Oven convection fan

Abstract

A high temperature convection fan device that improves the operation of an oven is provided. Each oven convection fan device component is designed to withstand the harsh environment and elevated temperatures common to an oven. Sources of energy include but are not limited to wind-up springs and/or drawing electric power from the oven lamp socket. Other solutions provide additional features including but not limited to lighting, sensors, control systems and/or displays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) An oven convection fan device comprising:
 an energy source device;   a power conversion device;   a transmission device;   an air moving device;   a control device;   a mechanical device;   wherein the energy source device is attached to the power conversion device;   wherein the power conversion device converts the energy from one form to another form;   wherein the power conversion device is attached to the transmission device;   wherein the transmission device is attached to the air moving device;   wherein the transmission device delivers the energy from the conversion device to the air moving device;   wherein the air moving device causes air to be circulated;   wherein the control device can vary the air movement;   wherein the mechanical device is used to position the convection fan's location within or around an oven;   wherein the energy source device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the power conversion device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the transmission device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the air moving device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the mechanical device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven.   
     
     
         2 ) An oven light and convection fan device comprising:
 an energy source device;   a power conversion device;   a transmission device;   an air moving device;   a control device;   a mechanical device;   a lighting device;   wherein the energy source device is attached to the power conversion device;   wherein the power conversion device converts the energy from one form to another form;   wherein the power conversion device is attached to the transmission device;   wherein the transmission device is attached to the air moving device;   wherein the transmission device delivers the energy from the conversion device to the air moving device;   wherein the air moving device causes air to be circulated;   wherein the control device can vary the air movement;   wherein the mechanical device is used to position the convection fan's location within or around an oven;   wherein the lighting device illuminates the oven chamber;   wherein the energy source device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the power conversion device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the transmission device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the air moving device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the mechanical device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the lighting device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven.   
     
     
         3 ) An oven sensor(s) and convection fan device comprising:
 an energy source device;   a power conversion device;   a transmission device;   an air moving device;   a control device;   a mechanical device;   one or more sensor device(s);   wherein the energy source device is attached to the power conversion device;   wherein the power conversion device converts the energy from one form to another form;   wherein the power conversion device is attached to the transmission device;   wherein the transmission device is attached to the air moving device;   wherein the transmission device delivers the energy from the conversion device to the air moving device;   wherein the air moving device causes air to be circulated;   wherein the control device can vary the air movement;   wherein the mechanical device is used to position the convection fan's location within or around an oven;   wherein the sensor device measures a state variable of the system;   wherein the energy source device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the power conversion device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the transmission device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the air moving device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the mechanical device can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven;   wherein the sensor device(s) can withstand the high temperature environment commonly found in or around an oven.   
     
     
         4 ) The system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein one or more of the sensor devices is a temperature gauge that measures the oven temperature.   
     
     
         5 ) The system of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the control device enables the fan when the oven temperature is above a threshold temperature.   
     
     
         6 ) The system of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the control device disables the fan when the oven temperature is below a threshold temperature.   
     
     
         7 ) The system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein one or more of the sensor devices is a temperature gauge that measures food temperature.   
     
     
         8 ) The system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein one or more of the sensor devices is a timer that measures time.   
     
     
         9 ) The system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein one or more of the sensor devices is a flow meter that measures air velocity within the oven.   
     
     
         10 ) The system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein one or more of the sensor devices is an energy meter that measures the amount of power consumed.   
     
     
         11 ) The system of  claim 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  or  10 ,
 wherein the control device uses the sensor information to adjust the speed of the fan. 
 
     
     
         12 ) The system of  claim 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  or  10 ,
 wherein the sensor information is displayed. 
 
     
     
         13 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is a wind-up handle; 
 wherein the power conversion device is a linear force spring; 
 wherein the transmission is a system of gears between the linear force spring and the fan; 
 wherein the air moving device is a fan; 
 wherein the control device is an on-off switch; 
 wherein the mechanical device is a hanger that fits the rack commonly used within an oven. 
 
     
     
         14 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is a wind-up handle; 
 wherein the power conversion device is a linear force spring; 
 wherein the transmission is a system of gears between the linear force spring and the fan; 
 wherein the air moving device is a fan; 
 wherein the control device is an on-off switch; 
 wherein the mechanical device is a tray that fits on the rack commonly used within an oven. 
 
     
     
         15 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is electricity tapped from the oven light bulb socket; 
 wherein the power conversion device is a high temperature electric motor; 
 wherein the windings on the electric motor are coated in such a fashion to be able to handle high temperatures environment commonly found in or around an oven; 
 wherein the transmission is a drive shaft; 
 wherein the air moving device is a fan; 
 wherein the control device is the external oven light switch; 
 wherein the mechanical device is a socket that screws into the oven lamp socket. 
 
     
     
         16 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is an electric energy storage device such as a battery; 
 wherein the energy source device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the power conversion device is an electric motor; 
 wherein the power conversion device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the transmission device is magnetic through the oven door, wall, or window from the power conversion device to the air moving device; 
 wherein the air moving device is a fan; 
 wherein the mechanical device is a set of magnets that hold the external and internal devices in relative position. 
 
     
     
         17 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is an electric energy storage device such as a battery; 
 wherein the energy source device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the power conversion device transmits inductive energy through an inductive coil; 
 wherein the power conversion device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the transmission device is an inductive energy receiver through the oven door, wall, or window from the power conversion device to the air moving device; 
 wherein the air moving device is a fan; 
 wherein the mechanical device is a set of magnets that hold the external and internal devices in relative position. 
 
     
     
         18 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the power conversion device is an electric motor; 
 wherein the power conversion device is located inside of the oven; 
 wherein the energy source device is electrically connected to the power conversion device through a flexible cable routed around the oven door. 
 
     
     
         19 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the power conversion device is an electric motor; 
 wherein the power conversion device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the transmission device is located partially outside and partially inside of the oven; 
 wherein the transmission device includes a flexible drive shaft routed around the oven door; 
 wherein the air moving device is located inside of the oven. 
 
     
     
         20 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 ,
 wherein the energy source device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the power conversion device is an electric motor; 
 wherein the power conversion device is located outside of the oven; 
 wherein the transmission device is located partially outside and partially inside of the oven; 
 wherein the transmission device includes a flexible drive belt routed around the oven door; 
 wherein the air moving device is located inside of the oven. 
 
     
     
         21 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or  20 , wherein the air moving device is a turbine impeller;
 wherein the air intake is generally along the impeller's axis of rotation; 
 wherein the air exhaust is generally in a radial direction relative to the impeller's axis of rotation. 
 
     
     
         22 ) The system of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or  20 , wherein the air moving device is a propeller;
 wherein the air intake is generally along the propeller's axis of rotation; 
 wherein the air exhaust is generally along the propeller's axis of rotation. 
 
     
     
         23 ) The system of  claim 21  or  22 ,
 wherein the complex curved shape of the air moving device is approximated with multiple conical sections; 
 wherein the multiple conical sections are formable from stamping and bending a relatively flat piece of material.