Abstract: An energy delivery system for performing tissue ablation at the distal end of an Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB) instrument. The system is insertable through an instrument channel of a steerable instrument cord in an ENB instrument, and comprise a coaxial cable with a radiating tip portion. The tip portion comprises a first conductive element electrically connected to the coaxial cable's inner conductor and a second conductive element electrically isolated from the inner conductor. The conductive elements are arranged to act as: an active electrode and a return electrode for delivering the RF energy into tissue surrounding the radiating tip portion, and an antenna for radiating the microwave energy as a localized microwave field. The system may be arranged to delivery energy according to a predetermined profile comprising interleaving periods of RF and microwave energy or a combination thereof, or a dynamic profile based on detected tissue impedance.

Abstract: A system is configured to perform an operation that results in increasing a thermal energy of a load. The system includes a radio frequency signal source configured to supply a radio frequency signal, an electrode coupled to the radio frequency signal source, and a variable impedance network that includes at least one variable passive component. The variable impedance network is coupled between the radio frequency signal source and the electrode. The system includes a controller configured to determine an operation duration based upon a configuration of the variable impedance network, and to cause the radio frequency signal source to supply the radio frequency signal for the operation duration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a microwave oven having an improved structure with which foods can be effectively heated. The microwave oven includes: a housing including a cooking chamber having a bottom surface; at least one first reflective portion formed on the bottom surface of the cooking chamber; a magnetron provided to generate microwave radiation; and a tray disposed apart from the bottom surface of the cooking chamber and supporting food to be heated. The at least one first reflective portion extends a given height (h) above a reference level (RL).

Abstract: A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, one or more electrodes proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode(s), and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the RF signal source output and the electrode(s). A system controller is configured to modify, based on the reflected signal power, values of variable passive components of the impedance matching network to reduce the reflected signal power. The system controller may be configured to estimate the mass of the load by comparing component value(s) of one or more variable passive components of the impedance matching network with a component value table stored in memory, where stored mass values correspond to the stored component values. Desired signal parameters for the RF signal may be determined based on the estimated mass of the load.

Abstract: A gas sensing device includes a dielectric substrate, a heater integrated into a first side of the substrate and an insulating dielectric formed over the heater. A gas sensing layer is formed on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side. Contacts are formed on the gas sensing substrate. A noble material is formed on a portion of the gas sensing layer between the contacts to act as an ionizing catalyst such that, upon heating to a temperature, adsorption of a specific gas changes electronic properties of the gas sensing layer to permit detection of the gas.

Abstract: A gas sensing device includes a dielectric substrate, a heater integrated into a first side of the substrate and an insulating dielectric formed over the heater. A gas sensing layer is formed on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side. Contacts are formed on the gas sensing substrate. A noble material is formed on a portion of the gas sensing layer between the contacts to act as an ionizing catalyst such that, upon heating to a temperature, adsorption of a specific gas changes electronic properties of the gas sensing layer to permit detection of the gas.

Abstract: A gas sensing device includes a dielectric substrate, a heater integrated into a first side of the substrate and an insulating dielectric formed over the heater. A gas sensing layer is formed on a second side of the substrate opposite the first side. Contacts are formed on the gas sensing substrate. A noble material is formed on a portion of the gas sensing layer between the contacts to act as an ionizing catalyst such that, upon heating to a temperature, adsorption of a specific gas changes electronic properties of the gas sensing layer to permit detection of the gas.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed herein. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue can include, in some embodiments, a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue, the applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to said tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue may include a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer, and the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drying granular resin material by drawing vacuum over heating resin material in a vessel, while periodically purging the vessel with the material therein with dry air and bathing the vacuum dried material with dry air until furnished to a processing machine.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes radiating portions adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and is operated according to operational configurations that differ in frequency or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. A learning procedure is executed by sequentially operating the radiating portions in several operational configurations. Energy efficiency data are calculated for those operational configurations. An operating frequency is selected based on energy efficiency data. An operational configuration with a maximum energy efficiency at the selected operating frequency is taken as a reference. A heating procedure is executed by sequentially operating the radiating portions in operational configurations having the selected operating frequency and respective phase shift(s) chosen around the respective phase shift(s) of the reference operational configuration.

Abstract: An endoscope system having: an endoscope having: an endoscope insertion section wherein the endoscope defines a channel having a distal opening in the endoscope insertion section; and a first inductance element arranged to the channel, and configured to receive a high-frequency power to generate an AC magnetic field; and a treatment tool having: a treatment tool insertion section configured to be movably inserted in the channel; an electrically powered treatment device attached to the treatment tool insertion section; and a second inductance element arranged to the treatment tool insertion section, wherein the second inductance element is electrically connected to the electrically powered treatment device, and wherein the second inductance element is inductively coupled to the first inductance element such that the AC magnetic field induces an electromotive force to generate an induced current in the second inductance element to power the electrically powered treatment device.

Abstract: A high-frequency cooker includes: a heating chamber; a high-frequency generating device; a waveguide which is formed on a surface opposite to the heating chamber and which guides a microwave generated by the high-frequency generating device; a power feed port which is formed on a wall of the heating chamber and which allows the microwave guided by the waveguide to be supplied into the heating chamber; a microwave transmitting cover which closes the power feed port; and an umbrella-shaped member which is provided on a surface upper than the power feed port so as to cover an upper edge of the microwave transmitting cover. The umbrella-shaped member includes a step provided at both end portions of the umbrella-shaped member to reduce a gap with a wall surface of the heating chamber, and the microwave transmitting cover is fixed so as to be inserted into the gap.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a chamber configured to support a number of quasi-orthogonal resonant modes, and at least one antenna assembly, where the antenna assembly includes an antenna having a radiating element, where (i) the antenna has predominantly linear polarization of radiation defined by a polarization plane, (ii) the radiating element is disposed within the chamber such that the polarization plane is not parallel and not perpendicular to the plane containing a primary axis of the chamber and a central point of the radiating element, and (iii) each antenna is coupled to the chamber through a designated surface of the chamber and coupled to a source of microwave or radio frequency energy external to the chamber having a nominal operating frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying EM energy to a load may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of dissipated energy for each of a plurality of modulation space elements and group a number of the plurality of modulations space elements into at least two subsets based on the information received indicative of dissipated energy. The processor may also be configured to associate a power delivery protocol with each of the at least two subsets wherein the power delivery protocol differs between subsets and regulate energy applied to the load in accordance with each power delivery protocol.

Abstract: Power-dividing and/or power-combining circuits have inputs, outputs, and at least three electrical pathways, with substantially equal input and output reflection coefficients. An electronic device may be provided in each of the pathways. Additionally, isolation circuits or devices can be inserted between signal lines to provide isolation between inputs, in the case of combining, or outputs, in the case of dividing. In one embodiment, multiple phase shift components are electrically connected to electronic devices in the electrical pathways. These phase shift components are selected so that a vector sum of the reflected signals from the inputs in combining and/or to the outputs in dividing is substantially minimized.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) including a signal path with a trace coupled to a source, another trace coupled to a load, a tuned stub, and a via connecting the traces and the tuned stub. A method includes providing a signal path on a PCB with a trace coupled to a source, a trace coupled to a load, a tuned stub, and a via connecting the traces and the tuned stub, driving a signal on the signal path, and adjusting the tuned stub length so that the signal is unchanged between the source and the load. A PCB includes a signal path between a source and a load with two traces and a via, and a tuned path between the source and the load with the two traces, another trace, and the via, the length of the tuned path being a half wavelength stub.

Abstract: Provided herein are a cooking apparatus and an operating method thereof. The cooking apparatus includes a cavity, a microwave generator to generate and output microwaves of a plurality of frequencies to heat an object within the cavity, and a controller to calculate interpolated microwave frequencies for a heating session, based on microwave frequencies calculated during a scanning session, and to calculate heating times of the interpolated microwave frequencies. Thereby, operating efficiency of the cooking apparatus is improved.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for customizing microwave energy distribution within a chamber to accommodate various load characteristics. Aspects of the present invention customized configurations of ports, deflectors, waveguides, conducting rods, and slots to shape and distribute energy.

Abstract: A system for measuring nutritional parameters of food items is provided. The system includes a holding cavity. The system further includes a sensor assembly that includes a transmitter antenna and at least one receiver antenna. The transmitter antenna is configured to transmit signals to a food item in the holding cavity. The receiver antenna is configured to receive response signals from the food item. The system includes at least one switch coupled to each antenna. The switch, in a first state, is configured to set the sensor assembly to an electric potential equal to that of the holding cavity. In a second state, the switch is configured to couple the sensor assembly to a power source. The system also includes a processing unit to process the signals received to determine the nutritional parameters of the food item.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying EM energy to a load. The apparatuses and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The processor may also be configured to associate each of the plurality of modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application, based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate energy applied to the load such that for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load at the corresponding time duration of power application.

Abstract: In the microwave heating apparatus, four microwave introduction ports are arranged at positions spaced apart from each other at an angle of about 90° in a ceiling portion of a processing chamber in such a way that the long sides and the short sides thereof are in parallel to inner surfaces of four sidewalls. The microwave introduction port are disposed in such a way that each of the microwave introduction ports are not overlapped with another microwave introduction port whose long sides are in parallel to the long sides of the corresponding microwave introduction port when the corresponding microwave introduction port is moved in translation in a direction perpendicular to the long sides thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for applying RF energy to an object in an energy application zone via one or more radiating elements at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs). The apparatus may include at least one processor configured to cause supply of RF energy to one or more of the radiating elements in a first subset of the plurality of MSEs, at a first power level common to the MSEs in the first subset and for varying time durations, and cause supply of RF energy to one or more of the radiating elements in a second subset of the plurality of MSEs, at power levels lower than the first power level and for a time duration common to the MSEs of the second subset.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes an oven cavity, defined by flat, electrically conductive oven walls. A microwave source generates microwave energy including orthogonal linearly polarized components into the oven cavity from a port formed in a first one of the oven walls. A grid wall of conductive lines parallel to a polarization direction is spaced from a second oven wall by a distance nominally equivalent to a quarter wavelength of the microwave energy.

Abstract: In a microwave heating apparatus of the invention, microwaves from oscillation parts 1a, 1b are divided into a plurality of microwaves by power division parts 2a, 2b and inputted to amplification parts 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and desired microwave powers from the amplification parts are supplied from feeding parts 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d to a heating chamber 8. Reflected powers reflected from the heating chamber to the amplification parts via the feeding parts are detected by power detection parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. Each of the feeding parts has a plurality of antennas for supplying the microwaves having different characteristics to the heating chamber, and a control part 7 extracts an oscillating frequency with which the reflected powers detected by the power detection parts are minimum, and causes the oscillation parts to oscillate at the extracted oscillating frequency so as to supply the microwaves having the different characteristics from the plurality of antennas to the heating chamber.

Abstract: A mechanism for constraining a product package as it is conveyed through a microwave applicator. In one preferred embodiment, the conveyor is provided by a pair of parallel guide belts arranged to travel through a microwave applicator. The guide belts have a series of slots or other guide elements formed therein. The guide elements engage edges of the product packages. In one arrangement, the pair of belts are disposed on either side of a series of packages, and thus constrain the location of the packages in three dimensions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an annealing apparatus and an annealing method, which are applied to the packaging art of the AMOLED panel, wherein the annealing apparatus comprises an electromagnetic wave generator coupled with a plurality of irradiators and comprises a plate whose surface is provided with the irradiators and which is placed above or below the AMOLED panel for annealing it. The method comprises the following steps: annealing the AMOLED panel by an annealing apparatus which comprises an electromagnetic wave generator and a plate having lots of irradiators; when the irradiators aim at the annealing area, the annealing areas are annealed by the high frequency electromagnetic wave generated by the electromagnetic wave generator and irradiated from the irradiators. The present disclosure can save the time of the annealing process and can improve the process situation. Meanwhile, the present disclosure increases production yield and improves product quality.

Abstract: A processing system is disclosed, having a process chamber that houses a substrate for exposure of a surface of the substrate to a travelling electromagnetic (EM) wave. The processing system also includes an EM wave transmission antenna configured to launch the travelling EM wave into the process chamber for the travelling EM wave to propagate in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate. The processing system also includes a power coupling system configured to supply EM energy into the EM wave transmission antenna to generate the travelling EM wave at a prescribed output power and in a prescribed EM wave mode during treatment of the substrate. The processing system also includes an EM wave receiving antenna configured to absorb the travelling EM wave after propagation through the process chamber.

Abstract: A method of delivering energy to an object in a cavity may include transmitting electromagnetic energy to the cavity at a plurality of frequencies. At each of the plurality of frequencies, the method may also include determining an efficiency of energy transfer into the object and adjusting power transmitted at each of the plurality of frequencies such that a multiplicative product of the efficiency and the power transmitted is substantially constant across each of the plurality of frequencies.

Abstract: In a microwave heating device of the present invention, a heating-chamber input portion is adapted to direct, to a heating chamber, microwaves having propagated through a waveguide tube and having passed through the positions where microwave radiating portions are formed, thereby realizing a state where progressive waves are dominant among the microwaves propagating through the waveguide tube, so that the microwave radiating portions are caused to radiate, to the inside of the heating chamber, microwaves based on the progressive waves propagating through the waveguide tube. This enables uniformly heating an object to be heated, without using a rotational mechanism.

Abstract: A radio frequency heater is disclosed including a vessel for containing material to be heated and a radio frequency radiating surface. The vessel has a wall defining a reservoir. The radio frequency radiating surface at least partially surrounds the reservoir. The radiating surface includes two or more circumferentially spaced petals that are electrically isolated from other petals. The petals are positioned to irradiate at least a portion of the reservoir, and are adapted for connection to a source of radio frequency alternating current. A generally conical tank or tank segment having a conically wound radio frequency applicator is also contemplated. Also, a method of heating an oil-water process stream is disclosed. In this method a radio frequency heater and an oil-water process stream are provided. The process stream is irradiated with the heater, thus heating the water phase of the process stream.

Abstract: An antenna cover assembly for a high-temperature operating environment has a cover plate, gasket portions, and a retainer plate. The cover plate has an inner side and an outer side, the cover plate being translucent to at least one selected frequency of electromagnetic energy. The gasket portions are each located adjacent one of the inner and outer sides, each gasket portion being configured for sealingly engaging the adjacent side. The retainer plate is configured for attachment to a structure located in a high-temperature operating environment. The retainer plate has a sealing flange adapted for clamping the cover plate generally adjacent an antenna portion of a waveguide.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radiation processing of semiconductor substrates using microwave or millimeter wave energy are provided. The microwave or millimeter wave energy may have a frequency between about 600 MHz and about 1 THz. Alternating current from a magnetron is coupled to a leaky microwave emitter that has an inner conductor and an outer conductor, the outer conductor having openings with a dimension smaller than a wavelength of the emitted radiation. The inner and outer conductors are separated by an insulating material. Interference patterns produced by the microwave emissions may be uniformized by phase modulating the power to the emitter and/or by frequency modulating the frequency of the power itself. Power from a single generator may be divided to two or more emitters by a power divider.

Abstract: Provided herein is a cooking apparatus. The cooking apparatus includes a plate forming a cavity, a microwave transmission line to transmit microwaves to the inside of the cavity, and a first metal part connected to one end of the microwave transmission line and extended in one direction so as to be parallel with the plate. Thereby, an antenna having improved efficiency is provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying radio frequency (RF) energy from a source of electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone. At least one processor may be configured to acquire information indicative of electromagnetic energy loss associated with at least a portion of the energy application zone. The processor may be further configured to determine a weight to be applied to each of a plurality of electromagnetic field patterns each having a known electromagnetic field intensity distribution and cause the source to supply each of the plurality of electromagnetic field patterns to the energy application zone at the determined weights.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying RF energy, via an antenna, to an object placed in a cavity is disclosed. The apparatus includes a Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) frequency source configured to feed the antenna with RF energy at a plurality of frequencies, and a controller configured to control the DDS frequency source to apply RF energy to the object.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus includes a microwave generation part (5) having a plurality of output parts, a heating chamber (4) to contain an object to be heated, a plurality of feeding parts (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) supplying outputs of the plurality of output parts to the heating chamber, and a control part (6) controlling microwave radiation from the plurality of feeding parts to control an electromagnetic wave distribution in the heating chamber, in which a microwave is concentrated on the object to be heated put in the heating chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying RF energy to an object, including at least one slower-scanning, frequency source and at least one faster-scanning frequency source, and a controller which sweeps a range of frequencies using the faster-scanning source to measure RF absorption and controls the slower-scanning frequency source based on the sweep.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus which uses microwaves is provided having a microwave supplier which supplies microwaves into the cooking chamber. More particularly, the microwave supplier may be provided proximate an upper side of the cooking chamber; and a microwave radiator may be provided inside of the cooking chamber to re-radiate the microwaves.

Abstract: A cooking device that cooks food and drink by using heat generation of a heater, or a heat source such as microwaves. A cooking device is provided in which the radiation of microwaves can be varied depending on load, such as cooking objects, when microwaves are used as a heat source. The cooking device includes a stirring shaft provided to rotate within a cooking chamber, a stirring shaft power source to rotate the stirring shaft, and a stirring vane coupled to the stirring shaft through a hinge unit and configured to rotate by a centrifugal force according to a rotation speed of the stirring shaft. The radiation of microwaves can be varied depending on a load such as a cooking object, and a cooking device having an optimized performance can be provided.

Abstract: A cooking device includes a cooking chamber; a first deodorization region along which air from the cooking chamber flows and in which a plasma discharge is generated for removing odor-producing materials generated in the cooking chamber from the air; and a bypass region along which air from the cooking chamber flows to bypass the first deodorization region.

Abstract: In a microwave heating apparatus of the invention, microwaves from oscillation parts 1a, 1b are divided into a plurality of microwaves by power division parts 2a, 2b and inputted to amplification parts 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and desired microwave powers from the amplification parts are supplied from feeding parts 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d to a heating chamber 8. Reflected powers reflected from the heating chamber to the amplification parts via the feeding parts are detected by power detection parts 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. Each of the feeding parts has a plurality of antennas for supplying the microwaves having different characteristics to the heating chamber, and a control part 7 extracts an oscillating frequency with which the reflected powers detected by the power detection parts are minimum, and causes the oscillation parts to oscillate at the extracted oscillating frequency so as to supply the microwaves having the different characteristics from the plurality of antennas to the heating chamber.

Abstract: A radio frequency heater is disclosed including a vessel for containing material to be heated and a radio frequency radiating surface. The vessel has a wall defining a reservoir. The radio frequency radiating surface at least partially surrounds the reservoir. The radiating surface includes two or more circumferentially spaced petals that are electrically isolated from other petals. The petals are positioned to irradiate at least a portion of the reservoir, and are adapted for connection to a source of radio frequency alternating current. A generally conical tank or tank segment having a conically wound radio frequency applicator is also contemplated. Also, a method of heating an oil-water process stream is disclosed. In this method a radio frequency heater and an oil-water process stream are provided. The process stream is irradiated with the heater, thus heating the water phase of the process stream.

Abstract: A microwave heater and method of heating are provided. The microwave heater includes a non-resonant enclosure and a continuous helical antenna within the non-resonant enclosure. The continuous helical antenna is configured to receive therein a load to be heated by microwaves radiated from the continuous helical antenna.

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.

Abstract: Irradiation methods and apparatus configured to deliver power, via electromagnetic fields at a variety of frequencies and power levels, in a localized fashion to a target area. In one example, an electromagnetic field generator is disposed on a substrate and configured to deliver power via electromagnetic energy to a thin region proximate to (above) a surface of the substrate, wherein electromagnetic field intensity decreases significantly beyond the thin region. Such methods and apparatus are particularly useful in a wide variety of processes involving chemical and/or physical interactions in connection with a sample of interest located in the thin region. In different aspects, irradiator apparatus may be configured as disposable devices, and/or used in combination with one or more microfluidic or sensing components, for a variety of medical/laboratory/diagnostic methods and instrumentation implementations.

Abstract: A system for preventing freezing of crops within a volume includes a plurality of RF radiators configured to radiate RF energy into the volume. A height, a spacing, an output power, a vertical beam angle, a vertical beam width, and a horizontal beam width of each one of the plurality of RF radiators is selected to result in an average RF power density taken about three dimensions within the volume sufficient to prevent freezing of a substantial portion of the crops, and also to result in a peak-to-peak variation of RF power density taken about two dimensions in a horizontal plane within the volume and at heights below a predetermined height to be less than a predetermined percentage of an average RF power density taken about the two dimensions.

Abstract: A method for matching an impedance of a system comprising a cavity and one or more feeds to an impedance of one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation irradiating a plurality of frequencies into the cavity via the feeds, comprising: determining a plurality of s-parameter of the system for a frequency band; determining the system impedance based on the s-parameters; and modifying the system impedance according to the difference between the impedance of the system and the impedance of the source.

Abstract: A surface-heating system heats a surface with a high-power wavefront at a millimeter-wave frequency. The high-power wavefront may be a collimated wavefront or a converging or diverging wavefront. In some embodiments, the system includes a frequency generator to generate a lower-power millimeter-wave frequency signal, and an active-array antenna system to amplify the millimeter-wave frequency and generate the high-power wavefront in a direction of a surface for heating the surface. In other embodiments, a frequency generator and power amplifier may generate a high-power power millimeter-wave frequency signal, and a passive-array antenna system may provide the high-power wavefront in a direction of the surface. In some embodiments, a thermal-sensing subsystem may measure the surface temperature and generate a control signal to maintain the surface temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying RF energy to an object, comprising at least one slower-scanning, frequency source and at least one faster-scanning frequency source, and a controller which sweeps a range of frequencies using the faster-scanning source to measure RF absorption and controls the slower-scanning frequency source based on the sweep.

Abstract: A microwave energy emitter (108) is positioned in a chamber within a material holding cavity of a containment vessel (106) that is transparent to microwave energy absorption that is further surrounded by a microwave reflective component to reflect the waves back into the vessel. The vessel (106) encloses a material that absorbs microwave energy through molecular vibration of its molecules. An inlet path (116) and outlet path (112) is provided for the material to flow in and out of the vessel upon predetermined conditions. Heated material can be condensed via a condenser (124) into a collection vessel (120). A controller (126) is provided to send control signals to switching device for controlling the material flow and receiving sensing signals for decision generation.