US3715550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Induction cooking/warming appliance including vessel supporting means having an undulant surface and temperature sensing means associated with said surface
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-02-22
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1992-02-22
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is an induction range having a counter including an undulant top surface for supporting a cooking vessel. Since the counter is made of a material which is not inductively heatable the counter remains relatively cool during the cooking process, while the vessel is being inductively heated. Although the counter''s top surface has undulations therein, it is, nevertheless, an unbroken surface; i.e., there are no openings therethrough. Moreover, even though the counter''s top surface has undulations therein, it may, nevertheless, be relatively smooth so that it can be wiped clean, easily. Furthermore, temperature sensing means are arranged on the top surface of the counter between adjacent undulations thereof and said sensing means are adapted to be contacted and easily compressed by the bottom surface of a vessel resting on the counter''s top surface; i.e., resting on the undulations.
Inventors
- 👤 J Harnden
- 👤 W Kornrumpf
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:51
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/02; H05B6/06; H05B6/062; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S336/00; Y10S336/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
338 words
An induction cooking/warming appliance, for heating a vessel having at least one portion thereof in which heating current may be induced by subjecting said one portion to a changing magnetic field, comprising: vessel supporting means in which no substantial heating current is inducted when said supporting means is subjected to a changing magnetic field, said supporting means having first and second back-to-back surfaces, said first surface including at least two spaced-apart undulations therein defining a valley therebetween, said vessel being supportable on said two undulations; an induction coil energizable for producing a changing magnetic field in said one portion of said vessel when said vessel is supported on said undulations; means for energizing said induction coil; temperature sensing means located in said valley and comprising spring means, a temperature sensor unit supported by said spring means and having an electrical impedance which varies with temperature, means including a first magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said first flux path and connected to said sensor unit, said spring means being contacted and stressed by said vessel when said vessel is supported on said two undulations and whereby said sensor unit supported by said spring means is subjected to the temperature of said vessel; temperature receiving means supported on said second surface of said vessel supportiNg means and located opposite said valley of said first surface whereby said vessel supporting means is interposed between said temperature sensing and receiving means, said temperature receiving means comprising means including a second magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said second magnetic flux path whereby said first and second flux paths together with a portion of the interposed vessel supporting means form a magnetic circuit; and, means for electrically energizing said coil on said second magnetic flux path to introduce a changing magnetic flux into said magnetic circuit whereby the temperature variable impedance of said sensor unit, as reflected to an electric circuit including said coil wound about said second flux path, is representative of the temperature of said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
338 words
An induction cooking/warming appliance, for heating a vessel having at least one portion thereof in which heating current may be induced by subjecting said one portion to a changing magnetic field, comprising: vessel supporting means in which no substantial heating current is inducted when said supporting means is subjected to a changing magnetic field, said supporting means having first and second back-to-back surfaces, said first surface including at least two spaced-apart undulations therein defining a valley therebetween, said vessel being supportable on said two undulations; an induction coil energizable for producing a changing magnetic field in said one portion of said vessel when said vessel is supported on said undulations; means for energizing said induction coil; temperature sensing means located in said valley and comprising spring means, a temperature sensor unit supported by said spring means and having an electrical impedance which varies with temperature, means including a first magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said first flux path and connected to said sensor unit, said spring means being contacted and stressed by said vessel when said vessel is supported on said two undulations and whereby said sensor unit supported by said spring means is subjected to the temperature of said vessel; temperature receiving means supported on said second surface of said vessel supportiNg means and located opposite said valley of said first surface whereby said vessel supporting means is interposed between said temperature sensing and receiving means, said temperature receiving means comprising means including a second magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said second magnetic flux path whereby said first and second flux paths together with a portion of the interposed vessel supporting means form a magnetic circuit; and, means for electrically energizing said coil on said second magnetic flux path to introduce a changing magnetic flux into said magnetic circuit whereby the temperature variable impedance of said sensor unit, as reflected to an electric circuit including said coil wound about said second flux path, is representative of the temperature of said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
338 words
An induction cooking/warming appliance, for heating a vessel having at least one portion thereof in which heating current may be induced by subjecting said one portion to a changing magnetic field, comprising: vessel supporting means in which no substantial heating current is inducted when said supporting means is subjected to a changing magnetic field, said supporting means having first and second back-to-back surfaces, said first surface including at least two spaced-apart undulations therein defining a valley therebetween, said vessel being supportable on said two undulations; an induction coil energizable for producing a changing magnetic field in said one portion of said vessel when said vessel is supported on said undulations; means for energizing said induction coil; temperature sensing means located in said valley and comprising spring means, a temperature sensor unit supported by said spring means and having an electrical impedance which varies with temperature, means including a first magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said first flux path and connected to said sensor unit, said spring means being contacted and stressed by said vessel when said vessel is supported on said two undulations and whereby said sensor unit supported by said spring means is subjected to the temperature of said vessel; temperature receiving means supported on said second surface of said vessel supportiNg means and located opposite said valley of said first surface whereby said vessel supporting means is interposed between said temperature sensing and receiving means, said temperature receiving means comprising means including a second magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said second magnetic flux path whereby said first and second flux paths together with a portion of the interposed vessel supporting means form a magnetic circuit; and, means for electrically energizing said coil on said second magnetic flux path to introduce a changing magnetic flux into said magnetic circuit whereby the temperature variable impedance of said sensor unit, as reflected to an electric circuit including said coil wound about said second flux path, is representative of the temperature of said vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
338 words
An induction cooking/warming appliance, for heating a vessel having at least one portion thereof in which heating current may be induced by subjecting said one portion to a changing magnetic field, comprising: vessel supporting means in which no substantial heating current is inducted when said supporting means is subjected to a changing magnetic field, said supporting means having first and second back-to-back surfaces, said first surface including at least two spaced-apart undulations therein defining a valley therebetween, said vessel being supportable on said two undulations; an induction coil energizable for producing a changing magnetic field in said one portion of said vessel when said vessel is supported on said undulations; means for energizing said induction coil; temperature sensing means located in said valley and comprising spring means, a temperature sensor unit supported by said spring means and having an electrical impedance which varies with temperature, means including a first magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said first flux path and connected to said sensor unit, said spring means being contacted and stressed by said vessel when said vessel is supported on said two undulations and whereby said sensor unit supported by said spring means is subjected to the temperature of said vessel; temperature receiving means supported on said second surface of said vessel supportiNg means and located opposite said valley of said first surface whereby said vessel supporting means is interposed between said temperature sensing and receiving means, said temperature receiving means comprising means including a second magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said second magnetic flux path whereby said first and second flux paths together with a portion of the interposed vessel supporting means form a magnetic circuit; and, means for electrically energizing said coil on said second magnetic flux path to introduce a changing magnetic flux into said magnetic circuit whereby the temperature variable impedance of said sensor unit, as reflected to an electric circuit including said coil wound about said second flux path, is representative of the temperature of said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The appliance according to claim 1 further comprising a temperature signal processing circuit and temperature indicator means, said signal processing circuit being electrically coupled to said coil wound about said second flux path and to said temperature indicator means whereby said signal processing circuit in response to said reflected impedance produces a signal representative of the temperature of said vessel for energizing said indicator means whereby said temperature is visibly displayed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The appliance according to claim 1 wherein said induction coil is electrically energized with at least ultrasonic frequency and wherein said coil on said second flux path is electrically energized at a different frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The appliance according to claim 1 wherein said first surface including said undulations and valley present a relatively smooth surface which is easily wiped clean.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The appliance according to claim 4 wherein said spring means is a cup-like member of relatively thin elastic material having an exposed relatively smooth surface which is easily wiped clean, said cup-like member being secured in said valley and forming together with said first surface including said undulations and valley and enclosure for said first flux path and coil thereabout, said sensor unit being at least partially embedded in said cup-like member, said cup-like member having a relatively low restoring spring force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The appliance according to claim 5 wherein said relatively thin elastic cup-like member of low restoring spring force is adapted for being contoured to the irregular surface of a vessel in contact therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
272 words
An induction cooking/warming appliance, for heating a vessel having at least one portion thereof in which heating current may be induced by subjecting said one portion to a changing magnetic field, comprising: vessel supporting means in which no substantial heating current is induced when said supporting means is subjected to a changing magnetic field, said supporting means having first and second back-to-back surfaces, said first surface including at least two spaced-apart undulations therein defining a valley therebetween, said vessel being supportable on said two undulations; an induction coil energizable for producing a changing magnetic field in said one portion of the vessel when said vessel is supported on said undulations; means for energizing said induction coil; temperature sensing means, located in said valley, comprising means including a first magnetic flux path having a magnetic permeability which varies with temperature, said means including said first flux path being contactable by said vessel when said vessel is supported on said two undulations; and, temperature receiving means supported on said second surface of said supporting means and located opposite said valley of said first surface whereby said vessel supporting means is interposed between said temperature sensing and receiving means, said temperature receiving means comprising means including a second magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said second flux path whereby said first and second magnetic flux paths together with a portion of the interposed vessel supporting means forms a Magnetic circuit, the temperature variable magnetic permeability of said first flux path causing said coil about said second flux path to become electrically loaded with a reflected impedance representative of the temperature of said vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
272 words
An induction cooking/warming appliance, for heating a vessel having at least one portion thereof in which heating current may be induced by subjecting said one portion to a changing magnetic field, comprising: vessel supporting means in which no substantial heating current is induced when said supporting means is subjected to a changing magnetic field, said supporting means having first and second back-to-back surfaces, said first surface including at least two spaced-apart undulations therein defining a valley therebetween, said vessel being supportable on said two undulations; an induction coil energizable for producing a changing magnetic field in said one portion of the vessel when said vessel is supported on said undulations; means for energizing said induction coil; temperature sensing means, located in said valley, comprising means including a first magnetic flux path having a magnetic permeability which varies with temperature, said means including said first flux path being contactable by said vessel when said vessel is supported on said two undulations; and, temperature receiving means supported on said second surface of said supporting means and located opposite said valley of said first surface whereby said vessel supporting means is interposed between said temperature sensing and receiving means, said temperature receiving means comprising means including a second magnetic flux path and a coil wound about said second flux path whereby said first and second magnetic flux paths together with a portion of the interposed vessel supporting means forms a Magnetic circuit, the temperature variable magnetic permeability of said first flux path causing said coil about said second flux path to become electrically loaded with a reflected impedance representative of the temperature of said vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The appliance according to claim 7 further comprising a temperature signal processing circuit and temperature indicator means, said signal processing circuit being electrically connected to said coil wound about said second flux path and connected to said temperature indicator means whereby said signal processing circuit in response to said reflected impedance produces a signal representative of the temperature of said vessel for energizing said indicator means whereby said temperature is visibly displayed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The appliance according to claim 7 wherein said induction coil is electrically energized with at least ultrasonic frequency and wherein said coil about said second flux path is electrically energized at a different frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The appliance according to claim 7 wherein said first surface including said undulations and valley present a relatively smooth surface and is easily wiped clean.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The appliance according to claim 10 wherein said means including first magnetic flux path is an open bladder member of relatively thin elastic material having an exposed relatively smooth surface which is easily wiped clean.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The appliance according to claim 11 wherein said relatively thin elastic bladder member has a relatively low restoring spring force and is easily adapted for being contoured to the surface of an irregularly surfaced vessel in contact therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The appliance according to claim 7 wherein said means including said first magnetic flux path is comprised of an elastomeric matrix in which there is embedded powdered ferrite material, said matrix including said embedded ferrite powder having a magnetic permeability which varies with temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The appliance according to claim 7 wherein said means including said first magnetic flux path is comprised of an elastomeric matrix in which there is embedded powdered temperature sensitive first order transition material, said matrix and embedded powders having a magnetic permeability which varies with temperature.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The appliance according to claim 13 wherein said ferrite material is selected from the group consisting of nickel-zinc ferrite, manganese-zinc ferrite, and manganese-copper ferrite.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The appliance according to claim 14 wherein said first order transition material is selected from the group consisting of manganese arsenide, iron rhodium, and chromium doped manganese antimonide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |