Hybrid gas surface burner

Abstract

A gas burner assembly is provided for a cooking appliance. The gas burner assembly comprises an outer gas burner configured to provide an outer cooking flame; and an inner infrared burner configured to provide an inner cooking flame. A gas cooking appliance is also provided that comprises a cooktop surface; and a gas burner assembly that comprises an outer gas burner configured to provide an outer cooking flame; and an inner infrared burner configured to provide an inner cooking flame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas burner assembly for a cooking appliance, said gas burner assembly comprising:
 an outer gas burner configured to provide an outer cooking flame; and   an inner infrared burner configured to provide an inner cooking flame.   
     
     
         2 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said inner infrared burner comprises an infrared ring and a reflector. 
     
     
         3 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said infrared ring comprises an annular ring that emits infrared energy inward toward said reflector. 
     
     
         4 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said infrared ring comprises an annular ring that emits infrared energy outward toward said reflector. 
     
     
         5 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said infrared ring comprises a stainless steel mesh material. 
     
     
         6 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said infrared ring is substantially vertical. 
     
     
         7 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said reflector comprises one or more of a ceramic material, stainless steel, and a high temperature alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said inner infrared burner comprises an infrared surface which extends over a central region of the assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said inner infrared surface comprises a substantially dome shaped surface. 
     
     
         10 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a glass cover over said inner infrared burner. 
     
     
         11 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said outer gas burner and said inner infrared burner are substantially concentric. 
     
     
         12 . A gas cooking appliance comprising:
 a cooktop surface; and   a gas burner assembly comprising:   an outer gas burner configured to provide an outer cooking flame; and   an inner infrared burner configured to provide an inner cooking flame.   
     
     
         13 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 12 , wherein said inner infrared burner comprises a reflector and an infrared ring that emits infrared energy toward said reflector. 
     
     
         14 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 13 , wherein said infrared ring comprises an annular ring disposed outwardly of said reflector. 
     
     
         15 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 13 , wherein said infrared ring comprises an annular ring disposed inwardly of said reflector. 
     
     
         16 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 13 , wherein said infrared ring is substantially vertical. 
     
     
         17 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 13 , wherein said reflector comprises one or more of a ceramic material, stainless steel, and a high temperature alloy. 
     
     
         18 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 12 , wherein said inner infrared burner comprises a substantially dome-shaped infrared surface. 
     
     
         19 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 12 , further comprising a glass cover over said inner infrared burner. 
     
     
         20 . The gas cooking appliance of  claim 12 , wherein said outer gas burner and said inner infrared burner are substantially concentric.