Abstract: Disclosed are RF power modules, and RF ovens, each having one or more RF power modules. In particular, a disclosed RF power module may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a trace; and a radiating element having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is in electrical communication with the trace of the of PCB, and the second end portion in operable communication with a microwave cavity, and the radiating element is disposed and soldered in parallel to the trace.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for heating an object in a cavity by feeding the cavity with RF signals. One of the disclosed methods includes simultaneously feeding the cavity with at least two RF signals. Of the at least two RF signals, a first RF signal is fed to the cavity via a first antenna and a second RF signal is fed to the cavity via a second antenna. The first and second RF signals have a common frequency and differ in phase by a first phase difference. The method also includes measuring the first phase difference and adjusting the feeding based on measurements of reflected RF signals reflected from the cavity. Conducting the measurements of the reflected RF signals may also be part of the disclosed method. A disclosed apparatus includes the structure required for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: There is provided a method for monitoring and control of heating food portions in heaters, each installed in communication with a respective client computer in communication with a same server, the method performed by the server comprising: receiving from the client computers, RF signatures, each RF signature being based on measured reflections of RF signals transmitted within a cavity of one of the heaters containing therein a food portion, analyzing the RF signatures, determining for each heater based on the analysis of the RF signatures, at least one heating instruction to operate each heater to heat the food portion therein; and transmitting to each of the client computers, the respective at least one determined heating instruction comprising instructions to generate RF signals and transmit the RF signals to the food portions using heating antennas of the heater.

Abstract: Method of processing objects by radio frequency (RF) energy. The method includes feeding, with a plurality of radiating elements, RF radiation into a cavity to process the objects in the cavity, receiving, with a plurality of dummy loads located outside of the cavity, RE energy coupled from the cavity into the radiating elements, and estimating an effect that operating at each of a plurality of sets of operating parameters will have on the temperature of each of the dummy loads. The method also includes, while maintaining the temperature of the dummy loads within a safe temperature range, choosing among the plurality of sets of operating parameters, at least one set based on the estimating and operating at the chosen at least one set of operating parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for dielectrically processing a product in a radio frequency (RF) cavity. The system may include a cavity; an RF feeding module that includes a plurality of radiating elements configured to feed RF radiation into the cavity, and a plurality of dummy loads for receiving RF energy coupled from the cavity into the radiating elements; and the system includes a processor configured to (a) estimate an effect operating the system at each of a plurality of sets of operating parameters will have on the temperature of each of the dummy loads; (b) choosing among the plurality of sets of operating parameters at least one set based on the estimation; and (c) controlling the system to operate at the chosen at least one set of operating parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for heating an object in a cavity by feeding the cavity with RF signals. One of the disclosed methods includes simultaneously feeding the cavity with at least two RF signals. Of the at least two RF signals, a first RF signal is fed to the cavity via a first antenna and a second RF signal is fed to the cavity via a second antenna. The first and second RF signals have a common frequency and differ in phase by a first phase difference. The method also includes measuring the first phase difference and adjusting the feeding based on measurements of reflected RF signals reflected from the cavity. Conducting the measurements of the reflected RF signals may also be part of the disclosed method. A disclosed apparatus includes the structure required for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: An apparatus applies electromagnetic (EM) energy at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs) to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element. The apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory that includes instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving information sensed by a detector and determining an energy application schedule based on the information sensed by the detector, the energy application schedule comprising timing instructions for applying the EM energy at an irregular order of MSEs, and causing application of the EM energy at the plurality of MSEs to the object in the energy application zone via the at least one radiating element, according to the energy application schedule determined.

Abstract: An apparatus applies electromagnetic (EM) energy at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs) to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element. The apparatus includes at least one processor and a memory that includes instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving information sensed by a detector and determining an energy application schedule based on the information sensed by the detector, the energy application schedule comprising timing instructions for applying the EM energy at an irregular order of MSEs, and causing application of the EM energy at the plurality of MSEs to the object in the energy application zone via the at least one radiating element, according to the energy application schedule determined.

Abstract: Electromagnetic energy is applied to an object at multiple modulation space elements (MSEs). MSEs are grouped into at least a first subset and a second subset according to a first grouping rule. A first EM energy application protocol is associated with the first subset and a second EM energy application protocol is associated with the second subset. Energy is applied at each of the plurality of MSEs according to the first EM energy application protocol and the second EM energy application protocol. MSEs are grouped into a third subset and a fourth subset according to a second grouping rule. A third EM energy application protocol is associated with the third subset and a fourth EM energy application protocol is associated with the fourth subset. EM energy at each of the plurality of MSEs is applied according to the third EM energy application protocol and the fourth EM energy application protocol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for dielectrically processing a product in a radio frequency (RF) cavity. The system may include a cavity; an RF feeding module that includes a plurality of radiating elements configured to feed RF radiation into the cavity, and a plurality of dummy loads for receiving RF energy coupled from the cavity into the radiating elements; and the system includes a processor configured to (a) estimate an effect operating the system at each of a plurality of sets of operating parameters will have on the temperature of each of the dummy loads; (b) choosing among the plurality of sets of operating parameters at least one set based on the estimation; and (c) controlling the system to operate at the chosen at least one set of operating parameters.

Abstract: Electromagnetic, energy is applied to an object at multiple modulation space elements (MSEs). MSEs are grouped into at least a first subset and a second subset according to a first grouping rule. A first EM energy application protocol is associated with the first subset and a second EM energy application protocol is associated with the second subset. Energy is applied at each of the plurality of MSEs according to the first EM energy application protocol and the second EM energy application protocol. MSEs are grouped into a third subset and a fourth subset according to a second grouping rule. A third EM energy application protocol is associated with the third subset and a fourth EM energy application protocol is associated with the fourth subset. EM energy at each of the plurality of MSEs is applied according to the third EM energy application protocol and the fourth EM energy application protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying electromagnetic (EM) energy to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor configured to determine an amount of energy to be supplied to the at least one radiating element at a first subset of the plurality of MSEs, determine an energy application schedule comprising timing instructions for applying energy at at least a subset of the plurality of MSEs, and cause application of energy according to the determined amounts of energy and the determined energy application schedule.

Abstract: A method for matching an impedance of a system comprising a cavity and one or more feeds to an impedance of one or more sources of electromagnetic radiation irradiating a plurality of frequencies into the cavity via the feeds, comprising: determining a plurality of s-parameter of the system for a frequency band; determining the system impedance based on the s-parameters; and modifying the system impedance according to the difference between the impedance of the system and the impedance of the source.