Disclosed is a control strategy for a hot surface igniter. On the basis of a hardware circuit of the hot surface igniter and a software algorithm, a working time of the hot surface igniter is divided into t1, t2, . . . , and to time periods. In each time period, an output voltage or an output power of the hardware circuit is adjusted by the software algorithm to make the hot surface igniter reach an expected temperature. Through the control strategy of the disclosure, ignition time of the hot surface igniter may be easily controlled. The requirements of a user of igniting in a short time are satisfied.

A cooking system including a cooking chamber with a cooking surface therein, at least one resistive heating element providing heat to the cooking surface, an alternating current connection for powering the resistive heating element, and a direct current source.

An induction heating system can be adapted for shrink fitting a plurality of different assemblies. A plurality of tooling units associated to respective ones of the assemblies, each one having an appropriately configured induction coil and holder, can be provided. A computer can be used to control the delivery of electrical power to the induction coil in accordance with a heating recipe, and can be provided with an input device for inputting an assembly identifier allowing the computer to operate the control based on the right heating recipe.

The Impressed Candles apparatus incorporates an improved hand press function into an accessory that makes unique candle molds. An upper press defines a plurality of wax pour openings and an upper press plate having an upper portion of a plurality of wax molds each with a groove for a wick and a semi-round slot for a wick tab. A lower press includes a lower press plate having a respective lower portion of the plurality of wax molds each with a groove for the wick and a respective slot for the wick tab. A heat source in at least one of the upper press and the lower press is included with control electronics for powering and controlling the heat source including a temperature and a time duration for the temperature.

An apparatus and method for heating water using a tank or a tankless water heater with improved electronic control. The improved electronic control may include voice and Wi-Fi control of the water heater to allow for remote control of the water heater including through a remote server or cloud server.

A method for conditioning at least one room comprises receiving a first temperature target for a first room; determining a current temperature of the room; determining a first amount of forced air required to reach the temperature target based on a thermal inertia of the first room and the current temperature; powering on an HVAC blower; and powering off the blower once the determined first amount of forced air is blown.

A method of operating a cooking appliance includes initiating, at a controller, a cooking operation at a first duty cycle. Determining, by the controller, a power level change. Comparing, at the controller, the first duty cycle to a second duty cycle of the power level change. Determining, by the controller, a state of the first duty cycle that comprises one of an on semi-cycle and an off semi-cycle, a passed time of the first duty cycle, and a new time of the second duty cycle. Calculating, by the controller, an additional time of the first duty cycle by subtracting the passed time of the first duty cycle from the new time of the second duty cycle. Then adjusting, at the controller, the power level change and the state of the second duty cycle in response to the additional time passing.

An apparatus and method for heating water using a tank or a tankless water heater with improved electronic control.

A reduction instruction receiver receives a reduction instruction for energy from a server. An energy setter sets, when the reduction instruction receiver receives the reduction instruction, individual target energies for the respective subsystems, the individual target energies each being a target value of a consumption energy for a corresponding subsystem such that (i) a total of individual target energies that are target values of consumption energies for the respective subsystems is smaller than a total target energy that is a target value of a consumption energy of an entirety of the subsystems, and (ii) a higher correlation among consumption energies of the respective subsystems provides an increase in a total margin energy, the total margin energy being a difference between the total target energy and the sum of the individual target energies. The control-instruction transmitter transmits control-instruction information for control of the facility device based on the set individual target energies.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.