Abstract: An energy regulator for a household heating appliance such as an electric cooker comprises an electronic controller for the cyclical control of the supply of electrical energy to a heating element and a switch for increasing the electrical energy supplied to the heating element to a preselected level and for a preselected time. The preselected time may be variable in dependence on the duty cycle of the controller, the duration decreasing from about thirteen minutes at low duty cycle to one minute or less at high duty cycle. Actuation of the switch may cause the electrical energy to be increased to substantially 30% of full heating power at low duty cycle rising to substantially 100% of full heating power at high duty cycle.

Abstract: A cooking utensil comprises a matrix type keyboard operable for generating cooking program sequences for controlling energization of a heat source. A plurality of key switches are disposed within the matrix keyboard in which an abscissa represents temperature values and an ordinate represents time periods both of which are information for the cooking program sequences. Each of the plurality of key switches is operable for directing the cooking of a kind of a specific foodstuff and for reading out the associated cooking program sequences according to which the heat source is energized to produce the specific foodstuff from starting materials therefor. In a specific form, the cooking utensil can be a combination of a microwave oven and one or more other heat-source apparatus.

Abstract: A control panel unit for a cooking apparatus having a clock construction for indicating the time of day and a timer control unit for selecting a delayed time period and a cooking time period for causing the apparatus to provide a cooking operation for the cooking time period following the elapsing of the delay time period, the clock construction comprising an electronic clock unit and the timer control unit comprising an electromechanical control unit operating independently of the electronic clock unit.

Abstract: A cooking appliance, such as a deep fat fryer, includes programmable control system which monitors the operation of the cooking appliance and enables appropriate actions at proper times. The system includes a microcomputer which implements various timing and control functions. Control switches select operational states of the appliance. A diode matrix allows selection of input data. A multiplex circuit interconnects input signals to the microcomputer, a monitor circuit turns off the appliance if multiplexing stops. A temperature control circuit generates a signal responsive to the cooking fluid temperature and compares it with various reference signals under control of the microcomputer. A cooking control circuit generates a voltage proportional to the cooking fluid temperature, modifies it according to the desired doneness of the food being cooked, and converts it to a current which charges the capacitor in an oscillator.

Abstract: A control panel unit for a cooking apparatus having a clock construction for indicating the time of day and a timer control unit for selecting a delayed time period and a cooking time period for causing the apparatus to provide a cooking operation for the cooking time period following the elapsing of the delay time period, the clock construction comprising an electronic clock unit and the timer control unit comprising an electromechanical control unit operating independently of the electronic clock unit.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus includes an inverter circuit, a plurality of output coils for induction heating, a coil selection circuit for selectively connecting the output coils to the output terminal of the inverter circuit, and a control circuit for driving the coil selection circuit and inverter circuit so as to cyclically supply the output of the inverter to any selected one of the output coils for each predetermined time of a predetermined cycle. The induction heating apparatus further includes a plurality of output adjusting means for setting the output period of the respective output coils which is included in the predetermined cycle.

Abstract: A fuel control system for a main burner having a dual rate pilot burner and a control device for providing a standby flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is above the temperature setting of the control device and for providing a large heater flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device so that only the heater flame will cause a main flow of fuel to the main burner for a heating operation thereof. A diverter valve is provided for diverting the heater flame flow of fuel from the dual rate pilot burner to another pilot burner so that the main flow of fuel to the main burner will cease even though the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device, the diverter valve being controlled by a timer or the like to provide a "cook and hold" feature of the system.

Abstract: A fuel control system for a main burner having a dual rate pilot burner and a control device for providing a standby flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is above the temperature setting of the control device and for providing a large heater flame flow of fuel to the pilot burner when the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device so that only the heater flame will cause a main flow of fuel to the main burner for a heating operation thereof. A diverter valve is provided for diverting the heater flame flow of fuel from the dual rate pilot burner to another pilot burner so that the main flow of fuel to the main burner will cease even though the output temperature effect of the main burner is below the temperature setting of the control device, the diverter valve being controlled by a timer or the like to provide a "cook and hold" feature of the system.