Abstract: A device for detecting and/or measuring air flow in a cooling air flow passageway of an appliance using solid-state flow detectors. Heat generating components of the appliance are controlled in response to detected air flow. More specifically, the disclosure provides a device for detecting the presence of airflow and/or the approximate rate of airflow in a cooling channel of an appliance chassis. Based on this information, the appliance can perform safety-related tasks, such as de-energizing associated heating elements if there is too-low (or no) airflow detected. The solid-state flow detectors are easily fabricated, installed, and calibrated and avoids the calibration, fabrication and/or installation difficulties associated with sail switches and other such approaches such as thermal limit switches.

Abstract: A device for detecting and/or measuring air flow in a cooling air flow passageway of an appliance using solid-state flow detectors. Heat generating components of the appliance are controlled in response to detected air flow. More specifically, the disclosure provides a device for detecting the presence of airflow and/or the approximate rate of airflow in a cooling channel of an appliance chassis. Based on this information, the appliance can perform safety-related tasks, such as de-energizing associated heating elements if there is too-low (or no) airflow detected. The solid-state flow detectors are easily fabricated, installed, and calibrated and avoids the calibration, fabrication and/or installation difficulties associated with sail switches and other such approaches such as thermal limit switches.

Abstract: A bake element is used in conjunction with a remotely mounted convection fan assembly to provide a new convection cooking system. The convection fan preferably extends along a base portion of the rear wall to direct heated air flow through openings in an upper portion of the rear wall, circulate through the oven cavity, and exit through openings preferably in base portions of the side walls where the air is drawn into a bake element cavity and warmed or heated by the bake element before being recirculated.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a cooling fan having one or more fans blade and utilized in an appliance having a heating element. Such a system generally includes an electric switch actuated by a magnetic field of a magnet mounted on a rotary member of the cooling fan. The electric switch can be located proximate to the magnet, such that the magnet rotates past the electric switch to actuate the electric switch via the magnetic field at a switching frequency with each rotation of the rotary member. Such a system can include a circuit responsive to an electrical signal from the electric switch. The circuit can generates a signal indicative of the status of the cooling fan, based on the switching frequency of the electric switch. Such a signal can prevent overheating of the heating elements in case of a failure of the cooling fan.

Abstract: A gas supply system for a cooking appliance includes a burner valve operatively coupled to each surface burner, and a lockout valve configured to control gas flow to a manifold. The burner valve is movable between an open position and a closed position to control gas flow from the manifold to the surface burner. The lockout valve is movable between a closed position restricting gas flow to the manifold and an open position allowing gas flow. The system includes at least one switch positioned with respect to the burner valve. The switch is configured to detect a position of the burner valve. A controller is operatively coupled to the lockout valve and the switch. The controller activates the lockout valve to move between the closed position and the open position based on a signal received from the switch indicating that the burner valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: A gas supply system for a cooking appliance includes a burner valve operatively coupled to each surface burner, and a lockout valve configured to control gas flow to a manifold. The burner valve is movable between an open position and a closed position to control gas flow from the manifold to the surface burner. The lockout valve is movable between a closed position restricting gas flow to the manifold and an open position allowing gas flow. The system includes at least one switch positioned with respect to the burner valve. The switch is configured to detect a position of the burner valve. A controller is operatively coupled to the lockout valve and the switch. The controller activates the lockout valve to move between the closed position and the open position based on a signal received from the switch indicating that the burner valve is in the closed position.