Ameritherm, Inc.

Ambrell Corporation

Ian Alan Paull

Leslie L Thompson

Brian Louis Teachout

Richard H Rosenbloom

Santina McKean

William Flanigan

David L Fenton

Kenneth J Westveer

In one aspect, the present invention provides a consumer appliance that uses RF energy to heat foods stored in a container that is suitable for RF heating.

Food heater

A tuning system for controlling a voltage controlled oscillator is described herein. The tuning system makes use of a dual edge phase detector.

Induction heating system

A modular RF power system allows multiple power supplies to combine their RF output power as a single system and deliver it to a common resonant circuit. For flexibility and commonality, each power supply is designed to be separately powered by AC line voltage (aka AC Mains). The AC voltage supplied to each power supply may differ due to differing AC distribution line length, line impedance, wire gauge, or different supply generation locations.

Dynamic power balancing among multiple induction heater power units

When a power system experiences a disruptive event, conditions may exist that threaten the survival of power devices used in the system. Embodiments described herein provide an improved means of protecting these devices under such circumstances.

Power system component protection system for use with an induction heating system

Portable food heater

In one aspect, the invention provides a power system for providing power to a load. In some embodiment, the system comprises: a rectifier configured to rectify an AC main signal to produce a rectified AC main signal; a zero cross detector configured to receive the AC main signal and to detect when the AC main signal equals zero; a switching device having (i) a first terminal connected to a first node, wherein a first output terminal of the rectifier is also connected to the first node and (ii) a second terminal connected to a second node; a tank circuit having (i) a first terminal coupled to a third node, wherein a second output terminal of the rectifier is also coupled to the third node and (ii) a second terminal coupled to the second node; a current and/or voltage detector connected to the second node; and a controller in communication with the current detector and zero cross detector and configured to turn on and off the switching device based on, at least in part, information received from the zero cross detector and the current and/or voltage detector.

Power switching system to increase induction heating to a load from available AC mains power

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods that automatically correct the desired on-time of switching elements as the resonant frequency changes, so as to maintain the correct proportional value.

Automatic frequency compensation for pulse width modulated RF level control

Power switching systems often benefit from controlling the instant at which the power devices change state so as to minimize dissipation in these devices. Such systems often require fairly tight tolerances on reactive components and a relatively narrow frequency operating range to be certain these switching times occur as intended. This invention defines a system that can adapt the required switching instant over very wide changes in the reactive components.

Constant phase angle control for frequency agile power switching systems

A circuit apparatus for providing an AC voltage to a load. The apparatus may include: a first, second, third and fourth switch, wherein the first switch is connected between a first node and a first terminal of the second switch and the fourth switch is connected between a second node and a first terminal of the fourth switch; a voltage source, wherein the voltage source is electrically connected between the first node and the second node; a resistive divider connected across the voltage source; a first resistor connected across the first switch a second resistor connected across the third switch; first connecting means for configurably connecting a second terminal of the second switch to the second node; second connecting means for configurably connecting a second terminal of the third switch to the first node; and third connecting means for configurably connecting the second terminal of the second switch in series with the second terminal of the third switch.

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Henrietta, NY, United States of America

Ian Alan Paull