Abstract: A power converter includes a conversion module. The conversion module may operate in an active mode or in a bypass mode. In the active mode, the conversion module may receive an input voltage and convert the input voltage to a fixed output voltage. In the bypass mode, the voltage across the output terminals of the conversion module is at substantially zero volts. An adjustable conversion module may convert input voltage to an adjustable output voltage. The output terminals of the conversion module and the output terminals of the adjustable conversion module are connected in series to form a series string. A controller may selectively activate the conversion module to be in the active mode or the bypass mode, and control the adjustable conversion module responsive to at least one of a load voltage and a load current required by a load connected across the series string.

Abstract: An induction heating system comprises inductive rings, which in one example are concentrically wound about a center axis to form a coil array. The inductive rings are situated in the coil array to permit activation of the inductive rings independent of the other inductive rings in the coil array. In one embodiment, the induction heating system includes a control structure with a power supply and switches coupled to each of the inductive rings, wherein activation of the switches permits current from the power supply to flow to the corresponding inductive ring. The induction heating system is amenable to appliances such as ovens and ranges, as well as to cooktops such as free-standing cooktops for countertops.

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 feedback signal corresponding to a current flowing through the induction heating coil, and a controller for detecting a switching transient in the current feedback signal and determining a resonant frequency of the system based on a characteristic of the switching transient.

Abstract: An induction heating system comprises inductive rings, which in one example are concentrically wound about a center axis to form a coil array. The inductive rings are situated in the coil array to permit activation of the inductive rings independent of the other inductive rings in the coil array. In one embodiment, the induction heating system includes a control structure with a power supply and switches coupled to each of the inductive rings, wherein activation of the switches permits current from the power supply to flow to the corresponding inductive ring. The induction heating system is amenable to appliances such as ovens and ranges, as well as to cooktops such as free-standing cooktops for countertops.

Abstract: A lighting system for a cooktop appliance having a plate and a burner assembly positioned beneath the plate. The lighting system includes at least one light source positioned adjacent a light entry portal of the plate. The at least one light source is configured to direct light through the plate via the light entry portal and emit the light from a top surface of the plate adjacent the burner assembly. A controller is communicatively coupled to the burner assembly and the at least one light source. The controller is configured to activate the at least one light source when at least one of the burner assembly is activated and a utensil on the burner assembly is heated.

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 feedback signal corresponding to a current flowing through the induction heating coil, and a controller for detecting a switching transient in the current feedback signal and determining a resonant frequency of the system based on a characteristic of the switching transient.

Abstract: A method of operating a motor, the method comprising: operating a motor at a first speed; operating the motor in negative slip; imbalancing at least one phase of the motor to dissipate regeneration energy using windings of the motor; and wherein a next motor speed is decreased to a speed less than the first speed. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also presented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining a measurement of a portion of a load in a basket that is rotatably supported provided, the method includes: a) determining, a dry load measurement; b) spinning, the basket that is rotatably supported in order to gradually remove the liquid from the load, wherein the liquid is removed substantially by centrifugal force on the basket that is rotatably supported; c) determining a wet load measurement, wherein the dry load measurement is less than the wet load measurement; d) comparing the dry load measurement to the wet load measurement to determine a remaining liquid measurement; and e) repeating c) and d) until the remaining liquid measurement substantially is within a predetermined percentage threshold of about 0 percent to about 50 percent of the wet load measurement.

Abstract: A method of operating a motor, the method comprising: operating a motor at a first speed; operating the motor in negative slip; imbalancing at least one phase of the motor to dissipate regeneration energy using windings of the motor; and wherein a next motor speed is decreased to a speed less than the first speed. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also presented.

Abstract: A washing machine is provided that includes measuring a load in a washer with a motor, the method comprising: a) accelerating a load in the washer b) providing a first input voltage and running the motor until a first speed of the motor is stable; c) providing a second input voltage, d) starting a timer, upon providing the second input voltage, and obtaining a first time measurement; e) operating the motor until the load speed responds to the second input voltage to the motor and is stable; f) stopping the timer and obtaining a second time measurement; g) calculating a time differential between the first time measurement and the second time measurement; and h) determining the load size using a load size equation and the time differential.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an appliance and method is provided that can determine load imbalance or out-of-balance conditions. The appliances that typically apply load imbalance detection are clothes washers. A method of imbalance detection includes identifying parameter values that fluctuate with load imbalance over a predetermined sample period and determining a target parameter value from the identified parameter values. The method further includes calculating a parameter spread of the parameter values by comparing parameter values to the target parameter value. The method further includes converting the parameter spread into a weight value that reflects an imbalance condition.