Stove control circuitry
AssigneeWash Enterprises, Inc.
InventorRichard L. Wash
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for reducing the chances of a fire during the operation of heating or cooking appliance. Motion sensitive circuitry incorporated into control circuitry for the appliance monitors activity near the appliance. If activity near the appliance is not detected within a preselected time period, heat producing elements associated with the appliance are disengaged. A manual override mechanism may be provided to permit longer term use of the appliance, as special occasions require.
Claims23
A method for operating heating or cooking appliances, comprising:
- providing a heating or cooking appliance;
- providing a motion sensitive device for producing a signal responsive to detected motion;
- associating the motion sensitive device with the heating or cooking appliance;
- positioning the motion sensitive device so as to monitor movement in the vicinity of the heating or cooking appliance;
- and
- controlling operation of the heating or cooking appliance based at least in part on a signal produced by said motion sensitive device.
A heating or cooking appliance, comprising:
- at least one heat generating element;
- a means for supplying energy to said heat generating element;
- a motion sensitive device for producing a signal based on motion within the vicinity of said at least one heat generating element;
- and
- energy controlling means coupled to said means for supplying energy and said motion sensitive device,
- whereby passage of energy to said at least one heat generating element may be controlled at least in part based upon motion within the vicinity of said at least one heat generating element.
A control system for a heating or cooking appliance, comprising;
- a motion sensitive device for producing a signal based on motion within the vicinity of a heat generating element of such appliance;
- an energy control device for controlling a source of energy to such heat generating element of such appliance;
- and
- a timer coupled between said motion sensitive device and said energy control device;
- whereby at least periodic sensed motion sensed within a time period as determined by said timer permits continuous flow from the source of energy to the heating element.
A method for operating safety and protection circuitry for use with cooking related appliances, such as stoves, comprising:
- providing a cooking related appliance having at least one heat generating element;
- providing a motion sensitive device for producing a signal responsive to detected motion;
- associating the motion sensitive device with the cooking related appliance;
- positioning the motion sensitive device so as to monitor movement of an individual in the vicinity of the cooking related appliance;
- controlling operation of the cooking related appliance based at least in part on a signal produced by the motion sensitive device, so as to control a supply of energy from at least one of an electricity source, a natural gas source and a propane source to the at least one heat generating element of the cooking related appliance;
- associating an adjustable time delay device with the motion sensitive device for setting a selected period of time;
- and
- providing a manually operable bypass device for overriding operation of the motion sensitive device;
- whereby, such method provides, subject to manual override, for automatically disengaging heat generating elements in a cooking related appliance due to absence of the appliance operator for the selected period of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.