen storage means are disposed within the charger and, for example, one or more electrolysers, wherein the electrolysers are operated to provide stored hydrogen. The one or more hydrogen storage components may then be disassembled and placed in a second device to provide hydrogen gas to the second device. For example, the device may be a cooker and the hydrogen storage medium may provide hydrogen for cooking. Alternatively, the equipment may be household equipment such as garden tools, power tools, pressure dishwashers and car jacks. The hydrogen storage medium may be designed to be interchangeably received in two or more different household devices. Thus, the hydrogen storage medium can be of a common size receivable in different household appliances and resemble eg AA or C batteries. One advantage of this design is that the hydrogen storage medium allows electricity to be stored as hydrogen and then burn the hydrogen to provide heat for cooking or power.

Thus, the hydrogen storage medium can be refilled or replaced with a full storage member as required. Alternatively or additionally, the hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage medium can be produced in the device by electrolysis or by chemical reaction.

In yet another alternative embodiment, some or all of the hydrogen produced may be consumed as used and the remainder may be stored. Alternatively, some or all of the hydrogen produced can be stored as produced and the remainder can be consumed. For example, hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis or by another chemical or electrochemical reaction and stored under pressure in bottles or in a metal hydride from which it is subsequently withdrawn when it is needed for cooking. Thus, for example, when electricity costs are low or renewable energy from wind or solar energy is available, a cooking appliance 10 using hydrogen as a combustible fuel can generate hydrogen and store production through electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte solution such as potassium hydroxide. of hydrogen until hydrogen is needed for cooking. Subsequently, the stored hydrogen can be used. Alternatively, some or all of the hydrogen can be used for cooking at the same time as it is produced.

For example, if cooking appliance 10 includes an electrolysis cell, some or all of the oxygen produced by electrolysis may be used to combust hydrogen. Hydrogen and oxygen can be collected from the headspace of the electrolyser and delivered through the same channels to manifold 36 . Alternatively, hydrogen and oxygen may be collected separately from the electrolyzer and provided to port 38 via separate channels. Thus, hydrogen and oxygen may mix at port 38 . It is also possible to supply only hydrogen to port 38 and combust the hydrogen with atmospheric oxygen.

An advantage of using an alternative embodiment of a hydrogen storage medium is that the hydrogen produced can exit the hydrogen storage medium and be burned at a rate greater than the rate at which energy was initially delivered to the electrolyzer to produce the hydrogen. For example, an appliance that plugs into a standard North American household outlet can draw 1500W of power. This electricity can be used (eg for 1 hour) to produce stored hydrogen. When utilizing the cooking appliance 10, the stored hydrogen can be burned while electricity drawn from a household socket is used to provide electrical heating and additional hydrogen. Therefore, the cooking appliance 10 can deliver the hydrogen gas produced at a rate of 3000 W per time period, thereby accelerating the rate at which food can be cooked. It should be understood that several cooking modes may be utilized, including: (1) burning stored hydrogen and using electricity drawn during cooking to power electric heating; (2) burning stored hydrogen and using electricity drawn during cooking to power electric heating; Powering electric heating and generating additional hydrogen; (3) using electricity drawn during cooking to power electric heating and generating additional hydrogen without utilizing stored hydrogen; and (4) unplugging the cooking from the outlet appliances and use stored hydrogen only for cooking (electrical heating and/or combustion of hydrogen, where the hydrogen was previously produced and stored). Thus, the cooking appliance can be recharged inside the house and used outside, such as in the yard or balcony (if there are no outdoor plugs handy, or at a remote picnic spot).

It will be appreciated that the use of energy stored in the form of hydrogen in appliances, including portable appliances, may be used in other appliances as well. Such appliances may provide one or more of the following functions: space heating; water heating; electricity generation by hydrogen gas injection into a fuel cell; refrigeration or air conditioning through an adsorption cycle such as ammonia cycle refrigeration; Generator Internal combustion to generate electricity; electricity generated by burning hydrogen with a turbine, internal combustion engine, external combustion engine, Stirling or Manson engine, or other prime mover connected to a generator.

Alternatively, cooking appliance 10 may also be configured to both generate hydrogen by any means such as hydrolysis and retrieve stored hydrogen to generate the hydrogen flow rate to obtain the desired heat for cooking.

It will be appreciated that if a hydrogen storage medium is provided, the hydrogen storage medium is downstream of the electrolysis cell and upstream of the burner. If the burner is capable of simultaneously combusting hydrogen from the hydrogen storage medium and hydrogen from the electrolyzer, the burner may be in fluid flow communication with both the hydrogen storage medium and the electrolyzer, which in turn is in fluid flow communication with the electrolyzer. Appropriate valves may be provided to allow the customer to select a desired source or source of hydrogen.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a cooking appliance 10 employing aspects of the present invention. In particular, cooking appliances use electrical contacts to heat both cooking and cooking with combustible fuels. In this embodiment, cooking appliance 10 is configured as a conventional grill. Thus, the cooking surface 14 includes a grill having a series of grooves 44 and preferably also grooves 46 to help fluid from the cooking process flow away from the food being cooked. Cooking surface 14 may be constructed of thermally conductive materials such as aluminum, copper, cast iron, and steel. At least one, and preferably a plurality, of electrical heating elements 12 are incorporated into or on the cooking surface 14 in thermal communication with the cooking surface 14 . It should be understood that the cooking surface 14 may alternatively consist essentially of one or more electric heating elements 12 . It should also be understood that, in alternative embodiments, the slot portion 46 may be replaced by a groove 44 .

Using yet another aspect of the present invention, groove 44 (preferably groove 44 and groove 46 ) are sized to allow convective airflow 30 to form beneath the food to assist cooking surface 14 in cooking the food. Preferably, convective airflow 30 has an ascent velocity of 1 to 1000 inches per second, more preferably has an ascent velocity of 3 to 100 inches per second, and most preferably has an ascent velocity of 5 to 50 inches per second. Grooves 44 may be 0.25 to 3 inches wide and 0.25 to 24 inches long, preferably 0.375 to 1.0 inches wide and 1 to 6 inches long, and more preferably 0.5 to 0.75 inches wide and 2 to 4 inches long. Alternatively or additionally, groove 46 may be 0.125 to 1.0 inches wide and 0.125 to 2 inches deep, preferably 0.25 to 0.75 inches wide and 0.25 to 0.75 inches deep, more preferably 0.375 to 0.5 inches wide and 0.375 to 0.5 inches deep to help fluid from the cooking process flow away from the food being cooked. Thus, the grooves 44 and slots 46 create a geometry that promotes convective airflow 30 beneath the food being cooked.

It should be understood that the grill plate of Figure 3 can be applied to both sides of the food to increase the speed of cooking. Thus, a cooking appliance may have an upper cooking member and a lower cooking surface. In such embodiments, the lower cooking surface is preferably a food receiving surface. The upper cooking member may be any cooking member known in the art (i.e. any member that provides heat to the upper surface of the food in the cooking zone) and is preferably any cooking surface disclosed herein, and more preferably The ground is the heated food receiving surface. The upper food receiving surface may be heated electrically and/or by combustion products (eg, hot combustion gases passing through or above the upper food receiving surface). Preferably at least one of the upper and lower cooking surfaces, and more preferably both the upper and lower cooking surfaces are removably mounted to the cookware.

As with the embodiment of Fig. 1, the cooking surface 14 may be horizontal or sloped.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the grill plate of FIG. 3 is also preferably provided with a burner 34 . In such an embodiment, the groove 44 may be any special configuration that allows the flame 40 from the burner 34 to directly heat the food on the cooking surface 14 . Alternatively, the grooves 44 may be dimensioned to allow the formation of the convective airflow 30 with the rise velocity given herein. It should be appreciated that the port 38 may be positioned below a solid portion of the cooking surface 14 , ie, not below the groove 44 , thereby reducing the likelihood of fat or other liquids dripping onto the port 38 .

According to another alternative aspect of the invention, in operation, a user may plug the appliance plug into the socket. This step is not required if the unit is hardwired. The user may turn on the device when the device is connected to a power source, or if the device is operating from a battery powering the release of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage medium. Preferably, the user actuates a single control which initiates operation of the electrolysis cell and ignition member. When a sufficient amount of gas has been produced to create a constant flame, the valve can be opened to allow this gas to be provided to the burner. The ignition member operates thereby causing the gas to be ignited automatically as it flows to the burner. Alternatively, the circuitry may include a timer, pressure sensor, flow sensor, or the like that causes the ignition member to be actuated when gas begins to flow to the burner (eg, in the case of a spark ignition member). If the ignition member is a heated wire, a timer, pressure sensor, flow sensor or similar can cause the ignition wire to start heating sufficiently before the gas flows to the burner so that the ignition wire has the proper temperature when the gas reaches the burner . It should be understood that the single control can be an actuation button that is pushed and pressed by the consumer until flames are produced (eg, a light comes on to indicate that the button can be released or the light goes out to indicate that the button can be released) or the actuation button can simply be pressed and The electrical circuit is configured to maintain operation of the electrolysis cell and the ignition member during the start-up sequence.

For example, FIG. 4 shows an exemplary electrical circuit diagram for the hydrogen flame cooker described in FIG. 3 , the components of which may be housed in electrical control package 214 . Electrical circuit 48 includes power supply 50 , on/off switch 52 , electric heating element 12 and electrolytic cell 54 . The power source 50 may be a household socket. In North America this outlet is typically a 120VAC outlet and in Europe it may be a 240VAC outlet. The on/off switch 28 may thus be rated 120/240VAC, 15A, and preferably a single pole single throw switch to turn all power to the unit on or off. A light 70 may be wired to the on/off switch 52 to indicate when the switch is set to "on". In a preferred embodiment, the appliance is designed to operate on household current. Thus, the appliance may be a portable countertop appliance. In such an embodiment, the user can set up the utensil on the countertop and plug it into an outlet when needed (eg, for cooking). Alternatively, utensils can be stored on this work surface. The user can then plug the appliance into a socket and then switch on the unit eg to start cooking. It should be understood that the appliance may be hardwired.

For example the heating element 12 for the lower cooking surface may be electrically wired through a manually adjustable temperature controller 76 , such as a variable spring for a bimetallic element, to allow the user to vary the temperature of the heating element 12 . This can be accomplished with a mechanical lever or knob. One or more additional heating elements 12a (eg, for the upper cooking surface) may be electrically connected in series with the electrolytic bath 54 and optionally with the ignition member 42 .

A cooking appliance may include one or more safety devices. These safety devices include pressure switch 56 , pressure switch 60 and three-way valve 66 .

Preferably, the circuit 48 includes a pressure switch 56 as a safety device. As shown in FIG. 5 , the gas produced in the electrolytic cell 54 is delivered to the manifold 36 via a pressure switch 56 . The pressure switch 56 is configured to close at a predetermined pressure. The predetermined pressure may be the minimum pressure achieved at port 38 at the gas flow velocity that prevents the flame from propagating upstream across port 38 . Preferably, the airflow velocity exceeds the flame propagation velocity of the fuel being used (ie, sufficiently fast to prevent flashback). Preferably, the gas flow velocity is 2 to 10 times, and more preferably 3 to 5 times, the flame propagation velocity of the hydrogen and oxygen mixture produced by electrolyzer 54 . Pressure switch 56 may be a normally open double pole single throw switch. Accordingly, the pressure switch 56 may be configured to prevent “flashback” into the electrolytic cell 54 and keep the flame away from the walls of the manifold 36 thereby keeping the manifold cool and maintaining the integrity of the port 38 . In a typical appliance, when a pressure of 0.1 to 3.0 pounds per square inch (PSIG) is applied at outlet 58, more preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 pounds per square inch (PSIG), most preferably between 0.75 and 1.0 Pounds per square inch (PSIG), pressure switch 56 may be actuated, ie closed. Typically, this pressure ensures that the flow rate of the combustible gas within the burner 34 is maintained above a minimum flow to prevent flame propagation along the tubes which can cause "flashback".

The second pressure switch 60 is configured to open when a predetermined pressure is exceeded. The second pressure switch 60 may be a normally closed contact that opens upon reaching a predetermined minimum operating pressure for the electrolytic cell 54 based on its mechanical integrity. For many consumer appliances, a pressure of 3 to 150 pounds per square inch (PSIG) is preferably the maximum allowable pressure, more preferably 4 to 50 pounds per square inch (PSIG), and most preferably 5 to 10 pounds per square inch (PSIG). square inch (PSIG). Pressure switch 60 limits the maximum pressure that cooking appliance 10 can develop if, for example, a blockage occurs in the manifold, hydrogen storage medium, and/or flow channels. If the pressure exceeds the set maximum pressure, circuit 48 opens and interrupts power to electrolysis cell 54, stopping gas production. The pressure switch may include an outlet 62 . Outlet 62 may exhaust the gas to the ambient environment and/or the hydrogen storage medium. Thus, when a predetermined pressure is exceeded, the outlet 62 opens and relieves the excess pressure. If the pressure drops below the set maximum pressure (for example due to overpressure being relieved through outlet 62), outlet 62 will close and the normally closed contact of pressure switch 60 will close and power will be restored and gas production will resume. This also controls variations in production due to input voltage fluctuations.

If a pressure switch 56 is provided, a flame igniter switch 64 is also preferably provided. When closed, the flame igniter switch 64 substantially bypasses the contacts of the pressure switch 56 thereby allowing current to flow through the hot wire ignition member 42 and through the electrolyzer 54 which begins to produce gas while the three-way solenoid valve 66 Keep machinery closed. The flame igniter switch 64 may be a momentary contact switch rated 120/240VAC, 15A including a single pole single throw switch. The fluid connection of the three-way valve 66 is shown in FIG. 5 . The contacts of the pressure switch 58 are closed once the pressure in the electrolyzer reaches a pressure indicated at port 38 that activates the option signal (e.g. light 68 is illuminated) and the user can release the flame igniter switch 64 A minimum pressure is achieved that exceeds the gas flow velocity eg the flame propagation velocity for the fuel being used. The lamp 68 can alternatively be replaced with a resistor in series with the light emitting diode.

The light 68 is also preferably wired so that it turns on when the three-way valve 66 provides power via the pressure switch 56 . Three-way valve 66 is configured to connect manifold 36 in fluid flow communication with electrolysis cell 54 when pressure switch 56 is closed, and to connect manifold 36 in fluid flow communication with the atmosphere via passage 72 when pressure switch 56 is open. Thus, the three-way valve 66 may be a three-way solenoid valve that is wired so that when current flows through the pressure switch 56, the valve 66 opens and the valve 66 allows hydrogen and/or hydrogen and oxygen to flow from the electrolyzer 54 to the manifold 36 . The three-way solenoid valve 66 is also preferably mechanically arranged so that when the pressure switch 56 opens, for example, within 1 to 20 milliseconds, more preferably within 1 to 10 milliseconds, and most preferably within 1 to 4 milliseconds The chamber is closed, thereby diverting gas from manifold 36 to atmosphere via passage 72. When the three-way solenoid valve is de-energized, the burner 34 is connected to atmosphere, the pressure and velocity of the hydrogen/oxygen mixture is reduced, and the flame propagates into the burner, through valve 66 and then to atmosphere, thereby preventing "flashback". "Into the electrolyzer 54.

The fluid channel, valve seat and seal of the three-way solenoid valve 66 are preferably made of stainless steel or other materials that are not damaged by electrolysis or combustion gases, such as Viton or other chemically inert seals.

Preferably, the hot wire ignition member 42 is electrically connected in series with the electrolytic cell 54 . Thus, if the hot wire ignition member 42 is damaged, the flow of hydrogen/oxygen gas will stop because there will be no electrical energy flowing to the electrolysis cell 54 . This is simple built-in security system. Additionally, one or more electric cooking elements 12 are also connected in series with the electrolytic tank 54 and the igniter 42 . Therefore, if the ignition member 42 is damaged, no electrical energy will flow to the electric cooking element. This will give the user a signal that the ignition member is bad. Preferably, the heating element 12a is electrically connected in series with the hot wire ignition member 42 and the electrolytic cell 54 . The voltage drop across the heating element 12a ensures that the voltage supplied to the hot wire ignition member 42 and the electrolytic cell 54 is within the required range for normal operation.

If the power supply 50 is an AC power source, an AC to DC converter such as four diode or bridge rectifiers 74 is employed to convert the AC input current to the DC power required by the electrolysis cell 54 .

According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes one or more injectors positioned in the fluid flow path from the hydrogen source (electrolyzer and/or hydrogen storage medium) and the burner (see eg FIG. 12 ). One advantage of this design is that the injector prevents the flame from propagating backward upstream of the injector to the electrolyzer and/or hydrogen storage medium. In addition, the eductors moisten the airflow, thereby providing additional water in the cooking zone and helping to prevent the food from drying out while cooking or heating the food in the cooking zone. If the device does not have a hydrogen storage medium, one or more injectors may be positioned in the fluid flow path from the electrolyzer to the burner. If the device has a hydrogen storage medium without an electrolyzer (eg, as in the case of a charger), one or more injectors may be positioned in the fluid flow path from the hydrogen storage medium to the burner. If the plant has an electrolyzer and a hydrogen storage medium, and if the flow paths from the electrolyzer and hydrogen storage medium merge upstream of the burner, one or more injectors may be positioned upstream of the burner and where the flow paths merge downstream of , or the flow paths may merge at the injector (for example, a flow path may be provided from the electrolyzer to the injector, and a flow path may be provided from the hydrogen storage medium to the injector). Alternatively, injector flow paths may be provided from the electrolyzer to the burner and from the hydrogen storage medium to the burner, with one or more injectors in each flow path.

For example, referring to FIG. 5 , a preferred schematic diagram of the connection of the electrolysis cell 54 to the burner 34 is shown. Accordingly, the hydrogen and oxygen gas mixture produced by electrolyzer 54 may pass through conduit 78 into eductor 80 which produces a series of gas bubbles 82 in water 84 in eductor chamber 86 . The hydrogen and oxygen gas mixture then passes from headspace 88 of injector chamber 86 through line 90 into pressure switch 56 , through line 92 into pressure switch 60 , through line 94 into three-way solenoid valve 66 . If three-way solenoid valve 66 is energized, hydrogen and oxygen gas flows through line 96 , through optional check valve 98 , through line 100 to manifold 36 . If three-way solenoid valve 66 is de-energized, hydrogen and oxygen gas flow is interrupted and manifold 36 is connected through line 100 , through check valve 98 , through line 96 and through three-way solenoid valve 66 to line 72 to vent to atmosphere.

Using injector 80 has several advantages. First, passing the hydrogen and oxygen gas mixture through the water or other suitable fluid in injector chamber 86 removes traces of the electrolyte used in electrolysis cell 54 as it passes through sparger chamber 86 . Additionally, the hydrogen and oxygen gas mixture is humidified. The increased humidity through the eductor 80 helps prevent the food being cooked from drying out. For example, without being limited by theory, it is believed that accumulated water vapor will condense on cold surfaces, such as the underside of a lid positioned on a cooking surface. This raises the humidity level in the air surrounding the food (cooking area) and helps maintain the proper moisture level in the food. Yet another advantage is that the injector prevents flashback along the hydrogen and oxygen gas supply lines to the electrolyzer. For example, should the flame propagate backwards through duct 94, the flame will enter the injector chamber which will contain the flame. The flame cannot pass upstream through injector chamber 86 into conduit 78 .

In a preferred embodiment, the injector chamber, or at least a portion thereof, is translucent or transparent (and preferably transparent), and positioned so that a user can observe the translucent surface of the injector chamber 86 when the appliance is in use. or transparent part or parts. One advantage of this embodiment is that the user can observe gas bubbling through the injector chamber 86 . This provides the user with a visual confirmation that the electrolyser is working. In a more preferred embodiment, a light such as a light emitting diode LED is provided inside the injector chamber, or is positioned outside it but directed to illuminate the interior of the injector chamber. Illumination provided by one or more lights inside or outside the injector chamber 86 enhances the user's ability to see bubbles through the injector chamber 86 and enhances the user's ability to obtain a visual determination that the electrolysis cell is operating.

In alternative embodiments, it should be understood that the cooking appliance may use combustible fuel produced in the cooking appliance and may not utilize any electrical heating elements. Accordingly, one or more burners may be provided by the electrolyzer and/or the hydrogen storage medium. For example, FIG. 6 shows an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the electric heating elements are not embedded in the grill plate 102 . The flames 40 are used to heat the air below the grill plate 102, preferably creating a convective airflow 30 below the food 16 being cooked, and also heat the grill plate 102 through an optional series of channels on the lower surface of the grill plate 102. The fins 104 preferably enhance heat transfer to the grill plate 102 . The ribs 104 serve to more quickly transfer some of the heat from the flame 40 into the grill plate 102 to aid in faster cooking and better searing of the food 16 being cooked. Alternatively, the second set of flames can be directed primarily towards the heating fins 104 . It should be understood that the cooking surface may use any of the configurations disclosed herein and the components may be connected as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

In any of the above embodiments, an optional upper heating element may be used to cook the top surface of the food item 16 . Such a heating element may be a hydrogen flame burner such as burner 34, a hydrogen screen burner providing radiant heating, an electric radiant heating element, a contact cooking surface heated electrically and/or heated by combustion, or a microwave energy. Thus, the upper heating element can be used to cook the food 16, or the flame 40 can be used to cook the food 16, or the electric heating elements 12, 12a can be used to cook the food 16, or a combination of the above can be used to cook the food 16.

It should also be understood that the only cooking element of the cooking appliance 10 may be an upper heating element powered by combustible fuel generated in the cooking appliance 10 .

It should also be understood that the cooking appliance 10 may be a rotisserie, ie the cooking appliance has a cooking support including a stem for the rotisserie, wherein the stem is rotatably mounted into the cooking appliance in the cooking area. The cooking area can be heated by the combustion of combustible gases produced by one or more electrolytic cells. The gas can be combusted in burners and/or radiant heating means. Alternatively, electric heating can also be used.

An alternative circuit diagram is shown in Figure 4a. In Fig. 4a, a constant power supply 110 is provided. In this embodiment, there are two thermostats - a high temperature thermostat 112 and a low temperature thermostat 114 . Therefore, a user may operate the switch 120 to switch between the high temperature mode and the low temperature mode. Alternatively or additionally, a variable thermostat may be provided. When the unit is ready for use, the user can plug in the appliance (eg, insert plug 50 into an outlet) and then turn on main on/off switch 52 and press button 116 that turns off switches 118 and 64 . When the electrolyser 54 has produced enough gas to open the low pressure switch 56, then the solenoid valve 66 opens and the gas will come from the burner. An optional light 68 will illuminate to indicate to the user that the pressure switch 56 is closed and they can release the button 56 . When the igniter 42 is heated while the electrolytic cell 54 is operating, the igniter is hot enough to ignite the gas when the solenoid valve 66 opens and the gas flows to the burner. Fuses can also be provided as shown in Figure 4a.

The kit may be used or stored in locations where the ambient temperature is below the freezing point of the fluid in the electrolytic cell. If the fluid in the cell freezes, the shape of the cell may be deformed, resulting in changes in the operating characteristics of the cell (eg, the efficiency of the cell or the operating capability of the cell). Accordingly, in an alternative embodiment, the electrolysis cell is configured to drain fluid. In this case, one or more drains may be provided to drain liquid from the electrolysis cell and are preferably positioned in the lowermost part of the electrolysis cell. Any openable vent known in the art can be used. For example, the discharge port may be sealed with a discharge plug comprising a threaded cap, bayonet fit cap, snap cap or the like, or alternatively a ball valve or the like may be used. Any such mechanism known in the art of plumbing may be used. The outlet may be positioned to be accessible when the household appliance is assembled, and preferably the outlet is positioned on the outer housing of the appliance. Thus, one or more discharge openings are accessible from an outer surface of the device, for example below a movable cover panel. Thus, the user can open the drain (eg, by unscrewing the drain plug) and empty the fluid from the electrolyzer before storing the appliance for the winter. Alternatively, the kit may include a small pump to drain fluid from the electrolysis cell.

Alternatively or additionally, the appliance can have a fluid reservoir. The reservoir is preferably sized to receive all of the fluid from the electrolysis cell. The accumulator can be removable. Thus, the consumer can drain the electrolyzer and then disassemble and seal the accumulator. Thus, if the appliance is a built-in outdoor unit (built-in grill or fireplace), the user only needs to drain the electrolyzer fluid into the reservoir, disassemble the reservoir and store the reservoir for winter. Alternatively, the reservoir may be designed to receive fluid therein and allow the fluid to freeze therein (ie, remain liquid-tight despite the solidification of the electrolyte solution therein). Therefore, the user does not need to disassemble the accumulator. Instead, the user need only drain fluid from the electrolysis cell into the reservoir (eg, by opening a valve or actuating a motor in the fluid flow path between the electrolysis cell and the reservoir). The reservoir is preferably sized to hold all of the fluid and allow it to expand as it freezes. The accumulator can thus have a volume that is 1.5 times the volume of the electrolytic cell.

The electrolysis cell may be drained by using a pump to transfer electrolyte solution from the cell to the reservoir. Similarly, the pump can operate in reverse to transfer electrolyte solution from the reservoir to the electrolysis cell. Alternatively or additionally, gravity may be used to drain the electrolyte solution from the electrolysis cell to the accumulator and/or from the accumulator to the electrolysis cell. For example, if the accumulator is positioned below the electrolytic cell, the electrolyte solution can flow from the electrolytic cell to the accumulator by eg opening a valve in the flow path between the electrolytic cell and the accumulator.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the electrolytic cell and the reservoir is movable in position relative to the other so that fluid can flow therebetween. One (preferably both) of the electrolyser and accumulator can thus be vertically repositionable, such as by sliding along vertical rails. Thus, for example, electrolyte solution may be drained from the electrolysis cell to the reservoir by moving at least one of the electrolysis cell and the fluid reservoir such that the reservoir is below the electrolysis cell.

In a more preferred embodiment as shown in Figures 15a-15c, the accumulator 154 is mounted to the electrolytic cell 54 and the electrolytic cell and accumulator form an integral assembly such that they rotate about a horizontal axis A as a unit. The assembly can be rotated to a position in which the port in the electrolyser is above the port in the reservoir, enabling liquid to flow by gravity from the electrolyser to the reservoir (see Figure 15a). As shown in Figure 15a, liquid may be drained from the electrolyser to the reservoir via port 226, and the liquid flows into the reservoir due to gravity such that gas (eg air) in the electrolyser flows from the electrolyser to the reservoir via air port 228. When the assembly is rotated (such as indicated by the arrow in Figure 15b) to another position (such as a 180-degree rotation as shown in Figure 15c), the ports in the accumulator are above the ports in the electrolyzer so that liquid can flow from the reservoir by gravity. The flow to the electrolytic cell includes a check valve, which may be provided to control the flow of the fluid. Alternatively or additionally, an air pump 230 (see Figures 16a to 16c) for transferring gas between the electrolysis cell and the reservoir and/or a liquid pump 232 between the electrolysis cell and the reservoir (see Figures 17a to 17c) may be used. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the reservoir 154 may be varied (for example by a movable piston 234 defining the bottom of the reservoir 154 (see eg Figures 18a to 18c)).

It will be appreciated that the accumulator may be used to supply make-up water to the electrolysis cell. Accordingly, the accumulator may have one or more liquid outlets in flow communication with one or more inlets on the electrolysis cell. As water is electrolyzed in the electrolyzer, make-up water can be delivered from the accumulator to the electrolyzer. A user may manually deliver water by, for example, opening a valve. Alternatively, the flow may be automatic, such as through a valve slaved to a liquid sensor, such as a float switch. Therefore, make-up water can be automatically supplied to the electrolyzer when the water is converted into hydrogen and oxygen.

It should be understood that water will sometimes have to be added to the electrolysis cell and optional eductor chamber 86 . Accordingly, the electrolyzer and eductor may each be configured to be provided with make-up water. According to one embodiment, at least one of the electrolytic cell and the reservoir, or a flow channel (eg a conduit) extending therebetween, has an inlet. Similarly, injectors have at least one inlet. In an alternative preferred embodiment, if an injector chamber 86 is provided, a separate inlet is provided. This single inlet is in fluid communication with both the eductor and the electrolytic cell and thus both elements can be filled with water simultaneously. For example, the inlet can be bifurcated (eg, Y-shaped) so that a portion of the water passes to the injector chamber and the electrolytic cell. Water supplied to one or both of the injector and reservoir may be filtered to remove particulate matter and/or to remove anionic or cationic species from the supplied water. For example, the inlet may have filter media and/or ion exchange resins that filter particulate matter.

Any openable access known in the art can be used. For example, the inlet can be sealed with a threaded cap, bayonet mount cap, snap cap, ball valve or similar. Any such mechanism known in the plumbing art may be used. These inlets may be located to be accessible when assembling the household appliance, and are preferably located on the outer housing of the appliance. Thus, one or more inlets may be accessible from an exterior surface of the device, eg, beneath the movable cover 106 (eg, a pivotally mounted portion of the appliance's outer housing, see FIG. 7 ). It will be appreciated that, alternatively, household tap water may be pumped into the device to automatically provide make-up water.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the main housing 132 for the apparatus includes two electrolysis cells 54 each having at least one combustible gas outlet 150 and at least one makeup water inlet 152 . Water inlet 152 extends from reservoir 154 . Each gas outlet 150 extends to a reservoir 154 but can alternatively be connected directly to an injector 156 . Each electrolytic cell is filled to provide headspace 158 above fill line 160 . When water is required, it is provided to electrolytic cell 54 by any means known in the art. Hydrogen and oxygen are optionally not captured separately but accumulate in a single headspace 158 and flow to accumulator 154 . The hydrogen and oxygen form bubbles 162 in water 164 in reservoir 154 . The bubbles travel up into the headspace 166 and along the downflow conduit 168 to a member, such as a diffuser stone 170 , that introduces the bubbled gas into the water 172 of the injector 156 . The gas as bubbles 174 travels through the water 172 to the headspace 176 to the downflow conduit 178 to the channel 180 to the burner. It should be understood that only one of the accumulator 154 and injector 156 may be provided. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the reservoir 154 is used as a reservoir providing make-up water to the electrolysis cell 54 and as an eductor. Accordingly, downflow conduit 168 may be directly connected to channel 180 . Alternatively, the gas outlet 150 may be directly connected to the injector 156 such that the reservoir 154 is not used as the injector 156 (see eg FIG. 13 ).

Reservoir 154 and injector 156 each have a plug 182 that releasably closes inlet 184 . A movable (eg, pivotable) or removable cover or cover panel 186 is provided to conceal each plug 182 . It should be understood that a single cover panel 186 may be provided overlying both plugs 182 . When it is desired to refill the injector and/or reservoir, the optional cover panel 186 is moved to expose the bung 182 and the bung 182 is removed to allow water to be added to the inlet 184 . The reservoir 154 and injector 156 may each have a standpipe 188 that may be of a length such that the bottom end is at a preferred maximum liquid level in each of the accumulator 154 and injector 156 .

Preferably, the device has an injector level indicator, such as a float switch, a graduated level viewport or portion of a transparent injector chamber, or a vertical or horizontal vertical or horizontal in fluid communication with the electrolytic cell such that its level indicates the liquid level of the electrolytic cell. vertically sloping pipes. Similarly, it is preferred that the electrolyser and/or injector has a level indicator. More preferably, the device has a liquid level warning member such as a float switch, or as is known in the art that is activated when the liquid level of one or more of the injector, electrolyser and reservoir drops below a predetermined level Capacitive level sensor for lights and/or speaker for warning tone. Thus, personnel can refill the utensil when the liquid level warning member signals that the liquid in the injector, electrolyzer and/or reservoir has dropped below a predetermined level. A separate warning may be provided to indicate which element requires refilling.

It should be understood that the device may have two reservoirs, one for storing the electrolyte solution and the other for providing make-up water to the electrolysis cell.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the device is designed for intermittent outdoor use. In this case, heating means may be provided to defrost the accumulator and optionally the injector chamber. For example, electric heating coils may be provided inside or around each unit. When the electric heating coil is actuated (eg, current flows through the wires wrapped around each element), the fluid in the reservoir and optional eductor thaws. The fluid can then be returned from the reservoir to the electrolysis cell, for example by using a pump. This can be achieved by running the pumps used to drain the electrolyzer in reverse. Any other device known in the fluid transfer art may be used. The user can then use the appliance.

According to another alternative aspect of the invention, at least one fan or similar is provided to dilute the gas produced by the electrolyzer. For example, conduit 96 may communicate with a source of pressurized air, such as a fan. Therefore, the gas from the electrolyzer can be diluted with air. Accordingly, a first flow path may extend between the electrolysis cell and the burner, and the fan may be in fluid flow communication with a source of dilution gas (eg, ambient) and the burner. The second flow path may extend between the fan and the burner. The second flow path may be a separate flow path or may merge with the first flow path upstream of the combustor (ie, the second flow path may be in fluid flow communication with the first flow path). Accordingly, a method of preventing flashback in a plant may include providing sufficient dilution gas to the combustor under pressure to prevent flashback.

This alternative aspect has two advantages. First, the increased dilution air takes part in stabilizing the velocity of the gas flow to the burner. If there is a change in the current supplied to the electrolyser, the amount of gas produced will vary. The increased dilution air will reduce the deviation by increasing the total volume of gas delivered to the burner, thereby reducing the absolute deviation in the volume of gas flowing to the burner. Second, the increased dilution air will increase the size of the flame. This has the benefit of increasing the aesthetics of the unit. In particular, if the electrolytic cell is used in a fireplace, the increased size of the flame creates a more pleasing or realistic appearance. The amount of dilution air may be 1 to 5 times, preferably 1 to 3 times, the volume of gas the electrolyser is designed to produce when standard line current is available.

According to another alternative aspect of the invention, at least one fan or similar is used to provide dilution air in the combustion zone. The provision of dilution air can be used to prevent hydrogen from reaching explosive threshold concentrations if the igniter and other safety systems fail. The amount of dilution air is preferably sufficient to prevent the hydrogen from reaching explosive concentrations. Preferably, the fan directs sufficient air to the combustion zone to reduce the concentration of hydrogen in the combustion zone to less than half, and more preferably to less than one-tenth, the explosive threshold concentration. The amount of dilution air may be 5 to 200 times, preferably 5 to 100 times and more preferably 25 to 100 times the volume of gas that the electrolyser is designed to produce when standard line current is available. Preferably, the fan is activated automatically when the electrolysis cell is activated. If the device also comprises hydrogen storage means, the fan preferably also directs air into the storage area where the hydrogen storage means are located.

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, the appliance may have a sump positioned below the electrolysis tank. The sump is a water-impermeable, open-top container configured to hold received liquid. If the electrolysis cell leaks, the sump will receive fluid leaking from the electrolysis cell. Thus in the event of a leak, either surface on which the appliance rests will not be damaged. The volume of the sump may be at least the same as the liquid volume of the electrolytic tank, and preferably 1.5 or more times the volume of the electrolytic tank. The sump may alternatively be positioned below the overall piping of the unit transporting the fluid (eg, piping to an optional reservoir). The sump can be installed detachably. Thus, if the electrolyte solution leaks, it will remain in the sump and the sump can be disassembled and taken to a place such as a sink where the sump can be emptied. Alternatively, the sump could be sealable to allow the equipment to be returned for repair. In yet another alternative embodiment, the sump may extend below some or all of the cooking surface and also serve as a grease pan.

Illustrative examples of cooking appliances illustrating how some aspects may be combined in a single cooking appliance are shown in FIGS. 7-11. As shown therein, the grill 130 has a main housing 132 , an optional sump 134 , a grill surface 136 , and an optional cover 138 . It should be understood that the size of the utensil may be selected based on the desired cooking surface or aesthetic requirements of the grill surface 136 . It should be appreciated that the main housing 132 may include a base 196 and a bezel 198 that encapsulates components positioned on the base 196 (see, eg, FIG. 14 ). As shown in FIG. 14 , the bezel 198 is generally U-shaped such that only a single piece of plastic or metal may encapsulate the components mounted within the bezel 198 .

The appliance preferably has a cover movable between a closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 and an open position as illustrated in FIG. 8 . In the closed position, the lid provides a dome over the cooking surface and helps retain heat and moisture in the cooking area 140 above the grill surface 136 and below the lid 138 . Preferably, at least a portion of the cover (and more preferably all of the cover) is translucent or transparent (and more preferably transparent) to allow a user to observe food being cooked on the grill surface 136 . For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the cover 138 may have a sandwiched frame 192 and a transparent central portion 194, such as a glass or plastic plate that can be removed for cleaning. By using a sandwich wall construction with insulation or an air gap between the double walls, the outside temperature of the enclosure can be reduced and heat loss through the cover 138 can also be reduced.

Alternatively or additionally, cover 138 is positioned and configured to reflect infrared radiation received thereon towards the cooking surface (grill surface 136 ). For example, cover 138 may be made of aluminum or its lower surface may be treated to reflect infrared radiation (eg, it may be aluminized). Thus, the infrared radiation produced by the combustion of the hydrogen will be transmitted upwards through the opening of the grill and reflected downwards to the food on the grill 36, thereby assisting in cooking the upper surface of the food in the cooking zone. It will be appreciated that there may be provided an upper member positioned below the cover to reflect infrared radiation. In yet another alternative embodiment, if the grill 130 has an upper cooking surface, the upper cooking surface preferably has openings to allow infrared radiation to be transmitted upwards to the lid or upper member and then reflected downwards to aid in cooking the grill surface 136. on the upper surface of the food.

Alternatively or additionally, the cover 138 is movably mounted between a closed position in which the cover 138 is positioned above the lower cooking surface and an open position in which a user has access to the food being cooked. Cover 138 can be movably mounted by any means known in the art, such as a pivot pin.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one (and preferably each) of the pan 134, the grill surface 136 and the cover 138 are removably mounted such that they can be removed for cleaning, storage or transportation. The pan 134, grill surface 136 and cover 138 can be removably mounted by any means known in the art. As shown in FIG. 7 , the main housing is provided with spaced apart hooks 142 and the cover 138 is provided with a generally U-shaped member 144 removably received on the hooks 142 . Preferably, at least one (and preferably each) of the pan 134, the grill surface 136 and the cover 138 is dishwasher safe.

It should be understood that if the grill surface 136 is electrically heated, the electric heating element contained in the grill surface 136 must be electrically connected to a power source when the grill surface 136 is reinserted into the main housing 132 . Accordingly, main housing 132 may have electrical contacts, and when grill surface 136 is mounted to main housing 132 , the electrical heating element is connected to the electrical contacts. For example, the grill surface 136 may have a first mounting member and the main housing 132 may have a second mounting member, the first and second mounting members engaging with each other such that when the first and second mounting members are engaged with each other , the grill surface 136 is mounted to the main housing 132 and the electric heating element is electrically connected to the cooking appliance. This may be done if the first and second mounting members comprise electrically conductive members. Thus, simply by installing the grill surface 136 in the main housing 132, the electrical heating element can be automatically connected electrically. Any electrical contact known in the art may be used.

The pan 134 and the grill surface 136 may be removably mounted as a unit or each can be removably mounted separately. It should be understood that if one of the pan 134 and the grill surface 136 is removably mounted, the other need not be so, as long as all parts of the other element are accessible for cleaning when the other element is removed. For example, if pan 134 is removably mounted, all portions of grill surface 136 are accessible for cleaning when pan 134 is removed.

Alternatively, the cooker may be designed such that if one or both of the cooking surface and the saucer are removed from the cooker, the electrolyzer will not function or will stop functioning. For example, a cooking appliance may have an electrical circuit that electrically connects the electrolytic cell to a power source, and the electrical circuit includes a detector. A detector detects the presence of at least one of the cooking surface and the saucer in the cookware, and the circuit isolates the electrolytic cell from the power source (eg, the switch is open) when the at least one of the cooking surface and the saucer is removed from the cookware. In particular, the electrical circuit can be broken when the grill surface 136 with the electric heating element is detached from the main housing 132, thereby removing the electric heating element from the contacts in the main housing 132 and breaking the electrical circuit including the electrolytic cell.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pan 134, the grill surface 136, and the cover 138 are each configured to reduce the shipping volume of the appliance. It will be appreciated that when the pan 134, grill surface 136 and cover 138 are arranged in a different manner and nest, or partially nest, the bulk of the appliance can be reduced. Therefore, it is preferred that the pan 134, the grill surface 136 and the cover 138 (if provided) are each separate elements and are placed in a nested fashion in the kit when packaging the appliance. For example, oil pan 134 and cover 138 may be sized such that one may nest partially or fully within the other. Thus, these elements can be located in a kit reducing the bulk of the package. The grill surface 136 may be generally planar and positioned adjacent to the nested elements or may be retained within the main housing 132 .

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the appliance includes a rack 146 or other means having a groove 148 to receive the pan 134 , the grill surface 136 and the cover 138 in a generally vertically aligned position. Accordingly, the pan 134 may be partially nested within the cover 138 and the grill surface 136 may be positioned adjacent the pan 134 . It should be appreciated that the mount 146 preferably includes portions of the feet that contact the surface on which the implement is placed, thereby helping to stabilize the implement when in use. It will be appreciated that the mount 146 provides a means of securing the pan 134, the grill surface 136 and the cover 138 after they have been washed but not yet dry. When the pan 134, the grill surface 136 and the cover 138 are installed in the rack 146, they can drip dry.

The embodiment of Figures 8-11 also illustrates a further alternative preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the electrolysis cell or the housing in which the electrolysis cell is located comprises a spine of the device. According to this alternative embodiment, some (and preferably all) of the elements making up the apparatus are mounted and detachably mounted to the electrolysis cell or to the housing in which the electrolysis cell is provided. Thus, the electrolysis cell or the housing in which the electrolysis cell is located comprises the central structure of the plant. For example, if the appliance is a cooking appliance, one or more of the pan 134, the grill surface 136, and the cover 138 are preferably mounted to or housing the electrolytic cell, and more preferably are removably mounted to the electrolytic cell. Or set the casing of the electrolyzer. As shown in Figures 8-11, the main housing 132 has a flat base that rests on a surface such as a dining table, kitchen counter. The weight of the electrolyzer in the main housing 132 is balanced by the weight of the sump 134 , grill surface 136 and cover 138 mounted to the main housing 132 . Alternatively, it is understood that feet may be provided, and if so, are preferably mounted to the main housing 132 or to an electrolysis cell disposed therein. One advantage of this design is to reduce the size of the appliance, preferably a household appliance, and more preferably a cooking appliance. Thus, the cooking appliance will be easier to install on the counter deck in the kitchen.

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, either cooking appliance may include a fan to provide forced convection in the cooking zone. Fans can be positioned to provide forced convection in the cooking area. A cooking zone is the volume in an appliance that is heated for cooking or reheating food, and may be defined by: a lower cooking surface (eg, grill surface 136) and lid 138; a lower cooking surface and an upper cooking surface 200 (see FIG. 14 ); or in the case of a rotisserie grill, the area between the base of the unit and the cover of the unit.

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, the cooking zone may have a vertical height of 1/16 to 4 inches, preferably 1/4 to 2 inches, and more preferably 3/4 to 1.5 inches. vertical height. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the lower cooking surface 136 can be of a fixed height and the upper cooking surface 200 can be slidably moved on the vertically extending track 202 by any means known in the art. For example, the pin 204 can be slidable in the track 202 and lockable at a preset position or at any desired position. The bezel 198 of the main housing 132 may have the opening 136 disposed in front of the track 202 . It should be appreciated that the upper cooking surface 200 can be pivotally mounted by means of the pivot pin 224 .

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, the vertical height of the cooking zone can be adjusted. For example, at least one (and preferably each) of the lower cooking surface (grill surface 136 ) and upper member (eg, lid 138 or upper cooking member) is movable relative to the other.

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, a fan may be provided to pass air through the filter member. Fans can also cause forced convection to occur in the cooking area. The filter member may be, for example, a porous filter media, a cyclone filter and/or an electrostatic filter. Exhaust air from the filter member may be directed into an area outside the cooking zone, such as a room in which the cooking utensils are located, or back into the cooking zone, preferably to induce a convective airflow. As illustrated in Figure 14, motor 216 drives fan blades 218 that draw air through filter media 220 and back into the cooking area.

The number of electrodes can vary in order to produce the required amount of hydrogen. Thus, the volume of the electrolytic cell can be determined partly by the number of electrodes required. In some implementations, the required volume of the electrolytic cell may require an increase in the overall volume of the device so that the housing of the device can receive the electrolytic cell. According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, the household appliance includes a plurality of electrolysis cells instead of just one. Thus, the required number of electrodes can be provided by including in the household appliance a first electrolyser with a first number of electrodes and a second electrolyser with a second number of electrodes, wherein the combined two electrolysers collectively provide the required number of electrodes. It should be understood that one or more electrolytic cells may be provided. A plurality of electrolysis cells may be positioned in the household appliance such that the volume of the household appliance having the plurality of electrolysis cells is smaller than that of the same household appliance if it included a single electrolysis cell with the same number of electrodes as in the plurality of electrolysis cells volume. Preferably, a domestic appliance having a plurality of electrolytic cells has a smaller footprint than the same domestic appliance comprising a single electrolytic cell having the same number of electrodes as in said plurality of electrolytic cells. Multiple cells may be connected in series and/or in parallel and may be positioned one behind the other (the front side of a trailing cell being closest to the rear side of a cell positioned before the trailing cell) or one above the other (see Figure 12 ). In particular, as shown in FIG. 12, a heat sink 190 may be disposed adjacent the upper and lower surfaces of each electrolytic cell 54 to allow heat dissipation. The heat sink may include a plurality of pin fins or other heat radiating or dissipating members. It should be understood that the heat sink may also be provided on any other desired surface of the electrolytic cell 54 and may be integrally formed as part of the wall of the electrolytic cell 54 . For example, the heat sink may be integrally formed with the walls, bottom panel and top panel of the electrolysis cell housing, such as by casting or extrusion. Alternatively, they may be formed separately and then be in thermal communication with the electrolytic cell 54, for example by adhering to its surface. Heat sink 190 and/or electrical control package 214 may be cooled by fan blades 222 driven by motor 216 .

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, the household appliance comprises lighting means to illuminate the burning area. The lighting member may include a member that is positioned in the burning area and that emits light when heated. For example, the lighting member may be a light emitting diode, fluorescent lamp, neon lamp, phosphor lamp, or any other lighting device or combination thereof known in the art and pulsed to produce better illumination or visibility of a particular effect , eg freeze the location of a flickering flame or rising bubbles in the injector, or the lighting member may be a material such as a glass or ceramic element heated by the flame to produce visible light and/or a visible flame. The lighting means may be provided in the electrolyte solution or in the optional injector or optional level conduit. The lighting member may glow when heated by the hydrogen flame, or burn or undergo a chemical reaction or physically degrade when heated by the hydrogen flame to produce a visual indicating the presence of the flame. Alternatively, the lighting member, such as a mirror, may reflect, and preferably reflect and magnify, the hydrogen flame to increase the user's visibility of the hydrogen flame. An advantage of this embodiment is that the hydrogen flame produces little or no visible light and is difficult to observe. The lighting means thus provides the user with a visual confirmation that the electrolysis cell is working and warns the user of the presence of the flame so that the user cannot accidentally touch the flame. If the household appliance is a fireplace, the lighting member produces or enhances the aesthetic appearance of the burning flame.

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, the cooking temperature is adjustable, preferably by varying at least one of the heat source temperature and the temperature in the cooking zone (and optionally both). This can be done by one or more of changing the distance between the heat source and the cooking support, providing dilution air to the cooking area, changing the amount of dilution air to the cooking area, changing the amount of combustible gas produced by the electrolyzer, and changing the size of the flame Instead change the cooking temperature. For example, a cooking appliance may have a cooking support (such as a cooking surface or the stem of a rotisserie grill) and a burner, wherein at least one of the cooking support and the burner is movable relative to the cooking support. Therefore, the distance between the burned hydrogen and the food can be adjusted. Thus, the temperature at which the food is cooked can be adjusted by manually moving (and preferably vertically moving) one or both of the cooking support and the burner. Alternatively or additionally, the power provided to the electric heating element can be adjustable. Alternatively or additionally, the power provided to the electrolysis cell can be adjustable. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the orifice of the burner port can be adjustable. Alternatively or additionally, the amount of diluent gas combined with the combustible gas can be adjustable.

According to yet another alternative aspect of the invention, the cooking device includes a flavoring container. Preferably, the flavor container is heat resistant and positioned in or above the combustion zone. Preferably, the flavoring agent comprises a liquid and the flavoring agent container is configured to deliver flavoring agent to at least one of the burning zone and a location above the burning zone, and to food in the cooking zone. Flavorings may be solid or liquid, such as garlic juice, red, green or other peppers, fruit, vegetable including but not limited to orange, lemon, lime, strawberry, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and may be obtained by, for example, placing the flavoring in In a cup in the flame zone or in a hot plume or fluid that can be vaporized by electrical heating and deliver the vapor to the flame zone, or from the flame to a hot plume, or to a gas plume at a temperature of 650 degrees Fahrenheit in the food area below.

It will be appreciated that each aspect of the invention is preferably used individually, or in combination with other aspects of the invention, in a cooking appliance, and preferably in a portable cooking appliance.

It will be appreciated that in the aspects of the invention, used individually or in combination with other aspects of the invention, the combustible gas used is produced by the electrolyser and the combustible gas includes hydrogen produced by the electrolyser.

Claims (15)

1. A cooking utensil comprising: (a) an electrolyzer; (b) burners; (c) a combustible fuel flow path extending between said electrolyzer and said burner; (d) the lower cooking surface; (e) oil pans; and (f) an electrical circuit for electrically connecting said cell to a power source, said electrical circuit including a detector, Wherein at least one of the lower cooking surface and the oil pan is detachably mounted to the cooking appliance, the detector detects at least one of the lower cooking surface and the oil pan in the cooking appliance The presence of one of said lower cooking surface and said saucer, said circuit isolating said electrolytic cell from said power source when at least one of said lower cooking surface and said saucer is removed from said cooking appliance. 2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the power supply includes a plug removably receivable in a household socket. 3. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the lower cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface. 4. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the lower cooking surface comprises an electric heating member. 5. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking surface has an electrical heating element, the detector includes electrical contacts, and the electrical heating element is connected to the electrical heating element when mounted to the cooking appliance. contacts. 6. A cooking appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cooking surface has a first mounting member, the cooking appliance has a second mounting member comprising electrical contacts, the first and second mounting members engage each other, Thereby when the first and second mounting members are engaged with each other, the cooking surface is mounted to the cooking appliance and the electric heating element is electrically connected to the cooking appliance. 7. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking appliance is portable. 8. A cooking appliance comprising: (a) electrolyzers for the production of combustible fuels; (b) a gas burner downstream of the electrolytic cell, the gas burner having a burner port; and (c) A cooking surface having an opening therein, said cooking surface positioned above said burner and comprising a food receiving surface having generally V-shaped corrugations. 9. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein the cooking surface is removably mounted to the cooking appliance. 10. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein the cooking surface is electrically heated. 11. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein the cooking surface comprises a food receiving surface and an electric heating member. 12. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the food receiving surface and the electric heating member form a single component. 13. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the food receiving surface is removably mounted to the electric heating member. 14. The cooking appliance of claim 8, further comprising a plug removably receivable in a household socket. 15. The cooking appliance of claim 14, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises a spine of the cooking appliance.