Abstract: An orthogonal electromagnetic seal for an oven that heats items through the use of microwave energy is set forth. The oven has a cavity in which the items are to be placed, an opening to the cavity, and peripheral surfaces that surround the opening to the cavity. One of the peripheral surfaces is orthogonal to the other peripheral surfaces. The electromagnetic seal includes a choke panel, a plurality of tabs, and a choke ring. The choke panel is aligned with and has generally the same shape as the opening. The plurality of tabs extend from a periphery of the choke panel. A first set of the plurality of tabs is generally parallel to the orthogonal peripheral surface. The remaining tabs are parallel with the other peripheral surfaces. Each of the plurality of tabs is positioned between the associated peripheral surface and the choke ring. A choke cavity adjacent to each peripheral surface is defined by the choke ring, the choke panel, and the adjacent peripheral surface.

Abstract: A pass through oven system using a microwave oven with doors and a conveyor belt passing through the oven cavity. A sensor system detects the food item on the conveyor belt and identifies the food item. A controller in response to the sensor system moves the conveyor so that the food item is positioned within the cavity of the microwave oven, automatically engages the oven for a preset duration depending upon the identity of the food item and then moves the conveyor to remove the food item from the cavity.

Abstract: A test bonding apparatus comprising a rectangular wave-guide having a first pair of spaced opposing side walls attached to an orthogonal pair of spaced opposing side walls which are relatively wider. The waveguide includes an input portion, an intermediate bonding chamber portion and a terminating end portion which disposed in communication with one another. Coupled to the input portion is a microwave source and a coolant source for propagating consistently through the bonding chamber portion microwave energy having a predominant frequency associated with a predetermined wavelength, and a flow of coolant fluid. The relatively wider side walls in the bonding chamber portion of the waveguide have disposed along their longitudinal centerlines respective aligned slots. Each of the slots has opposing longitudinal edges disposed adjacent open ends of respective quarter wavelength chokes which are supported externally of the waveguide.

Abstract: A conveyorized microwave oven having multiple independently controlled lanes. Specifically, a plurality of conveyor belts are directed into, through, and out of the microwave cavity. The belts can be operated at different speeds so that foods requiring different microwave exposure times can be cooked simultaneously. Suppression tunnels surrounding the conveyor belts at the openings into and out of the cavity prevent the escape of microwave energy from the cavity.

Abstract: A microwave heating apparatus wherein thermal insulation material positioned inside the enclosure defines the processing cavity. The temperature in the cavity may be raised by, for example, hot air directed into it so that product may be processed by the combination of microwave energy and hot air. For particular applications, the hot air substantially compensates for product surface radiation, thereby providing a more uniform product temperature profile.

Abstract: A microwave suppression apparatus having two lengthwise tunnels and a plurality of septums that sequentially move through both tunnels in a continuous loop. The septums form microwave seals with inner wall portions of the tunnels to prevent the leakage of microwave energy through an access opening in an energized enclosure. A conveyor which carries a product through the access opening to the energized enclosure also passes through one of the two tunnels of the suppression apparatus.

Abstract: A microwave heating enclosure having apertures for providing continuous access to the processing region with means for substantially preventing microwave energy leakage from said apertures. Said means for substantially preventing leakage comprises an elongated hollow structure at each aperture which forms a seal in combination with moving pallet cars. Said pallet cars are part of a transporting system used to move product through the processing region. Also disclosed is a seal for substantially preventing microwave energy leakage into the region where the pallet car wheels rotate on their axles.

Abstract: A microwave heating system including an articulated waveguide arm for directing microwave energy into a subject to be heated. The articulated arm is positioned by a dual system comprising a sensor of the location of the surface being heated and a computer activated drive mechanism utilizing stored data of the form of the surface of the subject for providing a predetermined scanning path of microwave energy about the subject.