Zero-voltage switching inverter design for induction cooktops
This technology is a smarter control system for induction cooktops that makes the power electronics run more efficiently. It uses a current sensor that separately tracks the positive and negative halves of the electrical signal flowing through the heating coil, then uses that information to time the switching of transistors at precisely the right moment — when current or voltage is near zero. This 'zero crossing' switching dramatically reduces wasted energy and heat generated by the electronics themselves. The result is an induction cooking system that runs cooler, wastes less electricity, and can be controlled more precisely than conventional designs.
What you could build
A reference design or chipset for induction cooktop manufacturers that enables higher-efficiency, lower-cost power electronics; target buyers are appliance OEMs (Whirlpool, Midea, TTK Prestige) and power electronics IC companies looking to differentiate their induction cooking solutions.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based consumer electronics or appliance distributors, or defense/industrial heating equipment manufacturers in the Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads corridors could find efficiency gains relevant to commercial kitchen or field-use heating applications.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Jeremiah Kopiness, Andrew Amrhein, Jong-Woo Kim, Moonhyun Lee, Jih-Sheng Lai
- Granted
- April 23, 2024
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11968765
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.