Patents Assigned to TurboChef Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10462852
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC
    Inventors: Warren S Graber, Reinhard Metz, Robert J Visher
  • Patent number: 9568369
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the temperature of cookware to be induction-heated, using an infrared temperature sensor. An induction heater countertop may include a viewing window between the infrared temperature sensor and the cookware. Various algorithms may be applied to the sensed temperature, to adjust it to account for the presence of the viewing window, as well as variations in the cookware material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren S. Graber, Reinhard Metz, Robert J. Visher
  • Patent number: 9562695
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide devices and systems for re-routing escaping steam and grease from an oven interior to a separate compartment of the oven where the live steam and grease can be condensed and safely disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Yingst, Carl Jay Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20170010003
    Abstract: A high efficiency fluid delivery system which is particularly useful in delivering temperature-controlled air in convection heating or cooling apparatuses is described. The fluid delivery system preferably comprises fluid circulation means having an intake opening for the fluid and vanes that assist in increasing fluid velocity and reducing turbulent flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: TurboChef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20160348920
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide devices and systems for re-routing escaping steam and grease from an oven interior to a separate compartment of the oven where the live steam and grease can be condensed and safely disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Yingst, Carl Jay Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9474284
    Abstract: A high efficiency fluid delivery system which is particularly useful in delivering temperature-controlled air in convection heating or cooling apparatuses is described. The fluid delivery system provides a fluid circulation means having an intake opening for the fluid and one or more vanes that assist in increasing fluid velocity and reducing turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TurboChef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9351495
    Abstract: An accelerated cooking air fryer is disclosed comprising a cavity, controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, gas directing means and a vent assembly. Hot gas is circulated by the blower motor assembly into the air fryer cavity where the hot air is directed in a manner wherein a conflicting, colliding turbulent gas flow is directed at a food product providing for the accelerated cooking of the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: TurboChef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. McFadden
  • Patent number: 8893705
    Abstract: A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, thermal heating source, air movement and directing means, air delivery means, and a vent assembly. Hot gas is circulated to and from the oven cavity via air delivery means such that turbulently mixed glancing, conflicting and colliding gas flow patterns mix at and about the surfaces of the food product. The turbulently mixed gas flows are spatially averaged over the surface area of the food product producing high heat transfer, thereby optimizing speed cooking of the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. McFadden
  • Publication number: 20140261373
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide devices and systems for re-routing escaping steam and grease from an oven interior to a separate compartment of the oven where the live steam and grease can be condensed and safely disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Yingst, Jay Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8658953
    Abstract: An antenna cover assembly for a high-temperature operating environment has a cover plate, gasket portions, and a retainer plate. The cover plate has an inner side and an outer side, the cover plate being translucent to at least one selected frequency of electromagnetic energy. The gasket portions are each located adjacent one of the inner and outer sides, each gasket portion being configured for sealingly engaging the adjacent side. The retainer plate is configured for attachment to a structure located in a high-temperature operating environment. The retainer plate has a sealing flange adapted for clamping the cover plate generally adjacent an antenna portion of a waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Publication number: 20130004630
    Abstract: A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, thermal heating source, air movement and directing means, air delivery means, and a vent assembly. Hot gas is circulated to and from the oven cavity via air delivery means such that turbulently mixed glancing, conflicting and colliding gas flow patterns mix at and about the surfaces of the food product. The turbulently mixed gas flows are spatially averaged over the surface area of the food product producing high heat transfer, thereby optimizing speed cooking of the food product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: DAVID H. MCFADDEN
  • Patent number: 8297270
    Abstract: A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, thermal heating source, air movement and directing means, air delivery means, and a vent assembly. Hot gas is circulated to and from the oven cavity via air delivery means such that turbulently mixed glancing, conflicting and colliding gas flow patterns mix at and about the surfaces of the food product. The turbulently mixed gas flows are spatially averaged over the surface area of the food product producing high heat transfer, thereby optimizing speed cooking of the food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David H McFadden
  • Patent number: 8224892
    Abstract: An improved oven for use in a residence is described. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a programmable controller for executing program instructions, memory media for recording executable program instructions, and at least one controllable cooking system under control of the programmable controller, which provides a data-processing-controlled high speed cooking process which may be applied to food placed in the oven chamber. A plurality of cooking programs are recorded in the memory media of the oven. These define a plurality of high speed cooking routines available for use with the oven. A gateway server is communicatively coupled to the programmable controller. It manages the communication of digital content which is at least in-part related to operation and utilization of the improved oven. A broadband communication channel extends from a source of digital content, which is external to the residence, to the residence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bogatin, Richard Caron, David McFadden, Bryan Connell, Carl Pryor, James K. Pool, III
  • Patent number: 8136442
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a selection process that is facilitated by a multi-modality controller. The selection process and knob are particularly useful in connection with an oven or other cooking appliance, but the knob and screens described herein can be used with any electronic component that requires a user to select various operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pilar Ariella Strutin-Belinoff, Maxwell T. Abbott, James K. Pool, III, Michael J. Dobie
  • Patent number: 8113190
    Abstract: A compact conveyor oven is disclosed comprising a cooking chamber, thermal heating source, conveyor means and independent top and bottom airflow within the cooking chamber wherein substantially equal pressurization of the top and bottom airflows is achieved within the compact footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8042533
    Abstract: A convection heating apparatus capable of providing effective, high speed cooking without the assistance of microwave energy. The oven apparatus includes an exterior cabinet, a door, and a cooking chamber having interior side walls, a back wall, and a lower jet plate. The oven further includes a blower for circulating gas through the lower jet plate into the cooking chamber. In addition, the oven includes a product support disposed within the cooking chamber above said lower jet plate. The product support is disposed on a rail that is positioned to hold the lower jet plate in place when air is circulated therethrough. Optionally, the oven further includes an upper jet plate disposed within the cooking chamber above the product support. Temperature controlled gas is circulated through the upper jet plate toward the product support and any food product disposed on the product support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Dobie, Carlos Bacigalupe, Russell Rose
  • Patent number: 8035062
    Abstract: A combination cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means, deflecting means and a vent assembly wherein speed cooking or slower cooking of food products may be accomplished within the same appliance by movement of a gas baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 8011293
    Abstract: A speed cooking oven with sloped oven floor and reversing gas flow is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, a controller, thermal heating source, blower assembly, air directing means, and a sloped oven floor that directs air flow from the oven side walls to oven center thereby producing a highly turbulent reversed air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, David A. Bolton
  • Patent number: 8006685
    Abstract: A bleed gas clean-up system for a re-circulating oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Bolton, David H. McFadden
  • Patent number: 7956304
    Abstract: A combination switch is provided for a high-speed oven, the oven having a door. The combination switch has a rotatable cam (40) that is rotated when the door of the oven is moved between a closed position and an open position. The cam (40) has at least one lobe (50, 52) for engaging at least one safety-switch (44, 46) for actuation by the at least one lobe of the cam as the cam rotates. The at least one safety switch controls operation of at least a portion of the oven. A locking latch (48) is selectively moveable between an engaged position, in which the latch engages the cam (40) to limit rotation of the cam and thereby prevent opening of the door, and a disengaged position, in which the latch (48) does not engage the cam (40) and thereby allows opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Bacigalupe, Michael J. Dobie