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US 5,961,867 AGranted
Method and apparatus for controlling an electric heater
AssigneeCeramaspeed Limited
InventorKevin Ronald McWilliams
Life of this patent
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AssigneeCeramaspeed Limited
InventorKevin Ronald McWilliams
Estimating the term…
An electric heater (1) arranged beneath a glass-ceramic cook top (2) is controlled with the aid of a temperature sensor (7) for monitoring temperature at or adjacent to the glass-ceramic cook top. The sensor provides an electrical output as a function of temperature and permits monitoring, in time controlled manner, temperature at or adjacent to the glass-ceramic cook top. In a first stage the temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top (2) is permitted to exceed a predetermined continuous safe level (Y) for up to a predetermined maximum time period (X, W.sub.2, W) and such that a predetermined temporary safe level (Z) of temperature, in excess of the predetermined continuous safe level (Y), is not exceeded. In a second stage the heater (1) is regulated in accordance with the monitored temperature to achieve a selected temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top in a range up to the predetermined continuous safe level (Y) of temperature.
A method of providing electronic control of an electric heater arranged beneath a glass-ceramic cook top, which method comprises providing a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature in the region of the glass-ceramic cook top, which sensor provides an electrical output as a function of temperature and monitoring by means of the sensor, in time controlled manner, temperature in the region of the glass-ceramic cook top, wherein in a first stage the temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top is permitted to exceed a predetermined continuous safe level for up to a predetermined maximum time period and such that a predetermined temporary safe level of temperature, in excess of the predetermined continuous safe level, is not exceeded and wherein in a second stage the heater is regulated in accordance with the monitored temperature to achieve a selected temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top in a range up to the predetermined continuous safe level of temperature.
Apparatus for providing electronic control of an electric heater arranged beneath a glass-ceramic cook top, which apparatus comprises a temperature sensor for monitoring temperature in the region of the glass-ceramic cook top, which sensor provides an electrical output as a function of temperature, and means to monitor by the sensor, in time controlled manner, temperature in the region of the glass-ceramic cook top wherein means is provided operating in a first stage to permit the temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top to exceed a predetermined continuous safe level for up to a predetermined maximum time period and such that a predetermined temporary safe level of temperature, in excess of the predetermined continuous safe level, is not exceeded, and wherein means is provided operating in a second stage to regulate the heater in accordance with the monitored temperature, to achieve a selected temperature of the glass-ceramic cook top in a range up to the predetermined continuous safe level of temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.