Intermediate Member Condition Responsive Patents (Class 219/625)
-
Patent number: 12241761Abstract: The invention relates to a device element comprising an operating component, wherein said device element is designed to carry out at least one process, and the operating component is designed such that said process of the device element is carried out depending on the position of the operating component, said operating component being freely placeable relative to the device element, and a sensor system is provided which detects at least one characteristic of the operating component and actuates the process of the device element depending on this detection.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: BULTHAUP GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Marc Oliver Eckert, Ulrich Spohde
-
Patent number: 12245348Abstract: A method for controlling an induction heating device includes supplying current from a D.C. power supply into a resonant load and emitting the current from the resonant load. The current is directionally conducted from the output node of the resonant load to a switching node downstream from the output node. The current conducted through the resonant load is controlled with a switching device.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Salvatore Baldo, Andrea Gallivanoni, Davide Parachini, Cristiano Vito Pastore
-
Patent number: 11968765Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for improving the power efficiency and control of an induction heating system. In particular, the induction heating system includes a series resonant bridge inverter circuit and a control circuit. The inverter circuit includes one or more induction coils that are structured to inductively couple to the cookware to heat the cookware and a current sensor structured to sense a coil current signal across the one or more inductor coils. In particular, the current sensor is structured to generate a positive sensed voltage signal corresponding to a positive portion of the coil current signal and a negative sensed voltage signal corresponding to a negative portion of the coil current. The control signal is structured to control switching of a first and a second set of switches based on the positive and negative sensed voltage signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignees: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Jeremiah Kopiness, Andrew Amrhein, Jong-Woo Kim, Moonhyun Lee, Jih-Sheng Lai
-
Patent number: 11877375Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of induction coils that are magnetically coupled to one another, a plurality of heat stations, each respectively coupled to one of the induction coils, a power source, and a power source connected to at least one of the heat stations via at least one power transfer component. When electrical power is applied from the power source to at least one of the heat stations, a magnetic field is induced in the plurality of induction coils via the at least one of the heat stations that is connected to the power source.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: AMF LIFESYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Robert C. Goldstein, Valentin Nemkov
-
Patent number: 10985751Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining switching delay times of power semiconductor switch components in parallel connected half bridge legs in which two or more power semiconductor switches are controlled in parallel. The method includes providing a gate control signal to gate drivers of the parallel connected power semiconductor switch components, determining collector to emitter voltages of the parallel connected power semiconductor switch components, and determining separate delay times for each of the parallel connected power semiconductor switch components based on the time instant of the gate control signal and the determined collector to emitter voltages or time derivatives of the determined collector to emitter voltages.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Markus Oinonen, Jaakko Tuomainen, Kari Maula
-
Patent number: 10973368Abstract: A rethermalizing station includes a well defined by a side wall, a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item, a first induction coil surrounding the side wall of the well, the first induction coil configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan, a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the food pan, and a control unit coupled to the first induction coil and the first temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the first induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at a targeted temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: The Vollrath Company, L.L.C.Inventors: Yang Wang, Peter Roever, John Wojcik
-
Patent number: 10925122Abstract: A cook top with at least two heating elements includes a power electronics arrangement connected to a domestic single phase AC supply. The power electronics arrangement includes several power supply units, which each supply heating currents to one or more heating elements, and a switch arrangement with several electromechanical relays for connecting/disconnecting the power supply units to/from the heating elements. Output poles of at least two electromechanical relays associated with different power supply units are connected in parallel, wherein the parallel connection is permanently connected to at least one of the heating elements. This arrangement reduces the number of switching processes required for alternating use of a power supply device with several heating elements, and simplifies compliance with electromagnetic compatibility standards.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbHInventors: Daniel Anton Falcon, Jose Ignacio Artigas Maestre, Luis Angel Barragan Perez, Carlos Bernal Ruiz, José Miguel Burdio Pinilla, Claudio Carretero Chamarro, Jose Maria De la Cuerda Ortin, Jose-Ramon Garcia Jimenez, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco, Oscar Jimenez Navascues, Sergio Llorente Gil, Oscar Lucia Gil, Arturo Mediano Heredia, Ignacio Millan Serrano, Fernando Monterde Aznar, Daniel Moros Sanz, Denis Navarro Tabernero, Jose Joaquin Paricio Azcona, Diego Puyal Puente, Isidro Urriza Parroque
-
Patent number: 10873994Abstract: An induction heating system with a plurality of resonant inverter tanks can be provided. The induction heating system can include a power source configured to supply power to the heating system and a plurality of parallel resonant inverter tanks in electrical connection with the power source. Each of the parallel resonant inverter tanks can include one or more parallel resonant capacitors, one or more parallel induction coils and one or more switches configured to disconnect each of the parallel resonant inverter tanks from the power source. The induction heating system can include a controller configured to perform operations, wherein the operations include determining when a cooking vessel is present at each induction coil and in response to determining that a cooking vessel is not present at a resonant inverter tank, operating the one or more switches such that the parallel resonant inverter tank is disconnected from the power source.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Isaac Nam, William Hull Bicknell
-
Patent number: 10700616Abstract: A power conversion device that converts electric power by having a power semiconductor element perform a switching operation includes a voltage detector detecting a common mode voltage generated in the switching operation of the power semiconductor element, a voltage control power supply that generates a voltage opposite in polarity to and as high as the common mode voltage with a circuit that amplifies power of the common mode voltage detected by the voltage detector, and a voltage superimposition structure canceling the common mode voltage not lower than a switching frequency generated in the switching operation of the power semiconductor element, by superimposing the voltage generated by the voltage control power supply on an output from the power conversion device.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY, TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Ogasawara, Shunsuke Ohara, Masatsugu Takemoto, Yushin Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 10667332Abstract: An electronic induction heat cooking apparatus includes first and second cooker modules including at least one heating coil and a dual heating coil, the first cooker module includes any one of an inner coil and an outer coil included in the dual heating coil, switching elements for operating the coil and a first microcontroller unit for controlling the switching elements, the second cooker module includes the other of the inner coil and the outer coil included in the dual heating coil, switching elements for operating the other coil and a second microcontroller unit for controlling the switching elements, and the first microcontroller unit and the second microcontroller unit share an oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Dooyong Oh, Oksun Yu, Seungbok Ok, Byeongwook Park
-
Patent number: 10578310Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a body, an input unit configured to receive a command in relation to controlling the cooking apparatus from a user, a knob configured to be attachable to one surface of the body or detachable from the body, and a controller configured to sense whether the knob is attached to the body, to receive the command via the knob when the knob is attached, and to receive the command from the input unit when the knob is not attached. As is apparent from the above description, the cooking apparatus may be controlled according to a user's preferences by using the knob attachable to and detachable from the body of the cooking apparatus and may be more conveniently controlled by using the knob in several sides of the cooking apparatus rather than a limited space.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Young Woong Joo, Bon Ju Koo, Hee Cheol Kim, Myoung Jin Ham, Hong-Joo Kang
-
Patent number: 10182472Abstract: The present invention relates to a kitchen appliance (1) suitable for being wirelessly operated on an induction heating cooker (K), comprising a programmable microcontroller (2), one or more than one electronic circuit (3) that provides the microcontroller (2) to control the communication means, user interface and sensors, providing communication with the induction heating cooker (K) whereon the kitchen appliance (1) is operated, a power control circuitry (4) that supplies the microcontroller (2) and the electronic circuits (3) with low level DC voltage, a rectifier (5) that converts the AC voltage to DC voltage and a buffer capacitor (6) which filters the DC voltage at the rectifier (5) outlet.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETIInventors: Onur Yaman, Ahmet Yorukoglu, Sefa Hazir
-
Patent number: 9887643Abstract: A bidirectional AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC circuit includes a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit connected to an AC power source, a transistor synchronized with the AC power source signal, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the synchronized transistor and the first inductor-capacitor circuit, a high-frequency switching transistor electrically connected to the second inductor-capacitor circuit and a direct current (DC) load, and a controller connected to the high-frequency switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between a measured DC output signal and a predetermined DC output signal that is applied to the DC load, and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal for the high-frequency transistor to reduce the identified error.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology CorporationInventor: Afshin Izadian
-
Patent number: 9593615Abstract: A device for exhaust gas treatment in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, includes an electrically heatable honeycomb body through which an exhaust gas can flow. The honeycomb body is disposed in a casing tube and has at least one current-conducting structure with electric insulation for voltages greater than 24 V. A current-generating pulsed voltage is applied to the structure to heat the honeycomb body. It is thus possible for heating elements in the exhaust-gas flow to be powered by an on-board electrical system voltage of for example 48 V. A method for operating the honeycomb body is provided with which, even at operating voltages greater than 24 V, the generation of heat in the electrically heatable honeycomb body can be kept in a desired range by adjustment of a pulse width and/or repetition frequency of the pulsed voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbHInventors: Jan Hodgson, Christian Vorsmann
-
Patent number: 9577541Abstract: An electrical power converter includes a circuit with a single switching transistor that is electrically connected to a direct current power source, a first inductor-capacitor (LC) circuit electrically connected to the single switching transistor, a second LC circuit electrically connected to the first LC circuit and configured to provide an output signal to a load. A controller is operatively connected to the single switching transistor. The controller identifies an error between the output signal of the circuit and a reference signal and adjusts a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching signal to switch the single switching transistor at a predetermined frequency with the adjusted duty cycle to reduce the identified error.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology CorporationInventor: Afshin Izadian
-
Patent number: 9554425Abstract: An induction heating device includes: a rectifying circuit that rectifies an AC power supply; a smoothing capacitor that smooths the rectified output to obtain a DC power supply; a first and a second inverters each composed of a heating coil, a resonance capacitor, and a switching element, and connected to the smoothing capacitor in parallel; a first and a second oscillating circuits that supply drive signals to the switching elements; and a controller that controls drive of the first and second oscillating circuits. The controller alternately drives the first and second oscillating circuits, and controls a drive time ratio of the first and second oscillating circuits so that a power change amount generated every time the drive is switched between the first and second oscillating circuits is not more than a predetermined amount.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Daisuke Sawada, Yuji Fujii
-
Patent number: 9466972Abstract: A high-voltage gate driver circuit configured to drive a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch includes an active dv/dt triggered ESD protection circuit coupled between a protected node and a power rail node. The active dv/dt triggered ESD protection circuit includes a dv/dt circuit controlling an ESD protection transistor connected between the protected node and the power rail node. The ESD protection transistor is turned on when an ESD event occurs at the protected node to conduct ESD current from the protected node to the power rail node. The dv/dt circuit is charged up after a time constant to disable the ESD protection transistor.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor IncorporatedInventor: Shekar Mallikarjunaswamy
-
Patent number: 9419531Abstract: A forward-flyback DC-DC converter topology includes a transformer, a main switch, a clamp circuit, first and second rectifying switches, an LC resonant circuit and an output capacitor; a primary winding of the transformer and the main switch are connected in series between a first input terminal and a second input terminal, the clamp circuit constituted by a clamp capacitor and a clamp switch connected in series is connected in parallel with the primary winding or with the main switch, a secondary winding of the transformer includes a forward winding and a flyback winding, a terminal of the primary winding through which current flows into is a dotted terminal of the primary winding, and a connecting mode of a secondary side of the transformer is: the dotted terminal of the forward winding being connected with a first output terminal via the first rectifying switch, a dotted terminal of the flyback winding being connected with a second output terminal via the second rectifying switch, the LC resonant circuit bType: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: SANTAK ELECTRONIC (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.Inventors: Hu Zhilun, Yilei Gu, Zhiwei Wen, Changdan Zhang
-
Patent number: 9197140Abstract: An inverter is proposed for providing an inverter output signal scalable in frequency. The inverter has a controller for controlling frequency of the inverter output signal according to a predefinable value. In order to generate a signal having a frequency value prescribed for the inverter output signal, the controller initiates a time delay of signals and superimposes the signals onto the signal having the frequency value prescribed for the inverter output signal. A low-complexity inverter concept for high voltages or high power is thus provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Stefan Nowak
-
Patent number: 9198233Abstract: A method for operating an induction cooktop having multiple induction heating coils includes monitoring a characteristic of the heating coils indicative of audible noise generated by simultaneous operation of multiple induction heating coils. Upon indication of audible noise from the monitored characteristic, an operating characteristic of at least one of the induction heating coils is varied so as to change the audible noise into a pre-defined, stored audible noise pattern that is desirous to a consumer or user of the cooktop.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Vincent Brosnan, Gregory Francis Gawron, Sr., Mingwei Shan, John Michael Kulp, Jr., Mariano Pablo Filippa
-
Patent number: 9093942Abstract: An exemplary inverter includes first, second and third legs connected in parallel to a line rail and a neutral rail. Each leg includes a first switch, a second switch, and a node between the first and second switches. The first leg further includes a voltage boosting section operable to selectively increase and decrease the voltage potential of the node of the first leg. The voltage boosting section may include a capacitor in parallel with the first and second switches. The first leg may further include a third switch in series with the voltage boosting section and between the voltage boosting section and the line rail, and a fourth switch in series with the voltage boosting section and between the voltage boosting section and the neutral rail.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Korwin Jay Anderson, Thomas Anthony Lipo
-
Patent number: 9060389Abstract: An induction heating cooker includes a plurality of heating coils to heat a container, an inverter having a plurality of switching elements to be operated such that a high-frequency voltage is selectively supplied to the plurality of heating coils, and a control unit to control the operations of the plurality of switching elements such that the high-frequency voltage is time-divisionally supplied to a heating coil, on which the container is positioned, among the plurality of heating coils. By this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of inverters and manufacturing costs. In addition, since the thickness of the cooker is reduced, it is possible to reduce the overall size of the cooker.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Ho Lee, Jae Man Joo, Seok Weon Hong, Jong Chull Shon
-
Patent number: 8912471Abstract: A heating cooker of the present invention includes a plurality of light emitting indicator units. The light emitting indicator units each have a temperature sensing unit that senses an ambient temperature of a light emission source. Therefore, deterioration of the light emission source of each of the light emitting indicator units can be suppressed to realize a further reduction in thickness, and to improve visibility of the indicator sheet.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takehiko Shigeoka, Akira Kataoka, Eiji Matsui
-
Patent number: 8796599Abstract: An induction heat cooking device is provided that finishes preheating in a short time and maintains the temperature obtained at the finish of the preheating. When a preheating heating mode is selected as an operation mode, a control unit (8) arranged in the induction heat cooking device starts operation in a preheating mode in which a cooking container is heated with a first heating output. When an increment of an output value of an infrared sensor exceeds a first predetermined increment since the heating starts with the first heating output, the control unit causes a notification unit to notify a user that the preheating is finished, and the operation mode is changed to a waiting mode for performing heating with a second heating output that is lower than the first heating output. Further, when the user sets a heating power by means of a heating power setting unit in the preheating mode, the control unit prohibits changing to the heating power set by the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kuniaki Sakakibara, Shintaro Noguchi, Yoshiaki Ishio, Hiroshi Tominaga, Kenji Watanabe
-
Patent number: 8772684Abstract: Operability of a heating cooker having a heating unit in a top plate is improved. After power-on, a light emission control unit causes the operation unit light-emitting element of an operable operation inhibition releasing key to be lit so that only the key is displayed and the other keys are less visible. Thus, the heating cooker is changed into a lock state. When the operation inhibition releasing key is operated in the lock state, at least one electrostatic touch key other than the operation inhibition releasing key is made operable and the operation unit light-emitting element is lit. Alternatively, in the above structure, the operation unit light-emitting element of the operable operation unit is lit in a first light-emission color, and the operation unit light-emitting elements of the inoperable operation units are lit in a second light-emission color different from the first light-emission color. Thus effective operation can be guided.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Keiko Isoda, Ryuuji Nagata, Chikashi Satou, Tsuyoshi Inada
-
Patent number: 8723089Abstract: An induction heating apparatus is capable of stop heating without excessively boosting output voltages of a booster circuit and a power factor correction circuit. The induction heating apparatus includes a boosting function unit, an inverter circuit, and a booster circuit controller. The boosting function unit includes a power factor correction circuit and a booster circuit, and boosts an input direct-current power to a direct-current voltage having a peak value larger than the peak value of the input direct-current power by turning on/off a switching element. The inverter circuit includes a heating coil, and inputs the direct-current voltage output by the boosting function unit to generate a high frequency current in the heating coil by turning on or off a different switching element. The booster circuit controller stops a boosting operation of the boosting function unit without a prescribed delay from the stop of an operation of the inverter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hideki Sadakata, Hiroshi Tominaga, Yoshiaki Ishio, Izuo Hirota
-
Publication number: 20140076886Abstract: An induction hob (100) is provided. The induction hob comprises a solid plate (105), a plurality of electrically activatable coil members (1101-1108) arranged underneath the plate, said coil members defining corresponding cooking zones (1151-1158) of the induction hob, and a control unit (135) configured to select power levels for the cooking zones. In the solution according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, upon selection of first (P1) and second (P6) power levels for non-adjacent first (1151) and second (1156) cooking zones, respectively, the control unit is configured to automatically select for each intermediate cooking zone (1152-1155) between said first and second cooking zones a corresponding power level (P2-P5) obtained by interpolation of the first and second power levels with a predefined interpolating function.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Gabriele STELLA, Michele TOPPANO, Marco ULIAN
-
Patent number: 8604397Abstract: There is provided a cooking device that prevents operation based on a control command assigned to a touch key from being executed when a user is not intending to operate the touch key. The cooking device includes an electrode unit which includes a key electrode (3a) provided on the lower surface of the top plate and a contact electrode (3b) electrically connected with the key electrode and inputs the assigned control command; a cancel electrode (5a) provided at the periphery of the contact electrode so that the distance between the contact electrode and the cancel electrode is smaller than the width of the finger of the user; and a control unit (8) for controlling conduction to a heating source based on the control command assigned to the electrode unit when detecting that the vicinity of the electrode unit is touched. The control unit (8) limits the operation based on the control command when detecting that the vicinity of the cancel electrode is touched.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Keiko Isoda, Hiroshi Tominaga, Tamotsu Izutani, Sadatoshi Tabuchi, Kuniaki Sakakibara
-
Patent number: 8581159Abstract: A method and cooktop include a cooktop panel, a cooking zone, and an induction heating device disposed below the cooktop panel. First, second and third heat sensor units are disposed beneath the cooktop panel in a region of a measuring spot. The first heat sensor unit is configured to measure heat flow from substantially only the cooktop panel. The second and third heat sensor units are configured to measure heat flow from the cooktop panel and a cooking utensil disposed thereon. A light source is provided for measuring an emissivity of the bottom of the cooking utensil. An auxiliary heater heats the region of the measuring spot. An electrical control system calculates a ratio from signals of the second and third heat sensor units and determines an actual temperature of the bottom of the cooking utensil from the ratio by using a temperature of a lower surface of the cooktop panel measured by the first sensor unit and a value of the emissivity of the cooking utensil bottom.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Miele & Cie. KGInventors: Holger Ernst, Uwe Femmer, Sonja Heitmann, Thomas Kruempelmann
-
Patent number: 8569666Abstract: A method for detecting the pan size and/or position in induction cooking hobs comprises providing at least a sensing circuit associated to a magnetic field concentrator, particularly a ferrite bar, and assessing an electrical parameter thereof correlated to the variation of the magnetic flux.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Diego Neftali Gutierrez, Fabrizio Dughiero
-
Publication number: 20130200069Abstract: A system and method of controlling an induction cooking appliance based on a feedback signal. A feedback signal sampling time interval may be triggered when a power control signal has a magnitude of zero. The feedback signal sample may be used to calculate a status factor and the appliance may be controlled based on the calculated status factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John Michael Kulp, JR., Gregory Francis Gawron, SR., Daniel Vincent Brosnan, Mingwei Shan
-
Patent number: 8492684Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a cooking vessel on an induction heating element is disclosed. The induction element is placed below a glass surface and a conductive electrode placed below the glass surface to detect if a cooking utensil is placed on the induction heating element. The electrode measures capacitance, which indicates to the user whether the cooking utensil is present on one or more induction heating elements. After activation by a user, a second detection of the cooking utensil is accomplished by feeding power to the induction heating element and by assessing at least an electrical parameter of a power circuit thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Diego Neftali Gutierrez, Ettore Arione
-
Patent number: 8450665Abstract: An induction heating device according to the present invention includes an infrared ray sensor for detecting infrared rays radiated from a cooking container through a top plate, a light emitting device which is placed near the infrared ray sensor and emits light to the back surface of the top plate, and a heating control unit which controls a high-frequency current through a heating coil for controlling the heating of the cooking container. When the heating control unit has stopped the heating of the cooking container, and a predetermined time elapses at the heating-stopped state, the light emitting device is controlled to stop the light emission therefrom. This can improve durability of the light emitting device, which enables maintaining a function of clearly indicating a position at which the cooking container should be placed and a function of detecting failures in the infrared ray sensor, which are roles of the light emitting device.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Fumitaka Ogasawara, Keiko Isoda, Hiroshi Tominaga, Masamichi Komada
-
Patent number: 8440945Abstract: A control unit for an electric household appliance for setting functions and operating parameters. The control unit includes at least one control knob located on a display panel by magnetic force. The control knob capable of being pushed by an operator from an initial position into a selecting position to select a function, such as a specific cooking plate and capable of being rotated about its axis to set an operating parameter of the function, such as the cooking temperature of the cooking plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Peter Blumenthal, Bernward Reinker, Bernd Stitzl
-
Publication number: 20130082046Abstract: An induction-heating cooker includes an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays emitted from a cooking container, a scorching detecting portion for outputting, when a temperature of the cooking container increases from a first set temperature and exceeds a second set temperature, scorching detection information based on infrared detection information of the infrared sensor in a heating mode in which a power can be set, and a loading detecting portion for detecting addition of a load such as, for example, a material to be cooked based on a change of the infrared detection information. Even if the scorching detecting portion outputs the scorching detection information before a cooking time measured from the start of a heating operation reaches a first set time, a controller continues the heating operation. If the loading detecting portion detects that the load has been added, the measured cooking time is cleared and measurement thereof is restarted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Fumitaka Ogasawara, Shintaro Noguchi, Teruo Hayashinaka
-
Patent number: 8373102Abstract: An induction cooker includes a top plate (1) for placing an object to be heated thereon, a heating mode selection key (8) for allowing the user to select one control mode for heating the object to be heated between a manual heating mode in which the heat output is set by the user by using an output adjusting key (9) and at least another control mode in which the heat output is controlled automatically, and a heating off/on key (7) for starting to heat the object to be heated. In the standby mode, the controller starts heating only when the user operates the heating mode selection key (8) to change the mode to the cooking menu selection mode before operating the heating off/on key (7). When a predetermined time has elapsed in the cooking menu selection mode without a change in a selected control mode, the mode is changed to the standby mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kuniaki Sakakibara, Keiko Isoda, Masamichi Komada, Hiroshi Tominaga, Fumitaka Ogasawara
-
Patent number: 8350197Abstract: An induction heating cooker including a top plate where a pan is placed; a heating coil for induction heating the pan; an inverter circuit for supplying a high frequency current to the heating coil; an infrared sensor, which is arranged under the heating coil and detects an infrared light radiated from the pan; a light guiding part including an upper opening formed at an upper end facing the top plate and a lower opening formed at a lower end, and guiding the infrared light from the pan to the infrared sensor; and a control unit for controlling an output of the inverter circuit according to an output from the infrared sensor; wherein the light guiding part includes a nonmetallic material part in which the upper opening is formed upper than a lower surface of the heating coil.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Tominaga, Kenji Watanabe, Masaharu Ohashi, Shintaro Noguchi, Tomoya Fujinami
-
Patent number: 8344296Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for warming food by controlled heating of heat retention objects such as cookware items or pellets located on a trivet positioned on a countertop, using heating control units, such as induction heating units, remotely located beneath the countertop. The preferred trivet insulates the countertop against damages, and also includes circuitry enabling the indication or display of its proper positioning on the countertop, and also indicating whether the heating unit is heating the heat retention object.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: CookTek Induction Systems, LLCInventors: Reinhard Metz, Warren Graber
-
Publication number: 20120312804Abstract: A method for operating an induction cooktop having multiple induction heating coils includes monitoring a characteristic of the heating coils indicative of audible noise generated by simultaneous operation of multiple induction heating coils. Upon indication of audible noise from the monitored characteristic, an operating characteristic of at least one of the induction heating coils is varied so as to change the audible noise into a pre-defined, stored audible noise pattern that is desirous to a consumer or user of the cooktop.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Daniel Vincent Brosnan, Gregory Francis Gawron, SR., Mingwei Shan, John Michael Kulp, JR., Mariano Pablo Filippa
-
Publication number: 20110290787Abstract: An induction heating and control system and method have enhanced reliability and advanced performance features for use with induction cooking devices, such as induction heating ranges. Enhanced performance is facilitated via the use of an induction heating system which integrates voltage management, power management, thermal management, digital control sensing and regulation systems, and protection systems management.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Nicholas Bassill, Clifford Jamerson, Dongyu Wang
-
Patent number: 7980171Abstract: A cooking or food warming appliance having a heated heat sink plate situated in a vacuum environment within an outer shell. A food vessel intimately engages the heat sink plate along a food contacting surface thereof by virtue of the vacuum. The vacuum eliminates air gaps between the food contacting surface of the food vessel and the heat sink plate so as to provide instantaneous and uniform heating of the food vessel. The vacuum environment also provides thermal insulation for the heat sink plate whereby heat loss by convection is virtually eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: All-Clad Metalcrafters LLCInventor: William A. Groll
-
Patent number: 7777163Abstract: An induction heating cooking apparatus includes a top plate on which a cooking pot is placed, a coil, an inverter board, a supporting bed, a board holder and elastic bodies. The coil induction-heats the cooking pot. The inverter board is mounted with components for driving the heating coil. The supporting bed is disposed above the inverter board and supports the heating coil. The supporting bed is provided with a push-up boss, and is pushed upward to the top plate via the push-up boss. The board holder is provided with three or more number of support bosses, and holds the inverter board. Each of the elastic bodies intervenes between the supporting bed and one of the support bosses. The supporting bed is provided with first slide restricting sections, while each support boss with a second slide restricting section.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kouichi Hosoi, Kazuichi Okada
-
Patent number: 7720555Abstract: A heating device for a field-device display module includes a heating element. The heating element is adapted to the shape of the field-device display module and is equipped such that it converts an electrical current to thermal energy. The heating element can be coupled to the field-device display module such that by the heating element the field-device display module can be heated.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KGInventor: Holger Staiger
-
Patent number: 7690294Abstract: An improved system and methods useful for the cooking of one or more food items by the application of a non-ambient temperature developed within a temperature retentive element. The temperature retentive element can be sized and shaped to form a cooking box in which cooking at a temperature relative to the non-ambient temperature may proceed and from which the food item, when fully cooked, may be served.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Inventor: Homaro R. Cantu
-
Publication number: 20090139986Abstract: An induction heating cooker and a control method thereof. The induction heating cooker includes a plurality of heating coil groups, each of the heating coil groups including a plurality of heating coils connected in series, a plurality of inverters to individually supply high-frequency voltages to the heating coil groups, respectively, and a controller to control operations of the inverters such that the high-frequency voltages are supplied to the heating coil groups, respectively, based on the numbers of heating coils upon which at least one cooking container is placed within the respective heating coil groups. Therefore, it is possible to effectively heat the cooking container even though the container is put on any position of a cooking plate irrespective of a specific position of the cooking plate. Also, it is possible to effectively heat the container regardless of the size of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sung Ho Lee, Seok Weon Hong, Seong Deog Jang, Dae Rae Kim, Se Min Lee
-
Publication number: 20090095736Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for warming food by controlled heating of heat retention objects such as cookware items or pellets located on a trivet positioned on a countertop, using heating control units, such as induction heating units, remotely located beneath the countertop. The preferred trivet insulates the countertop against damages, and also includes circuitry enabling the indication or display of its proper positioning on the countertop, and also indicating whether the heating unit is heating the heat retention object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: COOKTEK, LLCInventors: Warren S. Graber, Reinhard Metz
-
Patent number: 7504607Abstract: A frequency converter circuit has at least two outputs that are respectively connected to a load, in particular an induction coil. A first output is operated at a first switching frequency and a second output is simultaneously operated at a second switching frequency that is different from the first, in such a way that noise having a frequency generated by the superposition of the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency is produced. The frequency converter circuit is operated in such a way that the frequency of the noise is lower than a first cutoff frequency and/or is higher than a second cutoff frequency.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Luis Angel Barragan Perez, Jose Miguel Burdio Pinilla, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco, Sergio Llorente Gil, Alfonso Lorente Perez, Fernando Monterde Aznar
-
Publication number: 20090001072Abstract: An induction heating cooker including a top plate where a pan is placed; a heating coil for induction heating the pan; an inverter circuit for supplying a high frequency current to the heating coil; an infrared sensor, which is arranged under the heating coil and detects an infrared light radiated from the pan; a light guiding part including an upper opening formed at an upper end facing the top plate and a lower opening formed at a lower end, and guiding the infrared light from the pan to the infrared sensor; and a control unit for controlling an output of the inverter circuit according to an output from the infrared sensor; wherein the light guiding part includes a nonmetallic material part in which the upper opening is formed upper than a lower surface of the heating coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Tominaga, Kenji Watanabe, Masaharu Ohashi, Shintaro Noguchi, Tomoya Fujinami
-
Patent number: RE42362Abstract: An excitation system for heating food, water, or both in airplanes uses induction heating. The system includes at least one load circuit including an inductor that is excited with a load circuit AC voltage, a load circuit alternating current, or both the load circuit AC voltage and the load circuit alternating current. The load circuit AC voltage, the load circuit alternating current, or both the load circuit AC voltage and the load circuit alternating current are generated from an AC voltage signal that is amplitude-modulated with a frequency of a mains AC voltage from a voltage supply. The frequency of the AC voltage signal can be predetermined.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Ansgar Schuler
-
Patent number: RE43263Abstract: A frequency converter circuit has at least two outputs that are respectively connected to a load, in particular an induction coil. A first output is operated at a first switching frequency and a second output is simultaneously operated at a second switching frequency that is different from the first, in such a way that noise having a frequency generated by the superposition of the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency is produced. The frequency converter circuit is operated in such a way that the frequency of the noise is lower than a first cutoff frequency and/or is higher than a second cutoff frequency. An induction cooking device includes first and second induction heating elements, and a frequency converter circuit including first and second power outputs electrically coupled to the first and second induction heating elements, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Luis A. Barragan Perez, Jose M. Burdio Pinilla, Pablo J. Hernandez Blasco, Sergio L. Gil, Alfonso L. Perez, Fernando M. Aznar