Patents Examined by Quang T. Van
  • Patent number: 11497088
    Abstract: An induction cooking hob (1) with illumination equipment includes a cover element (2) arranged at the top side of the induction cooking hob and including at least one heating zone, a chassis (5) arranged below the cover element (2) and at least one induction coil unit (3) having an induction coil (10). The induction coil unit (3) is arranged below the at least one heating zone. According to the invention, a light emitting diode (4) is mounted to the center of the at least one induction coil unit (3). Thermal conductive contact between the light emitting diode (4) and the chassis (5) is provided by a spring element (12) pressing at least a surface of the light emitting diode (4) onto the chassis (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Stefan Bayerlein, Jochen Holzinger
  • Patent number: 11490472
    Abstract: Control electronics may control power amplifier electronics associated with application of RF energy generated using solid state electronic components. The power amplifier electronics may be configured to control application of RF energy in an oven according to a cooking recipe at least in part based on a learning procedure that generates a power cycling between high and low powers when the learning procedure is executed. The control electronics may include processing circuitry configured to employ a thermal stress mitigation technique to control thermal stresses on the power amplifier electronics associated with the power cycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Carcano, Michele Sclocchi, Daniele Chirico
  • Patent number: 11486605
    Abstract: A system for precision temperature control of thermal bead baths used in biological laboratories to heat biological samples. An insulated outer shell and an inner shell sealed together to form a recirculation pathway. The inner shell has an air extraction port opening into the recirculation pathway and at least one air injection port opening into the recirculation pathway. A fan in the recirculation pathway draws air through the air extraction port. A thermal sensor is connected to a control and is disposed in close proximity to one of the air injection ports. Thermal beads are placed in a mesh basket inside the inner shell. The fan draws air from the inner shell through the beads and into the recirculation pathway, where the air is heated by a thermal element. The air flows past the thermal element and through the air injection ports back into the inner shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: James Everett Modisette, Jr.
    Inventor: James Everett Modisette, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11490471
    Abstract: A household appliance includes: a magnetron for generating microwaves during operation; a power supply unit; and a controller for specifying to the power supply unit a power level for the operation of the magnetron. The controller temporarily reduces, in a coexistence mode, the power level specified to the power supply unit for the operation of the magnetron in a manner that reduces or prevents disturbance of communication in a wireless network using beacon frames due to the microwaves generated by the magnetron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Nils Langhammer, Frank Deter, Olaf Bloemker, Michael Junkmann, Christian Boemke
  • Patent number: 11490468
    Abstract: Induction cooker having an induction coil, a supporting structure, a ferromagnetic element and a non-ferromagnetic element. The induction coil is arranged to receive a varying electric current and produce a corresponding varying electromagnetic field. The supporting structure is arranged to support a ferromagnetic object above the induction coil, the ferromagnetic object being placed in the corresponding varying electromagnetic field to be magnetically coupled to the induction coil, thereby determining a mutual inductance between the induction coil and the ferromagnetic object. The ferromagnetic element and the non-ferromagnetic element are arranged to be located between the supporting structure and the induction coil and selectively move in the corresponding varying electromagnetic field based on a mutual inductance between the induction coil and the ferromagnetic object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Irfan Karazor
  • Patent number: 11483903
    Abstract: An induction heating system includes a power inverter, an induction circuit, and a control circuit. The power inverter includes one or more transistors configured to receive a direct current (DC) input and produce an alternating current (AC) output. The induction circuit includes at least one working coil configured to receive the AC output and produce a first magnetic field, wherein the first magnetic field interacts with a ferrous material to generate heat in the ferrous material. The control circuit includes a processor and memory. The memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the control circuit to receive an input, from a user, indicating a temperature set point, measure an inductance of the induction circuit, determine a resonant frequency of the induction circuit based on the inductance, and control the one or more transistors of the power inverter based on the resonant frequency and the temperature set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: HATCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nick Bassill, Fei Shang, Ishan Shah
  • Patent number: 11464085
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for heating a load using microwaves is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transmission line, configured to transmit microwaves from a microwave generator to a cavity. A sensing device configured to measure a standing wave for providing information about the phase and the amplitude of a reflection coefficient that represents a ratio between the amount of microwaves reflected back towards the microwave generator and the amount of microwaves transmitted in the transmission line from the microwave generator. A control unit configured to detect whether the measured standing wave correspond to a reflection coefficient having a phase within a certain interval of phases and an amplitude within a certain interval of amplitudes. Additionally, certain intervals of phases and amplitudes correspond to an operating region of the microwave generator. The control unit controls feeding of microwaves to the cavity based on this detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Hakan Carlsson, Ulf Nordh
  • Patent number: 11464086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure vessel (1) for receiving samples (P) to be heated, having a reaction chamber (2) as a pressure space for the initiation and/or facilitation of chemical and/or physical pressure reactions, the reaction chamber (2) being designed for receiving a liquid (5), a magnetic disk (8) mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation in the reaction chamber (2), and a magnet arrangement (10), provided outside the reaction chamber (2), for generating a rotating magnetic field for rotationally driving the magnetic disk (8) about its axis of rotation, the magnetic disk (8) having at least one passage bore (13), which extends transversely in relation to the axis of rotation and is provided in such a way that liquid (5) received in the reaction chamber (2) is driven through the passage opening (13) by rotation of the magnetic disk (8) in order to stir the liquid (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MWVT AG
    Inventors: Werner Lautenschläger, Jens Lautenschläger, Werner Scholze
  • Patent number: 11457515
    Abstract: A cooking appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a magnetron, an induction heating coil, and a one-way field filter. The cabinet may define a cooking chamber. The magnetron may be mounted within the cabinet in communication with the cooking chamber to direct a microwave thereto. The induction heating coil may be mounted within the cabinet to direct a magnetic field thereto. The one-way field filter may be disposed within the cabinet between the induction heating coil and the cooking chamber to restrict passage of the microwave therethrough while permitting the magnetic field. The one-way filter may include a lower layer and an upper layer. The lower layer may include a plurality of parallel conductive bands extending in a first direction. The upper layer may be disposed above the lower layer. The upper layer may include a plurality of parallel conductive bands extending in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae-Hoon Lim, Dong Soo Shin, Hyuk-chul Kwon, Byung Cheon Lee, Ju Chan Park, Jaebong Lee, Youngjin Oh
  • Patent number: 11441719
    Abstract: A method of heating an inner pipe of a set of coaxial pipes, wherein the inner pipe is heated by induction using an electromagnetic induction coil (5) surrounding the outer pipe coaxially, the coil passing electrical power at a frequency lower than 100 Hz optimized for maximum energy efficiency of Joule effect heating of the inner pipe. A device (8) is also provided for induction heating an inner pipe of coaxial pipes, the device has a) an induction heater having at least one electromagnetic induction coil (5) coaxially surrounding the outer pipe of the coaxial pipes, and b) a raising device (9) for raising a portion (1-2) of coaxial pipes (1) above the sea bed (13) together with the induction coil(s) (5) surrounding it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.A.
    Inventors: François-Régis Pionetti, Axel Sundermann, Taoufik Majdoub, Jalil Agoumi
  • Patent number: 11438974
    Abstract: An induction cooktop device includes a cooktop plane and an induction heating unit that includes an induction heating element, with the induction heating element extending at least in a subarea along a first principal plane of orientation which deviates from the cooktop plane. The induction heating element includes a first section extending at least essentially within a second principal plane of orientation, and a second section extending at least essentially within a third principal plane of orientation which differs from the second principal plane of orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Jesus Acero Acero, Manuel Almolda Fandos, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco, Sergio Llorente Gil, Ignacio Lope Moratilla, Maria Elena Moya Albertin, Javier Serrano Trullen
  • Patent number: 11433471
    Abstract: A system for providing a dynamically controlled plasma cutting system. The plasma cutting system includes a proportional valve and a sensing device arrangement and a controller connected to this arrangement. The system is configured to dynamically control gas flow in a plasma torch. The system measures gas pressure at a proportional valve and makes necessary gas pressure adjustments in the system by way of controlling a drive signal sent to the proportional valve to control gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony V. Salsich, Joseph C. Schneider, James F. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 11438975
    Abstract: A cooking appliance, in particular an induction oven appliance, includes a cavity having a wall, at least one induction heating element, and at least one electrically conductive screening element for screening an electric and/or magnetic field generated by the induction heating element. The induction heating element can be arranged on the wall of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Jesus Acero Acero, Claudio Carretero Chamarro, Jose Maria De la Cuerda Ortin, Juan Jose Galindo Perez, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco, Izaskun Jaca Equiza, Ignacio Lope Moratilla
  • Patent number: 11438976
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for heating a fluid or other material. The apparatuses may include a container (e.g., tube) in which a susceptor material is disposed. The susceptor material may convert microwave energy to heat, which may increase the temperature of a fluid or material in or adjacent the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Qwave Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Badac, Ryan Booth, Kaitlin Harris, Cliff Raleigh, Steven Schlaegle, Richard Troiano
  • Patent number: 11419354
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a system and method of extracting bioactive agents from biomass using continuous microwave-assisted extraction. The disclosed system includes a plurality of microwave modules that exposes the biomass to continuous microwave energy, and an extraction module to extract bioactive agents from the biomass. In some embodiments, the biomass is exposed to subcritical water treatment in the microwave modules. The disclosed system enables bioactive agent to be extracted effectively, in a relatively short period of time compared to conventional extraction methods and allows for an enhanced extraction yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, SINNOVATEK, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Druga, Amanda Vargochik, Josip Simunovic
  • Patent number: 11419190
    Abstract: A thermal increase system may include re-radiators disposed in a cavity for containing a load. Microwave energy may be generated by one or more microwave generation modules, and directed toward the cavity during operation of the thermal increase system, thereby creating an electromagnetic field in the cavity. A system controller may control switches coupled between the re-radiators and corresponding ground nodes to selectively activate and de-activate the re-radiators. The system controller may control a switch coupled between a pair of re-radiators to re-distribute the electromagnetic field in the cavity. A phase shifter may be disposed between a pair of re-radiators, which may provide a phase shift to energy passed between the re-radiators. The phase shifter may be a variable shifter that applies a variable phase shift to the energy according to commands received from the system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Durnan
  • Patent number: 11412586
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) heating system and process for rapidly and uniformly heating a plurality of articles on a convey line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Harold Dail Kimrey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11407576
    Abstract: A microwave packaging material including a plurality of susceptors is disclosed. Each susceptor includes a plastic film or polymer with a metal layer on one surface of the plastic film and a paper adhered to the plastic film opposite the metal layer. A patterned adhesive is bonded between a first susceptor layer and a second susceptor layer in a pattern bond creating sealed air pockets. A paper board substrate is adhered using an adhesive in a bond pattern to one of the susceptor layers facing the metal of the respective susceptor layer to provide the microwave packing material rigidity. Upon exposure to microwave energy in a microwave oven, moisture is trapped between the paper board substrate and the susceptor layer creating a vapor pressure that causes the sealed air pockets to form expanded air pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Schwan's Global Supply Chain, Inc.
    Inventor: James Persells
  • Patent number: 11399417
    Abstract: An induction heating cooker according to the present invention has a top plate on which a heater area indication indicating a mount position of to-be-heated object is formed, and a first coil and a second coil that are formed of an annular coil arranged below the heater area indication of the top plate, the second coil includes a first winding portion extending in a circumferential direction of the first coil, and a second winding portion spaced apart from the first winding portion and extending in the circumferential direction of the first coil, and the distance between the first winding portion and the top plate is different from the distance between the second winding portion and the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuro Suga, Tetsuya Matsuda, Kazuhiro Kameoka
  • Patent number: 11395379
    Abstract: A cooking device includes a heating coil having at least two windings. A fixing device is provided to fix the heating coil at least partially mechanically in an assembled state. The fixing device includes a support unit and a retaining unit, which in the assembled state fixes each of the at least two windings separately on the support unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Jose Maria De la Cuerda Ortin, Juan Jose Galindo Perez, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco, Izaskun Jaca Equiza, Ignacio Lope Moratilla, Damaso Martin Gomez, Maria Elena Moya Albertin, Carlos Obon Abadia, Jose Joaquin Paricio Azcona, Alvaro Rigual Iturria, Pablo Ruiz Arnal