Patent Publication Number: US-2021172610-A1

Title: Oven appliance having a humidity sensor

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an oven appliance, or more specifically, to an oven appliance having a humidity sensor for detecting humidity of a cooking chamber. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Oven appliances generally include a cabinet and an insulated cooking chamber disposed therein for receipt of food items for cooking. Heating elements are positioned within the cooking chamber to provide heat to food items located therein. The heating elements can include a bake heating element positioned at a bottom of the cooking chamber or a broil heating element positioned at a top of the cooking chamber. Oven appliances may also include a convection heating assembly, which may include a convection heating element and fan or other mechanism for creating a flow of heated air within the cooking chamber. Some oven appliances may additionally or alternatively include one or more features for generating steam within the cooking chamber. Such steam may help to maintain or increase the moisture in a food item as it is being heated. 
     Largely independent of the features included in an oven appliance, the humidity level (e.g., percentage or volume of water vapor present in air) within the cooking chamber can significantly impact the cooking process for foods within the cooking chamber. Based on the humidity, airflow or moisture may need to be adjusted (or at least accounted for) while the oven appliance is being used in order to ensure food items are properly cooked. For instance, high humidity in the oven (e.g., represented by an elevated wet-bulb temperature) may increase the thermal conductivity of the air around a food item, leading to a quicker baking process or even burning. Conversely, low humidity may slow a baking process. 
     Certain challenges exist, however, in measuring or monitoring humidity of a cooking chamber. For instance, most humidity sensors are unable to withstand the high-heat environments of oven cooking chambers. As a result, it is often impractical to try mounting a humidity sensor within a cooking chamber to directly measure humidity. Approximations or guesses may be made about humidity based on ambient conditions and certain measured variables (e.g., temperature) within a cooking chamber. Unfortunately, though, such methods can be prone to inaccuracies. Furthermore, attempts have been made to measure humidity within air from a cooking chamber after it leaves the cooking chamber. These attempts often lead to unsatisfactory results, though, since air from the cooking chamber is often too hot or too significantly impacted by the ambient environment outside of the cooking chamber to obtain an accurate measurement. 
     As a result, there is a need for measuring the humidity within a cooking chamber. In particular, it would be useful to provide an oven appliance with features for accurately and reliably measuring the humidity of air for a cooking chamber. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance may include a cabinet, a ventilation fan, a sensor enclosure, a humidity sensor, and a sensor fan. The cabinet may extend along a vertical direction between a top end and a bottom end. The cabinet may extend in a transverse direction from a front end to a rear end. The cabinet may define a cooking chamber and an oven vent downstream therefrom to direct an exhaust flow from the cooking chamber. The ventilation fan may be mounted to the cabinet downstream from the oven vent. The sensor enclosure may be mounted to the cabinet outside of the cooking chamber. The sensor enclosure may define an enclosed volume. The sensor enclosure may further define an active flow entrance and an active flow exit in fluid communication with the enclosed volume. The humidity sensor may be disposed within the enclosed volume. The sensor fan may be attached to the cabinet outside of the cooking chamber and upstream from the ventilation fan. 
     In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an oven appliance is provided. The oven appliance may include a cabinet, a ventilation fan, a sensor enclosure, a humidity sensor, and a sensor fan. The cabinet may extend along a vertical direction between a top end and a bottom end. The cabinet may extend in a transverse direction from a front end to a rear end. The cabinet may define a cooking chamber and an oven vent downstream therefrom to direct an exhaust flow from the cooking chamber. The ventilation fan may be mounted to the cabinet downstream from the oven vent. The sensor enclosure may be mounted to the cabinet outside of the cooking chamber and forward from the ventilation fan. The sensor enclosure may define an enclosed volume. The sensor enclosure may further define an active flow entrance and an active flow exit in fluid communication with the enclosed volume. The humidity sensor may be disposed within the enclosed volume. The sensor fan may be mounted to the sensor enclosure outside of the cooking chamber and upstream from the ventilation fan. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of an oven appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  provides a side, sectional view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  provides a front, sectional view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  provides a top, plan view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1 , wherein a top panel has been removed for clarity and arrows illustrate an airflow during a non-sensing state of a humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 5  provides a top, plan view of the exemplary oven appliance of  FIG. 1 , wherein a top panel has been removed for clarity and arrows illustrate an airflow during a sensing state of a humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 6  provides a perspective view of a sensor assembly including a sensor enclosure according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  provides a perspective view of the sensor enclosure of the exemplary sensor assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  provides a schematic, plan view of a sensor assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with arrows illustrating an airflow during a non-sensing state of a humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 9  provides a schematic, plan view of the exemplary sensor assembly of  FIG. 8 , with arrows illustrating an airflow during a sensing state of the humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 10  provides a schematic, plan view of a sensor assembly according to other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with arrows illustrating an airflow during a non-sensing state of a humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 11  provides a schematic, plan view of the exemplary sensor assembly of  FIG. 10 , with arrows illustrating an airflow during a sensing state of the humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 12  provides a schematic, plan view of a sensor assembly according to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with arrows illustrating an airflow during a non-sensing state of a humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 13  provides a schematic, plan view of the exemplary sensor assembly of  FIG. 12 , with arrows illustrating an airflow during a sensing state of the humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 14  provides a schematic, plan view of a sensor assembly according to still further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with arrows illustrating an airflow during a non-sensing state of a humidity sensor. 
         FIG. 15  provides a schematic, plan view of the exemplary sensor assembly of  FIG. 14 , with arrows illustrating an airflow during a sensing state of the humidity sensor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIGS. 1 through 5  depict an exemplary oven appliance  10  that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.  FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of oven appliance  10  according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  provides a side, sectional view of oven appliance  10 .  FIG. 3  provides a front, sectional view.  FIGS. 4 and 5  provide top, plan views of oven appliance  10 . 
     For the particular embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 5 , oven appliance  10  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. Generally, the exemplary oven appliance  10  of  FIG. 5  is configured to be mounted within a building wall, and may thus be described as a wall oven. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, though, oven appliance  10  is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable cooking appliance. Thus, the present subject matter may be used with other oven appliances having different configurations, such as range appliances, double ovens, etc. 
     Oven appliance  10  includes a cabinet  12  with an insulated cooking chamber  14  disposed within cabinet  12 . Insulated cooking chamber  14  is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Oven appliance  10  includes a door  16  rotatably mounted to cabinet  12  (e.g., with a hinge—not shown). A handle  18  is mounted to door  16  and assists a user with opening and closing door  16  in order to access insulated cooking chamber  14 . For example, a user can pull on handle  18  to open or close door  16  and access insulated cooking chamber  14 . 
     Oven appliance  10  can include a seal (e.g., gasket  20 ) between door  16  and cabinet  12  that assists with maintaining heat and cooking fumes within insulated cooking chamber  14  when door  16  is closed as shown. Door  16  may include a window  22 , constructed for example from multiple parallel glass panes to provide for viewing the contents of insulated cooking chamber  14  when door  16  is closed and assist with insulating insulated cooking chamber  14 . A baking rack may be positioned in insulated cooking chamber  14  for the receipt of food items or utensils containing food items. The baking rack may be slidably received onto embossed ribs or sliding rails such that the baking rack may be conveniently moved into and out of insulated cooking chamber  14  when door  16  is open. 
     In some embodiments, various sidewalls define insulated cooking chamber  14 . For example, insulated cooking chamber  14  includes a top wall  25  and a bottom wall  26 , which are spaced apart along the vertical direction V. Left sidewall  27  and right sidewall  28  (as defined according to the view as shown in  FIG. 1 ) extend between the top wall  25  and bottom wall  26 , and are spaced apart along the lateral direction L. A rear wall  29  may additionally extend between the top wall  25  and bottom wall  26  as well as between the left sidewall  27  and right sidewall  28 , and is spaced apart from door  16  along the transverse direction T. In this manner, when door  16  is in the closed position, a cooking cavity is defined by door  16  and top wall  25 , bottom wall  26 , left sidewall  27 , right sidewall  28 , rear wall  29 , of insulated cooking chamber  14 . 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, walls  25  through  29  of insulated cooking chamber  14  are depicted as simple blocks of insulating material surrounding the cooking cavity. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the insulating material may be constructed of one or more suitable materials and may take any suitable shape. For example, the insulating material may be encased in one or more rigid structural members, such as sheet metal panels, which provide structural rigidity and a mounting surface for attaching, for example, heating elements, temperature probes, rack sliding assemblies, and other mechanical or electronic components. 
     In a similar manner, cabinet  12  includes multiple panels that enclose insulated cooking chamber  14 . For example, cabinet  12  includes a top panel  30  and a bottom panel  31 , which are spaced apart along the vertical direction V. Left panel  32  and right panel  33  (as defined according to the view as shown in  FIG. 1 ) extend between the top panel  30  and bottom panel  31 , and are spaced apart along the lateral direction L. A rear panel  34  may additionally extend between the top panel  30  and bottom panel  31  as well as between the left panel  32  and right panel  33 , and is spaced apart from door  16  along the transverse direction T. When door  16  is in the closed position, door  16  may sit flush with a front panel  35  of cabinet  12 . 
     According to the illustrated embodiments, panels  30  through  35  of cabinet  12  are single ply sheet metal panels, but one skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitably rigid panel may be used while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, panels  30  through  35  may be constructed from a suitably rigid and thermally resistant plastic. In addition, each panel  30  through  35  may include multiple layers made from the same or different materials, and may be formed in any suitable shape. 
     In certain embodiments, a lower heating assembly (e.g., bake heating assembly  40 ) is included in oven appliance  10 , and may include one or more heating elements (e.g., bake heating elements  42 ). Bake heating elements  42  may be disposed within insulated cooking chamber  14 , such as adjacent bottom wall  26 . In exemplary embodiments, the bake heating elements  42  are electric heating elements, as is generally understood. Alternatively, the bake heating elements  42  may be gas burners or other suitable heating elements having other suitable heating sources. Bake heating elements  42  may generally be used to heat insulated cooking chamber  14  for both cooking and cleaning of oven appliance  10 . 
     In additional or alternative embodiments, an upper heating assembly (e.g., broil heating assembly  46 ) is included in oven appliance  10 , and may include one or more upper heating elements (e.g., broil heating elements  48 ). Broil heating elements  48  may be disposed within insulated cooking chamber  14 , such as adjacent top wall  25 . In exemplary embodiments, the broil heating elements  48  are electric heating elements, as is generally understood. Alternatively, the broil heating elements  48  may be gas burners or other suitable heating elements having other suitable heating sources. Broil heating elements  48  may additionally generally be used to heat insulated cooking chamber  14  for both cooking and cleaning of oven appliance  10 . 
     Oven appliance  10  may also include a convection heating assembly  50 . Convection heating assembly  50  may have a fan  52  and, optionally, a convection heating element  54 . Convection heating assembly  50  is configured for selectively urging a flow of heated air into insulated cooking chamber  14 . For example, fan  52  can pull air from insulated cooking chamber  14  into convection heating assembly  50  and convection heating element  54  can heat such air. Subsequently, fan  52  can urge such heated air back into insulated cooking chamber  14 . As another example, fan  52  can cycle heated air from insulated cooking chamber  14  within insulated cooking chamber  14  in order to generate forced convective air currents without use of convection heating element  54 . Like heating elements  42 ,  48  discussed above, convection heating element  54  may be, for example, a gas, electric, or microwave heating element or any suitable combination thereof. According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, convection heating assembly  50  need not include fan  52 . 
     In optional embodiments, a steam-injection assembly  70  is provided to selectively direct or release water to insulated cooking chamber  14 . For instance, a water valve  72  may be mounted on or within cabinet  12  upstream from cooking chamber  14  and downstream from a water source or reservoir. During use, water valve  72  may be selectively opened, thereby permitting water to flow to insulated cooking chamber  14 . Within cooking chamber  14 , water may be vaporized (e.g., by the heat generated by heating assembly  40 ,  46 , or  50 ). Steam may thus be provided to cooking chamber  14 . 
     As shown, oven appliance  10  may be provided with a cooling system whereby ambient air is used to help cool oven appliance  10 . For example, one or more cooling air flow passageways  74  may be formed within cabinet  12 , such as by adjacent walls or panels  25  through  35  of oven appliance  10 . In some embodiments, cooling air flow passageway  74  wraps around cooking chamber  14  to provide convective cooling to walls or panels  25  through  35  and prevent overheating of cabinet  12 . Optionally, cooling air flow passageway  74  may extend from front panel  35  of oven appliance  10 , across top wall  25 , down rear wall  29 , and along bottom wall  26  back to the front of cabinet  12 . Nonetheless, as will be understood in light of the present disclosure, cooling air flow passageway  74  may have a variety of configurations other than as shown. 
     During use, a cooling fan  76  (e.g., mounted within cabinet  12 ) can be selectively activated to move air through passageway  74 . As shown, cooling fan  76  is provided in fluid communication between a discrete airflow entrance  78  and airflow exit  80  defined by cabinet  12  and spaced apart from each other. In other words, cooling fan  76  is mounted downstream from airflow entrance  78  and upstream from airflow exit  80 . Thus, cooling fan  76  may draw ambient air through airflow entrance  78  (e.g., positioned between door  16  and user interface panel  60 ). In some embodiments, cooling fan  76  also pulls this cooler, ambient air through an electronics bay  82  (e.g., housing controller  58 ), which is connected with cooling air flow passageway  74 . After flowing past walls or panels  25  through  35  to provide convective cooling, the air exits passageway  74  through cooling airflow exit  80 . 
     Generally, cooling fan  76  may be any fan or device suitable for urging air flow through cooling air flow passageway  74 . For instance, cooling fan  76  may be a tangential fan positioned within cooling air flow passageway  74  (e.g., at a rear portion of cabinet  12  or adjacent to top wall  25 ). Nonetheless, it is understood that alternative types of fans, locations, and configurations are also possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. Separate from or in addition to cooling fan  76 , a ventilation fan  84  may be mounted to cabinet  12  downstream from an oven vent  86 . Generally, oven vent  86  is defined by cabinet  12  (e.g., through top wall  25 ) downstream from cooking chamber  14  to direct an exhaust flow  90  from cooking chamber  14 . For instance, oven vent  86  may be defined by a conduit that extends generally along the vertical direction V (e.g., along a linear or curved path upward) from cooking chamber  14 . Ventilation fan  84  is mounted downstream from oven vent  86  and can motivate the exhaust flow  90  from cooking chamber  14 . During use, the air withdrawn from cooking chamber  14  within exhaust flow  90  is replaced by ambient air drawn into cooking chamber  14  through the gasket  20  between door  16  and walls or panels  25  through  35 . Notably, such ventilation of cooking chamber  14  may remove, for example, some of the moisture and gases released during cooking operations. 
     Generally, ventilation fan  84  may be any fan or device suitable for urging exhaust flow  90  through from oven vent  86  through cabinet  12 . For instance, ventilation fan  84  may be a tangential fan positioned within cabinet  12  (e.g., at a rear portion of cabinet  12  or adjacent to top wall  25 ). In some embodiments, ventilation fan  84  is mounted within passageway  74  (e.g., upstream from airflow exit  80 ). For instance, ventilation fan  84  may be mounted in parallel (e.g., fluid or mechanical parallel) to cooling fan  76 . Optionally, ventilation fan  84  and cooling fan  76  may be motivated by a common motor (e.g., such that the fans  76 ,  84  are activated and rotate in tandem). Nonetheless, it is understood that alternative types of fans, locations, and configurations are also possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Oven appliance  10  is further equipped with a controller  58  to regulate operation of the oven appliance  10 . For example, controller  58  may regulate the operation of oven appliance  10  including heating elements  42 ,  48 ,  54  (and heating assemblies  40 ,  46 ,  50  generally), steam-injection assembly  70 , or fans  76 ,  84 . Controller  58  may be in operable communication (via for example a suitable wired or wireless connection) with the heating elements  42 ,  48 ,  54 , steam-injection assembly  70 , fans  76 ,  84 , and other suitable components of the oven appliance  10 , as discussed herein. In general, controller  58  may be operable to configure the oven appliance  10  (and various components thereof) for cooking. Such configuration may be based on a plurality of cooking factors of a selected operating cycles, sensor feedback, etc. 
     By way of example, controller  58  may include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. 
     Controller  58  may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout oven appliance  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, controller  58  may be located within a user interface panel  60  of oven appliance  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of oven appliance  10  along wiring harnesses that may be routed through cabinet  12 . Typically, controller  58  is in operable communication (e.g., wired or wireless communication) with user interface panel  60  and controls  62  through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of oven appliance  10 . In one embodiment, user interface panel  60  may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, user interface panel  60  may include input components or controls  62 , such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface panel  60  may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device  64  designed to provide operational feedback to a user. 
     User interface panel  60  may be in operable communication with controller  58  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Controller  58  may also be communication with one or more sensors. As an example, controller  58  may be in operable communication with a temperature sensor that is used to measure temperature inside insulated cooking chamber  14  and provide such measurements to controller  58 . The temperature sensor may be a thermocouple, a thermistor, a resistance temperature detector, or any other device suitable for measuring the temperature within insulated cooking chamber  14 . In this manner, controller  58  may selectively control heating elements  42 ,  48 ,  54  or steam-injection assembly  70  in response to user manipulation of user interface panel  60  and temperature feedback from the temperature sensor. Controller  58  can also receive temperature measurements from the temperature sensor placed within insulated cooking chamber  14  and, for example, provide a temperature indication to the user with display  64 . 
     As an additional or alternative example, controller  58  may be in operable communication with a humidity sensor  110  that is mounted outside of cooking chamber  14 , yet may provide a measurement of humidity inside insulated cooking chamber  14 , as will be described below. Humidity sensor  110  may be provided as a hygrometer, such as a thermal hygrometer, optical hygrometer, capacitive hygrometer, or any other device suitable for measuring the humidity of air from cooking chamber  14 . Once obtained (e.g., at controller  58  or off controller  58 ), such humidity measurements may be provided to and used by controller  58 . In this manner, controller  58  may selectively control heating elements  42 ,  48 ,  54  or steam-injection assembly  70  in response to user manipulation of user interface panel  60  and humidity feedback from the humidity sensor  110 . Controller  58  can also obtain humidity measurements and, for example, provide a humidity indication to the user with display  64 . 
     In certain embodiments, humidity sensor  110  is housed, at least in part, within a sensor enclosure  112 . Specifically, humidity sensor  110  may be disposed within an enclosed volume  114  defined by sensor enclosure  112  (e.g., by one or more sidewalls and top wall  25  with or without a solid surface of the cabinet  12  to which sensor enclosure  112  is mounted). As shown, sensor enclosure  112  is generally mounted to cabinet  12  outside of cooking chamber  14 . Thus, sensor enclosure  112  is fixed to cabinet  12  while being positioned away from the high-heat environment created within cooking chamber  14  during cooking or heating operations. In some embodiments, sensor enclosure  112  is attached to an insulated wall (e.g.,  25  through  29 ). For example, sensor enclosure  112  may be attached to an outer surface of top wall  25  above cooking chamber  14 . Insulation may thus be positioned between sensor enclosure  112  and cooking chamber  14  such that conductive heat transfer between sensor enclosure  112  and cooking chamber  14  is prevented. 
     Along with defining an enclosed volume  114 , sensor enclosure  112  further defines a discrete active flow entrance  116  and active flow exit  118 . Active flow entrance  116  and active flow exit  118  are spaced apart from each other (e.g., at different sidewalls or ends of sensor enclosure  112 ). In some embodiments, active flow entrance  116  is defined along the lateral direction L. For instance, active flow entrance  116  may be defined on a lateral sidewall of sensor enclosure  112 . In additional or alternative embodiments, active flow exit  118  faces away from ventilation fan  84  (e.g., forward). For instance, active flow exit  118  may be defined along the transverse direction T or the lateral direction L at a forward end of sensor enclosure  112 . 
     As shown, both active flow entrance  116  and active flow exit  118  are in in fluid communication with enclosed volume  114  such that air can pass therebetween. Optionally, active flow entrance  116  may be defined as an unobstructed hole or opening extending through a wall of sensor enclosure  112  to enclosed volume  114 . Additionally or alternatively, active flow exit  118  may be defined as a separate unobstructed hole or opening extending through a wall of sensor enclosure  112  to enclosed volume  114 . 
     When assembled, humidity sensor  110  (and thus at least a portion of sensor enclosure  112 ) is spaced apart from oven vent  86 . In some such embodiments, humidity sensor  110  and enclosed volume  114  are spaced apart from the terminal end or aperture of oven vent  86  (e.g., opposite of cooking chamber  14 ) in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V (e.g., the lateral direction L or the transverse direction T). In other words, humidity sensor  110  is horizontally offset from oven vent  86 . Thus, heated air or fluid exiting oven vent  86  from cooking chamber  14  or through a sidewall is unable to flow immediately to humidity sensor  110 . As shown, humidity sensor  110  may be positioned rearward from oven vent  86  such that air or fluid from oven vent  86  must travel, at least in part, along the transverse direction T toward the rear end of cabinet  12  before reaching humidity sensor  110  or sensor enclosure  112 . Additionally or alternatively, humidity sensor  110  may be positioned sideways from oven vent  86  such that air or fluid from oven vent  86  must travel, at least in part, along the lateral direction L toward the first side or, alternatively, the second side of cabinet  12  before reaching humidity sensor  110  or sensor enclosure  112 . 
     In some embodiments, a duct  112  is provided downstream from oven vent  86  to direct at least a portion of air or fluid from oven vent  86 . Specifically, duct  112  may be mounted to cabinet  12  above oven vent  86  to receive the exhaust flow  90  from oven vent  86 . For instance, duct  112  may be mounted to the outer surface of an insulated wall at which oven vent  86  terminates (e.g., top wall  25 ). As shown, along with a channel for guiding air or fluid (e.g., exhaust flow  90 ), duct  112  may define a discrete air inlet  124  and air outlet  126 . Generally, air inlet  124  is defined upstream from the terminating end of oven vent  86  within duct  112  while air outlet  126  is defined downstream from the same. During use, at least a portion of exhaust flow  90  may thus travel through duct  112  to air outlet  126  with at least a portion of ambient air passed to duct  112  from air inlet  124 . When assembled, air inlet  124  may be defined or disposed forward from oven vent  86  or sensor enclosure  112 . Additionally or alternatively, air outlet  126  may be disposed rearward from oven vent  86 . 
     Generally, at least a portion of air outlet  126  is directed at sensor enclosure  112 . At least a portion of exhaust flow  90  may thus be directed from duct  112  to sensor enclosure  112 . In optional embodiments, air outlet  126  defines at least two discrete outlet paths  128 ,  130 . A first outlet path  128  may be defined at or proximate to active flow entrance  116 . In turn, air or fluid is permitted between duct  112  and sensor enclosure  112  along first outlet path  128  through air outlet  126  and active flow entrance  116 . A second outlet path  130  may be defined apart from (e.g., behind or rearward from) active flow entrance  116 . In turn, air or fluid is permitted from duct  112  along second outlet path  130  through air outlet  126  without passing to sensor enclosure  112 . Thus, air or fluid along second outlet path  130  bypasses active flow entrance  116  and enclosed volume  114 . For instance, such air or fluid along second outlet path  130  may pass to ventilation fan  84  while bypassing active flow entrance  116  and enclosed volume  114 . Separate from or in addition to ventilation fan  84 , oven appliance  10  may include a sensor fan  132  attached to cabinet  12  outlet of cooking chamber  14 . In particular, sensor fan  132  may be disposed upstream from ventilation fan  84 . During certain operations, at least a portion of air received at ventilation fan  84  may thus pass over or across sensor fan  132 . In some such embodiments, sensor fan  132  is positioned to communicate with or direct air through enclosed volume  114 . For instance, sensor fan  132  may be mounted to sensor enclosure  112 . 
     Generally, sensor fan  132  may be any fan or device suitable for urging exhaust flow  90  through from active flow entrance  116  to active flow exit  118 . For instance, ventilation fan  84  may be an axial fan positioned coaxially with active flow exit  118 . In certain embodiments, sensor fan  132  is mounted in fluid communication (e.g., along a fluid communication flow path) between active flow entrance  116  and active flow exit  118 . Air through enclosed volume  114  may pass over or across sensor fan  132 . In further embodiments, sensor fan  132  is mounted in fluid communication between humidity sensor  110  and active flow exit  118 . Air may thus pass from humidity sensor  110  and across or through sensor fan  132  before passing to active flow exit  118 . Nonetheless, it is understood that alternative types of fans, locations, and configurations are also possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     When assembled, sensor fan  132  may be in operable communication with controller  58 . Controller  58  may be configured to selectively activate or rotate sensor fan  132  (e.g., as part of a sensing state for humidity sensor  110 ). For instance, sensor fan  132  may be activated independently of ventilation fan  84 . As ventilation fan  84  rotates, sensor fan  132  may be alternately activated and deactivated. When activated or rotating (e.g., in an sensing state) during use of oven appliance  10  (e.g., while a heating element  42 ,  48 ,  54 ; ventilation fan  84 ; or cooling fan  76  remains active), sensor fan  132  may motivate an active flow through sensor enclosure  112 . Specifically, the active flow may be drawn from active flow entrance  116  to active flow exit  118  and include, at least a portion of the exhaust flow  90  from oven vent  86  (e.g., exiting air outlet  126 ). From the active flow, humidity sensor  110  may advantageously measure humidity from exhaust flow  90  before exhaust flow  90  has significantly dispersed (e.g., without subjecting humidity sensor  110  to extreme temperatures). By contrast, when sensor fan  132  is not activated (e.g., in a non-sensing state) during use of oven appliance  10  (e.g., while a heating element  42 ,  48 ,  54 ; ventilation fan  84 ; or cooling fan  76  remains active), a passive airflow may be motivated through sensor enclosure  112 . Specifically, the passive airflow may be drawn from active flow exit  118  to active flow entrance  116  (e.g., prior to flowing to duct  112  through air outlet  126 ). The passive airflow may be motivated by natural convection or, alternatively, ventilation or cooling fans  76 ,  84 . Separately or in addition to the passive airflow, air may be motivated (e.g., by ventilation or cooling fans  84 ,  76 ) over or around sensor enclosure  112  without passing through enclosed volume  114 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , schematic views are provided of sensor enclosure  112  to illustrate the active flow and passive airflow, respectively, according to exemplary embodiments, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 7 . As shown, active flow entrance  116  may be defined along the lateral direction L (e.g., from duct  112  as part of first outlet path  128  of air outlet  126 ). Active flow exit  118  may face forward, away from ventilation fan  84 , and be defined along the transverse direction T. 
     In the non-sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 8 ) of sensor  110 , the passive airflow may enter sensor enclosure  112  through active flow exit  118  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . From enclosed volume  114 , the passive airflow may pass from a surrounding portion of cabinet  12  through active flow entrance  116  (e.g., to duct  112 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the passive airflow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., within duct  112 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     In the sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 9 ) of sensor  110 , the active flow may enter sensor enclosure  112  from oven vent  86  or duct  112  through active flow entrance  116  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . As noted above, within sensor enclosure  112 , humidity sensor  110  may measure humidity for air from cooking chamber  14 . From enclosed volume  114 , the active flow may pass through active flow exit  118  (e.g., to a surrounding portion of cabinet  12 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the active flow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., having exiting duct  112  through the second outlet path  130  of air outlet  126 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , schematic views are provided of sensor enclosure  112  to illustrate the active flow and passive airflow, respectively, according to other exemplary embodiments. As shown, active flow entrance  116  may be defined along the lateral direction L (e.g., from duct  112  as part of first outlet path  128  of air outlet  126 ). Sensor enclosure  112  may be a linear enclosure defining enclosure volume along a linear path extending from duct  112  at a primary non-orthogonal angle θ (e.g., greater than 0° and less than 90°, such as 45°) relative to the transverse direction T. Active flow exit  118  may face away from ventilation fan  84  at the primary non-orthogonal angle θ. 
     In the non-sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 10 ) of sensor  110 , the passive airflow may enter sensor enclosure  112  through active flow exit  118  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . From enclosed volume  114 , the passive airflow may pass from a surrounding portion of cabinet  12  through active flow entrance  116  (e.g., to duct  112 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the passive airflow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., within duct  112 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     In the sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 11 ) of sensor  110 , the active flow may enter sensor enclosure  112  from oven vent  86  or duct  112  through active flow entrance  116  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . As noted above, within sensor enclosure  112 , humidity sensor  110  may measure humidity for air from cooking chamber  14 . From enclosed volume  114 , the active flow may pass through active flow exit  118  (e.g., to a surrounding portion of cabinet  12 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the active flow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., having exiting duct  112  through the second outlet path  130  of air outlet  126 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , schematic views are provided of sensor enclosure  112  to illustrate the active flow and passive airflow, respectively, according to further alternative exemplary embodiments. As shown, active flow entrance  116  may be defined along the lateral direction L (e.g., from duct  112  as part of first outlet path  128  of air outlet  126 ). Sensor enclosure  112  may be a linear enclosure defining enclosure volume along a linear path extending from duct  112  at an orthogonal angle relative to the transverse direction T. Active flow exit  118  may face away from ventilation fan  84  and be defined along the lateral direction L while being laterally spaced apart from active flow exit  118 . 
     In the non-sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 12 ) of sensor  110 , the passive airflow may enter sensor enclosure  112  through active flow exit  118  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . From enclosed volume  114 , the passive airflow may pass from a surrounding portion of cabinet  12  through active flow entrance  116  (e.g., to duct  112 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the passive airflow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., within duct  112 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     In the sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 13 ) of sensor  110 , the active flow may enter sensor enclosure  112  from oven vent  86  or duct  112  through active flow entrance  116  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . As noted above, within sensor enclosure  112 , humidity sensor  110  may measure humidity for air from cooking chamber  14 . From enclosed volume  114 , the active flow may pass through active flow exit  118  (e.g., to a surrounding portion of cabinet  12 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the active flow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., having exiting duct  112  through the second outlet path  130  of air outlet  126 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , schematic views are provided of sensor enclosure  112  to illustrate the active flow and passive airflow, respectively, according to still further exemplary embodiments. As shown, active flow entrance  116  may be defined along the lateral direction L (e.g., from duct  112  as part of first outlet path  128  of air outlet  126 ). Sensor enclosure  112  may be a bent or curved enclosure. Enclosed volume  114  may thus be bent or curved (e.g., from duct  112 ). For instance, sensor enclosure  112  may extend from duct  112  at a primary non-orthogonal angle θ (e.g., greater than 0° and less than 90°, such as 45°) relative to the transverse direction T. Sensor enclosure  112  may further extend forward (e.g., back toward duct  112 ) at a secondary angle γ (e.g., greater than 0° and less than 180°, such as 135°). Optionally, the secondary angle γ and primary non-orthogonal angle θ may equal 180°. Active flow exit  118  may thus face forward, away from ventilation fan  84 , and be defined along the transverse direction T. 
     In the non-sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 13 ) of sensor  110 , the passive airflow may enter sensor enclosure  112  through active flow exit  118  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . From enclosed volume  114 , the passive airflow may pass from a surrounding portion of cabinet  12  through active flow entrance  116  (e.g., to duct  112 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the passive airflow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., within duct  112 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     In the sensing state (e.g.,  FIG. 14 ) of sensor  110 , the active flow may enter sensor enclosure  112  from oven vent  86  or duct  112  through active flow entrance  116  and pass to enclosed volume  114 . As noted above, within sensor enclosure  112 , humidity sensor  110  may measure humidity for air from cooking chamber  14 . From enclosed volume  114 , the active flow may pass through active flow exit  118  (e.g., to a surrounding portion of cabinet  12 ). After exiting sensor enclosure  112 , the active flow may mix or entrain with a separate airflow (e.g., having exiting duct  112  through the second outlet path  130  of air outlet  126 ) before passing from cabinet  12  (e.g., as motivated by or through ventilation fan  84 ). 
     It is noted that although various exemplary shapes of sensor enclosure  112  are illustrated in  FIGS. 9 through 15 , such examples are not exhaustive. Any other suitable shape may be provided, as would be understood in light of the present disclosure. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.