Induction driven power supply for circuits accompanying portable heated items

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6566634
  • Patent Number
    6,566,634
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, June 14, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 20, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
An induction heating system having an induction source, a heating element heated from the induction source and a circuit energized by the induction source. The circuit can be a controller which includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element, and a feedback loop formed between the temperature sensor and the induction source. The heating element can be mounted within a housing to form an induction heated container for holding items to be heated. Such a container can be used in commercial food warming and holding.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Induction heating technology is well known and in wide spread use in industrial and commercial applications. One of the advantages of induction heating is the “non-contact” aspect of the technology. In particular, an induction heater uses magnetic fields to energize a heating element formed of a suitable radiation-sensitive material. The magnetic field generator need not be in contact with the heating element or even the item which is itself to be elevated in temperature. This arrangement makes induction heating a wise choice in applications where the heated item must easily be moved. These include industrial applications such as assembly lines or branding irons, as well as commercial food and plate warming. Other applications involve containers for take out food, such as pizza delivery bags, for example. These containers have typically been made with an external temperature indicator and a heating element heated by an AC source. These containers include an AC cord which can potentially entangle a user, creating safety issues when the container is transported.




There is a problem however with some of these applications. A plate warmer for example, needs to maintain the temperature of the plate below some defined allowable value. This is especially important if the plate is to be handled by a person, or if the plate is constructed of a plastic/metal composite.




One way to control the final temperature of the plate can be to apply the induction heating to the plate for a specific time duration. This method can provide poor results, unless the temperature of the plates was controlled before the start of the heating process. For example, if the same plate was exposed to an induction heater twice in a row, one time right after another, the plate can rise to a much higher temperature.




Another method of controlling the final temperature of the plate uses an external temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the plate before, and/or during the induction heating process. The sensor can be a “contact” or “non-contact” type. The “contact” type of temperature measurement spoils the inherent “non-contact” nature of the induction heating process. Additionally, it can be difficult to get the sensor to contact the correct surface of the heating element while providing a reliable, robust design. The “non-contact” type of temperature measurement is better, but more costly.




A completely different solution might involve a specially formulated metal heating element that only “couples” (i.e., allow currents to be induced) with the induction field if the temperature of the metal is below some pre-determined value. These metals have a Curie point that prevent the metal from overheating, even though the induction field is still present.




The problem with the above methods is that none provide the capability of temperature indication, status monitoring, or other electronic functions without a power supply within the container or a wired, physical connection between the container and an external heater. These methods also do not provide electronic functions after the heated item is removed from the induction heating device.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A solution to this problem is to place an induction-driven power supply within the electromagnetic field used to heat the heating element. The power supply can, for example, include an induction coil across which is induced a current. In an alternate embodiment, this can be provided by an opening or slot formed on the heating element, the opening having a first lead and a second lead, wherein the opening creates a voltage differential transferred to the first lead and the second lead.




The power supply is used to provide power to various electrical circuits which accompany the heating element. For example, these circuits may include a control system having a temperature sensor, a temperature indicator, and a communication link, such as an RF, light or sound link, which electronically controls the operation of induction source. The controller can communicate to the inductor, via the communication link, if more heating power is necessary and to indicate the desired temperature has been reached. The temperature indicator indicates when the element has reached an acceptable temperature and the unit is ready to be used.




Additionally, the circuits may include energy storage devices, such as rechargeable batteries or capacitors, which are charged while the device is subjected to the electromagnetic field during the induction heating process. These energy storage devices permit the circuit to continue operating even when the container is removed from the electromagnetic field source.




In the case of the controller, the stored energy permits the monitoring of the temperature of the heating element with status LEDs even after the device has been removed from the inductor.




The induction driven circuit and heating element are preferably used in conjunction with a container for heating of food items.




The electromagnetic field can be generated by a single induction source. The induction source can also include a plurality of induction sources. A first induction source and a second induction source can be utilized where the first induction source heats a heating element and the second induction source powers a circuit.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.





FIG. 1

illustrates an induction heating system comprising a power supply.





FIG. 2

illustrates an alternate embodiment of the heating system.





FIG. 3

illustrates a cross sectional view of a heating element housing where the heating element has a coil.





FIG. 4

shows a block diagram of a circuit for a controller.





FIG. 5

illustrates a temperature controller circuit.





FIG. 6A

illustrates a temperature indicator circuit.





FIG. 6B

shows a state diagram that illustrates operation of the circuit of FIG.


6


A.





FIG. 6C

shows a logic diagram that illustrates operation of the circuit of FIG.


6


A.





FIG. 7

shows a blinker circuit.





FIG. 8

illustrates a voltage controlled oscillation circuit.





FIGS. 9 and 10

illustrate an induction heating system for a food container having a plurality of induction sources.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION





FIG. 1

illustrates an induction powered heating system, given generally as


10


. The induction powered heating system


10


includes an induction source


20


and a heating element


22


. The heating system


10


also includes a power supply


42


which is energized by the induction source


20


. The heating element


22


can be formed of a material such that, when exposed to an induction source, a current is created within the heating element, thereby producing heat. The heating element


22


can be formed of a Curie point metal, for example. The heating element is typically mounted within a container or other housing


24


for the items to be heated (not shown).




The heating element


22


is mounted within a housing


24


. The heating element


22


and housing


24


form an induction heated container for holding items to be heated. The housing


24


includes a cavity defined by a top surface


11


, a bottom surface


15


and a side wall


19


. The side wall


19


attaches to an outer edge


13


of the top surface


11


with an outer edge


17


of the bottom surface


15


. A portion of the side wall


19


is moveably attached to the top surface


11


and the bottom surface


15


to allow user access to the cavity. The housing can be made of a thermally insulated material which can contain heat generated by the heating element


22


. The illustrated housing is a bag for storage of food, such as a pizza bag, for example.




The induction source


20


includes a field generator


26


and a power supply


28


. The field generator


26


has a core


56


and a ring


58


, where the core


56


and the ring


58


are made from ferrite, for example. The field generator


26


creates a magnetic flux which is used to induce a current in the heating element


22


, thereby creating heat. The power supply


28


can be a standard 120 VAC or a 240 VAC connection, for example.




The induction source


20


can produce an alternating magnetic flux. For example, at one instant, the core


56


can have a first polarity and the ring


58


can have a second polarity, thereby producing a radial magnetic field directed along the center axis of the core


56


and the ring


58


. At another instant the polarities of the core


56


and the ring


58


can switch such that the core


56


has a second polarity while the ring


58


has a first polarity. The resulting alternating magnetic flux induces a current in the heating element


22


to produce heat, provided that the heating element


22


is placed in close enough proximity to the induction source


20


.




The local power supply


42


is carried within the housing


24


. It can be as simple as an opening


46


on the heating element


22


, shown in

FIG. 1

, such as a slot


46


formed in the heating element


22


, for example. Other geometries can also be used. Each side of the opening


46


can be coupled to leads


44


, such as a first lead and a second lead, which, in turn, can be coupled to an electronic circuit. When the heating element


22


is exposed to the induction source


20


, a current is created along the surfaces of the heating element


22


. The opening


46


creates a voltage drop; the leads


44


are placed on either side of the opening


46


draw the AC voltage created by this voltage drop. The voltage thus created is then used to power an electronic circuit.





FIGS. 2 and 3

illustrate an alternate embodiment of power supply


42


as a wire coil


50


. The coil


50


can be mounted in physical relationship within the container to be subjected to the magnetic field created by the induction source


20


. The coil


50


can be formed integrally with the heating element


22


. For example, the coil


50


can be etched or plated on to the heating element


22


. Alternately, the coil can be physically separate from the heating element


22


. Exposure of the coil


50


to a magnetic flux


52


created by the induction source


20


induces a current within the coil


50


. The coil


50


includes coil leads


54


which connect to an electronic circuit and provide power from the current created in the coil


50


to the circuit. In the preferred embodiment, the coil


50


is placed in a plane of the heating element


22


nearest the induction source


20


; otherwise the material of the element


22


might interfere with the coil


50


receiving sufficient energy.




As mentioned previously, the supply


42


provides power to a circuit located within the housing


24


. The electronic circuit can be a heat control


30


. The controller


30


can include a temperature sensor


32


, which is arranged to measure the temperature of the heating element


22


. The controller


30


can also include a temperature indicator


34


which can be a light emitting diode, for example. The temperature indicator


34


can be used to indicate that the interior of the housing


24


is at a temperature appropriate for maintaining the warmth of its contents.




The induction powered heating system


10


can also include a communication link


40


. Preferably, the communication link


40


is an infrared link. The communication link


40


, however, can be an ultrasound communication link or a radio communication link. The communication link


40


can include a transmitter


36


and a receiver


38


. The transmitter


36


can be in electrical communication with the controller


30


and the receiver


38


can be in electrical communication with the induction source


20


. The communication link


40


can help form a feedback loop between the temperature sensor


32


and the induction source


20


. In this manner, when the heating element


22


is exposed to a magnetic flux created by the induction source


20


, the temperature of the heating element


22


rises. The temperature sensor


32


then measures the temperature of the element


22


and relays this data to the controller


30


. If the temperature of the heating element


22


is low, the controller


30


sends a signal to the induction source


20


by way of the communication link


40


. This signal causes the inductor


20


to continue to provide a magnetic field, thereby increasing the temperature in the element


22


. If the temperature of the plate


22


rises above pre-determined level or temperature, the controller


30


can send by way of the communication link


40


a signal to the induction source


20


. This signal causes a reduction in power of the magnetic flux produced by the induction source


20


. This same signal can also be used to eliminate the presence of a magnetic flux by placing the induction source in an off mode of operation. By reducing the strength of the magnetic flux or eliminating the magnetic flux, the temperature of the heating element


22


can be reduced. Therefore, the feedback loop can control the temperature of the plate


22


, thereby controlling the temperature within the housing


24


.




In an alternate embodiment, the heating element


22


can be formed of a Curie point metal. By using a Curie point metal for the heating element


22


, a communication link


40


and feedback loop between the temperature sensor


32


and the induction source


20


are not needed. Curie point metals have the property that they will heat only up to a certain temperature and not beyond.




The electronic circuit or controller


30


can have a backup or chargeable power supply which is charged by the power supply


42


. The backup power supply can be a battery or can be a capacitor, for example. When the heating element


22


is placed near the induction source


20


, the magnetic flux energizes the power supply


42


, which can thereby provide energy to charge it.





FIG. 4

shows a block diagram of a circuit


92


for a controller


30


. The controller circuit


92


can be connected to the power source


42


. The controller circuit


92


includes a rectifier


90


, a backup power supply


88


connected to the rectifier


90


, a temperature sensor circuit


60


, a temperature indicator circuit


80


and a blinker circuit


100


. Temperature indicators


34


and a transmitting portion


36


of a communication link


40


are also connected to the circuit


92


.





FIG. 5

illustrates the rectifier circuit


90


in more detail. It converts an AC input signal to a DC output signal and also charges the chargeable power source


88


. The circuit includes input diode bridge


84


which acts to rectify the incoming signal. The chargeable power source


88


includes super capacitors in the illustrated embodiment. The circuit


90


can also include zener diodes


94


which regulate the output voltage, as well as a voltage regulator in circuit U


1


.





FIG. 6A

illustrates the temperature controller circuit


60


and the temperature indicator circuit


80


. The temperature controller circuit


60


includes one or more thermostats


62


and a transmitter


36


, which is an infrared diode in the illustrated embodiment. The temperature controller circuit


60


also includes a latch component


102


, formed of a resistor


104


and a diode


106


as well as logic inverters U


1


A and U


1


B. The temperature indicator circuit


80


includes light emitting diode (LED) drivers


96


and one or more visual temperature indicators


34


.




The thermostats


62


include a first thermostat


74


and a second thermostat


76


. In a non-activated state, the first thermostat


74


is closed, thereby grounding a portion of the controller circuit


60


. The first thermostat


74


opens when the temperature of an associated heating element


22


rises above a preset high temperature of the thermostat


74


. The second thermostat


76


is also closed when in a non-activated state and opens when the temperature rises above a preset level. As will be more fully explained below, the primary purpose of the second thermostat


76


is to close when the temperature of the heating element


22


falls below a preset low temperature.





FIG. 6B

shows a state diagram that illustrates the operation of the thermostats


74


,


76


. When the heating element


22


is cold, both the first thermostat


74


and the second thermostat


76


are closed


140


. When the thermostats


74


,


76


are initially closed, a ground or logic zero voltage is fed to the inverters U


1


A and U


1


B. This, in turn, activates the “not ready” indicator


34


and deactivates the “ready” indicator. As the heating element


22


is inductively heated, the second thermostat


76


eventually opens when the temperature of the element


22


reaches the preset low temperature value


156


, shown at point


142


. Opening of the second thermostat


76


does not activate any portion of the circuits


60


,


80


at this point in the process. This is because when at least one of the thermostats is closed, the connection to ground prevents a voltage J


1


(5V) from appearing across capacitor CA and the input to logic gate U


1


A remains a logic low.




As the temperature of the heating element


22


continues to rise and reaches the preset high temperature value


158


of the first thermostat


74


, the first thermostat then opens, shown at point


144


. The combination of the first thermostat


74


opening along with the second thermostat


76


already being open allows a voltage J


1


(5V) to appear across capacitor CA and at the input of logic inverter U


1


A. The consecutive inverters U


1


A and U


1


B then present a logic high voltage, thereby causing the indicator


34


to switch to a “ready” indication


160


, as shown in FIG.


6


C. This indicates to a user that the heating element is at a proper temperature for use.




The thermostats


74


and


76


also control the voltage across the resistor


70


and parallel infrared diode, forming transmitter


36


. While the heating element


22


is in proximity to an induction source, the transmitter


36


forms a feedback loop with the induction source. The transmitter


36


sends an infrared light signal to the induction source which, in turn, controls the inductor source to either increase or decrease the magnetic field, thereby either increasing or decreasing the temperature of the heating element


22


. This maintains the temperature of the heating element within a narrow range. For example, at point


144


, the temperature of the element


22


reaches a preset maximum temperature. The transmitter


36


provides a signal to the induction source to decrease the magnetic field strength, thereby decreasing the temperature of the element


22


below the preset maximum. At point


146


, the temperature of the element


22


has reached a preset minimum temperature. The transmitter


36


then provides a signal to the induction source to increase the magnetic field strength, thereby increasing the temperature of the element


22


above the preset maximum temperature. This hysteresis or fluctuation in temperature of the element


22


is given generally as


148


.




During this fluctuation


148


, at point


146


, the first thermostat


74


closes because the temperature of the element


22


is below the preset high temperature value


158


of the first thermostat


74


. While the second thermostat


76


remains open, however, resistor


104


and diode


106


maintain the latch component


102


in an active or “latched” state. The latch component


102


is therefore able to continue to provide a “ready” indication


162


, shown in FIG.


6


C.




When the heating element


22


is removed from proximity of the induction source at point


150


, the temperature of the heating element


22


starts to further decrease. At point


152


, the first thermostat


74


is again closed and the latch component


102


continues to display a “ready indication”


164


. As the temperature falls below the preset low temperature value for the second thermostat


76


, the second thermostat


76


closes, shown at point


154


. This closure disengages the latch component


102


, thereby causing the indicator to produce a “not ready” indication


166


, shown in FIG.


6


C.




Another possible circuit is shown in FIG.


7


. This is a circuit


100


which provides a blinking visual indication as long as the power supply


42


is connected. Preferably, the circuit


100


produces a blinking visual indication in LED


34


when the LED


34


provides a “ready” indication, as shown in FIG.


6


A. Such flashing or blinking can continue until the voltage source providing power to the circuit is terminated. For example, when the heating element


22


is removed from the induction source


20


, the chargeable power supply


88


is used to power the blinker circuit


100


. The LED


34


can flash until the power from the chargeable power source is drained. The chargeable power source can, for example, provide power to the circuit for approximately 30 minutes, thereby allowing flashing of the LED


34


for that amount of time. This time frame is the typically expected “hot” time for a pizza delivery.





FIG. 8

illustrates a voltage controlled oscillation circuit, given generally as


110


. The circuit


110


creates a feedback loop between the power supply


42


and the induction source


20


based upon the voltage generated by the power supply


42


. The voltage feedback loop can be used, for example, to increase the field strength from the induction source


20


if the power supply is improperly positioned over the source


20


. The circuit


110


controls the transmitter


36


, such as an infrared LED, such that the transmitter


36


flashes at a particular rate based upon the voltage produced by the power supply


42


. For example, the closer the power supply


42


is to the induction source


20


, the greater the voltage generated within the power supply.




With a relatively high voltage generated by the power supply


42


, the circuit


110


sends a signal to the transmitter


36


which causes the transmitter


36


to flash at a relatively high rate. Conversely, with a relatively low voltage generated by the power supply


42


, the circuit


110


sends a signal to the transmitter


36


which causes the transmitter


36


to flash at a relatively low rate. The signal sent by the transmitter


36


is received by the receiver


38


on the induction source


20


.




The circuits shown here are by way of example only. Many other uses of the supply voltage generated by the supply


42


are possible. For example, the feedback loop formed between the power supply


42


and the induction source


20


could also include a microprocessor to control the loop. Such a microprocessor can be mounted to the housing


24


which holds the heating element


22


and power supply


42


.





FIGS. 9 and 10

illustrate an alternate embodiment of the induction powered heating system


10


. In this embodiment, the induction source


20


includes a plurality of induction sources. Preferably, the induction source


20


includes a first induction source


120


and a second induction source


122


where the first induction source includes a first induction coil


130


and the second induction source includes a second induction coil


132


. The first induction source


120


is used to heat the heating element


22


while the second induction source


122


is used to power the circuit


30


.




The circuit


30


located in the container


24


includes a power source


42


that is energized by the second induction source


122


, a transmitter


36


and a temperature sensor


32


. The first induction source includes a receiver


38


that, together with the transmitter


36


, forms a communication link


40


.




The communication link


40


forms a feedback loop between the temperature sensor


32


and the first induction source


120


. When the heating element


22


is exposed to a magnetic flux created by the induction source


20


, the temperature of the heating element


22


rises. The temperature sensor


32


then measures the temperature of the element


22


and relays this data to the controller circuit


30


. If the temperature of the heating element


22


is low, the controller


30


sends a signal to the first induction source


120


by way of the communication link


40


. This signal causes the first inductor


120


to continue to provide a magnetic field, thereby increasing the temperature of the element


22


. If the temperature of the heating element


22


rises above pre-determined level or temperature, the circuit


30


sends, by way of the communication link


40


, a signal to the first induction source


120


that causes a reduction in power of the magnetic flux produced by the induction source


120


, thereby reducing the temperature of the heating element


22


.




The signal from the communications link


40


of the circuit


30


can also be used to eliminate the magnetic flux generated by the first induction source


120


by placing the first induction source


120


in an “off” mode of operation. By using both a first induction source


120


and a second induction source


122


as part of the induction heating system


10


, the circuit


30


can be used to stop the magnetic flux generation of the first induction source


120


while continuing to be powered by the second induction source


122


. For example, in the case where a single induction source is used to power both the heating element


22


and the circuit


30


, when the circuit


30


provides a signal to stop the magnetic flux generation of the induction source, the circuit


30


is then reliant upon power from a backup source. By using a first induction source


120


and a second induction source


122


, power form a backup power source for the circuit


30


is not required when the first induction source


120


is disabled. The circuit


30


continues to receive power form the second induction source


122


while the first induction source in inoperative.





FIG. 9

illustrates the first induction source


120


and the second induction source


122


as being electrically separate. In this configuration, the first induction source


120


includes a first voltage source


124


while the second induction source


122


has a second voltage source


126


. Alternately,

FIG. 10

illustrates the first


120


and second


122


induction sources as being electrically connected. The induction sources


120


,


122


share a common voltage source


128


and can be arranged in either a series or a parallel wiring configuration.




While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A device for heating food in a container comprising:an induction source external to the container; a circuit located within the container, the circuit inductively powered by the induction source; a heating element, the heating element being heated by the induction source; and the induction source comprising a first induction source and a second induction source, the first induction source heating the heating element and the second induction source powering the circuit.
  • 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first induction source and the second induction source are electrically connected.
  • 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit comprises a power supply.
  • 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the power supply comprises an induction coil charged by the induction source.
  • 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit comprises a feedback loop formed between the circuit and the induction source.
  • 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the feedback loop comprises a communication link between the circuit and the induction source.
  • 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the circuit comprises a controller having a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element and a feedback loop formed between the temperature sensor and the first induction source.
  • 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the controller further comprises a temperature indicator.
  • 9. The device of claim 7 wherein the feedback loop comprises a communication link between the first induction source and the controller.
  • 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the container is thermally insulated.
  • 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the container comprises a cavity, the cavity defined by a top surface, a bottom surface and a side wall, the side wall attaching an outer edge of the top surface with an outer edge of the bottom surface and wherein a portion of the side wall is moveably attached to the top surface and the bottom surface.
  • 12. The device of claim 1 wherein the heating element is formed of a Curie point metal.
  • 13. The device of claim 1 wherein the induction source comprises a ferrite material.
  • 14. A device for heating food in a container comprising:an induction source external to the container; a circuit located within the container, the circuit inductively powered by the induction source; a heating element, the heating element being heated by the induction source; and the circuit comprising a power supply, the power supply comprising an opening on the heating element, a first lead and a second lead wherein the opening creates a voltage differential between the first lead and the second lead.
  • 15. A device for heating food in a container comprising:an induction source external to the container; a circuit located within the container, the circuit inductively powered by the induction source; and a backup power supply, wherein the backup power supply is charged by the circuit.
  • 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the backup power supply comprises a battery.
  • 17. The device of claim 15 wherein the backup power supply comprises a capacitor.
  • 18. A method for monitoring the temperature of an inductively heated device comprising:providing a first induction source, a second induction source, an inductive heating element heated by the first induction source, a circuit having a temperature sensor attached to the heating element, a temperature monitor and a power supply energized by the second induction source; placing the heating element within a magnetic field generated by the first induction source; placing the power supply for the circuit within a magnetic field generated by the second induction source; heating the heating element from the first induction source; energizing the circuit from the second induction source; and monitoring a temperature of the heating element.
  • 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:providing a backup power supply; charging the backup power supply from the power supply; removing the heating element and circuit from the magnetic fields; allowing the backup power supply to power the temperature sensor and temperature monitor; and monitoring the temperature of the heating element.
  • 20. A method of controlling the temperature of an inductively heated device comprising:providing a first induction source, a second induction source, a heating element heated by the first induction source, a circuit energized by the second induction source, the circuit having a temperature sensor attached to the heating element and a feedback loop formed between the temperature sensor and the first induction source; placing the heating element within a magnetic field generated by the first induction source; placing the circuit within a magnetic field generated by the second induction source; measuring the temperature of the heating element with the temperature sensor and a controller; and communicating to the first induction source to adjust the strength of the magnetic field of the source.
  • 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising increasing the power of the magnetic field of the first induction source to increase the temperature of the heating element.
  • 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising turning off the magnetic field of the first induction source when the temperature of the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature.
  • 23. A method of powering a circuit within a heated food container comprising:providing a food container having a power supply energized by a first induction source and a circuit powered by the power supply; providing a heating element within the food container, the heating element heated by a second induction source; and placing the food container in proximity to the first induction source and the second induction source thereby energizing the power supply and heating the heating element.
  • 24. A device for heating food in a container comprising:a first induction source external to the container; a second induction source external to the container; a circuit located within the container, the circuit inductively powered by the first induction source; and a heating element wherein the heating element is heated by the second induction source.
  • 25. The device of claim 24 wherein the first induction source and the second induction source are electrically connected.
  • 26. The device of claim 24 wherein the circuit comprises a power supply.
  • 27. The device of claim 24 wherein the circuit comprises a feedback loop formed between the circuit and the first induction source.
  • 28. The device of claim 24 wherein the circuit comprises a controller having a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the heating element and a feedback loop formed between the temperature sensor and the first induction source.
  • 29. The device of claim 28 wherein the controller further comprises a temperature indicator.
  • 30. The device of claim 24 wherein the heating element is formed of a Curie point metal.
  • 31. A device for heating food in a container comprising:a first induction source external to the container; a second induction source external to the container; a circuit located within the container, the circuit inductively powered by the first induction source; and a backup power supply wherein the backup power supply is charged by the circuit.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/694,069, filed Oct. 20, 2000 which is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/678,723, filed Oct. 4, 2000, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/211,562, filed Jun. 15, 2000, and the entire teachings of which are each incorporated herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (30)
Number Name Date Kind
1683889 Hayne Sep 1928 A
3721803 DiStefano Mar 1973 A
3742174 Harnden, Jr. Jun 1973 A
3742178 Harnden, Jr. Jun 1973 A
3742179 Harnden, Jr. Jun 1973 A
3746837 Frey et al. Jul 1973 A
3761668 Harnden, Jr. et al. Sep 1973 A
3781504 Harnden, Jr. Dec 1973 A
4134004 Anderson et al. Jan 1979 A
4816646 Solomon et al. Mar 1989 A
4996405 Poumey et al. Feb 1991 A
5488214 Fettig et al. Jan 1996 A
5750962 Hyatt May 1998 A
5880435 Bostic Mar 1999 A
5892202 Baldwin et al. Apr 1999 A
5932129 Hyatt Aug 1999 A
5954984 Ablah et al. Sep 1999 A
5999699 Hyatt Dec 1999 A
6018143 Check Jan 2000 A
6060696 Bostic May 2000 A
6062040 Bostic et al. May 2000 A
6066840 Baldwin et al. May 2000 A
6121578 Owens et al. Sep 2000 A
6215954 Hyatt Apr 2001 B1
6232585 Clothier et al. May 2001 B1
6274856 Clothier et al. Aug 2001 B1
6316753 Clothier et al. Nov 2001 B2
6320169 Clothier Nov 2001 B1
6353208 Bostic et al. Mar 2002 B1
6384387 Owens et al. May 2002 B1
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number Date Country
2 582 896 Jun 1985 FR
2238288 Sep 1990 JP
5326123 Dec 1993 JP
7114983 May 1995 JP
8306483 Nov 1996 JP
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
“RWD Torque Measurement”, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc. (3/00).
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/211562 Jun 2000 US
Continuation in Parts (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/694069 Oct 2000 US
Child 09/881647 US
Parent 09/678723 Oct 2000 US
Child 09/694069 US