Abstract: A gas cooker comprises temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the bottom face of a pan and issuing a temperature signal and an heat control circuit for controlling the amount of heat issued from the gas burner based on said temperature signal. The temperature detection means is placed in a zone of the cooker around the burner and shielding means are provided in order to reduce the influence of the burner flame on the temperature detection means.

Abstract: A method for reducing displacement of a wash basket that is rotatable about an axis of rotation within a washing machine. The method comprises the steps of: mounting a balancing ring to the basket in the plane that is generally perpendicular to a rotation axis of the basket. Another step is supporting the wash basket by a tuned suspension structure to the machine and determining two resonance critical frequencies for two translational degrees of freedom and three resonance rotational frequencies for the three rotational degrees of freedom of the suspension structure. The method also comprises the step of tuning the suspension structure so that the two critical frequencies of translation each occur at or below a critical first motor speed and so that the three rotational frequencies occur at a second speed that is above the critical rotation speed.

Abstract: A beverage container holder that is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of beverage containers, including containers of different heights and diameters for both tapered-wall containers and straight-wall containers. The beverage container includes a convection air flow generator for supplying conditioned air around the beverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining load unbalance in an appliance is provided for an appliance having a vessel configured to receive a supply of material and rotatable about an axis. A control is arranged and configured to accelerate a rotation of the vessel between a series of constant rotational speeds, measure an amount of current with which the motor draws in rotating the vessel at each of the rotational speeds and during each acceleration period, compare the amount of current with a calculated threshold value for each speed and each acceleration period and send a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if the amount of energy exceeds the precalculated threshold value. The vessel may be rotated by use of an electric motor such as a controlled induction motor and the control can be used to measure the electric current drawn by the motor. The threshold values can further be adjusted by comparing the actual line voltage supplied to the motor with a predetermined nominal line voltage.

Abstract: A process for controlling a cooking operation in a microwave oven as well as a microwave oven therefor. Subsequent to a heating step at full power for bringing cooking liquid to the boil, foodstuff which is to be cooked is added, whereupon continued moisture sensor controlled heating begins, initially at full power, until boiling resumes, whereupon moisture sensor controlled simmering/boiling takes place during a cooking time. During an initial time period of the continued moisture sensor controlled heating, the moisture sensor action is inhibited.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating a front-loading washing machine with a washing aggregate comprising of a tub holding a rotatably-mounted drum suspended in the machine housing so as to be able to oscillate with a midaxis descending from front to back and equipped with an imbalance sensor that changes the rotation of the drum by means of a control program when an imbalance occurs in the spin cycle. In many cases of operation involving small amounts of sensitive types laundry an improved spin result can be achieved, by attending to the preset optimum filling amounts, taking into account the weight and absorbency, and by disabling the imbalance sensor and running the spin cycle at maximum speed.

Abstract: The invention provides a freezer system having a freezer, a thermoelectric device, and a controller. The freezer may include a compressor and a compartment, where the compartment may store subfreezing air. The thermoelectric device may be a temperature sensor positioned in thermal communication with the compartment. The controller may be coupled to the compressor and the thermoelectric device. The controller is configured to deliver power to the compressor based on a temperature signal and a control signal. The temperature signal may be from the thermoelectric device and the control signal may be selected from an off/on peak signal and an override signal.