Abstract: A therapeutic microwave system comprises a support unit having two or more separable segments; a microwave power assembly positioned between two separated segments of the support unit and including two or more microwave power supply devices; position adjustment componentry; and a central processing unit. The system may further include a temperature sensor for monitoring a treated subject's exhaled air temperature in real time and adjusting microwave irradiation accordingly, and a cooling device for controlling the patient's brain temperature during treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave oven and a method of operating a microwave oven, which minimises user involvement when heating a food item to a desired target temperature. According to the invention, the initial temperature of the food item is measured prior to the heating process, and the required heating time is determined automatically based on the initial temperature, the target temperature, and the amount of food as entered by the user. In order to heat a food item to a desired target temperature, the user only needs to position a container for temperature measurement and enter the amount of food. In particular, the present invention is preferably adapted for heating of baby food, such as baby milk contained in a baby bottle, and in such case the target temperature is preferably preset to about 37° C.

Abstract: A system for microwave assisted high-throughput chemical processes is disclosed. The system includes a source of microwave radiation, a microwave cavity in communication with the source, and a microtiter plate in the cavity. The microtiter plate is formed of a microwave transparent material and includes a plurality of sample wells. A fluid chamber is defined by the interior of the four walls, the base, the profiles of the wells, and by the top surface of the microtiter plate. A microwave-moderating fluid in the chamber helps produce a more uniform microwave field among the individual wells in the microtiter plate when microwaves are applied in the cavity from the source.

Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for conducting microwave assisted chemical reactions. The instrument includes a microwave cavity, preferably a closed microwave cavity, for conducting microwave assisted chemical reactions, and a source for applying microwave radiation within the cavity and to a vessel and its contents. The instrument also includes an illumination source for illuminating the vessel and its contents, as well as a camera or spectrometer for visually observing the vessel and its contents, an infrared detector for monitoring the temperature of the vessel and its contents, and a filter for preventing the illumination source from saturating the infrared detector, thereby enabling concurrent visual observation and infrared monitoring.

Abstract: A temperature control device which can control the temperature of an object to be processed even after supply of radio waves or electromagnetic waves from a high-frequency heating apparatus is stopped. The temperature control device includes a temperature sensor detecting the temperature of the object to be processed heated by radio waves generated from the high-frequency heating apparatus, a signal processing circuit comparing the temperature detected by the temperature sensor with a standard temperature, a rechargeable battery charged by electric energy generated by reception of the radio waves by an antenna, a charging circuit controlling charging of the rechargeable battery, and a heater supplied with electric power from the rechargeable battery to heat the object to be processed so that the temperature thereof gets closer to the standard temperature, in accordance with a comparison result by the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A probe for detecting at least one parameter during thermal treatment of a food product comprises a sensor arrangement suitable for detecting a value of said at least one parameter, at least one antenna for communicating said value to a control device for controlling said thermal treatment in the absence of connection cables, and a supply arrangement of a different type from the electrochemical type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave oven and a method of operating a microwave oven, which minimises user involvement when heating a food item to a desired target temperature. According to the invention, the initial temperature of the food item is measured prior to the heating process, and the required heating time is determined automatically based on the initial temperature, the target temperature, and the amount of food as entered by the user. In order to heat a food item to a desired target temperature, the user only needs to position a container for temperature measurement and enter the amount of food. In particular, the present invention is preferably adapted for heating of baby food, such as baby milk contained in a baby bottle, and in such case the target temperature is preferably preset to about 37° C.

Abstract: A microwave heating system utilizes a microwave energy generator to provide microwave energy through wave guides to targets. The targets are microwave absorbers and thereby increasing temperature upon the contact of microwave energy. The heated targets then transfer heat to an area to be heated such as by conduction, convection or radiation depending on the particular embodiment. A sensor in the area to be heated provides an input to a controller for controlling the input of microwave energy to be directed to the target.

Abstract: A cooking appliance including at least one heating unit for heating a cooking area and including at least one extractor fan. At least one parameter of the extractor fan can be controlled to different values by a control unit, regardless of the selected cooking mode. At least one parameter value is stored in an electronic storage unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma generation apparatus, which comprises a microwave generation section adapted to generate a microwave, a gas supply section adapted to supply a gas to be plasmatized, a plasma generation nozzle which is provided with an inner electrode adapted to receive the microwave and an outer electrode concentrically disposed outside the inner electrode, and adapted to plasmatize the gas supplied from the gas supply section thereinto, based on energy of the microwave, and emit the plasmatized gas from a distal end thereof; and an adapter attached to the distal end of the plasma generation nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermometer assembly adapted to be utilized to sense the temperature of a material within a container, such as a food item heating or cooling container. The assembly includes a spout connected to the container, a closure releasably engageable with the spout, and a temperature sensing element engaged with the closure. The closure and spout allow a food item to be inserted into and withdrawn from the container after preparation, while the temperature sensing element, when engaged with the closure, senses the temperature of the food item within the container and emits both visible and audible signals regarding the temperature of the food item.

Abstract: A high-frequency dielectric heating device includes: a microwave output unit including an inverter unit using a semiconductor switching element, heat-radiating fins for radiating the heat generated by an IGBT, and a printed board having a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the semiconductor switching element, The thermistor is soldered to a leg portion of the semiconductor switching element or near to the leg portion thereof on the side of the soldering surface of the printed board. The device also includes: a booster transformer, a high-voltage rectifier unit, and a magnetron; and a heat-cooking chamber fed with microwaves radiated from the magnetron. When the thermistor has assumed a predetermined resistance, a power-down control operation is effected by greatly decreasing the power fed to the semiconductor switching element. Then, permitting the power fed to the semiconductor switching element to vary depending upon the resistance of the thermistor.

Abstract: Toaster cum microwave oven having a heater for toasting bread, including a memory for storing a voltage level to a heater according to the function of the toaster the user selects, a temperature sensor for sensing an inside temperature of the toaster, and a microcomputer for controlling a toasting time period according to a kind and a toasting level of bread the user selects, and an inside temperature of the toaster, and controlling the microwave oven according to a command received through the first key input part, thereby permitting toasting bread to a desired degree of toasting regardless of the inside temperature and continued user of the toaster.

Abstract: A method for controlling a delta-T cooking process includes (a) selecting of a set core temperature KTs and a delta-T value for the food to be cooked, (b) introducing the food to be cooked into the cooking space at an initial core temperature KT0; (c) increasing the actual cooking space temperature GTa as a function of the actual core temperature KTa over the course of at least one first time interval in such a way that an essentially constant difference approximately on the order of magnitude of the delta-T value is maintained between GTa and KTa until KTa=KTs+A and thus corresponds to a maximum value GTa-r, where A is a temperature value smaller than delta-T; and finally (d) stepwise and/or continuously decreasing the actual cooking space temperature GTa during a second time interval to a final cooking space temperature of GTe=KTs+B, where B is a temperature value of 0?B<A, in such a way that, when GTa becomes essentially the same as GTe, KTa reaches KTs more-or-less simultaneously.

Abstract: A heating apparatus includes an inverter power supply for driving the high frequency generating device, a holding member for holding the inverter power supply and cooling fan for cooling down the inverter power supply. The holding member is provided with a holding portion for holding the inverter power supply and an air guide portion for guiding cooling air from the cooling fan toward the inverter power supply, and the air guide portion covers the inverter power supply and guides the cooling air in a manner that a semiconductor switching device and a high voltage transformer of the inverter power supply are primarily cooled down.

Abstract: A method of operating a microwave oven to determine the correct cooking time for a food item placed within the oven. A food package having a thermochromic element which changes color over a predetermined temperature range is placed in the microwave oven. Microwave energy is supplied into the oven. The food package is rotated within the oven cavity and the color of the thermochromic element is monitored as it rotates past an opto-electronic device or detector capable of detecting the color changes of the thermochromic element such that a plurality of signal pulses are generated having a value corresponding to the color of the element. The supply of microwave energy into the oven is terminated when the rate of change between successive pulses decrease to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method for the determination of a turning time of at least one cooking product, to which heat is supplied from one side during a cooking process includes a) determination of a first temperature TA in the cooking product at the beginning of the cooking process at an initial time point tA as well as of a set temperature TE of the cooking product which must exist at the end of the cooking process at the end time tE; b) acquiring of a first temperature difference between the set temperature Tset and the first temperature TA; c) determination of at least one actual temperature Tactual in the cooking product at several times during the cooking process; d) acquiring of the time of turning tT as the time at which a second temperature difference between the set temperature Tset and the actual temperature Tactual reaches a certain fraction of the first temperature difference; and e) outputting a signal when the time of turning tT is reached.

Abstract: A device is provided for temperature controlled heating of primarily solid food in a microwave oven, which includes a block of polymeric material which is thermally insulated with respect to the food and which is provided so as to be exposed to a same microwave radiation as the food. A heat sensitive, readable marking which corresponds to a temperature of the food is provided on a surface of the block of polymeric material. A reader is connected to a heating system of the oven, and reads the marking and transmits control signals to a control circuit for controlling the heating system of the oven, when the reader reads a change of the marking.

Abstract: Toaster cum microwave oven having a heater for toasting bread, including a memory for storing a voltage level to a heater according to the function of the toaster the user selects, a temperature sensor for sensing an inside temperature of the toaster, and a microcomputer for controlling a toasting time period according to a kind and a toasting level of bread the user selects, and an inside temperature of the toaster, and controlling the microwave oven according to a command received through the first key input part, thereby permitting toasting bread to a desired degree of toasting regardless of the inside temperature and continued user of the toaster.

Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus with steam generation function for supplying at least any one of high frequency and steam to a heating chamber 11 for accommodating an object to be heated and heat-treating the object to be heated, the apparatus has a high frequency generating part 13, a steam generating part 15 for generating steam inside the heating chamber 11, a temperature detecting part 20 for detecting temperature of the steam generating part, and a control part 501 for controlling a heater, wherein the steam generating part is controlled to heat based on temperature information of the temperature detecting part.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and systems for predicting the cooking time of an item food includes predicting the cooking time based on the rate of change of the internal temperature of the food item. The apparatus includes a processor that implements the calculations and the system may include the apparatus along with a temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined toaster and microwave oven that can obtain uniformly toasted slices of bread even when the slices of the bread are toasted successively several times. The combined toaster and microwave oven includes a key input unit for selecting user's favorite kind of the bread and baking level, a memory for storing heating time of the heaters according to the favorite kind of the bread and the favorite baking level, a temperature sensor for sensing internal temperature of the toaster, a controller for counting an elapsed time for the heaters to operate after the heaters stop and adjusting the heating time of the heaters according to the counted time and the internal temperature of the sensor.

Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus is equipped with an oven hood fan, including a heating chamber for entering/deriving an article to be heated into/from the heating chamber, an electric power supplying apparatus for radiating electromagnetic waves into the heating chamber, a cooling fan for cooling the electric power supplying apparatus, another heat-cooking apparatus operated by gas or electric power, which is installed under an appliance main body, and a ventilation fan for sucking hot air from an air intake port, which is generated from the another heat-cooking apparatus, and for exhausting the sucked hot air. In the apparatus, wind which cools a heat generating unit of the electric power supplying apparatus by the cooling fan is joined onto an air intake path of the ventilation fan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oven that includes radiant cooking elements, a microwave cooking element, as well as convection cooking heating elements. The cooking elements are controlled to provide reduced cooking time as compared to known radiant ovens, yet a wide variety of foods can be cooked in the oven. The oven is operable in a speedcooking mode wherein both radiant and microwave cooking elements are utilized, a microwave only cooking mode wherein only the magnetron is utilized, and a convection/bake mode wherein radiant and convection cooking elements are utilized.

Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus is equipped with an oven hood fan, including a heating chamber for entering/deriving an article to be heated into/from the heating chamber, an electric power supplying apparatus for radiating electromagnetic waves into the heating chamber, a cooling fan for cooling the electric power supplying apparatus, another heat-cooking apparatus operated by gas or electric power, which is installed under an appliance main body, and a ventilation means for sucking hot air from an air intake port, which is generated from the another heat-cooking apparatus, and for exhausting the sucked hot air. In the apparatus, wind which cools a heat generating unit of the electric power supplying apparatus by the cooling fan is joined onto an air intake path of the ventilation fan.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus having heaters which performs cooking by taking a remaining heat of the heaters in a cooking cavity into consideration if food is cooked using a heating method through the heaters. The cooking apparatus performs cooking based on an accumulative temperature value of the cooking cavity in place of a cooking time, thereby optimally cooking foods even though cooking operations are continuously carried out. The cooking apparatus finishes the cooking if the accumulative temperature value of the cooking cavity reaches a temperature value set to correspond to a cooking level for toast, which is selected by a user.

Abstract: A microwave oven and a method for heating a load which is placed therein. According to the invention a predetermined mode in the cavity of a microwave oven is fed by means of an associated feeding port which is arranged to feed essentially the intended mode only, the feeding of a mode other than the intended, predetermined mode being essentially prevented.

Abstract: A microwave heating system is provided which uses a heat conductive medium. The heat conductive medium is heated in a heater. The heater includes a shell which forms an enclosure. The enclosure has an upper end and a lower end. A heating coil is located in the enclosure. The heating coil has an upper end and a lower end and has an inverted frusto-conical shape. The upper end of the heating coil is larger than the lower end. Three magnetrons are mounted adjacent the heating coil. One magnetron is located at the upper end of the heating coil and the other two magnetrons are located on opposite sides of the heating coil for directing microwave energy into the heating coil. An electrical distribution system is connected to the magnetron. A return line supplies the heat conductive medium into the heating coil adjacent the lower end of the shell. The heat conductive medium is fed through a feed line to a storage tank and into a two-stage domestic hot water heater.

Abstract: A temperature-measuring device for a microwave oven, which is capable of easily measuring the temperature of an object outside of a cooking cavity of the microwave oven, as well as the temperature of food inside of the cooking cavity. The microwave oven includes a control unit which controls an entire cooking operation of the microwave oven, and a temperature-measuring device having a variable-length wire which is electrically connected to the control unit at its one end. The temperature measuring device further includes a temperature sensing probe connected to the other end of the variable-length wire, and a rotating member which winds the variable-length wire therearound. The rotating member is electrically connected to the control unit.

Abstract: A sequential processing reactor vessel and method is disclosed for accelerated extraction and fractionation of chemical analytes from complex solid sample materials. The device and method provide for sequential extraction of elemental constituents from solid materials by sequentially contacting target samples within a single reaction vessel using a series of different reagents at temperatures as high as 150° C. and pressures up to 150 psi to accelerate reactions. The aggressive chemical treatments provided by the disclosed device and method enable the complete digestion of solid samples in liquid analyte samples that can be directly analyzed by conventional spectrometry or other suitable methods. The disclosed device and method provide for efficient sample processing and accelerated reactions to significantly reduce processing times and costs for elemental analysis of solids while improving accuracy, precision and reliability of results compared to conventional devices and methods.

Abstract: An instrument is disclosed for microwave-assisted chemical processes that avoids tuning discrepancies that otherwise result based upon the materials being heated. The instrument includes a source of microwave radiation, a waveguide in communication with the source, with at least a portion of the waveguide forming a cylindrical arc, a cylindrical cavity immediately surrounded by the cylindrical arc portions of the waveguide, and at least three slotted openings in the circumference of the circular waveguide that provide microwave communication between the waveguide and the cavity.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus having heaters which performs cooking by taking a remaining heat of the heaters in a cooking cavity into consideration if food is cooked using a heating method through the heaters. The cooking apparatus performs cooking based on an accumulative temperature value of the cooking cavity in place of a cooking time, thereby optimally cooking foods even though cooking operations are continuously carried out. The cooking apparatus finishes the cooking if the accumulative temperature value of the cooking cavity reaches a temperature value set to correspond to a cooking level for toast, which is selected by a user.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a high voltage control circuit which prevents an overheating of a high voltage transformer. The high voltage control circuit includes a thermostat which is turned on or off according to a temperature of the high voltage transformer. The thermostat is disposed between a first fixed terminal of a tap formed at a primary coil of the high voltage transformer and a second fixed terminal connected to a power stage, so as to allow the primary coil to have different numbers of turns. According, where the output of a magnetron of the microwave oven becomes high and the temperature of the high voltage transformer reaches a predetermined temperature, the thermostat is turned off, thus enabling the first and second fixed terminals to be disconnected from each other.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-frequency heating apparatus for heating by using magnetron including an inverter power supply as a magnetron-driving power supply, a cooling fan, and an air guide. The cooling fan is inclined against the vertical direction of the power supply and fitted to the air guide. This structure increases the cooling effect of the power supply. Additionally, the power supply includes temperature sensors provided on semiconductor elements and a controller for controlling the power supply and an operation of the heating apparatus according to the result of the sensors. These sensors avoid breaking down of the power supply caused by overheating.

Abstract: A microwave oven determines an appropriate time to stop heating even if multiple food items are placed in the heating chamber. After any position on the bottom surface of the microwave oven reaches 75 deg C., a search is made for any other position having a temperature of at least 70 deg C. If such a position is detected, heating is concentrated on that position until it reaches 75 deg C. When all food-containing positions in the microwave oven have reached a temperature of at least 75 deg C., the heating operation performed by the magnetron is stopped.

Abstract: Heat treatment apparatus for inactivating viruses in blood products includes a series of tubing coils with connectors at the opposite ends of the series for connecting the tubing to a blood product source and a blood product destination. The apparatus also includes a microwave heating chamber arranged to receive the first coil of the series and a cooling chamber adapted to receive the second coil of the series. Microwave energy is supplied to the heating chamber for heating the blood product as it flows along the first coil from an initial temperature to an elevated temperature and the cooling chamber is cooled so that the blood product in the second coil is cooled to a selected temperature appreciably below the elevated temperature. A radiometer circuit is provided for monitoring the temperatures of the blood product in the first and second coils to produce first and second temperature signals in response thereto.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for microwave assisted content analysis. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample while concurrently rotating the sample while the microwave radiation is being applied and while concurrently weighing the sample and while measuring the temperature of the sample and controlling or moderating the microwaves applied to the sample based upon the measured temperature.

Abstract: When power supply to a high voltage transformer starts, the phase &thgr; of the voltage of an AC power source when power supply to the high voltage transformer is stopped last time is referred to. In accordance with the value of the phase &thgr;, the phase of the voltage of the AC power source when power supply to the high voltage transformer starts is determined, so that the peak value of the rush current in the high voltage transformer is minimized.

Abstract: Method for controlling defrosting in a microwave oven having an infrared sensor, including the steps of (a) controlling a first defrosting up to a preset temperature upon reception of defrosting key application from a user, (b) turning over frozen food upon completion of the first defrosting, and (c) periodically detecting a surface temperature of the turned over frozen food by using the infrared sensor, and controlling a second defrosting according to the detected surface temperature and temperature variation, whereby permitting an optimal defrosting of the frozen food by making voltage application condition control according to the periodic detection of a surface temperature of frozen food by an infrared sensor, not only in the first defrosting when one side of the frozen food is heated, but also in the second defrosting after the turn over of the frozen food, and to prevent a pre-mature, or excessive defrosting by making defrosting control based on the surface temperature and the temperature variation of t

Abstract: A microwave oven heats all food in an appropriate manner even if food items are simultaneously placed at multiple locations in a heating chamber. An auxiliary antenna is periodically stopped at an orientation corresponding to a position where a lowest temperature was detected at the start of the heating operation. Between stopped periods, the auxiliary antenna is rotated for a period to apply heat evenly to all food in the oven. If multiple low-temperature points are detected, the central position of these multiple low-temperature points is used for applying concentrated heat.

Abstract: A microwave oven determines an appropriate time to stop heating even if multiple food items are placed in the heating chamber. After any position on the bottom surface of the microwave oven reaches 75 deg C., a search is made for any other position having a temperature of at least 70 deg C. If such a position is detected, heating is concentrated on that position until it reaches 75 deg C. When all food-containing positions in the microwave oven have reached a temperature of at least 75 deg C., the heating operation performed by the magnetron is stopped.

Abstract: In a waveguide 11 provided with a magnetron 12, a container 13 made of quartz glass and containing a porous body 14 is placed. The container 13 is connected to a water supply pipe 15, a steam delivery pipe 16 and a drain pipe 17. Pure water regulated at a preset flow rate by a flow control valve 18 drops on the upper face of the porous body 14, and infiltrates into the porous body 14. When the magnetron 12 sends out microwave radiation to the waveguide 11, the pure water contained in the porous body 14 is heated by the microwave, and instantaneously evaporates. The steam of pure water escapes from every surface of the porous body 14 and delivered through the steam delivery pipe 16. An appropriate control of the flow rate of the pure water by the flow control valve 18 and the output power of the magnetron 12 can make an appropriate control of the flow rate of the steam, so that all the pure water supplied to the porous body 14 is converted to steam.

Abstract: Device for heating components 8, 8′ of a microwave-absorbing plastic material, said device incorporating a microwave generator 1 which generates microwaves of a particular frequency, an antenna 4 with at least one free end 5, 5′ to which the microwaves are conducted, and an enclosure 6 surrounding and shielding the antenna 4, with a heating zone 9, 9′ provided between the free end 5, 5′ of the antenna 4 and the shielding enclosure 6 for the localized heating of the components 8, 8′, said device featuring in the area of the heating zone 9, 9′ at least one temperature sensor 11, 11′ which is interactively unaffected by the microwaves and which is capable of determining the temperature of the component 8, 8′ during the heating process. This device in combination with the associated process for heating components 8, 8′ permits the monitoring of the temperature in the heating zone 9, 9′, thus ensuring a consistent quality level of the heated components.

Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a semiconductor wafer (2) with a recess wherein is placed a sensitive element (3) which is heated in response to a target infrared radiation, and thermal insulating layer (16) provided between the sensitive element (3) and the wafer (2), a thermoelectric element (6) which generates a first electric signal (V1) representing the difference between the target temperature and a reference temperature, and a device sensing temperature by contact (5), transmitting a second signal (V2) representing the reference temperature. The sensor includes an electronic device for processing the signals (V1, V2) transmitted by the thermoelectric element (6) and the device sensing temperature by contact (5), this device consisting of component formed in the semiconductor wafer (2).

Abstract: A shielding method for achieving highly uniform temperatures in liquids during microwave heating by substantially enhancing vertical mixing currents in said liquids, making determinations of final temperature reached in said liquids either by touch or the use of a temperature indicator efficacious, comprising: a electrically conductive shield having very low impedance at microwave frequencies; having, a generally cylindrical shape, and dimensions chosen to accommodate a variety of microwaveable containers. said shield: to be concentric with a microwaveable container, containing a liquid to be heated by microwave radiation; and, to be located so as the top edge of said shield is at or above a vertical level corresponding to the level of the liquid in said container; and, to be of sufficient height as to cover at least 10% of the height of the liquid in said container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus heats ultrapure water using microwaves. Chambers such as pipes containing the water are capable of admitting microwaves to the water, allowing the microwaves to heat the water. The pipes may be made of inert material such as PVDF or quartz that will not introduce contamination into the water.

Abstract: Embodiments include a process including providing a microwave radiation source and a processing chamber. The process includes generating a region of pure magnetic field from the microwave radiation in the processing chamber. A region of pure electric field from the microwave radiation is also generated. A material is positioned in the region of pure magnetic field while no portion of the material is positioned in the region of pure electric field, and the material is heated in the region of pure magnetic field. The heating may be conducted to sinter the material. The material may includes a metal.

Abstract: A method of firing ceramic materials involving placing the ceramic material in a microwave heating apparatus having a microwave cavity and subjecting the ceramic material to combination of microwave radiation and conventional heat energy according to predetermined time-temperature profile. The time-temperature profile, ranging from room temperature the sintering soak temperature, comprises a series of target heating rate temperature setpoints and a series of corresponding core and surface temperature setpoints with each of the core and surface temperature setpoints being offset from the target heating rate setpoints a predetermined offset temperature. The method involves continuously measuring the ceramic body core temperature, TC, and the surface temperature TS. Controlling of the microwave power involves adjusting the microwave power in response to a difference between core temperature setpoint and a biased core measured temperature.

Abstract: A method of firing ceramic materials involving placing the ceramic material in a microwave heating apparatus having a microwave cavity and subjecting the ceramic material to combination of microwave radiation and conventional heat energy according to predetermined time-temperature profile. The time-temperature profile, ranging from room temperature the sintering soak temperature, comprises a series of target heating rate temperature setpoints and a series of corresponding core and surface temperature setpoints with each of the core and surface temperature setpoints being offset from the target heating rate setpoints a predetermined offset temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the method involves continuously measuring the ceramic body core temperature, TC, and the surface temperature TS and independently controlling the microwave power and the conventional heat in response to the core temperature value and the surface temperature value, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven having a cavity casing forming a cooking compartment, comprising a temperature sensor sensing a temperature of the cooking compartment; a duct member installed on the top face of the cavity casing, guiding a flow of air, having an opening toward the cavity casing at one side thereof, and a holder sensor provided on an inner wall of the duct member, holding the temperature sensor. With this configuration, an operational process for installing the temperature sensor in the microwave oven is simplified and the cost of production can be reduced.