General Electric Company

Thomas Industries, Inc.

Brian M Steurer

Timothy Scott Shaffer

Mark Allen Johnson

Daniel Vincent Brosnan

Mariano Pablo Filippa

Ashley Wayne Burt

Anthony D Bell

Mariano Filippa

Mark Johnson

Daniel Brosnan

An induction heating system comprises inductive rings, which in one example are concentrically wound about a center axis to form a coil array. The inductive rings are situated in the coil array to permit activation of the inductive rings independent of the other inductive rings in the coil array. In one embodiment, the induction heating system includes a control structure with a power supply and switches coupled to each of the inductive rings, wherein activation of the switches permits current from the power supply to flow to the corresponding inductive ring. The induction heating system is amenable to appliances such as ovens and ranges, as well as to cooktops such as free-standing cooktops for countertops.

Device and system for induction heating

A latching system for an appliance is disclosed. The appliance includes a first oven, a first door for the first oven, a second oven and a second door for the second oven. The latching system includes a master latch assembly for locking the first door when it is fully closed; a slave latch assembly for locking the second door when it is fully closed; a cable operatively coupling the two latch assemblies so that a movement of one latch assembly between an unlocking position and a locking position generates a corresponding movement of the other latch assembly between an unlocking position and a locking position; a position switch for one latch assembly; and a controller configured to enable an operation of the first oven and/or the second oven when the position switch detects the latch assembly is in its locking position in conjunction with an operation request.

Latching system for an appliance

According to one aspect, a system for reducing peak power usage of an electromechanically controlled cooking appliance is provided. The system includes at least one infinite switch, one or more heating units, at least one of which comprising at least two separately controllable resistive heating elements, a control operatively coupled to the one or more heating units, the control being configured to receive and process a utility state signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility, wherein the one or more heating units include at least one relay switch configured to selectively enable and disable energization of one of the elements in response to the utility state signal.

Load shedding for surface heating units on electromechanically controlled cooking appliances

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for reducing peak power consumption in an electromechanically controlled cooking appliance is provided. The system comprises a surface heating unit comprising at least one duty cycle controlled surface heating element, a temperature controlled oven heating element, a controller configured to receive and process utility state signals indicative of the operating state of an associated utility, and a switch responsive to the controller, switchable between a first state and a second state for selectively coupling the oven heating element to a first relatively high voltage power supply and a second relatively low voltage power supply respectively. The controller is configured to switch the switch to the first and second states as a function of the utility state signal.

System for reduced peak power consumption by a cooking appliance

An apparatus including a frame, a door and a compliant hinge mechanism hingably mounting the door to the frame, the compliant hinge mechanism including a resistance configured to provide a preload to balance the door in a first open position and an increasing force resisting further opening of the door when the preload is overcome and the door is opened past the first open position.

Compliant door hinge

A system for reducing peak power usage in a cooking appliance having an oven cavity therein is provided. The system includes at least one power consuming unit with at least two separately controllable elements, a user adjustable electromechanical switching device for controlling energization of the at least one power consuming unit, a control configured to receive and process a utility state signal indicative of the current state of an associated utility; and an element switching device responsive to the control and configured to selectively enable and disable energization of one of the elements in response to the utility state signal.

Load shedding system for an electromechanically controlled oven

A handle assembly includes a handle body including a handle body having at least one attachment portion proximate a respective end of the handle body, wherein the at least one attachment portion is configured to engage a door panel. At least one latch member is coupled to a respective one of the at least one attachment portion, and the at least one latch member is configured to attach the at least one attachment portion to the door panel. At least one protective member is coupled to a respective one of the at least one attachment portion. The at least one protective member facilitates reducing damage to the door panel during installation of the handle assembly to the door panel.

Methods and apparatus for assembling a door handle assembly

A gas cooking appliance includes at least one gas cooking element and a gas lockout valve assembly in line with the at least one gas cooking element. The gas lockout valve assembly includes a valve and a motor configured to open or close the valve.

Motorized gas lockout valve for gas range

Disclosed herein is an oilless air compressor having a cooling system with a drive unit operating a crankshaft disposed within a crankcase and to which is attached a pair of pistons movable within corresponding compression cylinders. A blower wheel is concentrically mounted to the crankshaft adjacent the exterior of the crankcase. Each compression cylinder includes a thermally conductive cylinder insert which a bore in which the corresponding piston rides. A thermally conductive heat sink having a plurality of annular cooling fins is cast integrally to the outer diameter of each cylinder insert and connected to the crankcase such that the compression cylinders and the crankcase are completely enclosed. Each cylinder insert is made of an aluminum alloy, preferably having a low silicon content and a high melting point so that it can be insert cast within the cooling fin and anodized without degrading the surface finish of its inner bore.

Growing community of inventors

Ringgold, GA, United States of America

Brian M Steurer