Integrated power supply and control system and method
AssigneePti IP LLC
InventorsBenjamin D. Johnson, David W. Cochran, Jonathan M. Katz, Don W. Cochran
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated electrical power supply and control system and method are provided. Such a system and method utilize energy storage, memory and a processor to provide controlled direct current (DC) energy suitable for operating narrowband semiconductor irradiation arrays according to appropriate pulse width modulation patterns to achieve cooking/heating of comestibles.
Claims42
An integrated power supply and control system for use in a narrowband food processing or cooking system having arrays of narrowband semiconductor irradiation devices to supply narrowband infrared energy to a comestible item, the integrated power supply and control system comprising:
- an energy storage section configured to store and discharge energy as direct current (DC) suitable for operating the narrowband semiconductor irradiation arrays;
- a memory section configured to store instructions on at least one pulse width modulation pattern representing cooking sequences;
- and
- a control system, including a processor, configured to execute the instructions from the memory section and control a supply of energy from the energy storage section and an external power source to the narrowband semiconductor arrays by limiting the direct current (DC) based on direct current (DC) input requirements of the narrowband semiconductor arrays and the at least one pulse width modulation pattern to implement the cooking sequences such that the narrowband infrared energy of the narrowband semiconductor arrays is modulated according to the cooking sequences and configured to monitor temperature of the narrowband semiconductor arrays and control power supplied to a cooling system for the narrowband semiconductor irradiation arrays to maintain a selected operating temperature of the narrowband semiconductor arrays;
- wherein the energy storage section is configured to store and discharge more power than supplied by the external power source, wherein the external power source comprises a standard wall outlet and wherein power available from the energy storage section is at least twice that of the standard wall outlet such that the direct current is provided to the narrowband semiconductor arrays according to the cooking sequence and is controlled by the control system such that electrical current levels of all electrical pulses of the cooking sequence meet the input requirements of the narrowband semiconductor arrays.
An integrated power supply and control method for use in a narrowband food processing or cooking system having arrays of narrowband semiconductor irradiation devices to supply narrowband infrared energy to a comestible item, the integrated power supply and control method comprising:
- storing in a memory section instructions on at least one pulse width modulation pattern representing cooking sequences;
- controlling a supply of direct current energy from an energy storage section and an external power source to the narrowband semiconductor arrays by limiting the direct current (DC) based on direct current input requirements of the narrowband semiconductor arrays and on the at least one pulse width modulation patterns to implement the cooking sequences such that the narrowband infrared energy of the narrowband semiconductor arrays is modulated according to the cooking sequence, the direct current being provided to the narrowband semiconductor arrays according to the cooking sequence and being controlled such that electrical current levels of all electrical pulses of the cooking sequence meet the input requirements of the narrowband semiconductor arrays, wherein the external power source comprises a standard wall outlet and wherein power available from the energy storage section is at least twice that of the standard wall outlet;
- and,
- controlling power supplied to a cooling system for the arrays to maintain a selected operating temperature of the narrowband semiconductor arrays based on a monitored temperature.
An integrated power supply and control system for use in a narrowband food processing or cooking system having arrays of narrowband semiconductor irradiation devices to supply narrowband infrared energy to a comestible item, the integrated power supply and control system comprising:
- an energy storage section configured to store and discharge energy as direct current (DC) suitable for operating the narrowband semiconductor irradiation arrays;
- a memory section configured to store instructions on at least one pulse width modulation pattern representing cooking sequences;
- and
- a control system, including a processor, configured to execute the instructions from the memory section and control a supply of energy from the energy storage section to the narrowband semiconductor arrays by limiting the direct current (DC) based on direct current input requirements of the narrowband semiconductor arrays and the at least one pulse width modulation pattern to implement the cooking sequences such that the narrowband infrared energy of the narrowband semiconductor arrays is modulated according to the cooking sequences and configured to monitor temperature of the narrowband semiconductor arrays and control power supplied to a cooling system for the narrowband semiconductor irradiation arrays to maintain a selected operating temperature of the narrowband semiconductor arrays;
- wherein the energy storage section stores and discharges more power than supplied by a standard wall outlet, wherein power available from the energy storage section is at least twice that of the standard wall outlet such that the direct current is provided to the narrowband semiconductor arrays to produce at least 100 watts of optical power output according to the cooking sequence and is controlled by the control system such that electrical current levels of all electrical pulses of the cooking sequence meet the input requirements of the narrowband semiconductor arrays.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.