Abstract: A device for rotatably supporting a temperature probe disposed in an oven for heating a material. The probe has one end provided with a plug and another end for insertion into the material for detecting the temperature thereof. The device includes a socket section secured to one of the wall surfaces of the oven chamber, the socket section nonrotatably supporting a contact mechanism which in turn rotatably and disengageably supports the plug while the contact mechanism receives signals from the temperature probe through the plug.

Abstract: A novel high frequency heating apparatus for detecting the internal temperature of an object contained in a heating chamber and controlling the heating thereof is disclosed, in which the temperature change of the object is picked up as a change of the resistance value of a thermistor. The resistance change is converted into a change of the oscillation frequency of an oscillator and transmitted with the ultrasonic wave as a medium. The power supply for the transmitter circuit is provided in such a manner that the high frequency filled in the heating chamber for heating the object is received by an antenna and rectified by a diode. At the receiving end, this ultrasonic wave is picked up as a temperature signal of the object, and processed by a microcomputer, so that the temperature of the object is detected for heating control.

Abstract: A microwave oven is provided according to which food is cooked while a temperature sensor is inserted in the food and the heating of the food is interrupted in response to an output signal of the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor comprises a hollow skewer, a bellows which is attached to the skewer and in which is sealed a liquid of high coefficient of thermal expansion, and a sound generating body of a plate spring for generating a sound when the hollow skewer is heated by the food, the liquid is expanded, the bellows is stretched, and the force generated thereby overcomes the biasing force. The microwave oven stops heating and cooking when a sound is generated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microwave oven which may operate in a temperature control mode, wherein the temperature of a food to be cooked is maintained between two selectable values. The food temperature is sensed by a probe adapted for insertion into food being cooked in the microwave oven. The probe is electrically communicated to a microwave generation control circuit through a plug which is removably engaged in a socket secured by a microwave oven wall. When the plug is engaged by the socket, the microwave oven is automatically placed in the temperature control mode.

Abstract: A food temperature-sensing probe is included within a microwave oven for monitoring an internal temperature of the food while it is being cooked therein. A probe jack inserted into a slipping connector transmits a food temperature signal detected by the food temperature-sensing probe to monitor the internal temperature of the food. The slipping connector is arranged on a top wall of the microwave oven cavity. More particularly, on the top wall at the position approximately corresponding to the center of a turntable when a turntable is positioned within the microwave oven. In a preferred form, the connector is so constructed as to permit the rotation of the temperature-sensing probe in unison with the rotation of the turntable.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the internal temperature of food being cooked in the cooking cavity of a microwave oven with microwaves of a predetermined frequency having a predetermined wavelength .lambda. . The apparatus includes a needle-like temperature-sensing probe adapted for insertion into the food being cooked, the probe including a thermally-responsive electrical element positioned internally of the probe housing near the tip end. A flexible shielded cable having first and second ends and generally extending between the probe and the cooking cavity wall connects the probe to circuitry responsive to thermally-induced changes in a characteristic of the electrical element, and includes chokes at either or both ends of the cable, the chokes presenting a high impedance to microwave energy of wavelength .lambda. . The cable length is selected to be approximately equal to n .lambda./2, where n is any integer, when one choke is used, and approximately equal to n .lambda.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the internal temperature of food being cooked in the cooking cavity of a microwave oven with microwaves of a predetermined frequency having a predetermined wavelength .lambda.. The apparatus includes a needle-like temperature-sensing probe adapted for insertion into the food being cooked, the probe including a thermally-responsive electrical element positioned internally of the probe housing near the tip end. A flexible shielded cable connects the probe to circuitry responsive to thermally-induced changes in a characteristic of the electrical element, the cable shield being connected at one end to the probe housing and at the other end to a wall of the cooking cavity. The total effective electrical length of the probe and the cable, measured along the cable and probe from the cooking cavity wall to the distal end of the probe, is selected to be an integer multiple of one-half the predetermined wavelength .lambda..

Abstract: Solid-state circuitry is provided for an electrical thermometer for monitoring the interior temperature of food being cooked. A temperature sensing thermistor located in the tip of a probe, adapted to be partially inserted in food being cooked so as to monitor the interior temperature, is combined in circuit with a programmable unijunction transistor (PUT), used as a bridge threshold detector, an NPN transistor-diode load current switch and a buzzer alarm coil such that upon the reaching of a preset temperature within the food, the buzzer alarm is actuated. The self-heat of the thermistor probe provides a latching effect ensuring the continued firing of the PUT with the resultant smooth operation of the buzzer alarm. A resistor is combined in circuit to allow a slight back current to flow through the buzzer coil, thereby allowing the use of a buzzer alarm with a fairly non-critical air gap.