Kettle Controller
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a heater configured to heat a liquid from a power source, wherein the liquid is contained in a container;
a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the liquid to obtain a measured temperature;
a switching circuit coupled to the heater for controlling the power source that is coupled to the heater;
a processor configured to perform;
configuring the switching circuit to apply full power to the heater when the measured temperature is below a first predetermined temperature;
configuring the switching circuit to apply partial power to the heater when the measured temperature is below a second predetermined temperature and above the first determined threshold, wherein the second predetermined temperature is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid; and
removing power to the heater after a first predetermined time when the measured temperature is approximately equal to the second predetermined temperature.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for boiling a liquid such as water. The liquid is heated at full power when the measured temperature of the liquid is below a first predetermined threshold. When the temperature is above the first predetermined threshold and below a second predetermined threshold, partial power, which may be based on the duty cycle, is applied to the heater. When the measured temperature of the liquid reaches the second predetermined threshold, power is removed from the heater after a predetermined time. When the increase of the measured temperature is less than a predetermined temperature change during a predetermined time duration, it is determined that the liquid is boiling and power is removed to the heater. If the level is too high or too low, an alarm may be activated and/or power removed from the heater.
58 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a heater configured to heat a liquid from a power source, wherein the liquid is contained in a container; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the liquid to obtain a measured temperature; a switching circuit coupled to the heater for controlling the power source that is coupled to the heater; a processor configured to perform; configuring the switching circuit to apply full power to the heater when the measured temperature is below a first predetermined temperature; configuring the switching circuit to apply partial power to the heater when the measured temperature is below a second predetermined temperature and above the first determined threshold, wherein the second predetermined temperature is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid; and removing power to the heater after a first predetermined time when the measured temperature is approximately equal to the second predetermined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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measuring a temperature of a liquid, wherein the liquid is contained in a container; and heating the liquid with a heater by; applying full power to the heater when the measured temperature is below a first predetermined temperature; applying partial power to the heater when the measured temperature is below a second predetermined temperature and above the first predetermined threshold; and removing power to the heater after a first predetermined time when the measured temperature is approximately equal to the second predetermined temperature, wherein the second predetermined temperature is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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14. The method of 11, further comprising:
when an increase of the measured temperature is less than a predetermined temperature change during a predetermined time duration, determining that the liquid is boiling and removing power to the heater.
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22. An apparatus comprising:
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a heater configured to heat water from a power source, wherein the water is contained in a container; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the water to obtain a measured temperature; a switching circuit coupled to the heater for controlling the power source that is coupled to the heater; a processor configured to perform; configuring the switching circuit to apply full power to the heater when the measured temperature is below approximately 95 degrees C.; configuring the switching circuit to apply partial power to the heater when the measured temperature is below approximately 98 degrees C. and above approximately 95 degrees C.; and removing power to the heater after a predetermined time when the measured temperature is approximately equal to 98 degrees C. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification