Abstract: A control panel for an appliance is provided. The control panel can be produced by providing a dielectric substrate having a front surface and a back surface, printing a conductive ink onto the back surface of the dielectric substrate, curing the conductive ink such that the conductive ink forms a plurality of capacitive sensors on the back surface of the dielectric substrate, and positioning the dielectric substrate on the appliance such that the front surface of the dielectric substrate faces outwardly.

Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a cooking cavity and a RF generation module configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity. A controller is operatively associated with the RF generation module. The controller receives and processes a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility for determining whether to operate the microwave oven in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least temporarily block the signal when the RF generation module is activated if a frequency of the signal is at least partially degraded by a frequency of the RF generation module.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a door opening mechanism for a cooking device. The device includes a body defining a cooking chamber and a door operatively mounted to the body to provide access to the cooking chamber while maintaining a closed insulated barrier while in use. A sensor is mounted the body for providing a signal to retaining member when activated. A retaining member is mounted within the body to hold a latch attached to the door. The latch is released from the retaining member when a signal is provided by the sensor to the actuator retaining member that provides a positive drive force to release the latch and open the door.

Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a cooking cavity and a RF generation module configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity. A controller receives and processes a signal indicative of the current state of an associated energy supplying utility for determining whether to operate the microwave oven in one of a normal operating mode and a power saving mode in response to the received signal. A power source is operatively associated with the controller and the RF generation module, and is configured to receive a signal from the controller and cause the microwave oven to operate in normal operating mode or in power saving operating mode in accord with the signal.

Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a cooking cavity and a RF generation module configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity. A controller is operatively associated with the RF generation module. The controller receives and processes a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility for determining whether to operate the microwave oven in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least temporarily block the signal when the RF generation module is activated if a frequency of the signal is at least partially degraded by a frequency of the RF generation module.

Abstract: A cooking appliance comprises one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one of a cooking cavity having a heating element and a cooking surface having a surface heating element. A controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the cooking appliance in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively delay, adjust and disable at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the cooking appliance in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: A pot support for a ceramic glass cooktop having integrally formed grates. The pot support is formed of a material able to withstand gas cooking temperatures without substantial alteration of its shape or composition. The pot support is configured to rest in a stable position over a gas burner head to support a relatively small diameter utensil centered over the burner head and to cooperate with the integrally formed grate to support large or small diameter utensils that are supported over the burner off-center relative to the grate.

Abstract: In one aspect, an air inlet system for a gas cooking apparatus is provided having at least one gas burner and a burner box around the gas burner. The air inlet system has a sealed cooktop configured to cover the burner box. The cooktop has at least one peripheral vent cut configured to vent outside air into the burner box to provide air for the gas burner. The system further includes a vent trim attached to the cooktop and covering the vent cut. The vent trim has a surface with openings above a top surface of the cooktop. The openings are configured to allow outside air to enter the vent cut through the vent trim.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motion of a gas valve in a gas feed line coupling a supply device to a burner is provided. The method includes receiving a signal representative of a user-selected desired level of heat output of the burner, translating the received signal to a first current signal, measuring a second current signal in a conducting medium that is operatively coupled with the valve, deriving a third current signal from the first and second current signals, and providing the third current signal to the conducting medium to control the motion of the valve.

Abstract: A gas burner assembly for connection to a source of gas includes a burner body, a burner cap disposed over the burner body, a ceramic igniter positioned adjacent the burner body, and a ceramic igniter protection apparatus positioned adjacent to the ceramic igniter, the ceramic igniter protection apparatus is configured to shield the ceramic igniter from inadvertent contact.

Abstract: A gas burner assembly for connection to a source of gas includes a burner body, a burner cap disposed over the burner body, a ceramic igniter positioned adjacent the burner body, and a ceramic igniter protection apparatus positioned adjacent to the ceramic igniter, the ceramic igniter protection apparatus is configured to shield the ceramic igniter from inadvertent contact.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motion of a gas valve in a gas feed line coupling a supply device to a burner is provided. The method includes receiving a signal representative of a user-selected desired level of heat output of the burner, translating the received signal to a first current signal, measuring a second current signal in a conducting medium that is operatively coupled with the valve, deriving a third current signal from the first and second current signals, and providing the third current signal to the conducting medium to control the motion of the valve.

Abstract: In one aspect, an air inlet system for a gas cooking apparatus is provided having at least one gas burner and a burner box around the gas burner. The air inletinlet system has a sealed cooktop configured to cover the burner box. The cooktop has at least one peripheral vent cut configured to vent outside air into the burner box to provide air for the gas burner. The system further includes a vent trim attached to the cooktop and covering the vent cut. The vent trim has a surface with openings above a top surface of the cooktop. The openings are configured to allow outside air to enter the vent cut through the vent trim.

Abstract: A method for guiding air into a cooktop to supply air to at least one gas cooking element to produce a flame is provided. The cooktop includes a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending therebetween. The cooktop has a gap along at least one of the front edge, the rear edge, and the two side edges. The method includes providing a louver and attaching the louver to at least one of the front edge, the rear edge, and the two side edge for guiding air into the gap of at least one of the front edge, the rear edge, and the two side edges.