Patents by Inventor Ulf Nordh
Ulf Nordh 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).
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Publication number: 20170105252Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method for heating/browning a piece of food by means of microwaves are provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity arranged to receive, in a substantially horizontal browning region, a piece of food to be browned. The microwave heating apparatus further comprises a microwave source for generating microwaves and a rotatable antenna arranged at the cavity bottom for supplying the generated microwaves. The antenna is configured to produce at least one radiating lobe pointing towards the browning region such that the intersection between the radiating lobe and the browning region forms a hot spot, thereby forming a ring-shaped heating pattern in the browning region under rotation of the antenna. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Ulf Nordh, Hakan Carlsson, Olle Niklasson, Fredrik Hallgren
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Patent number: 9538585Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method for heating/browning a piece of food by means of microwaves are provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity arranged to receive, in a substantially horizontal browning region, a piece of food to be browned. The microwave heating apparatus further comprises a microwave source for generating microwaves and a rotatable antenna arranged at the cavity bottom for supplying the generated microwaves. The antenna is configured to produce at least one radiating lobe pointing towards the browning region such that the intersection between the radiating lobe and the browning region forms a hot spot, thereby forming a ring-shaped heating pattern in the browning region under rotation of the antenna. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ulf Nordh, Hakan Carlsson, Olle Niklasson, Fredrik Hallgren
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Publication number: 20160242241Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus for heating a load by means of microwaves is provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity arranged to receive a piece of food to be heated, a first microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves at the cavity bottom for energizing a browning function in the cavity, a second microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves into the cavity for exciting cavity modes and a control unit configured to control the first and second microwave supply systems based on a food category and/or a cooking program. The first supply system comprises at least one microwave source and at least one antenna arranged in a lower part of the cavity and the second microwave supply system comprises at least one microwave source and at least one feeding port arranged in an upper part of the cavity. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: OLLE NIKLASSON, HAKAN CARLSSON, ULF NORDH, FREDRIK HALLGREN
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Publication number: 20160242242Abstract: An apparatus and a method for heating a load using microwaves is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transmission line, configured to transmit microwaves from a microwave generator to a cavity. A sensing device configured to measure electromagnetic field strengths for providing information about the phase and the amplitude of a reflection coefficient that represents a ratio between the amount of microwaves reflected back towards the microwave generator and the amount of microwaves transmitted in the transmission line from the microwave generator. A control unit configured to detect whether the measured electromagnetic field strengths correspond to a reflection coefficient having a phase within a certain interval of phases and an amplitude within a certain interval of amplitudes. Additionally, certain intervals of phases and amplitudes correspond to an operating region of the microwave generator. The control unit controls feeding of microwaves to the cavity based on this detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: HAKAN CARLSSON, ULF NORDH
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Patent number: 9332597Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus for heating a load by means of microwaves is provided. The microwave heating apparatus has a cavity arranged to receive a piece of food to be heated, a first microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves at the cavity bottom for energizing a browning function in the cavity, a second microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves into the cavity for exciting cavity modes and a control unit configured to control the first and second microwave supply systems based on a food category and/or a cooking program. The first supply system has at least one microwave source and at least one antenna arranged in a lower part of the cavity and the second microwave supply system has at least one microwave source and at least one feeding port arranged in an upper part of the cavity. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Olle Niklasson, Hakan Carlsson, Ulf Nordh, Fredrik Hallgren
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Publication number: 20150382408Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and methods of controlling cooling of a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus typically includes a microwave source for generating microwaves, a cooling unit for cooling the microwave source and a control unit. According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the efficiency of the microwave source and then to control the cooling based on the determined efficiency. The methods and the microwave heating apparatuses of the present invention are advantageous with respect to energy consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: ULF NORDH, HAKAN CARLSSON, OLLE NIKLASSON, FREDRIK HALLGREN
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Patent number: 9131541Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and methods of controlling cooling of a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus typically includes a microwave source for generating microwaves, a cooling unit for cooling the microwave source and a control unit. According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the efficiency of the microwave source and then to control the cooling based on the determined efficiency. The methods and the microwave heating apparatuses of the present invention are advantageous with respect to energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ulf Nordh, Hakan Carlsson, Olle Niklasson, Fredrik Hallgren
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Publication number: 20140008353Abstract: A method of operating a microwave oven and a microwave oven are disclosed. The microwave oven comprises a magnetron for providing microwave power to heat a load placed in the microwave oven, and a solid-state microwave generator for providing microwave power to sense presence and/or determine nature of the load in the microwave oven.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: OLLIE NIKLASSON, ULF NORDH, FREDRIK HALLGREN, HAKAN CARLSSON
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Patent number: 8530807Abstract: A method of operating a microwave oven and a microwave oven are disclosed. The microwave oven comprises a magnetron for providing microwave power to heat a load placed in the microwave oven, and a solid-state microwave generator for providing microwave power to sense presence and/or determine nature of the load in the microwave oven.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Olle Niklasson, Ulf Nordh, Fredrik Hallgren, Hakan Carlsson
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Publication number: 20120152938Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method of operating a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus includes a microwave source for generating microwaves, a transmission line for transmitting the generated microwaves from the microwave source to a cavity, a measuring device that measures the power of microwaves transmitted from the microwave source and a receiving device that receives operational data indicative of the power supplied to the microwave source. The microwave heating apparatus further includes a control unit adapted to adjust the impedance of the transmission line and/or the impedance matching between the microwave source and the transmission line based on the measured power of the transmitted microwaves and the received operational data in order to control the efficiency of the microwave source. The microwave heating apparatus improves control of the microwave source efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ulf Nordh, Hakan Carlsson, Olle Niklasson, Fredrik Hallgren
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Publication number: 20120152937Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and methods of controlling cooling of a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus typically includes a microwave source for generating microwaves, a cooling unit for cooling the microwave source and a control unit. According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the efficiency of the microwave source and then to control the cooling based on the determined efficiency. The methods and the microwave heating apparatuses of the present invention are advantageous with respect to energy consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ulf Nordh, Hakan Carlsson, Olle Niklasson, Fredrik Hallgren
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Publication number: 20120097667Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method of operating a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a load receiving cavity, at least one microwave source, a plurality of feeding ports connected to the microwave source and the cavity for feeding microwaves to the cavity, a measuring unit and a control unit. The measuring unit measures, for at least one frequency or within a frequency range, the power of microwaves reflected back to the microwave source for at least part of the plurality of feeding ports. The control unit selects at least one of the feeding ports based on the measured powers of the reflected microwaves in order to feed microwaves to the cavity via the at least one selected feeding port during operation of the microwave heating apparatus at the at least one frequency or within the frequency range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Olle Niklasson, Hakan Carlsson, Ulf Nordh, Fredrik Hallgren
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Publication number: 20110297671Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and a method for heating/browning a piece of food by means of microwaves are provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity arranged to receive, in a substantially horizontal browning region, a piece of food to be browned. The microwave heating apparatus further comprises a microwave source for generating microwaves and a rotatable antenna arranged at the cavity bottom for supplying the generated microwaves. The antenna is configured to produce at least one radiating lobe pointing towards the browning region such that the intersection between the radiating lobe and the browning region forms a hot spot, thereby forming a ring-shaped heating pattern in the browning region under rotation of the antenna. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: ULF NORDH, HAKAN CARLSSON, OLLE NIKLASSON, FREDRIK HALLGREN
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Publication number: 20110297672Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus for heating a load by means of microwaves is provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity arranged to receive a piece of food to be heated, a first microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves at the cavity bottom for energizing a browning function in the cavity, a second microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves into the cavity for exciting cavity modes and a control unit configured to control the first and second microwave supply systems based on a food category and/or a cooking program. The first supply system comprises at least one microwave source and at least one antenna arranged in a lower part of the cavity and the second microwave supply system comprises at least one microwave source and at least one feeding port arranged in an upper part of the cavity. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: OLLE NIKLASSON, HAKAN CARLSSON, ULF NORDH, FREDRIK HALLGREN
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Patent number: 7348527Abstract: A microwave oven for use in cooking food having a door and door mounted controls and a cooling system where the door mounted controls are disclosed. The microwave oven having an external enclosure defining an outer cabinet and an oven cavity supported within the external enclosure where the oven cavity has a front access opening. The door is rotatably supported adjacent the external enclosure for selectively closing the access opening. A control unit is mounted within the door and a ventilation cooling path is formed within the door for cooling the control unit mounted with the door. A blower is supported within the external enclosure for directing an air flow toward the door and into the ventilation cooling path. The microwave can further include a housing which is supported within the door for enclosing the control unit and where the housing forms part of the ventilation cooling path.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Eckart Braunisch, Ulf Nordh, Per Torngren, Anders Zeijlon, Hakan Lundstrom, Hans Lindgren, Hakan Carlsson, Alan D. Bengtson, Renee M. Garnham, Laura E. Petzke
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Publication number: 20070102426Abstract: A microwave oven for use in cooking food having a door and door mounted controls and a cooling system where the door mounted controls are disclosed. The microwave oven having an external enclosure defining an outer cabinet and an oven cavity supported within the external enclosure where the oven cavity has a front access opening. The door is rotatably supported adjacent the external enclosure for selectively closing the access opening. A control unit is mounted within the door and a ventilation cooling path is formed within the door for cooling the control unit mounted with the door. A blower is supported within the external enclosure for directing an air flow toward the door and into the ventilation cooling path. The microwave can further include a housing which is supported within the door for enclosing the control unit and where the housing forms part of the ventilation cooling path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2006Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: ECKART BRAUNISCH, ULF NORDH, PER TORNGREN, ANDERS ZEIJLON, HAKAN LUNDSTROM, HANS LINDGREN, HAKAN CARLSSON, ALAN BENGTSON, RENEE GARNHAM, LAURA PETZKE
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Patent number: 6884979Abstract: A microwave oven and a method for heating a load which is placed therein. According to the invention a predetermined mode in the cavity of a microwave oven is fed by means of an associated feeding port which is arranged to feed essentially the intended mode only, the feeding of a mode other than the intended, predetermined mode being essentially prevented.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Per Törngren, Ulf Nordh, Håkan Carlsson, Roland Ekinge
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Publication number: 20040004074Abstract: The invention relates to serial microwave feeding to a cavity of a microwave oven in order to provide heating of a load that is placed in the cavity. Any microwave radiation that is reflected from a first feeding port is directed, preferably via a microwave circulator, to a second feeding port. The radiation that is reflected from the first feeding port is thus fed to the cavity via the second feeding port.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Per Torngren, Ulf Nordh, Hakan Carlsson, Roland Ekinge
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Patent number: 6333496Abstract: A device and a method for microwave feeding of an oven cavity by means of a coupling slot (1) which is fed by a waveguide. The a-dimension of the waveguide is significantly larger than the effective a-dimension of the slot. The slot comprised a radiating main slot part (5) and slot extensions (6,7) projecting from it at its respective sides, which extension have a substantially smaller cross-dimension than the b-dimension of the main slot part.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Per Olov Risman, Dan Carlsson, Ulf Nordh