US4297557A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave oven temperature indicator and control means
Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
•
Filing: 1976-05-03
•
Granted: 1981-10-27
•
Expires: 1996-05-03
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a telemetric temperature probe for telemetry of temperatures of comestibles which are heated within microwave ovens. The probe includes a temperature responsive circuit for generating a signal responsive to the temperature of the comestible and an electromagnetic wave broadcasting circuit for telemetric transmission of the signal to a remote receiver which can conveniently be incorporated in the microwave oven and coupled to its control circuit. The probe is provided with facilities to derive power necessary for its operation from the microwave energy generated by the oven and includes, for this purpose, an antenna to receive microwave energy, a rectifier circuit for developing direct current power therefrom and a voltage regulation circuit to produce a source of direct current of controlled voltage for operation of the temperature responsive circuit and the broadcasting circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh J. Tyler
- 👤 William H. Conway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:15
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/6447; H05B6/6467; A; A47; A47J; A47J36/00; A47J36/02; A47J36/027; A47J36/32; F; F24; F24C; F24C7/00; F24C7/02; G; G01; G01K; G01K1/00; G01K1/02; G01K1/024; G01K13/00; G01K7/00; G01K7/32; H05B6/645; H05B6/6452; G01K2207/00; G01K2207/02; G01K2207/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
The combination of a microwave oven and telemetric temperature probe therefor which comprises: (a) a microwave oven housing having internal walls defining and providing microwave shielding about an oven cavity; (b) a telemetric temperature probe including: (b 1 ) microwave antenna means and power supply circuit means in circuit therewith to generate a power supply from received microwave radiation; (b 2 ) temperature responsive oscillator circuit mean driven by said power supply means to generate an oscillatory signal temperature modulated frequency and of a frequency distinct from said microwave frequency; (b 3 ) electromagnetic wave transmission means to broadcast said oscillatory signal; and (b 4 ) a probe housing having shielding means surrounding said power supply circuit means, oscillator circuit means and wave transmission means and of selective permeability to limit transmission of microwave energy while permitting transmission of said broadcast oscillatory signal; (c) signal receiver means mounted in said oven to receive said broadcast oscillatory signal; and (d) shielding means, of selective permeability to limit transmission of microwave energy while permitting transmission of said broadcast oscillatory signal, in said oven and surrounding said signal receiver means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
The combination of a microwave oven and telemetric temperature probe therefor which comprises: (a) a microwave oven housing having internal walls defining and providing microwave shielding about an oven cavity; (b) a telemetric temperature probe including: (b 1 ) microwave antenna means and power supply circuit means in circuit therewith to generate a power supply from received microwave radiation; (b 2 ) temperature responsive oscillator circuit mean driven by said power supply means to generate an oscillatory signal temperature modulated frequency and of a frequency distinct from said microwave frequency; (b 3 ) electromagnetic wave transmission means to broadcast said oscillatory signal; and (b 4 ) a probe housing having shielding means surrounding said power supply circuit means, oscillator circuit means and wave transmission means and of selective permeability to limit transmission of microwave energy while permitting transmission of said broadcast oscillatory signal; (c) signal receiver means mounted in said oven to receive said broadcast oscillatory signal; and (d) shielding means, of selective permeability to limit transmission of microwave energy while permitting transmission of said broadcast oscillatory signal, in said oven and surrounding said signal receiver means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1 including signal processing means connected to visual temperature display means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
A telemetric temperature probe for positioning within a microwave oven having a cavity surrounded by microwave shielding which comprises: (a) power supply means; (b) a tubular housing having a small diameter pointed tip with a portion defined by microwave-shielding walls for positioning said probe within a comestible placed in said oven and containing the following inside said portion: (b 1 ) oscillator circuit means to generate an oscillatory signal having a frequency from 10,000 to about 50,000 Hertz; (b 2 ) electromagnetic wave transmission means including broadcast antenna means in circuit with said oscillator circuit means to broadcast said signal; and (c) temperature sensitive means contained in said tip of said housing and connected to said oscillator circuit means to modulate the frequency of said oscillatory signal in response to the temperature of said comestible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
135 words
A telemetric temperature probe for positioning within a microwave oven having a cavity surrounded by microwave shielding which comprises: (a) power supply means; (b) a tubular housing having a small diameter pointed tip with a portion defined by microwave-shielding walls for positioning said probe within a comestible placed in said oven and containing the following inside said portion: (b 1 ) oscillator circuit means to generate an oscillatory signal having a frequency from 10,000 to about 50,000 Hertz; (b 2 ) electromagnetic wave transmission means including broadcast antenna means in circuit with said oscillator circuit means to broadcast said signal; and (c) temperature sensitive means contained in said tip of said housing and connected to said oscillator circuit means to modulate the frequency of said oscillatory signal in response to the temperature of said comestible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The probe of claim 3 including, within said housing, power supply means comprising: (a) microwave receiver circuit means supported outside said portion of said housing; and (b) power control circuit means in circuit with said receiver circuit means to provide a D.C. power of regulated voltage from received microwave energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The probe of claim 4 wherein said microwave receiver means is a loop antenna.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The probe of claim 4 wherein said power control circuit means includes rectifier circuit means to develop a D.C. power supply from received microwave energy and a voltage regulation means to maintain a constant predetermined voltage of said D.C. power supply.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2813242A
Cited
US3253588A
Cited
US3333476A
Cited
US3355949A
Cited
US3434678A
Cited
US3582921A
Cited
US3651405A
Cited
US3872728A
Cited
US4001798A
Cited
US3988929A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-26 | 1985-04-27 | 1985-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-26 | 1989-04-27 | 1989-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-26 | 1993-04-27 | 1993-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |