Patents by Inventor Steven M. Swayne

Steven M. Swayne has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230172383
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to operate, by a processor coupled to memory, a steam heating mode including selective control of a bake heating element and two or more fans according to preset and timed duty cycles of a plurality of heating stages comprising preset requirements for transitions therebetween based on received input; and heat, based on the operation, one or more food items via steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Laura Wade, Steven M. Swayne, Anna Cortez
  • Patent number: 11457769
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where air is the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Timothy Turner
  • Patent number: 11382455
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where air is the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Timothy Turner
  • Publication number: 20220104656
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where air is the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Timothy Turner
  • Publication number: 20220104657
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where air is the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Timothy Turner
  • Publication number: 20220034516
    Abstract: An appliance is provided with a cavity wrapper defining a cooking chamber therein. An embossment is formed in a wall of the cavity wrapper and protrudes within the cooking chamber. The embossment has a leading sloped portion. A shroud is located adjacent the wall and includes an outer perimeter edge that is spaced from the embossment thereby defining an exhaust port therebetween. A bracket is disposed outside the cavity wrapper and includes a pair of mounting tabs affixed to an external surface of the wall of the cavity wrapper. The pair of mounting tabs straddling the embossment in a staggered formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Greg Funk, Steven M. Swayne, Ryan Blanchard, Robert W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210251421
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where air is the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Timothy Turner
  • Publication number: 20210251422
    Abstract: A rack assembly is mountable within a cooking cavity of an appliance. The rack assembly includes a slide rack defining a well opening and configured to removably support a rack insert in or through said well opening. A telescoping slide is coupled to said slide rack such that said slide rack is slidable between a fully retracted position and a forward position relative to said cooking cavity when mounted therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Stephanie Phillips, Brendan McGinnis, Andrew Worley
  • Publication number: 20200305641
    Abstract: A rack assembly is mountable within a cooking cavity of an appliance. The rack assembly includes a slide rack defining a well opening and configured to removably support a rack insert in or through said well opening. A telescoping slide is coupled to said slide rack such that said slide rack is slidable between a fully retracted position and a forward position relative to said cooking cavity when mounted therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Stephanie Phillips, Brendan McGinnis, Andrew Worley
  • Publication number: 20200281391
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sous-vide cooking in an oven of a cooking appliance. A temperature probe senses a temperature of a water bath or the food in the water bath, which is placed in the oven cavity. The sensed temperature is used as a feedback input for a controller that controls a heating element of the appliance in a manner that causes the water and food to reach a desired final temperature of the food in equilibrium with the water bath, which in turn is in equilibrium with the air in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Michael D. Padgett, Catherine L. May
  • Publication number: 20200229639
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where airis the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Timothy Turner
  • Publication number: 20200115138
    Abstract: There is provided a cooking bag having one or more integrated features for assisting in cooking a food item via sous vide or other convectional cooking methods. One such feature is an interior bag wall that separates its interior volume into first and second compartments, one for a food item to be cooked and the other for a solid seasoning item. The interior bag wall includes a liquid permeable portion that allows liquid to pass between the first and second compartments but inhibits the passage of solids. Another feature is a thermometer integrated into the bag for indicating whether a food item has reached a predetermined threshold temperature during cooking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Brendan McGinnis, Andrew Worley, Stephanie Phillips
  • Patent number: 10561277
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where airis the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Timothy Turner
  • Patent number: 10502640
    Abstract: A meat probe has a shaft, plug, and stabilizer for measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature) of a piece of meat and communicating the measurement to a cooking appliance. The stabilizer may have a plurality of wings. For example, two wings may be cantilevered about a proximal end that is at the shaft. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the wings are bent outwardly about the proximal end. In another example, four wings are connected on opposite ends to a first and second base, and the shaft extends through the first and second bases. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the second base is pushed upward, decreasing the distance between the first and second base and bending the wings about a middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Brendan McGinnis, Elizabeth A. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10307016
    Abstract: An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Johncock, Foad M. Kesheh, Steven M. Swayne
  • Publication number: 20180306652
    Abstract: A meat probe has a shaft, plug, and stabilizer for measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature) of a piece of meat and communicating the measurement to a cooking appliance. The stabilizer may have a plurality of wings. For example, two wings may be cantilevered about a proximal end that is at the shaft. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the wings are bent outwardly about the proximal end. In another example, four wings are connected on opposite ends to a first and second base, and the shaft extends through the first and second bases. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the second base is pushed upward, decreasing the distance between the first and second base and bending the wings about a middle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Brendan McGinnis, Elizabeth A. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10006817
    Abstract: A meat probe has a shaft, plug, and stabilizer for measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature) of a piece of meat and communicating the measurement to a cooking appliance. The stabilizer may have a plurality of wings. For example, two wings may be cantilevered about a proximal end that is at the shaft. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the wings are bent outwardly about the proximal end. In another example, four wings are connected on opposite ends to a first and second base, and the shaft extends through the first and second bases. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the second base is pushed upward, decreasing the distance between the first and second base and bending the wings about a middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Brendan McGinnis, Elizabeth A. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20160341607
    Abstract: A meat probe has a shaft, plug, and stabilizer for measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature) of a piece of meat and communicating the measurement to a cooking appliance. The stabilizer may have a plurality of wings. For example, two wings may be cantilevered about a proximal end that is at the shaft. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the wings are bent outwardly about the proximal end. In another example, four wings are connected on opposite ends to a first and second base, and the shaft extends through the first and second bases. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the second base is pushed upward, decreasing the distance between the first and second base and bending the wings about a middle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Steven M. Swayne, Brendan McGinnis, Elizabeth A. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20160331175
    Abstract: An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Johncock, Foad M. Kesheh, Steven M. Swayne
  • Patent number: 9402505
    Abstract: An oven for performing a rotisserie cooking operation includes an oven cavity having a door for selectively accessing the oven cavity, at least one heating element for heating the oven cavity and a rotisserie arm adapted to support a food product within the oven cavity. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotisserie arm for rotating the rotisserie arm and a food product. The oven also includes a control interface having a rotisserie cooking mode input and a control system for controlling the rotisserie motor and the heating element. In addition to other functions, the control system automatically causes the rotisserie motor to cycle on and off to allow for intermittent rotation of the food product supported on the rotisserie arm when the oven door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Johncock, Foad M. Kesheh, Steven M. Swayne