Abstract: An apparatus for applying electromagnetic (EM) energy to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor configured to determine an amount of energy to be supplied to the at least one radiating element at a first subset of the plurality of MSEs, determine an energy application schedule comprising timing instructions for applying energy at at least a subset of the plurality of MSEs, and cause application of energy according to the determined amounts of energy and the determined energy application schedule.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying radio frequency (RF) energy to an object in an energy application zone. At least one processor may be configured to cause RF energy to be applied at a plurality of electromagnetic field patterns to the object in the energy application zone. The processor may be further configured to determine an amount of power dissipated in the energy application zone, for each of the plurality of field patterns. The processor may also be configured to determine a spatial distribution of energy absorption characteristics across at least a portion of the energy application zone based on the amounts of power dissipated when the plurality of field patterns are applied to the energy application zone.

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 method for utilizing a reading of a machine readable element associated with a consumable product, may include storing, by a computer, in a memory in communication with the computer, a record of apparatus identification information associated with an apparatus having a reader for reading the machine readable element. The method may also include obtaining usage information based on a reading of the machine readable element by the reader, wherein the usage information comprises identity information indicative of an identity of a supplier of the consumable product and applying, by the computer, a debit to the supplier of the consumable product based on the usage information and the apparatus identification information.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone via one or more antennas at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs), in which each MSE may affect a field pattern excited in the energy application zone and is controllable by the apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor that determines an amount of energy to be supplied to one or more of the antennas at each of the plurality of MSEs, select at least one power supply protocol for each of the plurality of MSEs, in which at least two of the power supply protocols selected for different MSEs differ, and cause electromagnetic power supply to one or more of the antennas in at least a subset of the plurality of MSEs, based on the determined amount of energy and based on the selected power supply protocol.

Abstract: A radiating element for applying electromagnetic energy to a cavity. The radiating element comprises a feeding section and a grounding section, wherein the feeding section and the grounding section extend substantially within a first plane. The radiating element also includes a radiating section in electrical communication with the feeding section and the grounding section, wherein the radiating section includes at least one bend between the feeding section and a distal end of the radiating section, the at least one bend extending in a second plane different from the first plane.

Abstract: A method of applying RF energy to an object in a cavity is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include applying to the object a first amount of RF energy at power increasing from an initial power level to a final power level; and if an electrical discharge occurs, stopping RF energy application for a period sufficient to allow the electrical discharge to decay. The method may further include applying to the object a second amount of RF energy after the period ends. The second amount of RF energy may be applied at intermediate power, higher than the initial power level and lower than the final power level.

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.

Abstract: A system for heating one or more objects includes a first housing having a power unit configured to generate radio frequency (EM) radiation. One or more second housings include a heating unit having a cavity for positioning the one or more objects. One or more EM radiation conducting elements are configured to conduct the EM radiation from the power unit to the cavity for heating the one or more objects. The first housing and the one or more of the second housings are physically separated from one another.

Abstract: A method of processing an object in an energy application zone by application of radio frequency (RF) energy via a plurality of radiating elements may include applying RF energy to the energy application zone at a first plurality of excitation setups (excitation setups). The method may also include applying RF energy to the energy application zone at one or more excitation setups, at least one of which is not included in the first plurality of excitation setups, based on feedback received from the energy application zone in response to the application of the first amount of energy to the energy application zone at the first plurality of excitation setups.

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: 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.

Abstract: A device for washing, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing an item is disclosed. The device may comprise a solution applicator for coating a surface of said item with a washing, sanitizing and/or sterilizing solution. The device may also comprise a heating unit for heating the solution coated on the surface of said item to a working temperature. The device may further comprise a control unit for keeping the temperature of the treating substance at the working temperature for a predetermined amount of time.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for exciting a rotating field pattern in a cavity containing an object, the apparatus comprising a radiating element configured to excite an electromagnetic (EM) field pattern in the cavity, wherein the EM field pattern is excited with EM energy at a frequency in the radio-frequency (RF) range, a field rotating element configured to rotate the EM field pattern, wherein the field rotating element has an anisotropy, the anisotropy selected from magnetic anisotropy, electric anisotropy, and a combination of magnetic and electric anisotropies, and a controller configured to determine the EM field pattern according to value indicative of energy absorbable by the object and to control the anisotropy of the field rotating element in order to rotate the EM field pattern.

Abstract: A method of drying an object comprising, providing an object into an RF cavity; applying broadband RF energy to the object in controlled manner which keeps the object within a desired temporal temperature schedule and within a desired spatial profile; and terminating the drying when it is at least estimated that a desired drying level is achieved.

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: Disclosed is a method of freezing a body or a portion thereof. The method comprises exposing at least a part of the body to a coolant having a temperature below the freezing point of the body, and at the same time operating an electromagnetic heater, as to maintain the at least part of the body at a temperature above its freezing point; and reducing the electromagnetic heating to allow the at least a part of the body to freeze. The electromagnetic heater comprises a resonator, and the heated part of the body is heated inside the resonator.

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: 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.