Determining cookware location on a cooktop appliance based on response to an electromagnetic pulse

Abstract

A cooktop appliance includes first and second heating elements and a controller operably connected to the first and second heating elements. The controller is configured for receiving a signal from a temperature sensor associated with a cooking utensil. The controller is also configured for generating an electromagnetic pulse with the first heating element for a testing period, and monitoring a voltage or a current associated with the temperature sensor during the testing period. The controller is configured for determining that the cooking utensil is located on the first heating element when the voltage or current associated with the temperature sensor displays electromagnetic interference from the electromagnetic pulse.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooktop appliance, comprising:
 a first heating element and a second heating element, the first and second heating elements positioned at a cooktop surface of the cooktop appliance; and   a controller operably connected to the first and second heating elements, the controller configured for:
 receiving a signal from a temperature sensor associated with a cooking utensil located on one of the first heating element and the second heating element, the signal indicative of a temperature associated with the cooking utensil; 
 generating an electromagnetic pulse with the first heating element for a testing period; 
 monitoring a voltage or a current associated with the temperature sensor during the testing period; and 
 determining that the cooking utensil is located on the first heating element when the voltage or current associated with the temperature sensor displays electromagnetic interference from the electromagnetic pulse. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple and the controller is configured for monitoring a voltage across the thermocouple during the testing period. 
     
     
         3 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises one of a thermistor or a resistance temperature detector and the controller is configured for monitoring a voltage across or a current through the temperature sensor during the testing period. 
     
     
         4 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic interference comprises a peak-to-peak voltage greater than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic interference comprises a current greater than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic interference comprises one of a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage greater than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured for deactivating the first heating element and providing a notification when the voltage or current of the conductor does not display electromagnetic interference from the electromagnetic pulse. 
     
     
         8 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein generating the electromagnetic pulse comprises activating the first heating element for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein generating the electromagnetic pulse comprises activating the first heating element for a first predetermined period of time and deactivating the first heating element for a second predetermined period of time following the first predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         10 . The cooktop appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured for adjusting a heating level of the first heating element based on the received signal from the temperature sensor after determining that the cooking utensil is located on the first heating element. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating a cooktop appliance having a first heating element and a second heating element positioned at a cooking surface of the cooktop appliance, the cooktop appliance in operative communication with a temperature sensor associated with a cooking utensil located on one of the first heating element and the second heating element, the method comprising:
 generating an electromagnetic pulse with the first heating element for a testing period;   monitoring a voltage or a current associated with the temperature sensor during the testing period; and   determining that the cooking utensil is located on the first heating element when the voltage or current associated with the temperature sensor displays electromagnetic interference from the electromagnetic pulse.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermocouple and the step of monitoring comprises monitoring a voltage across the thermocouple during the testing period. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises one of a thermistor or a resistance temperature detector and the step of monitoring comprises monitoring a current through the temperature sensor during the testing period. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electromagnetic interference comprises a peak-to-peak voltage greater than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electromagnetic interference comprises a current greater than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electromagnetic interference comprises one of a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage greater than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising deactivating the first heating element and providing a notification when the voltage or current of the conductor does not display electromagnetic interference from the electromagnetic pulse. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein generating the electromagnetic pulse comprises activating the first heating element for a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein generating the electromagnetic pulse comprises activating the first heating element for a first predetermined period of time and deactivating the first heating element for a second predetermined period of time following the first predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting a heating level of the first heating element based on a received signal from the temperature sensor, the signal indicative of a temperature associated with the cooking utensil, after determining that the cooking utensil is located on the first heating element.