Abstract: The disclosure relates to a door opening mechanism for a cooking device. The device includes a body defining a cooking chamber and a door operatively mounted to the body to provide access to the cooking chamber while maintaining a closed insulated barrier while in use. A sensor is mounted the body for providing a signal to retaining member when activated. A retaining member is mounted within the body to hold a latch attached to the door. The latch is released from the retaining member when a signal is provided by the sensor to the actuator retaining member that provides a positive drive force to release the latch and open the door.

Abstract: An exhaust vent apparatus for concealing an exhaust passage in a cooking appliance such as a microwave oven. The apparatus including at least one vent cover member engaged to cover the exhaust passage in flush alignment with a front surface of the oven in a closed position. A guide member is engaged to the vent cover member and aligned with the exhaust passage to provide substantially linear motion of the vent cover member when activated. The guide member may also provide limited arcuate motion. At least one displacement member coupled to the guide member for displacing the vent cover member to an open position in a generally parallel orientation relative to the surface, and the vent cover member being retracted to a closed position.

Abstract: An electric heating module for a room air conditioning system and methods are presented in which the duty cycle of the electric heater banks are controlled to limit the inrush current during the startup phase of the heater or to supplement the heat generated by the heat pump when the heat capacity of the heat pump nears the heat loss of the room being heated.

Abstract: An electric heating module for a room air conditioning system and methods are presented in which the duty cycle of the electric heater banks are controlled to limit the inrush current during the startup phase of the heater or to supplement the heat generated by the heat pump when the heat capacity of the heat pump nears the heat loss of the room being heated.