U.S. patent application number 14/452616 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for oven appliance and a method for operating an oven appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to James Lee Armstrong, Joshua Stephen Wiseman.
Application Number | 20160040892 14/452616 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55267151 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160040892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wiseman; Joshua Stephen ; et
al. |
February 11, 2016 |
OVEN APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING AN OVEN APPLIANCE
Abstract
An oven appliance with one or more features for minimizing the
time to preheat the cooking chamber is provided. Features for
adequately heating the air and the surfaces of the cooking chamber
are also provided. Further, a method for operating an oven
appliance to minimize the preheat time and adequately heat the air
and surfaces of the cooking chamber is provided.
Inventors: |
Wiseman; Joshua Stephen;
(Elizabethtown, KY) ; Armstrong; James Lee;
(Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55267151 |
Appl. No.: |
14/452616 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/412 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 7/088 20130101;
F24C 7/085 20130101; F24C 15/322 20130101; F24C 7/081 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 7/08 20060101
F24C007/08 |
Claims
1. A method for operating an oven appliance, the oven appliance
having a cooking chamber configured for receipt of food items for
cooking, the oven appliance also having a bake heating element, a
broil heating element, a convection heating element, and a fan, the
method comprising the steps of: establishing a cooking chamber
temperature set point T.sub.pre; activating the convection heating
element and the fan; determining whether the convection heating
element and the fan have been activated for a predetermined period
of time t.sub.conv and, if so, then deactivating the convection
heating element; activating the bake heating element; determining
whether the bake heating element has been activated for a
predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if so, then
deactivating the bake heating element; activating the broil heating
element; sensing whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has
reached T.sub.pre, and, if so, then providing a signal to a user of
the oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has reached
T.sub.pre.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sensing
whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre during the step of determining
whether the convection heating element and the fan have been
activated for a predetermined period of time t.sub.conv and, if so,
then providing a signal to a user of the oven appliance that the
cooking chamber temperature has reached T.sub.pre.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sensing
whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre during the step determining whether
the bake heating element has been activated for a predetermined
period of time t.sub.bake and, if so, then providing a signal to a
user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has
reached T.sub.pre.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
activating the bake element during the step of activating the
convection element; determining whether the bake element has been
activated for the predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if
so, then deactivating the bake element.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
activating the broil element during the step of activating the
convection element; determining whether the broil element has been
activated for the predetermined period of time t.sub.broil and, if
so, then deactivating the broil element.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of
determining whether the broil heating element has been activated
for a predetermined period of time t.sub.broil during the step of
sensing whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached
T.sub.pre and, if so, then deactivating the broil heating element;
and repeating the step of activating the bake heating element.
7. A method for operating an oven appliance, the oven appliance
having a cooking chamber configured for receipt of food items for
cooking, the oven appliance also having a bake heating element, a
broil heating element, a convection heating element, and a fan, the
method comprising the steps of: establishing a cooking chamber
temperature set point T.sub.pre; activating the convection heating
element and the fan; sensing whether the temperature in the cooking
chamber has reached at least a temperature T.sub.conv and, if so,
then deactivating the convection heating element; activating the
bake heating element; determining whether the bake heating element
has been used for a predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if
so, then deactivating the bake heating element; activating the
broil heating element; sensing whether the temperature in the
cooking chamber has reached T.sub.pre and, if so, then providing a
signal to a user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber
temperature has reached T.sub.pre.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of sensing
whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre during the step of sensing whether
the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached at least a
temperature T.sub.conv and, if so, then providing a signal to a
user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has
reached T.sub.pre.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of sensing
whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre during the step determining whether
the bake heating element has been activated for a predetermined
period of time t.sub.bake and, if so, then providing a signal to a
user of the oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has
reached T.sub.pre.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:
activating the bake element during the step of activating the
convection element; determining whether the bake element has been
activated for the predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if
so, then deactivating the bake element.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:
activating the broil element during the step of activating the
convection element; determining whether the broil element has been
activated for the predetermined period of time t.sub.broil and, if
so, then deactivating the broil element.
12. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of
determining whether the broil heating element has been activated
for a predetermined period of time t.sub.broil during the step of
sensing whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached
T.sub.pre and, if so, then deactivating the broil heating element;
and repeating the step of activating the bake heating element.
13. An oven appliance, comprising: a cabinet, the cabinet defining
a cooking chamber configured for receipt of food items for cooking,
the cooking chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall,
and opposing side walls; a bake heating element, a broil heating
element, and a convection heating element, the heating elements
configured to heat the cooking chamber; a fan; and a controller in
operative communication with the heating elements and the fan, the
controller configured for establishing a cooking chamber
temperature set point T.sub.pre; activating the convection heating
element and the fan; determining whether the convection heating
element and the fan have been activated for a predetermined period
of time t.sub.conv and, if so, then deactivating the convection
heating element; activating the bake heating element; determining
whether the bake heating element has been activated for a
predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if so, then
deactivating the bake heating element; activating the broil heating
element; sensing whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has
reached T.sub.pre and, if so, then providing a signal to a user of
the oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has reached
T.sub.pre.
14. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the bake heating
element is disposed below the bottom wall of the cooking
chamber.
15. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the convection heating
element is at least a 4000W element.
16. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the controller is
further configured for sensing whether the temperature in the
cooking chamber has reached the temperature set point T.sub.pre
while determining whether the convection heating element and the
fan have been activated for a predetermined period of time
t.sub.conv and, if so, then providing a signal to a user of the
oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has reached
T.sub.pre.
17. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the controller is
further configured for sensing whether the temperature in the
cooking chamber has reached the temperature set point T.sub.pre
while determining whether the bake heating element has been
activated for a predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if so,
then providing a signal to a user of the oven appliance that the
cooking chamber temperature has reached T.sub.pre.
18. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the controller is
further configured for further comprising the steps of: activating
the bake element during the step of activating the convection
element; determining whether the bake element has been activated
for the predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if so, then
deactivating the bake element.
19. The oven appliance of claim 13, wherein the controller is
further configured for activating the broil element during the step
of activating the convection element; determining whether the broil
element has been activated for the predetermined period of time
t.sub.broil and, if so, then deactivating the broil element.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates
generally to an oven appliance and a method for operating an oven
appliance to preheat the oven cavity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Oven appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a
cooking chamber for baking or broiling food items therein. Oven
appliances also generally include a self-cleaning feature for
cleaning the cooking chamber. To heat the cooking chamber for
baking or for self-cleaning, oven appliances include one or more
heating elements positioned at a top portion, bottom portion, or
both of the cooking chamber. Some oven appliances also include a
convection heating element and fan for convection cooking cycles.
The heating element or elements may be used for various cycles of
the oven appliance, such as a preheat cycle, a cooking cycle, or a
self-cleaning cycle.
[0003] In certain configurations of oven appliances, the bake
heating element may be positioned beneath the floor of the cooking
chamber to enlarge the volume of the cooking chamber and hide the
heating element from the view of a user of the oven appliance.
However, such hidden bake ovens have relatively slow preheat cycle
times because the floor of the cooking chamber must be kept cool
enough to avoid enamel crazing. Further, the air in the center of
the cooking chamber may be heated to the preheat temperature before
the surfaces of the cooking chamber are adequately heated for
radiation heat transfer to the food items to be cooked.
[0004] Accordingly, an oven appliance with features for minimizing
the preheat time and adequately heating the air and surfaces of the
cooking chamber would be useful. Further, a method for operating an
oven appliance to minimize the preheat time and adequately heat the
air and surfaces of the cooking chamber would be beneficial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides an oven appliance with one or
more features for minimizing the time to preheat the cooking
chamber. Features for adequately heating the air and the surfaces
of the cooking chamber are also provided. Further, a method for
operating an oven appliance to minimize the preheat time and
adequately heat the air and surfaces of the cooking chamber is
provided. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the following description, may be apparent
from the description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0006] In a first exemplary embodiment, a method for operating an
oven appliance having a cooking chamber configured for receipt of
food items for cooking and having a bake heating element, a broil
heating element, a convection heating element, and a fan comprises
the steps of establishing a cooking chamber temperature set point
T.sub.pre; activating the convection heating element and the fan;
determining whether the convection heating element and the fan have
been activated for a predetermined period of time t.sub.conv and,
if so, then deactivating the convection heating element; activating
the bake heating element; determining whether the bake heating
element has been activated for a predetermined period of time
t.sub.bake and, if so, then deactivating the bake heating element;
activating the broil heating element; sensing whether the
temperature in the cooking chamber has reached T.sub.pre and, if
so, then providing a signal to a user of the oven appliance that
the cooking chamber temperature has reached T.sub.pre.
[0007] In a second exemplary embodiment, a method for operating an
oven appliance having a cooking chamber configured for receipt of
food items for cooking and having a bake heating element, a broil
heating element, a convection heating element, and a fan comprises
the steps of establishing a cooking chamber temperature set point
T.sub.pre; activating the convection heating element and the fan;
sensing whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has reached
at least a temperature T.sub.conv and, if so, then deactivating the
convection heating element; activating the bake heating element;
determining whether the bake heating element has been activated for
a predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if so, then
deactivating the bake heating element; activating the broil heating
element; sensing whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has
reached T.sub.pre and, if so, then providing a signal to a user of
the oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has reached
T.sub.pre.
[0008] In a third exemplary embodiment, an oven appliance includes
a cabinet, and the cabinet defines a cooking chamber configured for
the receipt of food items for cooking The cooking chamber has a top
wall, a bottom wall, a back wall, and opposing side walls. The oven
appliance also includes a bake heating element, a broil heating
element, and a convection heating element, and the heating elements
are configured to heat the cooking chamber. Further, the oven
appliance includes a fan and a controller; the controller is in
operative communication with the heating elements and the fan. The
controller is configured for establishing a cooking chamber
temperature set point T.sub.pre; activating the convection heating
element and the fan; determining whether the convection heating
element and the fan have been activated for a predetermined period
of time t.sub.conv and, if so, then deactivating the convection
heating element; activating the bake heating element; determining
whether the bake heating element has been activated for a
predetermined period of time t.sub.bake and, if so, then
deactivating the bake heating element; activating the broil heating
element; sensing whether the temperature in the cooking chamber has
reached T.sub.pre and, if so, then providing a signal to a user of
the oven appliance that the cooking chamber temperature has reached
T.sub.pre.
[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary embodiment of
an oven appliance of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the oven appliance of
FIG. 1 taken along the 2-2 line of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 provides a chart illustrating an exemplary method for
operating an oven appliance according to the present subject
matter.
[0014] FIG. 4 provides a chart illustrating another exemplary
method for operating an oven appliance according to the present
subject matter.
[0015] FIG. 5 provides a chart illustrating another exemplary
method for operating an oven appliance according to the present
subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 6 provides a chart illustrating another exemplary
method for operating an oven appliance according to the present
subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, for this exemplary embodiment,
oven appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 102 with an
interior cooking chamber 104 defined by a top wall 112, a bottom
wall 114, a back wall 116, and opposing side walls 118, 120.
Cooking chamber 104 is configured for the receipt of one or more
food items to be cooked. Oven appliance 100 includes a door 108
pivotally mounted, e.g., with one or more hinges (not shown), to
cabinet 102 at the opening 106 of cabinet 102 to permit selective
access to cooking chamber 104 through opening 106. A handle 110 is
mounted to door 108 and assists a user with opening and closing
door 108. For example, a user can pull on handle 110 to open or
close door 108 and access cooking chamber 104.
[0019] Oven appliance 100 can include a seal (not shown) between
door 108 and cabinet 102 that assists with maintaining heat and
cooking fumes within cooking chamber 104 when door 108 is closed as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Multiple parallel glass panes 122 provide
for viewing the contents of cooking chamber 104 when door 108 is
closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber 104. A baking
rack 142 is positioned in cooking chamber 104 for the receipt of
food items or utensils containing food items. Baking rack 142 is
slidably received onto embossed ribs or sliding rails 144 such that
rack 142 may be conveniently moved into and out of cooking chamber
104 when door 108 is open.
[0020] A heating element at the top, bottom, or both of cooking
chamber 104 provides heat to cooking chamber 104 for cooking Such
heating element(s) can be gas, electric, microwave, or a
combination thereof. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
2, oven appliance 100 includes a top heating element 124 and a
bottom heating element 126, where bottom heating element 126 is
positioned adjacent to and below bottom wall 114. One or more
openings in bottom wall 114, such as openings 150, allow heated air
to flow from beneath bottom wall 114 and into cooking chamber 104.
Other configurations with or without wall 114 may be used as
well.
[0021] Oven appliance 100 also has a convection heating element 136
and convection fan 138 positioned adjacent back wall 116 of cooking
chamber 104. Convection fan 138 is powered by a convection fan
motor 139. Convection heating element 136 may be capable of at
least a 4000W input to cooking chamber 104, or two or more separate
convection elements may be used to achieve a 4000W or more input to
cooking chamber 104. In certain embodiments, oven appliance 100 may
also include a bidirectional triode thyristor (not shown), i.e., a
triode for alternating current (triac), to regulate the operation
of convection heating element 136 such that an appropriate wattage
is provided for particular cycles of oven appliance 100, such as a
preheat cycle or a convection cooking cycle. Other methods of
regulating the wattage supplied by convection element 136 may also
be used.
[0022] Oven appliance 100 includes a user interface 128 having a
display 130 positioned on an interface panel 132 and having a
variety of controls 134. Interface 128 allows the user to select
various options for the operation of oven 100 including, e.g.,
temperature, time, and/or various cooking and cleaning cycles.
Operation of oven appliance 100 can be regulated by a controller
140 that is operatively coupled, i.e., in communication with, user
interface 128, heating elements 124, 126, and other components of
oven 100 as will be further described.
[0023] For example, in response to user manipulation of the user
interface 128, controller 140 can operate the heating element(s).
Controller 140 can receive measurements from a temperature sensor
146 placed in cooking chamber 104 and, e.g., provide a temperature
indication to the user with display 130. Controller 140 can also be
provided with other features as will be further described
herein.
[0024] Controller 140 may include a memory and one or more
processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs, or the like, such
as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute
programming instructions or micro-control code associated with
operation of oven appliance 100. The memory may represent random
access memory such as DRAM or read only memory such as ROM or
FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming
instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate
component from the processor or may be included onboard within the
processor.
[0025] Controller 140 may be positioned in a variety of locations
throughout oven appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment,
controller 140 is located next to user interface 128 within
interface panel 132. In other embodiments, controller 140 may be
located under or next to the user interface 128 otherwise within
interface panel 132 or at any other appropriate location with
respect to oven appliance 100. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 1, input/output ("I/O") signals are routed between controller
140 and various operational components of oven appliance 100 such
as heating elements 124, 126, 136, convection fan 138, controls
134, display 130, sensor 146, alarms, and/or other components as
may be provided. In one embodiment, user interface 128 may
represent a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional
block.
[0026] Although shown with touch type controls 134, it should be
understood that controls 134 and the configuration of oven
appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only.
More specifically, user interface 128 may include various input
components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical,
mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary
dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface 128 may include
other display components, such as a digital or analog display
device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User
interface 128 may be in communication with controller 140 via one
or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
[0027] While oven 100 is shown as a wall oven, the present
invention could also be used with other cooking appliances such as,
e.g., a stand-alone oven, an oven with a stove-top, or other
configurations of such ovens.
[0028] Oven appliance 100 may have several cooking and cleaning
cycles, including a preheat cycle. Generally, the preheat cycle
ensures the cooking chamber is thermally "soaked," such that the
air temperature in the center of the cooking chamber has reached
the cooking temperature and the surfaces of the cooking chamber are
heated to a temperature for radiation heat transfer from the
surfaces. Oven appliance 100 may include several features to
shorten the preheat cycle time while also avoiding undesirable
conditions such as, e.g., enamel crazing of the bottom surface 114
of cooking chamber 104.
[0029] As an example, convection heating element 136 may be sized
to be at least a 4000W heating element, or more than one convection
heating element may be used to achieve at least 4000W of convection
heating power. Further, methods of operating oven appliance 100 may
utilize the convection heating element and fan, followed by the
bake and broil heating elements, during the preheat cycle to
properly heat soak cooking chamber 104 in a shortened period of
time. For example, operation of convection heating element 136 and
fan 138 may be cycled with bake heating element 126 and broil
heating element 124 to heat the air in and surfaces of cooking
chamber 104. Such features and methods of operating oven appliance
100 will be further described below.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method of operating oven
appliance 100. Method 200 may be performed by controller 140 or any
other suitable device or devices. At step 202, a cooking chamber
temperature set point T.sub.pre for a preheat cycle is established.
The temperature set point T.sub.pre may be determined using the
cooking temperature selected by the user of the oven appliance,
e.g., the temperature set point T.sub.pre may be the cooking
temperature selected by the user or a temperature over or under the
selected cooking temperature. In alternative embodiments,
temperature set point T.sub.pre may be a predetermined temperature
that is used for each preheat cycle, regardless of the cooking
temperature selected by the user. Other values of and methods for
determining the temperature set point T.sub.pre may be used as
well.
[0031] After establishing temperature set point T.sub.pre, at step
204, convection heating element 136 and fan 138 are activated,
i.e., powered on to heat cooking chamber 104. In alternative
embodiments, convection heating element 136 may be activated
without activating fan 138. In still other embodiments, as
described above, more than one convection heating element may be
provided in cooking chamber 104, which may be activated together or
separately, with or without activating fan 138.
[0032] At step 206, controller 140 may determine if the temperature
in cooking chamber 104 has reached the temperature set point
T.sub.pre. If so, at step 208 a signal may be provided to a user of
oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature
set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is complete. The
signal may be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that
indicates to the user that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre. By way of example, the signal may
be a notification displayed on user interface 128 of the appliance,
an LED light, a buzzer, and/or any other appropriate visual and/or
audible signal.
[0033] However, if it is determined at step 206 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 200 includes step 210, where controller
140 determines whether convection heating element 136 and
convection fan 138 have been activated for a predetermined period
of time t.sub.conv. If not, method 200 may return to step 204 such
that convection heating element 136 and convection fan 138 remain
activated. If convection heating element 136 and convection fan 138
have been activated for time t.sub.conv, method 200 continues to
step 212. At step 212, convection heating element 136 is
deactivated; fan 138 may also be deactivated at step 214.
[0034] Once convection heating element 136 is deactivated, bake
heating element 126 is activated at step 214 to continue heating
cooking chamber 104. At step 216, controller 140 may determine if
the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 218 a signal may be provided to
a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is
complete. As described with respect to step 208, the signal may be,
e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that indicates to the user
that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature set point
T.sub.pre.
[0035] Conversely, if it is determined at step 216 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 200 includes step 220, where controller
140 may determine whether bake heating element 126 has been
activated for a predetermined period of time t.sub.bake. If not,
method 200 may return to step 214 such that bake heating element
126 remains activated. If bake heating element 126 has been
activated for time t.sub.bake, method 200 continues to step 222. At
step 222, bake heating element 126 is deactivated.
[0036] Then, at step 224, broil heating element 124 is activated to
heat cooking chamber 104. At step 226, controller 140 may determine
if the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 228 a signal may be
provided to a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104
has reached temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat
cycle is complete. As described with respect to steps 208 and 218,
the signal may be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that
indicates to the user that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre.
[0037] However, if it is determined at step 226 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 200 includes step 230, where the
controller may determine whether broil heating element 124 has been
activated for a predetermined period of time t.sub.broil. If not,
method 200 may return to step 224 such that broil heating element
124 remains activated. If broil heating element 124 has been
employed for time t.sub.broil, method 200 may include step 232 of
deactivating broil heating element 124 and then return to step 214
and activate bake element 126 to continue heating cooking chamber
104 to reach temperature set point T.sub.pre. In alternative
embodiments, method 200 may return to step 204 rather than step 214
and reactivate convection heating element 136 and fan 138, or in
certain embodiments, method 200 may return to step 204 and
reactivate only convection heating element 136. Further, as
described, oven appliance 100 may include multiple convection
heating elements 136, and one or more convection heating elements
may be reactivated if method 200 returns to step 204 from step
232.
[0038] The predetermined period of time t.sub.conv may be longer
than predetermined periods of time t.sub.bake and t.sub.broil.
Further, predetermined period of time t.sub.bake may be longer than
time t.sub.broil. As an example, for a preheat cycle for a selected
cooking temperature of 350.degree. F., time t.sub.conv may be about
300 seconds, time t.sub.bake may be about 90 seconds, and time
t.sub.broil may be about 20 seconds. Other values for t.sub.conv,
t.sub.bake and t.sub.broil may also be used, and the values for
t.sub.conv, t.sub.bake and t may vary based on the selected cooking
temperature and its associated temperature set point T.sub.pre.
[0039] In other embodiments, method 200 may include a different
order of operation of convection heating element 136, bake heating
element 126, and/or broil heating element 124, e.g., bake heating
element 126 may be activated, followed by broil heating element
124, and then convection heating element 136, where each heating
element may be activated for a predetermined period of time and
then deactivated before the next heating element is activated, as
described above. In still other embodiments, heating elements 124,
126, 136 may be activated at the same time or in pairs, e.g.,
convection heating element 136 may be activated, then bake heating
element 126 and broil heating element 124 may be activated at the
same time. Alternatively, method 200 may include a delay period
between the operation of each heating element, i.e., in certain
embodiments, no heating element is in use for the delay period of
time after each heating element is deactivated. The delay period
may be, e.g., about one second. Other arrangements of method 200
also may be used.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary method of operating
oven appliance 100, which may be performed by controller 140 or any
other suitable device or devices. At step 302 of method 300, the
cooking chamber temperature set point T.sub.pre for the preheat
cycle is established. As described with respect to exemplary method
200, the temperature set point T.sub.pre may be determined by the
cooking temperature selected by the user of the oven appliance,
e.g., the temperature set point T.sub.pre may be the cooking
temperature selected by the user or a temperature over or under the
selected cooking temperature. In alternative embodiments,
temperature set point T.sub.pre may be a predetermined temperature
that is used for each preheat cycle, regardless of the cooking
temperature selected by the user. Other values of and methods for
determining the temperature set point T.sub.pre may be used as
well.
[0041] After establishing temperature set point T.sub.pre,
convection heating element 136 and fan 138 are activated at step
304 to heat cooking chamber 104. In alternative embodiments,
convection heating element 136 may be activated at step 304 without
activating fan 138. In still other embodiments, as described above,
more than one convection heating element may be provided in cooking
chamber 104, which may be energized and operated together or
separately, with or without energizing and operating fan 138.
[0042] At step 306, controller 140 may determine if the temperature
in cooking chamber 104, as measured by, e.g., temperature sensor
146, has reached the temperature set point T.sub.pre. If so, at
step 308 a signal may be provided to a user of oven appliance 100
that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature set point
T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is complete. The signal may
be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that indicates to the
user that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature set point
T.sub.pre. By way of example, the signal may be a notification
displayed on user interface 128 of the appliance, an LED light, a
buzzer, and/or any other appropriate visual and/or audible
signal.
[0043] However, if it is determined at step 306 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 300 includes step 310, where the
controller may determine whether the temperature in cooking chamber
104 has reached at least a predetermined temperature T.sub.conv.
Temperature T.sub.conv is less than the temperature set point
T.sub.pre and may be, e.g., the difference between the temperature
set point T.sub.pre and a temperature offset T.sub.offset.
Temperature offset T.sub.offset may be determined experimentally
and programmed into controller 140. As an example, if temperature
offset T.sub.offset is determined to be and is programmed as
100.degree. F., if temperature set point T.sub.pre is established
as 350.degree. F. at step 302, then temperature T.sub.conv would be
250.degree. F. Temperature T.sub.conv may be determined in other
ways as well. If at step 310 the temperature within cooking chamber
104 has not reached at least temperature T.sub.conv, method 300 may
return to step 304, such that convection heating element 136 and
convection fan 138 remain activated. If the temperature has reached
at least T.sub.conv, method 300 continues to step 312. At step 312,
convection heating element 136 is deactivated; fan 138 may also be
deactivated at step 312.
[0044] At step 314, bake heating element 126 is activated to heat
cooking chamber 104. At step 316, controller 140 may determine if
the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 318 a signal may be provided to
a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is
complete. As described with respect to step 308, the signal may be,
e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that indicates to the user
that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature set point
T.sub.pre.
[0045] Otherwise, if it is determined at step 316 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 300 includes step 320, where controller
140 determines whether bake heating element 126 has been used for a
predetermined period of time t.sub.bake. If not, method 300 may
return to step 314 such that bake heating element 126 remains
activated to heat cooking chamber 104. If bake heating element 126
has been used for time t.sub.bake, method 300 continues to step
322, where bake heating element 126 is deactivated.
[0046] Then, at step 324, broil heating element 124 is activated to
heat cooking chamber 104. At step 326, controller 140 may determine
if the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 328 a signal may be
provided to a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104
has reached temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat
cycle is complete. As described with respect to steps 308 and 318,
the signal may be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that
indicates to the user that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre.
[0047] However, if it is determined at step 326 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 300 includes step 330, where the
controller may determine whether broil heating element 124 has been
employed for a predetermined period of time t.sub.broil. If not,
method 300 may return to step 324 such that broil heating element
124 remains activated. If broil heating element 124 has been
employed for time t.sub.broil, method 300 may include step 332 of
deactivating broil heating element 124, and then method 300 may
return to step 314 and activate bake element 126 to continue
heating cooking chamber 104 to reach temperature set point
T.sub.pre. In alternative embodiments, method 300 may return to
step 304 rather than step 314 and reactivate convection heating
element 136 and fan 138, or in certain embodiments, method 300 may
return to step 304 and reactivate only convection heating element
136. Further, as described, oven appliance 100 may include multiple
convection heating elements 136, and one or more convection heating
elements may be reactivated if method 300 returns to step 304 from
step 332.
[0048] The predetermined period of time t.sub.bake may be longer
than time t.sub.broil. As an example, for a preheat cycle for a
selected cooking temperature of 350.degree. F., time t.sub.bake may
be about 90 seconds, and time t.sub.broil may be about 20 seconds.
Other values for t.sub.bake and t.sub.broil may also be used, and
the values for t.sub.bake, and t.sub.broil may vary based on the
selected cooking temperature and its associated temperature set
point T.sub.pre.
[0049] In other embodiments, method 300 may include a different
order of operation of convection heating element 136, bake heating
element 126, and/or broil heating element 124, e.g., bake heating
element 126 may be activated, followed by broil heating element
124, and then convection heating element 136, where each heating
element may be activated for a predetermined period of time and
then deactivated before the next heating element is activated, as
described above. In still other embodiments, heating elements 124,
126, 136 may be activated at the same time or in pairs, e.g.,
convection heating element 136 may be activated, then bake heating
element 126 and broil heating element 124 may be activated at the
same time. Alternatively, method 300 may include a delay period
between the operation of each heating element, i.e., in certain
embodiments, no heating element is in use for the delay period of
time after convection heating element 136 is operated, bake heating
element is used, and broil heating element is employed. The delay
period may be, e.g., about one second. Other arrangements of method
300 also may be used. For example, a combination of the embodiments
of FIGS. 3 and 4, including both time t.sub.conv and temperature
T.sub.conv, may be used.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 5, another exemplary method of
operating oven appliance 100 is illustrated. As described with
respect to exemplary methods 200 and 300, method 400 may be
performed by controller 140 or any other suitable device or
devices. At step 402 of method 400, the cooking chamber temperature
set point T.sub.pre for the preheat cycle is established. As
described with respect to exemplary methods 200 and 300, the
temperature set point T.sub.pre may be determined by the cooking
temperature selected by the user of the oven appliance, e.g., the
temperature set point T.sub.pre may be the cooking temperature
selected by the user or a temperature over or under the selected
cooking temperature. In alternative embodiments, temperature set
point T.sub.pre may be a predetermined temperature that is used for
each preheat cycle, regardless of the cooking temperature selected
by the user. Other values of and methods for determining the
temperature set point T.sub.pre may be used as well.
[0051] After establishing temperature set point T.sub.pre,
convection heating element 136 and fan 138 are activated at step
404 to heat cooking chamber 104. In alternative embodiments,
convection heating element 136 may be activated at step 404 without
activating fan 138. In still other embodiments, as described above,
more than one convection heating element may be provided in cooking
chamber 104, which may be energized and operated together or
separately, with or without energizing and operating fan 138.
[0052] Then, at step 406, bake heating element 126 is activated. At
step 408, controller 140 may determine whether bake heating element
124 has been activated for a predetermined period of time
t.sub.bake. If so, method 400 proceeds to step 410 and bake heating
element 126 is deactivated. If not, bake heating element 126
remains activated until it has been activated for time t.sub.bake.
In alternative embodiments, broil heating element 124, rather than
bake heating element 126, may be activated at step 406 such that at
step 408, controller 140 determines whether broil heating element
124 has been activated for a predetermined period of time
t.sub.broil.
[0053] Continuing to step 412, controller 140 may determine if the
temperature in cooking chamber 104, as measured by, e.g.,
temperature sensor 146, has reached the temperature set point
T.sub.pre. If so, at step 414 a signal may be provided to a user of
oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature
set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is complete. The
signal may be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that
indicates to the user that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre. By way of example, the signal may
be a notification displayed on user interface 128 of the appliance,
an LED light, a buzzer, and/or any other appropriate visual and/or
audible signal.
[0054] However, if it is determined at step 412 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 400 includes step 416, where controller
140 determines whether convection heating element 136 and
convection fan 138 have been activated for a predetermined period
of time t.sub.conv. If not, method 400 may return to step 404 such
that convection heating element 136 and convection fan 138 remain
activated. If convection heating element 136 and convection fan 138
have been activated for time t.sub.conv, method 400 continues to
step 418. At step 418, convection heating element 136 is
deactivated; fan 138 may also be deactivated at step 418.
[0055] At step 420, bake heating element 126 is activated to heat
cooking chamber 104. At step 422, controller 140 may determine if
the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 424 a signal may be provided to
a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is
complete. As described with respect to step 414, the signal may be,
e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that indicates to the user
that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature set point
T.sub.pre.
[0056] Otherwise, if it is determined at step 422 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 400 includes step 426, where controller
140 determines whether bake heating element 126 has been used for a
predetermined period of time t.sub.bake. If not, method 400 may
return to step 420 such that bake heating element 126 remains
activated to heat cooking chamber 104. If bake heating element 126
has been used for time t.sub.bake, method 400 continues to step
428, where bake heating element 126 is deactivated.
[0057] Then, at step 430, broil heating element 124 is activated to
heat cooking chamber 104. At step 432, controller 140 may determine
if the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 434 a signal may be
provided to a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104
has reached temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat
cycle is complete. As described with respect to steps 414 and 424,
the signal may be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that
indicates to the user that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre.
[0058] However, if it is determined at step 432 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 400 includes step 436, where the
controller may determine whether broil heating element 124 has been
employed for a predetermined period of time t.sub.broil. If not,
method 400 may return to step 430 such that broil heating element
124 remains activated. If broil heating element 124 has been
employed for time t.sub.broil, method 400 may include step 438 of
deactivating broil heating element 124, and then method 400 may
return to step 420 and activate bake element 126 to continue
heating cooking chamber 104 to reach temperature set point
T.sub.pre. In alternative embodiments, method 400 may return to
step 404 rather than step 420 and reactivate convection heating
element 136 and fan 138, or in certain embodiments, method 400 may
return to step 404 and reactivate only convection heating element
136. Further, as described, oven appliance 100 may include multiple
convection heating elements 136, and one or more convection heating
elements may be reactivated if method 400 returns to step 404 from
step 438.
[0059] The predetermined period of time t.sub.conv may be longer
than predetermined periods of time t.sub.bake and t.sub.broil.
Further, predetermined period of time t.sub.bake may be longer than
time t.sub.broil. As an example, for a preheat cycle for a selected
cooking temperature of 350.degree. F., time t.sub.conv may be about
300 seconds, time t.sub.bake may be about 90 seconds, and time
t.sub.broilmay be about 20 seconds. Other values for t.sub.conv,
t.sub.bake, and t.sub.broil may also be used, and the values for
t.sub.conv, t.sub.bake, and t.sub.broil may vary based on the
selected cooking temperature and its associated temperature set
point T.sub.pre.
[0060] In other embodiments, method 400 may include a different
order of operation of convection heating element 136, bake heating
element 126, and/or broil heating element 124, e.g., convection
heating element 136 may be activated, then broil heating element
124 may be activated, and both elements 136 and 124 may be
deactivated before bake heating element 126 is activated. As an
additional example, convection heating element 136 may be
activated, then bake heating element 126 may be activated, then
convection heating element may be deactivated, then bake heating
element 126 may be deactivated before broil heating element 124 is
activated. Alternatively, method 400 may include a delay period
between the operation of each heating element or a pair of heating
elements, i.e., in certain embodiments, no heating element is in
use for the delay period of time after convection heating element
136 is deactivated at step 418. The delay period may be, e.g.,
about one second. Other arrangements of method 400 also may be
used.
[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary method of operating
oven appliance 100, which may be performed by controller 140 or any
other suitable device or devices. At step 502 of method 500, the
cooking chamber temperature set point T.sub.pre for the preheat
cycle is established. As described with respect to exemplary
methods 200, 300, and 400, the temperature set point T.sub.pre may
be determined by the cooking temperature selected by the user of
the oven appliance, e.g., the temperature set point T.sub.pre may
be the cooking temperature selected by the user or a temperature
over or under the selected cooking temperature. In alternative
embodiments, temperature set point T.sub.pre may be a predetermined
temperature that is used for each preheat cycle, regardless of the
cooking temperature selected by the user. Other values of and
methods for determining the temperature set point T.sub.pre may be
used as well.
[0062] After establishing temperature set point T.sub.pre,
convection heating element 136 and fan 138 are activated at step
504 to heat cooking chamber 104. In alternative embodiments,
convection heating element 136 may be activated at step 504 without
activating fan 138. In still other embodiments, as described above,
more than one convection heating element may be provided in cooking
chamber 104, which may be energized and operated together or
separately, with or without energizing and operating fan 138.
[0063] Then, at step 506, bake heating element 126 is activated. At
step 508, controller 140 may determine whether bake heating element
124 has been activated for a predetermined period of time
t.sub.bake. If so, method 500 proceeds to step 510 and bake heating
element 126 is deactivated. If not, bake heating element 126
remains activated until it has been activated for time t.sub.bake.
In alternative embodiments, broil heating element 124, rather than
bake heating element 126, may be activated at step 506 such that at
step 508, controller 140 determines whether broil heating element
124 has been activated for a predetermined period of time
t.sub.broil.
[0064] Continuing to step 512, controller 140 may determine if the
temperature in cooking chamber 104, as measured by, e.g.,
temperature sensor 146, has reached the temperature set point
T.sub.pre. If so, at step 514 a signal may be provided to a user of
oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature
set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is complete. The
signal may be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that
indicates to the user that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre. By way of example, the signal may
be a notification displayed on user interface 128 of the appliance,
an LED light, a buzzer, and/or any other appropriate visual and/or
audible signal.
[0065] However, if it is determined at step 512 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 500 includes step 516, where the
controller may determine whether the temperature in cooking chamber
104 has reached at least a predetermined temperature T.sub.conv.
Temperature T.sub.conv is less than the temperature set point
T.sub.pre and may be, e.g., the difference between the temperature
set point T.sub.pre and a temperature offset T.sub.offset.
Temperature offset T.sub.offset may be determined experimentally
and programmed into controller 140. As an example, if temperature
offset T.sub.offset is determined to be and is programmed as
100.degree. F., if temperature set point T.sub.pre is established
as 350.degree. F. at step 502, then temperature T.sub.conv would be
250.degree. F. Temperature T.sub.conv may be determined in other
ways as well. If at step 516 the temperature within cooking chamber
104 has not reached at least temperature T.sub.conv, method 500 may
return to step 504, such that convection heating element 136 and
convection fan 138 remain activated. If the temperature has reached
at least T.sub.conv, method 500 continues to step 518. At step 518,
convection heating element 136 is deactivated; fan 138 may also be
deactivated at step 518.
[0066] At step 520, bake heating element 126 is activated to heat
cooking chamber 104. At step 522, controller 140 may determine if
the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 524 a signal may be provided to
a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat cycle is
complete. As described with respect to step 514, the signal may be,
e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that indicates to the user
that cooking chamber 104 has reached temperature set point
T.sub.pre.
[0067] Otherwise, if it is determined at step 522 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 500 includes step 526, where controller
140 determines whether bake heating element 126 has been used for a
predetermined period of time t.sub.bake. If not, method 500 may
return to step 520 such that bake heating element 126 remains
activated to heat cooking chamber 104. If bake heating element 126
has been used for time t.sub.bake, method 500 continues to step
528, where bake heating element 126 is deactivated.
[0068] Then, at step 530, broil heating element 124 is activated to
heat cooking chamber 104. At step 532, controller 140 may determine
if the temperature in cooking chamber 104 has reached the
temperature set point T.sub.pre. If so, at step 534 a signal may be
provided to a user of oven appliance 100 that cooking chamber 104
has reached temperature set point T.sub.pre, i.e., that the preheat
cycle is complete. As described with respect to steps 514 and 524,
the signal may be, e.g., any audible and/or visual signal that
indicates to the user that cooking chamber 104 has reached
temperature set point T.sub.pre.
[0069] However, if it is determined at step 532 that the
temperature in cooking chamber 104 has not reached the temperature
set point T.sub.pre, method 500 includes step 536, where the
controller may determine whether broil heating element 124 has been
employed for a predetermined period of time t.sub.broil. If not,
method 500 may return to step 530 such that broil heating element
124 remains activated. If broil heating element 124 has been
employed for time t.sub.broil, method 500 may include step 538 of
deactivating broil heating element 124, and then method 500 may
return to step 520 and activate bake element 126 to continue
heating cooking chamber 104 to reach temperature set point
T.sub.pre. In alternative embodiments, method 500 may return to
step 504 rather than step 520 and reactivate convection heating
element 136 and fan 138, or in certain embodiments, method 500 may
return to step 504 and reactivate only convection heating element
136. Further, as described, oven appliance 100 may include multiple
convection heating elements 136, and one or more convection heating
elements may be reactivated if method 500 returns to step 504 from
step 538.
[0070] The predetermined period of time t.sub.bake may be longer
than predetermined period of time t.sub.broil. As an example, for a
preheat cycle for a selected cooking temperature of 350.degree. F.,
time t.sub.bake may be about 90 seconds and time t may be about 20
seconds. Other values for t.sub.bake and t.sub.broil may also be
used, and the values for t.sub.bake and t.sub.broil may vary based
on the selected cooking temperature and its associated temperature
set point T.sub.pre.
[0071] In other embodiments, method 500 may include a different
order of operation of convection heating element 136, bake heating
element 126, and/or broil heating element 124, e.g., convection
heating element 136 may be activated, then broil heating element
124 may be activated, and both elements 136 and 124 may be
deactivated before bake heating element 126 is activated. As a
further example, convection heating element 136 may be activated,
then bake heating element 126 may be activated, then convection
heating element may be deactivated, then bake heating element 126
may be deactivated before broil heating element 124 is activated.
Alternatively, method 500 may include a delay period between the
operation of each heating element or a pair of heating elements,
i.e., in certain embodiments, no heating element is in use for the
delay period of time after convection heating element 136 is
deactivated at step 518. The delay period may be, e.g., about one
second. Other arrangements of method 500 also may be used. For
example, a combination of the embodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6,
including both time t.sub.conv and temperature T.sub.conv, may be
used.
[0072] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
* * * * *