Abstract: An oven appliance is provided that includes an antenna device for a wireless probe system. In one exemplary aspect, the antenna device includes features that allow the antenna device to function as an antenna for the wireless probe system as well as an oven cavity air temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A device with a combined unbalanced current sensor and solenoid coil is provided. The device includes a core (116). The core (116) comprises a ferromagnetic material. The core (116) substantially surrounds a first conductor (102) and a second conductor (104) that conduct power to and from a load (106). The device includes a coil (118) that is wrapped around at least a portion of the core (116), such that an unbalanced current between the first and second conductors (102, 104) creates a first magnetic field that induces a first voltage on the coil (118). The coil (118) is positioned adjacent to a mechanical action part (124), such that application of a second voltage to the coil (118) creates a second magnetic field that influences the mechanical action part (124) to move from a first position to a second position that electrically disconnects the load (106) from a power source, such that the coil (118) serves as both an unbalanced current sensor coil and a solenoid coil.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided that includes an antenna device for a wireless probe system. In one exemplary aspect, the antenna device includes features that allow the antenna device to function as an antenna for the wireless probe system as well as an oven cavity air temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A device with a combined unbalanced current sensor and solenoid coil is provided. The device includes a core (116). The core (116) comprises a ferromagnetic material. The core (116) substantially surrounds a first conductor (102) and a second conductor (104) that conduct power to and from a load (106). The device includes a coil (118) that is wrapped around at least a portion of the core (116), such that an unbalanced current between the first and second conductors (102, 104) creates a first magnetic field that induces a first voltage on the coil (118). The coil (118) is positioned adjacent to a mechanical action part (124), such that application of a second voltage to the coil (118) creates a second magnetic field that influences the mechanical action part (124) to move from a first position to a second position that electrically disconnects the load (106) from a power source, such that the coil (118) serves as both an unbalanced current sensor coil and a solenoid coil.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for protecting switching elements in an induction heating system. A switching power loss associated with a switching element of the induction heating system can be calculated and an operating frequency of the induction heating system can be adjusted based upon the switching power loss. According to one aspect, the switching power loss can be classified into one of a plurality of threat zones based upon the magnitude of the switching power loss and the operating frequency can be adjusted based upon the threat zone into which the switching power loss is classified. According to another aspect, the switching power loss can be calculated based at least in part on a duty cycle of an output signal. The duty cycle of the output signal can provide an indication of the proximity of the operating frequency of the induction heating system to resonance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting vessel presence for an induction heating apparatus are disclosed. A detector circuit generates an output signal based on a feedback signal corresponding to a signal, such as current, flowing through an induction heating coil. The output signal has low frequency components that are averaged over multiple integer periods and compared to a reference value to determine the presence or absence of a vessel on the induction heating coil.

Abstract: A range infinite switch including a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) subsystem is provided. The GFCI subsystem operates a solenoid and plunger arrangement that activates a mechanical interlock within the switch permitting axial movement of a cam customarily used to bias temperature controlling contacts within the switch. Upon detection of a ground fault the latching mechanism is released and the cam moves to a position where the temperature controlling contacts are opened so as to disconnect power to a range heating element. In an appliance having more than one heating element, each heating element would be separately protected from ground fault conditions by use of the disclosed switch.

Abstract: A method for operating an induction cooktop having multiple induction heating coils includes monitoring a characteristic of the heating coils indicative of audible noise generated by simultaneous operation of multiple induction heating coils. Upon indication of audible noise from the monitored characteristic, an operating characteristic of at least one of the induction heating coils is varied so as to change the audible noise into a pre-defined, stored audible noise pattern that is desirous to a consumer or user of the cooktop.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an induction cooking appliance based on a feedback signal. A feedback signal sampling time interval may be triggered when a power control signal has a magnitude of zero. The feedback signal sample may be used to calculate a status factor and the appliance may be controlled based on the calculated status factor.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for protecting switching elements in an induction heating system. A switching power loss associated with a switching element of the induction heating system can be calculated and an operating frequency of the induction heating system can be adjusted based upon the switching power loss. According to one aspect, the switching power loss can be classified into one of a plurality of threat zones based upon the magnitude of the switching power loss and the operating frequency can be adjusted based upon the threat zone into which the switching power loss is classified. According to another aspect, the switching power loss can be calculated based at least in part on a duty cycle of an output signal. The duty cycle of the output signal can provide an indication of the proximity of the operating frequency of the induction heating system to resonance.

Abstract: An induction heating system includes an induction heating coil operable to inductively heat a load with a magnetic field; a detector for detecting a current through the coil and providing a current signal representative of the current; and a controller with a memory in communication with a processor. The memory includes program instructions for execution by the processor to detect a presence of the load on the induction heating coil based on a characteristic of the current signal; determine a resonant frequency of the system with the load from a characteristic of the current signal; determine operational performance characteristics of the system; and output an indication of the operational performance characteristics of the system.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an induction cooking appliance based on a feedback signal. A feedback signal sampling time interval may be triggered when a power control signal has a magnitude of zero. The feedback signal sample may be used to calculate a status factor and the appliance may be controlled based on the calculated status factor.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring temperature in a cooking appliance, both of which utilize a circuit for reading an input from a thermal resistive device. By including a processor and an amplifier in the circuit, embodiments reduce the number of processor pins required to modify the amplified input arising from the amplifier. In one embodiment, the processor utilizes a single processor pin, through which is distributed a control output corresponding to the input and modifying the operating parameters of the amplifier.

Abstract: A method for operating an induction cooktop having multiple induction heating coils includes monitoring a characteristic of the heating coils indicative of audible noise generated by simultaneous operation of multiple induction heating coils. Upon indication of audible noise from the monitored characteristic, an operating characteristic of at least one of the induction heating coils is varied so as to change the audible noise into a pre-defined, stored audible noise pattern that is desirous to a consumer or user of the cooktop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting vessel presence and circuit resonance for an induction heating apparatus are disclosed. A detector circuit generates an output signal based on a feedback signal corresponding to a signal, such as current, flowing through an induction heating coil. The output signal has a duty cycle corresponding to the proximity of operating frequency of the induction heating apparatus to resonance. Changes in the duty cycle of the output signal can be monitored to determine the presence or absence of a vessel on the induction heating coil.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring temperature in a cooking appliance, both of which utilize a circuit for reading an input from a thermal resistive device. By including a processor and an amplifier in the circuit, embodiments reduce the number of processor pins required to modify the amplified input arising from the amplifier. In one embodiment, the processor utilizes a single processor pin, through which is distributed a control output corresponding to the input and modifying the operating parameters of the amplifier.