Patents by Inventor Owen (XunCai) Zhang
Owen (XunCai) Zhang 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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Publication number: 20250016895Abstract: A microwave hood system is provided. The microwave hood system includes a microwave oven enclosure defining a cooking cavity therein. A cooking component is positioned within the cooking cavity and configured to emit microwaves. The heating system defines a heating cavity therein, wherein the heating system is coupled to the microwave oven enclosure. A heating element is positioned in the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about 40° C. to about 80° C. when the heating element is in use. A broiler element is positioned within the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about hundred and 150° C. to about 300° C. when the broiler element is in use. A dual hood system is also coupled to the microwave hood system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Patent number: 12133317Abstract: A microwave includes an external enclosure having a top surface that defines a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet along a front edge thereof. An internal enclosure defines a cooking cavity within the external enclosure. A sidewall of the internal enclosure defines a first air passage, and a top wall of the internal enclosure defines a second air passage. A cooking component area is defined between the internal enclosure and the external enclosure adjacent the sidewall of the internal enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed within the cooking component area. The cooling fan is configured to direct air along a cooling air path from the cooling air inlet, through the cooking component area, through the cooking cavity, and to the cooling air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Patent number: 12101865Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, side portions, and a bottom portion defining vent inlets. The vent inlets are in fluid communication with the recirculation vent outlets in a recirculation mode and the outside vent outlet in an outside vent mode. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and is configured to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes at least one first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion, and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the vent inlets and through an interior of the external enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Patent number: 11979967Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Patent number: 11950349Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Publication number: 20230276545Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, side portions, and a bottom portion defining vent inlets. The vent inlets are in fluid communication with the recirculation vent outlets in a recirculation mode and the outside vent outlet in an outside vent mode. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and is configured to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes at least one first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion, and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the vent inlets and through an interior of the external enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Publication number: 20230276544Abstract: A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Publication number: 20230276546Abstract: A microwave hood system includes an outer wrapper with a top portion including a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, an outside vent outlet, and a recirculation vent outlet, a first side portion, and a second side portion. A bottom portion includes a vent inlet and is operably coupled to the outer wrapper. A cooking cavity is disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion. A cooking component area is laterally adjacent one of the first side portion and the second side portion. A hood assembly includes a first hood fan disposed between the first side portion and the cooking cavity and a second hood fan disposed between the second side portion and the cooking cavity. A cooling fan is disposed in the cooking component area proximate the second side portion. The cooling fan is in fluid communication with the cooling air inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Xiangxu Liu
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Publication number: 20230097488Abstract: A microwave hood system is provided. The microwave hood system includes a microwave oven enclosure defining a cooking cavity therein. A cooking component is positioned within the cooking cavity and configured to emit microwaves. The heating system defines a heating cavity therein, wherein the heating system is coupled to the microwave oven enclosure. A heating element is positioned in the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about 40° C. to about 80° C. when the heating element is in use. A broiler element is positioned within the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about hundred and 150° C. to about 300° C. when the broiler element is in use. A dual hood system is also coupled to the microwave hood system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Tony (XinFeng) Huang, Heng Tong Pit
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Patent number: 11523473Abstract: A microwave hood system is provided. The microwave hood system includes a microwave oven enclosure defining a cooking cavity therein. A cooking component is positioned within the cooking cavity and configured to emit microwaves. The heating system defines a heating cavity therein, wherein the heating system is coupled to the microwave oven enclosure. A heating element is positioned in the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about 40° C. to about 80° C. when the heating element is in use. A broiler element is positioned within the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about hundred and 150° C. to about 300° C. when the broiler element is in use. A dual hood system is also coupled to the microwave hood system.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Tony (XinFeng) Huang, Heng Tong Pit
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Publication number: 20190166658Abstract: A microwave hood system is provided. The microwave hood system includes a microwave oven enclosure defining a cooking cavity therein. A cooking component is positioned within the cooking cavity and configured to emit microwaves. The heating system defines a heating cavity therein, wherein the heating system is coupled to the microwave oven enclosure. A heating element is positioned in the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about 40° C. to about 80° C. when the heating element is in use. A broiler element is positioned within the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about hundred and 150° C. to about 300° C. when the broiler element is in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Owen (XunCai) Zhang, Michael A. Ledford, Stephen Zheng, Tony (XinFeng) Huang, Heng Tong Pit