General Electric Company

John Schultz

Thomas R Payne

Marcus P Borom

A temperature sensor is formed with a metal substrate at least a portion of which is coated with a layer of porcelain enamel. At least one conductive element is deposited on the coated portion of the substrate in such a manner as to provide a first sensor configuration for sensing temperature as a function of the resistance of the conductive element itself. This conductive element in operative combination with the porcelain enamel layer and the metal substrate provides a second sensor configuration for sensing temperature over a second temperature range as a function of the resistance of the porcelain enamel layer.

Porcelain enamel temperature sensor for heating ovens

A temperature sensor includes a glass-ceramic substrate and a plurality of conductive elements deposited on the substrate. The substrate serves both as a support for the conductive elements and as a temperature-sensitive resistive material forming an operative part of the sensor itself. The conductive elements are arranged to provide one sensor configuration for sensing temperature over a first temperature range as a function of the resistance of one of the elements, a second sensor configuration for sensing temperature over a second temperature range as a function of the surface resistance of the substrate between two of the elements, and a third sensor arrangement for sensing temperature over a third temperature range as a function of the bulk resistance of the substrate between two of the elements separated by a thickness of substrate material less than the surface distance therebetween. Four contact pads are provided to connect the three sensor configurations to external signal processing circuitry.

Glass-ceramic temperature sensor for heating ovens

A temperature control system incorporating a temperature sensor characterized by thermal inertia which causes the sensed temperature to lag the actual temperature during the transition from one operating temperature for the controlled environment to a different operating temperature. This control system controls temperature as a function of setpoint temperature and the value of a temperature control variable representing the sensed temperature. The value of the temperature control variable is set equal to the temperature sensed by the sensor during steady state operating conditions. In response to a change in setpoint temperature, the system adjusts the value of the temperature control variable to compensate for the thermal lag of the sensor.

Temperature control system for a heating oven using a glass-ceramic

A capacitive touch pad assembly which provides a touch control panel for an appliance with white touch pad appearance. A thin dielectric substrate has an outer touch electrode of a relatively dark-colored conductive material deposited on its outer surface and a pair of spatially separated inner electrodes formed on the inner surface of the dielectric layer for connecting to the control circuitry. To achieve a light-colored appearance for the touch pads, a layer of relatively light-colored non-conductive decorative material is applied to the outer surface overlaying the electrode to hide its dark color except for a small exposed area of the electrode which defines a symbol relating to the function of the pad. The exposed area may be covered by a second layer of dark conductive material or left exposed. The symbol enables direct human body member contact with the outer electrode.

White touch pads for capacitive touch control panels

Compacted, granular, fused magnesia used as thermally-conducting electrical insulation in tubular, electrical resistance elements is substantially improved in thermal conductivity through the addition of 0.1 to 10.0 percent of a glass comprising CaO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and optionally Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Magnesia insulated heating elements

Compacted, granular, fused magnesia used as thermally-conducting electrical insulation in tubular, electrical resistance elements is substantially improved in thermal conductivity through the addition of 0.1 to 10.0 percent of a glass comprising CaO, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and optionally Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and method of making said tubular, electrical resistance elements.

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Louisville, KY, United States of America

John Schultz