With Signal Or Indicating Means Patents (Class 219/506)
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Patent number: 9150151Abstract: A power supply route for a light source includes a first route that closes when a microcomputer is operated and a second route that opens when the microcomputer is operated. When the microcomputer stops operating, the power supply route of the light source is automatically switched from the first route to the second route. When the microcomputer is operated and a position lamp switch is turned on, current is supplied to the light source through the first route. When the microcomputer stops operating and the position lamp switch is turned on, current is supplied to the light source through the second route.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHOInventors: Yoshifumi Yasue, Hiroshi Nakano
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Patent number: 9055618Abstract: Oven and method for operating an oven, comprising an On/Off-key (4), at least one key (3, 5) for choosing a predefined oven function or for choosing a predefined oven program and/or for programming a not predefined oven program, at least one specific key (6), which enables the user to start a preferred oven function or a preferred oven program from an Off-mode or a Standby-mode of the oven, wherein a running oven function or a running oven program can be saved by a memory unit as a preferred oven function or as a preferred oven program, when the specific key (6) is actuated at least for a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.Inventors: Volkmar Bunzel, Erhard Kaser, Stefan Danzer, Gülsüm Feuerlein, Jessica Constanze Baschke, Friedrich Horn
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Patent number: 9040881Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking control method performed by a cooking apparatus for a food item. The method comprises obtaining a unique identifier and cooking data for the food item, and checking for a record of the unique identifier in a memory of the cooking apparatus. If a record of the unique identifier is located in the memory, then the cooking apparatus will not cook the food item. Otherwise a cooking process based on the cooking data to cook the food item is performed. Accordingly, cooking data for a given instance of a food item can only be used once in order to activate a cooking process performed by the cooking apparatus. The present invention also features product recall as well as the ability to track food item sales via a cooking data communications system.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: OVENFEAST LIMITEDInventors: Michael James McIntyre, Richard Anthony Devlin
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Publication number: 20150122791Abstract: An adaptive electrothermal system and an electrothermal apparel are provided. The adaptive electrothermal system comprises a controller, a step-down regulator, a power controller and a load. An input of the controller is configured to receive an input voltage, a first output of the controller is configured to output an input voltage higher than an operating voltage of the load to the step-down regulator, a second output of the controller is configured to output an input voltage lower than or equal to the operating voltage of the load to the power controller, the step-down regulator steps the received input voltage down to a voltage equal to the operating voltage of the load and outputs the stepped-down voltage to the power controller, and the power controller outputs the input voltage it receives to the corresponding load according to a load control signal from the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Yuen HUNG, Ho Man SUM
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Patent number: 9006614Abstract: A cooking appliance have at least one burner operable in an ON condition for producing heat and an OFF condition for not producing heat and a Hot Surface Indicator having an illumination source that may be operated when the burner is not producing heat as well as a method for illuminating the Hot Surface Indicator.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Robert S. Donarski
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Patent number: 9006617Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring the temperature and vibration of equipment, comprising a central digital computer, a MESH communication network, wherein the network feeds signals to the central digital computer, a plurality of heating elements for heating the equipment, temperature/vibration sensors adapted to measure the temperature of the equipment, wherein each sensor is adapted to provide a signal representing the temperature/vibration of the piece of equipment to which the sensor is associated, to the network, wherein each temperature/vibration sensor can also be used to control the electric heaters, a temperature sensor that monitors the ambient temperature of the facility, and current transducers associated with the heaters, to monitor the energy use and current loss of the heaters, wherein the central computer uses the data it receives from the other elements of the monitoring system to determine when the equipment is not at the correct temperature/vibration and diagnoses the reason why.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Inventor: Timothy Russell Mullen
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Patent number: 8960084Abstract: A juice extractor with a temperature displaying function includes a body and a temperature display device. The body includes a base and a container. A cover is mounted on a top end of the container. The temperature display device is mounted to the body and includes a temperature detecting portion and a display. The temperature detecting portion is connected to the display via a signal transmission route. A temperature change in the container during operation of the body can be known by the temperature display device.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventor: Wen Ching Lee
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Patent number: 8952299Abstract: A dual resistance heater for a phase change material region is formed by depositing a resistive material. The heater material is then exposed to an implantation or plasma which increases the resistance of the surface of the heater material relative to the remainder of the heater material. As a result, the portion of the heater material approximate to the phase change material region is a highly effective heater because of its high resistance, but the bulk of the heater material is not as resistive and, thus, does not increase the voltage drop and the current usage of the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yudong Kim, Ilya V Karpov, Charles C. Kuo, Greg Atwood, Maria Santina Marangon, Tyler A. Lowrey
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Patent number: 8916806Abstract: A heating pad assembly includes a pad and a heating plate is connected in the pad. A receptacle and a temperature control button unit are connected to the pad. The heating pad, the receptacle and the temperature control button unit are electrically connected to each other by wires. Electric power is provided to the heating pad assembly via the receptacle, and the temperature control button unit controls the operation of the heating pad. A fastening strip is cooperated with the pad to secure the pad to desired portion of the user's body.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Inventor: Chien-Chou Chen
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Patent number: 8909033Abstract: A method is provided for interconnecting a single electrical heating element of a hot water heater to first and second AC electrical power sources. Typically, these first and second AC electrical power sources include a utility provided electrical power source and a renewable power source that generates AC power from DC power. The method includes operating a controller that selectively connects and disconnects the first and second power sources. If sufficient electrical power is available from the renewable power source, the utility provided electrical power source may be disconnected to preferentially utilize renewable energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Inventor: David Kreutzman
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Publication number: 20140319123Abstract: A controller for use in textile heating devices, such as heating pads, heating blankets, and the like is provided. The controller provides a display system for conveying to a user the selected heat setting. Such display system is useful in low light condition, where a user cannot readily see the heat setting indicia on the controller. The display system includes a plurality of lighted elements. The lighted elements are illuminated at different intensity levels to indicate the selected heat setting, In this manner, a user is provided with a visual frame of reference to indicate the selected heating setting. Namely, the differentiation between the intensity levels enables a user to visual determine the selected heating setting by the position of a higher intensity lighted element in relationship to lesser intensity lighted elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Sunbeam Products, Inc.Inventor: Gabriel Kohn
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Patent number: 8835816Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking control method performed by a cooking apparatus for a food item. The method comprises obtaining a unique identifier and cooking data for the food item, and checking for a record of the unique identifier in a memory of the cooking apparatus. If a record of the unique identifier is located in the memory, then the cooking apparatus will not cook the food item. Otherwise a cooking process based on the cooking data to cook the food item is performed. Accordingly, cooking data for a given instance of a food item can only be used once in order to activate a cooking process performed by the cooking apparatus. The present invention also features product recall as well as the ability to track food item sales via a cooking data communications system.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ovenfeast LimitedInventors: Micahel James McIntyre, Richard Anthony Devlin
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Patent number: 8809748Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating a pipe prior to performing a welding operation, an interpass welding operation, a hydrogen bake-out operation of a weld joint or for post heat-treating of a weld joint is provided. The heating apparatus can include at least one heating collar placed around a pipe or weld joint, and a controller unit for controlling the thermal heat energy transferred from the heating collar to the pipe or weld joint.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventor: Colin Regan
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Patent number: 8796603Abstract: An appliance including a cabinet having a first PCB located therein, a door connected to the cabinet, the door being moveable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the cabinet, and a second PCB located in the door. In addition, at least one first connector is connected to the first PCB. At least one second connector is connected to the second PCB and is electronically connectable to the first connector. In particular, the second connector is electrically connected to the first connector when the door is in a substantially closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Woo Lee, Wan Soo Kim, Hyun Jung Kim
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Publication number: 20140197154Abstract: Electrical resistance of a heated component is determined for temperature control and monitoring. A voltage-representation signal, which is proportional to a voltage across a heater component, is received. A magnified voltage-representation signal is generated by determining a difference between a voltage baseline offset, which represents a minimum operating voltage of the heater component, and the voltage-representation signal. A current-representation signal, which is proportional to an electrical current passing through the heater component is received. A magnified current-representation signal is generated by determining a difference between a current baseline offset, which represents a minimum operating current of the heater component, and the current-representation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Inventor: Perry Robert Czimmek
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Patent number: 8748783Abstract: A countertop multi-function oven has a baking and a toasting mode. The oven has, in vertical arrangement, a first rotating time selection dial and second rotating temperature selection dial and graphic display area. The graphic area has a function selection indictor as well as first and second alphanumeric portions. In a toasting mode, one of the input dials is used to select a toasting load and the other input dial is used to select a toasting darkness.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Breville Pty LimitedInventors: Keith James Hensel, Ze Kang Lai
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Publication number: 20140138374Abstract: A heating pad assembly includes a pad and a heating plate is connected in the pad. A receptacle and a temperature control button unit are connected to the pad. The heating pad, the receptacle and the temperature control button unit are electrically connected to each other by wires. Electric power is provided to the heating pad assembly via the receptacle, and the temperature control button unit controls the operation of the heating pad. A fastening strip is cooperated with the pad to secure the pad to desired portion of the user's body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventor: CHIEN-CHOU CHEN
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Publication number: 20140131344Abstract: In a combined seat heater and capacitive occupancy sensor, the present invention proposes to perform two measurements with two different frequencies. In a first step, the carrier frequency is set to a first known carrier frequency, the complex current through inductance and unknown capacitance and complex drive voltage are measured. In a second step, the carrier frequency is set to a second known carrier frequency, the complex current through inductance and unknown capacitance and complex drive voltage are measured. The measured complex values are used in a formula which yields the unknown capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A. [Inventor: Laurent Lamesch
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Patent number: 8692167Abstract: A medical device having a heater with at least one heating element which has mains voltage applied to it by a heating control unit. The heating control unit includes a monitoring arrangement and a switching arrangement. The monitoring arrangement can recognize the zero crossings of the mains voltage, and the switching arrangement can switch the at least one heating element on or off in the zero crossing. The heating control unit controls the power of the heating by switching on and off of one or more half cycles of the mains AC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbHInventors: Frank Hedmann, Sven Sebesta, Ulrich Wernicke
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Publication number: 20140076883Abstract: An apparatus for per-operative modification of a medical device stiffness comprising a body having at least two ends, an element attached to first end of said body providing heat and mechanical treatment and adapted to abut and deform at least one portion of the medical device, a second end, opposite to said first end of said body, adapted to be grasped, a means of connecting to a power source located anywhere between said ends of said body, whereby the apparatus provides a means to enable per-operative adjustment to the stiffness of a medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Vladimir Brailovski, Yvan Petit, Jean-Marc Mac-Thiong, Mark Driscoll, Stefan Parent, Hubert Labelle
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Patent number: 8674267Abstract: A steam cooker includes: a heating chamber for an item to be cooked; a removable water tank; a steam generating device with a housing to which water is supplied from the water tank and that heats the water within the housing and supplies steam to the heating chamber. A hardness detection portion includes a plurality of electrodes immersed in water within the water tank that detect the hardness of the water within the water tank by resistance between the electrodes. When the hardness of the water within the water tank is high, the interval of cleaning is shorter than an interval set when the hardness detected is low.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Rika Nozawa, Toshiaki Ueki
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Patent number: 8669500Abstract: A countertop multi-function oven has a baking and a toasting mode. The oven uses a rotating input dial as a function selector. A second rotating input dial is used to allow a user selection of a bake time or a toasting load.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Breville Pty LimitedInventors: Keith James Hensel, Ze Kang Lai
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Patent number: 8658948Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary surgical system employing a temperature controlled docking station. The surgical system may include an articulating arm that is selectively moveable within a range of positions. A tray for receiving items used in performing a procedure may be attached to the articulating arm. The docking station may be attached to the tray. The docking station may include a heating element for selectively heating the docking station, a temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the docking station, and a reader configured for collecting information associated with an article placed in the docking station. The surgical system may also include a controller operably connected to the heating element, the temperature sensor, and the reader. The controller may be configured to adjust a heat output of the heating element in response to a signal received from the temperature sensor and/or the reader.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.Inventor: Steven T. Charles
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Patent number: 8618450Abstract: A domestic oven comprises heating means, a gas sensor connected to a central processing and control unit and a user interface connected to the central processing unit by means of which the user can set the type of food placed in the oven compartment. The user interface comprises means for setting the desired degree of cooking of the food and is capable of processing the signal of the gas sensor in such a way as to determine the optimal cooking end time of the food. The central processing unit interrupts the electrical supply to the heating means on the basis either of said cooking end time, modified if necessary on the basis of degree of cooking set by the user, or of the food type set by the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Salvatore Sanna, Paolo Crosta, Gianpiero Santacatterina, Nicola Bedetti
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Patent number: 8618452Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a cooking cavity and a RF generation module configured to deliver microwave energy into the cooking cavity. A controller is operatively associated with the RF generation module. The controller receives and processes a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility for determining whether to operate the microwave oven in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least temporarily block the signal when the RF generation module is activated if a frequency of the signal is at least partially degraded by a frequency of the RF generation module.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John K. Besore, Michael F. Finch, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Craig Nold, Jeff Donald Drake, Derrick Douglas Little
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Publication number: 20130341315Abstract: Different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising one or more heating elements, a plurality of sensors, insulation, and a processor. The plurality of sensors includes at least a skin temperature sensor and an oven temperature sensor. The insulation is configured to thermally isolate the skin temperature sensor form the oven temperature sensor. The processor is configured to receive temperature data from the plurality of sensors and to control the one or more heating elements using the temperature data received.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Molly Annalise Buckley Blank, Michael Jack Sinclair, William Thomas Blank
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Patent number: 8610037Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling a cooking process, which includes a process for determining doneness using a single parameter as a combination of temperature and time applicable to a class of foods and specifically configured to be a robust measurement of doneness, parameter which will be referred to as “cooking score”.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Inventor: Bogdan Robert Polt
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Patent number: 8610036Abstract: A device for monitoring a heating apparatus that includes a default deactivated motion detector for determining whether a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes a default deactivated heat sensor for determining whether the heating apparatus has a temperature that is above a threshold. The device includes an internal timer for cyclically repeating a first countdown. The heat sensor is temporarily activated once during each of the repeated first countdowns. The internal timer performs a second countdown when the activated heat sensor determines that the heating apparatus has the temperature that is above the threshold. The second countdown is reset each time the motion detector determines that a person is proximate the heating apparatus. The device includes an alarm configured to notify a user when the internal timer reaches the end of the second countdown.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Inventors: Robert C. Ewell, Jr., Douglas L. Garmany, Charles T. Kelly, Charles Philip Wasilewski
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Patent number: 8598497Abstract: A system and method for controlling the power delivered to cookware by a power control system that comprises a heating control user interface that is set by the user to a particular heating control user interface set point within an operating range. A controller derives from the heating control user interface set point a desired cookware temperature set point, and, over at least a first portion of the operating range that encompasses the boiling range, also derives from the heating control user interface set point a maximum limit of power that can be delivered to the cookware to maintain the cookware at the desired cookware temperature set point. The maximum power limit varies monotonically over the first portion of the operating range.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Adam Broders, Christopher B. Ickler, Kenneth D. Jacob
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Patent number: 8584663Abstract: A cooling and exhaust system of a dual oven has upper and lower ovens, in which, in one aspect, an installation structure of a cooling fan and an exhaust structure provided for respectively cooling and exhausting the upper and lower ovens may be integrated into a simplified structure having common components to increase the manufacturing productivity. In another aspect, fans provided at the upper and lower ovens may be independently controlled to operate at different speeds according to a desired operation to maximize the cooling efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Wan Soo Kim, Hyeun Sik Nam, Jae Kyung Yang, Dong Seong Kwag, Seong Ho Cho
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Patent number: 8555522Abstract: A method for operating a laundry treating appliance, such as a clothes dryer, having a treating chamber, an air system for supplying and exiting air from the treating chamber, a heating element for heating the air to the treating chamber, and a controller determining an inlet temperature used as a control input for a cycle of operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, James P. Carow, Michele A. Paustian, David M. Williams
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Publication number: 20130236613Abstract: A slow cooker includes a housing and a heating element to heat a heating cavity of the housing. The heating element is operable in only a single cooking mode and only a single warming mode. A container is sized and shaped to fit within the heating cavity of the housing. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container. A controller is configured to control operation of the heating element in either the single cooking mode or the single warming mode. A control knob is rotatably mounted to the housing and is operatively connected to the controller. Rotation of the control knob causes a controller to actuate the heating element to heat contents within the container to a first predetermined temperature at a selected amount of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventor: Marta Phillips
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Patent number: 8525083Abstract: A hot water heater and method that includes power consumption reporting to enable consumers to better understand and control the energy usage and/or efficiency of the hot water heater. Monitoring energy consumption of an electric hot water heater having at least one electrical load that is selectively activated by a controller of the hot water heater includes sensing the amount of time the at least one electrical load is activated multiplying the amount of time by a known value corresponding to a power rating of the electrical load to determine energy consumed, and displaying on a display device an indicator corresponding to the energy consumed.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jay Andrew Broniak, Joseph Mark Brian
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Patent number: 8492685Abstract: In a method for controlling a static power conversion unit to an inductor, particularly for an induction system used in cooking appliances, the value of an electrical parameter of the circuit is monitored at predetermined time intervals and at a predetermined duty cycle of the power transistor switching frequency, and on the basis of the monitored value, the duty cycle is modulated accordingly between the predetermined time intervals in order to keep the delivered power at a predetermined constant value.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Diego Neftali Gutierrez, Santacatterina Gianpiero, Paderno Jurij
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Patent number: 8492681Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cabinet defining an oven cavity, a door attached to the cabinet for selectively exposing and sealing the oven cavity, a cooking element mounted to the cabinet for heating the oven cavity, a control system for controlling the cooking appliance and a display. The display is adapted to show a first series of images corresponding to a first operating stage and a second series of images corresponding to a second operating stage, wherein the first series of images is distinct from the second series of images such that a user may readily identify a current operating stage of the cooking appliance, even from a distance, based on the series of images being displayed.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Brandon L. Satanek
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Publication number: 20130167730Abstract: Systems to allow temperature control more precise and accurate than the current state of the art for consumer products that heat liquids such as, without limitation, coffee makers, tea makers, electric kettles and espresso machines. One feature of such systems may include the ability to calibrate the system with reference to a known temperature point. Another feature of such system may allow reduction in the rate of water heating to allow the temperature of the water to approach a target temperature in a gradual manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventor: Joseph Behm
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Publication number: 20130146587Abstract: A controller providing selective activation of thermal storage devices within a network to balance requirements of a user to manage their heating and the network operator to balance the load available with the load on the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Inventor: Alan McDonald
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Patent number: 8420984Abstract: The present invention relates to a household appliance for performing a housekeeping task. The household appliance comprises a data input device (16) adapted to remotely sense a property in a sensing area (18), and a controller (22) coupled to the data input device and adapted to control an operation of the household appliance in accordance with the sensed property.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.Inventors: Kersten Kaiser, Alwin Neukamm, Claudio Cenedese
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Patent number: 8399812Abstract: A cooking and storage system comprises a refrigeration device, a cooking device and controller for controlling the cooking device, and the refrigeration device provides to the controller temperature information relating to the temperature within the refrigeration device.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Merrychef LimitedInventors: Nigel Thorneywork, Andrew Brown, David Crayfourd
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Publication number: 20130026157Abstract: This invention relates to a device for drying at least one object containing a liquid, in particular a dental restoration object (12). Said device comprises a means for generating thermal energy acting upon the object and sufficient for increasing the temperature of the object to the boiling point. Moreover, the device includes an impingement area for impinging on the object with thermal energy and a control device (24) that is characterized by the fact that a temperature detection element (20) of the device (10) measures the temperature of the object (12), and upon reaching a trigger temperature that is at the boiling temperature, somewhat below or somewhat above thereof, emits a signal to the control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: IVOCLAR VIVADENT AGInventors: Rudolf Jussel, Philipp Kettner
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Patent number: 8334484Abstract: Provided are a cooking apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The cooking apparatus senses the size of a cooking vessel, or more specifically, the undersurface area of the cooking vessel, and selectively operates heaters accordingly. Therefore, food can be more efficiently cooked.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hee-Suk Roh, Byeong-Wook Park
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Publication number: 20120312806Abstract: An appliance and method for enabling a consumer to easily override a low energy mode of an appliance to enable a feature or function of the appliance not typically available in the low energy mode. When an appliance or device is in an energy savings mode, multiple consumer requests for a given feature or function within a prescribed period of time can operate to override the energy savings mode and permit operation of the feature and/or function.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Inventors: Ashley Wayne Burt, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Lafleur
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Patent number: 8299406Abstract: An electronic temperature-sensing probe comprises a shell, a control base plate, a probe and a key group, wherein the control base plate is placed inside the shell; the probe with one end extending outside of the shell and the other end connected to the control base plate electrically is mounted in the shell; the key group with their inner ends connected to control contacts of the control base plate are depressibly mounted on the surface of the shell; the key group comprises a power switch key, temperature-adjusting keys and a high temperature switch key; the control base plate controls the power on/off of the heating element based on the temperature control signals provided by the temperature-adjusting keys and the high temperature switch key and the temperature signal provided by the probe and the switch control signal provided by the power switch key.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shaohui Zhou, I.V. Junxiao
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Patent number: 8299405Abstract: Household electrical appliance for heating liquid including a tank, a heating element having at least one resistive track screen-printed on an electrically insulating plate secured to part of said tank, and a device controlling the electrical supply of said heating element. The control device includes several electronic components among which are at least one thermometric component, a switching component capable of opening and closing the electrical power supply circuit for said heating element, and a control component for controlling said switching component according to signals output from said thermometric component. At least said thermometric, switching and control components are located on said insulating plate within a single area free of resistive track, said area being surrounded by a peripheral region free of resistive track and of electronic components.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: SEB S.A.Inventors: Peter Ireman, Lionnel Durand, Christian Diore
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Patent number: 8258440Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of rethermalizing a package of refrigerated or frozen food are disclosed. In general, heating mechanisms are brought into conductive heat transfer contact with the package of food and operated for a duration of rethermalization time to rethermalize the package of food by heating the food to a rethermalized temperature, and then, if desired, to hold the rethermalized package of food at a desired holding temperature for a duration of holding time. The rethermalization time can be relatively short (e.g., thirty minutes or less), and the holding time can range from a very short period of time to a very long period of time (e.g., four, six, eight or more hours) without significant loss of food quality. Other features of the apparatus and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Steven M. Shei, Scott E. Willis
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Patent number: 8255091Abstract: A temperature control circuit includes a microprocessor, a temperature detecting module, and a heating module. The temperature detecting module includes a thermistor and a first switch. The thermistor is operable to sense a temperature to turn on or off the first switch for outputting a detection signal to the microprocessor. The heating module includes a heater and a second switch. The microprocessor controls the second switch to turn on or off for making the heater works or stop working according to the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
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Patent number: 8242418Abstract: A golf ball bag includes a main housing for receiving one or more golf balls in the receiving cavity, and a temperature controlling device. The temperature controlling device includes a heating plate disposed within the receiving cavity to substantially align with the hitting surface of the golf balls, and a power source supported by the main housing to electrically connect with the heating plate. When the power source is activated, the heating plate is arranged to generate heat and to transfer to the hitting surfaces of the golf balls so as to heat up and maintain the hitting surfaces of the golf balls at an elevated temperature for achieving an optimal performance.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Inventor: KuangHung Kuo
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Patent number: 8227002Abstract: A toasting appliance includes a toasting chamber, a heating element arranged to heat a foodstuff located within the toasting chamber, and an optical system for optically illuminating the foodstuff and detecting light reflected from the foodstuff. Before the foodstuff begins to change color as a result due to the heating thereof by the heating element, a controller varies the illumination of the foodstuff by the optical system so that the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff is at or around a set value. The controller subsequently terminates the toasting operation when the intensity of the light reflected from the foodstuff has reduced, due to toasting thereof, from the set value by an amount depending on a desired degree of toasting of the foodstuff.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: Paul Graham Douglas, Kevin Paul Byrne, Adrian Anthony Parsons
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Patent number: 8223131Abstract: A disappearing interface system for a device, such as an appliance (e.g., a cooking range) having an interactive user interface, a light-emitting device (e.g., a LED), a microprocessor based LED fader electronic control system that uses a PWM signal to drive an A/D circuit to control the intensity (e.g., fade in/out) of the light-emitting device.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: John R. Rudolph, Gary Fisher, Frank Downing, Robert McCoy, Maureen Donoho, James Hughes
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Patent number: RE45026Abstract: A resistance heating system is provided which includes a resistance heater, a source of alternating current electricity connected by conductors to the resistance heater, and a controller comprising a timer arranged to connect the source of alternating current electricity to the resistance heater for a selected time period and to disconnect the source from the resistance following the selected time period. In an embodiment, the resistance heating system is provided with a controller configured to be connected to a source of alternating current electricity and having a plurality of cable plug receptacles arranged to receive electricity. An electricity conducting cable having a cable plug at one end is configured to be received in the receptacles and has a resistance heater provided at an opposite end. A master timer may be connected with a communication arrangement to the controller. The master timer is arranged to control an electric output of a plurality of the receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Power House Tool, Inc.Inventors: Glenn F. Jorgensen, Michael W. Kelly, Laura Patterson