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Three dimensional induction rethermalizing station and control system

  • US 10,251,511 B2
  • Filed: 04/05/2016
  • Issued: 04/09/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A rethermalizing station for rethermalizing or warming food items, the rethermalizing station comprising:

  • a well defined by an exterior wall;

    a food pan configured to be inserted into the well and to hold a food item;

    a first induction coil surrounding the exterior wall of the well, the first induction coil configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan;

    a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the food pan;

    a second induction coil positioned below a bottom surface of the well, the second induction coil electrically coupled in series with the first induction coil and configured to warm the food item via inductive heating of the food pan; and

    a control unit coupled to the first induction coil and the first temperature sensor, the control unit configured to control the first induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at a targeted temperature, wherein the control unit is coupled to the second induction coil and configured to control the second induction coil in response to the temperature of the food pan detected by the first temperature sensor such that temperature of the food pan is maintained at the targeted temperature;

    wherein the control unit is configured to control the induction coils by varying a supply current between a minimum nonzero current value and a maximum nonzero current value, thereby varying a power output of the induction coils between a minimum nonzero power value and a maximum nonzero power value.

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