By Ultrasonic Or Acoustic Patents (Class 219/706)
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Patent number: 11449765Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for estimating a mass of a prepared food product. An ultrasonic beam is steered by a computer system at the prepared food product on a platform. An estimate of a mass of the prepared food product on the platform is determined by the computer system using response signals detected in response to scanning the prepared food product on the platform with the ultrasonic beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Munish Goyal
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Patent number: 10412984Abstract: A popcorn popping machine which pops popcorn in batches/cycles. A sensor on a popcorn popping machine senses pops of popcorn in the kettle. A system computer controller monitors the rate of popping sensed by the sensor and uses the beginning of the decline in the rate of popping as a basis for controlling heat to the kettle during a given cycle/batch. Activation of the dump mechanism, which terminates the popping cycle/batch, is initiated when the computer controller detects a predetermined programmed minimum pop count rate after the heat has been turned OFF.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Inventors: Dale M. Cherney, Richard D. Sorenson
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Publication number: 20100032430Abstract: A microwave oven, especially for personal use, includes a relay and a sound sensor. In at least one embodiment, the relay is connected to the sound sensor, arranged in the microwave oven, in such a manner that the supply of power by microwaves in the oven, when in use, is interrupted by the relay at a signal from the sound sensor when an acoustic signal is generated by a valve of a container being heated in the microwave oven.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2007Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventor: Gunnar Olsson
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Patent number: 6964364Abstract: A method and guidance system for accurately positioning a welding torch relative to a desired weld path. The method and system are based on ultrasonic sensing of information relating to the distance between the welding torch and surfaces on one or more components being welded, and then using this information to move the welding torch to a specific point in space relative to the desired weld path. The method and system maintain the welding torch over the weld path and at a predetermined distance from the weld path during movement of the torch along the weld path.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Inventor: Michael W. Parada
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Patent number: 6917024Abstract: A heating apparatus for use in a microwave oven includes a tray which is used as a medium of an ultrasonic oscillator. The heating apparatus has a cavity formed inside of a case of the apparatus. A tray is installed inside of the cavity, on which the article to be heated is positioned. An oscillating device is connected to the tray for oscillating the tray and/or the article to be heated. The oscillating device can be an ultrasonic oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Min Lee, Yang Kyeong Kim, Wan Soo Kim, Jong Sik Kim
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Patent number: 6858825Abstract: A safety device for reducing the likelihood of superheating a liquid includes a transducer disposed on a support surface proximate to a placed container containing a liquid. The transducer generates a vibrational force in the container and onto the liquid that creates nucleation within the liquid. The nucleation allows the liquid to boil, thus preventing the liquid from becoming superheated.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Anthony A. Ruffa
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Patent number: 6583392Abstract: An apparatus for determining at least one property of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel selectively positioned on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises an ultrasound transducer contacting the cooktop surface. The ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasound transmitter that contacts the cooktop surface and provides an ultrasound waveform to the cooktop surface creating an excitation in the cooktop surface. The ultrasonic transducer also includes an ultrasound receiver contacting the cooktop surface. The ultrasound receiver receives a resultant ultrasound waveform in response to the excitation and produces a receiver output signal in response to the resultant ultrasound waveform. A processor is connected to the ultrasound transducer. The processor receives the receiver output signal and produces a processor output signal corresponding to the at least one property of the cooktop.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Erik Hershey, Richard Yung Chiao, Ralph Thomas Hoctor
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Patent number: 6299920Abstract: A non-contact system and method is provided for effectively approximating the internal temperature of food being cooked upon a cooking surface of a cooking apparatus, such as a grill or griddle. Ultrasound or infrared, non-contact measurement devices may be directly installed onto the cooking apparatus, and in concert with a computerized monitoring/control system, are used to monitor the status of the food being cooked, or to control the heat input to the cooking surface using a feedback loop. The non-contact measurement devices may be permanently positioned above the cooking surface or may be mounted to arms that can be pivoted, or otherwise moved into position over the cooking surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventor: Atul Saksena
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Patent number: 5486685Abstract: An oven includes a chamber for locating food for heating. An indicator is provided for signalling the existence of food in the chamber. A sensor may react to the weight of the food on a support in the chamber, or a light beam directed in the chamber and interrupted by a food or receptacle for thereby indicating the existence of food. A time delay may be provided between the sensing of the existence of food and the activation of the indicator. In other situations the indicator system operates in other ovens, autoclaves, and furnaces having workpieces for science, technology, and industry.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1994Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Inventor: W. Jean Dodds
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Patent number: 5373145Abstract: A cooking apparatus for heating food to be served and capable of being operated with utmost simplicity without using and choosing various cooking-mode selection keys so as to achieve superb ease-of-operation. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber for placing and storing food to be heated by the apparatus and a detector for detecting a state of a door attached to the cooking chamber, the door being freely openable and closable against an opening portion of the cooking chamber. An optical sensor, having a plurality of light emitting portions is disposed in a side of the cooking chamber and a plurality of light receiving portions are disposed counter to the light emitting portions. A drive unit is provided for driving the optical sensor and a judgement unit verifies and determines a cooking mode suitable for the food placed in the cooking chamber responsive to a signal from the optical sensor, where the drive unit is activated when the detector detects that the door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1993Date of Patent: December 13, 1994Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Sachiko Endo, Koji Murakami, Teruya Tanaka, Kaoru Maekawa, Tatsuya Nakagawa