MXPA00008800A - Combination oven using radiant and microwave energy - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an oven that includes both radiant cooking elements and a microwave cooking element. The cooking elements are controlled to provide reduced cooking time as compared to known radiant ovens, yet a wide variety of foods can be cooked in the oven. The oven is operable in a speed cooking mode wherein both radiant and microwave cooking elements are utilized,a microwave only cooking mode wherein only the magnetron is utilized, and a radiant only cooking mode wherein only the lamps are utilized.

Description

COMBINATION OVEN THAT USES RADIANT AND MICHEROUS ENERGY CROSS REFERENCE WITH RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of the provisional application of the United States of America Number 60 / 115,744 filed on January 13, 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to furnaces, and in a more particular way , to a combination oven that uses radiant energy and microwave energy. The known products are either, for example, microwave or radiant cooking ovens. For example, a microwave oven includes a magnetron to generate radio frequency energy used to cook food in the oven's cooking cavity. Although microwave ovens cook food faster than radiant ovens, microwave ovens do not brown food. Therefore, microwave ovens are not commonly used to cook such a wide variety of foods as radiant ovens. Radiant cooking ovens include a source of energy such as lamps that generate light energy to cook food. Radiant ovens brown food and can generally be used to cook a wide variety of foods. However, radiant ovens cook food more slowly than microwave ovens. It would be desirable to provide an oven that provides the speed advantages of microwave ovens but that can also be used to cook a wide variety of foods such as radiant ovens. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an oven includes radiant cooking elements and a microwave or magnetron cooking element. The cooking elements are controlled to provide reduced cooking time, as compared to the known radiant ovens, but a wide variety of foods can be cooked in the oven. The oven is operable in a speed cooking mode where microwave and radiant cooking elements are used, in a microwave-only cooking mode where only the magnetron is used for cooking, and a radiant-only cooking mode where Only the lamps are used for cooking. In one aspect, the present invention relates to controlling energy levels, in cooking mode at speed. More particularly, by controlling the energy levels of the radiant cooking elements and the microwave cooking element, as well as the duration of the cooking time, desired cooking operations can be achieved. In another aspect, the present invention relates to adjusting the cooking time during cooking operations. This adjustment is sometimes referred to in the present "active time setting". By allowing an operator to easily and quickly adjust the cooking time selected during the cooking operation, the desired cooking can be achieved. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to illuminating the cooking cavity during cooking operations, such as during microwave-only cooking operations and cooking operations in which the lamps are not sufficiently activated to allow visualization of the food in the cooking cavity. As halogen lamps are used for radiant cooking, the oven door has a very dark glass window that does not allow the display of the cooking cavity with common microwave oven lighting. However, the present invention allows the visualization of foods in the cooking cavity during cooking operations by activating a selected halogen lamp for a short period of time (i.e., 4 seconds) so that the cooking cavity is illuminated but a despicable cooking is done by the light energy output of the lamp. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAMETERS Figure 1 is a front view of an oven according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the oven shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the radiant cooking unit and the microwave cooking unit in relation to the cooking cavity; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the lower lamp of the oven shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the reflector for the upper lamps of the oven shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is an illustration of a portion of the turntable of the oven shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the oven cooking cavity shown in Figure 1, including a damper for controlling the air flow; Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of the furnace shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a schematic circuit diagram of the oven shown in Figure 1; Figure 10 is a timing diagram illustrating the target and command times for activating the cooking elements; Figures 1 1-14 illustrate messages displayed when adjusting / recording the energy level and cooking time; Figure 15 is a flow diagram illustrating steps of the process performed when setting the cooking time; Figure 16 is a flow chart illustrating steps of the process for controlling the energy level of the lamp; and Figure 17 is a flow chart illustrating steps of the process for the soft start of halogen lamps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed, in one aspect, to the operation of an oven that includes at least two types of cooking elements, such as radiant and microwave cooking elements. Although a specific embodiment of the radiant / microwave cooking oven is described below, it should be understood that the present invention can be used in combination with many other ovens and is not limited to the practice with the oven described herein. For example, the oven described below is a type oven over the range. However, the present invention is not limited to the practice with ovens above the range only and can be used with many other types of ovens. Figure 1 is a front view of a type furnace over the range 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Furnace 100 includes a frameless glass door 102 having an injection molded handle 104. A window 106 is provided for viewing food in the oven's cooking cavity. The door 102 has an internal metal frame that extends around the periphery of the door and comprises a radio frequency door filter. The glass of the door 102 has, for example, a thickness of about 0-3175 cm and can withstand high temperatures, as is known in the art, and is secured to the metal frame by an adhesive. The handle 104 is also secured to the metal frame by bolts that extend through openings in the glass. Furnace 100 also includes an injection molded plastic vent grille 108 and a frameless glass control panel 1 10. The plastic touch switch covers 112 are located on each key of the panel 110, and a dial or molded knob by injection 1 14 is provided for multiple selections. Selections are made using dial 1 14 by turning dial 1 14 clockwise or counterclockwise and when the desired selection is displayed, dial 1 14 is pressed. The different selections available, in an exemplary embodiment, the dial 14 is set forth in Annex A. The instructions and selections are displayed in the vacuum fluorescent display 116. Referring now to Figure 1 and Annex A, where in an exemplary illustration of the operation of the dial 114 and deployment 116 the steps necessary to program the oven 100 are presented for cooking a 1.3 cm beef steak until it is thoroughly cooked. The SELECT ENERGY TYPE menu is first displayed on display 116. Then dial 114 is rotated until the MEAT type of food is displayed and dial 1 14 is pressed to select the feed type MEATS. Afterwards, the SELECT MEAT menu is displayed. Then, the dial 14 is rotated until the BISTECS (RES) meat is unfolded and the thickness of 1.3 cm is selected. Next, a SELECT TERM menu is displayed: and dial 1 14 is rotated until the MEDIUM menu is displayed, then the MEDIUM menu is selected. Then, an instruction that indicates "Use ROUND METAL CHARGE" is displayed, and the values of Higher Energy Level (U PL) and Lower Energy Level (LPL) are displayed. It should be noted that the Upper Energy Level and the Lower Energy Level can be changed, as further described below. It should be understood that the above illustration is exclusively an example of many cooking selections that can be made to program the oven 100 to cook a plurality of foods. The following functions can be selected from the respective keys of panel 1 10. CLEAR / DISABLE Selecting this key stops cooking and removes the current program. BACK START Selecting this key causes a delay in the start of cooking. HELP Selecting this key allows the operator to know more about the oven and its functions. MICROWAVE Select this key to defrost, heat drinks, reheat leftovers, popcorn, vegetables and all types of microwave cooking. MICROON DAS Selecting this key allows quick and easy EXPRESS heating of a sandwich, or reheating coffee. OPTIONS Selecting this key allows access to the night light of automatic ON / OFF, ringer volume control, clock, clock display, and display scan speed functions. OVEN LIGHT Selecting this key during microwave cooking illuminates the cavity. ENERGY LEVEL Selecting this key allows you to adjust the energy levels for speed cooking and microwave cooking. REMINDER Selecting this key allows an operator to select a time at which an alarm should sound. REPEAT LAST Selecting this key makes it easy to cook repeating foods such as cookies and hors d'oeuvres. COOKED AT SPEED Selecting this key takes an operator to MANUAL to manually select cooking time at speed and energy levels. I N ICIO / PAUSE Selecting this key allows an operator to start or pause cooking. SURFACE LIGHT E Select this key to turn ON / OFF the surface light for the top part of the cooking. ON / OFF TIMER Select this key to control a general-purpose timer (for example, minutes and seconds). V VENTING NOZZLE Selecting this key allows an operator to release the upper cooking area of smoke or steam. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the oven 100. The oven includes a housing 120, and a cooking cavity 122 is located within the housing 120. The cooking cavity 122 is constructed using stainless steel of high reflectance (for example, 72% reflectance). The halogen lamps 124 and 126, as well as a reflective plate 128 are mounted to an upper panel 130 of the housing 120. As described below in more detail, a halogen lamp is also located in a lower section of the housing 120. A Exhaust system 132 is also mounted to housing 120. Air flows through cavity 122 in a direction indicated by arrow 134. A cooling system 137 is mounted to housing 120 to cool the oven components. The exemplary dimensions of the furnace 100 are set forth below. Housing Exterior Height (front) 39.84 cm Exterior Height (rear) 41.91 cm Exterior Width 75.69 cm Exterior Fund 37.59 cm Kitchen Cavity Cavity Height 21 .33 cm Cavity Width 48.99 cm Cavity Fund 34.54 cm Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the oven 100, and particularly of the halogen lamp cooking units 150 and 152 and the microwave cooking unit 154 relative to the cooking cavity 122. As shown in Figure 3, the cooking unit upper 150 includes two halogen lamps 124 and 126 and cooking unit 152 includes a halogen lamp 156. Lamps 124, 126, and 154, in an exemplary embodiment, are halogen lamps of 1500 W having a temperature of color of approximately 2300K, each with an output power of approximately 1.5 kW (a total of 4.5 kW for the three lamps). The lamp 124 is referred to as the upper center lamp, and the lamp 126 is referred to as the upper outer lamp. The lamp 156 is called the lower lamp. The glass plates 158 and 160 extend over the cooking units 150 and 152 between the lamps 124, 126 and 156 and the cavity 122. Also, twisted-mesh filters 162 and 164 having an opening ratio of about 80% are They provide for additional protection. Further details are provided below with respect to the reflector 128. A magnetron 166 of the microwave cooking unit 154 is located on one side of the cavity 122. The magnetron 166, in an exemplary embodiment, delivers 950 W nominal in the cavity 122 in accordance with the standard IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) procedure.

With respect to the lower lamp 156, and with reference to Figure 4, the lamp 156 is located off-center at an angle relative to a Lower surface 172 of the cavity 122. This location of the lower lamp 156, for example, produces , the reduction of the temperature of the rollers in the turntable 136.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the reflector 128. The reflector 128 includes angular side sections 180 and 182 and angular center sections 184 and 186. The dimensions (in millimeters) indicated in Figure 5 are exemplary and have been found suitable for at least one oven. When selecting the dimensions of the reflector as indicated in Figure 5, the upper lamps 124 and 126 are considered to provide more even cooking of the items placed on the turntable 136.

Figure 6 illustrates a portion of the turntable 136. The turntable 136 has an open grid construction with approximately a 70% power transmission. The turntable 136 rotates at approximately 6 r. p. m. and it has a diameter of approximately 28.25 cm. The turntable 136 includes metal segments 190 with ceramic rollers 192, one of which is illustrated in circle 194. Figure 7 illustrates a damper 194 located below the microwave cooking unit 154. The damper 194 is opened in the microwave-only mode to allow air to flow through the cavity 122. In the radiant-only mode and cooked at speed, the damper 194 closes to prevent air from flowing in a reverse direction and back toward the microwave cooking unit 154. FIG. 8; is a functional block diagram of furnace 100. As shown in Figure 8, furnace 100 includes a mounting system 200, a structural system 202, a control system 204, an electrical system 206, radio frequency generation 208, a component cooling system 210, halogen lamps 212, and a food containment system 214. Various functions of each system are indicated in Figure 8. The mounting system 200 is provided to allow the oven to be mounted above the range. The mounting system 200 also provides connection with an exhaust to allow the removal of vapors from above the cooking top in the exhaust. The structural system 202 generally refers to the aforementioned 120, which provides a box. The control system 204 includes an interface, i.e., keys 122 and dial 114, and also distributes energy to the other systems of the furnace. The electrical system 206 activates the safety and control devices. The radio frequency generation 208 is performed by the magnetron 166, and the radio frequency energy produced by the magnetron 166 is selectively utilized to cook food in the food containment system. The component cooling system 210 is provided to cool the other system and to remove moisture from the cavity 122. The halogen lamps 212 generate light energy used to cook food in the food containment system 214. Figure 9, is a schematic diagram of furnace 100. Power is provided to furnace 100 via lines L1, L2, and N. Relays R1-R13 are connected to a microcomputer that is programmed to control the opening and closing of the same. The lower lamp 156 is electrically connected to the line L1 via a thermal switch 300. The power supply of the lower lamp 156 is controlled by the relays R1 and R2. An electronic switching device is in series with the relay R1 to provide a soft start, as described in more detail below. The upper lamps 126 and 124 are connected to the line L2 via thermal switches 304 and 306. The electronic switching devices 308 and 310 are in series with the relay R4. In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic switching devices 302, 308, 310 and 326 are TRIACS®. The relays R1 and R4 are air gap type relays, and are in series with the electronic switching devices 302 and 308, respectively. The relays R1 and R4 are closed in the soft start operation of the respective lamps 124, 126, and 156 to allow the activation of the electronic switching devices 302 and 308. After the completion of the soft start, the relays R1 and R4 they are open. The relays R2, R3, and R6 are controlled by the microcomputer to close after the soft start has been carried out to keep the lamps 124, 126, and 156 turned on based on the particular energy value. The furnace 100 also includes an upper fan motor 312 and a lower fan motor 314 for cooling. A small synchronous motor 317, when activated, closes the damper 194. The thermal switches 318 and 320, as well as a fuse 322 are also provided to protect the components of the furnace, for example from overheating or from an overcurrent condition. The upper cooking lamps 324 are electrically connected in series with an electronic switching device 326 and are provided to illuminate the cooking top. A 328 ventilation engine having low, slow, and high speed that can be selected via relays R7, R8, and R9, is provided to eliminate vapors from the upper cooking portion. A furnace lamp 330, the fan motor 332, and a turntable motor 334 are controlled by separate relays R10, R1 1, and R12. A primary switch 336 is located on the door 102 and prevents energization of the cooking elements unless the door 102 is closed. An R 13 relay controls the activation of the microwave cooking unit 154. The microwave cooking unit 154 includes a high-voltage transformer 338 that increases the supply voltage from 120 V to 2000 V. A high voltage capacitor circuit 340 and a high voltage diode 342 increase the voltage of the transformer 338 from about 2000V to 4000V. This high voltage is supplied to the magnetron 166 and the output of the magnetron 166 is supplied to a waveguide 344 which directs the radio frequency energy into the cooking cavity 122. As also shown in Figure 9, the oven 100 includes a door sensor switch 346, for detecting whether the door 102 is open, a humidity sensor 350 for detecting moisture in the cooking cavity 122, a thermistor 352, and a thermostat debase354. With respect to the speed cooking operation of the oven 100, the microcomputer controls the relays R 1 - R 6 and R 13 based on the energy level either associated with the cooking program previously programmed or inserted manually. In the speed cooking mode, for example, if a power level 9 is selected, the upper outdoor lamp 126 has a target ignition time of 29 seconds of a 32 second duty cycle, the upper center lamp 124 has a Target ignition time of 25 of a duty cycle of 32 seconds, lower lamp 156 has a target ignition time of 29 seconds of a duty cycle of 32 seconds. A duty cycle of 32 seconds is selected for a particular impiementation. However, other work cycles could be used. Next a table that shows the times on target based on the energy level is established. N iv the Lamp Lamp Magnetron Lamp External Energy Central Lower Upper Superior 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 3 3 3 2 6 5 6 6 3 1 0 8 1 0 1 0 4 13 1 1 1 3 1 3 5 16 14 16 1 6 6 1 9 16 1 9 1 9 7 22 19 22 22 8 26 22 26 26 9 29 25 29 29 1 0 32 27 32 32 To increase the reliability of the lamp, a soft start operation is used when the lights are activated. lamps 124, 126, and 156. Particularly, in accordance with the soft start operation, the electronic switching devices 302, 308, and 310 are used to delay the lighting of the lamps. For example, the upper outer lamp 126 and the lower lamp 156 are delayed by one second of the firing ordered to the actual ignition. The upper center lamp 124 is delayed by two seconds of the firing ordered to the actual ignition. Therefore, the target ignition times are different from the firing times ordered. Below is a table that establishes the start times ordered based on the selected energy level.

Lamp Level Lamp Lamp M Mae gnetron Energy Outer Central Lower Upper Superior 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 5 4 3 2 7 7 7 6 3 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 4 14 1 3 14 13 5 1 7 16 1 7 16 6 20 1 8 20 19 7 23 21 23 22 8 27 24 27 26 9 30 27 30 29 10 32 29 32 32 For example, if the upper lamps 124 and 126 are to operate at the power level 7, then the upper lamp 124 would be commanded to operate for 21 seconds and the upper external lamp 126 would be commanded to operate for 23 seconds. It would be ordered that lamps 124 and 126 were turned on for 21 and 23 seconds, respectively, at the start of each 32 second work cycle. Due to the soft start relays, lamps 124 and 126 would actually be on for 1 9 seconds (lamp 124) and 22 seconds (lamp 126) of each 32 second work cycle. Figure 10 is a timing diagram illustrating the state of lamps 124, 126, and 1 56, and magnetron 166. In the example, chilled inflatable rolls are to be cooked in accordance with the following: Total Time: 4 : 30 Higher Energy Level: 1 0 Lower Energy Level: 3 Microwave Energy Level 3 As shown in Figure 10, the upper center lamp 124 is switched on (line interrupted) two seconds before the reality turns on (solid line). Lamp 124 is on for 27 seconds of each 32 second period. The upper external lamp 126 is always on during this period. The Bottom Lamp 156 is turned on one second after it is commanded to turn on, and remains on 10 seconds from each 32 second period. The magnetron 166 has no delay between the command and the execution of the ignition time, and remains on for 10 seconds of each period of 32 seconds. An operator can adjust the energy level of the upper lamps, the lower lamp, and the microwaves during operation. To change the energy level, the operator selects the POWER LEVEL key and a select icon flashes on display 1 16. Then, a "Select IN SUPERIOR ERGY" message is displayed as shown in Figure 1 1. The rotation of the dial 114 then allows the operator to select the upper energy level (rotation in the clockwise direction increases the energy level and rotation in the counter-clockwise direction reduces the energy level). When dial 1 14 is pressed to register a selection, a short ring sounds and "Select POWER IN FERIOR" is displayed as shown in Figure 12. The rotation of the dial then alters the current lower energy level, and when pressed Dial 14, a short bell sounds. Then, it is displayed "Select MICROWAVE ENERGY" as shown in Figure 13. Now, the rotation of the dial alters the microwave energy level. When dial 1 14 is pressed to register a selection, a short ring tone is heard and the OVEN icon lights intermittently and the SELECT icon goes off. Then "SET TIME OR I NCE" is displayed as shown in Figure 14. The time can be set or the I N ICIO key can be pressed. When the energy level key is pressed at an acceptable time during the light wave cooking, that is, one or more of the lamps are activated, the continuous cooking countdown and the displays of the Upper Energy Level appear (Fig. 1 1), Lower Energy Level (Figure 12) and Microwave Energy Level (Figure 13). The same operation described above is used, except that after registering the new microwave energy level, two short ringers and the countdown of continuous cooking and the deployments of the Upper Energy Level, Lower Energy Level and Energy Level of Microwaves continue for 2.0 seconds. After 2.0 seconds, the deployments of the Higher Energy Level, Lower Energy Level and Microwave Energy Level are eliminated and only the countdown continues. If the energy level key is pressed when it is not allowed to change / register or cancel the power level, a ring signal sounds (0.5 seconds at 1000 hz) and the message "THE ENERGY LEVEL CAN NOT BE CHANGED AT THIS TIME "elapses in the display 1 14. After the message has finished, the previously established functions returns. If the energy level key is pressed at a time when the change / registration is allowed, but no dial rotation or no registration occurs in approximately 15 seconds, the displays of the Upper Energy Level, Lower Energy Level and Level of Microwave Energy are removed and the display returns to the cooking countdown. Figure 15 is a flow chart 400 illustrating the steps of the process executed when setting the cooking time during cooking operations. During the cooking operations, a COCI NAR main cooking routine is executed. If the dial 14 does not move 404, the main cooking routine continues to run 406. If the dial 14 is moved, then the microcomputer determines whether a time change can be made, for example, if the remaining time is within change limits 408. For example, if only 15 seconds remain in a cooking operation, a time change can not be allowed to prevent an operator from turning off a cooking operation by turning the dial 14 until the display is displayed. zero, sometimes called a "forced interruption", which may not be desirable. If the remaining time is not within the exchange limits, then the main cooking routine continues to run 406. If the remaining time is within the exchange limits, then the microcomputer determines whether the dial 14 moves in the direction of the changes. clock hands 410. It should be understood that the limit of change can also be zero seconds. If not (i.e., the dial 14 is moved counterclockwise) then for each increment that the dial 14 moves, the cooking time increases by one second 414. Figure 16 is a diagram of flow illustrating the steps of process 450 for controlling the energy level of the lamp. This control is used to control the activation of lamps 124, 126, and 156 (Figure 9). More particularly, a main cooking routine 452 is executed during normal cooking operations. An energy counter is increased 454 for each one second interval, and then the microcomputer verifies if a power cycle is complete 456. For example, and as explained above, each duty cycle lasts approximately 32 seconds. If the duty cycle is finished, then the energy meter starts again at 458. If the duty cycle is not finished, or after restarting the counter, then the microcomputer checks if the energy count is greater than the "on time" 460. The "on time" is equal to the time corresponding to the energy level selected for each lamp, as explained above. If the energy count is greater than the "on-time", then the particular lamp is turned on, 462 the cooking continues with the main cooking routine 464. If the energy count is less than or equal to "time power on ", then the microcomputer checks if the lamp is already on 466. If so, then the cooking operations continue 464. If not, then the microcomputer verifies whether the soft start has been made 468. If it has been done the soft start, then the operations continue with the cooking routine 464. If the soft start operations are not finished, then the soft start routine 470 is called. Figure 1 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps of the process for soft start routine 500. As explained above, the soft start for the halogen lamps is used to increase the reliability of the lamp. When the routine 500 of the energy level control routine 502 is invoked, then the microcomputer increments a soft start counter 504. Then the microcomputer determines whether the soft start is terminated (for example, depending on the lamp, the soft start lasts for 1 or 2 seconds, as explained above). If the soft start is finished, then the microcomputer restarts the soft start counter 508, turns on the lamp control relay 510, and turns off the electronic control switching device of the lamp 512. Then the operations continue the routine 514. If the soft start is not finished, then the microcomputer turns on the electronic lamp control switching device for a soft start count x 10% of line cycle 516. Then the operations continue with the routine of cooked The glass of the oven door is very dark and does not allow the display of food in the cavity 122 unless at least one of the halogen lamps is on and with sufficient energy to illuminate the cavity 122. Therefore, in some cooking operations such as the microwave-only cooking mode, or in radiant cooking at low energy levels, and to display the food in the cooking cavity 122, an operator may select the microwave button on the keyboard 1 12 When this key is selected during cooking, the microcomputer energizes the upper center lamp 124 for 4 seconds at full power (i.e., energy level 10) with a soft start, ie, two seconds of soft start and two seconds of soft start. Energy level energization 10 for a total of four seconds, as mentioned above. The lamp 124 illuminates the cooking cavity sufficiently for an operator to visualize food through the window 106. Although the invention has been described in terms of several specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practice with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims (24)

1. REVIVAL NAMES 1. A speed cooking oven comprising: a cooking cavity; a microwave cooking unit for delivering microwave energy in said cooking cavity; a plurality of radiant lamps for delivering radiant energy in said cooking cavity; a control panel operatively connected to said microwave cooking unit and such a plurality of radiating lamps for selective control thereof.
2. 2. A speed cooking oven according to claim 1, wherein said control panel is adapted to receive input from the user of energy levels selected to operate said microwave cooking unit and said plurality of power lamps. halogen in a speed cooking mode.
3. 3. A cooking oven at a speed according to claim 1, wherein said speed cooking oven additionally comprises: a housing comprising an upper panel and a lower section; an upper cooking unit comprising at least one upper radiating lamp mounted to said upper panel; and a lower cooking unit comprising at least one radiant lamp mounted to said lower section.
4. 4. A speed cooking oven according to claim 3, wherein said upper cooking unit comprises an upper central lamp and an external upper lamp. A speed cooking oven according to claim 3, wherein said cooking cavity comprises a lower surface, said lower radiant lamp being mounted at an angle relative to said lower surface. 6. A speed cooking oven according to claim 3, wherein said radiating lamps comprise halogen lamps with a color temperature of approximately 2300K. A speed cooking oven according to claim 3, wherein said lamps are electrically coupled to electronic switching devices for soft start operation. 8. A speed cooking oven according to claim 1, wherein said control panel is operated selectively between a microwave-only cooking mode, a radiant-only cooking mode, and a speed cooking mode. . A speed cooking oven according to claim 8, wherein said oven additionally comprises a damper adjacent to said microwave cooking unit, said damper being adapted to open in such a microwave-only mode and to close in said modes of cooking at speed and only radiant. 10. A speed cooking oven according to claim 1, wherein said control panel comprises plastic touch switch covers. 1. A speed cooking oven according to claim 1, wherein said energy levels of said microwave cooking unit and such plurality of radiant lamps are adjusted independently during the operation of said oven. 12. A speed cooking oven according to claim 1, wherein said control panel is further adapted for user input and adjustment of a cooking time. 13. A speed cooking oven according to claim 1, wherein said control panel is coupled to a microcomputer, said microcomputer is programmed to operate said microwave cooking unit and such plurality of heating lamps for a pre-selected target ignition time corresponding to a selected energy level. A speed cooking oven according to claim 13, wherein said oven additionally comprises a rotary dial coupled to said control panel, such cooking levels and said cooking time can be adjusted with said rotary dial.
5. 5. A speed cooking oven according to claim 13, wherein said microcomputer is programmed to operate said microwave cooking unit and said plurality of radiating lamps at a duty cycle of approximately 32 seconds. 16. A cooking speed horn according to claim 13, wherein said microcomputer is programmed to activate one of said plurality of radiant lamps for a time previously selected to illuminate said cooking cavity. 17. A method for operating a speed cooking oven that includes a microcomputer, a plurality of radiant lamps coupled to the microcomputer and a microwave cooking unit coupled to the microcomputer, said method comprising the steps of: accepting an input of energy level for each of the radiant lamps and the microwave cooking unit; accept a cooking time entry for a cooking mode; and activating the microwave cooking unit and the plurality of lamps at the energy levels selected for the selected cooking time. 8. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of accepting a user adjustment of the energy level input for the microwave cooking unit and the plurality of lamps during the operation of the oven. 19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of accepting a user adjustment of the cooking time during the operation of the oven. 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said furnace additionally includes a rotary dial inlet, said step of accepting a setting of the cooking time comprises the steps of: detecting whether the rotary dial has been rotated beyond a predetermined increment, thus indicating a desired cooking time setting; determine if the indicated cooking time setting is within an acceptable limit; increase e | cooking time one second for each rotated increment of the dial in a first direction of rotation when the setting of the indicated cooking time is within acceptable limits; reducing the cooking time by one second for each rotated increment of the dial in a second direction of rotation when the setting of the indicated cooking time is within acceptable limits; and avoid adjusting cooking time when the indicated cooking time is not within acceptable limits. twenty-one . A method according to claim 19, wherein said microcomputer increases a respective energy meter for each second of energization of each radiant lamp, said step of energizing the plurality of lamps comprises the steps of: comparing the energy center to a ignition time for each of the plurality of lamps corresponding to the input energy levels; deactivate each lamp when the respective energy account exceeds the respective ignition time; and activate each lamp when the respective energy count is less than the respective ignition time. 22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of activating each lamp comprises the steps of: increasing a soft start count; determine if the soft start is complete; perform soft start activation when soft start is incomplete; and deactivating the soft start activation and re-starting the soft start count once the soft start is completed. 23. A speed cooking oven comprising: a microcomputer; a cooking cavity; an upper cooking unit for delivering radiant energy to said cooking cavity and operatively connected to said microcomputer; a lower cooking unit for delivering radiant energy to the chime to the cooking cavity and operatively connected to said microcomputer; a microwave cooking unit for delivering radiant energy to said cooking cavity and operatively connected to said microcomputer; and a control panel operatively connected to said microcomputer for user manipulation of a power level for each of said upper cooking unit, lower cooking unit, and microwave cooking unit and additionally for user manipulation of a cooking time; such a microcomputer is programmed to operate said oven in a microwave-only cooking mode, a radiant-only cooking mode, and a speed cooking mode for a cooking time in accordance with the user input to said control panel . 24. A speed cooking oven according to claim 23, further comprising a rotary dial input operatively connected to said control panel for user adjustment of the respective power levels of said upper cooking unit, such lower cooking unit, and said microwave cooking unit and for adjusting the user's cooking time during the operation of said oven.