초록 ▼

A closed-loop control for sensing the completion of popcorn popping in a microwave oven and automatically shutting down the oven. A sensor is acoustically coupled to the microwave oven cavity and provides an electrical signal to an amplifier and filter. The amplified and filtered signal is processed

A closed-loop control for sensing the completion of popcorn popping in a microwave oven and automatically shutting down the oven. A sensor is acoustically coupled to the microwave oven cavity and provides an electrical signal to an amplifier and filter. The amplified and filtered signal is processed by a pop detector which includes an integrator and shut-down command generator responsive to a decreasing rate of popping to shut the oven off. The integrator provides a pre-pop timer function to maintain the oven on until popping commences.

대표청구항 ▼

A closed-loop automatic control for popping popcorn in a microwave oven comprising: (a) sound transducer means acoustically coupled to a microwave oven cavity having (i) an input for receiving sound generated by the popping of popcorn in the microwave oven cavity, and (ii) an electrical output repre

A closed-loop automatic control for popping popcorn in a microwave oven comprising: (a) sound transducer means acoustically coupled to a microwave oven cavity having (i) an input for receiving sound generated by the popping of popcorn in the microwave oven cavity, and (ii) an electrical output representative thereof; (b) interface circuit means having (i) an input connected to the electrical output of the sound transducer, and (ii) an output providing a shut-off signal responsive to a decreasing level of popping rate of popcorn in the oven; and (c) a microwave oven control circuit having: (i) an input connected to the interface circuit output, and (ii) an output connected to control a source of microwaves in response to a signal at the input wherein the interface circuit means provides the shut-off signal to the oven control circuit when the rate of individual popping of the popcorn falls to an end rate corresponding to the effective completion of popping such that the oven control circuit and source of microwaves are thereafter deactivated.