Abstract: A cooking apparatus using microwaves may include a microwave generator that generates and outputs a plurality of microwaves to heat an object in a cavity, and a controller that calculates heating efficiency of each of the plurality of microwaves based on the microwaves reflected from the cavity, and then sets heating time of each of the microwaves during a heating period of time according to the calculated heating efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for heating a load using microwaves is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transmission line, configured to transmit microwaves from a microwave generator to a cavity. A sensing device configured to measure electromagnetic field strengths for providing information about the phase and the amplitude of a reflection coefficient that represents a ratio between the amount of microwaves reflected back towards the microwave generator and the amount of microwaves transmitted in the transmission line from the microwave generator. A control unit configured to detect whether the measured electromagnetic field strengths correspond to a reflection coefficient having a phase within a certain interval of phases and an amplitude within a certain interval of amplitudes. Additionally, certain intervals of phases and amplitudes correspond to an operating region of the microwave generator. The control unit controls feeding of microwaves to the cavity based on this detection.

Abstract: Radiofrequency energy is applied to a container having an outer housing and an inner housing disposed at least partially within the outer housing. At least a portion of the inner housing is transparent to RF radiation. At least one antenna is configured to apply RF energy to an energy application zone within the inner housing. A processor is configured to control the application of RF energy to the energy application zone by selecting a set of modulation space elements (MSEs), and cause RF energy application at the modulation space elements of the selected set.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for joining at least two workpieces, the method comprising the following method steps: providing and positioning the workpieces to be joined; providing at least one joining element; heating the joining element to a temperature substantially equal to its plasticizing temperature with at least one heat source; heating the workpieces at least in the region of a joint to a predetermined reaction temperature; and applying material of the joining element to the region of the joint with a relative movement taking place between the joining element and the region of the joint.

Abstract: Systems and method for thermal preservation (sterilization) of heterogenous and multiphase foods and biomaterials in order to achieve their shelf stability at ambient level temperatures. Flowing heterogenous, multiphase foods and biomaterials are exposed to single or multiple stages of electromagnetic energy under continuous flow conditions within conduits passing through the electromagnetic energy exposure chambers.

Abstract: A microwave packaging material includes a plurality of susceptors where each susceptor includes a plastic film or polymer with a metal layer on one surface of the plastic film and a paper adhered to the plastic film opposite the metal layer. A patterned adhesive is bonded between a first susceptor layer and a second susceptor layer in a pattern bond creating sealed air pockets. A paper board substrate is adhered using an adhesive in a bond pattern to one of the susceptor layers to provide the microwave packing material rigidity. Upon exposure to microwave energy in a microwave oven, moisture is trapped between the paper board substrate and the susceptor layer creating a vapor pressure that causes the sealed air pockets to form expanded air pockets.

Abstract: A microwave processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber; a microwave introducing unit for generating microwaves and introducing the microwaves into the chamber; and a control unit for controlling the microwave introducing unit. The microwave introducing unit has microwave sources for generating the microwaves and transmission lines for transmitting the microwaves into the chamber and introduces parts of the microwaves into the chamber simultaneously, and the control unit switches a first state of introducing said parts of the microwaves into the chamber to a second state of generating a microwave by one of the microwave sources and introducing into the chamber.

Abstract: A microwave oven has an oven chamber, a door hinged to the chamber, and at least one door position switch. The switch provides a signal on door position to a central process unit of the oven. A door position switch assembly includes the switch mounted on the door and adjacent a sliding cover element that is adapted to protect the switch in an open configuration of the door and a first protruding element adapted to move the sliding cover element when the door is closed on the oven chamber in order to make the switch accessible. Additionally, a second protruding element may be included that is adapted to actuate the switch in its accessible configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable and microwaveable container into which a vessel may be inserted, and which assists in preserving or prolonging elevated temperatures of the contents of the vessel for an extended period of time. The container includes a receptacle area, or opening, into which the vessel is inserted. The container of the present invention may be heated, such as in a microwave oven, and once heated, a vessel containing a warmed food product, typically an elevated temperature liquid, may be inserted. The container of the present invention internally contains a microwaveable absorbing material which retains thermal energy. Once heated, the container passively improves the heat retention of the contents of the inserted vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first structure, a second structure, and an activated seal. The second structure has a first position adjacent to the first structure such that the first structure is not in contact with the second structure. The activated seal is attached to at least one of the first structure and the second structure. The activated seal has a variable stiffness that may be changed in response to a stimuli such that the activated seal is capable of being deformed when at least one of the first structure and the second structure are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an induction heating apparatus that can enable a plurality of heating coil to perform heating by sharing a inverter having semiconductor switches in use, thereby adjusting a power without increasing losses of the semiconductor switches so much with respect to the respective heating coils, the present invention being configured such that the inverter alternately outputs drive signals respectively having each of two operating frequencies to the plurality of heating coils in every predetermined operation lapse of time and the plurality of heating coils are respectively connected to capacitance circuits in the inverter to have the different frequency characteristics.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to removing wire insulation. In an embodiment, a system for heating and removal of wire insulation includes a power supply configured to receive input power and to provide a high frequency power output to an induction coil. The induction coil is to be coupled to the power supply and dimensioned to receive an insulated wire therethrough. The induction coil is also to produce a field based upon the high frequency power output to heat the wire by induction and to condition insulation disposed on an outer surface of the wire for removal.

Abstract: When the control unit makes both the first and second inverter circuits operational, the control unit controls the first and second inverter circuits by duty control such that an average heating output from the first inverter circuit reaches a predetermined first target heating output, and an average heating output from the second inverter circuit reaches a predetermined second target heating output. When the control unit makes one of the first and second inverter circuits operational in an automatic heating mode for automatic heating control according to a predetermined heating output sequence, the control unit inhibits the first and second inverter circuits from being controlled by the duty control.

Abstract: An induction heating system (46) for use in cooking with a positive feedback mechanism (54, 56) by means of which the power applied to a cooking utensil (52) can be varied in a wide range by changing its position above an induction coil (10), and by means of which the circuitry (54) is automatically protected against overheating.

Abstract: An induction heating cooker and a control method thereof that prevents the occurrence of an error caused during recognition of a container in the induction heating cooker that performs cooking regardless of where the container is placed on a cooking plate includes a plurality of heating coils disposed below a cooking plate, current detectors to detect values of current flowing in the respective heating coils, and a controller to determine whether a container is placed on the respective heating coils based on the detected current values of the heating coils and change amounts of the current values.

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.

Abstract: A method of making a microwave energy interactive structure includes plasma treating the surface of a polymer film with an inert gas at a plasma treatment energy per unit surface area of the film of from about 0.005 J/cm2 to about 0.2 J/cm2 to reduce the apparent surface roughness of film the polymer film, and depositing a layer of microwave energy interactive material onto the plasma treated surface of the film.

Abstract: A multi-use construct includes a base and a plurality of walls defining an interior space. The base includes a line of disruption that defines a removable portion and a peripheral portion of the base. The construct is for being transitioned between a first configuration with the walls extending upwardly from the base, so that the construct is for containing a food item, and a second configuration with the removable portion underlying the food item and the peripheral portion overlying the food item.

Abstract: A heating apparatus, a heat treatment apparatus, and a heating method are provided. The heating apparatus includes a workpiece support on which a ring-shaped workpiece is placed, a rotary drive assembly, and a heater configured to heat the workpiece. The workpiece support includes a plurality of rotating rollers arranged in a circumferential direction. The rotary drive assembly is configured to rotate the plurality of rotating rollers to rotate the workpiece placed on the workpiece support along a ring shape of the workpiece. The heater includes a heating coil configured to induction-heat the workpiece on the workpiece support at a heating position, and an actuator configured to move the heating coil at the heating position relative to the workpiece to adjust a distance between the workpiece and the heating coil.

Abstract: An induction heating cooker including a cooking plate on which a cooking vessel is placed, a plurality of heating coils disposed while being adjacent to one other below the cooking plate, and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) on which circuits configured to drive the heating coils are placed, wherein the PCB is divided into a high frequency circuit part on which circuits characterized by high frequency are placed and a low frequency circuit part on which circuits characterized by low frequency are placed, and the high frequency circuit part is spaced apart from the low frequency circuit part by a predetermined distance. The interference between the high frequency circuit part and the low frequency circuit part is minimized while enhancing the operation efficiency of each heating coil. The assembly efficiency and the working efficiency are enhanced when an inverter circuit is wired to a corresponding heating coil.