Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. Kg

Eaton Corporation

Zenith Electronics Corporation

Ranco Inc. of Delaware

Other

Robertshaw Controls Company

Ranco Incorporated of Delware

Robert J Alvord

Jochen Aicher

James Kopec

Vu Nguyen

Leonard W Jenski

Jim Kopec

Anthony M Dmytriw

Werner Kaps

Larry J Motyka

Thomas F Glennon

Joachim Lyszus

Bruno Fuhge

Kimble Allyn Vitkus

Joseph Kadlec

Yoshio W Kano

Ralph Stohr

Raymond Bambule

Joseph S Calabrese

Kevin Lacey

Jeffrey M Huffington

Thaddeus P Okrzesik

Robert Amberg

Matthew Schwind

John L Courtney

Phillip Hawken

Jeffrey A Puskas

Jeffery J Makeever

Michael T Fegan

Jeffery M Huffington

Thomas L Sorensen

Roy W Orr, Jr

Sam Toktaeng

Kayvan K Mirza

Frederick M Urban

Anthony Dmytriw

Scott Johansen

A virtual touch knob assembly is provided that translates sensed movement of a user's fingers around a knob into control signals for operation of an appliance. A knob is provided on a user control panel of an appliance. The knob is fixed, i.e., does not turn or rotate. A system is provided that can sense the user's fingers moving around the fixed knob and translate the sensed input to control signals for setting the operation of the appliance or device.

Virtual touch knob assembly

An LED-based lighting system is operated with a time-based process. The LEDs are first turned on by energizing the system at full power. After a predetermined time period, which is selected so that the junction temperature of the LEDs does not reach a critical temperature, the current supply is ramped down to a steady-state supply. The steady-state current is maintained as long as the light is turned on. When the light is turned on the next time and the LEDs have not cooled down all the way, as determined by the time that has expired since the LEDs were last lit, the full-power time period is shortened accordingly.

Method of operating an LED lighting system

A system and method for controlling automatic defrost of a refrigerator device adaptively moves the defrost cycle to a time period of comparatively low compressor activity based on an evaluation of compressor usage over a cyclically recurring time interval. An adaptive defrost controller (ADC) analyzes stored data to develop a profile for compressor activity vs. time. From this profile, high compressor activity times of the time interval are distinguished from low compressor activity times in the time interval and a defrost cycle is scheduled based on the results of the analyzed data.

Adaptive defrost controller for a refrigeration device

A diagnostic circuit for trouble shooting electronic control units of appliances includes a voltage sensing and signal generation device with an input/output and an input. The circuit includes first terminals for connecting to the load and second terminals for connecting to the two lines of the sinusoidal source. One of the first terminals is connected to the input/output, and another one of the first terminals is connected to the input. A relay is connected between one of the second terminals and the input/output. Another relay is connected between another one of the second terminals and the input. A first diode pair with clamping diodes is connected to the input/output, and a second diode pair first diode pair with clamping diodes is connected to the input.

Diagnostic circuit and method of testing a circuit

A diagnostic circuit is configured for connecting to a unit under test that has a load and a sinusoidal source. The diagnostic circuit includes a voltage sensing device that has an input for sensing a signal, a first terminal for connecting to the load, a second terminal for connecting to the sinusoidal source, and a relay connected between the first and second terminals for connecting the sinusoidal source to the load. Clamping diodes are provide for clamping a sinusoidal signal and include a first clamping diode connected between a D/C voltage source and the input and a second clamping diode connected between ground and the input. A resistor is connected between the D/C voltage source and the first terminal. The diagnostic circuit verifies the operational functionality of the load, related wiring and connections.

A diagnostic circuit is provided. The diagnostic circuit comprises resistors and a capacitor. The diagnostic circuit is monitored to detect the presence of a load and to confirm the proper operation of a relay circuit. The diagnostic circuit generates an oscillating voltage when the relay circuit is open and the load is connected, generates a logic low when the relay circuit is open and the load is disconnected, and generates a logic high when the relay circuit is closed. The diagnostic circuit can be disposed within a diagnostic circuit system that includes one or more of a sensing circuit, a relay circuit, an alternating-current source having a direct current offset, an input circuit, and a high-voltage microprocessor. The high-voltage microprocessor can be bi-directionally optically coupled to an application microprocessor.

Diagnostic circuit

An oven temperature controller for regulating temperature to a temperature setpoint over a temperature range in an oven compartment comprising a microprocessor and memory storage means. The memory storage means stores temperature setpoint related information for temperature setpoints over the temperature range and this information is used by the microprocessor for establishing an upper control limit curve and a lower control limit curve. The upper control limit curve and lower control limit curve have no discontinuities over a majority of the temperature range and at least one of these curves is non-parallel to a temperature setpoint line, the temperature setpoint line formed in a stepwise linear manner between temperature setpoints as the temperature setpoint is varied over the temperature range.

Electronic oven temperature controller having adaptable temperature regulation limits

A method and apparatus for mounting a controller (,) along with its program selector switch (,) and other electrical components (,) on appliance front panels is disclosed. A twist mount (,) removably mounts a selector switch (,) and printed circuit board (,) to a control panel (,) of an appliance. The switch (,) may be positioned off-center on the printed circuit board (,) in a manner creating a gravity-based rotational torque force on the twist mount (,), such that the printed circuit board (,) acts as a cantilever arm during mounting, and the selector switch (,) is held in the mounted position via the gravity force after mounting.

Panel mounted controller and integrated selector switch

A method and apparatus for operating and executing a self-test routine of an LED display device adapted for assembly into home appliance. The device is comprised of a plurality of LED elements, a control processor, a switch assembly, and a signaling element. The self-test routine comprises disposing the switch assembly in a predetermined pattern for detecting switch operability and initiating a program in the processor for self-testing of illumination of the LED elements. The elements are monitored during the self-test routine for communicating a minimum current level preselected as identifying proper illumination. Failure of the self-test routine to properly detect minimum current levels precludes a proper response from the signaling element within a predetermined time limit, thereby causing the display device to be identified as an unacceptable device.

Self-test routine for LED display

In an appliance such as an oven for cooking food, the invention contemplates a user rotatable, single knob oven control device which provides both discrete and continuous control signals to the appliance controller. The discrete outputs indicate selection of oven features, and the continuous output the desired baking temperature. These inputs are selected by a user in response to rotation of a user interface knob mounted on a control panel. The control panel provides visual indication of oven cooking temperature selections through a first arc around the knob, and user selectable oven features (such as, e.g., OFF/CANCEL, BROIL, and CLEAN) in a second arc around the knob. The control device comprises a hub having a portion adapted to be drivably coupled to the user interface knob. The hub also includes a flange which has at least one cam. The device also includes a variable resistance element having a rotatable shaft in driving engagement with the hub. This element provides a variable resistance output in response to rotation of the shaft through the first arc. Additionally, the device includes a push button switch which is located external to the variable resistance element. The switch is also located in proximity with the flange such that rotation of the hub will bring the cam in contact with the switch to actuate it. This switch provides a discrete output when actuated by the cam to indicate a selection of one of the oven features.

Single knob rotary oven control apparatus providing continuous and

Self-test routine and circuit for LED display

A control system for a dishwasher (10) utilizing a turbidity sensor (24) to achieve an optimum fill cycle water level in a sealable chamber (12) into which soiled dishes are loaded. An electronically actuable fill valve (20) is controlled by a microprocessor (22) in response to signals received from the sensor (24) indicative of the turbidity of water in the chamber (12) during the fill cycle. Once turbidity of the water in the chamber stabilizes or drops to a predefined level, the fill water is determined to have reached an optimum level and the flow of supply water is shut off.

Water fill sensing for a dishwasher

A rotary encoded switch having a plurality of stationary discrete micro switches operated by a rotor having a plurality of concentric cam tracks. The cam tracks and switches are disposed such that for each rotary position of the rotor at least two switches, on opposite sides of the rotor are actuated and a discrete combination of switches is actuated for each position of the rotor. The number of microswitches required is less than half the number of rotary positions.

Multiple switch assembly including spring biased rotary cam with

A triac-based electronic control system (20) for an electrical appliance which alternately applies and disrupts power in full cycles or full half cycles. Each zero crossing in a wave cycle is detected and this information is input into a microprocessor (U1) along with a user selected power level. The microprocessor outputs a triac control signal (36) to alternately turn ON and turn OFF power to a heater element (22) to produce a duty cycle used to achieve the desired heating level.

Control system for even lighting of surface elements in a glass cook top

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Elmwood Park, IL, United States of America

Robert J Alvord