With Tuning Or Particular Modes Patents (Class 219/750)
  • Patent number: 10555384
    Abstract: A modular microwave power supply comprises a plurality of microwave power supply modules and a plurality of isolating diodes. To upgrade the output power of the modular microwave power supply, the plurality of microwave power supply modules are connected isolatively in common to a magnetron load by the plurality of isolating diodes, such that power combining of the plurality of microwave power supply modules is achieved, and the efficiency as well as the accumulated-heat dissipating ability of the modular microwave power supply are as good as each of the plurality of microwave power supply modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Chang, Kun-Ping Huang
  • Patent number: 10080264
    Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: GOJI LIMITED
    Inventors: Eran Ben-Shmuel, Alexander Bilchinsky, Udi Damari, Omer Einav, Benny Rousso, Shlomo Ben-Haim
  • Patent number: 9769884
    Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus for heating a load by means of microwaves is provided. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity arranged to receive a piece of food to be heated, a first microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves at the cavity bottom for energizing a browning function in the cavity, a second microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves into the cavity for exciting cavity modes and a control unit configured to control the first and second microwave supply systems based on a food category and/or a cooking program. The first supply system comprises at least one microwave source and at least one antenna arranged in a lower part of the cavity and the second microwave supply system comprises at least one microwave source and at least one feeding port arranged in an upper part of the cavity. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Olle Niklasson, Hakan Carlsson, Ulf Nordh, Fredrik Hallgren
  • Patent number: 9101678
    Abstract: Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve heat-sanitization of contact regions on articles or fixtures by flowing selected electromagnetic radiation energy through underlying waveguide structures substantially parallel to the contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Michael C. Hegg, David R. Nash, Benjamin K. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9078298
    Abstract: An electromagnetic heater for heating an irregularly shaped object, including: a cavity within which an object is to be placed; at least one feed which feeds UHF or microwave energy into the cavity; and a controller that controls one or more characteristics of the cavity or energy to assure that the UHF or microwave energy is deposited uniformly in the object within ±30% over at least 80% of the volume of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GOJI LIMITED
    Inventors: Eran Ben-Shmuel, Alexander Bilchinsky
  • Patent number: 9006626
    Abstract: A multi-slot resonant microwave device comprises a plurality of slot microwave resonator units and at least one microwave emitting source. Each of the plurality of slot microwave resonator unit is defined as a slot resonant cavity. Whenever at least one of the microwave emitting sources emits microwave power into the plurality of slot microwave resonator units, the plurality of slot microwave resonator units resonate simultaneously, and produce an electromagnetic field with the same polarization direction. Therefore, the multi-slot resonator device can deal with large-area microwave heating with greater microwave effect to shorten operating time and accomplish the objective of homogeneous and megathermal microwave heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Tsun-Hsu Chang, Tsung-Shune Chin, Hsien-Wen Chao, Shih-Chieh Fong
  • Patent number: 8974743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously carrying out chemical reactions. The device comprises a microwave generator, a microwave applicator accommodating a microwave-transparent tube, and an isothermal reaction section which is arranged such that the material to be reacted is guided inside the microwave-transparent tube through a microwave applicator which is used as the heating zone and in which it is heated to reaction temperature by means of microwaves that are emitted from the microwave generator into the microwave applicator. The material to be reacted, which is heated and optionally under pressure, is transferred from the microwave applicator to an isothermal reaction zone once it has left the heating zone, said reaction zone being arranged downstream of the heating zone, and is cooled once it has left the isothermal reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Clariant Finance (BVI) Limited
    Inventors: Matthias Krull, Roman Morschhaeuser
  • Publication number: 20150041966
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for activating dopants in a semiconductor structure. For example, a semiconductor structure including a plurality of dopants is provided. One or more microwave-absorption materials are provided, the microwave-absorption materials being capable of increasing an electric field density associated with the semiconductor structure. Microwave radiation is applied to the microwave-absorption materials and the semiconductor structure to activate the plurality of dopants for fabricating semiconductor devices. The microwave-absorption materials are configured to increase the electric field density in response to the microwave radiation so as to increase the semiconductor structure's absorption of the microwave radiation to activate the dopants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Tsai, Yan-Ting Lin, Cheng-Yan Zhan, Yi-Tang Lin, Clement Hsingjen Wann
  • Patent number: 8941040
    Abstract: An electromagnetic heater for heating an irregularly shaped object, including: a cavity within which an object is to be placed; at least one feed which feeds UHF or microwave energy into the cavity; and a controller that controls one or more characteristics of the cavity or energy to assure that the UHF or microwave energy is deposited uniformly in the object within ±30% over at least 80% of the volume of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Goji Limited
    Inventors: Eran Ben-Shmuel, Alexander Bilchinsky
  • Publication number: 20150021316
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Hans Magnus Fagrell, Ian Christopher Ray
  • Patent number: 8831500
    Abstract: A microwave heating device includes a microwave generating portion outputting a microwave, a conductive heating chamber into which the microwave is led and having a short-circuited terminal end in a traveling direction of the microwave, and a tuner provided between the microwave generating portion and the heating chamber. The heating chamber has an opening for passing a member to be heated therethrough. The tuner re-reflects the microwave reflected at the terminal end of the heating chamber onto the heating chamber side. The microwave output end of the microwave generating portion and the tuner are connected by a square tubular waveguide made of a conductive material. The tuner and the terminal end of the heating chamber are connected by a square tubular waveguide, which is made of a conductive material except for the opening for passing the member to be heated therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Murata Machinery, Ltd., The Doshisha
    Inventors: Shinzo Yoshikado, Yoshihiro Shojo, Ryosuke Tahara, Isao Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8796603
    Abstract: An appliance including a cabinet having a first PCB located therein, a door connected to the cabinet, the door being moveable between an open position and a closed position to open and close the cabinet, and a second PCB located in the door. In addition, at least one first connector is connected to the first PCB. At least one second connector is connected to the second PCB and is electronically connectable to the first connector. In particular, the second connector is electrically connected to the first connector when the door is in a substantially closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Woo Lee, Wan Soo Kim, Hyun Jung Kim
  • Publication number: 20140197761
    Abstract: The invention relates to a facility (1) for microwave treatment of a load, including: at least one application device (30); at least one solid-state generator (4) in the field of microwaves, connected to at least one application device by a means for guiding (5) the electromagnetic wave; at least one frequency adjustment system (40) designed for adjusting the frequency of the wave produced by the corresponding generator (4); a measurement system (31) for the or each application device (30), designed for measuring the power reflected PR(i) by the application device (30); an automated control means (6) connected to each frequency adjustment system (40) and to each measurement system (31) in order to control the adjustment of the frequency f(i) of the electromagnetic wave according to the reflected power, in order to adjust the reflected power PR(i) and/or to adjust the transmitted power PT(i).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SAIREM SOCIETE POUR L'APPLICATION INDUSTRIELLE DE LA RECHERCHE EN ELECTRONIQUE ET MICRO ONDES
    Inventors: Adrien Grandemenge, Jean-Marie Jacomino, Marilena Radoiu, Louis Latrasse
  • Patent number: 8759729
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Goji Limited
    Inventors: Eran Ben-Shmuel, Alexander Bilchinsky
  • Publication number: 20130313250
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing objects by RF energy are disclosed. In some embodiments the method may include grouping excitation setups into at least a first group corresponding to a first peak and a second group corresponding to a second peak. The method may further include applying RF energy such that an amount of RF energy absorbed at excitation setups of the first group is equal to an amount of RF energy absorbed at excitation setups of the second group. Apparatuses according to some embodiments may include a processor configured to carry out aspects of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Zalman Ibragimov, Amit Rappel, Itzhak Yogev
  • Publication number: 20130284725
    Abstract: A method of heating and/or thawing using an RF heater is described. In some cases the heating differentially heats portions according to their dissipation ratios. Optionally, this avoids dissipating large amounts of energy into thawed portions while frozen portions are still extant and heat slowly. Optionally, this prevents overheating of thawed potions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Alexander Bilchinsky, Eran Ben-Shmuel, Daniella Atzmony
  • Publication number: 20130175261
    Abstract: A multi-slot resonant microwave device comprises a plurality of slot microwave resonator units and at least one microwave emitting source. Each of the plurality of slot microwave resonator unit is defined as a slot resonant cavity. Whenever at least one of the microwave emitting sources emits microwave power into the plurality of slot microwave resonator units, the plurality of slot microwave resonator units resonate simultaneously, and produce an electromagnetic field with the same polarization direction. Therefore, the multi-slot resonator device can deal with large-area microwave heating with greater microwave effect to shorten operating time and accomplish the objective of homogeneous and megathermal microwave heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: TSUN-HSU CHANG, TSUNG-SHUNE CHIN, HSIEN-WEN CHAO, SHIH-CHIEH FONG
  • Publication number: 20130119054
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Goji Ltd.
    Inventor: Goji Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8420991
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Mihara, Tomotaka Nobue, Kenji Yasui, Yoshiharu Oomori
  • Patent number: 8294071
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Taguchi, Noboru Baba, Tomokatsu Oguro, Toshio Ogura, Masumi Kuga
  • Patent number: 8222579
    Abstract: A microwave irradiation system includes first and second microwave generators, and an applicator which includes: a microwave transmission part connected to the first and second microwave generators; a reflecting plane, at an other end of the microwave transmission part of the applicator, configured to reflect microwaves from the first and the second microwave generators at such a location that a space of an object, in the microwave transmission part of the applicator between the end and the other end is irradiated with both a greater intensity of electric field and a smaller intensity of magnetic field generated by the first microwave generator and with both a greater intensity of magnetic field and a smaller intensity of electric field generated by the second microwave generator; and a filter part through which at least one of the first and second microwave generators is connected to the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Taguchi, Noboru Baba, Kazutaka Okamoto, Tomokatsu Oguro, Toshio Ogura, Masumi Kuga
  • Patent number: 8038936
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Hun Sim, Hyun Jung Kim
  • Publication number: 20100059508
    Abstract: This document discloses semiconductor processing systems, methods, and devices. The systems, methods and devices activate dopants in a processing chamber having a temperature that is less than, for example, 300 degrees. A microwave energy source provides a microwave transmission to a waveguide system that uniformly distributes the microwave transmission. The waveguide system can include a rectangular waveguide coupled to a cylindrical waveguide. The rectangular waveguide guides the microwave transmission in a second propagation direction to a cylindrical waveguide. The cylindrical waveguide uniformly distributes the electromagnetic transmission and guides the electromagnetic transmission in a third propagation direction to a processing chamber. A semiconductor wafer can be exposed to the microwave transmission and the temperature of the chamber to activate dopants in the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bohumil Lojek
  • Publication number: 20090294440
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling drying of ceramic greenwares in a manner that accounts for the load presented to a radio-frequency (RF) source of an RF applicator to reduce the risk of overheating greenware during drying. The method includes partially drying the greenware and then substantially drying the greenware with RF radiation. The amount of RF radiation provided to an electrode region is controlled based on the number of greenware pieces within the electrode region at a given time. The system includes a control unit electrically connected to the electrode and configured to provide a select RF voltage to the electrode based on the number of greenwares within the electrode region. The system adjusts at least one input voltage from a power supply. The adjusted voltage is stepped-up, DC-rectified to form a plate voltage, and then is converted by a high-frequency DC/AC convertor to the select high-frequency AC RF voltage needed to dry the greenwares without overheating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Andreas Adrian, James Anthony Feldman, Michelle Yumiko Ronco, Terri A. Waschezyn
  • Publication number: 20090220968
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David Issadore, Thomas Hunt, Kristi Adamson, Robert Westervelt, Rick Rogers
  • Publication number: 20090139988
    Abstract: A microwave device is disclosed which includes a cavity wherein varied frequency microwaves are generated, a movable tuning member that is adapted to extend into the cavity and a force generator that is mechanically coupled to the movable tuning member, the force generator, when actuated, being adapted to move the movable tuning member within an opening in the cavity. A method is also disclosed which includes varying a volume of a cavity in a microwave generator and generating varied frequency microwaves in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 7498548
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for removing volatiles from a saturated adsorbent is provided. The heating apparatus can include a vessel including a first end and a second end. The vessel can be adapted to receive the saturated adsorbent. The heating apparatus can also include a channel in communication with the first end of the vessel and a radiation source that provides energy to heat the vessel. The heating apparatus can further comprise a lateral waveguide coupled to the radiation source and disposed within the channel to transmit the energy from the radiation source to the vessel to heat the saturated adsorbent disposed within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ranger Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen H. Opperman
  • Patent number: 7405382
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a microwave generator includes a variable voltage provided from a first transformer to a second transformer having a secondary winding split into a filament winding cathode low AC signal and a secondary winding providing a high voltage which is doubled and rectified in a half-wave voltage doubler for providing a pulsed DC signal through a ballast resistor to a magnetron anode responsive to an electromagnetic field. In still further accord with the present invention, a microwave sample cavity includes a waveguide, and a hole for receiving a sample to be microwave-heated, and an inductive tuning post all on a straight line, wherein the hole is adjacent the waveguide and the post is distant from the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Wayne Openlander
  • 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: 7332697
    Abstract: A computer-based design methodology for photonic bandgap devices that permits determination of both the upper and lower bandgap edges in either a one-dimensional or two-dimensional photonic crystal. Using this methodology, a one-dimensional crystal may be created for use in a waveguide-fed microwave oven as a radiation reflector-suppressor, particularly for undesirable higher harmonic frequencies of about 12 GHz. By conceptually arranging multiple reflectors in a desired geometry, a two-dimensional crystal may be created that is particularly useful as a waveguide or splitter. The waveguide or splitter thus created has especially high efficiency for microwave wavelength ranges of about 9 GHz as compared with the prior art and is particularly useful in communications applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventor: S. Raj Vatsya
  • Patent number: 7208710
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating uniform heating of an microwave absorptive target. A circularly polarized waveguide mode is created that promotes uniform heating of the microwave absorptive target by rotating a propagated non-uniform field pattern around a central axis of a cylindrical cavity or waveguide. In the process of rotating the field pattern, hot and cold spots in the field pattern are averaged out over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Gregoire, Joseph Colburn
  • Patent number: 7122772
    Abstract: In an even numbered polygonal microwave resonator wherein a high mode microwave mode is formed and in the resonator volume a homogeneous field distribution is established for the thermal processing of workpieces, a microwave in-coupling structure pair is provided along a joining edge of two wall segments alternately at opposite sides and the in-coupling structure pairs or in communication, via a rectangular microwave guide channel, with a microwave sources supplying microwaves to the in-coupling structure pairs so that the microwaves entering the resonator from each in-coupling structure are directed toward an opposite corner area of the resonator and are reflected from the opposite corner area back into the center area of the resonator in the form of separate beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Lambert Feher, Volker Nuss, Thomas Seitz
  • 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: 7034266
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for tuning a microwave apparatus. The chamber volume of the microwave apparatus can be changed by moving a flexible portion of a flexible wall while a perimeter portion of the flexible wall remains fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. DeGroot, James A. Boldra, Keith R. Haen
  • 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: 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: 6933482
    Abstract: Microwave heating apparatus comprising an elongated dielectric microwave applicator with an axial TM type mode, said dielectric applicator is provided with a load chamber for a load to be heated, said load chamber is located in a centered axial position inside the applicator. Two microwave feeding points are arranged at a lower end of the applicator for feeding microwave energy in the axial direction of the applicator so that significant cross-talk between the applied microwaves is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Personal Chemistry I Uppsala AB
    Inventors: Magnus Fagrell, Per Olov G. Risman
  • Patent number: 6906297
    Abstract: Trays placed in an autoclave are coupled with microwaves from microwave generators and move back and forth as they are processed to ensure even heating. The generators are placed at the side of the autoclave so each generator connects to a wave guide in the autoclave with upwardly directed decoupling openings immediately below the tray to be heated. The distance between the decoupling opening and the tray is maintained at less than one-half wavelength. The foods on the tray are heated first from below and then the heat rises. When water in the lower food layers is heated, steam forms and must pass through the cooler upper layers to escape. As it does so, it loses heat to these layers, warming them and preventing scorching on the food's surface as well as any bursting of the trays' seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Tops Foods, N.V.
    Inventor: Rudy Tops
  • Patent number: 6888114
    Abstract: In order to reduce reflected waves and improve heating matching, a microwave heating apparatus is equipped with at least one cone-shaped, bell-shaped, pyramid-shaped or similarly shaped waveguide, a reflector apparatus provided inside the waveguide, and a reflection diffusion apparatus provided inside the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Shunichi Yagi
  • Patent number: 6884979
    Abstract: A microwave oven and a method for heating a load which is placed therein. According to the invention a predetermined mode in the cavity of a microwave oven is fed by means of an associated feeding port which is arranged to feed essentially the intended mode only, the feeding of a mode other than the intended, predetermined mode being essentially prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Per Törngren, Ulf Nordh, Håkan Carlsson, Roland Ekinge
  • Patent number: 6861632
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a motor for a stirrer and a motor mounting unit. The motor is provided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a first flange having a hole. The motor mounting unit is provided on an outer surface of a wave guide, and includes a seat, a mounting piece provided at an edge of the seat and having a hole, and a stopper. The stopper is upwardly projected from a first piece provided on the seat adjacent to the mounting piece, to delimit a mounted position of the motor. The motor mounting unit also includes a guide piece upwardly projected from a second piece provided at an edge of the seat. A slot is longitudinally formed along the guide piece. The motor has a second flange at a position opposite to the first flange to be fitted into and guided along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Se Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 6852963
    Abstract: A wall-mounted type microwave oven includes an outer cabinet defining an outer appearance thereof, an inner cabinet disposed in the outer cabinet to define a flow path therebetween, a sensor disposed in the flow path to check conditions of air flowing in the flow path, and a terminal unit connected to the sensor to transmit electric power and control signals to the sensor. The flow path includes a fitting hole to hold the sensor and the terminal unit. A sensor holder receives the sensor and the terminal unit, and is detachably fitted in the fitting hole. Only an operation of separating the sensor holder from a guide duct is performed in the guide duct, and an operation of pulling the sensor and the terminal unit out of the sensor holder and detaching the sensor from the terminal unit is performed outside the guide duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 6831259
    Abstract: An apparatus for the heating of pressed stock in the manufacture of boards of material or in the manufacture of veneer panels. The apparatus includes a microwave preheating device having rod antennae disposed in series, reflective shields, and a heating cell configured as a continuous oven in which the introduction of microwaves into the pressed stock takes place via the rod antennae. The rod antennae are attached to lie horizontally and transversely to the direction of production above, below, or above and below the pressed stock within the heating cell. The reflective surfaces are assigned to the rod antennae on the opposite sides of the pressed stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignees: Dieffenbacher GmbH + Co. KG, Muegge Electronic GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Muegge, Matthias Graf, Ulf Könekamp, Klaus Martin Baumgärtner
  • Publication number: 20040226942
    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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Knut Behnke, Frank-Michael Morgenweck, Domingo Rohde, Lars Seimetz, Jose Manuel Catala-Civera
  • Patent number: 6797929
    Abstract: An elliptical exposure chamber has an extended focal region. A plurality of cylindrical reactors (25) form the extended focal region. Reducing the size of the opening (58) to each reactor (25) reduces the amount of energy reflected and increases the overall heating. In order to efficiently deliver the electromagnetic energy to the reduced opening (58), a tapered waveguide (55) has a concave end (56). A power splitter (42) divides power from a central waveguide (52) to the plurality of reactors (25). The power that is delivered to each reactor (25) can be adjusted by adjusting the impedance of each reactor (25), the width of each reactor (25) or the width of the opening (58) to each reactor (25). The width of the opening (58) to each reactor (25) can be controlled by a movable metal plate (44). A dielectric wheel can be used to shift hot spots along the focal region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Industrial Microwave Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: J. Michael Drozd, William T. Joines
  • Patent number: 6781102
    Abstract: A microwave delivery system for a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber includes a toroidal-shaped waveguide, a magnetron, a tubular feed member interconnecting the magnetron with the toroidal-shaped wave guide and a field flux generator positioned about the tubular feed member. The flux field generator shifts a microwave energy field produced by the magnetron in the tubular feed member. The shifted microwave field focuses high energy standing waves that are directed into the toroidal-shaped wave guide and, ultimately, the cooking chamber. The field flux generator produces either magnetic or electrical fields and is driven by a pulsed DC current, a rectified AC current or a pure AC signal energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Sondra Denice Proffitt, Robert Z. Whipple, Jr.
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6693266
    Abstract: In order to reduce reflected waves and improve heating matching, a microwave heating apparatus is equipped with at least one cone-shaped, bell-shaped, pyramid-shaped or similarly shaped waveguide, a reflector apparatus provided inside the waveguide, and a reflection diffusion apparatus provided inside the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Shunichi Yagi
  • Patent number: 6630654
    Abstract: Microwave heating apparatus comprising a dielectric microwave applicator provided with a microwave coupling device adapted to feed microwave energy to the applicator. The applicator is provided with a load chamber 8 extending coaxially with regard to the centre axis of the applicator from an upper end to a predetermined distance from a lower end of the applicator, the load chamber is adapted to receive a load to be heated. The dielectric applicator comprises two sections, an upper section 4 provided with the load chamber and a lower section 6 for impedance matching between the coupling device and upper section. In a preferred embodiment the lower section has an increasing cross-sectional area from the coupling device to the intersection to the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Personal Chemistry I Uppsala AB
    Inventors: Magnus Fagrell, Per Olov G. Risman
  • Patent number: 6630653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the distribution of microwave energy density in an applicator which forms a resonator chamber and in which the radiation generated by microwave generators is guided to the applicator wall by waveguides; and to a use for this device. According to the invention, several electroconductive coupling pins (31) are used, each of these extending preferably vertically into both the waveguide chamber and the applicator resonator chamber, in order to feed in the microwaves with as little loss as possible and to enable the field distribution in the resonator chamber to be modified. The invention is especially suitable for producing a plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Widia GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Gerdes, Monika Willert-Porada, Klaus Rödiger