Abstract: A cooktop appliance or heating element, as provided herein, may include a thermostat within the heating zone of the heating element. The thermostat may include a base and a top cap held on the base. The heat transfer disk may be joined to the thermostat at the top cap.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance is provided herein. The cooktop appliance may include a ceramic plate, an electric heating element, a temperature sensor, and a thermal conduction strip. The electric heating element may be positioned below the ceramic plate. The electric heating element may define a horizontal length from a center point projected on the ceramic plate. The temperature sensor may be positioned between the ceramic plate and the electric heating element relative to a vertical direction. The temperature sensor may be spaced apart from the ceramic plate and the electric heating element. The thermal-conduction strip may be attached to the temperature sensor. The thermal-conduction strip may extend in contact with a bottom surface of the ceramic plate between an inner tip proximal to the center point and an outer tip distal to the center point.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes an electric heating element positioned below a ceramic plate. A temperature sensor is positioned proximate a bottom surface of the ceramic plate. The temperature sensor may be offset from a center of the electric heating element. A controller is configured to receive a plurality of temperature measurements from the temperature sensor, determine a change between the plurality of temperature measurements over time, calculate a value of a control criterion with the change between the plurality of temperature measurements over time, and open a relay in response to the value of the control criterion passing a threshold value. A related method for operating a cooktop appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance is provided herein. The cooktop appliance may include a ceramic plate, an electric heating element, a temperature sensor, and a thermal conduction strip. The electric heating element may be positioned below the ceramic plate. The electric heating element may define a horizontal length from a center point projected on the ceramic plate. The temperature sensor may be positioned between the ceramic plate and the electric heating element relative to a vertical direction. The temperature sensor may be spaced apart from the ceramic plate and the electric heating element. The thermal-conduction strip may be attached to the temperature sensor. The thermal-conduction strip may extend in contact with a bottom surface of the ceramic plate between an inner tip proximal to the center point and an outer tip distal to the center point.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes an electric heating element positioned below a ceramic plate. A temperature sensor is positioned proximate a bottom surface of the ceramic plate. The temperature sensor may be offset from a center of the electric heating element. A controller is configured to receive a plurality of temperature measurements from the temperature sensor, determine a change between the plurality of temperature measurements over time, calculate a value of a control criterion with the change between the plurality of temperature measurements over time, and open a relay in response to the value of the control criterion passing a threshold value. A related method for operating a cooktop appliance is also provided.

Abstract: An appliance and method for non-thermal heater protection during prolonged operation of the appliance is provided. A time limit determination apparatus may prevent prolonged operation heater protection that prevents significant damage to the appliance.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for an oven timer of microwave ovens or hybrid ranges. The timer counts down to a zero time according to a programmed time entered at a control panel. The timer counts up for a cooling time that may be programmed for a precise cooling time or continue until a stop input is received when retrieving the item being cooked.

Abstract: Adherence between antireflective coating and a carbon containing hard mask may be improved by treating the carbon containing hard mask with a plasma. In some embodiments, using antireflective coatings, such as silicon dioxide, SiOxHy, SiOxNy, or organics, adherence to carbon containing hard masks may be improved by exposing the hard masks to a plasma treatment. In some embodiments, the plasma treatment creates a buffer layer with improved adherence to the antireflective coating.