Unitary gas burner

Abstract

A gas burner and a gas burner assembly for an appliance are provided. The gas burner assembly includes a unitary gas burner comprising a body portion, a cap portion, and a gas conduit portion. A plurality of burner ports is defined in the sidewall of the body portion of the unitary gas burner. A gas burner is also provided. The gas burner comprises a body portion, a cap portion, and a gas conduit portion that are segments of a single piece forming the gas burner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gas burner assembly for a cooktop of an appliance, comprising:
 a unitary gas burner comprising
 a body portion having a sidewall and extending between a base section and a top section, the body portion having an interior surface defining a fuel chamber; 
 a cap portion defined at the top section of the sidewall; 
 a plurality of burner ports defined along the sidewall of the body portion; and 
 a gas conduit portion defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the gas outlet positioned adjacent the fuel chamber of the body portion; 
   an igniter; and   a gas supply conduit for supplying gas to the unitary gas burner.   
     
     
         2 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the unitary gas burner is constructed using an additive process. 
     
     
         3 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the unitary gas burner further comprises an interior support element projecting from the cap portion into the fuel chamber of the body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the interior support element is conical in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ports are round in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the body portion is curved. 
     
     
         7 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is frustum-shaped. 
     
     
         8 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the unitary gas burner further comprises an external support portion defined at the base section of the sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cap has a circumference that is greater than the circumference of the sidewall at the top section of the sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The gas burner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gas supply conduit is in fluid communication with the gas conduit portion of the unitary gas burner. 
     
     
         11 . A gas burner for a cooktop of an appliance, comprising:
 a body portion having a sidewall and extending between a base section and a top section, the body portion having an interior surface defining a fuel chamber;   a cap portion defined at the top section of the sidewall;   a plurality of burner ports defined along the sidewall of the body portion; and   a gas conduit portion defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the gas outlet positioned adjacent the fuel chamber of the body portion,   wherein the body portion, cap portion, and gas conduit portion are segments of a single, continuous piece of a material forming the gas burner.   
     
     
         12 . The gas burner of  claim 11 , wherein the gas burner is constructed using an additive process. 
     
     
         13 . The gas burner of  claim 11 , further comprising an interior support element projecting from the cap portion into the fuel chamber of the body portion. 
     
     
         14 . The gas burner of  claim 13 , wherein the interior support element is conical in shape. 
     
     
         15 . The gas burner of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of ports are round in shape. 
     
     
         16 . The gas burner of  claim 11 , wherein the interior surface of the body portion is curved. 
     
     
         17 . The gas burner of  claim 11 , wherein the body portion is frustum-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The gas burner of  claim 11 , further comprising an external support portion defined at the base section of the sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The gas burner of  claim 11 , wherein the cap has a circumference that is greater than the circumference of the sidewall at the top section of the sidewall.