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US 11,692,712 B2Granted
Control mechanism and method of a hybrid heating system
AssigneeDansons US, LLC
InventorLi Li
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an outdoor cooking appliance with a control mechanism for controlling a heating system to provide heat to a cooking chamber of the appliance within a more precise range in temperature. For example, fuel provided to a burn pot for combustion to reach a range of a target temperature of the cooking chamber. A heating element provides additional heat to bring the temperature of the cooking chamber closer to the target temperature.
Claims17
An appliance comprising:
- a cooking chamber where food is cooked;
- a temperature sensor located proximate the cooking chamber;
- an interface where a user can input a target temperature indicating a desired temperature for the cooking chamber;
- a burn pot;
- a heating element located proximate or within the burn pot;
- and
- a fan located proximate the heating element and that blows air across the heating element into the burn pot;
- an auger that conveys fuel to the burn pot;
- wherein the auger and heating element are controlled by at least one controller, and
- wherein the controller controls the auger to distribute fuel to be combusted in the burn pot until a temperature within a first range of the target temperature is sensed by the temperature sensor, and in response to the temperature sensor sensing the temperature within the first range of the target temperature, the controller controls the auger to cease the provision of pellets and controls the heating element and fan to augment the heat from the combustion of fuel until a temperature within a second range of the target temperature is reached.
7 more elements
A method for controlling a heating system for a pellet grill or smoker comprising:
- receiving user input of a target temperature at which the pellet grill or smoker will be heated;
- feeding fuel via an auger to a burn pot of the pellet grill or smoker for combustion;
- activating a heating element and fan to combust the fuel;
- sensing a temperature of the pellet grill or smoker when the temperature is within a first range of a target temperature;
- ceasing the provision of pellets via the auger upon the sensing of the temperature reaching the temperature within the first range of the target temperature;
- activating the fan and the heating element to augment the heat provided by the combustion of pellets in response to the temperature reaching the temperature within first range of the target temperature;
- and
- maintaining activation of the fan and heating element until the temperature reaches a temperature within a second range of the target temperature.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.