Abstract: An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reaction-vessel sensor for determining the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity, (v) an interface, and (vi) a computer controller. The computer controller is typically in communication with the interface, the microwave-radiation source, and the reaction-vessel sensor. The computer controller is typically capable of determining the output of the microwave-radiation source in response to the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the art of operating large heat chambers so as to reduce both the time and the cost required for heating materials. More specifically, the modified heat chamber of the present invention provides a programmable control mechanism capable of significantly reducing areas with temperature variations or hot and cold spots. A programmable heat chamber leads to significant reductions in the required processing time and in the cost of the required energy.

Abstract: An optimized microwave barrier assembly suitable for use with a vacuum microwave heater. The barrier assembly is configured to allow microwaves to pass therethrough in a TMab mode, wherein a is 0 and b is an integer in the range of 1 to 5. The barrier assembly is also configured to maintain a pressure differential across a window of the barrier assembly. Such a configuration can reduce or eliminate arcing in the barrier assembly, even at low pressures.

Abstract: An induction cooking device includes a light-pervious top plate on which a container with liquid contained therein is to be placed. A heating coil resides below the top plate to heat the container. An electrode is located at a portion of a lower surface of the top plate outward of a periphery of the heating coil. A capacitance detection device detects changes in capacitance of the electrode caused by liquid boiled over from the container. The top plate includes a light emitting part by which visible light, applied from a light source placed below the top plate, is transmitted to fulfill light emission. The light emitting part is located at a portion of the top plate between the periphery of the heating coil and the electrode, as viewed from above the top plate.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a cooking vessel, a support structure, an assortment of ferrous members and a source of electro-magnetic radiation. The ferrous members are mounted on the support structure along with food. The source of electro-magnetic radiation heats the ferrous members and enables a previously unobtainable level of precision and control in the preparation of food.

Abstract: A temperature detection unit is arranged in a position between a magnetic field generation coil and a magnetic core that lies inside a heat generation member. A cut portion for exposing the temperature detection unit through the magnetic core has a thickness when seen in a cross section in the direction of a magnetic flux.

Abstract: An inductively heated beverage carafe system (10) with a non-metallic carafe (13) has a funnel assembly (26) with a down-tube (34, 54) made from material impervious to water to pass hot beverage received within the funnel assembly (26) to adjacent the bottom (14) of the carafe (13) without mixing with beverage already present in the carafe until (13) the newly added hot beverage passes out of the open outlet end (59) and which is, at least partly a material responsive to alternating electromagnetic fields to induce surface eddy currents that heat at least part of the down-tube (34, 54) and an inductive heating coil module (36) for supporting the carafe (14) and generating an electromagnetic field to energize at least part of the down-tube (34, 54) to function as an inductive heating element within the carafe (13).

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus and methods of controlling cooling of a microwave heating apparatus are provided. The microwave heating apparatus typically includes a microwave source for generating microwaves, a cooling unit for cooling the microwave source and a control unit. According to one embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine the efficiency of the microwave source and then to control the cooling based on the determined efficiency. The methods and the microwave heating apparatuses of the present invention are advantageous with respect to energy consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for multi-frequency induction heat treatment of workpieces including gears. High frequency power is applied to an induction coil that surrounds the workpiece so that a high frequency magnetic field couples with the workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. A C-core inductor is coupled to a coil that has low frequency power applied to it. The workpiece is inserted in a gap in the C-core inductor magnetic circuit so that it experiences low frequency Joule effect heating when the low frequency current is applied to the coil coupled with the C-core inductor. Alternatively the workpiece may be inserted around the C-core inductor when the workpiece has an opening.

Abstract: A microwave heating construct includes a first compartment and a second compartment joined to one another. The first compartment and the second compartment each include microwave energy interactive material operative for generating heat in response to microwave energy. In a first configuration, the first compartment and the second compartment are side by side, and in a second configuration, the first compartment overlies the second compartment.

Abstract: A method for deodorizing air in a cooking device including exhausting air containing odor-producing materials from a cooking chamber of the cooking device through a first opening, and selectively deodorizing air passing through the first opening by removing the odor-producing materials.

Abstract: A construct for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven includes a platform having a first surface substantially defined by a microwave energy interactive element and a pair of side members joined to the platform along respective lines of disruption. The side members extend upwardly and downwardly from the plane of the platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating plastic receptacles and particularly plastic parisons may include a transport device, which transports the plastic receptacles along a predetermined transport path, a microwave generation device, and a routing device, which routes the microwaves in the direction of the plastic receptacles which are to be heated The routing device may be at least sectionally in the form of a hollow conductor. The apparatus includes a control device which is in a form such that it controls the microwave energy hitting the plastic receptacles during the heating process.

Abstract: Microwave cooking packages suitable for use as microwave popcorn packages include at least one panel (e.g., first and second panels) formed of a vertically rigid material. A flexible portion is attached to the panels. The flexible portion may be formed of a polyester film material such as a biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, which may be at least partially transparent. The flexible portion (and panels) defines a bag construction configured to contain a popcorn charge and to be expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when the popcorn charge is subjected to a popping operation. The microwave cooking package may include a vent assembly configured to at least partially open when the bag configuration is in an expanded configuration to vent the bag construction. The vent assembly includes a first portion a second portion of the bag construction that is configured to be folded against the first portion.

Abstract: An induction cooking apparatus. The cooking apparatus is a vessel, such as a pot, for holding food. One or more ferrous elements are mounted outside the walls of the vessel. The ferrous elements receive electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source and they therefore become heated. Heat from the ferrous elements is transferred to food located inside of the vessel.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. A cooling medium is circulated around the exterior of the impeder's magnetic material with the impeder entry and exit passages for the cooling medium located on opposite sides of the impeder.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure for heating, browning, and/or crisping a food item in a microwave oven includes a plurality of layers including a layer of microwave energy interactive material and a substantially continuous tie layer. The tie layer includes a thermoplastic material. Upon sufficient exposure to microwave energy, the tie layer softens and allows the adjacent layers to separate from one another to define a void between the respective layers.

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 high frequency cooking apparatus supplies electric power through a relay contact to a high frequency generator, sets cyclic ON time and OFF time of the relay contact based on set heating time and heating power, and controls the heating power of the high frequency generator. The high frequency cooking apparatus includes a unit for determining whether the time corresponding to the last cycle in the heating time is more than the set ON time of the relay contact, and a unit for increasing the ON time of the relay contact in a cycle just before the last cycle by the ON time of the relay contact in the last cycle and abbreviating the ON time of the relay contact in the last cycle, when the determining unit determines that the time is not more than the set ON time of the relay contact.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a plasma. An embodiment of the system for generating a plasma may include a first electrode; a second electrode disposed adjacent the first electrode; a first power supply for supplying power at the second electrode; a second power supply for generating a magnetic field; and a sequencer for coordinating a discharge of power from the first power supply and a discharge of power from the second power supply. The first power supply may be configured such that the discharge of power from the first power supply generates a plasma between the first electrode and the second electrode. The second power supply may be configured such that the magnetic field generated by the discharge of power from the second power supply rotates the plasma.