Temperature probe for an oven, oven and method for operating an oven

• US 8,188,409 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EGO Elektro-Gerã¤Tebau GmbH (EGO Blanc und Fischer & Company GmbH)
• Original Assignee: EGO Elektro-Gerã¤Tebau GmbH (EGO Blanc und Fischer & Company GmbH)
• Inventors: Baier, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): FUQUA, SHAWNTINA T
• Application Number:
  US12/567,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20100012645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 219/712, 219/710, 219/213, 219/713, 219/714, 219/516, 374/155, 374/141, 374/149, 340/870.16, 993/25, 993/42
• US Class Current: 219/413
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/024 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/00 Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2207/06 for preparation purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 2215/00 Details concerning sensor power supply

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature probe for an oven, comprising in one embodiment a longitudinal housing in the form of a spit. A temperature sensor and an electronic unit are arranged in a tip and are connected at the other end to emitting means. The temperature probe comprises a thermogenerator for producing energy. The thermogenerator uses a temperature difference between a higher temperature inside the oven and a lower core temperature in a food product, such as roast, in which the temperature probe is inserted, for producing energy for operating the emitting means.

Claims

1. A temperature probe for an oven for detecting a temperature of a food product to be cooked in said oven, comprising:

a housing with a temperature sensor for detecting said temperature of said food product contacting said temperature probe;

an emitter configured to transmit temperature information about said temperature detected by said temperature sensor;

a receiver configured to receive said temperature information and located in said oven, wherein said temperature probe includes a thermogenerator configured to generate energy for said emitter from energy from an environment in said oven while said oven is being operated;

wherein said energy generation is configured so as to draw energy from a temperature difference between an interior of said oven and a region of said temperature probe in thermally conductive contact with said food product, wherein said interior of said oven is a hotter region relative to a region of said temperature probe in contact with said food product,

wherein said temperature probe comprises an elongated temperature probe having a first end where said temperature sensor is located and a second end, wherein a first disk of a material that is a good thermal conductor is associated with a second disk closer toward said temperature sensor, said second disk being arranged at a small distance and parallel thereto on said temperature probe, wherein said second disk is in thermally conductive contact with a region of said temperature probe with said temperature sensor toward said food product in order to cool said second disk due to said lower temperature of said region of said temperature probe in or on said food product.

2. The temperature probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing is elongated to facilitate insertion of said temperature probe with said temperature sensor into said food product that is to be cooked for detecting said temperature of said food product on an inside of said food product.

3. The temperature probe in accordance with claim 2, wherein said temperature sensor is located on an end of said elongated housing of said temperature probe, wherein said end is configured to be inserted into said food product.

4. The temperature probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said housing is flat for application of said temperature probe with said temperature sensor to said food product, by placement of said probe on top of said food product, or by application of said temperature probe to a baking pan, on which said food product is located.

5. The temperature probe in accordance with claim 4, wherein said temperature sensor is arranged in a region of said temperature probe that is to be applied to said food product.

6. The temperature probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said thermally conductive contact comprises a thermally conductive rod of material that is a good thermal conductor, wherein said thermally conductive contact represents a substantial portion of a cross-section of said temperature probe.

7. The temperature probe in accordance with claim 6, wherein said thermogenerator is arranged between said first disk and said second disk.

8. The temperature probe in accordance with claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor comprises an electronic device for evaluating said temperature, said sensor being arranged in an end region that is to contact said food product or close to said temperature sensor, wherein said sensor is configured as a high-temperature electronic device based on SOI technology.

9. An oven comprising:

at least one said temperature probe, wherein said temperature probe comprises a housing with a temperature sensor for detecting said temperature of said food product when contacting said temperature probe with said food product, and

an emitter configured to transmit temperature information about said temperature detected by said temperature sensor;

a receiver located in said oven configured to receive said temperature information from said emitter;

an oven control device configured to receive said temperature information from said receiver and use said temperature information to control a heating element of said oven; and

a storage area inside said oven for storing said temperature probe, wherein said storage area is at least partially screened relative to said inside of said oven, said storage area having an opening for plugging-in said temperature probe.

10. The oven in accordance with claim 9, wherein said storage area is configured in such a manner that its interior space that is screened relative to said inside of said oven and is cooler than said inside of said oven while said oven is being operated.

11. The oven in accordance with claim 9, wherein, said storage area comprises a detecting device detecting if said temperature probe or at least a part of said temperature probe is located in said storage area, wherein said detecting device is connected to said oven control device for a case in which said temperature probe is not in said storage area or does not transmit temperature signals from said temperature sensor.

12. The oven in accordance with claim 11, wherein said detecting device comprises a mechanical switch that is configured to be actuated when said temperature probe is located in said storage are or wherein said oven control device is configured to display a different switching state than when said temperature probe is removed.

13. The oven in accordance with claim 11, wherein said detecting device comprises a proximity sensor for detecting presence of said temperature probe in said storage area in a contactless manner.

14. A method for operating an oven comprising a temperature probe, wherein said temperature probe comprises a housing with a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a food product contacting said temperature probe and an emitter configured to wirelessly transmit temperature information about said temperature detected by said temperature sensor, wherein said temperature probe is configured to generate energy for said emitter from energy from an environment in said oven while said oven is being operated, said oven further comprising a receiver configured to receive said temperature information and an oven control device receiving said temperature information, said method comprising the steps of:

determining by said oven control device whether said temperature probe is located in a storage area within said oven, and if so located, then operating the oven as indicated by a user;

determining by said over control device whether said temperature probe is in thermal contact with said food product to be cooked and emitting temperature information, and if so, then operating the oven as indicated by said user; and

determining by said oven control device that said temperature probe is not located in said storage area and is not in thermal contact with said food, and then operating said oven to no more than 120°

C.