Abstract: A power delivery system and method for an induction cooktop are provided herein. A plurality of inverters are each configured to apply an output power to a plurality of induction coils electrically coupled thereto via corresponding relays. A selected inverter is operable to momentarily idle to enable commutation of a relay connected thereto. An active inverter is operable to increase its output power for the duration in which the selected inverter is idled in order to lessen power fluctuations experienced on a mains line.

Abstract: An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a kitchen utensil and a cooking hob, wherein the kitchen utensil is provided with one or more sensors arranged on the kitchen utensil. The sensors include acceleration sensors, gyroscopic sensors, and inclination sensors. The cooking appliance is provided with a control unit configured to receive data from the sensors and to elaborate information on how the kitchen utensil is being used, and to control the cooking appliance accordingly.

Abstract: A control circuit for an induction heating device comprises a D.C. power supply, referenced to a ground connection and configured to supply power to the induction heating device. A switching device is configured to be selectively activated to control the induction heating device. The switching device is connected on one end to the ground connection. A resonant load is disposed between the D.C. power supply and the switching device, the resonant load comprises a capacitor and an inductor connected in a parallel configuration. At least one rectifying device is disposed in series with the resonant load and the switching device. The switching device is configured to control current from the D.C. power supply through the resonant load.

Abstract: An induction heating device comprises a D.C. power supply referenced to a ground connection. The D.C. power supply is configured to supply power to the induction heating device and comprises a voltage rectifier configured to rectify an input voltage into a direct current and output the D.C. voltage to a D.C. bus and a ground connection. The device further comprises a plurality of resonant loads arranged in a matrix comprising a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. Each of the resonant loads is connected at a first end to a row and at a second end to a column. A plurality of first switching devices are in connection with each of the columns between the D.C. bus and at least one of the resonant loads. A plurality of second switching devices are in connection with each of the rows between the resonant loads and the ground connection.

Abstract: An induction heating device comprises a power supply configured to supply D.C. power and a plurality of resonant loads. Each of the resonant loads comprises a first node and a second node. The first nodes are in connection with the power supply. The device further comprises a plurality of first switching devices. One of the first switching devices is in connection with the second node of each one of the resonant loads. A second switching device is in connection with each of the first switching devices. A union of activation of one or more activated first switching devices and the second switching device supplies current from the power supply through the resonant loads in connection with the one or more activated first switching devices.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a kitchen utensil and a cooking hob, wherein the kitchen utensil is provided with one or more sensors arranged on the kitchen utensil. The sensors include acceleration sensors, gyroscopic sensors, and inclination sensors. The cooking appliance is provided with a control unit configured to receive data from the sensors and to elaborate information on how the kitchen utensil is being used, and to control the cooking appliance accordingly.

Abstract: A solid state radio frequency generation system is provided for an electromagnetic cooking device having an enclosed cavity. The radio frequency generation system includes: an RF feed for introducing electromagnetic radiation into the cavity to heat a food load; a high-power RF amplifier coupled to the RF feed, the amplifier comprising at least one amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power with respect to an input RF signal; a small signal generator for supplying the input RF signal to the amplifier; and a switching power supply unit including a single DC-DC converter that converts AC mains power to low voltage DC for supply to the amplifier, and a controller configured to adapt an input current from the AC mains power to form a predefined periodic waveform with the same frequency as the AC mains power for supply to the small signal generator.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus comprises a panel forming a cooking surface and a bottom surface. The cooking surface is configured to support a cooking utensil. A housing is in connection with and disposed beneath the cooking surface. The housing forms an enclosure having an internal cavity. The enclosure comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A plurality of induction coils is arranged in at least one linear array beneath the cooking surface. A beam structure comprises a first end portion and a second end portion. The beam structure is configured to extend across the housing of the cooking apparatus from the first side to the second side and support the plurality of induction coils. A plurality of spring mechanisms connects the first end portion to the first side and the second end portion to the second side.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus comprises a plurality of induction coils arranged in at least one array. At least one beam structure is configured to support the at least one array of induction coils. At least one electrical circuit is in connection with the at least one beam structure and in communication with each of the plurality of induction coils forming the at least one array. At least one inverter assembly is configured to drive the induction coils. The electrical circuit and the inverter assembly form a connection interface comprising a plurality of mating connectors. The mating connectors of the connection interface electrically connect the array with the inverter assembly.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus comprises an induction coil forming a top surface and a bottom surface. The induction coil comprises a plurality of conductive windings. A temperature sensor protrudes through the top surface of the induction coil. An electrical circuit is in communication with the temperature sensor. The electrical circuit is disposed on a substrate, which may form a chassis configured to support a plurality of conductive connections. The substrate forms a spring mechanism in connection with the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus comprises a plurality of induction coils arranged in an array. The induction coils comprise conductive windings and at least one foil. The at least one foil comprises magnetically permeable material extending beneath the plurality of induction coils.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an induction cooktop. The induction cooktop comprises a ceramic cooking surface in connection with a housing. A plurality of inductors is disposed in the housing and each of the inductors is in communication with an automatic control system. The automatic control system is configured to check for the presence of a cooking pan on the cooktop in order to prevent the inductors from activating in the absence of the cooking pan. The automatic control system is activated upon receiving an activation command.

Abstract: In at least another aspect, a method for calculating a humidity level in a cooking apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises heating a food load in a cooking cavity of the cooking apparatus and selectively activating a convection fan in the cooking cavity. The method further comprises monitoring a humidity signal detected by a humidity sensing apparatus in response to the activation of the convection fan. As a result of the activation of the convection fan, the method may determine an actual humidity level from a plurality of humidity levels based on a change in the humidity signal.

Abstract: A method for operating an induction cooking hob comprising a plurality of inductors in association with induction resonant inverters operating in load-dependent frequency ranges comprises a simultaneous activation of inductors, in at least one phase of the control period, independently from their association to one or more overlying cooking utensils but only according to at least partial overlapping of associated operating frequency ranges.

Abstract: A power delivery system and method for an induction cooktop are provided herein. A plurality of inverters are each configured to apply an output power to a plurality of induction coils electrically coupled thereto via corresponding relays. A selected inverter is operable to momentarily idle to enable commutation of a relay connected thereto. An active inverter is operable to increase its output power for the duration in which the selected inverter is idled in order to lessen power fluctuations experienced on a mains line.

Abstract: A temperature probe is configured to be used in a domestic oven and comprises a sensing portion for inserting into food during cooking and a cable for coupling the sensing portion to a control unit of the oven. The cable is semi-rigid so that it is configured for self-supporting the sensing portion of the probe.

Abstract: An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.

Abstract: An appliance includes a first gas-burning heating element, a first gas path extending from an inlet to the first heating element, and a first solenoid valve positioned within the first gas path. The appliance further includes a second gas path extending from upstream of the first solenoid valve to the first heating element and supplying a base gas flow to the first heating element. A controller is electronically coupled with the first solenoid valve for controlling a supplemental flow of gas through the first gas path to the first heating element such that the supplemental gas flow combines with the base gas flow to achieve a total gas flow. The controller controls the supplemental flow to adjust the total gas flow by pulsing the first solenoid valve at a first rate corresponding to a desired rate of the total gas flow to the first heating element.

Abstract: A cooking system includes a kitchen utensil and a cooking hob, wherein the kitchen utensil is provided with one or more sensors arranged on the kitchen utensil. The sensors include acceleration sensors, gyroscopic sensors, and inclination sensors. The cooking appliance is provided with a control unit configured to receive data from the sensors and to elaborate information on how the kitchen utensil is being used, and to control the cooking appliance accordingly.