Abstract: A microwave heating device includes at least two radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and can be operated according to a plurality of operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. Data of energy efficiency, as a function of operational configurations, can be obtained for a product in the heating chamber. For example, energy efficiency data are obtained through a learning procedure. The obtained data can be processed to select one or more operational configurations ranking high in energy efficiency and a heating procedure for the product inside the heating chamber can be executed by operating the at least two radiating portions according to the selected one or more operational configurations.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes radiating portions adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and is operated according to operational configurations that differ in frequency or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. A learning procedure is executed by sequentially operating the radiating portions in several operational configurations. Energy efficiency data are calculated for those operational configurations. An operating frequency is selected based on energy efficiency data. An operational configuration with a maximum energy efficiency at the selected operating frequency is taken as a reference. A heating procedure is executed by sequentially operating the radiating portions in operational configurations having the selected operating frequency and respective phase shift(s) chosen around the respective phase shift(s) of the reference operational configuration.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes at least two radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and can be operated according to a plurality of operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. Data of energy efficiency, as a function of operational configurations, can be obtained for a product in the heating chamber. For example, energy efficiency data are obtained through a learning procedure. The obtained data can be processed to select one or more operational configurations ranking high in energy efficiency and a heating procedure for the product inside the heating chamber can be executed by operating the at least two radiating portions according to the selected one or more operational configurations.

Abstract: An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components, and control electronics configured to control the convective heating system and the RF heating system. The control electronics may further control a user interface configured to define one or more control consoles. At least one of the control consoles may enable a user to select a cooking program. The user interface may further provide a single indicator showing a graphical representation of current progress relative to a representation of a full commitment of time to complete the selected cooking program. The single indicator may further provide a selectable operator that is operable to control progress toward completing the selected cooking program.

Abstract: An oven may include an oven body having at least sides and a housing cover, a cooking chamber disposed within the oven body and being configured to receive a food product, an RF heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components to heat the food product, and an internal air cooling system configured to move air through the oven body to cool the solid state electronic components. The solid state electronic components include power amplifier electronics and control electronics configured to control operation of the power amplifier electronics. The power amplifier electronics are at least partially covered by an internal electronics cover. A first insulating member is applied to a bottom surface of at least one of the housing cover or the internal electronics cover to inhibit condensation above the solid state electronic components.

Abstract: An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, at least a pair of rack supports disposed at opposing sidewalls of the cooking chamber, a rack configured to support the food product responsive to placement of the rack on the rack supports, a rack interface insulating assembly comprising insulating material providing a dielectric barrier between the rack and the rack supports, and a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components to heat the food product. The solid state electronic components include power amplifier electronics and control electronics configured to control operation of the power amplifier electronics.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes at least two radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and can be operated according to a plurality of operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. Data of energy efficiency, as a function of operational configurations, can be obtained for a product in the heating chamber. For example, energy efficiency data are obtained through a learning procedure. The obtained data can be processed to select one or more operational configurations ranking high in energy efficiency and a heating procedure for the product inside the heating chamber can be executed by operating the at least two radiating portions according to the selected one or more operational configurations.

Abstract: An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components, and control electronics configured to control the convective heating system and the RF heating system. The control electronics may further control a user interface configured to define one or more control consoles for providing user inputs to control operation of the oven. The control electronics are configured to enable user selection of a cooking time and a selected RF cooking power, but automatic selection of frequency and phase parameters for application of the RF energy responsive to a learning process.

Abstract: An apparatus for defrosting or cooking foods, the apparatus including both radio frequency dielectric heating means and an induction heating means. The radio frequency dielectric heating means includes at least two electrodes positioned at a treatment zone, and a device for applying, between the electrodes, a difference in electric potential which is variable with a frequency between 1 MHz and 300 MHz. The induction heating means is electromagnetically coupled to at least one of the electrodes which is at least partly made of ferromagnetic material, such that the electrode transmits heat to the food.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a microwave heating device and a method for operating a microwave heating device, in particular to heat at least one product inside a heating chamber of the device. The microwave heating device comprises at least two radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and can be operated according to a plurality of operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. A learning procedure can be executed by sequentially operating the at least two radiating portions in several operational configurations. Energy efficiency data are calculated for those operational configurations. An operating frequency can be selected, the selection being based on energy efficiency data. An operational configuration with a maximum energy efficiency at the selected operating frequency may be taken as a reference.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and is operated according to operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift. A learning procedure is executed in relation with a product positioned in the heating chamber. The learning procedure is executed by changing frequency and phase shift(s) to sequentially operate the radiating portions in a plurality of operational configurations, in such a way that, for each frequency, the radiating portions are operated in a number of operational configurations that differ in phase shift. An energy efficiency is calculated for each of the operational configurations and the obtained data are saved. A heating procedure is executed after the learning procedure. In the heating procedure, the radiating portions are operated according to at least one operational configuration that is selected on the basis of the data obtained in the learning procedure.

Abstract: A microwave heating device includes radiating portions adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and is operated according to operational configurations that differ in frequency or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. A learning procedure is executed by sequentially operating the radiating portions in several operational configurations. Energy efficiency data are calculated for those operational configurations. An operating frequency is selected based on energy efficiency data. An operational configuration with a maximum energy efficiency at the selected operating frequency is taken as a reference. A heating procedure is executed by sequentially operating the radiating portions in operational configurations having the selected operating frequency and respective phase shift(s) chosen around the respective phase shift(s) of the reference operational configuration.

Abstract: An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components, and control electronics configured to control the convective heating system and the RF heating system. The control electronics may further control a user interface configured to define one or more control consoles. At least one of the control consoles may enable a user to select a cooking program. The user interface may further provide a single indicator showing a graphical representation of current progress relative to a representation of a full commitment of time to complete the selected cooking program. The single indicator may further provide a selectable operator that is operable to control progress toward completing the selected cooking program.

Abstract: An oven may include a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, a convective heating system configured to provide heated air into the cooking chamber, a radio frequency (RF) heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components, and control electronics configured to control the convective heating system and the RF heating system. The control electronics may further control a user interface configured to define one or more control consoles for providing user inputs to control operation of the oven. The control electronics are configured to enable user selection of a cooking time and a selected RF cooking power, but automatic selection of frequency and phase parameters for application of the RF energy responsive to a learning process.

Abstract: An apparatus for defrosting and/or cooking foods, comprising both radio frequency dielectric heating means (15) and induction heating means (21); the radio frequency dielectric heating means (15) comprises at least two electrodes (16) positioned at a treatment zone (4), and a device (17) for applying between the electrodes (16) a difference in electric potential which is variable with a frequency of between 1 MHz and 300 MHz, while the induction heating means (21) are electromagnetic ally coupled to at least one of the electrodes (16) which is at least partly made of ferromagnetic material, for, in use, heating it in such a way that the electrode (16) transmits heat to the food (5).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a microwave heating device and a method for operating a microwave heating device, in particular to heat at least one product inside a heating chamber of the device. The microwave heating device comprises at least two radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and can be operated according to a plurality of operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. A learning procedure can be executed by sequentially operating the at least two radiating portions in several operational configurations. Energy efficiency data are calculated for those operational configurations. An operating frequency can be selected, the selection being based on energy efficiency data. An operational configuration with a maximum energy efficiency at the selected operating frequency may be taken as a reference.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a microwave heating device and a method for operating a microwave heating device. The microwave heating device comprises at least two radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and can be operated according to operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. A learning procedure can be executed in relation with at least one product positioned in the heating chamber. The learning procedure can be executed by changing frequency and phase shift(s) to sequentially operate the at least two radiating portions in a plurality of operational configurations, in such a way that, for each frequency, the at least two radiating portions are operated in a number of operational configurations that differ in phase shift(s) from one another. An energy efficiency can be calculated for each of said plurality of operational configurations and the obtained data are saved.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a microwave heating device and a method for operating a microwave heating device. The microwave heating device comprises at least two radiating portions that are adapted to radiate microwaves to the heating chamber and can be operated according to a plurality of operational configurations that differ in frequency and/or in phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. Data of energy efficiency, as a function of operational configurations, can be obtained for a product in the heating chamber. For example, energy efficiency data are obtained through a learning procedure. The obtained data can be processed to select one or more operational configurations ranking high in energy efficiency and a heating procedure for the product inside the heating chamber can be executed by operating the at least two radiating portions according to the selected one or more operational configurations.