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US4154855A
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Method of cooking foods in a microwave oven
Assignee: Goodman Co LP
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Filing: 1977-08-30
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Granted: 1979-05-15
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Expires: 1997-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of cooking foods containing a substantial liquid component by sensing "in-situ" humidity and temperature environmental conditions of a microwave oven heating cavity. The method monitors the rate of change of the slope of the "characteristic humidity curve" to indicate the degree of cooking of the foods. By determining the rate of change of the slope of the "characteristic humidity curve", the value is indicative of the degree of the temperature level of microwave cooking of the foods and can be used to control microwave cooking of the foods.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald G. Buck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:15
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/6447; H05B6/6458; G; G05; G05D; G05D22/00; G05D22/02; H05B6/645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for cooking foods of the type containing a substantial liquid component in a microwave oven having an oven cooking cavity, a source of microwave energy, means for sensing the humidity in said cooking cavity, and a programmable controller, said method comprising the steps of: (a) applying microwave energy from said source to said food in said cooking cavity to heat said food; (b) measuring the humidity in said cooking cavity at a plurality of time-spaced intervals while said food is being heated and providing said measurements as an input to said programmable controller; (c) calculating in said programmable controller the rate of change of the slope of a humidity-time curve described by said measurements according to a program stored in said programmable controller; and, (d) discontinuing the application of microwave energy when said rate of change of said slope becomes greater than zero.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for cooking foods of the type containing a substantial liquid component in a microwave oven having an oven cooking cavity, a source of microwave energy, means for sensing the humidity in said cooking cavity, and a programmable controller, said method comprising the steps of: (a) applying microwave energy from said source to said food in said cooking cavity to heat said food; (b) measuring the humidity in said cooking cavity at a plurality of time-spaced intervals while said food is being heated and providing said measurements as an input to said programmable controller; (c) calculating in said programmable controller the rate of change of the slope of a humidity-time curve described by said measurements according to a program stored in said programmable controller; and, (d) discontinuing the application of microwave energy when said rate of change of said slope becomes greater than zero.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said rate of change of said slope is determined by the equation: φ=h(tN)-[h(tN-1)+θ] wherein φ is the rate of change of slope h(tN) is the absolute humidity at time N h(tN-1) is the absolute humidity at time N-1 θ is a predetermined constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said humidity sensing means senses relative humidity in said cooking cavity and wherein said programmable controller converts said relative humidity to absolute humidity and wherein said absolute humidity is used to establish said humidity-time curve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said equation is stored in the memory of said programmable controller.
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) | 1982-05-14 | 1982-11-13 | 1983-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-14 | 1986-11-13 | 1987-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-14 | 1990-11-13 | 1991-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |