Abstract: There is disclosed in the present application a method and apparatus for treating variable batches of moist dielectric materials by the application of radio frequency energy which reduces the moisture content. According to the present method and by the use of the present apparatus, full power or another pre-determined power level from a radio frequency power source is maintained on the load by an electro-mechanical adjusting device which incrementally reduces the coupling between the source and the load until the boiling point of water is reached. After the boiling point is reached the coupling is incrementally increased to reach a pre-determined moisture content in the material being treated. There is included in the present apparatus, means for counting the number of discrete coupling adjustments in both directions.

Abstract: There are disclosed in the present application, methods and apparatus for reprocessing sheets of veneer which have received an unsatisfactory first drying treatment resulting in wide variations in the percentage of moisture in various parts of a given sheet and in the average moisture from sheet to sheet. In the present apparatus, veneer sheets somewhat larger than four by eight feet are subjected in a stack or batch to radio frequency energy, heated air below the boiling point of water and variable pressure to accomplish both a redistribution of moisture and the elimination of excess moisture to prepare the sheets of veneer to be bonded together to form sheets of plywood.