Abstract: A heating unit for use in a cooktop is disclosed. The heating unit includes a pan with an insulation structure supporting a heating element. The heating unit further includes a temperature sensor and indicator to be used as a visual indication to the user that the heating unit is energized.

Abstract: A heating unit for use in a cooktop is disclosed. The heating unit includes a pan with an insulation structure supporting a heating element. The heating unit further includes a temperature sensor and indicator to be used as a visual indication to the user that the heating unit is energized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiant heating unit for a cooktop. The heating unit includes a cooking plate, a support pan, an insulation layer, a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a support post. The support pan is disposed beneath the cooking plate. The insulation layer is supported in the pan and includes an insulation base and an insulation sidewall ring. The heating element is supported on the insulation base in a spaced apart relationship to the cooking plate. The heating element is capable of radiating direct radiant energy. The temperature sensor senses the temperature inside the heating unit and includes a sensing element and lead wires. The support post has an upper head portion and a lower base portion. The upper head portion has a recess to house at least a portion of the sensing element of the temperature sensor. The recess also shields at least a portion of the sensing element from direct radiant energy of the heating element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiant heating unit for a cooktop. The heating unit includes a cooking plate, a support pan, an insulation layer, a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a support post. The support pan is disposed beneath the cooking plate. The insulation layer is supported in the pan and includes an insulation base and an insulation sidewall ring. The heating element is supported on the insulation base in a spaced apart relationship to the cooking plate. The heating element is capable of radiating direct radiant energy. The temperature sensor senses the temperature inside the heating unit and includes a sensing element and lead wires. The support post has an upper head portion and a lower base portion. The upper head portion has a recess to house at least a portion of the sensing element of the temperature sensor. The recess also shields at least a portion of the sensing element from direct radiant energy of the heating element.

Abstract: A method of making complementary vertical bipolar transistors and complementary field effect transistors on the same substrate is described. The process includes forming buried layers in a semiconductor substrate which are spaced apart in a self-aligned manner by use of a lateral etching technique to undercut the mask used for definition of the buried layers. In the process, the collector and base contacts of the bipolar devices and the corresponding conductivity-type sources and drains of the field effect transistors are combined to minimize processing steps. The process also includes a silicided polycrystalline silicon layer used to form resistors and contact the various transistors.

Abstract: A memory element of the present invention is split to minimize the magnitude of electrical current flowing therethrough as the split memory element is being heated to its transitional temperature, thereby permitting the cross-sectional area of the lead wires used to conduct an electric current to the memory element to be minimized. The split memory element includes a tip member and first and second strip members aligned in side-by-side relation. Each of the tip member, first strip member, and second strip member are made of a shape-memory alloy and have a characteristic internal structure. Each strip member includes a shape-memory portion coupled to the tip member, a lead-attachment portion, and partition means for interconnecting the shape-memory and lead-attachment portions.

Abstract: A memory element made of a shape-memory alloy includes lead-attachment and shape-memory portions and a partition interconnecting such portions. The lead-attachment and shape-memory portions are comprised of characteristic internal structures, while the partition is comprised of an internal structure dissimilar to the characteristic internal structure of at least one of the lead-attachment and shape-memory portions. Shape-memory effect characteristics of the shape-memory portion are preserved to maintain the memory function of the memory element by configuring the dissimilar internal structure to block transmigration from the lead-attachment to the shape-memory portions of selected contaminant material existing in the lead-attachment portion. The partition functions as a contaminant filter to control the concentration of contaminant material in the shape-memory portion, thereby enhancing the durability of the memory element.

Abstract: A method and control system for controlling an apparatus having at least one machine function and a cycle of operation associated therewith provides a central control element for controlling the function, an input for selecting one of a plurality of fixed periods for causing the control element to activate the function for a cycle of operation in response to the selected period, a device for determining a variable period independent of the fixed periods, and an input for the variably determined period into the control element, the control element having information stored therein, which information includes the fixed periods and an instruction repertoire for causing the control element to control the machine function in response to either one of the fixed periods or the variably determined period.

Abstract: A voltage level detector for controlling a battery charger, includes a power supply circuit adapted to be coupled to a battery during charging thereof, a first voltage regulator for providing a supply voltage for the detector, the first voltage regulator being coupled to receive power from the power supply circuit, a second voltage regulator for providing a stable source of reference voltage, the second voltage regulator being coupled to receive power from the detector supply voltage, a voltage comparator having one input thereof coupled to the stable reference voltage source, circuitry for coupling the battery to the other input of the voltage comparator, the circuit for coupling being adapted to coupled a proportion of the battery voltage which proportion equals the stable reference voltage when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined maximum level, and control circuitry responsive to the output of the voltage comparator for controlling the charging of the battery in response to the battery voltage reac

Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of an appliance and the like, wherein the appliance includes at least one machine function having a cycle of operation associated therewith, includes a central control element having stored therein an instruction repertoire for operation of the appliance and a plurality of selectable indices of fixed periods for the cycle of operation of the machine function. Further included in the control system are a plurality of patch cords each corresponding to various time periods which may be added to a selected index of fixed periods to provide a plurality of variable time periods for the cycle of operation and a plurality of momentarily operable devices some of which correspond to the fixed periods of a selected index of fixed periods and some of which correspond to variably programmed periods for selecting either a fixed period or a variably programmed period for the cycle of operation.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed which is capable of controlling N+1 operational modes of a plurality of machine functions of an apparatus utilizing N momentary switching devices in a specific logical interrelationship. The control system includes gate circuit means which is responsive to the N switching devices for latching the control system in at least N+1 operational modes whereby the machine functions are activated and deactivated in accordance with one of a plurality of predetermined operational sequences associated with the operational modes. The N switching devices operate independent of each other yet are interrelated by the gate circuit means to limit the maximum AC line current used by the machine functions during any one of the N+1 operational modes.

Abstract: A control system, for a machine and the like having at least one cycle made up of at least two events, utilizes momentary switching devices to actuate each cycle. The control system includes a control circuit having momentary switching devices, digital circuitry for latching the control circuit in various modes of operation, and timing circuitry responsive to the digital circuitry for timing at least one event of the cycle; and gate circuit means controlled by semiconductor switching devices for regulating at least another event of the cycle in response to the control circuit.

Abstract: A control system for a machine and the like having at least one cycle made up of at least two events utilizes at least one momentarily operable switching device to actuate the cycle and digital circuitry including a plurality of NAND and AND gates to implement a momentary zero potential signal produced by the switching device. The control system includes a control circuit having programming means, digital circuitry further including at least two NOR gates for latching the control circuit in various modes of operation, and timing circuitry for deriving a selectable timing period for at least one event of the cycle; and gate circuit means including additional digital circuitry for regulating at least another event of the cycle in response to the control circuit.