Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating system, particularly an induction heating system of a cooktop on which a cooking utensil with a certain contents is placed for heating/cooking purposes, comprises the steps of carrying out a predetermined number “n” of electrical measurements of a first electrical parameter of the heating system on the basis of a predetermined electrical value of a second electrical parameter, “n” being ?2, repeating the above set of measurements at a predetermined time after the first measurements, and estimating at least one thermal parameter of the heating system, particularly of the contents of the cooking utensil, on the basis of the above set of measurements.

Abstract: Operations such as adding food or flipping or otherwise manipulating food in an item of cookware being heated may be detected by comparing with a threshold the time derivative of a sensed temperature and/or of heating power absorbed by an item of cookware, wherein the heating power is provided by an induction cooktop operated in order to keep constant the temperature value sensed by the sensors coupled to the item of cookware.

Abstract: A method for calculating the humidity level in a cooking apparatus is disclosed. The method includes heating a food load in a cooking cavity of the cooking apparatus and selectively activating a convection fan in the cooking cavity. The method further includes monitoring a humidity signal detected by a humidity sensing apparatus in response to the activation of the convection fan. As a result of the activation of the convection fan, the method may determine an actual humidity level from a plurality of humidity levels based on a change in the humidity signal.

Abstract: A combination washer/dryer having a cabinet defining an interior, a tub provided within the interior, and a drum rotatably provided within the tub and defining a treating chamber, an induction coil carried by the tub and generating a magnetic field encompassing at least a portion of the container, and a cooling element providing on at least one of the tub or closure to form a cooled surface in fluid communication with the treating chamber.

Abstract: A method for estimating a temperature measurement of an item of cookware being heated is provided. The method includes (1) placing a cookware item containing water, on a cooking plate; (2) powering an electric heating circuit with a first power for a first time interval to heat the cookware item as far as the water contained therein boils, wherein said first time interval is determined so as said temperature sensor senses a first steady state temperature value; (3) powering said electric heating circuit with a second power for a second time interval to heat the cookware item to keep boiling the water contained therein, wherein said second time interval is determined so as said temperature sensor attains a second steady state temperature value; and (4) determining, as a function of said first steady state temperature value and of said second steady state temperature value, an induction cooktop gain.

Abstract: A front-load laundry appliance including an in-door condensing system with an air-to-air condenser that forms an air cooling loop inside an in-door cavity. The air cooling loop is a tube that extends in a flat spiral to form multiple loops that gradually increase in radius. The in-door condensing system includes an in-door circulation fan and a heat exchanger fan. The in-door circulation is positioned in the in-door cavity and is arranged to pull moist air from inside the laundry compartment into the in-door cavity where it condenses. The heat exchanger fan is also positioned in the in-door cavity and is arranged to pull cooling air from outside the laundry appliance into the air cooling loop. The air cooling loop of the in-door condenser may alternatively receive a cooling air flow from a chiller located inside the laundry appliance.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance comprising a combination washer/dryer having a cabinet defining an interior, a tub provided within the interior, and a drum rotatably provided within the tub and defining a treating chamber, and a method of operation which includes a washing cycle, a spinning cycle and a drying cycle.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus includes an induction coil forming a top surface and a bottom surface. The induction coil includes a plurality of conductive windings. A temperature sensor protrudes through the top surface of the induction coil. An electrical circuit is in communication with the temperature sensor. The electrical circuit is disposed on a substrate, which may form a chassis configured to support a plurality of conductive connections. The substrate forms a spring mechanism in connection with the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method of heating a load in a cavity using microwaves wherein the microwaves provide mode fields in the cavity includes obtaining a desired temperature pattern within said cavity based on information about regions of the load. A heating pattern in the cavity is determined and comprises zones of different intensities corresponding to the desired temperature pattern. A zone of higher intensity in the determined heating pattern corresponds to a region of higher temperature in the desired temperature pattern. The method also includes controlling one or more independently controllable microwave generators or feeding ports so the mode fields form the determined heating pattern and thereby heat the load according to the desired temperature pattern.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus includes a plurality of induction coils arranged in at least one array. At least one beam structure is configured to support the at least one array of induction coils. At least one electrical circuit is in connection with the at least one beam structure and in communication with each of the plurality of induction coils forming the at least one array. At least one inverter assembly is configured to drive the induction coils. The electrical circuit and the inverter assembly form a connection interface including a plurality of mating connectors. The mating connectors of the connection interface electrically connect the array with the inverter assembly.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus includes a plurality of induction coils arranged in an array. The induction coils include conductive windings and at least one foil. The at least one foil includes magnetically permeable material extending beneath the plurality of induction coils.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus including a cooktop panel, induction coil, controller, and temperature sensor assembly. A temperature sensor and guiding support are positioned in sliding engagement in an opening in the center of the induction coil where an upper end of the temperature sensor sits above a top surface of the induction coil. The controller includes a first circuit board that supplies electricity to the induction coil. A second circuit board, separate from the first circuit board, is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and includes a cantilevered leaf-spring structure that supports the temperature sensor. The guiding support is a load bearing structure that transmits a biasing force created by deflection of the cantilevered leaf-spring structure to the temperature sensor, which operates to hold the temperature sensor in contact with a lower surface of the cooktop panel.

Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating device includes supplying current from a D.C. power supply into a resonant load and emitting the current from the resonant load. The current is directionally conducted from the output node of the resonant load to a switching node downstream from the output node. The current conducted through the resonant load is controlled with a switching device.

Abstract: A control circuit for an induction heating device includes a D.C. power supply, referenced to a ground connection and configured to supply power to the induction heating device. A switching device is configured to be selectively activated to control the induction heating device. The switching device is connected on one end to the ground connection. A resonant load is disposed between the D.C. power supply and the switching device, the resonant load including a capacitor and an inductor connected in a parallel configuration. At least one rectifying device is disposed in series with the resonant load and the switching device. The switching device is configured to control current from the D.C. power supply through the resonant load.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heating operation of an induction cooktop includes generating a direct current (DC) power from an alternating current (AC) power source. The DC power is supplied to a first resonant inverter and a second resonant inverter via a power supply bus. A switching frequency of each of the first resonant inverter and the second resonant inverter is controlled and in response to the switching frequency supplied to a plurality of induction coils of the resonant inverters, an electromagnetic field is generated. A selective tuning operation of the first resonant inverter or the second resonant inverter includes controlling a connection of a capacitor to either the first resonant inverter or the second resonant inverter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an induction cooktop. The induction cooktop comprises a ceramic cooking surface in connection with a housing. A plurality of inductors is disposed in the housing and each of the inductors is in communication with an automatic control system. The automatic control system is configured to check for the presence of a cooking pan on the cooktop in order to prevent the inductors from activating in the absence of the cooking pan. The automatic control system is activated upon receiving an activation command.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance comprises a cavity in which an ozone generating device is placed. The ozone generating device is configured to maintain in the cavity a concentration of ozone between 0.04 and 0.12 ppm, more preferably between 0.06 and 0.1 ppm.

Abstract: A method for operating an induction cooking hob including a plurality of inductors in association with induction resonant inverters operating in load-dependent frequency ranges includes a simultaneous activation of inductors, in at least one phase of the control period, independently from their association to one or more overlying cooking utensils but only according to at least partial overlapping of associated operating frequency ranges.

Abstract: A method for calculating the humidity level in a cooking apparatus is disclosed. The method includes heating a food load in a cooking cavity of the cooking apparatus and selectively activating a convection fan in the cooking cavity. The method further includes monitoring a humidity signal detected by a humidity sensing apparatus in response to the activation of the convection fan. As a result of the activation of the convection fan, the method may determine an actual humidity level from a plurality of humidity levels based on a change in the humidity signal.

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance comprising a combination washer/dryer having a cabinet defining an interior, a tub provided within the interior, and a drum rotatably provided within the tub and defining a treating chamber, and a method of operation which includes a washing cycle, a spinning cycle and a drying cycle.