Abstract: A food preparation system includes a non-contact power supply for energizing a cooking appliance. The food preparation system includes a communication system for enabling communication between a food appliance and the system. The appliance transmits an identifier to the system. If the appliance does not have a transmitter, the system attempts to determine the type of appliance from a characterization of the power consumption by the appliance. If the appliance cannot be characterized, the food preparation system can be operated manually.

Abstract: A power supply for inductively powering a remote device has an inverter operating at an operating frequency and a primary coil. A phase comparator compares the phase of the voltage or current delivered by the power supply. If the phase relationship detected by the comparator is unacceptable, the inverter is disabled. After a period of time, the inverter is re-enabled, and the phase relationship is again determined.

Abstract: An inductive power supply includes a transceiver for sending information between the remote device and the inductive power supply. The remote device determines the actual voltage and then sends a command to the inductive power supply to change the operating frequency if the actual voltage is different from the desired voltage. In order to determine the actual voltage, the remote device determines a peak voltage and then applies a correction factor.

Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp including both a power coil and a heating coils associated with each filament. The heating coils enable the filaments to be preheated before the starting voltage is applied through the power coils. The inductive power coils and the inductive heater coils are contained within the lamp envelope, allowing the lamp to be entirely sealed. A method of dimming the lamp also is disclosed. The lamp is dimmed by both decreasing the power applied to the power coils and increasing the power applied to the heating coils so as to prevent the arc from extinguishing under lower voltage conditions.

Abstract: An abrasive jet apparatus is provided which includes an abrasive dispenser defining a compartment for storing a granular abrasive material and at least one metering orifice disposed in open communication therewith for dispensing the granular abrasive material. The apparatus also includes a shutter assembly disposed adjacent the metering orifice, which includes a shutter member angularly displaceable between first and second positions relative to the metering orifice. The shutter member has formed therethrough at least one shutter opening which in the first position is substantially fully aligned with the metering orifice, and in the second position is substantially fully offset therefrom. The apparatus further includes a position actuator operatively coupled to the shutter mechanism for reversibly displacing the shutter member to the first and second positions and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween for occluding a selective portion of the metering orifice.