Induction heating and control system and method with high reliability and advanced performance features
AssigneeThe Vollrath Company, L.L.C.
InventorsNicholas Bassill, Clifford Jameson, Dongyu Wang
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Abstract
An induction heating and control system and method have enhanced reliability and advanced performance features for use with induction cooking devices, such as induction heating ranges. Enhanced performance is facilitated via the use of an induction heating system which integrates voltage management, power management, thermal management, digital control sensing and regulation systems, and protection systems management.
Claims16
A method for varying the amount of heat provided by an induction cooker, the method comprising:
- using a microprocessor to receive inputs from user interface elements and to generate outputs using logic of the microprocessor;
- providing an oscillator configured such that a frequency of an oscillator output depends upon a resistance;
- and
- digitally switching a resistor network by providing the outputs from the microprocessor to the resistor network, the resistor network coupled to the oscillator such that the resistor network directly varies the resistance provided to the oscillator in a manner which varies the frequency of the output of the oscillator.
A high resolution, variable frequency waveform generator comprising:
- an oscillator configured such that a frequency of an oscillator output depends upon a resistance;
- and
- a digitally switched resistor network coupled to the oscillator such that the resultant resistance of the resistor network directly, and without further processing by a microprocessor, varies the resistance provided to the oscillator in a manner which varies the frequency of the output of the oscillator.
An induction cooker comprising:
- an oscillator configured such that a frequency of an oscillator output depends upon a resistance;
- and
- a microprocessor configured to use input from a user interface element to determine an output for providing to the digitally switched resistor network;
- a digitally switched resistor network coupled to the oscillator and configured to directly vary the resistance provided to the oscillator in a manner which varies the frequency of the output of the oscillator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.