Abstract: A data acquisition system having selective communication capability to enable the data acquisition system to communicate with other data acquisition systems. The probe of the present invention initiates communication with a data acquisition unit located in an appliance. The data acquisition unit maintains a collection record which indicates the current setup and counts of the appliances. When the probe communicates with the data unit, it identifies itself and based upon this identification, the data unit responds with a particular collection record which is compatible with the probe communicating with the data unit. In addition, if the probe is used to setup a data unit, the probe decides what type of setup record to send based upon the collection record received from the data unit.

Abstract: A heater system is provided for use with a downdraft range. The heater is constructed and disposed within a burner pan associated with the range to produce a non-uniform heat output relative to the front-to-rear center line of the burner pan. The greater heat output is produced adjacent a side wall of the burner pan which is substantially opposite the air inlet of the proximity ventilation system.

Abstract: A gas downdraft range is provided with an airflow system for inducing and maintaining cooling airflow, combustion airflow and exhaust airflow. A housing defines an upwardly facing burner box and a cover overlies the housing with a downwardly formed burner pan disposed within the burner box. The bottom wall of the burner pan is spaced above the bottom wall of the burner box to form an air space therebetween. The burner box has cooling air inlets and cooling air outlets in communication with the air space to define a cooling airflow path. A burner is operably disposed in the burner pan and a grill grate overlies the burner pan providing combustion air inlet and outlet ports to and from the burner pan for defining a combustion airflow path. A plenum enclosure is connected to an exhaust air intake juxtaposed the grill grate and exhausts to atmosphere defining an exhaust airflow path. A blower concurrently induces and maintains each of the airflows.

Abstract: A gas burner construction is porvided which is completely free of any upwardly facing horizontal plane surfaces. This burner construction is especially adapted for cooking food with an open flame since there are no surfaces on which drippings may collect and cause flare-ups.

Abstract: A gas distribution system is provided for a cooking appliance having housing structure defining a substantially confined control chamber. A gas manifold structure is utilized which includes first and second spaced apart surfaces joined by a peripheral wall member. The gas manifold structure provides for mounting a plurality of gas valves in a closely spaced cluster arrangement within the confined control chamber.

Abstract: A gas cooking appliance is provided which is operable with interchangeable burners. An appliance housing includes a burner box mounting an upwardly facing non-removable burner pan. A gas supply system includes gas valves arranged to provide gas to inlet fittings having orifice hoods mounted on the burner pan with the orifice hoods and burner pan being adapted to interchangeably receive first and second burners. A proximity ventilation system has an exhaust intake adjacent the burner pan and a motor driven blower for inducing airflow into the exhaust intake. A first switch is mounted on the burner pan and is operated by only one of the burners. A second switch is associated with the gas valves and is in circuit with the first switch. The switches are cooperable on operation of the gas valves to provide automatic blower operation with only one of the first and second burners.

Abstract: An appliance system is provided having a plurality of appliances. A master controller includes the user-operable appliance controls as well as associated logic controls for controlling the operating components of the appliances. An interface control is physically associated with each controlled appliance and receives control signals for the various operating components from the master controller by way of power line transmission. The master controller effects a repeating sequence of transmitting and receiving control signals in the form of first and second data packages while the interface control effects a repeating sequence of receiving first data packages and transmitting second data packages. The interface control and the master controller will each interrupt operation of the appliances responsive to the absence of either first or second data packages.

Abstract: A coin actuated appliance is provided which includes first and second stacked laundry machines having first and second enclosing cabinets. A housing defines a generally closed vault within an intermediate support member which supports the second laundry machine above the first laundry machine. The coin collecting apparatus includes a box-like structure movable into and out of the vault. Coin diverting apparatus is provided with the coin collecting apparatus for urging coins from the egress of a coin acceptor device toward the end of the box-like structure opposite the coin diverting apparatus.

Abstract: A control center including a panel alignment system is provided for use with a control housing. A support member is mounted in the control housing for mounting a selector switch. A panel member is spaced forwardly from the support member and is movable relative thereto. The panel member includes an aperture for receiving the actuating shaft of the selector switch and further includes selector switch operating indicia. An alignment member is mounted to the support member at the selector switch location and includes a projecting portion engageable with the panel member for effecting a connection therebetween. The alignment member and the panel member are movable together to align the operating indicia with the actuating shaft. The alignment member further includes a locking portion for locking the alignment member and the panel member in place when alignment is achieved.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes apparatus for analyzing the eccentricity of a rotatable member with respect to its design rotational axis when subjected to dynamic unbalance forces. An indicator is rotatable with the rotatable member and includes a predetermined detectable pattern. A sensor is juxtaposed to the detectable pattern and is spaced a predetermined radial distance from the design rotational axis of the rotatable member and indicator. The sensor is cooperable with the detectable pattern for producing an electrical signal corresponding to passage of the detectable pattern during rotary movement of the indicator to generate a stream of electrical signals representing the relative degree of radial displacement of the rotatable member from the design rotational axis. Control apparatus includes a microcontroller in circuit association with the sensor.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling the operation of at least a pair of coin actuated appliances. A control panel area is provided which includes a coin drop mechanism, selection switches and indicators. A microcontroller is in circuit association with the coin drop mechanism, the selection switches and the indicators. The microcontroller is operable for accumulating the value of coins received and for effecting a display of the value in the indicators. Upon operation of a selection switch for a particular appliance by the appliance user, the microcontroller will effect operation of that appliance and the assignment of the displayed value to that appliance.

Abstract: A rotating antenna is provided for use in a microwave oven having drive apparatus for rotating the antenna, a heating cavity, a source of microwave energy and a waveguide between the heating cavity and the source of microwave energy. A probe extends into the waveguide for coupling with the microwave energy and is connected to a center-fed dipole radiator in the heating cavity. Radiation modifying elements are integral with the dipole radiator to provide increased radiation in the central portion of the heating cavity. Impedance balancing elements are also integral with the dipole radiator and cooperate with the probe to effectively match the impedance of the source of microwave energy with the impedance of the heating cavity to permit substantially full microwave power to be delivered to a cooking load.

Abstract: A door latch is provided for the access door of an appliance. The door latch apparatus includes bracketry for mounting at least one switch and actuating levers. The movable access door includes a catch which is engageable with one of the actuating levers as the access door is closed for sensing if the access door is in a lockable posture. Another actuating lever is pivotally operated by a solenoid actuator under control of a microcontroller-based controller to position one end of the lever into locking engagement with the access door catch and to actuate a switch for providing a signal to the controller that the access door is closed and locked.

Abstract: A dishwasher rack having substantially upstanding front, rear and side walls and a generally horizontally disposed bottom wall formed from a plurality of longitudinal and lateral wire members includes at least one pivoted divider. The pivoted dividers are each located between a pair of pivot support members which are secured to adjacent wires of the rack bottom by oppositely facing grooves and a deformable locking member. Each pivot support member includes a spring biasing arm having a cam member engageable with a follower associated with a pivoted divider. The cam member and biasing arm cooperate with the follower of the pivoted divider for controlling the positioning of the pivoted divider in either an upright or folded posture.

Abstract: An induction cooking cartridge is disclosed which includes an internal fan for cooling the various induction heating components. The cooking cartridge is constructed so that a unique airflow path is defined with cooling airflow entering the mounting recess in at least two areas and entering the cartridge cavity at the bottom and at the top. The airflow is directed over the induction heating circuitry for cooling it and then is exhausted through the fan to an exhaust conduit which surrounds the exhaust opening and conducts the exhaust air to the kitchen environment.

Abstract: A fabric drying apparatus including a fabric tumbler is provided which includes control circuitry for interrupting a cycle upon detection of temperature signals outside a predetermined range. A power supply energizes the fabric drying apparatus. A heater is generally associated with the fabric tumbler for providing heated airflow thereto. Temperature sensing circuitry includes at least one thermostat for controlling the cyclic operation of the heater to provide airflow in a predetermined temperature range. The temperature sensing circuitry further includes oscillator circuitry operable to provide a frequency output variable in response to airflow temperature. A control system includes a microcontroller in communication with the oscillator circuitry, the cycle selection switches, the display system and the power supply.

Abstract: A combination appliance is provided having a washing machine and a dryer separately supported above the washing machine. The physical arrangement of the washing machine/dryer combination provides a compartment below the dryer cabinet and behind the washing machine cabinet. A recessed area in the top cover of the washing machine and below the bottom of the dryer defines a pocket which is in communication with the compartment. A sliding access door is operable within the recessed area and is manually movable to a posture partially within the compartment and partially within the pocket for providing clear access to within the washing machine.

Abstract: An oven ventilating system is provided for use in conjunction with a proximity ventilated range having modular plug-in cooktop cartridges. A vent tube extends upwardly from an oven vent outlet to a position adjacent the air intake grill. The venting path, in one embodiment, is completed by a collar-like chimney portion of the air intake grill which cooperates with the top of the vent tube to conduct exhaust fumes to above the top surface of the range.