Abstract: A method for operating an oven including a microcomputer includes receiving in a microprocessor of an oven, a plurality of inputs from a user indicative of a conventional cooking time, a conventional cooking temperature, and a food category, wherein the oven includes an RF generation module, an upper heater module, a lower heater module, and a convection fan, and converting at least one of the conventional cooking time to a speedcooking time different than the conventional cooking time, and the conventional cooking temperature to a speedcooking temperature.

Abstract: A method for operating an oven including a microcomputer includes receiving in a microprocessor of an oven, a plurality of inputs from a user indicative of a conventional cooking time, a conventional cooking temperature, and a food category, wherein the oven includes an RF generation module, an upper heater module, a lower heater module, and a convection fan, and converting at least one of the conventional cooking time to a speedcooking time different than the conventional cooking time, and the conventional cooking temperature to a speedcooking temperature.

Abstract: A start circuit arrangement for a microwave oven including a power control relay circuit which is independently responsive to a user actuable momentary start switch and to a programmed electronic controller to facilitate operation in a delay start mode. The relay circuit includes a start latch circuit, a door switch and an arm switch. User actuation of the momentary start switch sets the latch circuit. A signal from the electronic controller resets the latch circuit. The door switch is closed by closure of the oven door. The arm switch is closed by an arm signal from the electronic controller when an actual cooking cycle is to begin. The arm signal is removed upon expiration of the cooking cycle. The arm switch, start latch means and door switch are all operatively coupled to the relay such that the relay only enables energization of the power circuit for the oven when the arm switch and door switch are closed and the start latch is set.

Abstract: A circuit for turning on the constantly energized loads in a microwave oven in response to the initial energization of the magnetron to begin the cooking operation. The circuit includes a delay start relay having a relay coil and a first normally closed relay switch connected in series with a magnetron switching element across a source to respond to the initial turn-on of the magnetron by the switching element. The relay coil also controls a second normally open relay switch connected to close, in response to energization of the relay, a current path including at least one constantly energized microwave oven load. The second relay switch also closes a holding current path for the relay coil to maintain it in an energized condition during the remainder of the cooking cycle. The first relay switch opens after the second relay switch has closed to electrically isolate the relay coil from the switching device.

Abstract: A microwave oven circuit includes a magnetron power transformer and a duty cycle controlled switching element connected to periodically energize the power transformer from an AC power source. Due to the effects of power source loading, the available AC voltage drops during those intervals when the power transformer is energized. This undesirably causes cyclical variation in the operation of certain constantly energized load devices such as the oven lamp and the motor for the blower which provides cooling air for the magnetron. To minimize the undesirable voltage variation, a low voltage secondary winding on the magnetron power transformer is connected in series with the constantly energized load device and properly phased to provide a voltage boost upon energization of the power transformer. Preferably, the low voltage secondary winding is an otherwise unused winding originally intended to be a magnetron filament winding. As a result, very little additional cost is involved.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying microwave power level is included in a microwave oven. The microwave oven includes a magnetron for producing microwaves used for heating and a half-wave voltage doubler for supplying half-wave pulsating DC voltage to the magnetron. In order to vary voltage and thus power output of the magnetron, the charging of the capacitor in the half-wave voltage doubler is controlled by a variable resistance connected in series with the rectifier in the otherwise conventional half-wave voltage doubler.