Abstract: An electric oven comprising a housing (100) enclosing a cavity (6) provided on at least one wall with an electrical resistance element (7), there being provided in said cavity (6) a metal box structure (16) defining a cooking chamber (16A) which is open on one side (17) and in which food (50A, 50B) is disposed during its preparation, said box structure (16) being positioned in such a manner as to create an interspace (23, 88) between its walls (18, 19, 20) and the walls (4, 8, 22) of the cavity (6) of the oven (1).

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting the presence of a food cooking container (9) placed on a cooking hob (1), in particular of glass ceramic, provided with at least one heater element such as an electrical resistance element (2, 40, 41, 42), a gas burner (30), a halogen lamp or the like includes at least two plates (11, 12) of electrically conducting material associated with the hob (1) and connected to an electrical circuit (13), and being of opposite polarities, said plates acting as plates of a capacitor, i.e. forming a capacitive sensor the capacitance of which changes when the food container is placed on the hob (1) in a position corresponding with said plates (11, 12), the change in capacity of said capacitor being sensed by the electrical circuit (13), which therefore detects the presence of said container (9), to generate a control signal as a result of such detection. This signal is fed to indicator means (20) to indicate which heater element has to be operated to heat the container.

Abstract: A spatter shield is provided which is attached to a lower portion of the inner door of a dishwasher at a location above and inside the upper edge of the enclosure tub. This shield includes a flange area for deflecting fluid splashed toward the dishwasher opening back into the tub when the door is closed. A channel is provided which is shielded by the flange area for receiving run-off fluid from the flange area when the door is open and for discharging that run-off into the tub when the door is closed. The shield can extend horizontally along a substantial length of the door and is preferably attached to the door by way of a rib on the door which is received in a toothed slot of the shield. The teeth within the slot permit the rib to be inserted relatively easily but resist withdrawal of the rib. These teeth are preferably co-extruded with the rest of the shield from a plastic composition that is relatively flexible with respect to the material forming rest of the shield.

Abstract: A control for a clothes dryer with an induction drive motor and an electric resistance heater element. A single sense winding is threaded through sensors monitoring drive motor current and heater current, generating an output voltage each time the alternating motor or heater current passes through a zero-crossing. The control monitors the ON/OFF condition of the heater and samples the lagging phase angle of the motor current, and provides an improved means of detecting when the clothes load is dry. The control provides a clothes cooldown period with controlled moisture regain as per the user dryness selection. Numerous heater related diagnostic conditions are monitored at the start of each cycle, or, throughout each cycle, including: heater ground fault detection; 208 or 240 VAC service voltage identification; heater open/short circuit detection; open door detection; heater box thermostat cycling; and restricted air flow detection.

Abstract: A relay control for a cooking appliance having a heating element includes a sensor for detecting the occurrence of an arc upon a change of state of a relay coupled between the heating element and a power supply. Upon detecting an arc, the sensor provides a timing signal which is coupled to a microprocessor that controls the energization and deenergization of the relay. The microprocessor is responsive to the timing signal from the sensor to determine the time delay between the last energization/deenergization of the relay and the changing of the relay's state. From the time delay, the microprocessor determines a delay constant. Subsequently, the microprocessor energizes the relay at a time after the detection of a zero crossover point of the power supply signal, wherein the time is equal to the determined delay constant to cause the relay to change state at or slightly before a zero crossover point of the power supply signal.

Abstract: An improved bearing retainer for a vacuum cleaner including a plurality of inwardly projecting retainer tabs for securing the bearing retainer in a fixed location relative to a vacuum cleaner motor housing and a bearing assembly, said bearing assembly being mounted on a motor shaft, which motor shaft projects through said vacuum cleaner motor housing.

Abstract: An electronic control for a motor which eliminates the motor centrifugal switch and more particularly a control for a domestic refuse compactor which permits the user to control the approximate full trash bag weight and obtain more compaction from a split phase induction drive motor. A ferrite core sensor on the main winding of the drive motor samples the lagging phase angle of the motor main winding current during a compaction stroke. A low force cycle is achieved by terminating the stroke as soon as phase samples fall below a threshold defined at the start of each cycle by a locked motor main winding phase sample acquired prior to starting the motor. A medium force cycle terminates the stroke when compaction forces exceed the main winding breakdown torque.

Abstract: Water deflector member removably mountable to the base of a dishwasher tub in a preselected fixed position near the side edge of the door of the dishwasher such as to deflect into the tub water running down the corner between the tub side wall and the door. The preferred deflector member includes a resilient plug portion inserted into a vertical socket formed in the lower wall of the tub, a flat resilient deflector portion extending horizontally from the plug towards the door in a cantilever fashion, and a webbed portion extending in a vertical plane between the plug and the deflector portion. The webbed portion extends through a slot formed in the lower wall of the tub which further serves to drain the socket of water.

Abstract: A control for a clothes dryer with an induction drive motor and an electric resistance heater element. A single sense winding is threaded through sensors monitoring drive motor current and heater current, generating an output voltage each time the alternating motor or heater current passes through a zero-crossing. The control monitors the ON/OFF condition of the heater and samples the lagging phase angle of the motor current, to provide an improved means of detecting when the clothes load is dry by measuring variation in motor torque due to minute differences in the way that the clothes load is tumbling from one drum revolution to the next revolution, ignoring cyclical, repetitive variation due to uneven drum rotational friction. The control provides a clothes cooldown period with controlled moisture regain as per the user dryness selection.