Patents by Inventor Francesco Gambato

Francesco Gambato has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11627645
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Michele Sclocchi, Andrea Baccara, Benoît Flipot
  • Patent number: 11617240
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Francesco Gambato, Marco Bullo, Chiara De Massari, Nicola Lanza, Fabrizio Dughiero, Andrea Baccara
  • Patent number: 10772166
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Michele Sclocchi, Andrea Baccara, Benoît Flipot
  • Publication number: 20200245417
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Michele Sclocchi, Andrea Baccara, Benoit Flipot
  • Patent number: 10638558
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously heating a plurality of food products, comprising: a containment structure forming a housing chamber; one or more separating elements mounted in the housing chamber to delimit a plurality of separate housing compartments for receiving the food products; radio frequency dielectric heating means with an operating frequency of between 1 MHz and 300 MHz, mounted in the containment structure and comprising at least one first electrode and one second electrode; wherein the housing compartments are aligned along a row, the first electrode and the second electrode delimiting on two opposite sides the row; and wherein inside the housing chamber, between the first electrode and the second electrode, there is also at least one inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Michele Sclocchi, Christine Rollet, Marco Carcano, Marco Bullo, Francesco Gambato
  • Publication number: 20190306937
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Francesco Gambato, Marco Bullo, Chiara De Massari, Nicola Lanza, Fabrizio Dughiero, Andrea Baccara
  • Patent number: 10412794
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Michele Sclocchi, Andrea Baccara, Benoît Flipot
  • Patent number: 10368402
    Abstract: A microwave heating device and a method for operating a microwave heating device to heat a product inside a heating chamber 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 or phase shift(s) between the radiated microwaves. A learning procedure can be executed by sequentially operating the radiating portions in several operational configurations for which energy efficiency data are calculated. An operating frequency can be selected via an algorithm that optimizes a mathematical function based on energy efficiency data. An operational configuration with a maximum energy efficiency at the selected operating frequency may be taken as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Marco Bullo, Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Fabrizio Dughiero, Benoit Flipot
  • Patent number: 10327289
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Francesco Gambato, Marco Bullo, Chiara De Massari, Nicola Lanza, Fabrizio Dughiero, Andrea Baccara
  • Publication number: 20170295614
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously heating a plurality of food products, comprising: a containment structure forming a housing chamber; one or more separating elements mounted in the housing chamber to delimit a plurality of separate housing compartments for receiving the food products; radio frequency dielectric heating means with an operating frequency of between 1 MHz and 300 MHz, mounted in the containment structure and comprising at least one first electrode and one second electrode; wherein the housing compartments are aligned along a row, the first electrode and the second electrode delimiting on two opposite sides the row; and wherein inside the housing chamber, between the first electrode and the second electrode , there is also at least one inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Michele Sclocchi, Christine Rollet, Marco Carcano, Marco Bullo, Francesco Gambato
  • Publication number: 20170290105
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Francesco Gambato, Marco Bullo, Chiara De Massari, Nicola Lanza, Fabrizio Dughiero, Andrea Baccara
  • Publication number: 20170290104
    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 via an algorithm that optimizes a mathematical function based on energy efficiency data. An operational configuration with a maximum energy efficiency at the selected operating frequency may be taken as a reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Marco Bullo, Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Fabrizio Dughiero, Benoît Flipot
  • Publication number: 20170265255
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Michele Sclocchi, Andrea Baccara, Benoît Flipot
  • Publication number: 20170265256
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Nicola Lanza, Chiara DeMassari, Francesco Gambato, Michele Sclocchi, Andrea Baccara, Benoît Flipot
  • Publication number: 20170196245
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating a food product constituted of a sandwich or the like, before it is consumed, in which the food product 4 is enclosed between at least a first heating element 6 and a second heating element 7 facing each other, the first heating element 6 comprising a first plurality 8 of electrically conductive raised elements 9 protruding towards the second heating element 7, and the second heating element 7 comprising a second plurality 10 of electrically conductive raised elements 9 protruding towards the first heating element 6, and is radio frequency heated using the raised elements 9 as electrodes 11, 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Marco Bullo, Fabrizio Dughiero, Francesco Gambato, Michele Sclocchi
  • Publication number: 20170181455
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating foods comprises a supporting structure, a treatment zone designed to receive at least one food product to be heated, a radio frequency dielectric heating system, a system for moderating the temperature of at least one surface of the food product during heating. The temperature moderating system comprises at least one fluid container intended to be interposed between an electrode of the dielectric heating system and a surface of the food product received in the treatment zone. During use of the apparatus, the radio frequency dielectric heating system supplies energy to the food product in the treatment zone, the at least one fluid container receives thermal energy from the surface of the food product, a fluid circulates in the at least one fluid container between the infeed and the outfeed for removing at least part of the thermal energy received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Marco Bullo, Fabrizio Dughiero, Francesco Gambato, Joshua Linton