Abstract: An electric cooking device with a cooking surface. The cooking surface includes a first heating element positioned under the cooking surface arranged to heat substantially the entire cooking surface to a first power density and a second heating element positioned under a portion the cooking surface arranged to heat approximately half of the cooking surface to a second power density. The second power density can be greater that the first power density. The electric cooking device can include a temperature regulator and a selector connected to the first heating element and the second heating element arranged to selectively connect the first heating element or the second heating element through the temperature regulator to a power source.

Abstract: A mixing system comprising a bowl, mixing element and motor. A mixing element is located within the bowl and is driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the foodstuff being mixed upon contact. A method for increasing the power to the motor comprises introducing additional current in advance of instantaneous loading.

Abstract: A mixing system comprising a bowl, mixing element and motor. A mixing element is located within the bowl and is driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the foodstuff being mixed upon contact. A method for predicting instantaneous loading on the mixing system motor. A method for increasing the power to the motor comprises introducing additional current in advance of instantaneous loading. A method for identifying the foodstuff being mixed to control operation of the mixer either by allowing user interaction or increasing the current to the motor in advance of instantaneous loading and demands on the motor.

Abstract: A waffle maker comprises a grill that is rotatable with respect to a base about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A mixing system comprising a bowl, mixing element and motor. A mixing element is located within the bowl and is driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the foodstuff being mixed upon contact. A method for increasing the power to the motor comprises introducing additional current in advance of instantaneous loading.

Abstract: A mixing system comprising a bowl, mixing element and motor. A mixing element is located within the bowl and is driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the foodstuff being mixed upon contact. A method for predicting instantaneous loading on the mixing system motor. A method for increasing the power to the motor comprises introducing additional current in advance of instantaneous loading. A method for identifying the foodstuff being mixed to control operation of the mixer either by allowing user interaction or increasing the current to the motor in advance of instantaneous loading and demands on the motor.

Abstract: A mold for a grill, such as a waffle maker, for cooking a food item has a body configured to be received by the grill, a form provided on the body and defining at least a portion of a recess in which the food item is received for cooking and defining the shape of the food item.

Abstract: An electric cooking device with a cooking surface. The cooking surface includes a first heating element positioned under the cooking surface arranged to heat substantially the entire cooking surface to a first power density and a second heating element positioned under a portion the cooking surface arranged to heat approximately half of the cooking surface to a second power density. The second power density can be greater that the first power density. The electric cooking device can include a temperature regulator and a selector connected to the first heating element and the second heating element arranged to selectively connect the first heating element or the second heating element through the temperature regulator to a power source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting load unbalance in an appliance is provided for an appliance having a vessel configured to receive a supply of material and rotatable about an axis. A control is arranged and configured to rapidly accelerate a rotation of the vessel, determine an amount of energy with which the vessel has engaged the relatively stationary part, compare the amount of energy with a predetermined value and send a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if the amount of energy exceeds the predetermined value. The vessel may be rotated by use of an electric motor such as a controlled induction motor and the control can be used to measure the electric current drawn by the motor and through manipulation of the current, determine the amount of energy with which the vessel engages the stationary part of the appliance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining load unbalance in an appliance is provided for an appliance having a vessel configured to receive a supply of material and rotatable about an axis. A control is arranged and configured to accelerate a rotation of the vessel between a series of constant rotational speeds, measure an amount of current with which the motor draws in rotating the vessel at each of the rotational speeds and during each acceleration period, compare the amount of current with a calculated threshold value for each speed and each acceleration period and send a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if the amount of energy exceeds the precalculated threshold value. The vessel may be rotated by use of an electric motor such as a controlled induction motor and the control can be used to measure the electric current drawn by the motor. The threshold values can further be adjusted by comparing the actual line voltage supplied to the motor with a predetermined nominal line voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting load unbalance in an appliance is provided for an appliance having a vessel configured to receive a supply of material and rotatable about an axis. A control is arranged and configured to rapidly accelerate a rotation of the vessel, determine an amount of energy with which the vessel has engaged the relatively stationary part, compare the amount of energy with a predetermined value and send a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if the amount of energy exceeds the predetermined value. The vessel may be rotated by use of an electric motor such as a controlled induction motor and the control can be used to measure the electric current drawn by the motor and through manipulation of the current, determine the amount of energy with which the vessel engages the stationary part of the appliance.

Abstract: A motor controller for a single phase induction motor (SPIM), wherein the SPIM is driven by two windings, a line winding connected to the ac line and a control winding driven by the controller. The SPIM torque and hence the speed and direction is controlled by the voltage output of the controller for all speeds below the synchronous speed (set by ac line frequency). The controller adjusts the amplitude, the phase angle relative to the line winding, and the frequency of the voltage for the desired SPIM responses. The controller can also selectively switch power to the line winding for a different operating mode with both windings at below synchronous speed. Or, the controller can open the connection to the line winding after starting, and operate the SPIM via the control winding at any speed by adjusting the amplitude and frequency of the controller voltage.