Whirlpool Corporation

Stephen Zheng

Michael A Ledford

Xiangxu Liu

Owen (XunCai) Zhang

Heng Tong Pit

Owen Zhang

Tony (XinFeng) Huang

A microwave hood system is provided. The microwave hood system includes a microwave oven enclosure defining a cooking cavity therein. A cooking component is positioned within the cooking cavity and configured to emit microwaves. The heating system defines a heating cavity therein, wherein the heating system is coupled to the microwave oven enclosure. A heating element is positioned in the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about 40° C. to about 80° C. when the heating element is in use. A broiler element is positioned within the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about hundred and 150° C. to about 300° C. when the broiler element is in use. A dual hood system is also coupled to the microwave hood system.

Combination microwave and hood system

A microwave includes an external enclosure having a top surface that defines a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet along a front edge thereof. An internal enclosure defines a cooking cavity within the external enclosure. A sidewall of the internal enclosure defines a first air passage, and a top wall of the internal enclosure defines a second air passage. A cooking component area is defined between the internal enclosure and the external enclosure adjacent the sidewall of the internal enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed within the cooking component area. The cooling fan is configured to direct air along a cooling air path from the cooling air inlet, through the cooking component area, through the cooking cavity, and to the cooling air outlet.

A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, side portions, and a bottom portion defining vent inlets. The vent inlets are in fluid communication with the recirculation vent outlets in a recirculation mode and the outside vent outlet in an outside vent mode. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and is configured to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes at least one first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion, and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the vent inlets and through an interior of the external enclosure.

A combined ventilation and microwave oven system includes an external enclosure with a top portion defining recirculation vent outlets, a cooling air inlet, a cooling air outlet, and an outside vent outlet, first and second side portions, and a bottom portion defining a vent inlet. The vent inlet is connected with the recirculation vent outlets and the outside vent outlet via airflow pathways. A hood assembly is disposed within the external enclosure and includes a first hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the first side portion and a second hood fan disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion. The hood assembly is configured to direct air through the vent inlet and through an interior of the external enclosure. A cooling fan is disposed between the cooking cavity and the second side portion to direct air through the cooling air inlet and the cooling air outlet.

A microwave hood system is provided. The microwave hood system includes a microwave oven enclosure defining a cooking cavity therein. A cooking component is positioned within the cooking cavity and configured to emit microwaves. The heating system defines a heating cavity therein, wherein the heating system is coupled to the microwave oven enclosure. A heating element is positioned in the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about 40&#xb0; C. to about 80&#xb0; C. when the heating element is in use. A broiler element is positioned within the heating cavity. The heating cavity reaches a temperature in a range from about hundred and 150&#xb0; C. to about 300&#xb0; C. when the broiler element is in use. A dual hood system is also coupled to the microwave hood system.

A combined ventilation hood and microwave oven system () with an overall vertical dimension () is provided, which is smaller than a conventional combined ventilation hood and microwave oven. One or more vent hood fans () are disposed on lateral sides of a microwave coo-king cavity () to draw in exhaust air () through one or more vent inlets () disposed on a bottom surface () and expel the exhaust air () through one or more vent outlets () defined on a surface of an outer wrapper () of the combined system. The low-profile combined ventilation hood and microwave oven system is coupled with a modular heating system () for heating food, which provides both functions within the space typically required by the conventional combined ventilation hood and microwave oven.

Growing community of inventors

Shenzhen, China

Stephen Zheng