Food temperature control cable for microwave oven

• US 4,038,510 A
• Filed: 03/03/1976
• Issued: 07/26/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: White, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, Arthur T.
• Application Number:
  US05/663,236
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 174/111, 174/28, 219/10.55 D, 219/10.55 C, 219/10.55 B, 219/10.55 E, 73/352
• US Class Current: 219/712
• CPC Class Codes: G12B 17/02 from electric or magnetic fields, e.g. radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6452 the sensors being in contact with the heated product

Abstract

A microwave oven is provided with a cooking cavity and an access door. The oven has a food temperature control system for monitoring the internal temperature of food being heated in the oven, and turning off the microwave power at the completion of a heating cycle, or for holding a predetermined temperature for a timed cycle. A temperature-sensing probe is adapted to be inserted into the food. The probe is equipped with a flexible electric cable that is joined to one wall of the cooking cavity for connecting the probe in a control circuit for the microwave generator. This flexible cable is provided with a plurality of diameter-increasing protrusions so, in the event the cable extends outwardly of the cooking cavity, the oven door may not be closed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring the internal temperature of food being heated in the cooking cavity of a microwave oven, said cooking cavity being formed by a box-like oven liner and an access door, said apparatus comprising:

a. a temperature-sensing probe adapted for insertion into the food to be heated;

b. an elongated flexible electric cable joined to the probe and adapted to connect the probe to one wall of the oven liner for joining the cable in a temperature control circuit;

c. said cable supporting a plurality of diameter-increasing protrusions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the said plurality of protrusions are transparent to microwave energy.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said plurality of protrusions comprise a series of spaced beads fixed along the length of the cable.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said plurality of protrusions comprise a series of loose beads strung along the length of the cable in close relationship.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said plurality of protrusions comprise a series of beads that are separated by spacers.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the protrusions are selected from a classs of materials such as glass-ceramic, polypropylene, polytetrafluorethylene, silicone, and wood.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the said protrusions are located on the end of the cable nearest the temperature-sensing probe, so, in the event the cable extends out of the cooking cavity, the door may not be fully closed.