Electronic control system infrared heating applied to surface cooking

Resistive heating units made from materials such as molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂) and tungsten (W) can generate short-wavelength infrared (IR) energy, which can pass through IR transmissive glass-ceramic to heat up cooking utensils. Cooktops made with IR heating units provide for smooth-top cooking surfaces that are highly efficient with fast response times. However, these materials have unique characteristics that create severe control problems. An electronic control system that solves problems such as the nonlinearity between on-time and power output, the high inrush currents, the RFI/light-flicker interference, and the complexity of controlling four heating units in a cooktop versus one heating unit is described. The IR heater control portion is combined with standard electronic functions, such as input and display, to produce a low-cost microprocessor-based control