Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling the operation of a cooking appliance, such as an oven range. The cooking appliance includes a door with multiple spaced apart glass panels. The method uses an interlocking mechanism that interferes with the installation of at least one of the plurality of glass panels in the door if at least one of the glass panels is not installed properly. The method further uses a switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling the operation of a cooking appliance, such as an oven range. The cooking appliance includes a door with multiple spaced apart glass panels. The method uses an interlocking mechanism that interferes with the installation of at least one of the plurality of glass panels in the door if at least one of the glass panels is not installed properly. The method further uses a switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

Abstract: Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a housing forming an oven cavity within the housing. A door is attached to the housing for selectively opening and closing the oven cavity. The door comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes a vent in fluid communication with an air channel within the door. A movable blocking element for selectively opens and closes the vent. The movable blocking element is biased against the vent when the door is open, thereby closing the vent when the door is open. The movable blocking element is configured to translate linearly within the door, toward the vent and away from the outer surface of the door to close the vent, and toward the outer surface of the door and away from the vent to open the vent.

Abstract: Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

Abstract: A power control circuit includes first and second electrical power terminals connected across a source of electrical power. A heating element is connected to the first terminal. A heating element controller is connected in series with the heating element, between the heating element and the second terminal. The controller is configured to control a temperature level of the element, and includes a control input configured to receive a range of temperature settings, and an OFF command for the element. The controller includes an ON/OFF switch to disconnect the element from the second terminal, and a temperature level control switch to intermittently connect/disconnect the element to the second terminal. A jumper wire series-connects the ON/OFF switch to the temperature level control switch. The ON/OFF switch, the jumper wire, the temperature level control switch, and the element are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

Abstract: A cooking hob includes a transparent or semi-transparent top panel and a cooking zone with a pot detector. A user interface is below the top panel and includes touch switches and a touch slide. A light source corresponds with the touch switch and the cooking zone. The light source indicates detection of a pot on the cooking zone by a first light signal during a predetermined time interval and indicates an activated state of the cooking zone by a second light signal and indicates the selected cooking zone and the activated state of the touch slide element by the first light signal. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the indicated cooking zone within the time interval. The touch switch is for selecting the cooking zone and activating the touch slide. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the selected cooking zone.

Abstract: Provided is a door for a cooking appliance, such as an oven range, with multiple spaced apart glass panels. An interlocking mechanism promotes a proper installation of the glass panels, and interferes with the installation of the glass panels or with operation of the appliance if at least one of the panels is not properly installed. A switch with a plunger can be installed in the door, which allows the appliance to operate only when a failsafe electrical circuit is closed corresponding to a selected position of the plunger when the door is closed. The plunger is prevented from retaining that selected position if at least one of the glass panels is improperly installed or if a top cap is not properly seated or installed above the glass panels.

Abstract: An oven is provided including an oven cavity and an outlet duct for receiving exhaust gas from the oven cavity. The oven further includes a flow control device attached to the outlet duct. The flow control device includes a damper assembly positioned at least partially within the outlet duct. The damper assembly is movable with respect to the outlet duct. The flow control device further includes a drive unit attached to the damper assembly, the drive unit selectively moving the damper assembly between a closed position in which the damper assembly blocks a flow of the exhaust gas through the outlet duct and an opened position. The oven further includes a control system for controlling the damper assembly.

Abstract: A cooking appliance can include diagnostic information communication ability. The cooking appliance has a support for supporting a cooking vessel at a cooking location. A heating element is configured to heat the cooking vessel at the cooking location. A user interface of the cooking appliance includes a visible indicator that is operable to convey primary operational information indicative of an operational aspect of the cooking appliance to a user during normal operation of the cooking appliance. A controller receives sensed information indicative of a malfunction of the cooking appliance and controls an operation of the visible indicator to display an error signal that is incomprehensible to the user without computer assistance, but is readable by a portable code reader. The error signal comprises repeated illumination and deactivation of the visible indicator at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A power control circuit includes first and second electrical power terminals connected across a source of electrical power. A heating element is connected to the first terminal. A heating element controller is connected in series with the heating element, between the heating element and the second terminal. The controller is configured to control a temperature level of the element, and includes a control input configured to receive a range of temperature settings, and an OFF command for the element. The controller includes an ON/OFF switch to disconnect the element from the second terminal, and a temperature level control switch to intermittently connect/disconnect the element to the second terminal. A jumper wire series-connects the ON/OFF switch to the temperature level control switch. The ON/OFF switch, the jumper wire, the temperature level control switch, and the element are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a housing forming an oven cavity within the housing. A door is attached to the housing for selectively opening and closing the oven cavity. The door comprises an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes a vent in fluid communication with an air channel within the door. A movable blocking element for selectively opens and closes the vent. The movable blocking element is biased against the vent when the door is open, thereby closing the vent when the door is open. The movable blocking element is configured to translate linearly within the door, toward the vent and away from the outer surface of the door to close the vent, and toward the outer surface of the door and away from the vent to open the vent.

Abstract: A cooking hob includes a transparent or semi-transparent top panel and a cooking zone with a pot detector. A user interface is below the top panel and includes touch switches and a touch slide. A light source corresponds with the touch switch and the cooking zone. The light source indicates detection of a pot on the cooking zone by a first light signal during a predetermined time interval and indicates an activated state of the cooking zone by a second light signal and indicates the selected cooking zone and the activated state of the touch slide element by the first light signal. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the indicated cooking zone within the time interval. The touch switch is for selecting the cooking zone and activating the touch slide. The touch slide is for adjusting the power and/or temperature of the selected cooking zone.

Abstract: Provided is a cooktop assembly that includes a generator that produces a high-frequency alternating current and is configured to be coupled to a surface of a cabinet. An adjustable cooking surface with a heating coil is electrically connected to the generator to conduct the high-frequency alternating current produced by the generator and induce an induced current in a cooking vessel supported by the adjustable cooking surface in a cooking orientation. An adjustable coupling pivotally couples the adjustable cooking surface to the generator and supports the adjustable cooking surface at a plurality of different angular orientations relative to the generator.

Abstract: A rack for an appliance includes a main section having a support frame, and an arm coupled to the support frame and movable relative to the support frame between a first position and a second position. In one example, the arm is movable towards the first position and is configured for engagement with a stop portion of an appliance cavity for inhibiting removal of the main section therefrom. In another example, the appliance cavity includes at least one stop portion, and the arm is movable towards engagement with the stop portion for inhibiting removal of the main section from the appliance cavity.

Abstract: An oven includes an interior cavity and a convection heating system for developing a flow of heated air within the interior cavity. The convection heating system includes a plurality of fans to provide a plurality of airflows, and a single convection heating element for heating the plurality of airflows. A shroud is arranged in covering relationship over the convection heating system and includes at least one intake aperture, and a plurality of exhaust apertures for discharging air from the plurality of fans back into the interior cavity. A baffle is located within the shroud and generally between adjacent ones of the plurality of fans. The baffle inhibits mixture of the airflows of each of the fans within the shroud. In one example, a first fan provides a first airflow, a second fan providing a second airflow, and the baffle inhibits mixture of the first and second airflows within shroud.

Abstract: An oven is provided including an oven cavity and an outlet duct for receiving exhaust gas from the oven cavity. The oven further includes a flow control device attached to the outlet duct. The flow control device includes a damper assembly positioned at least partially within the outlet duct. The damper assembly is movable with respect to the outlet duct. The flow control device further includes a drive unit attached to the damper assembly, the drive unit selectively moving the damper assembly between a closed position in which the damper assembly blocks a flow of the exhaust gas through the outlet duct and an opened position. The oven further includes a control system for controlling the damper assembly.

Abstract: An oven includes an oven enclosure having a plurality of walls defining an oven cavity. The oven enclosure includes an oven door for accessing the oven cavity. The oven includes a venting assembly attached to a wall of the oven enclosure and in fluid communication with the oven cavity. The venting assembly includes an exhaust passage attached to the wall of the oven enclosure, the exhaust passage defining a flow path through which exhaust gas flows from the oven cavity. The venting assembly includes a flow control device positioned within the exhaust passage, the flow control device selectively restricting the passage of the exhaust gas through the exhaust passage. The venting assembly includes a fluid treatment structure disposed downstream from the flow control device within the exhaust passage, the fluid treatment structure altering characteristics of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage.

Abstract: A leveling leg for an appliance is provided, including a main shaft and a foot coupled to the main shaft. A recess extends at least partially into the foot and includes an opening through a bottom surface of the foot. A ball is adapted to be received within the recess. The opening substantially surrounds at least a portion of the ball and is configured to inhibit removal of the ball from the recess. In one example, the ball is adapted to be received within the recess by a snap-fit engagement with the at least one arm. In another example, a plurality of arms are at least partially disposed within the recess and cooperate at one end thereof to engage the ball at an area below a great circle of the ball to inhibit removal of the ball from the recess.