Patents by Inventor Francesco Giordano
Francesco Giordano has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11483905Abstract: A method of determining heating strategies for a cooking appliance (10) includes obtaining geometry dimensions, power values, and frequency values of the cooking appliance (10), selecting a food item (14) and obtaining a food geometry, permittivity value, and initial temperature of the selected food item (14). A heating pattern (28) for heating the selected food item (14) is estimated based on the food geometry, permittivity value, and initial temperature of the selected food item (14) and data indicative of the estimated heating pattern (28) is inputted to an operating control system (21) to achieve the estimated heating strategy.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation, Panasonic Holdings CorporationInventors: Giovanni Dore, Francesco Giordano, Davide Guatta
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Patent number: 11404758Abstract: A transition device for a hollow waveguide comprises a rectangular structure comprising an inlet wall and interior extending from the inlet wall along a longitudinal axis. The inlet wall is configured to receive a transmission line comprising an antenna. The antenna forms a proximal end proximate to the inlet wall and a distal end configured to extend into the rectangular structure of the hollow waveguide. A channel is formed in the rectangular structure. The channel comprises a base forming a tuning surface. The tuning surface is configured to extend along a length of the antenna in a spaced configuration parallel to the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Francesco Giordano
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Patent number: 11382189Abstract: A method for diagnosing an electromagnetic cooking device includes selecting a frequency from a set of frequencies in a bandwidth of radio frequency electromagnetic waves; setting a subset of a set of radio frequency feeds to output a radio frequency signal of the selected frequency; measuring a forward power level for the subset of the set of radio frequency feeds that is outputting the radio frequency signal; measuring a forward and backward power level for the set of radio frequency feeds; and processing the measurements of the forward and backward power levels to determine an operating condition of the electromagnetic cooking device based on the processing of the measurements of the forward and backward power levels.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignees: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Roberto Di Martino, Giovanni Dore, Francesco Giordano
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Patent number: 11191133Abstract: The microwave heating apparatus (100) includes a cavity (101) arranged to receive a load (102A, 102B), at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B) coupled to the at least one microwave generator (104), and a control unit (105). Each of the at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B) is configured to radiate microwaves into a predefined direct heating zone (108A, 108B) within the cavity proximate the respective patch antenna (103A, 103B). The control unit (105) is configured to select energy levels for each of the at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B) as if the load (102A, 102B) were static and as if there not interference between the at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B).Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giovanni Dore, Francesco Giordano
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Patent number: 11122653Abstract: A microwave oven having an enclosed cavity is provided including an RF signal generator; a solid state amplifier having a coplanar waveguide transmission line, the amplifier coupled to the RF signal generator for receiving and amplifying the RF signals generated thereby; an intermediate transition including: a metal boundary having a first section and a second section having different dimensions than that of the first section; a first dielectric disposed in the first section; a second dielectric disposed in the second section; and a center conductor extending from a first side of the substrate to a second side of the substrate through the first and second dielectrics, where a first end of the center conductor is connected to an output of the amplifier; and an antenna coupled to a second end of the center conductor for receiving the amplified RF signals and introducing electromagnetic radiation into the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Natalia Roumpedaki, Francesco Giordano
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Patent number: 11102854Abstract: An electromagnetic cooking device is disclosed. The device comprises an enclosed cavity configured to receive a food load and a plurality of amplifiers configured to amplify a first RF signal and a second RF signal thereby supplying the RF signals to the enclosed cavity. A controller is in communication with the plurality of amplifiers. The controller is configured to control the first RF signal and the second RF signal along a stirring path between a first approximate resonant mode and a second approximate resonant mode of the enclosed cavity. Each of the resonance modes comprises a frequency and phase shift between the first RF signal and the second RF signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Francesco Giordano, Davide Guatta, Valeria Nocella, Mattia Rigo
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Patent number: 10764970Abstract: A radio frequency heating apparatus (100) having a cooking cavity (112) dividable into at least two sub-cavities (116, 118), a removable partition (114) for thermally insulating the at least two sub-cavities (116, 118), a rail (128) provided along a boundary of the cavity (112) for supporting the removable partition (114), and at least one radio frequency generator configured to transmit radio frequency radiation into at least one of the at least two sub-cavities (116, 118). The rail (128) is corrugated with a set of grooves or ridges (138), and a perimeter of the partition (114) is corrugated with a set of grooves or ridges (136) complementary to the grooves or ridges (138) of the rail (128).Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation, Panasonic CorporationInventor: Francesco Giordano
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Publication number: 20190341667Abstract: A transition device for a hollow waveguide comprises a rectangular structure comprising an inlet wall and interior extending from the inlet wall along a longitudinal axis. The inlet wall is configured to receive a transmission line comprising an antenna. The antenna forms a proximal end proximate to the inlet wall and a distal end configured to extend into the rectangular structure of the hollow waveguide. A channel is formed in the rectangular structure. The channel comprises a base forming a tuning surface. The tuning surface is configured to extend along a length of the antenna in a spaced configuration parallel to the longitudinal axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: Francesco Giordano
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Publication number: 20190313487Abstract: A microwave oven having an enclosed cavity is provided including an RF signal generator; a solid state amplifier comprising a coplanar waveguide transmission line, the amplifier coupled to the RF signal generator for receiving and amplifying the RF signals generated thereby; an intermediate transition including: a metal boundary having a first section and a second section having different dimensions than that of the first section; a first dielectric disposed in the first section; a second dielectric disposed in the second section; and a center conductor extending from a first side of the substrate to a second side of the substrate through the first and second dielectrics, where a first end of the center conductor is connected to an output of the amplifier; and an antenna coupled to a second end of the center conductor for receiving the amplified RF signals and introducing electromagnetic radiation into the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Natalia ROUMPEDAKI, Francesco GIORDANO
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Publication number: 20190306935Abstract: A method for diagnosing an electromagnetic cooking device includes selecting a frequency from a set of frequencies in a bandwidth of radio frequency electromagnetic waves; setting a subset of a set of radio frequency feeds to output a radio frequency signal of the selected frequency; measuring a forward power level for the subset of the set of radio frequency feeds that is outputting the radio frequency signal; measuring a forward and backward power level for the set of radio frequency feeds; and processing the measurements of the forward and backward power levels to determine an operating condition of the electromagnetic cooking device based on the processing of the measurements of the forward and backward power levels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2016Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicants: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Panasonic CorporationInventors: Roberto Di Martino, Giovanni Dore, Francesco Giordano
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Publication number: 20190182912Abstract: An electromagnetic cooking device is disclosed. The device comprises an enclosed cavity configured to receive a food load and a plurality of amplifiers configured to amplify a first RF signal and a second RF signal thereby supplying the RF signals to the enclosed cavity. A controller is in communication with the plurality of amplifiers. The controller is configured to control the first RF signal and the second RF signal along a stirring path between a first approximate resonant mode and a second approximate resonant mode of the enclosed cavity. Each of the resonance modes comprises a frequency and phase shift between the first RF signal and the second RF signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicants: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Panasonic CorporationInventors: Francesco Giordano, Davide Guatta, Valeria Nocella, Mattia Rigo
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Publication number: 20190029082Abstract: A radio frequency heating apparatus (100) having a cooking cavity (112) dividable into at least two sub-cavities (116, 118), a removable partition (114) for thermally insulating the at least two sub-cavities (116, 118), a rail (128) provided along a boundary of the cavity (112) for supporting the removable partition (114), and at least one radio frequency generator configured to transmit radio frequency radiation into at least one of the at least two sub-cavities (116, 118). The rail (128) is corrugated with a set of grooves or ridges (138), and a perimeter of the partition (114) is corrugated with a set of grooves or ridges (136) complementary to the grooves or ridges (138) of the rail (128).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: January 24, 2019Applicants: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Panasonic CorporationInventor: Francesco Giordano
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Publication number: 20190008005Abstract: A method of determining heating strategies for a cooking appliance (10) includes obtaining geometry dimensions, power values, and frequency values of the cooking appliance (10), selecting a food item (14) and obtaining a food geometry, permittivity value, and initial temperature of the selected food item (14). A heating pattern (28) for heating the selected food item (14) is estimated based on the food geometry, permittivity value, and initial temperature of the selected food item (14) and data indicative of the estimated heating pattern (28) is inputted to an operating control system (21) to achieve the estimated heating strategy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: January 3, 2019Applicants: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Panasonic CorporationInventors: Giovanni Dore, Francesco Giordano, Davide Guatta
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Publication number: 20170251530Abstract: The microwave heating apparatus (100) comprises a cavity (101) arranged to receive a load (102A, 102B), at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B) coupled to the at least one microwave generator (104), and a control unit (105). Each of the at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B) is configured to radiate microwaves into a predefined direct heating zone (108A, 108B) within the cavity proximate the respective patch antenna (103A, 103B). The control unit (105) is configured to select energy levels for each of the at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B) as if the load (102A, 102B) were static and as if there not interference between the at least two patch antennas (103A, 103B).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Giovanni Dore, Francesco Giordano
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Patent number: 8621827Abstract: A sonotrode comprising: a head defining a sealing surface elongated along a first direction; and a first and a second drive unit distinct from one another, each comprising at least one piezo-electric element; wherein first and second drive unit may be electrically fed by an unique generator to cause oscillation of head; the height of head measured along a second direction transversal to sealing surface being substantially equal to half the wavelength of wave oscillating in second direction; at least one slot extending through head transversally to first and second direction; a finite number of nodal points at which amplitude of oscillation of head is substantially equal to zero; and a plane on which at least some nodal points lie and which divides head in a first portion and second portion; the slot extends completely within one only between first and second portion and at a certain distance by plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.Inventors: Ulrich Vögler, Francesco Giordano, Sergio Mancin, Antonio Melandri, Magnus Råbe
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Patent number: 8572936Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material fed along a path, the jaw having a first work surface which interacts with a second work surface on a counter-jaw to grip the packaging material and form a sealing strip crosswise to the path. One of the jaw and counter-jaw defines an anvil, and the other defines a heating device which interacts with the anvil to form the strip. The first surface has at least two projections elongated along respective first axes, and which, when forming the strip, compress respective areas of the packaging material against the second surface; and at least one cavity which extends along one of the first axes, is interposed between the projections along a second axis crosswise to the first axis, and is located laterally with respect to a central plane of the first work surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Financne S.A.Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
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Publication number: 20130008132Abstract: A sonotrode comprising: a head defining a sealing surface elongated along a first direction; and a first and a second drive unit distinct from one another, each comprising at least one piezo-electric element; wherein first and second drive unit may be electrically fed by an unique generator to cause oscillation of head; the height of head measured along a second direction transversal to sealing surface being substantially equal to half the wavelength of wave oscillating in second direction; at least one slot extending through head transversally to first and second direction; a finite number of nodal points at which amplitude of oscillation of head is substantially equal to zero; and a plane on which at least some nodal points lie and which divides head in a first portion and second portion; the slot extends completely within one only between first and second portion and at a certain distance by plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Ulrich Vögler, Francesco Giordano, Sergio Mancin, Antonio Melandri, Magnus Råbe
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Patent number: 7950208Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material includes a supporting body, and a first work surface which interacts, in use, with a second work surface on a further jaw to grip the material to be sealed and perform a sealing operation; one of the jaws defines an anvil, and the other of the jaws defines heating means; the jaw has connecting means for connecting the first surface to the supporting body; the connecting means define a curved third and a curved fourth surface made of rigid material and cooperating mutually to allow the first surface to oscillate with respect to the supporting body when gripping the packaging material prior to the sealing operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
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Publication number: 20110030315Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material fed along a path, the jaw having a first work surface which interacts with a second work surface on a counter-jaw to grip the packaging material and form a sealing strip crosswise to the path. One of the jaw and counter-jaw defines an anvil, and the other defines a heating device which interacts with the anvil to form the strip. The first surface has at least two projections elongated along respective first axes, and which, when forming the strip, compress respective areas of the packaging material against the second surface; and at least one cavity which extends along one of the first axes, is interposed between the projections along a second axis crosswise to the first axis, and is located laterally with respect to a central plane of the first work surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo
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Publication number: 20090266030Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material includes a supporting body, and a first work surface which interacts, in use, with a second work surface on a further jaw to grip the material to be sealed and perform a sealing operation; one of the jaws defines an anvil, and the other of the jaws defines heating means; the jaw has connecting means for connecting the first surface to the supporting body; the connecting means define a curved third and a curved fourth surface made of rigid material and cooperating mutually to allow the first surface to oscillate with respect to the supporting body when gripping the packaging material prior to the sealing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2008Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.Inventors: Sergio Mancin, Francesco Giordano, Ernesto Di Dodo