Abstract: A wall-mounted type microwave oven having an improved structure to hold a power cord on a top panel of the wall-mounted type microwave oven thereby affording easy assembly and reduction in manufacturing costs is provided. The power cord extends out of the top panel through an opening thereof. The power cord is fitted into a cut portion formed in the top panel to be connected to the opening, and a cover having a retaining portion is attached to the top panel to cover the opening. Therefore, the power cord is interposed between the retaining portion of the cover and the top cover, and is thus firmly held on the top panel.

Abstract: An induction-heating cooking device includes: an insulating plate which is partially or entirely light-transmissive, and on which an object to be heated is placed; a heating coil provided under the insulating plate, for heating the object to be heated; a display section for indicating a portion to be heated by the heating coil through the insulating plate; and an output control section for controlling electrical conduction to the heating coil, wherein the display section includes a light emitting section which is provided in the vicinity of a magnetic flux generated by the heating coil, and the light emitting section is laid and connected radially along a radial direction of the heating coil for indicating a portion to be heated by the heating coil.

Abstract: A fixing device comprising an endless heating member which is adapted to be contacted with a fixable member to thereby enable an image on the fixable member to be thermally fixed, an electromagnetic inductive coil member disposed close to the endless heating member and inductively heating the endless heating member, and an AC power supply circuit supplying an AC current to the electromagnetic inductive coil member. The coil member is constructed such that in a state where the coil member is positioned in the fixing device, a ratio between an inductance L of the coil member and a load resistance R of the coil member meets a condition of L/R<50×10−6 (H/&OHgr;).

Abstract: An ablation catheter that includes radially disposed inflatable chambers is provided. The ablation catheter includes an elongate catheter body and an electrode structure mounted on the distal end of the catheter body. The electrode structure includes a plurality of radially disposed inflatable chambers. The elongate catheter body may be composed of an inner shaft having an inner shaft lumen, a stiffening mandrel disposed within the inner shaft lumen, and an outer shaft having an outer shaft lumen, wherein the inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft lumen. The outer shaft includes a plurality of inflation lumens in communication with the interior regions of the inflatable chambers, which deliver an inflation medium to the inflatable chambers. The inner shaft includes a plurality of lumens that house electrical leads for delivering ablation energy to the electrode structure.

Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus equipped with the oven hood comprises a heating chamber, a power supply apparatus for controlling high frequency output power by way of a semiconductor element, ventilation, and illumination for illuminating an object to be heated by another heat-cooking apparatus. Since the high frequency output power is controlled in such a manner that an optimum heating output power is applied in a linear manner for a proper time period, the heating output power can be controlled in the linear manner and the high frequency heating apparatus can be largely reduced in weight. As a result, the highest-speed heat-cooking operation by receiving the maximum high frequency output power can be realized, and the optimum cooking performance can be realized. Both the installation performance of the appliance to the mounting wall plane and the safety performance achieved by stably fixing the appliance can also be largely improved.

Abstract: A microwave delivery system for a cooking appliance includes a toroidal waveguide having a ring diameter twice that of the wavelength of the microwaves produced by a magnetron, and a cross-sectional diameter equal to one-half of the produced microwaves. The waveguide includes a plurality of cavity excitation ports through which the microwaves enter a cooking cavity. The delivery system further includes a rotating stirrer positioned within the waveguide. The stirrer includes a plurality of openings which become aligned with the cavity excitation ports when the stirrer is rotated to create a uniform, high energy pattern of microwave energy to enter the cooking cavity. Finally, the waveguide includes a plurality of openings along spaced portions thereof to allow a flow of air through the waveguide.

Abstract: An induction heatable body (22) that quickly heats to a desired temperature, retains heat long enough to be used in almost any application, and develops no “hot spots” even when heated by a heating source having an uneven magnetic field distribution. The induction-heatable body (22) achieves the foregoing while remaining relatively lightweight, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The induction-heatable body (22) includes a plurality of induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) each sandwiched between alternating layers of heat retentive material (34a, b, c). The induction-heatable layers (32a, b, c) consist of sheets of graphite material that can be inductively heated at magnetic field frequencies between 20 and 50 kHz. The heat-retentive layers (34a, b, c) consist of solid-to-solid phase change material such as radiation cross-linked polyethylene.

Abstract: A microwave oven is provided which allows electrical components to be cooled separately from the cooking chamber. The microwave oven includes a front plate and a back plate which is spaced a distance from, and opposite to the front plate. The microwave oven also includes a base plate between the front plate and the back plate, and a partition wall for isolating a cooking chamber from an electric outfit room. A wave guide is attached to a rear part of the partition wall and a magnetron is mounted on an upper surface of the wave guide. An electric outfit plate is fitted at approximately the same height as the upper surface of the cooking chamber. Electrical components such as a transformer and a capacitor can be mounted on the electric outfit plate. With this arrangement, the electric components are all mounted above and to the side of the cooking chamber, which allows them to be easily cooled.

Abstract: In a microwave oven system comprising at least one magnetron of a given operating frequency and a mains unit for the at least one magnetron, the at least one magnetron of a given operating frequency is replaceable by a magnetron of another operating frequency. The magnetrons of the different operating frequencies have at least approximately the same mechanical dimensions so that they can be easily replaced quickly. The mains unit can be used for the different magnetrons in unchanged form or in a form involving minor modifications, without any change in the electrical parameters or with a slight change therein, thereby affording interchangeability of the various magnetrons.

Abstract: A microwave cooking appliance includes a sheathed resistive electric heating element including an outer portion, an inner portion and a cross-over portion electrically interconnecting the outer and inner portions. The heating element is arranged in a cooking chamber of the microwave cooking appliance in a manner which effects an impedance characteristic of the cooking chamber. The cross-over portion is arranged such that the heating element acts like an RF antenna moving a microwave energy field to portions of the cooking chamber in which low electric fields occur. In this manner, the broil element helps increase the operational efficiency of the cooking applaince by minimizing any hot and cold spots within the cooking chamber.

Abstract: An instrument is disclosed for microwave-assisted chemical processes that avoids tuning discrepancies that otherwise result based upon the materials being heated. The instrument includes a source of microwave radiation, a waveguide in communication with the source, with at least a portion of the waveguide forming a cylindrical arc, a cylindrical cavity immediately surrounded by the cylindrical arc portions of the waveguide, and at least three slotted openings in the circumference of the circular waveguide that provide microwave communication between the waveguide and the cavity.

Abstract: A fixing device uses induction heating for causing alternating current to pass through an electromagnetic induction coil, whereby the fixing device is provided within an endless member such as a roller. The fixing device includes a core having a curved surface. The fixing device also includes the coil which is wound around a first axis on the surface of the core, so as to cover the surface of said core. The fixing device further includes a heat resistant bundling band that is wound on the coil around a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, so as to fix the coil to the core.

Abstract: A surgical and dental instrument sterilizer is described. Liquid water is rapidly vaporized by microwave heating and steam is generated to attain a steam pressure of approximately 47 psi and a temperature of approximately 135° C. in the region of the articles to be sterilized. Micron-size water-droplets are intermittently sprayed onto the articles which are arranged on a tray, from both the top and from underneath thereof so as to thoroughly wet the surfaces. A 30-90 s duration of droplet spray is followed by pulsed microwave irradiation of the top and underneath surfaces for a similar period, as an example; this is followed by a plurality of spray/microwave cycles.

Abstract: A tool (38) secures and releases a fastening arrangement which includes a first component (10) and a second component (12) which may be releasably fastened together. Fastening is by means of a retention element (34) of shape memory material associated with the second component (12) which is reconfigurable between an open position (first and second components separated) and a closed position (first and second components fastened together). During fastening a closure element (36) urges the retention element (34) from its open position to its closed position. The tool includes a magnetic coil (44) energizable to urge the closure element (36) in a direction to cause the retention element (34) to move from its open to its closed state. The magnetic coil (44), or an additional coil, is also energizable to draw the closure element (36) away from engagement with the retention element (34). A heating coil (45) is provided for heating the retention element (34).

Abstract: A fixing device for an electrophotography system, which is capable of efficiently and uniformly heating an object to be heated, which has a coil capable of being easily produced and which is capable of being stably fixing a fixed material, is provided by preventing the distance between the going and returning portions of a certain turn of the coil from being too close to each other, by preventing the diameter of the coil from changing when the coil is wound, by providing a uniform gap between the coil and the inside surface of the heating roller over the whole length, by preventing the fixing performed by the heating roller to be affected by the turning ON/OFF of a power supply, by preventing noises from being generated from the coil ejecting portion, and by devising the procedure for efficiently winding the coil.

Abstract: In a millimeter wave de-icing system for the front areas of exposed shell structures, at least one independently operable millimeter wave generator is disposed in each shell structure closely adjacent the surfaces of the shell structure to be de-iced or kept free of ice and uncoupling structures are flanged to the microwave generators and have uncoupling openings disposed along the areas of the shell structure to be heated so as to provide a millimeter wave front directed toward this area. The area subjected to the wavefront includes walls of a dielectric composite material with a metallic skin whereby the millimeter wave front penetrates the wall and at least partially is converted into heat within the wall of composite material thereby providing for rapid and effective heat supply to the wall areas of the shell structure to be kept free of ice.

Abstract: An image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, including a rotation member; an excitation coil for generating a magnetic field to induce an eddy current in the rotation member; a temperature detecting element for detecting a temperature of the rotation member; and a controller for controlling an electrical supply to the excitation coil so that the temperature detected by the temperature detecting element is maintained at a set temperature, wherein while the set temperature is set a stand-by temperature, the controller controls the electrical supply to the excitation coil and the rotation member is maintained in a stoppage of rotation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to imaging methods for performing real-time or near real-time assessment and monitoring. Embodiments of these methods are useful in a plurality of settings including surgery, clinical procedures, tissue assessment, diagnostic procedures, forensic, health monitoring and medical evaluations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a microwavable container for cooking various food article, particularly seafood such as shrimp, lobsters, king crab legs, mussels, clams, and fillets of fish. The container is made of a single piece of molded plastic having a top portion and a bottom portion of approximately equal dimensions. The top and bottom portions have a surface and continuous walls extending from the surface. Around the edges of each wall is a flange, one side of which forms a hinge. The hinge is dimensioned to create a gap between the top portion and bottom portion when the container is closed to vent excess steam generated during cooking. The flange also includes an attachment means for securing the top and bottom portions together in a closed position. The bottom surface and walls of the container include raised ridges and ribs creating passageways allowing steam to circulate around the food articles, enhancing the cooking of seafood in a microwave oven.

Abstract: A magnetic field applicator to heat magnetic substances in biological tissue, having a magnetic yoke with two pole shoes across from each other and separated from each other by a distance that defines the magnetic field exposure volume produced by the applicator, and with two magnetic coils, one assigned to each of the two pole shoes, to produce a magnetic field. The magnetic yoke and the pole shoes consist of ferrite segments assembled together. The pole shoes oppose each other and are surrounded by magnetic disk-shaped coils with one or more windings extending helicoidally, which creates an intermediate air gap between the pole shoes and coils. This results in a magnetic field applicator with the ability to effectively and efficiently administer hyperthermia and thermo-ablation procedures to destroy cancerous tissue in a patient, as well as having uses in other medical and industrial applications.