Induction hob with boiling detection and induction energy control, method for heating food with an induction hob and computer program product

An induction cooking hob and a method for heating food as well as a computer program product are disclosed. Based on information of a micro-electromechanical system (1500) in combination with a temperature sensor associated to a heating zone, vibrations can be detected and a heating zone associated with the boiling substance can be properly discriminated from one supporting a pot having a non-boiling substance in it. Subsequent simmering of the substance can be automatically effected. An indication will be provided to a user (1680), and an automated function can be started (1610) including boiling and subsequent simmering, respectively indication of a boiling substance on any of the heating zones on an induction hob (1000).

An aspect of present invention is to provide a temperature control system for a solar cell module, capable of controlling a solar cell module to maintain a proper temperature, the temperature control system comprises: a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the solar cell module; a fluid tube having therein a path along which a temperature controlling fluid flows; a pump configured to supply a temperature controlling fluid which flows along the fluid tube; and an inverter configured to drive the pump such that the temperature controlling fluid is supplied, if the current temperature of the solar cell module is not lower than the pre-stored first pump driving reference temperature, or if the current temperature of the solar cell module is not higher than the pre-stored second pump driving reference temperature.

A method for controlling and adjusting fans of the electronic apparatus is disclosed and comprises following steps: controlling a fan to operate according to a default value after an electronic apparatus is booted; obtaining operating watt value of a CPU after detecting that the temperature of the CPU reaches a set-point; inquiring one of a learning table and a pre-established neural-network data array for obtaining a PWM value and P,I,D parameters corresponding to the operating watt value; performing an error adjustment process to the obtained PWM value through a PID controller; controlling the operation of the fan according to the adjusted PWM value; storing the adjusted PWM value to the learning table if the temperature of the CPU equals the set-point; and, continuing to obtain, adjust and store the PWM value to continuously control the operation of the fan before the electronic apparatus is powered off.

A controller for use in a climate control system includes a power stealing circuit connectible with a control of the climate control system and configured for stealing power via a signal from a power source through the control. An overcurrent limiting circuit is configured to limit a first portion of the signal to prevent a false call for operation of the control. The overcurrent limiting circuit is further configured not to limit a second portion of the signal to prevent a false call, where the control is configured to recognize only the first portion as determinative of whether the signal is a call for operation.

The present invention provides a heating apparatus for heating a load. The heating apparatus comprises a heater having a heating element for receiving electrical power and for converting the electrical power into heat to heat a heating surface of the heater. The heating apparatus also comprises a temperature sensor for sensing and outputting a measurement of the temperature of the heating element, a power actuator for providing the electrical power to the heating element of the heater, a power sensor for sensing and outputting a measurement of the power provided to the heating element by the power actuator, and control circuitry for controlling the power actuator to control the power delivered by the power actuator to the heating element. The control circuitry is configured to receive the temperature measurement from the temperature sensor, receive the power measurement from the power sensor, combine the temperature measurement and the power measurement, and control the power actuator in dependence upon the combined temperature measurement and power measurement. This ensures that the temperature of the heating surface is constant throughout a period when the load is applied.

A power harvesting system employs a saturable core transformer having two primary windings and at least one secondary winding. One of the primary windings is a high impedance winding, and the other primary winding is a low impedance winding. The two primary windings are connected with the load (motor). The secondary winding provides power to the circuit components of a replacement electronic thermostat. Relay contacts connects A/C power to either the high impedance primary winding or to the low impedance primary winding. When the relay is de-energized, A/C power is applied to the high impedance winding so that a relatively small amount of current flows through both the high impedance winding. This current is low enough that it does not energize the motor but is sufficient to generate the required voltage to transfer power to the secondary winding and is used to power the electronic thermostat. When the relay is energized, A/C power is applied directly to the low impedance primary winding, energizing the motor. At the beginning of each A/C cycle, the current through the low impedance winding builds up rapidly until the core saturates. The result is that a short pulse is generated in the secondary on both the positive and negative A/C cycle. This pulse has an amplitude determined by the turns ratio of the low impedance winding to the secondary winding and is used to power the electronic thermostat. After the core saturates, the impedance of the low impedance winding is only the resistance of the wire of the winding which is very small and results in negligible impact on the motor operation and also results in very low power dissipation.

A method and system of providing hot water efficiently. A cost of heating a volume of water to a predetermined temperature in a first water heater is determined. A cost of transferring a volume of hot water from a second water heater of a network of interconnected water heaters to the first water heater is determined. Upon determining that the cost of transferring the volume of hot water from the second water heater is lower than the cost of heating the volume of water of the first water heater, the second water heater transfers at least part of the volume of hot water to the first water heater. Otherwise, the volume of water is heated to the predetermined temperature in the first water heater.

A method for controlling a power output from a screed heating control device for heating a screed device of a paver, the control device comprising: a power input connector device connectable to a remote electrical power source, a power output connector device connectable to the screed device, and a power adjustment unit configured to control the power at the power output connector device for heating the screed device by connecting/disconnecting the power output and power input connector devices, the method comprising: determining a maximum power input available at the power input connector device provided by the remote electrical power source, determining a desired power required for heating the screed device, and controlling the power adjustment unit to control the power from the screed heating control device for heating the screed device from the remote electrical power source depending on the maximum power input and the desired power output.

Embodiments include systems and methods for heating materials, including heating materials for cooking and soldering. A representative system and method for cooking food includes passing electric current through the food, sensing a characteristic of the food, and modulating the electric current in response to the characteristic of the food to achieve a selected internal temperature of the food. The system and method can include searing the food with hot oil or photons directed at the surface of the food. A representative system and method for heating a material includes modulating a plurality of semiconductor light sources to emit photons toward the material, measuring a temperature of the material, and modulating the plurality of semiconductor light sources in response to the temperature of the material. The material can include solder and the method can include heating solder in a reflow soldering process.

A temperature-controlled pressure regulator assembly includes a regulator having a regulator body, a valve seat, an inlet, an outlet, and defines a flow passage connecting the inlet and the outlet. A control element controls the device, a portion of the flow passage extends through a heat chamber, and a heater is positioned to heat the chamber thereby conveying heat to a fluid in the flow passage. A controller is electrically coupled to the heater and is coupled to a power source. A thermal cut-off fuse is coupled to a control circuit, with the thermal cut-off fuse arranged to electrically decouple the heater from the control circuit in response to a temperature exceeding a threshold, thereby deactivating the heater. The thermal cut-off fuse is disposed in a circular fuse holder and positioned adjacent the heater and adjacent a longitudinal center of the heat chamber.