Abstract: An oven appliance for providing convection and microwave heating includes a cabinet having a chamber positioned within the cabinet. The chamber is configured for receipt of food items for cooking and has a plurality of walls including a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall, and opposing sidewalls defining the chamber. At least one of the plurality of walls defines a plurality of apertures and a first duct in fluid communication with the chamber through the plurality of apertures. The oven appliance also includes at least one convection heating element for heating the chamber. Further, the oven appliance includes a convection fan in fluid communication with the first duct. The convection fan is operable to cause air to flow out of the apertures. Moreover, the oven appliance includes a convection motor having a motor shaft. The convection motor is operably coupled to the convection fan for rotating the convection fan about the motor shaft.

Abstract: An oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a vertical direction. A chamber is defined within the cabinet for receipt of food items for cooking. A rack is slidably received within the chamber above a bottom wall of the chamber along the vertical direction. A turntable is rotatably mounted on the rack. The oven appliance also includes a telescopic shaft positioned and configured to extend and retract along the vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the shaft engages the turntable to rotate the turntable and a disengaged position wherein the shaft is spaced apart from the turntable along the vertical direction.

Abstract: An oven appliance includes a cabinet that defines a vertical direction. A chamber is defined within the cabinet for receipt of food items for cooking. A rack is slidably received within the chamber above a bottom wall of the chamber along the vertical direction. A turntable is rotatably mounted on the rack. The oven appliance also includes a telescopic shaft positioned and configured to extend and retract along the vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the shaft engages the turntable to rotate the turntable and a disengaged position wherein the shaft is spaced apart from the turntable along the vertical direction.

Abstract: An oven appliance for providing convection and microwave heating includes a cabinet having a chamber positioned within the cabinet. The chamber is configured for receipt of food items for cooking and has a plurality of walls including a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall, and opposing sidewalls defining the chamber. At least one of the plurality of walls defines a plurality of apertures and a first duct in fluid communication with the chamber through the plurality of apertures. The oven appliance also includes at least one convection heating element for heating the chamber. Further, the oven appliance includes a convection fan in fluid communication with the first duct. The convection fan is operable to cause air to flow out of the apertures. Moreover, the oven appliance includes a convection motor having a motor shaft. The convection motor is operably coupled to the convection fan for rotating the convection fan about the motor shaft.

Abstract: A sound sensing module for monitoring the operation of an appliance includes a microphone for monitoring sound generated during operation of the appliance and a controller operably coupled to the microphone. The controller can obtain a sound signal generated during operation of the appliance, analyze the sound signal to identify a sound signature corresponding to an operating event, and implement a responsive action, such as providing a user notification, providing troubleshooting instructions, ordering a replacement part, scheduling a maintenance visit.

Abstract: A sound sensing module for monitoring the operation of an appliance includes a microphone for monitoring sound generated during operation of the appliance and a controller operably coupled to the microphone. The controller can obtain a sound signal generated during operation of the appliance, analyze the sound signal to identify a sound signature corresponding to an operating event, and implement a responsive action, such as providing a user notification, providing troubleshooting instructions, ordering a replacement part, scheduling a maintenance visit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic generator for repelling harmful animals. The invention comprises a columnar ultrasonic wave generating body 18 which has a piezoelectric element 16 and a connecting body 22 and a smaller-diameter connecting body 24 each having a reduced diameter, a diaphragm 28 which is in the form of a speaker horn, and a connecting rod 26 which extends from the ultrasonic wave generating body 18 and connects and fixes the diaphragm 28 to an end thereof. The thickness of the diaphragm 28 gradually decreases from the base 34 connected to the connecting rod 26 toward an outer edge of the diaphragm 28 and one or more undulated portions 36 are formed concentrically on the front face of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Cooktop assemblies and methods for operating cooktop assemblies are provided. A cooktop assembly includes a top panel for supporting a cooking vessel, the top panel comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and a heating assembly disposed adjacent the lower surface, the heating assembly comprising a heating element. The cooktop assembly further includes a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature between the heating assembly and the top panel, and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the top panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic generator for repelling harmful animals. The invention comprises a columnar ultrasonic wave generating body 18 which has a piezoelectric element 16 and a connecting body 22 and a smaller-diameter connecting body 24 each having a reduced diameter, a diaphragm 28 which is in the form of a speaker horn, and a connecting rod 26 which extends from the ultrasonic wave generating body 18 and connects and fixes the diaphragm 28 to an end thereof. The thickness of the diaphragm 28 gradually decreases from the base 34 connected to the connecting rod 26 toward an outer edge of the diaphragm 28 and one or more undulated portions 36 are formed concentrically on the front face of the diaphragm.

Abstract: Cooktop assemblies and methods for operating cooktop assemblies are provided. A cooktop assembly includes a top panel for supporting a cooking vessel, the top panel comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and a heating assembly disposed adjacent the lower surface, the heating assembly comprising a heating element. The cooktop assembly further includes a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature between the heating assembly and the top panel, and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the top panel.

Abstract: Microwave appliances are provided. A microwave appliance includes a casing defining a first interior chamber and a second interior chamber. The microwave appliance further includes an electromagnetic radiation source coupled to the first interior chamber and operable to provide microwave radiation to the first interior chamber, and a heating element disposed within the second interior chamber and operable to heat the second interior chamber.

Abstract: A demand side management control system and method for altering power consumption on an electrical device during specified periods of time (e.g., peak energy demand periods). The system includes a memory to store two or more power consuming function profiles corresponding to the one or more power consuming functions associated with the electrical device. The system also includes at least one processor coupled with the memory. The processor is programmed to receive a peak energy demand signal and access the power consuming function profiles associated with the electrical device. The processor identifies, based on the received peak energy demand signal, the one of two or more power consuming function profiles to be implemented in the electrical device. Finally, the processor periodically disables or operates at a reduced power level at least one power consuming function according to the identified power consuming function profile.

Abstract: A system for measuring nutritional parameters of food items is provided. The system includes a holding cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly that includes a transmitter antenna and at least one receiver antenna. The transmitter antenna is configured to transmit signals to a food item in the holding cavity. The receiver antenna is configured to receive response signals from the food item. The system includes at least one switch coupled to each antenna. The switch, in a first state, is configured to set the sensor assembly to an electric potential equal to that of the holding cavity. In a second state, the switch is configured to couple the sensor assembly to a power source. The system also includes a processing unit to process the signals received to determine the nutritional parameters of the food item.

Abstract: A dishwashing appliance is provided having a spray arm assembly with one or more sliding spray arms. The spray arms can slide linearly, back and forth, along either a transverse or lateral direction of a wash chamber of the appliance. The spray arms are precluded from rotating relative to the wash chamber. A variety of mechanisms are described for providing such linear, sliding movement through the wash chamber. Improved spraying and, therefore, cleaning of articles in the dishwasher can be achieved through the sliding movement.

Abstract: A system for measuring nutritional parameters of food items is provided. The system includes a holding cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly that includes a transmitter antenna and at least one receiver antenna. The transmitter antenna is configured to transmit signals to a food item in the holding cavity. The receiver antenna is configured to receive response signals from the food item. The system includes at least one switch coupled to each antenna. The switch, in a first state, is configured to set the sensor assembly to an electric potential equal to that of the holding cavity. In a second state, the switch is configured to couple the sensor assembly to a power source. The system also includes a processing unit to process the signals received to determine the nutritional parameters of the food item.

Abstract: A demand side management control system and method for altering power consumption on an electrical device during specified periods of time (e.g., peak energy demand periods). The system includes a memory to store two or more power consuming function profiles corresponding to the one or more power consuming functions associated with the electrical device. The system also includes at least one processor coupled with the memory. The processor is programmed to receive a peak energy demand signal and access the power consuming function profiles associated with the electrical device. The processor identifies, based on the received peak energy demand signal, the one of two or more power consuming function profiles to be implemented in the electrical device. Finally, the processor periodically disables or operates at a reduced power level at least one power consuming function according to the identified power consuming function profile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven with an air cleaning function. The microwave oven includes an air cleaning button formed on a control panel of the microwave oven, a controller for determining an input signal from the air cleaning button and generating a driving signal, and a fan driving part for operating a fan disposed in the microwave oven to allow intake air to pass through a filter, thereby removing pollutants contained in the intake air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating apparatus of a microwave oven. The heating apparatus includes: an upper heater installed at an upper portion of a cavity; a lower heater installed at a lower portion of the cavity and allowing an inclination to be selectively formed; a tray placed on the lower heater, for receiving a food thereon; and a motor connected to the lower heater so as to incline the lower heater on which the tray is placed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lifting device for lifting a microwave oven installed at a position right below kitchen furniture. According to the present invention, an end of a cord 30 is fixed in the microwave oven 20. Further, the cord 30 sequentially passes through a hole 23 formed in a top plate 22 of the microwave oven 20 and a through-hole 14 formed in a bottom plate 12 of the kitchen furniture 10. A stopper 40 or 50 with a center hole 42a or 52a formed therethrough is installed in the through-hole 14 of the kitchen furniture 10. That is, the cord 30 passes through the bottom plate 12 of the kitchen furniture 10 via the center hole 42a or 52a of the stopper 40 or 50. At this time, the stopper 40 or 50 limits a one-way motion of the cord 30 through the center hole 42a or 52a.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for exhausting pollutant for a microwave oven, the apparatus comprising: a sensor part formed at a predetermined portion of the microwave oven, for detecting fumes and/or moisture contained in polluted air generated during a cooking process; a controller for determining whether or not amount of the fumes and/or moisture detected by the sensor part is greater than a predetermined reference value; and a fan driving part operated, when the amount detected by the controller is greater than the reference value, by a driving signal from the controller and allowing air containing the pollutant to be inhaled and then removed from an interior.