Waveguide Applicator Patents (Class 219/690)
  • Publication number: 20100012650
    Abstract: A microwave applicator system exposing a material flowing through multiple applicator stages to a different radial heating pattern in each stage for uniform heating. A two-stage applicator system has a pair of back-to-back applicators, each having offset, outwardly jutting walls on opposite sides of a material flow path through a microwave exposure region. The offset, cylindrical juts formed in the wide walls of the generally rectangular waveguide cause hot spots to occur in material flowing through and between the narrow walls of the waveguide at opposite radial positions on a radial line oblique to the longitudinal direction of the waveguide. Uniform product heating can be achieved by directing a material sequentially through these two applicators in opposite directions. A cascaded applicator in which each wide wall has a pair of outward juts offset from each other and from the pair of juts on the other side wall may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Industrial Microwave Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Esther Drozd
  • Patent number: 7640887
    Abstract: The present invention provides a surface wave excitation plasma generator in which surface wave excitation plasma is efficiently generated. A surface wave excitation plasma generator including an annular waveguide and a dielectric tube is provided. The annular waveguide 2 includes an inlet 2a for introducing a microwave M, an end plate 2b for reflecting the microwave M introduced and propagating within the waveguide, and a bottom plate 2c on which slot antennas 2d are formed at a predetermined interval. When the wavelength of the microwave M in the waveguide is ?g, the length from position b through positions c, d, e to position f on the bottom plate 2c, i.e. the circumferential length (?×D1) of the annular waveguide, is set as 2 ?g, and the positions b, c, d, e, f are spaced apart at an interval of ?g/2. Since the slot antennas 2d are arranged at two positions c and e, the interval between these two slot antennas 2d is equal to the wavelength ?g in the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Masayasu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7629497
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for decomposing and extracting compositions for the recovery of petroleum-based materials from composites comprising those petroleum-based materials, comprising subjecting the compositions and/or composites to microwave radiation, wherein the microwave radiation is in the range of from about 4 GHz to about 18 GHz. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Global Resource Corporation
    Inventor: Frank G. Pringle
  • Publication number: 20090283516
    Abstract: A microwave power supply includes a magnetron, a waveguide configured to carry microwave power from the magnetron to a selected load, and an adjustable impedance element connected to the waveguide at a location upstream from the magnetron. The power supply may further include provision for varying the filament voltage to the magnetron tube. In the associated method, the adjustable upstream impedance and the adjustable filament voltage may be combined (and may be adjusted iteratively) to achieve high Q output. The load may be an applicator cavity for processing selected materials. The invention is particularly suitable for high Q cavities, such as single mode cavities, where it is desirable to match the output of the microwave source to the characteristics of the cavity for efficient operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Clayton R. DeCamillis, Lars Haubold, Richard C. Hazlehurst, Jerry K. Wessel
  • Publication number: 20090266487
    Abstract: A microwave introduction device includes a microwave generator for generating a microwave of a predetermined frequency, a mode converter for converting the microwave into a predetermined oscillation mode, a planar antenna member arranged toward a predetermined space, and a coaxial waveguide connecting the mode converter with the planar antenna member to propagate the microwave. A central conductor of the coaxial waveguide is formed in a cylindrical shape, an inner diameter D1 of the central conductor is not smaller than a first predetermined value, and an outer conductor of the central conductor is also formed in a cylindrical shape. A ratio r1/r2 of a radius r1 of an inner diameter of the outer conductor to a radius r2 of an outer diameter of the central conductor is maintained at a second predetermined value and the inner diameter D2 the outer conductor is not greater than a third predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Caizhong Tian, Tamaki Yuasa, Toshihisa Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20090206071
    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: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Mori, Takeshi Takizaki, Koji Yoshino, Hiroshi Kawai
  • Patent number: 7571814
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating metal values, such as nickel and nickel compounds, from mineral ores, including lateritic ores are disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of particles (e.g., crushed and sized ore) that is composed of at least a first group of particles and a second group of particles. Group members have similar chemical composition, while particles belonging to different groups have dissimilar chemical compositions. The mixture of particles is concurrently, or generally concurrently, heated (using microwave/millimeter wave energy) and exposed to a reactant. The wave energy and the reactant act to increase the difference in either the magnetic susceptibility or other separation properties between the first and second group of particles. The mixture of particles is then passed through an appropriate separator to separate the particles of interest. Optional steps are disclosed for purifying selected particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Wave Separation Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Stephen M. Birken
  • Publication number: 20090194528
    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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Heimo Kotzian, Johannes Zach, Rainer Zentner
  • Publication number: 20090166355
    Abstract: A microwave applicator assembly includes a microwave applicator that excites TE modes and provides a generally circular heating pattern in a lossy dielectric material. The microwave applicator has a processing chamber bounded by a circumferential wall in which a plurality of indents are formed. The microwave applicator assembly may further include a feed waveguide coupled to the microwave applicator for inputting microwaves into the processing chamber. The microwave applicator assembly may further include one or more choking sections in communication with the processing chamber to enhance heating efficiency and reduce microwave leakage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin Robert Brundage, Jacob George, Elizabeth Marie Vileno
  • Publication number: 20090166354
    Abstract: A new, comparatively small type of microwave system based on open-ended applicators is disclosed. The applicator according to the invention uses a main evanescent and a propagating mode in combination, where the combination results in a cancellation of the horizontal magnetic fields at the ends of at least two opposing walls. The effect of this is that the fields propagating out of the applicator become concentrated to the applicator centreline (axis) region, provides an efficient heating of a load or assembly of loads, as well as a stable impedance matching of the system under variable loading conditions due to the mode evanescence, while not leaking energy between adjacent applicators. The applicator can also be used for direct feeding of an underlying small closed metal cavity, for providing (the same favourable) mode conditions to a load in this cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Per Olov Risman
  • Publication number: 20090084780
    Abstract: A system for melting a substance may be provided. The system may comprise a crucible insulated with fused silica, a microwave generator configured to supply microwaves, and at least one burner probe extending into the crucible. The at least one burner probe may comprise a wave guide. The wave guide may be configured to receive microwaves from the microwave generator and transmit the microwaves. The at least one burner probe may further comprise an absorber. The absorber may have a geometry configured to cause a minimal amount of microwave energy to be reflected back into the wave guide. In addition, the absorber may comprise a one piece cast of silicon carbide configured to dissipate heat along an exterior of the absorber. The absorber may be further configured to receive the microwaves from the wave guide and convert energy from the microwaves into the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Victor F. Rundquist, William J. Gregory, Kevin S. Gill
  • Publication number: 20080314894
    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: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Nigel Cronin
  • Publication number: 20080272113
    Abstract: A system for melting a substance may be provided. The system may comprise a microwave generator, at least one wave guide, a melter assembly, and at least one thermal insulator. The at least one wave guide may connect the microwave generator to at least one power transfer element. The at least one wave guide may be configured to transfer microwave energy from the microwave generator to a refractory assembly. The melter assembly may comprise the refractory assembly and the at least one power transfer element connected to the refractory assembly. The refractory assembly may comprise at least one absorption element configured to transfer microwave energy, received from the at least one power transition element, into heat energy. The at least one thermal insulator may be configured to allow the microwaves to penetrate to the at least one absorption element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Victor F. Rundquist, William J. Gregory, Kevin S. Gill
  • Publication number: 20080272114
    Abstract: In a microwave irradiation apparatus, an applicator portion has an interior space for housing an object to be irradiated. A first microwave irradiation system outputs a first microwave to the interior space in a first mode so as to generate a large electric field and a small magnetic field at a specific place of the interior space. A second microwave irradiation system outputs a second microwave having a polarization plane crossing a polarization plane of the first microwave to the interior space in a second mode so as to generate a large magnetic field and small electric field at the specific place of the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Masami TAGUCHI, Noboru Baba, Tomokatsu Oguro, Toshio Ogura, Masumi Kuga
  • Publication number: 20080264934
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved reactor, which allows microwave-assisted processing of feedstocks or mixtures of hydrocarbons, and the operating system thereof, which operates under high temperatures and pressures of hydrogen or other gases, in continuous of batch mode. The invention relates to modifications in the geometric configuration of the reactor to process diverse hydrocarbon feedstocks, with or without the addition of catalysts, in the presence or absence of hydrogen or other gases, forming a system which includes a reaction vessel and associated devices, so as to to allow better transmittance of the radiation onto the feedstock to be processed and guarantee maximum absorption of the microwaves by the the reaction medium irrespective of the composition thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Elizabeth Marques MOREIRA, Mauri Jose Baldini Cardoso, Sumair Gouveia de Araujo, Jiro Takahashi, Mauricio Souza de Alencar
  • Publication number: 20080173641
    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: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Kamal Hadidi, Baki M. Cetegen, Eric Jordan, Paul Woskov
  • Publication number: 20080142511
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating manufactured components using microwave energy and microwave susceptor material. Heat treating medium such as eutectic salts may be employed. A fluidized bed introduces process gases which may include carburizing or nitriding gases The process may be operated in a batch mode or continuous process mode. A microwave heating probe may be used to restart a frozen eutectic salt bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Edward B. Ripley
  • Patent number: 7388179
    Abstract: A microwave energy applicator radiating uniformly all around the applicator that maintains high efficiency Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (V.S.W.R.) for surrounding media of dielectric constants varying from about 1 to about 80. In a particular embodiment, the high efficiency V.S.W.R. is less than about 1.3:1. The applicator can include a circular polarizer connectable to a dielectric waveguide radiator. The radiator can be substantially solid and include a substantially circular outer cross-section that tapers to an end. In one embodiment, the radiator includes a conical void formed in a dielectric entry section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: The Ferrite Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Alton, Lester C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7365291
    Abstract: A high voltage input apparatus for a magnetron, in which first protrusions formed on lead conductors are caught by insulators and an insulating case, a ground metal is bonded to the insulating case, and expanded portions formed on the insulators are caught by the insulating case and the ground metal, thereby firmly fixing the lead conductors and preventing the lead conductors from being undesirably separated from the insulators and the insulating case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Soo Lee, Jong Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 7361303
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing organic waste. The apparatus comprises a conveyor to move waste to a first chamber for weighing waste and purging oxygen, a second chamber for treating, sterilizing and reducing waste by reverse polymerization, and a third chamber for cooling reduced and sterilized waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Environmental Waste International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Kantor, Michael Griffin, Roman Ruginets, Douglas Norton
  • Patent number: 7230217
    Abstract: A rectangular microwave applicator operating at a predetermined frequency and comprising a microwave enclosure forming a cavity having first and second transverse dimensions and a longitudinal dimension n the direction of propagation of microwave energy, wherein said dimensions are such that a main power-transferring Teym1n mode with a long vertical wavelength is enhanced, and a significant amplitude of a complementary Teym2n mode is created, wherein m1, m2 and n are positive odd integers and m2 and n are both less or equal to m1-2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: EXH LLC
    Inventor: Per O. Risman
  • Patent number: 7202453
    Abstract: A dielectric heating system with which the power density applied to the product being treated can be at least doubled without risk of electric arcs. This invention is particularly suitable for treatment of compounds that absorb electromagnetic waves weakly (low dielectric constants). In particular, fatty substances such as oils, butters, waxes and fats can be treated (refining, hydrolysis, transesterification, interesterification, etc.), derivatives thereof (esterification, polymerization, alcoholysis, ethoxylation, hydrogenation, etc.) under static or dynamic conditions, as can hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds. This system can also be used advantageously for polar or polarized compounds, because the power absorbed is increased very significantly, with large production gains. In particular, fatty or non-fatty alcohols (oleic alcohol, glycol, glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol, polyglycerols, vitamins, etc.), carboxylic acids, amines and similar compounds can be treated under static or dynamic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: ALDVIA S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Charlier De Chily, Mikaele Raynard
  • Patent number: 7091457
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating uniform heating of an microwave absorptive target. A microwave housing has a longitudinal axis and propagates a waveguide mode at an operating frequency. The target is located in an axial cross-sectional area relative to the longitudinal axis. First layer conductive strips are layered proximal to an inner wall of the microwave housing, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and being separated from an adjacent first layer conductive strip by a respective first layer gap, the inner wall acting as a ground plane. Second layer conductive strips are layered proximal to the first layer of conductive strips, parallel to the longitudinal axis and being separated from an adjacent second layer conductive strip by a respective second layer gap. Each first layer gap is centered under a respective second layer conductive strip and each second layer gap is centered over a conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Gregoire, Daniel F. Sievenpiper, Weldon S. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7088060
    Abstract: An electron tube for communication is provided with an output waveguide that is directly coupled to an outlet port of a RF (Radio Frequency) wave signal, and at least one of a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, and a band-pass filter is included inside the output waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Microwave Tube, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshio Nakazato
  • Patent number: 7067779
    Abstract: A magnetron arrangement has a coaxial output terminating in a probe which launches energy from the magnetron along a rectangular waveguide. The coaxial output is arranged in an endfire configuration with respect to the waveguide, giving a compact arrangement compared to conventional output designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Bernard R Mulcahy, Rodney Wale
  • Patent number: 7034265
    Abstract: Cleaning a microwave device, in particular for drying print substrate in a printing machine, with a microwave source providing an irradiation field and a resonator chamber, wherein a microwave-penetrable material on the inside surfaces of the resonator chamber for forming a material layer that allows any dirt accumulated on it to protrude into the irradiation field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Knut Behnke, Hans-Otto Krause, Frank-Michael Morgenweck, Domingo Rohde, Detlef Schulze-Hagenest
  • Patent number: 7026588
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for microwave treatment in an applicator (1), characterized in that it comprises, arranged in the applicator, impedance adapting dielectric means (2, 7, 8) having shapes and dimensions adapted to the objects (10) to be treated and to the characteristics of wave propagation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Michel Delmotte, Claude More
  • Patent number: 7022954
    Abstract: Heating a printing substance and/or toner, in an electrophotographic printer, with a standing microwave formed by at least one cavity resonator, with the printed matter being caused to move through the resonator gap. The power distribution of the microwave applied by the resonator is shaped and configured for specific application requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Knut Behnke, Frank-Michael Morgenweck, Domingo Rohde, Lars Seimetz, José Manuel Catalá-Civera
  • Patent number: 7015441
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for heating a sample, such as chemical reaction mixtures are disclosed. The apparatus may include at least a microwave generator, a waveguide for guiding the generated microwaves to an applicator, and a deflector formed by a closed loop defining a plane. The deflector may have an inherent resonance frequency and a thickness in a direction normal to the plane. The deflector may be rotatable around an axis being at least substantially parallel to the plane, and positioned in the waveguide so as to form a resonant cavity with the sample and the waveguide applicator. The resonance conditions of the resonant cavity and the coupling factor of radiation from the waveguide to the cavity may be easily adjustable by rotating the deflector. The resonance conditions and the coupling factor may be adjusted in response to the dielectric properties of the sample in order to optimize the amount of absorbed power and thereby obtain control of the sample heating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Personal Chemistry I Uppsala AB
    Inventors: Magnus Fagrell, Per Olov G. Risman
  • Patent number: 6982192
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package which has a thermal epoxy that can be attached to an integrated circuit and a thermal element. The thermal epoxy can be cured with energy at a microwave frequency. Curing the thermal epoxy with microwave energy can minimize package warpage during the curing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nagesh Vodrahalli, Biswajit Sur
  • Patent number: 6960747
    Abstract: A microwave applicator for heating loads being a waveguide transition between the rectangular TE10 and TE20 modes comprising a TE10 mode section and a TE20 mode section. The location of the load being inside said TE20 mode section and with its major axis perpendicularly to the major propagation direction of the TE20 mode, close to a shorting wall of said TE20 mode section and also close to the centreline of said propagation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Personal Chemistry I Uppsala AB
    Inventor: Per Olov G. Risman
  • Patent number: 6938358
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing electromagnetic drying of printed media. A resonant cavity allows support of standing waves along many radial axes throughout the resonant cavity. The electromagnetic drying unit allows forced air to be introduced into the resonant cavity, thereby reducing moisture within the resonant cavity and extending the life of the resonant cavity. Input and output openings may be arranged longitudinally along the resonant cavity and may be designed to substantially reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from them during operation. A honeycomb feature at the end of the resonant cavity may allow egress of the forced air, while substantially reducing the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the end of the resonant cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Jennifer Q. Q. Trelewicz, Carl Robert Bildstein
  • Patent number: 6901683
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing electromagnetic drying of printed media. A resonant cavity allows support of standing waves along many radial axes throughout the resonant cavity. The electromagnetic drying unit allows forced air to be introduced into the resonant cavity, thereby reducing moisture within the resonant cavity and extending the life of the resonant cavity. Input and output openings may be arranged longitudinally along the resonant cavity and may be designed to substantially reduce the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from them during operation. A honeycomb feature at the end of the resonant cavity may allow egress of the forced air, while substantially reducing the amount of electromagnetic radiation emanating from the end of the resonant cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ruthie D. Lyle, Jennifer Q. Trelewicz, Carl Robert Bildstein
  • Patent number: 6878911
    Abstract: Cleaning a microwave device, in particular for drying print substrate in a printing machine, with a microwave source providing an irradiation field and a resonator chamber, wherein a microwave-penetrable material on the inside surfaces of the resonator chamber for forming a material layer that allows any dirt accumulated on it to protrude into the irradiation field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Knut Behnke, Hans-Otto Krause, Frank-Michael Morgenweck, Domingo Rohde, Detlef Schulze-Hagenest
  • Patent number: 6867401
    Abstract: A waveguide system for passing microwave energy while blocking foreign particles from a moving gas passing through the system is provided. The system includes first and second waveguide sections and a low loss microwave window disposed between the waveguide sections to allow microwave energy to pass from the first waveguide section through the window to the second waveguide section. The system also includes a gas bypass filtration system having a first port in communication with the first waveguide section, a filter element in communication with the first port, and a second port in communication with the filter element and with the second waveguide section. The system of the invention having these features blocks, by means of the window, a gas flowing through the first waveguide section and forces that gas to flow through the gas bypass filtration system so that it enters the second waveguide section only after passing through the filter. A system designed to include a pillbox window is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Communications & Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William Conway, Vincent Marini, Robert McGowan, Carlos Dantas, Timothy Smith
  • Publication number: 20040256384
    Abstract: A microwave energy applicator radiating uniformly all around the applicator that maintains high efficiency Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (V.S.W.R.) for surrounding media of dielectric constants varying from about 1 to about 80. In a particular embodiment, the high efficiency V.S.W.R. is less than about 1.3:1. The applicator can include a circular polarizer connectable to a dielectric waveguide radiator. The radiator can be substantially solid and include a substantially circular outer cross-section that tapers to an end. In one embodiment, the radiator includes a conical void formed in a dielectric entry section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: The Ferrite Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Alton, Lester C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6833537
    Abstract: A Microwave heating system includes an elongated cylindrical metal cavity intended for heating a voluminous elongated load. The system includes microwave feeding means arranged to generate a single mode of the circular type TEm;n;p (a so-called whispering gallery mode) inside the cavity in order to heat the elongated load, wherein the circumferential index m is at least 4, the radial index n=1 and the axial index p being >0. The heating system is preferably adapted for wood processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: A-Cell Acetyl Cellulosics AB
    Inventors: Per Olov G. Risman, Pia Larsson Brelid, Rune Simonson
  • Patent number: 6787339
    Abstract: The present invention provides low cost microfluidic devices having embedded metal conductors. The devices of the invention comprise a electronic component comprising a substrate having a first surface, a layer of electrically-conductive material deposited on a portion of the first substrate surface, a first sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the first substrate surface and on the layer of electrically-conductive material, a second sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the first sublayer of insulating material, and a third sublayer of electrically-insulating material deposited on the layer of dielectric material, and a fluid-handling component having a contoured surface affixed to the electronic component. The devices of the invention are advantageously used for performing electric field lysis and the polymerase chain reaction. The invention further advantageously provides simple, low cost methods for fabricating such microfluidic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Rhine, Thomas J. Smekal
  • Publication number: 20040108312
    Abstract: Cleaning a microwave device, in particular for drying print substrate in a printing machine, with a microwave source providing an irradiation field and a resonator chamber, wherein a microwave-penetrable material on the inside surfaces of the resonator chamber for forming a material layer that allows any dirt accumulated on it to protrude into the irradiation field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Knut Behnke, Hans-Otto Krause, Frank-Michael Morgenweck, Domingo Rohde, Detlef Schulze-Hagenest
  • Patent number: 6740858
    Abstract: A microwave applicator for heating a moving fluid includes a heating chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and through which the fluid to be heated flows. The applicator also includes a microwave energy source and a microwave circuit having at least one wave-guide element. The microwave circuit transforms microwave energy from the microwave source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber for uniformly heating fluid flowing through the heating chamber. This technology is also applied as a method for applying microwave energy for heating a moving fluid. This method includes passing a fluid from a fluid inlet, through a heating chamber, and out a fluid outlet; and applying a microwave energy source through a microwave circuit including at least one wave-guide element to transform microwave energy from the microwave energy source into a cylindrical wave-guide mode within the heating chamber to uniformly heat the fluid flowing through the heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Communications and Power Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Tracy, Dennis R. Gautreau, Todd A. Treado
  • Publication number: 20040069776
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a sample, such as chemical reaction mixtures, whose dielectric properties varies during the heating process. In particular, the present invention relates to a microwave heating apparatus comprising a microwave generator, a waveguide for guiding the generated microwaves to an applicator, and a deflector formed by a closed loop defining a plane, said deflector having an inherent resonance frequency and a thickness in a direction normal to said plane, the deflector being rotatable around an axis being at least substantially parallel to said plane, the deflector being positioned in the waveguide so as to form a resonant cavity with the sample and the waveguide applicator. The resonance conditions of the resonant cavity and the coupling factor of radiation from the waveguide to the cavity are easily adjustable by rotation of the deflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Personal Chemistry I Uppsala AB.
    Inventors: Magnus Fagrell, Per Olov G. Risman
  • Patent number: 6707017
    Abstract: A microwave window structure for a low-pressure chamber is provided. The window structure enables microwave energy to be introduced into the chamber from a source external to the chamber. The window structure includes a fixture having electrically conductive walls. Inner portions of the walls provide a peripheral region of an aperture within such fixture. The fixture is adapted for mounting to a sidewall portion of the chamber. A solid, microwave energy transparent dielectric window is included. The window includes: a periphery portion affixed to the fixture; and, an inner region disposed within the aperture of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Rayth on Company
    Inventors: Weldon Stoddard Williamson, Robert B. Hallock, Charles B. Willingham, Richard M. Alexy
  • Patent number: 6683272
    Abstract: A plasma source for a spectrometer for spectrochemical analysis of a sample is characterized by use of the magnetic field component of applied microwave energy for exciting a plasma. The source includes a waveguide cavity (10) fed with TE10 mode microwave power. A plasma torch (16) passes through the cavity (10) and is axially aligned with a magnetic field maximum (18) of the applied microwave electromagnetic field. Magnetic field concentration structures such as triangular section metal bars (20) may be provided. In an alternative embodiment a resonant iris may be provided within a waveguide and the plasma torch positioned relative thereto such that the microwave electromagnetic field at the resonant iris excites the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Varian Australia PTY LTD
    Inventor: Michael R. Hammer
  • Patent number: 6675495
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for drying wood, characterized in that it comprises a pressurizing step to place a sealed chamber (1) under a predetermined pressure by injecting or generating saturating steam and maintaining this pressure for a predetermined time interval, while ensuring a forced circulation of air and saturating steam within the chamber, a heating step to heat the wood core and central zone of the wood pieces by emitting microwaves at frequencies ranging between 400 and 2450 MHz, an evacuation step to carry away the liquid exudates from the wood when run down to the bottom of the chamber (1) where they are collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Valeurs Bois Industrie
    Inventors: Bernard Dedieu, Abdelaâziz Bouirdéne
  • Publication number: 20030213800
    Abstract: A microwave window structure for a low-pressure chamber is provided. The window structure enables microwave energy to be introduced into the chamber from a source external to the chamber. The window structure includes a fixture having electrically conductive walls. Inner portions of the walls provide a peripheral region of an aperture within such fixture. The fixture is adapted for mounting to a sidewall portion of the chamber. A solid, microwave energy transparent dielectric window is included. The window includes: a periphery portion affixed to the fixture; and, an inner region disposed within the aperture of the fixture. A first surface of the inner region is disposed in the chamber and a second, opposite surface of the inner region widow being disposed external to the chamber. The window has a sidewall portion with a first end thereof terminating in the first surface and a second end thereof terminating at the periphery portion. The sidewall portion of the window is spaced from the walls of the fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Weldon Stoddard Williamson, Robert B. Hallock, Charles B. Willingham, Richard M. Alexy
  • Publication number: 20030205574
    Abstract: Microwave heating system comprising an elongated cylindrical metal cavity intended for heating a voluminous elongated load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Per Olov G. Risman, Pia Larsson Brelid, Rune Simonson
  • Patent number: 6614010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a sample, such as chemical reaction mixtures, whose dielectric properties varies during the heating process. In particular, the present invention relates to a microwave heating apparatus comprising a microwave generator, a waveguide for guiding the generated microwaves to an applicator, and a deflector formed by a closed loop defining a plane, said deflector having an inherent resonance frequency and a thickness in a direction normal to said plane, the deflector being rotatable around an axis being at least substantially parallel to said plane, the deflector being positioned in the waveguide so as to form a resonant cavity with the sample and the waveguide applicator. The resonance conditions of the resonant cavity and the coupling factor of radiation from the waveguide to the cavity are easily adjustable by rotation of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Personal Chemistry I Uppsala AB
    Inventors: Magnus Fagrell, Per Olov G. Risman
  • Publication number: 20030150855
    Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes a magnetron (1), a magnetron holding plate (2), a waveguide (3), a heating chamber (4), and screws (5), and the magnetron (1) is attached to the magnetron holding plate (2) with two screws. Hereby, attachment of the magnetron is facilitated, speed-up of the manufacturing process of the high-frequency heating apparatus can be realized, and production efficiency can be improved. Further, in the breakdown repair requiring exchange of the magnetron, working time can be also reduced, so that service to customers can be also improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Takahide Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6605454
    Abstract: A microwave device has a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) disposed therein for applying microwave radiation to a microfluidic structure, such as a chamber, defined in the device. The microwave radiation from the MMIC is useful for heating samples introduced into the microfluidic structure and for effecting lysis of cells in the samples. Microfabrication techniques allow the fabrication of MMICs that perform heating and cell lysing of samples having volumes in the microliter to picoliter range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara Foley Barenburg, Jeremy Burdon, Yuk-Tong Chan, Xunhu Dai, Sean Gallagher, Piotr Grodzinski, Robert Marrero, Vijay Nair, David Rhine, Thomas Smekal
  • Publication number: 20030121911
    Abstract: A magnetron arrangement has a coaxial output (13) terminating in a probe (14) which launches energy from the magnetron along a rectangular waveguide (17). The coaxial output (13) is arranged in an endfire configuration with respect to the waveguide (17), giving a compact arrangement compared to conventional output designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Bernard R Mulcahy, Rodney Wale