Abstract: A multi-function cooking apparatus control system and control method for improving the reproducibility of cooking results of a multi-function cooking apparatus includes a recipe program interface component to access a plurality of recipe programs. Predefined operating conditions include an operating parameter setting for a technical capability parameter of the cooking apparatus. An operating parameter interface component receives actual operating parameter values reflecting actual operating conditions of the cooking apparatus. If an actual technical capability parameter deviates from the predefined operating conditions and indicates a non-compensable deficiency of a technical capability of the cooking apparatus, instructions are sent to the cooking apparatus to prevent or stop automatic execution of the particular recipe program.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus includes a first manipulation part, a second manipulation part, an electric heating element for heating an object to be cooked, a switch connected with a relay that is turned on/turned off, and which is for providing power provided through the relay in a turned-on state to the electric heating element according to a user manipulation input through the first manipulation part, and a processor which, based on receiving input of a user manipulation of the second manipulation part, turns on the relay for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an appliance heating element power level includes adjusting a heating element to a first power level in response to actuation of a user input to a first level setting and adjusting the heating element from the first power level to a second power level in response to actuation of the user input to a second level setting. The second power level of the heating element is different than the first power level of the heating element, and the second level setting is next to the first level setting within a power level setting sequence. The method also includes adjusting the heating element from the second power level to a third power level in response to actuation of the user input back to the first level setting. The third power level of the heating element is between the first and second power levels of the heating element.

Abstract: A method for operating a consumer appliance, as provided herein, may include detecting a preliminary first conversion value from a first sensor input pin electrically connected to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and detecting a preliminary second conversion value from a second sensor input pin electrically connected to the ADC in electrical parallel with the first sensor input pin. The method may further include determining a preliminary variation between the preliminary first and second conversion values is less than or equal to a predetermined preliminary threshold. The method may still further include activating a pull-up resistor in electrical communication with the first sensor input pin, identifying a fault state in response based on a conversion value variation following activating the pull-up resistor, and directing the appliance based on the determined fault state.

Abstract: The electrical connections of a chamber or enclosure for a water tub can be protected through the use of spill element sensors. The spill element sensors can help to disable the delivery of power to the heater of a water tub in the event that the electrical connections become wet.

Abstract: An electric water heater has upper and lower electric resistance type heating elements respectively controlled by a single pole, double throw upper thermostat and a single pole, single throw lower thermostat. The upper and lower thermostats are operatively interconnected by a wiring harness having outer conductor end portions that are connected to a terminal block portion of an external junction box to provide the water heater with a variety of heating element operating modes without having to replace either of the thermostats, vary the wiring harness interconnections therebetween, or vary the connection between the outer conductor end portions and the terminal block. The water heater may thus be advantageously manufactured in a single variant that may be easily and quickly modified in the field to selectively alter the heating element control mode of the water heater.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking surface, a leveling device, an inclinometer, and an electronic controller. The leveling device is constructed and arranged to adjust a position of the cooking surface, and the inclinometer senses the cooking surface position. The electronic controller is configured to receive a position signal from the inclinometer and output a command signal to the leveling device for position adjustment.

Abstract: A heating rod having a plurality of ceramic heating elements, a first strip-shaped contact sheet, a second strip-shaped contact sheet, and a housing in which the plurality of heating elements and the contact sheets are arranged. The first contact sheet electrically contacts only a part of the plurality of the heating elements, and the second contact sheet electronically contacts a second part of the plurality of the heating elements.

Abstract: A secondary controlled AC-DC converter including an oscillator in a primary-side controller (PSC), and method for operating the same to enable soft-start and low frequency operation are provided. Generally, the method includes driving a power switch coupled between an AC input and a primary-side of the converter with a gate-drive (GD-signal). At startup and following auto-restart the GD-signal is generated using an oscillator-signal from the oscillator. After receiving start-stop pulses from a secondary-side controller, the oscillator-signal is decoupled from the GD-signal using a controller in the PSC, and the PSC begins generating the GD-signal using pulse-width-modulated (PWM) generated using the start-stop pulses. The oscillator operates at a first frequency independent of the PWM signal. The PWM signal includes one of a number of frequencies selected based on a power drawn from the converter, and, in low power applications can be less than the first frequency.

Abstract: A method of preserving power quality on a power grid is provided. The method is implemented by a voltage overflow device that is electrically coupled to the power grid through electrical contacts. A voltage monitoring circuit of the voltage overflow device monitors a voltage via the electrical contacts on the power grid with respect to a predetermined voltage. The voltage monitoring circuit determines whether the voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage. A switch of the voltage overflow device shunt an excess voltage over the predetermined voltage to a resistive load when the voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage to preserve the power quality on the power grid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for biasing regions of a substrate in a plasma assisted processing chamber are provided. Biasing of the substrate, or regions thereof, increases the potential difference between the substrate and a plasma formed in the processing chamber thereby accelerating ions from the plasma towards the active surfaces of the substrate regions. A plurality of bias electrodes herein are spatially arranged across the substrate support in a pattern that is advantageous for managing uniformity of processing results across the substrate.

Abstract: A compact beer brewing system (1) has vessels (2, 3) configured to perform mashing, lautering and boiling brewing stages applicable in small scale craft brewing operations. The compact and cost efficient brewing system easily, precisely and repeatably controls and improves critical brew processes involved in brewing and serving by including a bottom vessel (2) having an inner tun (28) configured to perform mashing and boiling stages, a top vessel (3) positioned above the bottom vessel (2) in fluid communication with the tun (28) and configured to perform lautering stage, and a pump (51) for moving fluid from the tun (28) to the top vessel (3). Preferably at least the bottom tun (28) and/or the top vessel (3) is/are substantially cylindrical, the diameter of the top vessel (3) is smaller than the diameter of the bottom tun (28) and the top vessel (3) is placed eccentrically over the bottom tun (28).

Abstract: A power regulation circuit including an input from an alternating current (AC) power supply, a load element connected to the AC power supply input, a dummy power resistor connected in parallel with the load element, and a controller to dynamically control power to the load element and to the dummy power resistor in response to a variation in the power consumption of the load element.

Abstract: A steam generator includes: a water storage chamber which stores water therein, a heater which heats inside the water storage chamber to generate steam, a water supply device which supplies the water storage chamber with water, a steam spout port which ejects steam generated in the water storage chamber therethrough, a temperature detector which detects a temperature in the water storage chamber, and a controller which controls the heater and the water supply device, wherein after the start of the heating by the heater, the controller determines if water storage is completed in the water storage chamber based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.

Abstract: A heater control system having an electric heating elements powered from a three-phase alternating current source through a solid state relays connected to the controller and provided with the safety switch assembly is characterized in that each of the heating elements (G) is connected with a separate proportional control solid state relay (K1, K2 K3) and all the proportional control solid state relays (K1, K2, K3) are connected to the controller (S) through the control signal follower (W).

Abstract: Methods for forming single crystal silicon ingots with improved resistivity control. The methods involve growth and resistivity measurement of a sample rod. The sample rod may have a diameter less than the diameter of the product ingot. The resistivity of the sample rod may be measured directly by contacting a resistivity probe with a planar segment formed on the sample rod. The sample rod may be annealed in a thermal donor kill cycle prior to measuring the resistivity.

Abstract: Methods for forming single crystal silicon ingots with improved resistivity control. The methods involve growth and resistivity measurement of a sample rod. The sample rod may have a diameter less than the diameter of the product ingot. The resistivity of the sample rod may be measured directly by contacting a resistivity probe with a planar segment formed on the sample rod. The sample rod may be annealed in a thermal donor kill cycle prior to measuring the resistivity.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to provide preheat voltage feedback loss protection are disclosed. An example welding-type system includes a welding-type power source configured to provide welding-type power to a welding-type circuit, the welding-type circuit comprising a welding-type electrode and a first contact tip of a welding torch; an electrode preheating circuit configured to provide preheating power through a first portion of the welding-type electrode via a second contact tip of the welding torch; a preheat feedback circuit configured to measure a preheat voltage; and an electrode preheat control circuit configured to: control the preheating power based on the preheating voltage; and control the electrode preheating circuit to reduce the preheating power in response to detecting an invalid preheat voltage measured by the preheat feedback circuit.

Abstract: An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components, and control electronics configured to control the convective heating system and the RF heating system. The control electronics may further control a user interface configured to define one or more control consoles for providing user inputs to control operation of the oven. The control electronics are configured to enable user selection of a cooking time and a selected RF cooking power, but automatic selection of frequency and phase parameters for application of the RF energy responsive to a learning process.

Abstract: A heating apparatus with automatic switching heaters includes a control module, a switch module, and a heating module. The control module receives an input power source. The switch module is connected to the control module. The heating module is connected to the switch module. When the control module detects that an amplitude of the input power source is larger than a threshold voltage value, the control module turns on a first switch assembly and turns off a second switch assembly of the switch module so that the heating module operates in a first heating mode. When the control module detects that the amplitude of the input power source is less than the threshold voltage value, the control module turns on the first switch assembly and the second switch assembly of the switch module so that the heating module operates in a second heating mode.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and storage mediums are provided for detecting water shortage for a humidifier. The method includes: obtaining a water level parameter of a water tank; determining a water level state of the water tank according to the water level parameter. When the water level state of the water tank is a water shortage state, energizing a valve connected to a water box so that water can be added to the water tank through the valve. A number of times of energizing the valve is recorded. When the number of times of energizing the valve exceeds a first preset number of times as well as when the water level state of the water tank determined every time after energization of the valve is the water shortage state, confirming that the water box is short of water.

Abstract: A system for dynamically controlling the functionality of control channels in an electrical system includes a plurality of control channels, each operatively connected to at least one state change device connected to an electrical component. Each control channel is operatively connected to at least one adjacent control channel by a control channel communication line. Each control channel is configured to store grouping information of the state change device. A controller is operatively connected to each control channel such that each control channel can receive the grouping information from the controller. The controller is configured to selectively send grouping information to allow each control channel to directly communicate with adjacent control channels within their respective grouping such that each control channel in a grouping functions together in unison when the at least one state change device in a grouping changes state.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of curing concrete. The method comprises placing a concrete cylinder in an insulated container having a sufficient quantity of water therein so that the concrete cylinder is submerged in and surrounded by the water and selectively adding heat to the quantity of water in an insulated container, so that the temperature of the quantity of water follows a predetermined temperature profile. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A range appliance and sensor assembly are provided herein. The range appliance may include a top panel, a backsplash, an acoustic wave reader, and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) temperature sensor. The top panel may support a cooking utensil. The top panel may include a top surface and a bottom surface. The backsplash may extend above the top surface along a vertical direction. The acoustic wave reader may be mounted to the backsplash. The SAW temperature sensor may be disposed above the top surface along the vertical direction. The SAW sensor may be in operable communication with the acoustic wave reader.

Abstract: An assembly of a liner and a flange for a vertical furnace for processing substrates is provided. The liner being configured to extend in the interior of a process tube of the vertical furnace, and the flange is configured to at least partially close a liner opening. The liner comprising a substantially cylindrical wall delimited by the liner opening at a lower end and closed at a higher end and being substantially closed for gases above the liner opening and defining an inner space. The flange comprising: an inlet opening configured to insert and remove a boat configured to carry substrates in the inner space of the liner; a gas inlet to provide a gas to the inner space. The assembly is constructed and arranged with a gas exhaust opening to remove gas from the inner space and a space between the liner and the low pressure tube.

Abstract: Methods and devices (e.g., for nerve modulation) may include at least one thermistor and a balloon having a balloon wall. In one or more embodiments, the medical device is configured and arranged to transfer heat to the medical device surroundings. In one or more embodiments, the at least one thermistor is a portion of a thermistor array disposed on the balloon wall, the thermistor array including a plurality of thermistors and operatively engaged with a source of electric current. In one or more embodiments, the device includes at least one flexible circuit mounted on the outer surface of the expandable balloon, the at least one flexible circuit including at least one temperature-sensing device that includes at least one thermistor, wherein at least a portion of a conductive layer is electronically coupled to the thermistor, with the proviso that no electrode is associated with the conductive layer.

Abstract: A control device includes a control circuit or a processor, that performs various tasks/steps, including displaying, in a GUI, an image of an operation element operable by a user to input a user instruction, and receiving a device assigned to the operation element, a parameter, including an ON or OFF state or a level of the device assigned to the operation element, and a setting value of the parameter corresponding to an operation state of the operation element. A setting command is transmitted to the device assigned to the operation element when the operation element is operated to be in a predetermined operation state. The setting command changes the setting value of the parameter from a current value to a setting value associated to the operation element.

Abstract: A water heater for an aircraft beverage brewing apparatus includes a three way electrical conduit for conducting electrical power in three separate phases. The heater has a housing with a fluid inlet port at a first removable end piece and a fluid outlet port at a second removable end piece. The hollow cylindrical core incorporates a heating element wound around the core, and the housing includes three resettable temperature sensors at the outlet, each of the three resettable temperature sensors connected to a separate phase of power from the three way electrical conduit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modularized circuit for isolated circuit, wherein the isolated circuit includes at least two circuit components connecting in parallel and/or series, the circuit components, according to a circuit connection configuration, weld corresponding pins of the components directly, forming an integrated module in accordance with a desired connection method of the circuit, and saving circuit boards and wires; the circuit components are designed as a parallelepiped, and a plurality of bonding pads are arranged on part of an area on a surface of the parallelepiped. Due to constructing a circuit unit by welding connections in a way of building blocks, welding directly between components in a 3D space, comparing to the circuits limited in a circuit board plane as a PCB, it owns a wider design space.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus, including: a development part configured to develop a substrate on which an exposed resist film formed to form a pattern on a surface of the substrate; a heat plate configured to mount and heat the substrate on which the resist film formed on the heat plate before the development is performed; a distribution acquisition part configured to optically acquire a size distribution of a dimension of the pattern on the surface of the substrate, and a determination part configured to determine whether abnormality has occurred in a mounting state of the substrate on the heat plate, based on the size distribution of the dimension of the pattern.

Abstract: A dual energy gas water heater is described and wherein a square flange, curved resistor style resistive heating element, is secured in a bottom portion of the tank of the water heater spaced above a top wall of the combustion chamber. A gas burner is secured in the combustion chamber and connected to a gas supply line through a gas valve. The curved resistive heating element is a low density, long life, element having a density in the range of about 20 to 80 watts/sq. inches. A switch is secured between the thermostat of the resistive heating element and the voltage supply line. A controller selectively operates the switch and the gas valve to disconnect the voltage supply line from the thermostat and/or shut-off the gas valve secured to the gas supply line depending on the desired source of energy. The controller is adapted to be optionally controlled by a utility/provider through a communication link.

Abstract: A battery control system includes a main battery and an auxiliary battery, a direct current DC-DC converter for converting a high voltage output from the main battery into a low voltage between the main battery and the auxiliary battery and supplying the converted low voltage to the auxiliary battery or an electronic load, a relay for intermitting a voltage of the auxiliary battery, and a battery management system for controlling the relay to be turned off in a state in which the DC-DC converter is operated in a constantly ON state, comparing an output voltage of the DC-DC converter and a summation of cell voltages of the auxiliary battery, and detecting a fusion state of the relay according to a comparison result.

Abstract: An automatic method for thermogravimetric analysis of multiple samples of coal or coke for volatile matter in a thermogravimetric analyzer of the type including an auto-loading delivery system, a furnace, a movable platform within said furnace, an external balance and an internal balance for measuring the weights of sample holders, lids and samples before and after treatment in the furnace. Coal or coke samples are placed in the sample holders and weighed in the external balance and are auto-loaded into the furnace at 950° C. All sample holders are weighed sequentially on the internal balance at exactly 7 minutes from introduction time with space time 14-20 seconds in between them and the weight of the sample holder prior to being placed in the furnace is compared with the weight of the sample holder after it has been treated in the furnace to determine the amount of volatile material.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a temperature control system that may be used in a plasma processing system that treats microelectronic substrates using plasma. The temperature control system may include a heating array disposed adjacent to the microelectronic substrate and that may selectively generate heat at different portions of the microelectronic substrate. The heating array may include heating modules that selectively generate heat depending upon a breakover voltage of a Silicon Diode for Alternating Current (SIDAC). The amount of heat generated heat may depend upon the resistance of the heating module and the duty cycle of the variable voltage signal.

Abstract: A substrate support is provided, is configured to support a substrate in a plasma processing chamber, and includes first, second and third insulative layers, conduits and leads. The first insulative layer includes heater zones arranged in rows and columns. The second insulative layer includes conductive vias. First ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to the heater zones. Second ends of the conductive vias are connected respectively to power supply lines. The third insulative layer includes power return lines. The conduits extend through the second insulative layer and into the third insulative layer. The leads extend through the conduits and connect to the heater zones. The heater zones are connected to the power return lines by the leads and are configured to heat corresponding portions of the substrate to provide a predetermined temperature profile across the substrate during processing of the substrate in the plasma processing chamber.

Abstract: The present inventive disclosures are generally directed to an improved means to precisely measure temperature at a location remote from a central controller and a means to control heater and/or cooler power at that remote location with a temperature setpoint that is adjustable at the central-controller location, with a remote device/unit connected to the central controller using no more than two wires, employing specialized time-sliced alternating operating modes via those two wires in which high-accuracy current-based temperature readings are transmitted back to a central controller in one mode, and thermal-device power is provided in the other mode. The improved system is, as a result, both very cost-efficient and mass-efficient for controlling a multitude of thermal zones.

Abstract: An electronic device and method are provided for sensing a touch or hovering event, where sensor variations due to environmental temperatures are minimized. The method includes operations for measuring a temperature of a portion of an electronic device, setting a sensing state reference level of a grip sensor according to the measured temperature, and determining a sensing state of an external object for the electronic device according to a result of a comparison between an output level from the grip sensor and the sensing state reference level of the grip sensor.

Abstract: A device for a press for shaping a sheet metal part with a section which can be shaped out separately as an undercut in the device. The device includes a press-side ram, a swage and a die which can be driven separately, serves to shape out the undercut, and interacts with an undercut contour which is arranged substantially in a filler slide which is mounted such that it can be moved rotationally in the swage. The filler slide can be transferred from a shaping-out position into a position which exposes the undercut in the sheet metal part, and vice versa. At least one temperature-control device is provided in the filler slide, by way of which temperature-control device the filler slide can be temperature-controlled at least in sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooking appliance. The present invention includes a plurality of loads connected in parallel with each other, a plurality of load relays configured to be connected in series to a plurality of the loads in order to selectively supply commercial electricity supplied from a power supply unit to a plurality of the loads, respectively and be driven selectively in ON or OFF state, a safety relay configured to be connected in series to a plurality of the loads and be driven selectively in ON or OFF state, a detecting unit configured to sense a voltage applied to both ends of the safety relay by being connected to the safety relay, and a controller configured to control a plurality of the load relays, the safety relay and the detecting unit and determine a presence or non-presence of malfunction of a plurality of the load relays based on a signal from the detecting unit.

Abstract: A water heater has a tank with at least one heating element. A non-invasive liquid level sensor is disposed in communication with a water containing volume encompassing the tank volume. If a signal received from the sensor indicates the at least one heating element is immersed in water, power is provided to the heating element. If the signal indicates the at least one heating element is not immersed in water, power is prevented from being provided to the heating element.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes a passenger cabin, an electrically powered heating device configured to heat airflow for conditioning the passenger cabin, and a controller configured to selectively command actuation of the electrically powered heating device based on a target discharge air temperature, an actual discharge air temperature, and an amount of power available.

Abstract: A system management controller may include a thermal table, a host agent, and a thermal control system. The thermal table may comprise identifying parameters for supported remote temperature sensors external to an information handling system. The host agent may be configured to receive temperature sensor data of a remote temperature sensor. The thermal control system may be configured to provide thermal control of at least one of the information handling system and a chassis in which it is disposed by determining, based on an entry of the thermal table associated with the remote temperature sensor, a local input identifier of the system management controller that defines a virtual thermal input of the information handling system associated with the remote temperature sensor, and controlling thermal properties of at least one of the information handling system and the chassis based on the virtual thermal input and a temperature value associated therewith.

Abstract: Provided is a method for adaptively controlling the charging time of a storage heater, comprising: determining a stored energy requirement of the heater; determining a background heat requirement of the heater; determining a daily energy requirement (DER) based on the stored energy requirement and the background heat requirement; and determining a daily run time (DRT) at a predetermined time to calculate the charging time for a following period of time based on the daily energy requirement (DER).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the heating of water in a tank of a water heater which comprises a device for electrically heating the water in the tank, characterized in that it comprises, when a water heating phase is actuated: activation of heating by the heating device, determination of a variation of the temperature in the tank over time and determination of at least one water filling state in the tank according to the variation over time.

Abstract: The electrical connections of a chamber or enclosure for a water tub can be protected through the use of spill element sensors. The spill element sensors can help to disable the delivery of power to the heater of a water tub in the event that the electrical connections become wet.

Abstract: An adaptive baking system includes a baking chamber configured to receive a wafer, and a heating element configured to support the wafer. The adaptive baking system further includes a controller configured to receive temperature information related to the heating element and the wafer, wherein the controller is further configured to adjust an amount of heat provided by the heating element during a baking process in response to the temperature information.

Abstract: A modular electronic and/or electric apparatus including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus. The circuit unit includes at least two serial resistor elements forming a voltage divider. The resistor elements of the circuit units are serially connected and form an ID wire. The ID wire is interconnected between a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The circuit unit comprises at least one analog-digital converter. A connection point between two resistor elements of one circuit unit is connected to an analog input terminal of the analog-digital converter. A digital output terminal of the analog-digital converter is connected to the internal communication bus. The modular electronic and/or electric apparatus includes a master unit connected to the internal communication bus. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular domestic appliance including a plurality of circuit units connected by an internal communication bus.

Abstract: An electric water heater that includes a thermostat is retrofitted for remote control as follows. A relay is installed on an electrical feed to the electric water heater. Water temperature and electric current or power through the electrical feed are measured over time with the relay closed, and the thermostat deadband maximum and minimum are detected as the water temperature at which the thermostat turns the heating element off, and the water temperature at which the thermostat turns the heating element on, respectively. The detected thermostat deadband maximum and minimum are stored as load controller deadband maximum and minimum, respectively. The thermostat set point is raised, and the electric water heater is thereafter controlled using the load controller by operations including closing the relay when the water temperature falls below the load controller deadband minimum and opening the relay when the water temperature rises above the load controller deadband maximum.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an implementation method for stacked connection between isolated circuit components, whose setting is according to at least two circuit components connecting in parallel/series in a circuit, wherein, in accordance with a circuit connection configuration, a plurality of corresponding pins of the components are soldered directly, making the components form an integrated module in accordance with a desired connection configuration of the circuit, and saving circuit boards and wires. Comparing to the circuit limited in a PCB in the prior art, it is possible to construct a circuit unit by welding connection in a way of building-block approach, achieving a circuit in a 3D space through directly welding between components, and owning a wider design space, it may shorten the time used for a circuit from design to process.

Abstract: A cooking appliance has a cooktop including a plurality of separately controlled cooking areas. A first heating element and a second heating element are positioned below one of the separately controlled cooking areas. A control switch is electrically coupled to the first heating element and the second heating element and is operable to selectively energize the first heating element with single-phase AC power and selectively energize the second heating element with two-phase AC power.