Whirlpool 4322452 Service Manual page 47

The interaction between the thermostat and the safety valve is very important and critical to the
operation of the oven. The thermostat provides two separate functions each time it is turned on,
but first, we need to know what the thermostat does when it is in the "OFF" position. Even with the
thermostat in the "Off" position, a supply of gas from the manifold pipe is always available through
the thermostat to the oven pilot assembly. It supplies enough gas to maintain a constant or
"standing" pilot flame in the oven at all times (see Figure 4-4).
Standing Pilot
Assembly
When the thermostat is turned "ON" to any temperature, its primary function is to increase the flow
of gas to the oven pilot assembly so that the "standing" pilot flame enlarges to create a "larger
standing pilot" or a " heater pilot flame ." This larger flame is deflected by a flame spreader (see
Figure 4-5) to heat the sensing bulb from the safety valve and hydraulically open it.
Flame Spreader
Safety Valve
Sensing Bulb
Standing
Pilot Flame
Figure 4-4
Heater Pilot
Flame Spreads
Down To Sensing Bulb
Heater Pilot
Flame Wraps
Around Sensor
Page 4-3
T
OFF
A
P
N
L
The Standing Pilot
Thermostat Off
T
OFF
A
P
N
L
The Standing Pilot
Thermostat On
Figure 4-5