# US 9,354,207 B2 · Boil and boil-dry detection methods for cooking appliances using vibration sensors

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,354,207 B2
- Document ID: US9354207B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/649,155
- Filed: 2012-10-11
- Published: 2014-02-27
- Granted: 2016-05-31
- Earliest claimed: 2012-08-22
- Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation
- Applicants: Whirlpool Corporation
- Inventors: Ali R. Buendia Garcia; Farhad Ashrafzadeh; Moeed Mukhtar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9354207B2

## CPC

- G01N 29/46: by spectral analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis {or wavelet analysis (spectral signal processing per se G06F17/14)}
- F23D 14/06: with radial outlets at the burner head
- F23D 14/72: Safety devices, e.g. operative in case of failure of gas supply
- F23N 5/242: {using electronic means}
- G01N 29/14: using acoustic emission techniques {(echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00)}
- G01N 29/4427: {with stored values, e.g. threshold values}
- G01N 29/4454: {Signal recognition, e.g. specific values or portions, signal events, signatures}
- F23N 2231/00: Fail safe
- G05B 2219/2649: Burner
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- F23D: BURNERS
- F23N: REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION (control devices specially adapted for combustion apparatus in which combustion takes place in a fluidised bed of fuel or other particles F23C10/28; condition responsive controls for regulating combustion in domestic stoves with open fires for solid fuel F24B1/187)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)

## Abstract

A method of boil and boil-dry detection for appliances. The method includes the steps: detecting vibrations that correspond to cookware situated on a burner assembly; generating a vibration signal based on the vibrations; and performing signal processing on the vibration signal. The method also includes the steps: collecting vibration data related to the vibration signal; and detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware based at least in part on an evaluation of the vibration data. The method may also include the steps: indicating the boiling and boil-dry conditions; and controlling the burner assembly based at least in part on the boiling and boil-dry conditions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of boil and boil-dry detection for cooking appliances, comprising the steps:
detecting vibrations that correspond to cookware situated on a burner assembly;
generating a vibration signal based on the vibrations;
performing signal processing on the vibration signal;
collecting vibration data related to the vibration signal; and
detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware based at least in part on an evaluation of the vibration data,
wherein the step of detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is based at least in part on amplitude and time components of the vibration data, and
further wherein the step of detecting each of the boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is based at least in part on a conversion of the vibration signal into a vibration data set comprising vibration power versus frequency by applying Fast Fourier Transform methodologies, and a comparison of the vibration data set to a predetermined threshold frequency, a predetermined boiling onset threshold vibration power, and a predetermined peak boiling threshold vibration power that correspond to prior-derived data associated with boiling and boil-dry conditions of the liquid in the cookware.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is also based in part on a detection of a heat input from the burner assembly.

### Claim 3

A method of boil and boil-dry detection for cooking appliances, comprising the steps:
detecting vibrations that correspond to cookware situated on a burner assembly;
generating a vibration signal based on the vibrations;
performing signal processing on the vibration signal;
collecting vibration data related to the vibration signal;
detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware based at least in part on an evaluation of the vibration data; and
indicating the boiling and boil-dry conditions
wherein the step of detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is based at least in part on amplitude and time components of the vibration data, and
further wherein the step of detecting each of the boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is based at least in part on a conversion of the vibration signal into a vibration data set comprising vibration power versus frequency by applying Fast Fourier Transform methodologies, and a comparison of the vibration data set to a predetermined threshold frequency, a predetermined boiling onset threshold vibration power, and a predetermined peak boiling threshold vibration power that correspond to prior-derived data associated with boiling and boil-dry conditions of the liquid in the cookware.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is also based in part on a detection of a heat input from the burner assembly.

### Claim 5

A method of boil and boil-dry detection for cooking appliances, comprising the steps:
detecting vibrations that correspond to cookware situated on a burner assembly;
generating a vibration signal based on the vibrations;
performing signal processing on the vibration signal;
collecting vibration data related to the vibration signal;
detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware based at least in part on an evaluation of the vibration data; and
controlling the burner assembly based at least in part on the boiling and boil-dry conditions,
wherein the step of detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is based at least in part on amplitude and time components of the vibration data, and
further wherein the step of detecting each of the boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is based at least in part on a conversion of the vibration signal into a vibration data set comprising vibration power versus frequency by applying Fast Fourier Transform methodologies, and a comparison of the vibration data set to a predetermined threshold frequency, a predetermined boiling onset threshold vibration power, and a predetermined peak boiling threshold vibration power that correspond to prior-derived data associated with boiling and boil-dry conditions of the liquid in the cookware.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein the step of detecting boiling and boil-dry conditions for a liquid contained within the cookware is also based in part on a detection of a heat input from the burner assembly.