Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically predicting the probability of regulatory compliance approval based on data contained in a data structure. A data structure can be configured to include data collated and collected from one or more regulators (e.g., regulatory agencies) and one or more value chain participants. Such data is inclusive of data indicative of actual approval-request results of applications for regulatory approval by one or more regulators and variable weights assigned to different data elements. A prediction can be then made as to the probability that an application for regulatory approval by a value chain participant will be approved by a regulator based on the data collated and collected and contained in the data structure. This approach predicts the probability that an application for regulatory approval by a value chain participant will be approved and also predicts what is missing for a regulatory approval application.

Abstract: An electrical power connector includes a connector housing having a slot at a mating end of the connector housing configured to receive a power distribution assembly. The electrical power connector includes power contacts received in the connector housing configured to be is coupled to a power distribution contact of the power distribution assembly. The electrical power connector includes a monitoring device having a monitoring circuit, a monitoring sensor coupled to the monitoring circuit, and a monitoring transmitter coupled to the monitoring circuit. The monitoring sensor is coupled to the power contact to monitor an operating characteristic of the power contact. The monitoring circuit receives sensor signals from the monitoring sensor and the monitoring transmitter transmits monitoring signals from the monitoring circuit based on the operating characteristic of the power contact to a monitoring network remote from the electrical power connector.

Abstract: A connector terminating an end of an electrical cable includes an outer surface, and a radio frequency (RF) sensor tag is secured to the connector outer surface and includes a temperature sensor and an antenna. In response to the RF sensor tag receiving an interrogation signal from a remote RF reader, the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the connector and generate a temperature data signal, and the antenna is configured to transmit the temperature data signal to the remote RF reader.

Abstract: A connector terminating an end of an electrical cable includes an outer surface, and a radio frequency (RF) sensor tag is secured to the connector outer surface and includes a temperature sensor and an antenna. In response to the RF sensor tag receiving an interrogation signal from a remote RF reader, the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the connector and generate a temperature data signal, and the antenna is configured to transmit the temperature data signal to the remote RF reader.

Abstract: A heating element that limits the maximum temperature readied by a cooking utensil or food items placed on the heating element is provided. A cooktop appliance with features for limiting the maximum temperature reached by a cooking utensil or food items placed on a heating element of the cooktop appliance also is provided. In particular, a cooktop appliance with a positive temperature coefficient heating element and a controller for regulating the heating element to a selected temperature or heat output is provided.

Abstract: An oven appliance with one or more features for notifying a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to notify a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided with features for locking out a cooking chamber to boost the preheat performance of and thereby decrease the time required to preheat another cooking chamber of the oven appliance. A method for operating an oven appliance also is provided. The method includes features for locking out a cooking chamber to boost the preheat performance of and thereby decrease the time required to preheat another cooking chamber of the oven appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an appliance with a sensor directed toward a cooking surface positioned beneath the sensor. One or more features are provided for directing a flow of air across the sensing end of the sensor to protect or shield it during cooking operations.

Abstract: A measurement device for determining heating parameters of an oven may generally include a support plate and at least one sensor cup coupled to the support plate. The sensor cup may define a liquid well for receiving a volume of liquid and may include a bottom wall defining a floor of the liquid well. In addition, the measurement device may include a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the floor of the liquid well such that the temperature sensor is configured to be in fluid contact with at least a portion of the volume of the liquid received within the liquid well. The temperature sensor may be configured to monitor a temperature of the liquid as the liquid is heated and evaporates from the sensor cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oven appliance and for operation of an oven appliance. The oven appliance and a method for operating the oven appliance include features such that the door of the oven appliance remains locked unless a cooking cycle is initiated or a door unlocking element is utilized.

Abstract: A microwave appliance and method for operating a microwave appliance are provided. The method includes operating a fan of the microwave appliance in order to draw a flow of air through a circulation conduit of the microwave appliance, measuring an air quality of the flow of air within the circulation conduit with a sensor of the microwave appliance, and deactivating the fan of the microwave appliance if the air quality of the flow of air within the circulation conduit of the microwave appliance exceeds a threshold value. In such a manner, the flow or air can be properly filtered without operating the fan of the microwave appliance excessively.

Abstract: The present invention provides for operation of a sensor directed toward a cooking surface positioned beneath the sensor. If a cooking utensil is detected on the cooking surface, a fan is operated to direct a flow of air over the sensing end of the sensor to protect or shield it during cooking operations.

Abstract: An oven range appliance is provided with features for locking out one or more cooktop elements of the oven range to boost preheat performance and thereby decrease the time required to preheat the cooking chamber of the oven range. A method for operating an oven range appliance also is provided. The method includes features for locking out one or more cooktop elements of the oven range to boost preheat performance and thereby decrease the time required to preheat the cooking chamber of the oven range.

Abstract: A measurement device for determining heating parameters of an oven may generally include a support plate and at least one sensor cup coupled to the support plate. The sensor cup may define a liquid well for receiving a volume of liquid and may include a bottom wall defining a floor of the liquid well. In addition, the measurement device may include a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the floor of the liquid well such that the temperature sensor is configured to be in fluid contact with at least a portion of the volume of the liquid received within the liquid well. The temperature sensor may be configured to monitor a temperature of the liquid as the liquid is heated and evaporates from the sensor cup.

Abstract: A heating element that limits the maximum temperature readied by a cooking utensil or food items placed on the heating element is provided. A cooktop appliance with features for limiting the maximum temperature reached by a cooking utensil or food items placed on a heating element of the cooktop appliance also is provided. In particular, a cooktop appliance with a positive temperature coefficient heating element and a controller for regulating the heating element to a selected temperature or heat output is provided.

Abstract: An indoor grill appliance is provided including a cabinet with one or more grill heating elements disposed within the cabinet. The indoor grill appliance additionally includes one or more grates defining a planar grilling surface in thermal communication with the one or more grill heating elements. A hood assembly is disposed above the one or more grates and is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the hood assembly is in the closed position, the hood assembly defines a substantially enclosed grill cooking chamber with the cabinet to facilitate indoor grilling operations while reducing a risk of damaging and/or dirtying indoor walls and ceilings.

Abstract: An oven gasket is provided for improved sealing between the door and oven body of an oven appliance as the oven is heated. The oven gasket expands when heated so as to help improve sealing. The expansion of the gasket provides additional compression of the gasket and closes gaps that might otherwise form due to expansion of the oven door as the oven heats. The gasket can be effective even at high temperature oven operation such as e.g., during a cleaning cycle.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance includes a pair of doors. Each door of the pair of doors includes an outer door panel and an inner door panel. The outer and inner door panels are spaced apart from each other along at least one edge of the door such that the inner and outer door panels define a thermal break therebetween. The thermal break can assist with limiting or hindering heat transfer between the inner and outer door panels.

Abstract: An oven appliance with one or more features for notifying a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided. Further, a method for operating an oven appliance to notify a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber is heavily loaded is provided.

Abstract: An oven appliance is provided with features for locking out a cooking chamber to boost the preheat performance of and thereby decrease the time required to preheat another cooking chamber of the oven appliance. A method for operating an oven appliance also is provided. The method includes features for locking out a cooking chamber to boost the preheat performance of and thereby decrease the time required to preheat another cooking chamber of the oven appliance.