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Pizza Pie With Concentric Rings of Crust

A pizza mold for forming a plurality of concentric raised ridges of dough (i.e., crust) on the surface of a pizza pie.

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Class 340/640 - Heater element


Subclass of Class 340 - Communications: electrical
Definition: Subject matter where the monitored device is an electric
No. of patents: 52
Last issue date: 08/17/2010


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NumberTitleIssue Date
7777635Power failure management for respiratory system heater unit
A heater unit includes power failure management to detect disruptions in the electrical power supply, such as the AC supply, for the unit. The heater unit emits an audible alarm in response to detection of such a disruption, and may shut down the heater(s) and visua...
08/17/2010
7385518Compact fused disconnect switch
A fused disconnect switch assembly includes a pull out fuse assembly and a switch housing assembly. The fuse assembly includes a line side conducting portion, a load side conducting portion, and a fuse element therebetween. The switch housing assembly includes a fus...
06/10/2008
7277791Strategy for detecting use of a block heater and for modifying temperature-dependent variables to account for its use
A diesel engine (100) has a control system (102) that processes certain data to develop data values for one or more temperature-dependent variables, such as injection control pressure (ICP), that affect engine starting and ensuing warm-up. The control ...
10/02/2007
7193410Transistor monitor for a multiphase circuit
A monitor system and method are described for sensing voltage changes in a plurality of transistors of a multiphase circuit comprising a sensor connected to each one of the plurality of transistors for measuring a voltage drop across the each one, a difference detec...
03/20/2007
7183915Wireless ATM security system
A security system for use in an enclosure which may be an ATM. The security system includes a first electronic module housed within the enclosure and at least one removable container for storing valuables. A second electronic module is housed within the removable co...
02/27/2007
7176804Protection of power semiconductor components
A method and a system for protecting the power semiconductor components used in the powerstages of power electronics devices, such as frequency converters, wherein calculation modeling the degree of heating of the semiconductor junction of the power components (V...
02/13/2007
7098550Method for controlling a wind energy plant
The present invention concerns a method of controlling a wind power installation and a wind power installation in particular for carrying out the method. Wind power installations have been generally known for a long time and in recent times are increasingly u...
08/29/2006
7034543Method of predicting a lifetime of filament in ion source and ion source device
An ion source device includes an ion source having a filament for emitting thermoelectrons, a current measuring device for measuring current flowing through the filament, a voltage measuring device for measuring voltage across the filament, a resistance operation de...
04/25/2006
7012538Heating element condition monitor
A method for monitoring the condition of a heating element involving installing the heating element in a location and setting the initial composition Ci of the material as a reference baseline at an initial time Ti corresponding to said install...
03/14/2006
6977591Smart power control technique to reduce power and heat consumption
A method for monitoring a state of a switch is disclosed. The method includes providing a high side driver circuit in communication with a voltage source, activating the high side driver circuit at a first predefined time interval, and sourcing voltage to a resistor...
12/20/2005
6956489Heating element condition monitor
A method for monitoring the condition of an electric current-carrying heating element involving installing the heating element in a location and setting the initial composition Ci of the material as a reference baseline at an initial time Ti co...
10/18/2005
6888469Method and apparatus for estimating semiconductor junction temperature
An apparatus is disclosed that provides an estimate of the semiconductor junction temperature of a semiconductor device as a function of the electrical current flowing across the corresponding semiconductor junction. The apparatus includes a current sensor that samp...
05/03/2005
6801133Electrical wiring monitoring system
An electrical wiring monitoring system for sensing overheating of electrical lines which could result in electrical fires. The electrical wiring monitoring system includes a housing member having front and side walls and being adapted to be mounted to a wall structu...
10/05/2004
6696969Compact fused disconnect switch
A fused disconnect switch assembly includes a pull out fuse assembly and a switch housing assembly. The fuse assembly includes a line side conducting portion, a load side conducting portion, and a fuse element therebetween. The switch housing assembly inc...
02/24/2004
6452501Automatic shut-off and indication device for an electric heating appliance and electric pressing iron comprising such a device
An automatic shut-off and indication device for an electric heating appliance is provided which includes: a sensor (2) for sensing usage of the appliance and for providing a usage-signal (US) indicating a non-usage of the appliance; a switch (10) for off-switc...
09/17/2002
6400276Self-service terminal
A monitoring system for use with a self-service terminal (25) having a user interface is described. The system comprises: image capture means (30) for capturing images of at least part of the user interface; image storage means (34) for storing at least o...
06/04/2002
6344795Method and apparatus for generating temperature based alerting signals
An apparatus for providing a temperature based alerting signal to a user to alert the user to the occurrence of a particular or predetermined event. The temperature based alerting device may be incorporated into jewelry, garments, or a releasable strap an...
02/05/2002
6191697Circuit continuity detection system and method
In many technical applications, situations often arise where it is desirable to know, in real time, if a circuit is functioning. That is, it is desirable to know if, for example, a heater element is operational or blown (open). By sensing the current flow...
02/20/2001
6111513Apparatus for detecting open circuits in parallel-wired thermo modules
The present invention provides open-circuit detection for detecting an open circuit in parallel-connected thermo modules. Plural rows 10a of plural series-connected thermo modules 11a, . . . 11n are connected in parallel. A detection circuit 12 is provide...
08/29/2000
6097302System and method for monitoring a plural segment light-emitting display
A monitoring system for a display unit includes phototransistors for detecting light emitted from a plurality of selectively energizable light-emitting diode (LED) segments in an energized state and for generating a voltage which is representative of the ...
08/01/2000
5920191Current flow monitor for heating cables
An apparatus for monitoring the current flow through a variable load such as various lengths of heater cables. The apparatus can detect a wide range of currents so that the size of the load can vary....
07/06/1999
5834943Apparatus and method for sensing failed temperature responsive sensors
A microprocessor control (10, 24) has one or more temperature responsive thermistor sensors (20, 26, 28) used to provide temperature inputs to control operation of a temperature control system. The microprocessor control subjects the thermistor sensors to...
11/10/1998
5796346Stove having grease fire avoidance circuitry
A stove including circuitry to facilitate avoidance of fires such as may be caused by grease or another flammable substance present on the stove burner. The circuitry detects when such burner has been set above a predetermined temperature or power level f...
08/18/1998
5624572Power management system and method for maximizing heat delivered to dialysate in a dialysis machine
The amount of electrical power delivered to a dialysate heater in the dialysis machine is maximized without substantially exceeding a predetermined maximum allowed power consumption for the dialysis machine. The instantaneous power consumed by the machine...
04/29/1997
5451932Method and means for indicating an appliance condition
A display is provided for indicating changes between first and second operating conditions in an appliance such as a clothes dryer. A sensing circuit senses changes in operating conditions within the appliance. A heater is connected to the sensing circuit...
09/19/1995
5416301Cooking appliance with automatic power-off switch
A cooking appliance has a heater for cooking, and a switch which generating an operational signal. The cooking appliance automatically turns off the heater a predetermined time after a last pressed switch, i.e., automatic power off function. A caution lam...
05/16/1995
5281956Heater diagnostics and electronic control for a clothes dryer
A control for a clothes dryer with an induction drive motor and an electric resistance heater element. A single sense winding is threaded through sensors monitoring drive motor current and heater current, generating an output voltage each time the alterna...
01/25/1994
5250985Image forming apparatus equipped with a binding function
An image forming apparatus equipped with a binding function includes an image forming unit for forming an image onto a sheet, a binding unit provided adjacent to the image forming unit, and a malfunction detector for detecting malfunction in the operation...
10/05/1993
5089926Current monitor using a DC isolating amplifier circuit
A current monitor includes a DC isolating amplifier circuit especially adapted for adjusting the set point of a comparator. The isolating amplifier circuit includes an operational amplifier generating a first current in response to an input voltage receiv...
02/18/1992
5039842Mold heater moisture detection and dry out apparatus
Plastic mold heater moisture detection and dry out apparatus for detecting the presence of moisture in the plastic molding heaters and for drying out the heaters. The plastic mold heater moisture detection and dry out apparatus includes a heater leakage c...
08/13/1991
4972152Apparatus and method for testing ignition modules and components of gas burners
An apparatus and method for testing the ignition modules of gas burners is disclosed, and functions without the requirement of a gas feed in the test program. The method involves disconnecting the ignition module from the electrical supply, and from the g...
11/20/1990
4962372Self limiting cable supervisory device
An apparatus for performing a dual mode supervisory operation, according to whether the self limiting cable is "OFF" or "ON". When the self limiting cable is in the "OFF" mode, a solid state device compares a known resistance value of the self limiting ca...
10/09/1990
4825199Circuit underloading monitoring system
An improved system for the detection of underloading in an electrical heating circuit where monitoring is available in proximate and remote locations. Circuit monitoring is augmented by control devices which activate alarms in visual or audible form when ...
04/25/1989
4774526Fault detection circuit for a thermal print head
A thermal printer with a fault detection circuit for detecting faults in heating elements of the printer includes a print head containing heating elements and a heating circuit for each heating element and a power supply for supplying power to the heating...
09/27/1988
4751495Analog pulsed heat trace monitor or the like
A system, utilizing an analog pulsed signal, is for monitoring the condition of a system, by way of illustration, a multi-circuit electrically heat-traced substrate. The system senses the temperature of the substrate at the end of a heat traced circuit, c...
06/14/1988
4745260Automatic switching apparatus for an electric appliance
Automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance such as a pressing iron. A motion sensor and an electronic timer cooperate to automatically shut off the iron if the iron remains stationary for a predetermined period of time. ...
05/17/1988
4677282Failure protection in temperature control
A triac and a mechanical relay, in series with the electrical heater of an incubator, together switch heater current on and off at the same set point temperature if the triac fails short. Similarly, a second mechanical relay in parallel with the triac swi...
06/30/1987
4667186Phase difference fault detector
Apparatus and method for monitoring a self-regulating heater comprising a PTC conductive polymer while it is being powered by a power supply signal. The apparatus is connected to a power supply and to the heater, the heater then producing a heater signal ...
05/19/1987
4639719Apparatus for monitoring circuit integrity
An apparatus to monitor a circuit in which an AC voltage source is connected to a plurality of paralleled current consuming loads, such as heaters, including a reactive load in parallel with the current consuming loads at a point in the circuit more dista...
01/27/1987
4583086Circuit for monitoring the operating condition of an electric load
A monitor is disclosed for monitoring the operation of an electrically powered load, such as a solenoid or a resistance heater. The load is connected across a power source and normally draws current therefrom. An integrated circuit includes means for ener...
04/15/1986
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