Abstract: A heater assembly includes heating element for generating heat to warm a space to be heated. A heat sensor is provided sensing the temperature within the radiant heater assembly for automatically disabling the heater elements upon exposure of the sensor to temperature in excess of a predetermined threshold temperature. A tip-over switch is provided for disabling the heater elements in resonse to predetermined tilting movement of the radiant heater assembly relative to a normal upright position. Alert indicators are provided for indicating disablement of the heater elements upon actuation of either the heat sensor or tip-over switch.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method and device for detecting failure of heating elements in various jets of a thermal jet printing device is provided. The printing device which includes a plurality of thermally actuated printing jets, each of which jets includes a resistance heating element, is actuated when a current is supplied to generate a bubble. The bubble expands eject a drop of ink. Electrical circuit means are provided including power supply means to supply current to the electrical resistance elements. Control means are also provided to selectively connect the elecrical resistance elements to this power supply in preselected arrays for forming bubbles in selected configuration to perform the ink jet printing. The operation includes a test circuit coupled to the resistive heater elements and operable by the control circuit to generate a failure signal representative of a resistance above a preselected value in any resistance heating elements.

Abstract: An independently powered safety device for use in a cooking device having a heating element and a cooking surface. The safety device includes a pair of lamps, one of which is disposed below the heating element and another which is disposed adjacent the cooking surface. The safety device also includes a temperature probe that is coupled above the heating element. When the cooking device is turned on, the heating element becomes hot and the lamp disposed below the heating element instantly illuminates. The temperature probe senses the heating element's temperature. In response to the heating element reaching a predetermined temperature, the probe enables the lamp adjacent the heating surface to illuminate. That lamp remains illuminated until the cooking device is turned off and the heating element cools. The lamp adjacent the heating surface is independently powered and remains illuminated regardless of whether or not power is provided to the heating element.

Abstract: A submersible electric aquarium heater includes an open-ended glass tube enclosing an electric resistance heater carried by an axially disposed former. First and second bungs seal the ends of the tube. A printed circuit board carrying an adjustable electronic thermostat is positioned in the tube by first and second locators each including an annular spacer engageable with the tube and a centering post. The centering post of the first locator is insertable within the first bung, while that of the other is fixedly inserted into an end for the axially disposed former. The temperature setting of the thermostat is adjusted by a device mounted for rotation in the tube by the first bung and first locator and including a drum provided with indicia visible through the tube wall to indicate the set temperature.

Abstract: A heater for heating water in an aquarium tank is provided with a thermostat which includes a bimetal strip carrying one contact and another strip carrying another contact. Upon deformation of the bimetal strip in response to temperature changes, the contacts are closed to connect the heater with an electrical supply circuit. The distance between the contacts is initially set by a rotatable cam acting on a curved portion of the bimetal strip. A cylindrical body which supports the cam to rotate the latter is provided with a helical groove in which is engaged an indicator captured in an elongated axial slot formed in a support of the cylindrical body. The support has at least one scale on its surface visible through a glass container of the heater. When the cam is rotated to change the distance between the contacts this change is indicated by the position of the indicator on the scale.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a build-in microcomputer and a memory for cooking information so that heating can be controlled according to a cooking program selected from the cooking information stored in the memory. Also, the microwave oven has a cooking category selector used to select a specific cooking category based on the cooking information stored in the memory, a cooking category display which displays the cooking category selected by the cooking category selector, a menu display which displays a specific number of menu names contained in the specific cooking category selected by the cooking category selector based on the cooking information stored in the memory, and a menu selector used to select a desired menu name from among the multple menu names displayed on the menu display.

Abstract: A cooking utensil comprises a reading member responsive to a recording medium containing a cooking program which is carried out in the cooking utensil, and a control circuit responsive to the cooking program read by the reading member, thereby conducting the cooking program through properly energizing an energization circuit for the cooking utensil. The cooking program may be desirably recorded on the recording medium through input keys of the cooking utensil. The recorded cooking program can be checked whether or not it is recorded with accuracy. Cooking information of the cooking program is indicated by an indicator for representing conditions of the cooking utensil. The cooking program may be modified according to total weight of a foodstuff to be cooked.

Abstract: A driving control apparatus for an electric range having a function of self-diagnosis by detecting a temperature within an oven with a voltage, detecting the present temperature within an oven by comparing the detected temperature with reference voltages according to each step, controlling precisely the temperature within the oven by the present temperature with an established temperature and determining automatically the state of a hardware for outputting the reference voltages at the time of detecting the present temperature. The apparatus can precisely control the temperature within the oven, and in case of an abnormal condition of a hardware, it stops the operation of heater and indicates the error, thereby the reliability and safety of the product can be enhanced.

Abstract: A coffee brewing apparatus is disclosed which incorporates in its base a neon lamp indicator within a transparent housing which may be operated manually or automatically by a temperature sensing thermal switch to indicate proper brewing temperature and/or steam pressure.

Abstract: A closed-loop control for sensing the completion of popcorn popping in a microwave oven and automatically shutting down the oven. A microphone type sensor is acoustically coupled to the microwave oven cavity and provides an electrical signal to an amplifier and filter. The amplified and filtered signal is processed by a pop detector which includes an integrator and shut-down command generator responsive to a decreasing rate of popping to shut the oven off. The integrator provides a pre-pop timer function to maintain the oven on until popping commences. In an alternative sensor embodiment, a piezolelectric type sensor is used. In an alternative pop detector embodiment an adaptive threshold comparator which automatically adjusts pop detector operation to discriminate the popping signal from ambient noise present in the oven.

Abstract: An arrangement for regulating the power output of resistive loads or electrical appliances, especially the cooking plates of electric ranges, which includes actuating elements for the switching on and preselection of power stages or steps for the load devices, relays for the supply of power, and incorporating an electronic control circuit for regulating the conductance of electrical power to the resistive loads.

Abstract: A card controlled temperature control device for soldering iron in which only a specific person can set and control the tip temperature of the soldering iron. The device comprises a card having a specific identification code, a card identifier for identifying the idententification code, an input section for entering a set value, a set value judging component for judging if the entered set value is in the allowable range or not, and temperature control circuitry controlling the heater of soldering iron on the basis of the set value within the allowable range, whereby the iron tip temperature is allowed to be set and operated by a specific person having a specific card and its misoperation is prevented.

Abstract: An energization control apparatus for a glow plug includes a battery, a glow plug, a power control unit, and an energization controller. The glow plug has a low rated voltage which allows rapid heating at a low battery voltage during cranking of a diesel engine in a severe wintertime condition. The power control unit is arranged between the battery and the glow plug to control a power supplied to the glow plug. The energization controller controls the power control unit so as to equalize a root-mean-square value of a voltage applied to the glow plug to be the low rated voltage when a voltage applied to the glow plug at the start of the diesel engine is detected to be higher than the low battery voltage.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus comprises at least one soldering iron (19) with a heating element (21) and a regulating circuit including a temperature sensor (22) for regulating the working temperature of the soldering iron (19) to a predeterminable desired value (51). The apparatus is characterized by a circuit (45) connected to the soldering unit (19) which at least temporarily stores values corresponding to a time-dependent temperature plot for the soldering iron (19), and also by a monitoring circuit (14) which is connected to the memory circuit. The monitoring circuit monitors during the operation of the soldering iron, from the stored values for the temperature plot, determines whether the temperature undergoes an excursion beneath or above predeterminable upper and lower temperature limits (52, 53) and initiates an alarm signal when the duration of the excursion exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A microwave oven has a detachable function unit which is comprised of cooking information memory, two material inputting device, a cooking information retrieving device, an image display, an image switching device, a cooking program lock, and a cooking program transmitter. The function unit can select a desired cooking program among many cooking programs, thus enabling easy selection and input of a cooking program into a controlling part of the microwave oven.

Abstract: A reusable microwaveable container having a temperature indicator mounted permanently to the side walls of the container. The temperature indicator is a liquid crystal film display device having a plurality of display devices which indicate various temperature levels. The liquid crystal films change color in response to a preset temperature such that each display changes color at incrementally increasing temperatures. The displays are reversible in that they return to their original color as the temperature decreases. Alternately, or additionally, the temperature sensing indicator may be provided on a closure lid which fits over the container, so that the temperature may be detected from steam rising from the food being cooked or heated.

Abstract: High temperature furnaces are described containing a movable viewing window that is heated so that the work charge can be scanned along the length of the furnace without creating a thermal disturbance. A system is also disclosed for controlling the operation of the furnace based on comparison of viewed images with stored sample images.

Abstract: A control for a resistive heating element embedded within a motor vehicle seat. A transistor is biased into conduction to energize the heating element when the temperature of the element is below a threshold that is adjusted by the vehicle operator. A fault sensing system monitors operations of the control and de-energizes the heating element if a fault is sensed.

Abstract: A control system and method of operating the control system are provided, the system having a supervisory circuit for detecting failure of the system and disabling a high energy control circuit of the system, the supervisory circuit having a capacitor therein for sustaining an on condition of a supervisory transistor that is in series with an output relay driver transistor of the high energy control circuit, and a temperature sensing unit that is disposed intermediate a microcomputer of the system and the supervisory circuit for continuing the charging of the capacitor only as long as the temperature sensing unit is sensing an output temperature effect of a heating unit of the system that is below a predetermined high temperature limit for the system and that terminates the charging of the capacitor when the sensed temperature is above the predetermined high temperature limit.

Abstract: A control device for cooking apparatus includes an input panel for inputting a desired cooking condition. The input panel includes a flexible panel on which a plurality of cooking condition set key-patterns are formed in line. When a desired cooking condition set key-pattern is pressed, the input panel produces a voltage corresponding to the pressed key-pattern. The value of this voltage is changed step by step from one side key-pattern toward the other side key-pattern on the flexible panel.

Abstract: Electrically operated appliance controls and methods of making the same are provided, one control comprising an electrically operated device for providing two different functions of the device, an electrically operated visual display unit, and a manually operated selector unit electrically interconnected to the device and the display unit for selecting a desired function of the device and for setting the device to provide that selected function in a desired set manner thereof as being indicated on the display unit by such operation of the selector unit. The selector unit has a manually operated start actuator which when actuated will cause the device to begin to produce the selected function thereof and in that selected set manner thereof.

Abstract: An electronic control for an electric home oven comprises a microprocessor, a panel of function and memory keys used as a keyboard, a working memory of the microprocessor, a learning memory wherein are stored all the parameters of an experimental cooking as it is being executed, except a second modification too close in time to the first, and a permanent memory, outside or not outside the micrprocessor, into which are selectively transferred during a stop in the course of a cooking, on command of the user or automatically, the parameters contained at a given moment in the learning memory.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety system for a gas operated appliance in a vehicle. The system includes means for generating an electrical signal, such as a pre-determined voltage. The system also includes means for interrupting this electrical signal. One such means is a gas sensing means which is designed to interrupt the electrical signal in response to sensing gas. Another such means is an inertia switch means which interrupts the electrical signal in response to detecting a rapid changes in vehicle inertia or vehicle orientation. Yet another such means is a high temperature switch means which interrupts the electrical signal in response to detecting an elevated temperature in an area near said appliance. Finally, the system includes an emergency kill switch means for manually interrupting the electrical signal. The system further includes a fuel tank and a gas line between the fuel tank and the appliance.

Abstract: An improved data entry and control arrangement for an appliance which includes an electronic display having a plurality of digits. User actuable up and down keys enable the user to adjust the value displayed. The control changes the display by a first amount, for example, one minute for a time display, in response to each momentary actuation of an up or down key. In response to continuous actuation, the control, after initially changing the display by the first amount, then switches the least significant digit of the display to zero and thereafter periodically changes the display by a second amount evenly divisible by ten, such as for example 10 minutes. The preferred update interval between changes is on the order of 0.45 seconds duration. The control also enables the user to change the update interval.

Abstract: A kiln firing cycle controller is disclosed which automatically cycles a hobbyist kiln through its low, medium, and high power level phases. The exemplary embodiment includes a control panel having a firing cycle initiating control knob. Manipulation of the control knob appropriately supplies power to the kiln's heating elements and energizes a motor. The control knob is mounted on a shaft which is rotated by the energized motor. Also disposed on this shaft are a plurality of cams which rotates and act in concert to interconnect a set of contacts which appropriately connect the heating elements to a power supply to thereby control the kiln's power level settings. The rotation of the cams also controls the timely energization of control panel low, medium, and high power level indicators.

Abstract: A soldering iron temperature regulator capable of calibrating the measuring error of the temperature sensor for detecting the tip temperature of a soldering iron at ordinary temperature. It comprises a temperature control part for adjusting the heating temperature of the heater on the basis of the set value of a temperature setting part and the measured temperature by a temperature sensor, a variable resistor connected to the temperature sensor, and a calibration circuit for matching the tip measured temperature by the temperature sensor with the ambient temperature of the tip at room temperature, in which after matching the measured temperature by the temperature sensor with the ordinary ambient measured temperature by the output adjustment of the calibration circuit, the heating temperature of the tip is set to a specified temperature by the temperature setting parts, and this value is entered into the temperature control part.

Abstract: An electric furnace for fusing optical fibers has a body made of insulating material. A fiber channel is provided wherein the fibers to be fused are positioned. To facilitate the insertion of the fibers a slot is provided which extends from the fiber channel to the surface of the body. Coil channels are provided around the fiber channel each having an opening to the fiber channel in the fusion area. During the fusion process the fibers are under tension to stretch the coupling region and the light coupling is monitored until the desired level is achieved.

Abstract: A toaster oven/broiler is provided with a visual indicator which is continuously illuminated when the device is in the toast, oven or broil mode. The indicator is not extinguished when the device is in the oven mode and thermostat switch contacts open to deenergize the heating elements.

Abstract: A closed-loop control for sensing the completion of popcorn popping in a microwave oven and automatically shutting down the oven. A sensor is acoustically coupled to the microwave oven cavity and provides an electrical signal to an amplifier and filter. The amplified and filtered signal is processed by a pop detector which includes an integrator and shut-down command generator responsive to a decreasing rate of popping to shut the oven off. The integrator provides a pre-pop timer function to maintain the oven on until popping commences.

Abstract: A closed-loop control for sensing the completion of popcorn popping in a microwave oven and automatically shutting down the oven. A sensor is acoustically coupled to the microwave oven cavity and provides an electrical signal to an amplifier and filter. The amplified and filtered signal is processed by a pop detector which includes an integrator and shut-down command generator responsive to a decreasing rate of popping to shut the oven off. The integrator provides a pre-pop timer function to maintain the oven on until popping commences. In an alternative embodiment, the peak rate of popping is detected and held and the oven is shut off when the popping rate falls to a predetermined ratio of the peak rate or a predetermined time elapses after the peak rate is detected, whichever first occurs.

Abstract: A multiple station disinfector apparatus simultaneously heats a plurality of devices such as contact lenses. Each of these devices is disposed in a quantity of liquid within a closed container. The apparatus comprises a housing having a base portion and a recloseable cover portion and a plurality of similar recessed receptacles in the base for receiving the containers. Each receptacle has a bottom wall and sidewall of complementary shape for surroundingly engaging a bottom wall part and a substantial portion of a sidewall part of one of the containers. Heating elements are disposed for heating the receptacles.

Abstract: A card controlled temperature control device for a soldering iron in which only a specific person can set and control the tip temperature of the soldering iron. The device comprises a control card having a temperature setting part, a card identification part for identifying that the control card is capable of setting the temperature, a set value judging part for judging if the input numerical value of the temperature setting part is in the allowable range or not, and a temperature control part for controlling the heater of the soldering iron on the basis of the set value within the allowable range. These enable the iron tip temperature to be set and operated by a specific person having specific control card and unauthorized improper operation is prevented.

Abstract: A device for controlling electrical consuming devices in ovens includes a function control device which can be adjusted for the control of function cycles, an evaluation circuit, a manually operated function selector switch for adjusting the function control device through a binary code connection, special manually operated input elements directly assigned to the function control device also operating for adjusting the function control device, the evaluation circuit being disposed in the function selector device for receiving the binary signals provided by the function selector switch which, upon the change of at least one of the binary codes, causes a resetting criterion for the function commands entered through the input elements.

Abstract: An electrically operated control device and system for a microwave oven and method of making the same are provided, the device comprising a microprocessor for operating the power unit of the oven at various selected levels thereof, and a selector unit electrically interconnected to the microprocessor for selecting the desired power level that the microprocessor is to operate the power unit, the selector unit comprising a rotary switch that is electrically interconnected to the microprocessor in such a manner that the selector unit has a set sequence of the selection levels as the selector unit is rotated in one direction from a beginning position thereof to an ending position thereof, the beginning position being the position where the selector unit has last set for a previously desired power level setting of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A heater unit and control circuitry therefor, the heater unit typically being employed as a preheater or primary heater for the installation and removal of electronic components from a PCB or the like and having various means for accommodating (a) an uneven surface or the presence of other components on the underside of the board or (b) an unlevel board. Moreover, a heater unit for sequentially providing preheat and primary heat from different zones of the heate is disclosed. A probe for use with the heater for sensing the temperature at various points on the board is also disclosed. The circuitry is characterized by ease of calibration of the heater temperature, the temperature transducing circuits, and the temperature setting circuits thereof. Moreover, circuitry is provided to insure the same voltage out of each input source in response to the input source measuring or setting a common temperature.

Abstract: The present device includes a bridge circuit with a first intermediate terminal and a second intermediate terminal and with one leg of the bridge circuit being a heating element. Connected across the power lines of the bridge circuit is a main bidirectional switching circuit (having a gate element) which is turned on bidirectionally by control signals developed by an R-C circuit connected to the gate element. The resistors of the R-C circuit are for the most part integral components of two photoconductor isolator devices. These last mentioned resistors provide a low resistance after their associated LED's are turned on and the one of them whose associated LED turns off at the zero crossover remains at a low resistance value for a period of time after its associated LED's has turned off. In addition the present device includes a circuit to bypass the control signal which ordinarily would go to the main capacitor of the R-C circuit in the event that an overcurrent situation (e.g.

Abstract: A control unit for a heating system such as a microwave oven comprises a RAM into which cooking programs of many menus are transferred from one of a plurality of available external memory modules. Data related to the cooking programs are displayed in a display window sequentially or in small units and the user can operate input keys to select a desired menu. The number of times each menu has been selected is stored and can be displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the conducting and to the monitoring, using an automatic machine, of the temperature rise of electrically heated components with which there is associated an identification chart comprising parameters which can be used for conducting and for monitoring this heating, the machine comprising apparatus for reading the chart and for initiating the determined heating program.According to the invention, the chart is divided into a number of zones into some of which are entered, in addition to the said parameters, additional data concerning some of them, the parameters and their associated data are read off using the said reading apparatus, and provision is made for at least some of these parameters to undergo conversions which are induced by some of the other associated zones as a function at least of the data which are contained therein.The invention applies particularly to the monitoring of welding together of plastic components.

Abstract: An electronically controlled oven comprises a main body and a remote controller which is separate from said main body. The remote controller includes a scanner for scanning a code representing a recipe and outputting a code signal indicative of the selected recipe, a computer for judging whether this code signal should be transmitted to the main body or not, and a transmitter for transmitting code signals in a wireless form such as by infrared radiation.

Abstract: A temperature regulating control unit and method of making the same are provided, the unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor, a unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signals from the sensor in relation to the temperature being sensed by the sensor, the unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor applying a varying voltage to the sensor.

Abstract: An improved system for the detection of underloading in an electrical heating circuit where monitoring is available in proximate and remote locations. Circuit monitoring is augmented by control devices which activate alarms in visual or audible form when circuit underloading occurs. This invention has particular application in the plastics molding industry where the control of heat levels within defined ranges must be carefully monitored to ensure process efficacy.

Abstract: A microwave oven has an oven main body with a built-in heater unit and a remote controller which includes a bar code reader for reading a bar code of mutually related multiple data, memory for storing a plural sets of the multiple data read by the bar code reader, a display device for displaying the multiple data; a transmitting device for sending to the oven main body the data selected from the plural sets of the multiple data stored in the memory; and a control unit for data selection and transmission.

Abstract: There is disclosed a card type foodstuffs heating apparatus with a plurality of differnt heating modes in which at least one desired heating mode is selected from the plurality of heating modes by means of one card selected in use from a plurality of different cards.Each of the different cards carries main information for instructing the selection of at least one heating mode required for a desired cooking from the plurality of heating modes, and additional information for instructing at least one additional heating conditions determined dependent on the specified heating mode. The apparatus has setters for setting the additional heating conditions in accordance with the additional information carried by a selected card, and a heating operation controller for actuating the specified heating mode in accordance with the main information carried by the selected card so as to effect the heating operation under the set additional heating condition.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled electric heater for aquariums includes within an electric waterproof envelope, a heating element and a working unit regulating the temperature, moving axially in order to vary the rest position of a bimetal strip which, depending on its deformation, opens and closes the supply circuit of the heating element. The regulation unit (3) is provided with a threaded pin (13), the end resting against the bimetal strip (7) and with a cylindrical body (11), provided on the side surface with a helical line (12) dividing the surface of the cylindrical body into two differently colored portions (12) covered by a screen (18) provided with a longitudinal slot (19) through which a short portion of said helical line (12) is visible. A grauated scale is provided along the slot and cooperates with the visible portion of the line to indicate the set operating temperature of the heater.

Abstract: A temperature control system for cooking apparatus, for example, a fryer using cooking oil or shortening which is heated by a suitable heating element. The cooking apparatus has different modes of operation including start-up mode, idle mode and cooking mode. Overshoot to a temperature above the setpoint temperature is limited during start-up mode, idle mode and cooking mode with the apparatus having different temperature control characteristics based on the mode of operation and adapting variable parameters to achieve optimum temperature control accuracy.

Abstract: In an electron-fushion welding process a fault, e.g. due to incorrect assembly of the pipe joint components, is detected by sensing the welding current and emitting a signal to actuate an audible or visible alarm and/or to interrupt the welding process, if the welding current increases unexpectedly. A reference signal dependent upon the current dependent signal produced by the sensor and RMS to DC converter at a time t.sub.1 is held by a converter and is compared by a comparator with the current dependent signal transmitted through converter at subsequent intervals. So that the device does not react to transient current increase a delay arrangement delays the output signal for a given time.

Abstract: A face mask for use in cold weather to supply warm air for inhalation by normal breathing to persons having respiratory and heart ailments to avoid the discomfort, pain and limited mobility caused by breathing cold air and to healthy people engaged in strenuous cold weather activities. The face mask has inlet and outlet check valves and a cold air intake chamber with an electric heater element therein which heats the cold air to supply warm air for inhalation. The heater element is preferably powered by a portable battery pack and controlled by electronic circuitry to maintain the heated air in a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A radiant heater has a shallow shell-like support for carrying heating resistors and a glass ceramic top plate. A connection and hot warning indicating device is arranged in the space between the top plate and the support. The light source is preferably a low voltage tungsten halogen lamp which projects, at most, slightly beyond the front side of the support. Despite a very compact construction, the radiant heater is not subject to dazzle effects even over a large area, and a readily visible indicating illumination is obtained. The light source can be operated at different brightness levels, for example one brightness level indicating the switched-on condition of the heating resistor and the other brightness level indicating the hot-to-touch condition of the top plate, notwithstanding the switched-on or switched-off condition of the heating resistor.

Abstract: An improved temperature sensor failure detection arrangement for a temperature controlled heating device of the type having a heater, an electronic controller for controlling the power level applied to the heater, and a temperature sensor. The controller includes an internal heater energy counter, which is incremented and decremented at rates determined as a function of the power level applied to the heater such that the count of the heater energy counter approximately tracks the temperature of the heater. The controller periodically compares temperature information from the temperature sensor with the count of the heater energy counter to check for abnormal operating condition of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A microwave oven comprising a power supply, a heating chamber having a door, a detector for detecting the opening and closing of the door, a high-frequency heater for heating the article to be heated, a plurality of setting keys for setting heating time, a timer for driving the heater for a specified period of time, a starter for initiating the timer into operation after a predetermined period of time beginning after the depression of the setting key, a stopper for temporarily preventing the operation of the timer when the cooking is interrupted by opening of the door, and a control unit for driving the timer again when the cooking operation is resumed on closing the door. The setting key functions also as a start key, and when the door is opened and closed during cooking, the article can be heated only for the rest of the heating time by depressing the original setting key. The heating time can also be adjustable to a new heating time.