Heating unit and control system for cooktops having capability to detect presence of a pan and methods of operating same
US6492627B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2213/05
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a control system for a heating unit in a cooktop that is capable of detecting the presence (or absence) of a cooking pan or utensil. The heating unit has a spirally wound ribbon heater element and may be mounted below a glass-ceramic cooking surface. The control system includes a pan detection unit electrically connected to the heater element. The pan detection unit generates a high frequency signal through the heater element to determine whether a pan is present on the cooktop. The pan detection unit may have an oscillation circuit to generate the high frequency signal through the heater element. In one embodiment, the control system further includes at least one switch device that is connected between the heater element and a power source. The switch device is opened to remove the heater element from the power source when the pan detection unit generates the high frequency signal through the heater element. The present invention also includes a heating unit having dual heater units to determine the size of the pan placed on the cooktop. The present invention further includes methods of operating a heater unit and control system having the capability…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.