A method for detecting an influence of microwaves on a measurement value of a temperature sensor of a core temperature probe of a cooking appliance, includes: recording the measurement value of the temperature sensor; determining the slope of the course of the recorded measurement values in at least one analysis interval (A, B) which is in a predetermined relation to a switch-on time and/or a switch-off time of a microwave generator; determining whether the slope lies above or below a predefined threshold; interpreting the exceedance of or falling below the threshold to the effect that the corresponding temperature sensor is not located in a food to be cooked and/or the core temperature probe is not correctly inserted into the food or into a receptacle provided for the same.

Several embodiments include a cooking appliance/instrument (e.g., oven). The cooking appliance/instrument can include a cooking chamber, a support tray adapted to hold food in the cooking chamber; and a heating system comprised of at least a heating element. The heating system is adapted to emit waves according to a particular configuration such that the emitted waves is substantially transparent or substantially opaque to the support tray and thus enabling the cooking instrument to select what to heat.

A probe assembly for a cooking appliance includes an outer case that includes a cap, a body, and retention features that are coupled to each of the cap and the body. A first temperature sensor is operably coupled to the cap of the outer case. A probe is operably coupled to the body of the outer case and is selectively concealed by the cap. A second temperature sensor is operably coupled to the probe. A controller is communicatively coupled to each of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the first temperature sensor when the cap is directly coupled to the body of the outer case.

A meat probe has a shaft, plug, and stabilizer for measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature) of a piece of meat and communicating the measurement to a cooking appliance. The stabilizer may have a plurality of wings. For example, two wings may be cantilevered about a proximal end that is at the shaft. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the wings are bent outwardly about the proximal end. In another example, four wings are connected on opposite ends to a first and second base, and the shaft extends through the first and second bases. As the shaft is inserted into the piece of meat, the second base is pushed upward, decreasing the distance between the first and second base and bending the wings about a middle portion.

A method for detecting an influence of microwaves on a measurement value of a temperature sensor of a core temperature probe of a cooking appliance, includes: recording the measurement value of the temperature sensor; determining the slope of the course of the recorded measurement values in at least one analysis interval (A, B) which is in a predetermined relation to a switch-on time and/or a switch-off time of a microwave generator; determining whether the slope lies above or below a predefined threshold; interpreting the exceedance of or falling below the threshold to the effect that the corresponding temperature sensor is not located in a food to be cooked and/or the core temperature probe is not correctly inserted into the food or into a receptacle provided for the same.

Several embodiments include a cooking appliance/instrument (e.g., oven). The cooking appliance/instrument can include a cooking chamber, a support tray adapted to hold food in the cooking chamber; and a heating system comprised of at least a heating element. The heating system is adapted to emit waves according to a particular configuration such that the emitted waves is substantially transparent or substantially opaque to the support tray and thus enabling the cooking instrument to select what to heat.

A microwave heating element includes a microwave antenna configured to absorb power from a microwave field in a microwave oven, a housing having a first end coupled to the microwave antenna and a second end configured to be inserted into an item to be heated, and a transmission line positioned within the housing, the transmission line having an end coupled to the microwave antenna. The transmission line is configured to spatially distribute the power absorbed from the microwave field into the item to be heated at a location between the first end and the second end of the housing.

A high-frequency heating apparatus includes: a heating chamber for accommodating a load; a microwave source; at least one radiator; a temperature detector; and a controller. The microwave source generates a microwave and adjusts the frequency and output of the microwave. The at least one radiator radiates a microwave into the heating chamber. The temperature detector detects the temperature in the heating chamber. The controller causes the microwave source to adjust the output of the microwave based on the temperature profile that defines the temperature change in the load, and the temperature in the heating chamber. According to this aspect, food can be heated in accordance with the temperature profile appropriate for the cooking recipe, thereby ensuring the quality of cooked food.

The present invention relates to a microwave powered sensor assembly for microwave ovens. The microwave powered sensor assembly includes a microwave antenna to generate an RF antenna signal in response to microwave radiation at a predetermined excitation frequency. A direct current (dc) power supply circuit of the microwave powered sensor assembly is operatively coupled to the RF antenna signal to extract energy from the RF antenna signal and produce a power supply voltage. A sensor is connected to the power supply voltage and configured to measure a physical or chemical property of a food item under heating in a microwave oven chamber.

The present invention relates to a medical preparation container which includes a microwave power sensor assembly. The microwave powered sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to measure a physical property or chemical property of a medical preparation during its heating in a microwave oven. The microwave powered sensor assembly is configured for harvesting energy from a microwave radiation emitted by the microwave oven and energize the sensor by the harvested microwave energy.