Microwave Heating Patents (Class 219/678)
  • Patent number: 11872623
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermosetting composition and a method for curing the same, and provides a thermosetting composition capable of realizing uniform curing physical properties of a cured product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Bum Ahn, Jin Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 11804807
    Abstract: An RF generation system is provided for an electromagnetic cooking device having a cavity. The system includes: a signal generator for generating an input RF signal; an RF feed configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity and to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation from the cavity; and a high-power amplifier coupled between the signal generator and the RF feed. The high-power amplifier including an amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power, and a circulator for directing the amplified output signal to the RF feed and for redirecting any reflected radiation received from the RF feed to a dummy load. The system further includes a hardware protection component for detecting backward power in the reflected radiation and for reducing power supplied to the amplifying stage if the backward power exceeds a power threshold within a time scale that prevents damage to the circulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation Panasonic Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Franco Brindani, Natalia Roumpedaki
  • Patent number: 11771192
    Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating the shape of hair using dielectric heating is provided. Typically, the apparatus comprises opposing first and second electrodes respectively provided on first and second arms that are movable towards and away from one another; and drive circuitry for supplying electrical energy to the first and second electrodes, to cause an alternating electric field to be produced in the vicinity of the electrodes in use, and thereby cause dielectric heating of hair placed between the electrodes in use. Sensing circuitry may also be provided for sensing a change in coupling of energy from the alternating electric field to the hair during heating of the hair; and control circuitry for controlling the drive circuitry to vary the electrical energy supplied to the first and second electrodes in dependence upon the sensed change in coupling. A related method of manipulating the shape of hair using dielectric heating is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Jemella Limited
    Inventors: Timothy David Moore, Roger James Williamson
  • Patent number: 11751296
    Abstract: In certain examples, a food processing machine for processing a food product includes a housing defining a cavity, a conveyor with a belt comprising metal for conveying the food product through the cavity in a longitudinal direction, and a convection heating system for heating air in the cavity such that heated air heats the food product as the food product is conveyed through the cavity. A microwave launch box system is configured to emit microwave energy into the cavity in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal direction to thereby further heat the food product as the food product is conveyed through the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ALKAR-RAPIDPAK, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Ian Eke, Graham Christopher Eke, Dennis Conohan, Paul Kjorlie, Tom Sonntag, Greg Campbell
  • Patent number: 11751297
    Abstract: A radio frequency heating method includes: cladding an object to be heated by using a surrounding medium, and performing radio frequency heating operation on the object to be heated clad by the surrounding medium, in which the surrounding medium is an alcoholic solution. In the radio frequency heating method according to the embodiments of the present application, by using the alcoholic solution as the surrounding medium to clad the object to be heated, heating uniformity of the object to be heated in a radio frequency heating process may be improved, edge corner energy concentration effect in the radio frequency heating process may be fully avoided, and then quality of the object to be heated after heating may be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai Ocean University
    Inventors: Yang Jiao, Feng Li
  • Patent number: 11582842
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microwave cooking apparatus, a control method, and a storage medium. The microwave cooking apparatus comprises: a housing capable of enclosing a heating chamber therein; a solid microwave source disposed on the housing and used for emitting a first variable-power microwave; an antenna connected to the solid microwave source and used for feeding the first variable-power microwave into the heating chamber; and a controller connected to the solid microwave source and used for controlling the solid microwave source to operate and adjusting the first variable-power microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Guangdong Midea Kitchen Appliances Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Likang Chen, Xiangwei Tang, Tianhong Wu, Yang Deng, Maoshun Chen, Zonglong Chen, Youping Fang
  • Patent number: 11564291
    Abstract: An automated microwave oven configured to autonomously determine a duration of time for heating an object based on a location of the object in a microwave cavity. The heating duration may be a function of cumulative energy estimated to be experienced by the object due to the object location, e.g., radial distance from center, under rotational motion of the rotating tray. A concentric energy visualization is provided on an interior surface of the microwave cavity, representing a function of cumulative energy experienced under rotational motion of a rotating tray about its center-line. The visualization may comprise a plurality of rings concentric about the center-line, each concentric ring representing a constant value of the function of cumulative energy, oscillating in value along the radial length of the rotating tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventors: Milo Eadan, Francis Eugene Toriello
  • Patent number: 11523474
    Abstract: An electromagnetic heater for heating an irregularly shaped object, including: a cavity within which an object is to be placed; at least one feed which feeds UHF or microwave energy into the cavity; and a controller that controls one or more characteristics of the cavity or energy to assure that the UHF or microwave energy is deposited uniformly in the object within ±30% over at least 80% of the volume of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: GOJI LIMITED
    Inventors: Eran Ben-Shmuel, Alexander Bilchinsky
  • Patent number: 11273938
    Abstract: Embodiments of product handling systems facilitate transfer of individual product items from incoming bulk form into dedicated trays for inspection, sorting, selection, and packaging. Inspection may comprise interrogation of product items within a tray by electromagnetic (e.g., optical, hyperspectral) or other (e.g., physical, acoustic, gas sensing, etc.) techniques. Prior to packaging, product items disposed within the tray may be stored in a moveable carousel responsible for controlling environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, illumination, ambient gases, product-to-product interactions, and/or others. Movement of product items from a carousel's transfer station to an outside staging position may be accomplished using robots and/or conveyor belts. Embodiments may allow rapid, low-cost consumer selection of specific individual product items based upon their accompanying metadata (e.g., source, identifier), in combination with the results of inspection (e.g., visual appearance).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Fulfil Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilad Almogy, Jason Kalus, Nathan Beckett, David Cameron Hosken, Brock Csira
  • Patent number: 11102856
    Abstract: A process for heating articles includes sequentially passing loaded carriers in a continuous manner through a first processing section and sequentially passing said plurality of loaded carriers in an incremental manner through a second processing section using an incremental convey segment. The incremental convey segment includes sequential carrier-receiving slots, each carrier-receiving slot configured to receive one of the loaded carriers. The incremental convey segment is further configured to be move incrementally at multiples of discrete intervals corresponding to the carrier-receiving slots. The process further includes sequentially passing the loaded carriers in a continuous manner through a third processing section and heating articles supported by the carriers with microwave energy in at least one of the processing sections, the heating of the articles occurring while the articles are at least partially submerged in a liquid bath and at an pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: 915 LABS, INC.
    Inventor: Harold Dail Kimrey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10923355
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a source/drain (S/D) junction, and an S/D contact. The S/D junction is associated with the substrate and includes a trench-defining wall, a semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor material. The trench-defining wall defines a trench. The semiconductor layer is formed over the trench-defining wall, partially fills the trench, substantially covers the trench-defining wall, and includes germanium. The semiconductor material is formed over the semiconductor layer and includes germanium, a percentage composition of which is greater than a percentage composition of the germanium of the semiconductor layer. The S/D contact is formed over the S/D junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Tsai, Huai-Tei Yang, Kuo-Feng Yu, Kei-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10893582
    Abstract: A biodegradable microwave susceptor and constructs incorporating the susceptor are disclosed for heating a food item in a microwave oven. The biodegradable microwave susceptor includes a patterned susceptor layer of metal on a biodegradable substrate. Selected areas of the susceptor layer may be demetallized to remove susceptor material. The susceptor may be incorporated into a construct for containing or supporting a food item to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Inline Packaging, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey T. Watkins
  • Patent number: 10750581
    Abstract: An oven includes a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product and an RF heating system configured to provide RF energy into the cooking chamber using solid state electronic components. The solid state electronic components include power amplifier electronics configured to provide a signal into the cooking chamber via a launcher assembly operably coupled to the cooking chamber via a waveguide assembly. An isolation assembly is provided between the launcher assembly and the power amplifier electronics. The power amplifier electronics are controlled at least in part based on an efficiency parameter determined from a forward power value and a reflected power value that are each measured after the isolation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Marco Carcano, Michele Gentile, Michele Sclocchi
  • Patent number: 10390550
    Abstract: Systems and method for thermal preservation (sterilization) of heterogenous and multiphase foods and biomaterials in order to achieve their shelf stability at ambient level temperatures. Flowing heterogenous, multiphase foods and biomaterials are exposed to single or multiple stages of electromagnetic energy under continuous flow conditions within conduits passing through the electromagnetic energy exposure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignees: HBC Holding Company, LLC, North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Josip Simunovic, James Michael Drozd
  • Patent number: 10301210
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for molding a glass substrate, the apparatus including a pre-heating unit, a molding unit, and a cooling unit sequentially arranged, wherein the pre-heating unit includes a pre-heating body and a glass substrate holder, wherein the molding unit includes: a molding body having a vacuum port, a molding support on the molding body, the molding support being configured to support an edge of a glass substrate, and a heating element configured to heat the molding body, and wherein the cooling unit includes a cooling body and a cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: Samsung Display Co., Ltd., Dowooinsys. Co., Lta.
    Inventors: Daesik Hong, Bonki Koo, Dongsun Kim, Jinseok Jang, Youngkuil Joo
  • Patent number: 10303136
    Abstract: A control method for controlling a terminal device includes using a memory that manages cooking appliance logs each including at least a cooking time of a food and first information indicating an age-related deterioration level of one of the cooking appliances to acquire, from among candidates of a recommended cooking time calculated based on the first information and the cooking time and stored in a server apparatus, third information indicating a recommended cooking time corresponding to second information indicating an age-related deterioration level of the first cooking appliance, displaying, on a display, a user interface that allows a user to select one of the candidates including at least the recommended cooking time for the first cooking appliance using the third information, and outputting a setting command for setting the selected cooking time to the first cooking appliance upon detecting selection of one of the cooking times through the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Yuki Shinomoto, Hiroyuki Kubotani, Yasuhiro Yuki
  • Patent number: 10281423
    Abstract: The fuel quality sensor includes two rectangular parallepiped waveguides of equal dimensions stacked one atop the other and having a common ground. A thin wire extends through the intermediate wall(s) between the upper and lower waveguide cavities. An input connector is mounted on a sidewall of the upper waveguide, and an output connector is mounted on a sidewall of the lower waveguide cavity. A fluid conduit extends through the upper waveguide cavity adjacent the wire. A tunable microwave signal or wideband time domain pulse is applied to the input connector while fuel is flowing through the conduit. If the fuel flowing in the conduit is uncontaminated, the output signal at the second connector will show no change from the tunneling frequency, but if the fuel is contaminated, the change in the fuel's dielectric constant will result in a change in tunneling frequency and/or tan ? at the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: United Arab Emirates University
    Inventors: Rashad Ramzan, Omar Farooq Siddiqui, Nabil Bastaki
  • Patent number: 10145804
    Abstract: A method and system for selectively varying the performance of a test chamber are disclosed. According to one aspect, the performance is affected by a variable absorbing structure of the test chamber. The absorbing structure enables selective exposure of absorbing material to achieve a specific performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ETS-Lindgren Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Howard Sayler, Michael David Foegelle, Garth Anthony D'Abreu
  • Patent number: 9950977
    Abstract: Polyhydroxyfullerenes (PHFs) having enhanced electron scavenging capabilities have a ratio of non-hydroxyl functional groups to hydroxyl functional groups that is less than or equal to 0.3. When combined with a semiconductor photocatalyst, such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the PHFs provide a photocatalyst for degradation of chemical and biological contaminates with an efficiency of at least twice that of titanium dioxide nanoparticles free of PHFs. The PHFs are included in these catalysts at a weight ratio to titanium dioxide of about 0.001 to about 0.003, whereas significantly lower and higher ratios do not achieve the highly improved photodegradation capability. PHFs outside of the desired structure are shown to be of little value for photodegradation, and can be inhibiting to the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. The enhanced electron scavenging PHFs can be employed as a component of materials for solar cells, field effect transistors, and radical scavengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Vijay Krishna, Brij M. Moudgil, Benjamin L. Koopman
  • Patent number: 9899286
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die with a die bump pad. A substrate has a conductive trace with an interconnect site. A conductive bump material is deposited on the interconnect site or die bump pad. The semiconductor die is mounted over the substrate so that the bump material is disposed between the die bump pad and interconnect site. The bump material is reflowed without a solder mask around the die bump pad or interconnect site to form an interconnect structure between the die and substrate. The bump material is self-confined within the die bump pad or interconnect site. The volume of bump material is selected so that a surface tension maintains self-confinement of the bump material substantially within a footprint of the die bump pad and interconnect site. The interconnect structure can have a fusible portion and non-fusible portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: STATS ChipPAC Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Rajendra D. Pendse
  • Patent number: 9878108
    Abstract: A syringe body/needle assembly is provided that is free of an organic adhesive bond. The assembly includes a syringe body having a nozzle that has an opening; a needle fixed in the syringe body or in the nozzle; and a connecting body made of doped glass. The opening through which the needle is introduced into an interior of the syringe body is hermetically sealed to the needle. The connecting body includes a first material that absorbs more electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength range than a second material from which the syringe body is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hoppe, Daniela Seiler, Andreas Roters, Kathrin Schellenberg
  • Patent number: 9821493
    Abstract: The present technology provides a carbon fiber reinforced plastic that includes carbon fibers covalently bonded to an energetic polymer and a polymer matrix. Also described is a method for recycling carbon fibers from the carbon fiber reinforced plastic material using microwave energy to separate the carbon fibers from the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Kraig Anderson, Angele Sjong
  • Patent number: 9814104
    Abstract: A choke assembly for provision onto an oven door to seal radio frequency (RF) energy within the oven when the door is closed may include a capacitive coupling element and an inductive tuning element. The capacitive coupling element may include a plurality of tabs each having a first width. The inductive tuning element may include a plurality of projections bent relative to the capacitive coupling elements at a right angle, the projections each having a second width that is smaller than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Richard E. Hunter
  • Patent number: 9795228
    Abstract: The present invention includes various types of open-air display cases for displaying, storing, and/or vending food, beverages, or other products having a movable barrier that can be automatically positioned over an open front or side of such a unit to prevent access to the products therein when temperatures, component failure, lost power supply, or other variables affect the condition of the items stored in the display case, and methods of using such units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SANDEN VENDO AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Scott Winters, Chad Kielmeyer, Vishal Dali, Larry Hieb
  • Patent number: 9352336
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed including a method of neutralizing charges of solid contaminants and weakening cell walls and membranes of biological contaminants in a fluid, comprising the steps of: establishing a flow of a fluid through a fluid treatment chamber surrounded by a sidewall of a fluid treatment vessel shaped as a conduit having a fluid input port, and a fluid output port, the sidewall constructed of a shielding material; and energizing a coil of at least one antenna within the fluid treatment chamber with at least one electrical energizing unit to produce pulsed radiation within the fluid treatment chamber to treat the flow of the fluid therein, wherein the sidewall of the fluid treatment vessel establishes a chamber having a capacity to restrict propagation of the pulsed radiation out of the fluid treatment vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Wilsa Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Herbert William Holland
  • Patent number: 8992638
    Abstract: Measurements are taken of moisture, BTU/lb (British Thermal Units per pound), ash, forms of sulfur, volatile material, grindability, and absorption properties of any of a wide variety of mine-run solid fuels. Using that information, a dry electromagnetic process technology has been developed that can be controlled and monitored to selectively alter and enhance metallurgical solid fuel properties. Specific changes include altering the mechanical structure and chemical composition of solid fuels such as coal, coal coke or petroleum coke, increasing the BTU/lb to optimum levels, decreasing all forms of sulfur, and decreasing ash, while maintaining the BTU/lb of the fuels. A new family of solid fuel designer coals not found in nature can be produced via these methods and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: JY Capital Investment LLC
    Inventors: Jerry L. Weinberg, Neil E. Ginther, Jed A. Aten, Ru T. Wang
  • Patent number: 8987645
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate processing apparatus and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that are capable of uniformly heating a substrate while reducing an increase in substrate temperature to reduce a thermal budget. The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber configured to process a substrate; a substrate support unit installed in the process chamber to support the substrate; a microwave supply unit configured to supply a microwave toward a process surface of the substrate supported by the substrate support unit, the microwave supply unit including a microwave radiating unit radiating the microwave supplied from a microwave source to the process chamber while rotating; a partition installed between the microwave supply unit and the substrate support unit; a cooling unit installed at the substrate support unit; and a control unit configured to control at least the substrate support unit, the microwave supply unit and the cooling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Unryu Ogawa, Masahisa Okuno, Tokunobu Akao, Shinji Yashima, Atsushi Umekawa, Kaichiro Minami
  • Patent number: 8974743
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously carrying out chemical reactions. The device comprises a microwave generator, a microwave applicator accommodating a microwave-transparent tube, and an isothermal reaction section which is arranged such that the material to be reacted is guided inside the microwave-transparent tube through a microwave applicator which is used as the heating zone and in which it is heated to reaction temperature by means of microwaves that are emitted from the microwave generator into the microwave applicator. The material to be reacted, which is heated and optionally under pressure, is transferred from the microwave applicator to an isothermal reaction zone once it has left the heating zone, said reaction zone being arranged downstream of the heating zone, and is cooled once it has left the isothermal reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Clariant Finance (BVI) Limited
    Inventors: Matthias Krull, Roman Morschhaeuser
  • Patent number: 8962542
    Abstract: A process and corresponding apparatus and system for use in preparing soaps from fatty acid containing oil compositions, and in turn, for preparing greases by the use of such soaps in combination with one or more base oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: University of Northern Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Lou A. T. Honary, Wesley E. James
  • Patent number: 8941038
    Abstract: A support assembly is provided for supporting a household appliance such as a non-convection microwave oven in a free-standing vertical relation with another household appliance such that the non-convection microwave oven is supported above the other household appliance. The support assembly includes a base tray having a floor portion on which the non-convection microwave oven can be disposed, brackets for fixedly securing the base tray to the other household appliance, and a pair of bracket arms for securing a trim element to the base tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Geiger, Anthony Larsen
  • Publication number: 20140356056
    Abstract: A hybrid diffusion-brazing process and hybrid diffusion-brazed article are disclosed. The hybrid diffusion-brazing process includes providing a component having a temperature-tolerant region and a temperature-sensitive region, brazing a braze material to the temperature-tolerant region during a localized brazing cycle, then heating the component in a furnace during a diffusion cycle. The brazing and the heating diffusion-braze the braze material to the component, and the localized brazing cycle is performed independent of the diffusion cycle in the hybrid diffusion-brazing process. The hybrid diffusion-brazed article includes a component, and a braze material diffusion-brazed to the component with a filler material. The filler material has a melting temperature that is above a tolerance temperature of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Liangde XIE, Ronald Lee SOUTHER, Mark Lawrence HUNT, Steven Charles WOODS
  • Patent number: 8901468
    Abstract: A heating system for hot water and conditioned air uses electromagnetic energy created by one or more magnetrons operated by high voltage transformers. The heating system includes oil cooled transformers and magnetrons. Using radiators in the form of heat exchangers, heat recovered from the transformers and magnetrons is dissipated directly into the path of the return air and the air handler blower. The magnetron heating system includes a coiled conduit sized to allow complete heating of the fluid flowing therethrough. The conduit has a conical shape to allow upper magnetrons to heat the outside of the conduit and lower magnetrons to heat the inside of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Vincent A. Bravo
  • Patent number: 8878109
    Abstract: A mechanism for constraining a product package as it is conveyed through a microwave applicator. In one preferred embodiment, the conveyor is provided by a pair of parallel guide belts arranged to travel through a microwave applicator. The guide belts have a series of slots or other guide elements formed therein. The guide elements engage edges of the product packages. In one arrangement, the pair of belts are disposed on either side of a series of packages, and thus constrain the location of the packages in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Mackay, Thomas D. Wendel, E. Eugene Eves, II
  • Patent number: 8876969
    Abstract: A process for lowering the carbon content in ash includes introducing the ash having a carbon content of 1 to 20 wt-% into a reactor where the ash is burnt at a temperature between 700 and 1100° C. Fuel is also introduced into the reactor. During combustion, microwave radiation is fed into the reactor. At least part of the energy released during the combustion is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Nikola Anastasijevic, Guenter Schneider
  • Patent number: 8872080
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) analyzer for an accurate control of electromagnetic fields inside a multimode resonant chamber with two or more cavities coupled in an accurate way through a slotted piece with slots or waveguide. The MIMO analyzer may include broadband antennas, different types of lenses, and different stirrers, which may be both metallic and non-metallic. These elements, together with some processes such as precise location of under-test elements out of the lower cavity allow for controlling the electromagnetic fields on its interior. This control permits the emulation of the behavior of wireless communication terminals under different fading scenarios, both indoors and outdoors. Some of the features and procedures of the MIMO analyser may be used in industrial microwave heating processes for drying and curing of materials, also known as microwave ovens, allowing a greater efficiency and homogenization in the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Emite Ingenieria, Slne
    Inventors: Juan Francisco Valenzuela Valdes, David Agapito Sanchez Hernandez, Antonio Manuel Martinez Gonzalez, Juan Monzó Cabrera
  • Patent number: 8853602
    Abstract: The invention provides a drawer type cooking device, wherein the mounting positions of roller-shaped shock absorbing members 10b and 10b attached to a drawer body 2 are either aligned with portions of the side walls 3b and 3b of the heating chamber 3 where fixing angles 8 of the slide rails 7 are attached and thus having enhanced rigidity, or arranged close to a bottom wall 3c of the heating chamber 3, so that when a biased operation force is applied to the door, the generation of a gap between a front side panel of the cooking device body 1 and the inner side of the door is suppressed, and the occurrence of a microwave leakage through the gap caused by not stopping the generation of microwave until the operation of a latch is thereby prevented in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuhiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8853600
    Abstract: A system and method for treating subcutaneous histological features without affecting adjacent tissues adversely employs microwave energy of selected power, frequency and duration to penetrate subcutaneous tissue and heat target areas with optimum doses to permanently affect the undesirable features. The frequency chosen preferentially interacts with the target as opposed to adjacent tissue, and the microwave energy is delivered as a short pulse causing minimal discomfort and side effects. By distributing microwave energy at the skin over an area and adjusting power and frequency, different conditions, such as hirsuitism and telangiectasia, can be effectively treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Miramar Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Spertell
  • Patent number: 8847130
    Abstract: A heating unit can reduce the rate of power consumption for heating a vehicle, so that the running distance of the vehicle is increased and hence the battery charging cycle of the vehicle is prolonged. A heating unit of a vehicle heating system includes a casing made of a metal material capable of electromagnetically shielding microwaves, a support arranged in the hollow section of the casing, a plurality of microwave absorbing/heat emitting members arranged at the support and a microwave outputting unit arranged in the casing to output microwaves toward respective microwave absorbing/heat emitting members, blown air being heated by heat generated as a result of absorption of microwaves by the microwave absorbing/heat emitting members at the time for blown air to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in the hollow sections of the microwave absorbing/heat emitting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki-Kaisha TAKUMI, Kabushiki-Kaisha Lead Industry
    Inventors: Norio Niwa, Ryousei Noda, Hiroki Anzai
  • Patent number: 8758696
    Abstract: The device for electromagnetic radiation treatment of a reactive medium includes an electromagnetic radiation generator, a reactor containing the reactive medium, and a device for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation generated by the generator to the reactive medium contained in the reactor. The device includes a wave guide for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation from the generator and a coupling means arranged to allow transfer within the reactive medium of the electromagnetic energy transmitted by the wave guide. The wave guide includes a curved segment in a general “U” shape forming a return loop from the wave guide. The device further includes a separation wall that isolates the generator form the reactor, with the reactor being connected to the curved segment. The curved segment extends at least partially from one side of the separation wall to the opposite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sairem Societe Pour l'Application Industrielle de la Recherche en Electronique et Micro Ondes
    Inventors: Andre Grange, Jean-Marie Jacomino, Adrien Grandemenge
  • Patent number: 8759727
    Abstract: A roasting oven includes an enclosure coupled to a source of microwave RF energy, an operable door for sealing the enclosure for RF, the operable door having a viewing aperture which prevents the escape of RF from inside the chamber. A rotating support has an axis which is perpendicular to the viewing aperture such that the progress of roasting may be viewed through the viewing aperture and into a food container placed in the rotating support. The applied power of the microwave RF source and the rotational velocity of the rotating support are selected to provide uniform or wide spectrum roasting of the food item. A roasting profile may include a roasting interval during which the microwave RF source and rotating support are both energized, and subsequently a cool-down interval where the microwave RF source is disabled and the rotating support continues to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Coffee Technologies, International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Gard, Glen T. Poss, Robert Barker
  • Patent number: 8729436
    Abstract: A method and system for drying a honeycomb structure having an original liquid vehicle content includes exposing the honeycomb structure to a first electromagnetic radiation source until the liquid vehicle content is between about 20% and about 60% of the original liquid vehicle content, exposing the honeycomb structure to a second electromagnetic radiation source different from the first electromagnetic radiation source until the liquid vehicle content is between about 0% and about 30% of the original liquid vehicle content, and exposing the honeycomb structure to convection heating until the liquid vehicle content is between about 0% and about 30% of the original liquid vehicle content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Andreas Adrian, Rebecca Lynn Burt, James Anthony Feldman, Elizabeth Marie Vileno
  • Patent number: 8728348
    Abstract: Ways of applying microwaves to feedstock to be processed are disclosed. One embodiment relates to heating inter-layer water in vermiculite to expand the vermiculite. Another embodiment relates to heating water in oil-contaminated materials and waste products, such as drilling cuttings, contaminated soils and certain types of animal by-products, to drive out oil. In some embodiments a microwave tunnel applicator has the microwaves applied from beneath the feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Christopher Dodds, Georgios Dimitrakis, Sam Kingman
  • Patent number: 8714225
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for bonding wafers by use of microwave energy. Various components that facilitate relatively quick and efficient bonding provided by microwave energy are disclosed. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for applying desirable compression to the wafers can be implemented. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for providing a controlled gas environment such as vacuum can be implemented. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for maintaining the integrity of microwave mode of operation during the bonding process can be implemented. In certain embodiments, devices and methods for increasing throughput of the bonding process can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Nasser K. Budraa
  • Patent number: 8653482
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of freezing a body or a portion thereof. The method comprises exposing at least a part of the body to a coolant having a temperature below the freezing point of the body, and at the same time operating an electromagnetic heater, as to maintain the at least part of the body at a temperature above its freezing point; and reducing the electromagnetic heating to allow the at least a part of the body to freeze. The electromagnetic heater comprises a resonator, and the heated part of the body is heated inside the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Goji Limited
    Inventor: Eran Ben-Shmuel
  • Patent number: 8648284
    Abstract: A composite material that increases in temperature upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation includes single crystal silicon carbide whiskers and fibrils in a matrix material. Also disclosed are heat-generating objects that include the composite material, and a method of generating heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Composite Materials, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Quantrille, William M. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20140036447
    Abstract: Provided is a use of a vegetable oil high in monounsaturates as dielectric and heat-transfer fluid in a device for the generation, storage, conversion and/or distribution of electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: E I Du Pont De Nemours And Company
    Inventors: Susan Knowlton, Serge Rebouillat
  • Patent number: 8642935
    Abstract: A microwave energy interactive structure includes a layer of indium tin oxide, which may be supported on a microwave energy transparent substrate. In one embodiment, the microwave energy interactive structure may have at least one of an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 0.05 cc/m2/day and a water vapor transmission rate of less than about 0.09 g/m2/day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Robison, Lorin R. Cole, Timothy H. Bohrer, Scott W. Middleton, Terrence P. Lafferty, Brian R. O'Hagan, Patrick H. Wnek
  • Patent number: 8629379
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating containers, and in particular plastic performs. At least one microwave generating unit generates an electromagnetic alternating field in the form of microwaves A microwave transfer unit transfers the microwaves generated by the microwave generating unit to a resonator unit A transport means transports the plastic preforms relative to the resonator unit. The resonator unit includes a resonator housing forming a receiving chamber for heating the plastic preforms. The resonator unit is arranged such that the electric field lines (E) of an electric field that heats the container are arranged obliquely in relation to a longitudinal direction of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Konrad Senn
  • Patent number: 8604398
    Abstract: A method of purifying a target powder having an oxygen content, the method comprising: flowing hydrogen gas through a microwave production chamber; applying microwaves to the hydrogen gas as the hydrogen gas flows through the microwave production chamber, thereby forming hydrogen radicals from the hydrogen gas; flowing the hydrogen radicals out of the microwave production chamber to the target powder disposed outside of the microwave production chamber; and applying the hydrogen radicals to the target powder, thereby removing a portion of the oxygen content from the powder. Preferably, the target powder is agitated as the hydrogen radicals are being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SDCmaterials, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrick P. Layman
  • Patent number: 8586898
    Abstract: The invention described herein pertains generally to a more efficient and cost-effective method and apparatus for: (1) coupling of microwave energy from a microwave generator or plurality of microwave generators into an integral set of applicators; (2) extraction and separation of organic compounds from a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds; and (3) recovery and conversion of the organic compounds to gaseous and liquid fuels. The apparatus described in this invention result in improved microwave absorption within the mixture flowing through the applicators by increasing residence time within the applicators, resulting in a higher temperature within the material. The higher temperature lowers the viscosity of the solution, but also provides a limited reduction of the combination of complex chain and aromatic organic compounds to allow recovery of syngas and fuel oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: John F. Novak