Abstract: A microwave guide suitable for carrying microwaves between an object that is vibrating that is connected to a first end of the guide and an object connected to the other end of the guide that is to be protected from transmitted vibrations, the guide providing a restricted path for the transmission of vibrations. In one embodiment, the guide has a flexible mesh part having an inner surface which has high electric conductivity and is provided with a plurality openings. The openings may be sufficiently small such that microwave radiation is unable to pass through the opening. The guide may also include a support structure which extends along the length of the guide. The support structure may have a low dielectric loss tangent and may be sufficiently rigid to provide support to the mesh part.

Abstract: A microwave guide suitable for carrying microwaves between an object that is vibrating that is connected to a first end of the guide and an object connected to the other end of the guide that is to be protected from transmitted vibrations, the guide providing a restricted path for the transmission of vibrations. In one embodiment, the guide comprises a flexible mesh part having an inner surface which has high electric conductivity and is provided with a plurality openings. The openings may be sufficiently small such that microwave radiation is unable to pass through the opening. The guide may also include a support structure which extends along the length of the guide. The support structure may have a low dielectric loss tangent and which is sufficiently rigid to provide support to the mesh part.

Abstract: A launcher for microwave radiation comprises an elongate guide part, a surround part which surrounds a length of the guide part, at least one inwardly facing baffle provided on an inner face of the surround part and extending towards the guide part; and at least one outwardly facing baffle provided on an outer face of the guide part which is spaced axially along the guide part relative to the at least one inwardly facing baffle and faces outwards towards the inner surface of the surround part.

Abstract: A vessel (10) for a feedstock that is to be heated using radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR), the vessel being adapted for rotation about an axis that passes through the vessel and having an inlet aperture through which the feedstock may be introduced into the vessel and a wall (16) for retaining the feedstock in the vessel, wherein the wall (16) has at least one vent for venting gases released by the feedstock, the at least one vent being so formed that rotation of the vessel about the axis prevents the feedstock from entering the vent, thereby retaining the feedstock in the vessel. Also heating apparatus (50) comprising such a vessel (10), means (54) for introducing a feedstock into the vessel, means (56, 62, 64, 66) for discharging the feedstock from the vessel, a source (58, 80) of EMR and drive means (75, 200, 202) operable to rotate the vessel (10) about an axis that passes through the vessel.