Waveguide Applicator Patents (Class 219/690)
  • Patent number: 11800609
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave melting apparatus and system for investment casting the metals obtained therefrom. In addition to enhanced production capacity, the system allows for the use of both a broad range of metal alloys and a variety of forms including ingot, scrap, granulated and powdered metals not possible with induction systems generally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: New Wave Ceramic Crucibles LLC
    Inventors: Kermit Buntrock, Stan Morrow, Hugo Huey
  • Patent number: 11617239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for thermally activating a functional layer of a coating material, preferably an edge material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing the coating material; feeding the coating material to a device for thermally activating a functional layer of the coating material; and thermally activating the functional layer of the coating material, wherein the thermal activation of the functional layer of the coating material occurs by microwaves which are generated by at least one semiconductor wave generator. The present invention also relates to a device for thermally activating a functional layer of a coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: HOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Ruven Weiss, Ludwig Albrecht
  • Patent number: 11547866
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for rejuvenating a region of skin or mucosal tissue, comprising: a pulsed electromagnetic frequency generator; a plurality of electrodes in communication with the pulsed electromagnetic frequency generator and an RF tissue diathermy device. The electrodes apply the pulsed electromagnetic power and the RF tissue diathermy to the tissue, heating it such that one portion of the region of mucosal tissue is maintained at a predetermined temperature range T1 while another portion of the region of mucosal tissue is at least temporarily maintained at predetermined temperature range T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Venus Concept Ltd.
    Inventors: Oded Ron Edoute, Orit Ron Edoute, Itzhak Kremin, Vadim Polyakov, Boris Vaynberg
  • Patent number: 11445580
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave-based high-throughput material processing device with a concentric rotary chassis. The device includes a microwave source generator, a microwave reaction chamber, and a temperature acquisition device. The microwave reaction chamber is provided with a rotary table, a thermal insulation barrel and a crucible die. The thermal insulation barrel is disposed on the rotary table, and the crucible die is disposed in the thermal insulation barrel. The crucible die is provided with a plurality of first grooves, and the first grooves are evenly distributed on a first circumference. A plurality of first fixing holes are disposed on a top of the thermal insulation barrel, and the first fixing holes are disposed corresponding to the first grooves. A first acquisition hole is disposed on the top of the microwave reaction chamber, and the first acquisition hole is located right above the first circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KUNMING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Lei Xu, Jinhui Peng, Shenghui Guo, Libo Zhang, Zhaohui Han, Yi Xia, Shaohua Ju, Shanju Zheng, Shiwei Li, Zemin Wang, Zhang Xu
  • Patent number: 11129398
    Abstract: Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Harold Dail Kimrey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11032879
    Abstract: Processes and systems that enhance the heating of packaged foodstuffs and other items in various microwave heating systems are described herein. The foodstuffs may be contained in a package including one or more energy control elements that interact with microwave energy in order to alter the effect that microwave energy has on the foodstuff. These energy control elements can enhance or inhibit microwave energy and a single package may include one or more energy control elements. In some cases, the energy control element may respond differently to different types of microwave energy. As a result, some packages described herein may exhibit different absorption or reflectance characteristics when exposed to microwave energy while being pasteurized or sterilized in a larger-scale microwave heating system than when the package is reheated in an at-home microwave oven prior to consumption or use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: 915 LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Harold Dail Kimrey, Jr., Lora Nicolette Spizzirri, Li Zhang, David Behringer, Matthew Raider
  • Patent number: 10850252
    Abstract: In order to provide a microwave treatment apparatus capable of properly controlling microwave irradiation, a microwave treatment apparatus 1 includes: an irradiating portion that performs microwave irradiation from multiple emitting portions; a moving portion that individually moves the multiple emitting portions; and a control portion that controls movements of the emitting portions by the moving portion, wherein the irradiating portion is such that phases of microwaves that are emitted from the multiple emitting portions are changeable, and the control portion controls phases of microwaves that are emitted by the irradiating portion from the multiple emitting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Tsukahara, Yuya Tanaka, Hideshi Kurihara, Ryuhei Kinjyo, Hisao Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10818994
    Abstract: A microwave guide suitable for carrying microwaves between an object that is vibrating that is connected to a first end of the guide and an object connected to the other end of the guide that is to be protected from transmitted vibrations, the guide providing a restricted path for the transmission of vibrations. In one embodiment, the guide has a flexible mesh part having an inner surface which has high electric conductivity and is provided with a plurality openings. The openings may be sufficiently small such that microwave radiation is unable to pass through the opening. The guide may also include a support structure which extends along the length of the guide. The support structure may have a low dielectric loss tangent and may be sufficiently rigid to provide support to the mesh part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Inventors: William Robertson Cunningham Erskine, Kristian Terah Gough, Andy Terah Gough, David Wilson, Nathan Erskine
  • Patent number: 10750580
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cooking appliance that includes a cooking cavity body, in which a cooking cavity is formed; a heating plate, movably mounted in the cooking cavity; and an adjusting device, mounted to the heating plate and used for driving the heating plate to continuously reciprocate in the cooking cavity. According to the technical solution, the heating plate can continuously reciprocate up and down or left and right in the cooking cavity under the action of the adjusting device, and when the cooking appliance is specifically used for heating food, the height of the heating plate can be adjusted according to the category and height of the food to adjust the distance between the heating plate and the bottom wall of the cooking cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mingbo An, Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 10470254
    Abstract: An object is processed in a cavity resonator by application of radiofrequency energy to the cavity resonator through a plurality of feeds. Excitation setups are grouped into a plurality of peaks based on values of an absorbability indicator associated with each of the excitation setups. At least one peak among the plurality of peaks is selected based on the values of the absorbability indicator associated with the excitation setups grouped into each peak. Radiofrequency energy is applied to the cavity resonator based on the selection, in which the excitation setups are multi-dimensional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GOJI LIMITED
    Inventors: Zalman Ibragimov, Amit Rappel
  • Patent number: 10307759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a biosensor system (300) for the detection of target components (TC) in a biological sample. In a preferred embodiment, magnetic purification particles (PP) are added to the sample that can bind interfering components (IC) (if present) which interfere with the detection process. The purification particles (PP) with bound interfering components (IC) may be removed from the sample and transferred through a magneto-capillary valve (MCV1) into a waste chamber (320).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Albert Hendrik Jan Immink, Jeroen Hans Nieuwenhuis, Gwenola Sabatte, Wilhelmina Maria Hardeman
  • Patent number: 10213257
    Abstract: A method of directing energy to tissue includes the initial step of positioning an energy applicator for delivery of energy to target tissue. The energy applicator is provided with a surface-contact detection device including one or more optical transmitters and one or more optical receivers. The energy applicator is operably associated with an electrosurgical power generating source. The method also includes the steps of determining whether a radiating portion of the energy applicator is disposed in contact with the target tissue based on a determination of whether optical signals generated by the one or more optical transmitters result in reflected optical signals received at the one or more optical receivers, and if it is determined that the radiating portion of the energy applicator is disposed in contact with tissue, transmitting energy from the electrosurgical power generating source through the radiating portion to the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10085309
    Abstract: A drawer-type microwave oven includes: an oven body, defining an oven cavity therein, and provided with a first microswitch, a second microswitch and a locking engagement component thereon; a drawer, connected to the oven body, disposed in the oven cavity and between a closed position and an opened position in a push-pull way, provided with a door at an end of the drawer for driving the door to open or close the oven cavity, and provided with a locking component rested against the first microswitch removably and a limiting component rested against the second microswitch removably; a drawer driving device, connected to the drawer; and a controller configured to control the drawer driving device to drive the drawer to be pushed into or pulled out of the oven cavity by monitoring state changes of the first microswitch and the second microswitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianyi Zhou, Yongzhong Zhang, Jian Long
  • Patent number: 10080603
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an energy applicator adapted to direct energy to tissue, an electrosurgical power generating source, and a surface-contact detection device. The surface-contact detection device is operably associated with the energy applicator. The surface-contact detection device is communicatively-coupled to the electrosurgical power generating source. The surface-contact detection device includes at least one optical transmitter to generate optical signals, a lens member configured to reflect optical signals generated by the optical transmitter when the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue, and at least one optical receiver to receive optical signals reflected by the lens member. The electrosurgical power generating source is adapted to transmit energy to the energy applicator when it is determined that the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 9974606
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated housing having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy via first and second channels extending along a length of the housing to the distal end thereof. The distal end includes a reflector having a dielectric load operably coupled thereto and configured to receive at least a portion of the first conductor therein. In a first mode of operation, electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the first channel and reflected from the reflector to electrosurgically treat tissue. The reflector is configured to receive at least a portion of the second channel therein. In a second mode of operation, electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the second channel to dissect tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, Casey M. Ladtkow
  • Patent number: 9810645
    Abstract: A system for measuring a permittivity includes a resonant chamber, a conductive probe, a platform, a pillar, a detector, and a computing module. The resonant chamber has a cavity. The conductive probe is configured for introducing a microwave into the cavity of the resonant chamber. The platform is configured for carrying a sample. The pillar is positioned between the platform and a chamber wall, so that the platform protrudes from the chamber wall. The detector is used to detect a resonant frequency of the microwave when resonance occurs within the cavity. The computing module is configured for calculating a permittivity corresponding to the measured resonant frequency according to a corresponding relationship between resonant frequency and permittivity. The above-mentioned system for measuring a permittivity is capable of measuring a broader range of permittivity with simplified measurement steps and higher accuracy. A method for measuring a permittivity is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tsun-Hsu Chang, Hsein-Wen Chao, Wei-Syuan Wong
  • Patent number: 9752095
    Abstract: An enhanced flash chamber with a flash chamber; a microwave source in communication with the flash chamber for providing a quantity of energy to a plurality of antennas within the flash chamber; a fluid chamber positionable within the flash chamber capable of holding a liquid and the plurality of antennas; and transport tubing for transporting a target material for extraction through the fluid chamber where the quantity of energy from the microwave source interacts with the plurality of antennas to heat the liquid held in the fluid chamber to a superheated state and the superheated state of the liquid transfers a portion of the quantity of energy to the target material to extract an extraction product from the target material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Linden L. Duncan
  • Patent number: 9756687
    Abstract: This invention relates to the design of a process by intermittent dielectric heating combined with a recycling system. This process consists in subjecting reagents to electromagnetic waves selected in the frequencies ranging between 300 GHz and 3 MHz intermittently using a recycling system. This process enables the treatment of oils that are hardly absorbent as well as great investment savings. This process enables operation on different scales, whether in laboratories, on a semi-industrial or industrial scale, without forfeiting the advantages of continuous dielectric heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Aldivia SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Charlier De Chily, Mikaele Raynard
  • Patent number: 9536758
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate can include two or more electrodes, located directly or indirectly on the semiconductor substrate, separated from each other and capacitively coupled to the semiconductor substrate. At the two or more electrodes, non-zero frequency time-varying electrical energy can be received. The time-varying electrical energy can be capacitively coupled via the two or more electrodes to trigger a displacement current to activate free carriers confined within the semiconductor substrate to generate heat in the semiconductor substrate. A temperature associated with the semiconductor substrate can be sensed, using a temperature sensor located in association with the semiconductor substrate. A temperature of the semiconductor substrate can be established or adjusted. This can include controlling the electrical energy received at the two or more electrodes using information received from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Anand Deo
    Inventor: Anand Deo
  • Patent number: 9377425
    Abstract: A method for regenerating a particle sensor, which comprises a ceramic base body, in the exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine for driving a motor vehicle, wherein a particle loading of the particle sensor is determined by applying an electrical voltage between at least two electrodes with interdigital arrangement, a temperature of the particle sensor is determined with a temperature sensor mounted to the ceramic base body or from the electrical resistance of a heating element and said particle sensor is regenerated by means of heating with the electrical heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ariel Di Miro, Bernhard Kamp, Michael Bessen
  • Patent number: 9358809
    Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a microwave transparent substrate, a microwave emitter, and at least one cavity. The microwave transparent substrate is operationally movable along a first direction and is adapted to receive an ink jetted material thereon. The microwave emitter is configured to emit microwave energy at a wavelength (?). The at least one cavity has an outlet disposed adjacent the microwave transparent substrate and is adapted to receive and output an amount of the microwave energy at the outlet to reduce a moisture content of the ink jetted material. The amount of microwave energy output to the ink jetted material is substantially constant as measured along a second direction transverse to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: David K. Biegelsen
  • Patent number: 9313833
    Abstract: Apparatus for heating a sample includes a microchip; a microchannel flow channel in the microchip, the microchannel flow channel containing the sample; a microwave source that directs microwaves onto the sample for heating the sample; a wall section of the microchannel flow channel that receives the microwaves and enables the microwaves to pass through wall section of the microchannel flow channel, the wall section the microchannel flow channel being made of a material that is not appreciably heated by the microwaves; a carrier fluid within the microchannel flow channel for moving the sample in the microchannel flow channel, the carrier fluid being made of a material that is not appreciably heated by the microwaves; wherein the microwaves pass through wall section of the microchannel flow channel and heat the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Neil Reginald Beer
  • Publication number: 20150144620
    Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus with a tubular waveguide applicator forming a heating chamber and with microwave-transparent centering elements to maintain product to be treated in proximity to the centerline axis of the chamber. Product is conveyed through the chamber in a direction in or opposite to the direction of propagation of microwaves. Cylindrical chokes at product entrance and exit openings into the chamber prevent microwave leakage and allow for large openings for large products. In some versions, a low-loss inner tube in the chamber coaxial with the tubular applicator is used to confine product to be heated in proximity to the centerline axis of the chamber to be heated effectively by microwaves with a TM01 field pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Industrial Microwave Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William D. Wilber, Donald B. Shuping
  • Publication number: 20150136758
    Abstract: In order to radiate microwaves from a waveguide tube to a whole area from end to end of a radiation area within a heating chamber, and to heat uniformly an object to be heated without using a driving mechanism, a microwave heating device of the present invention includes openings for radiating the microwave from the waveguide tube to the inside of the heating chamber. The heating chamber includes a radiation area which has a length of approximate twice an in-tube wavelength in a propagation direction of the waveguide tube. Also, the openings are arranged to have an interval of approximate the in-tube wavelength in the propagation direction of the waveguide tube, and are symmetrically arranged to a center line which intersects perpendicularly to the propagation direction in the radiation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Koji Yoshino, Masafumi Sadahira, Daisuke Hosokawa, Tomotaka Nobue, Yoshiharu Omori
  • Publication number: 20150136759
    Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus includes a processing chamber configured to accommodate a substrate; a substrate holding unit configured to hold and rotate the substrate in the processing chamber; a microwave generating source configured to generate a microwave; and a plurality of microwave inlet ports formed at a surface of the processing chamber which faces the substrate in the processing chamber, each of the microwave inlet ports having an opening area that gradually becomes wider toward the substrate. The microwave generated by the microwave generating source is irradiated to the substrate in the processing chamber through the microwave inlet ports to heat the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Taro IKEDA, Sumi TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20150090708
    Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus includes a processing chamber for accommodating a target, a support device for supporting the target in the processing chamber and a microwave introducing device for generating microwaves to introduce them into the processing chamber. The processing chamber further includes a top wall having a plurality of microwave introduction ports to introduce the microwaves generated in the microwave introducing device into the processing chamber. Each of the microwave introduction ports has a rectangular shape having long sides and short sides parallel to inner wall surfaces of four sidewalls of the processing chamber, and the support device includes a support member to support the target and a rotating mechanism for rotating the supported target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Sumi Tanaka, Taro Ikeda, Yoshiro Kabe, Kouji Shimomura, Seokhyoung Hong, Jun Yamashita, Masakazu Ban, Taichi Monden, Masayoshi Maenishi, Ryoji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8993945
    Abstract: An oven which runs on a 20 ampere single phase electrical service includes a cooking chamber comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, at least one microwave generator, at least one set of nozzles, tubes or apertures disposed above a food product disposed within the oven, at least one blower having an RPM in the range between about 3000 to about 4000 at 100 percent velocity, wherein the blower circulates at least a portion of gas from the nozzles, tubes or apertures into the cooking chamber substantially toward the food product and back to the nozzles, tubes or apertures, and a thermal energy source that heats the gas, wherein the heated gas at or near the food product disposed in the cooking chamber exhibits a flow rate of at least about 150 CFM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Appliance Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. McKee, Scott S. Smith, Lee T. Vanlanen, Earl R. Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 8987644
    Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus of the present invention includes a heating chamber to which a heating plate for loading a subject to be heated thereon is detachably attached, a microwave generating unit, a waveguide for transmitting a microwave from the microwave generating unit, a rotation antenna for radiating the microwave into the heating chamber from the waveguide, a driving unit for turning/driving the rotation antenna, an operating portion capable of choosing the grill menu by which the subject to be heated put on the heating plate is heated and a hot-up menu by which the subject to be heated is heated without the heating plate, and a controlling unit for controlling the driving unit based on an output signal form the operating portion, wherein the controlling unit controls to vary a direction of a sharp portion of a radiation directivity of the rotation antenna in response to the output signal from the operating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Mori, Takeshi Takizaki, Koji Yoshino, Hiroshi Kawai
  • Patent number: 8969768
    Abstract: The present invention relates a microwave applicator for heating a sample by microwave radiation which is transmitted via an at least partially tapering transmission duct from a microwave source to a cavity adapted to receive the sample to be heated. The transmission duct has at least one external wall, said wall defining an internal space for the propagation of said microwave radiation and comprising an interface which is at least partially permeable to said microwave radiation. The interface is at least partially arranged within said tapering portion of the duct. The duct is adapted to form a jacket surrounding the cavity with said interface forming an inner wall of said jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Anton Paar GmbH
    Inventors: Heimo Kotzian, Johannes Zach, Rainer Zentner
  • Patent number: 8946605
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microwave heating device. A material conduit runs into and out of a microwave irradiation cavity through a cavity wall of the microwave irradiation cavity. A waveguide tube for guiding microwave is installed on the cavity wall. A heat exchange tube is disposed inside the material conduit and enters and leaves the material conduit from the nozzle or wall of the material conduit. The microwave heating device is used in chemical reactions. The microwave heating device may control the temperature of the material inside the material conduit under continuous irradiation of microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Zhejiang Twrd New Material Co., Ltd., Beijing Sijiantong Technology & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunlong Li, Yanlin Zhao, Yangchuan Tong, Guoxing Chen
  • Patent number: 8941039
    Abstract: A cooking appliance such as a microwave oven is provided with a sacrificial region for repairing damage caused by arcing and related failure modes. The sacrificial region incorporates a component that, when damaged, is removable from the cooking appliance for replacement by another component of similar construction. In one implementation, a sacrificial component is utilized in a microwave oven with a heated cavity subject to microwave radiation from a magnetron. The sacrificial component in this example includes an aperture that communicates with an opening in the cavity, and through which the radiation impinges into the heated cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Galbreath, Mark Heimerdinger
  • Patent number: 8901468
    Abstract: A heating system for hot water and conditioned air uses electromagnetic energy created by one or more magnetrons operated by high voltage transformers. The heating system includes oil cooled transformers and magnetrons. Using radiators in the form of heat exchangers, heat recovered from the transformers and magnetrons is dissipated directly into the path of the return air and the air handler blower. The magnetron heating system includes a coiled conduit sized to allow complete heating of the fluid flowing therethrough. The conduit has a conical shape to allow upper magnetrons to heat the outside of the conduit and lower magnetrons to heat the inside of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Vincent A. Bravo
  • Patent number: 8872080
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) analyzer for an accurate control of electromagnetic fields inside a multimode resonant chamber with two or more cavities coupled in an accurate way through a slotted piece with slots or waveguide. The MIMO analyzer may include broadband antennas, different types of lenses, and different stirrers, which may be both metallic and non-metallic. These elements, together with some processes such as precise location of under-test elements out of the lower cavity allow for controlling the electromagnetic fields on its interior. This control permits the emulation of the behavior of wireless communication terminals under different fading scenarios, both indoors and outdoors. Some of the features and procedures of the MIMO analyser may be used in industrial microwave heating processes for drying and curing of materials, also known as microwave ovens, allowing a greater efficiency and homogenization in the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Emite Ingenieria, Slne
    Inventors: Juan Francisco Valenzuela Valdes, David Agapito Sanchez Hernandez, Antonio Manuel Martinez Gonzalez, Juan Monzó Cabrera
  • Patent number: 8853600
    Abstract: A system and method for treating subcutaneous histological features without affecting adjacent tissues adversely employs microwave energy of selected power, frequency and duration to penetrate subcutaneous tissue and heat target areas with optimum doses to permanently affect the undesirable features. The frequency chosen preferentially interacts with the target as opposed to adjacent tissue, and the microwave energy is delivered as a short pulse causing minimal discomfort and side effects. By distributing microwave energy at the skin over an area and adjusting power and frequency, different conditions, such as hirsuitism and telangiectasia, can be effectively treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Miramar Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Spertell
  • Patent number: 8845234
    Abstract: A microwave ground or road surface heating system that eliminates the need for preparation of the surface to be heated while preventing leakage of microwave radiation. The highly portable microwave heating system prevents leakage of microwave radiation via a microwave horn and sealing shroud configuration that seals the unit to the surface being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Microwave Utilities, Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon R. Hegg
  • Patent number: 8847130
    Abstract: A heating unit can reduce the rate of power consumption for heating a vehicle, so that the running distance of the vehicle is increased and hence the battery charging cycle of the vehicle is prolonged. A heating unit of a vehicle heating system includes a casing made of a metal material capable of electromagnetically shielding microwaves, a support arranged in the hollow section of the casing, a plurality of microwave absorbing/heat emitting members arranged at the support and a microwave outputting unit arranged in the casing to output microwaves toward respective microwave absorbing/heat emitting members, blown air being heated by heat generated as a result of absorption of microwaves by the microwave absorbing/heat emitting members at the time for blown air to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in the hollow sections of the microwave absorbing/heat emitting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki-Kaisha TAKUMI, Kabushiki-Kaisha Lead Industry
    Inventors: Norio Niwa, Ryousei Noda, Hiroki Anzai
  • Patent number: 8809753
    Abstract: Various electromagnetically-countered microwave heating system include at least one wave source irradiating harmful electromagnetic waves and at least one counter unit emitting counter electromagnetic waves for countering the harmful waves by the counter waves. Such counter units counter the harmful waves by the counter units via various mechanisms such as, e.g., matching configurations of the counter units with those of the wave sources, matching shapes of such counter waves with shapes of the harmful waves, and the like. Various methods are also illustrated to counter the harmful waves with the counter waves using the source or wave matching, to provide the counter units, and to emit suitable counter waves. Various processes are also illustrated to provide such systems, such counter units, and the like. Various electric or magnetic shields may be used alone or in conjunction with such counter units to minimize irradiation of the harmful waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Youngtack Shim
  • Publication number: 20140224789
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for joining two materials, and a system for accomplishing the same. The method for joining two materials, in this aspect, includes placing an article including two dissimilar materials within a waveguide structure, the article located between a microwave source and reflective surface of the waveguide structure. The method for joining the two materials, in this aspect, further includes subjecting the article to microwaves from the microwave source while changing a relative position of the article with respect to the reflective surface to dynamically change a microwave field distribution within the waveguide and join the two dissimilar materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: LeTourneau University
    Inventors: Yoni Adonyi, Seunghyun Kim, Allen Worcester, Ithamar Glumac
  • Patent number: 8758696
    Abstract: The device for electromagnetic radiation treatment of a reactive medium includes an electromagnetic radiation generator, a reactor containing the reactive medium, and a device for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation generated by the generator to the reactive medium contained in the reactor. The device includes a wave guide for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation from the generator and a coupling means arranged to allow transfer within the reactive medium of the electromagnetic energy transmitted by the wave guide. The wave guide includes a curved segment in a general “U” shape forming a return loop from the wave guide. The device further includes a separation wall that isolates the generator form the reactor, with the reactor being connected to the curved segment. The curved segment extends at least partially from one side of the separation wall to the opposite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sairem Societe Pour l'Application Industrielle de la Recherche en Electronique et Micro Ondes
    Inventors: Andre Grange, Jean-Marie Jacomino, Adrien Grandemenge
  • Patent number: 8759728
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooking food products on both sides which has a food-support surface that is transparent to both microwave and infrared radiation, an electric heating device, and a microwave generator. The microwave generator is connected to a waveguide cavity for irradiating the food products. The apparatus also has a food-contact heating surface that, together with the food-support surface, forms a cooking chamber capable of retaining the microwaves inside. The electric heating device has a shielded resistor with the external shield electrically connected to ground. The apparatus has a partition element made of thermal-insulating and microwave-transparent material, a portion of which is below the shielded resistor to separate the resistor from the microwave generator. The waveguide cavity has a microwave launch aperture underneath the partition element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Franco Tassan-Mangina, Marino Fadelli, Fabio Sinatra, Marco Ulian, Erika Menosso, Michele Toppano, Alessandro Morassut
  • Patent number: 8759726
    Abstract: There is described a power splitter for directing electromagnetic power comprising: an input port for receiving the electromagnetic power; at least one dielectric element placed inside the power splitter; at least two output ports for outputting the power according to a splitting ratio, the at least two output ports placed on a surface opposite to the input port; and at least one dielectric moving device for positioning the at least one dielectric element between the at least two output ports to dynamically direct the power into the at least two output ports according to the power splitting ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: SCP Science
    Inventors: Art Ross, George Feilders, Sébastien Roy, Jules Gauthier, Ramin Deban, Cevdet Akyel
  • Patent number: 8748785
    Abstract: A microwave plasma apparatus for processing a material includes a plasma chamber, a microwave radiation source, and a waveguide guiding microwave radiation from the microwave radiation source to the plasma chamber. A process gas flows through the plasma chamber and the microwave radiation couples to the process gas to produce a plasma jet. A process material is introduced to the plasma chamber, becomes entrained in the plasma jet, and is thereby transformed to a stream of product material droplets or particles. The product material droplets or particles are substantially more uniform in size, velocity, temperature, and melt state than are droplets or particles produced by prior devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Amastan LLC, University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Eric Jordan, Baki M. Cetegen, Kamal Hadidi, Paul Woskov
  • Patent number: 8728348
    Abstract: Ways of applying microwaves to feedstock to be processed are disclosed. One embodiment relates to heating inter-layer water in vermiculite to expand the vermiculite. Another embodiment relates to heating water in oil-contaminated materials and waste products, such as drilling cuttings, contaminated soils and certain types of animal by-products, to drive out oil. In some embodiments a microwave tunnel applicator has the microwaves applied from beneath the feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Christopher Dodds, Georgios Dimitrakis, Sam Kingman
  • Publication number: 20140042154
    Abstract: A microwave applicator comprising a coaxial electrical input (4) and a waveguide (1) filled with dielectric (2), an inner conductor (7) of the coaxial input extending longitudinally within one end of the waveguide to launch microwaves in the TM01 mode to travel to the distal end face (8) of the waveguide so that microwaves are transmitted when the distal end face is contacted by the biological tissue to be treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: AngioDynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Cronin
  • Patent number: 8590173
    Abstract: A microwave source is used in conjunction with a waveguide and microwave window aperture to direct controlled microwave energy into the housing of a filter. The microwave energy will heat and vaporize any fluid present on the filter material, preventing the filter from “wetting” and becoming unusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Tobi D. Mengle
  • Patent number: 8586897
    Abstract: A microwave applicator has a coaxial electrical input (4) and a waveguide (1) filled with dielectric (2), an inner conductor (7) of the coaxial input extending longitudinally within one end of the waveguide to launch microwaves in the TM01 mode to travel to the distal end face (8) of the waveguide so that microwaves are transmitted when the distal end face is contacted by the biological tissue to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Angio Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Nigel Cronin
  • Patent number: 8586898
    Abstract: The invention described herein pertains generally to a more efficient and cost-effective method and apparatus for: (1) coupling of microwave energy from a microwave generator or plurality of microwave generators into an integral set of applicators; (2) extraction and separation of organic compounds from a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds; and (3) recovery and conversion of the organic compounds to gaseous and liquid fuels. The apparatus described in this invention result in improved microwave absorption within the mixture flowing through the applicators by increasing residence time within the applicators, resulting in a higher temperature within the material. The higher temperature lowers the viscosity of the solution, but also provides a limited reduction of the combination of complex chain and aromatic organic compounds to allow recovery of syngas and fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: John F. Novak
  • Patent number: 8525086
    Abstract: A microwave heating appliance, capable of achieving a locally concentrated heating in answer to the purpose while achieving a uniform heating in the overall heating chamber in a normal mode, is provided. The microwave heating appliance includes a microwave generating unit, a waveguide for transmitting a microwave from the microwave generating unit, a heating chamber for housing a heated subject heated by the microwave, a rotating antenna for radiating the microwave to the heating chamber, a driving unit for rotating and driving the rotating antenna, a temperature distribution detecting unit for detecting a temperature distribution in the heating chamber, and a controlling unit for controlling a direction of the rotating antenna based on a detected result of the temperature distribution detecting unit so that a sharp part of radiation directivity of the rotating antenna in a direction decided based on the detected result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Imai, Koji Yoshino, Masamitsu Kondou, Hiroshi Kawai, Miki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8525085
    Abstract: The melter includes a vessel and structure for introducing waste material into the vessel. Waveguide structure is provided for introducing millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation into the vessel to heat the waste material. A gyrotron is a preferred source for the millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Battelle Memorial Institute, Inentec LLC
    Inventors: Paul Woskov, S. Kamakshi Sundaram, Daniel Cohn, Jeffrey E. Surma, David A. Lamar
  • Patent number: 8487223
    Abstract: A system for heating materials, such as wood products, is provided. The system may include waveguide having one or more slots along a longitudinal axis of the waveguide. The slots may be slanted at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and spaced at an interval of about one half of a wavelength along the longitudinal axis. The system may further include windows covering the slots. The windows may serve as a barrier. Moreover, the windows may allow electromagnetic energy to be transferred from the waveguide to the material being heated. The waveguide and window may be contained in a microwave reactor to heat materials, such as wood products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventor: Harold D. Kimrey, Jr.