Abstract: In a method for a cooktop, in particular for producing and/or operating the cooktop, which has at least one variable cooking surface, the cooking surface is partitioned in an operating mode along a partitioning direction into a plurality of heating zones to which at least one heating parameter is assigned in each case in a location-dependent manner in order to heat a cooking utensil that is deposited on the heating zone. In order to ensure flexible production and/or flexible operation of the cooktop, during partitioning of the cooking surface into the heating zones in at least one peripheral region of the cooking surface, at least one cooking utensil characteristic is taken into account.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for flagging a location on an object with a light image so that when a line of sight of the object is later obstructed, the light flagged location is known available to be utilized. A light is projected onto a cooktop to flag a burner location in order to use that location for centering of a pot over on burner when the pot being placed on the burner obstructs the line of sight of the cook to the burner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are induction heating articles and vessels and methods for applying insulating coatings thereto. In one aspect, an induction heating vessel of the present invention includes a ferromagnetic substrate and an insulating coating layer attached to the substrate, the insulating coating layer being characterized by a thermal conductivity of less than about 1.0 W/mK and a Shore A hardness of less than about 70.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus is disclosed. The cooking apparatus includes a capacitance detector and a cookware detection controller. The capacitance detector is configured to detect capacitance using two or more electrodes arranged on one side of each of a plurality of induction heating coils. The cookware detection controller is configured to identify an induction heating coil corresponding to a position where cookware is placed among the plurality of induction heating coils when it is determined that the cookware is placed on a cooking plate based on the capacitance.

Abstract: An induction heating device includes a case, a cover plate, a working coil, a base plate, a light guide that is located around the working coil and includes a light-emitting surface that indicates an output intensity of the working coil or an operation state of the working coil, and a light-emitting element that emits light toward the light guide. The light guide includes a light-guiding portion that has a lower surface having a parabolic shape and an upper surface including the light-emitting surface in which the upper surface extends in a first direction farther than the lower surface, and a light-guiding support that couples to the base plate, that surrounds at least a portion of the light-guiding portion, and that reflects, toward the light-guiding portion, at least one of light that has been emitted from the light-emitting element or light that has been guided through the light-guiding portion.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes first and second heating elements and a controller operably connected to the first and second heating elements. The controller is configured for receiving a signal from a temperature sensor associated with a cooking utensil. The controller is also configured for activating the first heating element at a heating level that is higher than a heating level of the second heating element for a testing period, and monitoring the temperature associated with the cooking utensil during the testing period. The controller is configured for determining that the cooking utensil is located on the first heating element when a value of the monitored temperature is greater than a predefined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking hob (10) including at least two cooking zones (16, 18) and a balance system for adjusting the temperature of a cooking vessel (20) after said cooking vessel (20) has been moved from a first cooking zone (16) to a second cooking zone (18). The cooking zones (16, 18) comprise or correspond with a vessel recognition device in each case. The cooking hob (10) includes a sensor device for detecting the temperature of the first cooking zone (16). The balance system is provided for activating a boosted power level (30) at the second cooking zone (18) for an estimated time in order to compensate the energy loss (Qs) of the cooking vessel (20) during setting said cooking vessel (20) on the second cooking zone (18).

Abstract: An induction hob has a hob plate, a plurality of induction heating coils which are arranged below the hob plate, and a plurality of sensor coils which are arranged below the hob plate and above the induction heating coils, and also temperature sensors. The sensor coils and the temperature sensors are arranged on a flexible support and electrical conductors make electrical contact with the sensor coils on the flexible support. The flexible support has a single common connection device for electrical contact to be made.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cooking hob with one or more induction coils covered by a cookware and forming a cooking zone. All induction coils of the cooking zone are alternately activated. The method includes setting an average power to be transferred to the cookware by a user, determining a frequency, estimating a maximum average power if all induction coils of the cooking zone would be activated with said frequency, estimating a percentage power defined as quotient between the set average power and the estimated maximum average power, estimating a calculated number of coils defined as product of the number of coils within the cooking zone and the percentage power, defining a minimum number of simultaneously activated coils within the cooking zone by an integer value of the calculated number, and defining a temporal activation of a further one of the coils by a fractional part of the calculated number.

Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating device configured for user inhalation of a generated aerosol, including a heater element configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate; a power source connected to the heater element; and a controller connected to the heater element and to the power source, wherein the controller is configured to control the power supplied to the heater element from the power source to maintain the temperature of the heater element at a target temperature, and is configured to monitor changes in the temperature of the heater element or changes in the power supplied to the heater element to detect a change in air flow past the heater element indicative of a user inhalation. The controller may determine when a user has inhaled and may use this for dynamic control of the device as well as provide user inhalation data for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a plurality of heating elements, a user interface for inputting a power level, a detection assembly for detecting a position and size of at least one cookware element, and a control unit designed to combine a plurality of heating elements into a heating zone depending on the detected size and position of the cookware element and to operate the heating elements of the heating zone with a total heat output. In order to ensure a reproducible total heat output, the control unit is designed to calculate a bottom surface of the cookware element from the measurands of the detection assembly and to determine the total heat output depending on power level and bottom surface.

Abstract: A method for checking an ideal position of a cooking pot above an induction coil of an induction cooking hob is provided. The method includes the steps of: detecting a first parameter related to the power of the electromagnetic field and/or to the position of the cooking pot above the induction coil, detecting a second parameter related to the power of the electromagnetic field and/or to the position of the cooking pot above the induction coil, comparing the detected first and second parameters with a stored relationship between the first and second parameters and the position of the cooking pot above the induction coil, determining a deviation of the position of the cooking pot from the ideal position above the induction coil, and outputting at least one signal corresponding with the deviation of the position of the cooking pot from the ideal position, if the deviation exceeds a minimum value.

Abstract: A hob and methods for operating such a hob. The hob includes a cooking surface adapted to receive a number of pots. A user interface allows a user to select and adjust at least one parameter of a cooking zone associated to a pot while indicating the number of pots on the selected cooking zone and a pot detection unit to detect the presence and non-presence of pots on the cooking surface. The hob further includes a control unit that cooperates with the pot detection unit and the user interface to control the function of commands received through the user interface. The control unit can cause a selection of a certain cooking zone and provide a corresponding indication that the certain cooking zone is from now on selected, if temporal interruption of a presence of a pot on the certain cooking zone was detected.

Abstract: A steering wheel system for vehicle includes a steering wheel configured to be gripped by an occupant and a first electrode positioned within a first sensing zone on the steering wheel. The first electrode is configured to generate heat when a first signal is supplied to the first electrode. The first electrode is configured to be used to determine the proximity of a hand of an occupant of the vehicle to the first sensing zone when a second signal is supplied to the first electrode. The steering wheel system also includes a controller configured to control the supply of the first and second signals to the first electrode based on the proximity of the hand of the occupant to the first sensing zone.

Abstract: An induction cooking device includes a control unit and a plurality of light-emitting parts. The control unit includes a heating control unit that controls the output of an inverter circuit and a light-emission control unit that controls the light emission. When receiving a command for starting with one heating coil, the control unit turns on only the light-emitting parts provided near the outer circumference of the heating coil for starting heating, and when receiving a command for starting heating with two or more adjacent heating coils, the control unit turns off the light-emitting parts disposed between the heating coils for starting heating among the light-emitting parts provided near the outer circumference of each one of the heating coils for starting heating, and turns on the remaining light-emitting parts.

Abstract: Planar electrode system and method of manufacturing same, comprising at least one foil-type, electrically conductive planar electrode, a connection for connecting it to an external operating apparatus/control apparatus, and also at least one substrate layer, protective layer and/or insulation layer arranged on the surface of the planar electrode, which system comprises a foil-type planar electrode construction fitted into a continuous foil construction and comprising a least one foil-type electrode (101, 111), which planar electrode construction is fitted to operate both as a planar sensor, in which case it can be connected via a sensor connection (103) to a sensor control apparatus (SC101), and in electrical heating action, in which case it can be connected via an electrical heating connection (113) to an electrical heating control apparatus (HC111).

Abstract: A method for heating a container (Ri) placed on a cooktop including heating elements which are associated respectively with inductors which form elements for detecting the presence of the container and are distributed along a frame which is embodied such that it is two-dimensional in a cooking area. The method includes searching (E20) a heating area (Zi) having the heating elements arrangement which are at least partially covered by the container and computing (E60) a power supplied by each heating element of the heating area (Zi) according to a total specified power (Pi) associated thereto and the degree of coverage of each detection element associated to heating element by the container (Ri). Utilization, in particular, is for an inductive cooktop.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity and a control system having a control display adapted to display an interactive sequence of display screens through which a user enters a cooking recipe. The sequence of display screens includes a cooking mode selection screen, a cooking temperature selection screen, a cooking monitoring selection screen from which a user selects from a probe monitoring process or a timer monitoring process, and a review screen for prompting the user to review the cooking mode, cooking temperature, and method of monitoring selections. The system allows a user to add additional stages to create a multi-stage recipe.

Abstract: A heating plate for a substrate support assembly in a semiconductor plasma processing apparatus, comprises multiple independently controllable planar heater zones arranged in a scalable multiplexing layout, and electronics to independently control and power the planar heater zones. Each planar heater zone uses at least one diode as a heater element. A substrate support assembly in which the heating plate is incorporated includes an electrostatic clamping electrode and a temperature controlled base plate. Methods for manufacturing the heating plate include bonding together ceramic or polymer sheets having planar heater zones, power supply lines, power return lines and vias.

Abstract: A cooktop, having at least one burner and at least one control. Each burner may be associated with a particular control. A burner sensor detects the presence of a pot on the burner. When a pot is detected, an illuminated path is activated between the burner and its associated control. A control sensor detects a user's proximity to the control. When a user is detected, the illuminated path is also activated. Alternatively, a lighting effect is used to highlight the associated burner and control. Alternatively, each burner is associated with a burner selector button or burner user selection interface, and a controller is used to adjust the parameters of a burner selected using the burner selector button. A communication link may be provided between the cooktop and a hood, and a display provided on the hood to indicate burner status, as well as other settings such as timer progress.

Abstract: A self-regulated food warmer that blows hot air onto food whenever a weight is placed on its food shelf. The self-regulated food warmer conserves energy by powering down when not in use, utilizes hot air to keep food warm, eliminates the costs of replacing heat lamps, and eliminates dangerously hot plates.

Abstract: A cook top appliance that can detect a food deposit on the cook top surface from a spill or boil-over is provided. A sensor zone that surrounds a heating source is used to detect the food deposit. Based on the detection of the food deposit, the cook top appliance can take one or more remedial actions to e.g., notify the user and/or modify the operation of the heating source. A variety of configurations of the sensor zone are described.

Abstract: In a method for operating a cooking zone of a cook top, wherein the cooking zone is formed by at least two cooking sub-zones and each cooking sub-zone can be heated by at least one heating unit, with the heating units arranged adjacent to each other without overlapping such that a cohesive heatable surface is formed during a joint operation of the cooking sub-zones, the cooking sub-zones are operated as a single cooking zone in a first operating mode, and occupancy of a cooking sub-zone by at least one food preparation vessel is detected in the first operating mode, with an occupancy detection phase being started in a user-defined manner.

Abstract: Provided are a cooking apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The cooking apparatus senses the size of a cooking vessel, or more specifically, the undersurface area of the cooking vessel, and selectively operates heaters accordingly. Therefore, food can be more efficiently cooked.

Abstract: Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burner, in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.

Abstract: A system for improving the safety of a stove by preventing unwanted movement of cooking vessels in use on the stove. The system includes independently extendable posts that are adjacent to the cooking areas of the stove. The extendable posts may be retracted to a position wherein the top surface of the post is at or below the surface of the stove so as to enable easy cleaning and provide an attractive appearance. The posts are easily moved between their extended and retracted positions and are biased upwardly.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heating cooking apparatus, in which an operation of a heating unit is appropriately controlled according to presence/absence or kinds of a load applied to a plate. When no load is applied to the plate, the duty cycle of a heat source is reduced, thereby preventing unnecessary operation of the heat source. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced. On the other hand, when a load is applied to the plate, the duty cycle of the heat source is increased. Speedy cooking may be possible with this control method.

Abstract: Method for heating a container (Ri) placed on a cooktop including heating elements which are associated respectively with inductors which form elements for detecting the presence of the container and are distributed along a frame which is embodied such that it is two-dimensional in a cooking area. The method includes searching (E20) a heating area (Zi) consisting of the heating elements arrangement which are at least partially covered by the container and computing (E60) a power supplied by each heating element of the heating area (Zi) according to a total specified power (Pi) associated thereto and the degree of coverage of each detection element associated to heating element by the container (Ri). The invention can be used, in particular for an inductive cooktop.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rapid thermal processing of a planar substrate including axially aligning the substrate with a substrate support or with an empirically determined position are described. The methods and apparatus include a sensor system that determines the relative orientations of the substrate and the substrate support.

Abstract: An electric heater (10) incorporates at least one heating element (20), at least one wall member (16) upstanding in the heater, and a device (42) is provided for detecting a cooking utensil (6) supported on an upper surface (4) of a cooking plate (2) overlying the heater. The device (42) includes at least one inductively-operating loop (44) of electrically conductive material having a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) adapted to extend over and spaced from the at least one electric heating element (20) between fixed supporting regions (56, 58, 60, 62) on the at least one wall member (16). The at least one loop (44) of electrically conductive material is such that the plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are substantially incapable of self-support as such at normal operating temperatures of the electric heater. The plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are supported by elongate members (64, 66, 68) of heat-withstanding material.

Abstract: A field device system for use in an industrial process includes a field device configured to couple to the industrial process and monitor or control the industrial process. The field device provides a temperature control signal output related to a temperature of the field device. A heater coupled to the field device heats the field device in response to the temperature control signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burners in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.

Abstract: Provided are a cooking apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The cooking apparatus senses the size of a cooking vessel, or more specifically, the undersurface area of the cooking vessel, and selectively operates heaters accordingly. Therefore, food can be more efficiently cooked.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, particularly an elevated-mounted cooking appliance, comprising: at least one muffle, which delimits a cooking compartment and whose muffle opening is surrounded by a muffle frame; a door for closing the muffle opening, and; a drive device, which is controlled by a control device and which serves to displace the door. A speed measuring device for determining the displacement speed of the door is provided that enables a pinching in the door to be detected by monitoring the displacement speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heating cooking apparatus, in which an operation of a heating unit is appropriately controlled according to presence/absence or kinds of a load applied to a plate. When no load is applied to the plate, the duty cycle of a heat source is reduced, thereby preventing unnecessary operation of the heat source. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced. On the other hand, when a load is applied to the plate, the duty cycle of the heat source is increased. Speedy cooking may be possible with this control method.

Abstract: A cooking stove that prevents the execution of a process such as ignition of a burner when a touch switch changes from a non-sensing state to a sensing state. In STEP201, when a first touch switch, which is one of the touch switches provided in an operation, is turned on from off, the process advances to STEP202, where a controller provided in a cooking stove main body starts a 1-second timer. The controller executes a loop composed of STEP203 and STEP210. When a second touch switch, which is one of the touch switches and is different from the first touch switch, is turned on from off in STEP210 before the 1-second timer times up in STEP203, the process advances from STEP210 to STEP211. The controller performs “error reporting” by blinking a display portion and activating a buzzer.

Abstract: A cooking stove that prevents a burner from being ignited when a touch switch shifts from a non-sensing to a sensing state. An operation portion having a touch switch is provided on a glass top plate of a cooking stove main body which accommodates burners. The touch switch allowing a user to give instruction on actuation and stoppage of the burners and sensing an object that contacts or approaches the top surface of the glass to plate. Heating control means for determining whether the touch switch is on (a sensing state) or off (a non-sensing state) to control actuation of the heating means. While the burner is at a stop, when the touch switch is turned on and then off again, the heating control means ignites the burner. While the burner is in operation, when the touch switch is turned on, the heating control means extinguishes the burner.

Abstract: A pan sensor capable of stably detecting the mounting of a cooking pan without error, a heat generation unit having the pan sensor, a cooking range having the heat generation unit and a control method thereof are disclosed. The cooking range includes a top plate for mounting a cooking pan thereon, one or more radiant heaters installed in the top plate for supplying heat to the cooking pan, one or more pan sensors, respectively installed in the radiant heaters, for sensing the presence of the cooking pan, each pan sensor having a sensor ring for detecting variation in electrostatic capacitance depending on whether the cooking pan is present, and a controller for controlling each radiant heater based on a sensor output value of each pan sensor.

Abstract: A touch switch which prohibits a child from actuating heating means, while permitting a child to deactivate heating means. A cooking stove including an electrical capacitance operation switch 10 which switches the cooking stove between an operation state in which an ignition instruction is enabled and a standby state in which the ignition instruction is disabled; the operation switch is used to instruct the cooking stove to be extinguished. When the cooking stove is inactive, a switch circuit 63 selects a resistance element 61 offering a higher resistance to set the cooking stove in a “lower sensitivity set state” in which the operation switch 10 has a sensitivity sl. When the cooking stove is active, the switch circuit 63 selects a resistance element 62 offering a lower resistance to set the cooking stove in a “higher sensitivity set state” in which the operation switch 10 has a sensitivity sh (>sl).

Abstract: Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burner, in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply for electrical domestic appliances, comprising: at least one connection to the mains electricity supply, and at least one connector for releasable electrical coupling of the power supply to a domestic appliance, wherein the power supply is also provided with measuring and control means for controlling a feed signal generated by the power supply by means of at least one control signal transmitted by a coupled domestic appliance. The invention also relates to a domestic appliance for co-action with such a power supply.

Abstract: An induction hot plate including a plurality of heating regions with a reconfigurable structure. The hot plate includes at least two power modules, each supplying electrical power to at least one first and one second induction heating element. The maximum power to each of the regions can be increased by supplying electrical power from both power modules to only the first or the second induction heating element.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive device (14) is provided for an electric heater (2). The heater (2) is located behind a heatable surface and comprises a dish-like support (6) having therein at least one electric heating element (12) having first and second terminal regions, (12A, 12B). An electrical component (18), having an electrical parameter which changes as a function of temperature, is supported inside the heater (2) by an elongate member (16). The elongate member (16) is secured to the heater (2) and extends at least partially across the heater (2). An electrically insulating carrier member (30) is secured to the elongate member (16) at a location externally of the periphery of the heater (2). The carrier member (30) has first and second side edges (32, 38) at opposite sides of the elongate member (16) and is provided with first and second electrically conductive elements (34, 40) accessible at the opposite side edges (32, 38) for electrical connection to the first and second terminal regions (12A, 12B).

Abstract: Methods and devices for securing the bottom of an item of cookware to the burner of a stove top by use of magnetism. The magnet(s) may be permanent magnets or electromagnets. The cookware may comprise a permanent magnet disposed on or in the base of the cookware. The burner comprises a magnetic material such as steel or iron. The magnetic material may be in the grate of the cook top, in the electric coil of an electric burner, in the surface of a vitroceramic or smooth-top stove top, or other component of the cook top in close proximity to the bottom of the cookware when it is on the cooking surface. The magnetic source prevents the cookware from being accidentally knocked off the cook top.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for thermal processing of substrates undergoing lithographic chemical processes is provided. The thermal processing system includes at least one heating element, a heat distributing plate, having a heating surface and being disposed in thermal communication with the at least one heating element. The heat distributing plate is constructed and arranged to distribute heat from the heating element onto the heating surface. A substrate support, supports a substrate at a position above the heating surface and the system includes an actuator that rotates the substrate relative to the heating surface during a heat transfer operation.

Abstract: A cooking hob with random positioning of pans or the like, comprising a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed within a cooking area and individually powered under the control of a control circuit, the heating elements also being used as position sensors for the pan or pans placed on the cooking area, in which a user interface is present, provided with a touch screen reproducing the cooking area and on which, for each pan placed on the cooking area, there is displayed an activatable region substantially representative of the position of the pan on the cooking area, this position being obtained from data provided by the electrical heating elements in their function as position sensors.

Abstract: An electric cooking hob having a plurality of heating elements distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which one or more cooking utensils can be located in random manner. The cooking hob can determine the location, form and dimensions of one or more cooking utensils positioned on the cooking hob. The cooking hob uses a signal source to determine which heating elements lie under the cooking utensil. The cooking hob can heat the elements lying below the cooking utensil by a power source. Each heating element being able to be energized with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the current used to perform the determination, so that the power source and the signal source can be applied at the same time to different heating elements.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic cooktop appliance having at least one burner assembly disposed under a glass-ceramic plate. The cooktop appliance includes a sensor assembly having a support bar mounted on the burner assembly adjacent to the glass-ceramic plate and one or more devices for sensing cooktop related properties mounted on the support bar so as to be in contact with the glass-ceramic plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric cooking hob having a plurality of heating elements distributed in matrix formation below a heat-resistant surface on which one or more cooking utensils can be located in random manner. The cooking hob being able to determine the location, form and dimensions of one or more cooking utensils positioned on the cooking hob. The cooking hob using a signal source, and able to process a signal from the signal source individually through the plurality of heating elements to determine which heating elements lie under the cooking utensil. The cooking hob also being able to heat the elements lying below the cooking utensil by a power source. Each heating element being able to be energized with a polarity opposite to the polarity of the current used to perform the determination, so that the power source and the signal source can be applied at the same time to different heating elements.

Abstract: An electric radiant heater (11, 111) is provided having an active sensor (21, 121) for detecting the position of a cooking vessel on a glass ceramic plate over the radiant heater (11, 111). The sensor (21, 121) is mad from electrically conductive material and is part of an inductive resonant circuit of a control operating by resonant circuit detuning. It also covers a heating zone (17, 117) of the radiant heater (11, 111). The sensor (21, 121) runs substantially linearly and, unlike conventional sensor coils, has a loopless construction. It is e.g. possible to stretch a wire (121) or also to use the tube (21) of a rod regulator.