James L Barger

US Patent:

57569703, May 26, 1998

Filed:

May 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/433772

Inventors:

James R. Barger - Vandalia OH
Edward C. Groeschel - Lincoln Township, Berrien County MI
Judy K. Anderson - St. Joseph MI
John R. Bentley - Royalton Township, Berrien County MI
Mark W. Baldwin - Lincoln Township, Berrien County MI
Sandra S. Thurlow - Benton Township, Berrien County MI

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

H05B 102

US Classification:

219506

Abstract:

A method for converting standard conventional oven cook times and temperatures to convection oven cook times and temperatures to operate a thermal convection oven is provided. The method has the steps of providing a thermal convection oven having an oven cavity, a heating element, a control panel for inputting cooking parameters, a converter for converting a standard conventional oven cook time and temperature to a convection oven cook time and temperature, the converter being connected to the input control panel, and having controls connected to the converter and also connected to the heating element for operating the thermal convection oven. Other method steps include: selecting a food type to be prepared using the input control panel, inputting a standard cook time and temperature using the input control panel, converting the standard cook time and temperature to the convection oven cook time and temperature dependent upon the food type selected using the converter; and providing the convection cook time and temperature to the controls to control the heating element. A thermal convection oven is also provided. The thermal convection oven has: a housing with an interior to receive items to be cooked, heating elements within the housing, a control panel for inputting cooking parameters, a converter for converting standard conventional oven cook times and temperatures to a convection oven cook time and temperature; controls for operating the oven connected to the control panel and being responsive to the cooking parameter inputs received from the control panel, the controls being operatively connected to the heating elements to control the temperature of the housing thereby.

US Patent:

57674884, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Aug 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/693914

Inventors:

James R. Barger - Vandalia OH
Tony J. Troiano - Dayton OH
Thomas F. Welke - Stevensville MI

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

H05B 102

US Classification:

219492

Abstract:

A method for displaying preheat or oven thermal conditioning times in a countdown timer for both thermal and thermal convection ovens is provided. The method has the steps of providing an oven having an oven cavity, a heating element, a control panel for inputting cooking parameters, and controls connected to the heating element for operating the oven; selecting a preheat temperature using the input control panel, providing a preheat time by using the control system; determining if the oven cavity is pre-conditioned; executing a preheat cycle when the oven is not pre-conditioned; displaying the preheat time in a decrementing manner using the display; and ending the preheat cycle when the decrementing preheat time equals zero. An oven having an improved preheat system is also provided.