Abstract: A control assembly for an appliance includes a control panel for the appliance. The control panel includes inputs for controlling the appliance. The control assembly includes a control circuit board coupled to the control panel. The circuit board configured to be operably coupled to working components of the appliance to control operation of the appliance based on the inputs from the control panel. The control assembly includes a detergent sensor configured to sense wash characteristics of water in the appliance. The detergent sensor includes a near infrared spectroscope (NIRS) for determining optical properties of a sample of the water. The detergent sensor performs a chemical analysis to determine the contents of the sample based on the optical properties. The control circuit board is configured to control the working components of the appliance based on the chemical analysis performed by the detergent sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system for an electric vehicle includes charging terminals held in a housing and connected to corresponding power conductors to form power transmission lines. The vehicle charging system includes a charging controller for controlling vehicle charging along the power transmission lines. The vehicle charging system includes an arc sensor assembly coupled to the charging controller. The arc sensor assembly includes a diversity antenna for detecting arc signatures along the power transmission lines from an arc event. The diversity antenna transmits an arc output signal to the charging controller based on detection of the arc signature.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system for an electric vehicle includes charging terminals held in a housing being connected to corresponding power conductors to form power transmission lines. The vehicle charging system includes a charging controller for controlling vehicle charging along the power transmission lines. The vehicle charging system includes an arc detection antenna coupled to the charging controller. The arc detection antenna is positioned proximate to the power transmission lines for detecting arc signatures along the power transmission lines from an arc event. The arc detection antenna transmits an arc output signal to the charging controller based on detection of the arc signature.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system for an electric vehicle includes a housing having a mating end for mating with a charging component and a charging terminal held by the housing connected to a power conductor to form a power transmission line. The vehicle charging system includes a charging controller for controlling vehicle charging along the power transmission line. The vehicle charging system includes a current sensor assembly coupled to the charging controller monitoring current transmitted along the power transmission line and generating a current output signal transmitted to the charging controller. The current sensor assembly is configured to detect an arc signature from an arc event and generate an arc output signal transmitted to the charging controller based on detection of the arc signature.

Abstract: A vehicle charging system for an electric vehicle includes a housing having a mating end for mating with a charging component and a charging terminal held by the housing connected to a power conductor to form a power transmission line. The vehicle charging system includes a charging controller for controlling vehicle charging along the power transmission line. The vehicle charging system includes a charging sensor assembly coupled to the charging controller monitoring charging status of the vehicle charging system and generating a charging output signal. The charging sensor assembly detects an arc signature from an arc event and generates an arc output signal. Based on the arc output signal, the charging controller generates a primary control output to perform a primary protective action including shutting down the charging operation and generates a secondary control output to perform a secondary protective action.

Abstract: A solenoid valve having a solenoid body with a solenoid receiving cavity and a flow receiving passage. A solenoid assembly is provided in the solenoid receiving cavity. A valve is provided in the flow receiving passage. An armature extends from the solenoid to the valve. The solenoid valve also includes a control circuitry, a power connection and a bidirectional communications connection. At least one sensor is provided in the flow receiving passage. The at least one sensor is in communication with the control circuitry. When in operation, power is continuously supplied through the power connection and the actuation of the solenoid valve is initiated by the bidirectional communications connection.

Abstract: A system for measuring a temperature of a food in an oven includes an energy emitting antenna positioned in the oven proximate an oven cavity and a battery-free sensor probe configured to be inserted into the food in the oven cavity. The energy emitting antenna sends a plurality of first signals at a same frequency that are phase shifted relative to each other. The battery-free sensor probe has a sensor probe antenna harvesting energy transmitted from the energy emitting antenna and transmitting a plurality of second signals back to the energy emitting antenna. The first signals are steered by the phase shifting to ensure that the first signals are received by the sensor probe antenna.

Abstract: The document relates to a circulator forming an isolator for transmitting microwaves in one direction. The circulator comprises: a receiving port for receiving a high-power microwave beam generated by a solid state microwave source; a transceiver port for transmitting the high-power microwave beam to a microwave chamber and the transceiver port for receiving a reflected microwave beam from the microwave chamber; and a microwave absorber connected to a terminating port of the circulator, the microwave absorber for absorbing the reflected microwave beam received by the transceiver port. Further, the circulator comprises a heat sink thermally conductive coupled to the microwave absorber, the heat sink for transferring heat, which is generated by absorbing the microwave beam, to a fluid medium, wherein the heat sink is formed by a casing, the casing housing the circulator and the casing having a void for housing the solid state microwave source.

Abstract: A solenoid valve having a solenoid body with a solenoid receiving cavity and a flow receiving passage. A solenoid assembly is provided in the solenoid receiving cavity. A valve is provided in the flow receiving passage. An armature extends from the solenoid to the valve. The solenoid valve also includes a control circuitry, a power connection and a bidirectional communications connection. At least one sensor is provided in the flow receiving passage. The at least one sensor is in communication with the control circuitry. When in operation, power is continuously supplied through the power connection and the actuation of the solenoid valve is initiated by the bidirectional communications connection.

Abstract: A solenoid valve having a solenoid body with a solenoid receiving cavity and a flow receiving passage. A solenoid assembly is provided in the solenoid receiving cavity. A valve is provided in the flow receiving passage. An armature extends from the solenoid to the valve. The solenoid valve also includes a control circuitry, a power connection and a bidirectional communications connection. At least one sensor is provided in the flow receiving passage. The at least one sensor is in communication with the control circuitry. When in operation, power is continuously supplied through the power connection and the actuation of the solenoid valve is initiated by the bidirectional communications connection.

Abstract: A solenoid valve having a solenoid body with a solenoid receiving cavity and a flow receiving passage. A solenoid assembly is provided in the solenoid receiving cavity. A valve is provided in the flow receiving passage. An armature extends from the solenoid to the valve. The solenoid valve also includes a control circuitry, a power connection and a bidirectional communications connection. At least one sensor is provided in the flow receiving passage. The at least one sensor is in communication with the control circuitry. When in operation, power is continuously supplied through the power connection and the actuation of the solenoid valve is initiated by the bidirectional communications connection.

Abstract: A system for measuring a temperature of a food in an oven includes an energy emitting antenna positioned in the oven proximate an oven cavity and a battery-free sensor probe configured to be inserted into the food in the oven cavity. The energy emitting antenna sends a plurality of first signals at a same frequency that are phase shifted relative to each other. The battery-free sensor probe has a sensor probe antenna harvesting energy transmitted from the energy emitting antenna and transmitting a plurality of second signals back to the energy emitting antenna. The first signals are steered by the phase shifting to ensure that the first signals are received by the sensor probe antenna.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) heating apparatus and a microwave oven including an RF heating apparatus. The apparatus includes a cavity for receiving an object to be heated. The apparatus also includes a plurality of channels for generating RF radiation to be introduced into the cavity. Each channel includes a frequency synthesizer, a power amplifier and an antenna. Each channel is operable to use a common phase reference signal for generating the RF radiation. Each channel may be controllably operable to generate RF radiation having different, respective frequency spectra. Forward and reverse signal detection circuitry may be provided that is operable to determine amplitude, frequency and/or phase information relating to RF radiation in the cavity. This information may be used for adaptively controlling the RF radiation generated by each channel.

Abstract: An outphasing amplifier having: a first branch arranged to receive and process a first branch signal, the first branch signal being phase modulated, with constant amplitude envelope; and a second branch arranged to receive and process a second branch signal, the second branch signal being phase modulated, with constant amplitude envelope, and at least a portion of the second branch signal anti-phase from the first branch signal, wherein each branch includes: circuitry arranged to process the signal to reduce the energy in sidebands of the signal away from the central frequency, while retaining the phase information in the signal; and an amplifier arranged to amplify the filtered and re-asserted branch signal.

Abstract: An outphasing amplifier having: a first branch to receive and process a first branch signal, the first branch signal being phase modulated, with constant amplitude envelope; and a second branch arranged to receive and process a second branch signal, the second branch signal being phase modulated, with constant amplitude envelope, and at least a portion of the second branch signal anti-phase from the first branch signal, wherein each branch includes: circuitry arranged to process the signal to reduce the energy in sidebands of the signal away from the central frequency, while retaining the phase information in the signal; and an amplifier arranged to amplify the filtered and re-asserted branch signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) heating apparatus and a microwave oven comprising an RF heating apparatus. The apparatus includes a cavity for receiving an object to be heated. The apparatus also includes a plurality of channels for generating RF radiation to be introduced into the cavity. Each channel includes a frequency synthesiser, a power amplifier and an antenna. Each channel is operable to use a common phase reference signal for generating the RF radiation. Each channel may be controllably operable to generate RF radiation having different, respective frequency spectra. Forward and reverse signal detection circuitry may be provided that is operable to determine amplitude, frequency and/or phase information relating to RF radiation in the cavity. This information may be used for adaptively controlling the RF radiation generated by each channel.