US 5,005,123 AGranted

Control system for microwave cooking appliance

AssigneeHamilton Standard Controls, Inc.

InventorEugene P. Mierzwinski

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Abstract

A control system for a microwave oven includes a magnetron power circuit, an electronic controller, and input control circuitry. The control system is adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power, typically an AC line supply. The line supply may be converted to DC for powering the electronic controller, however, the input control circuitry is structured to prevent connection of the power supply to the electronic controller until an intentional manual action occurs. This prevents the electronic controller from responding to noise or the like to become unintentionally powered and thus possibly operate in an undesired state. The input control circuitry includes switches associated with data input keys for temporarily connecting power to the controller when actuated. Such actuation of a data key enables the system to be powered-up and also to enter data.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An improved apparatus for the control of a microwave cooking appliance having a microwave power circuit including a microwave generator, a source of electrical power for at least said microwave power circuit, and control means for controlling at least the microwave power circuit, the improvement wherein said control means comprises:

an electrically-energized electronic controller for operating in accordance with data programmed therein, said electronic controller being operatively connected to said microwave power circuit for controlling application of said electrical power to said microwave power circuit;
and
input control circuit means connected to said electrical power source and to said electronic controller for controlling application of electrical energizing power to and entry of programming data into, said electronic controller, said input control circuit means including at least a data entry key for controlling the programming of data into said electronic controller, said input control circuit means being further operative in response to an initial actuation of said data entry key for applying start-up energizing power to said electronic controller.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.