By Infrared Patents (Class 219/711)
  • Patent number: 5796079
    Abstract: A rapid thermal processing method for a ceramic thin film which is capable of carrying out a uniform heating of a large sized wafer, and of achieving a rapid temperature elevation, and of enhancing a crystallinity of a deposited thin film, wherein a thin film-coated material is disposed on a support to rapidly heat the thin film by the application of microwaves, the temperature is measured with a temperature measuring unit, and the generation of the microwaves is halted at a required temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tae Song Kim, Hyung Jin Jung, Do Kyung Kim, Yoon Chang Kim
  • Patent number: 5796081
    Abstract: A microwave oven comprising a number of IR-sensors elements for obtaining temperature information from discrete sensing areas within the cooking zone of the oven and for generating a two-dimensional temperature image of the cooking zone. Based on said temperature image necessary load parameters may be calculated for controlling automatic heating procedures in the oven, thereby facilitating operation of the oven and securing a good cooking result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Hakan Carlsson, Mats Idebro
  • Patent number: 5796080
    Abstract: A microwave processing system is disclosed. The system is particularly useful for concurrently controlling a plurality of chemical reactions from a single microwave source. The system comprises a source that produces electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range; a waveguide in communication with the source and into which the source propagates microwave radiation; a resonator in communication with the waveguide; and an adjustable dynamic moderating device between the waveguide and the resonator for moderating the wave energy passing from the waveguide to the resonator without substantially changing the propagated mode in the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: William Edward Jennings, Dennis Palmer Manchester, Edward E. King, David A. Barclay
  • Patent number: 5780823
    Abstract: Since, food sealed tightly in a packaged does not permit steam to be released from the food during heating, conventional microwave ovens using a hygrometer cannot identify the type of food, and an automatic heating is therefore impossible. A microwave oven of the present invention includes: a temperature detector for detecting the temperature at the top of the lid of the package of a packaged food; a first calculating unit for calculating a first parameter representing a degree of rise in the detected temperature during a period of time since the heating is started until a predetermined change in the detected temperature is attained; a second calculating unit for calculating a second parameter representing a degree of rise in the temperature after the predetermined change in the temperature is attained. A controller judges the amount of food in the packaged food based on the first parameter, and judges the packing state of the packaged food based on the second parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Uehashi
  • Patent number: 5780822
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a thermopile of a microwave oven which is capable of achieving a desired automatic cooking operation by effectively preventing the thermopile from being heated beyond a predetermined level irrespective of the change of the temperature of a heating chamber, wherein the apparatus includes a cooling fan provided at a bottom portion of an electrical components mounting compartment, an air duct provided above the cooling fan for selectively guiding outside air drawn in by the rotation of the cooling fan through a suction inlet to flow either to the inside of the electrical components mounting compartment, or to an upper portion of a heating chamber, and cooling air flow guides attached on the upper surface of the heating chamber, for guiding the cooling air flowing to the upper portion of the heating chamber to be moved towards a thermopile thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Geun Hyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 5744786
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatic cooking of a cooking object in a cooking apparatus, such as a microwave oven, in which a surface temperature of the cooking object is accurately detected for automatic cooking of the cooking object, is disclosed, including infrared radiation extracting part having an angle of view of a predetermined form toward one side of the turntable for extracting an infrared radiation radiated from a surface of a cooking object; and temperature detecting part having a window with an elliptical angle of view for reception of the infrared radiation for detection of a temperature of the surface of the cooking object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 5743173
    Abstract: A bake stuff cooker 10 includes: a main body case 1; a mount plate 2 attached on an upper surface of the main body case 1 for mounting a cook stuff; a heating plate 3 pivotally switchable between a facing position facing the mount plate 2 to form a gap corresponding to the thickness of the cook stuff above the mount plate 2 and a separating position separating from the facing position; the heating plate 3 forming a heating face on an upper surface and/or a lower surface thereof; a lid 5 for forming another gap corresponding to the thickness of another cook stuff above the heating plate 3 and for covering the heating face 31a on the upper surface of the heating plate 3; an induction heating coil 11 for heating the heating face; a control unit 9 for controlling to drive and stop the induction heating coil 11; and a thermistor 92 for detecting a temperature of the heating face, wherein the control unit 9 is provided with a drive time setting circuit 93 for setting a drive time of the induction heating coil 11 in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Hayashi, Taijiro Kasahara, Terumi Furuya, Minoru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5702626
    Abstract: In an automatic cooking controlling apparatus and method for a cooker, the apparatus includes a turntable installed within a chamber of the cooker for placing a to-be-cooked object thereon, an infrared filter for filtering only the infrared wavelength bands reflected from the to-be-cooked object, an infrared adjusting lens means for adjusting the wavelength filtered by the infrared filter, a magnetron for heating the to-be-cooked object, a driving motor for rotating the turntable, a thermopile sensor for detecting an infrared signal generated from the to-be-cooked object, a signal processor for processing the signal detected from the infrared sensor, and a controller for controlling the oscillation mode of the magnetron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 5693247
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes at least two sensors for detecting heat rays emitted from the food which is being heated, a signal processor for obtaining a precise surface temperature of food, irrespective of the deviation of distances between the sensors and food, using output signals from the sensors, and a controller for receiving the output signal of the signal processor to recognize the cooking status of the food and controlling the heating of the food in accordance with the recognized cooking status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Uk Bu, Kwang Gyun Jung
  • Patent number: 5693248
    Abstract: An improved sensor malfunction prevention apparatus for a microwave oven capable of preventing a malfunction and an infrared ray sensor from being polluted by dusts, food debris or the like from a cooking chamber, which includes a cooling fan; an air duct for guiding cooling air introduced into the interior of the microwave oven in cooperation with the cooling fan; a sensor support bracket disposed at a predetermined inner portion of the air duct; a sensor disposed at a predetermined potion of the sensor support bracket; a protective cover support disposed at the upper portion of the sensor support bracket for defining air openings between the protective cover and the sensor support bracket; and a protective cover fixed to the protective cover support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seog Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 5595673
    Abstract: A microwave oven comprises a microwave radiation source, a microwave-activable bottom heater (4) on which the food is placed, and optionally an IR-radiating top heater, which all can be controlled via the control unit of the oven. Further, the oven comprises one or more sensors for sensing the temperature of the bottom heater (4) and feeding this information back to the control unit. The feedback temperature information makes it possible to impart the desired temperature to the bottom heater (4) by controlling the microwave radiation source and/or the top heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Whirlpool Europe B.V.
    Inventors: Anders W. Ekstrom, Bo W. Ohlsson
  • Patent number: 5589094
    Abstract: This invention is related to a sensor for detecting food temperature, which can control cooking more precisely by detecting change of food temperature utilizing the heat absorption rate difference of black bodies and non-black bodies to permit cooking control when cooking below boiling point, such as thawing or warming up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong U. Bu
  • Patent number: 5571154
    Abstract: A non-contact type of deep-diathermy apparatus comprises a microwave source (1), a microwave radiator (2), a microwave focusing device (3), a temperature-measuring device (4) and a computer based control and display device (5). An output port of the microwave radiator (2) is spaced apart from a surface of a diathermized position of a medium to be diathermized by a predetermined distance. The microwave focusing device (3) is placed in front of the output port of the radiator (2) and attached to the output port of the radiator (2) for focusing the microwave from the radiator (2) on a point within the predetermined distance. This apparatus can be used to kill cancer cells or reduce their vitality in deep parts of the medium and will not cause the surface of the medium to be burnt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Hunan University
    Inventor: Changxue Ren
  • Patent number: 5539673
    Abstract: A high temperature, short time microwave heating system 10 for heat-sensitive liquid material to inactivate or reduce pathogenic agents or organisms, such as viral contaminants. The system 10 includes a disposable cartridge 26 consisting of a preheater 32, a microwave heating coil 56 and cooler 58 with the heating coil 56 adapted to be easily inserted in and removed from the microwave heating field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Charm Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley E. Charm, Steven Landau, Hossein Zarrineghbal, Robert F. Golden
  • Patent number: 5530229
    Abstract: An improved heating time control apparatus and a method for a microwave oven capable of detecting food temperature using an infrared ray coming from food being heated, whereby better heating time control can be possible, which includes a key input circuit for inputting a cooking menu and a food kinds; an infrared sensor circuit for detecting a surface temperature of food in accordance with the amount of infrared rays coming from food being cooked and for converting the detected temperature into a predetermined electric signal; a microprocessor for outputting a first heating time previously set in accordance with a selected menu and a second heating time previously set in accordance with a food kinds and for monitoring an output signal outputted from the infrared sensor and for outputting a result obtained by multiplying an output signal difference between points of a first heating time completion and a second heating time completion by a predetermined coefficient as a third heating time; and an output control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chun S. Gong, Seog T. Kim, Young J. Seo
  • Patent number: 5498856
    Abstract: A method for the heating of beverages or foodstuffs in fluid form contained in a package or container which is placed in a microwave oven whose cavity is adapted as to the dimensions and shape of the package or container. When the target temperature of the beverage or foodstuff is reached, heating is ceased. A microwave oven for such heating includes a package-adapted cavity and control means for ceasing heating when the target temperature is reached, which can be sensed by incorporated means for sensing moisture release, IR radiation from the beverage or foodstuff or means for sensing its light permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Whirlpool Europe B.V.
    Inventor: Hakan Carlsson
  • Patent number: 5459301
    Abstract: Pressed garments are treated with microwaves to activate chemicals without heating the garments, resulting in permanent creases without fabric damage. An apparatus controls the process or curing cross-linking agent impregnated cellulosic fabric with microwave energy. The application allows finite control of the curing process necessary to impart a proper cure of wrinkle free fabric. The garment surface temperatures are continually remotely sensed. The microwave energy is cycled on and off so as not to overcure, avoiding loss of fabric memory and avoiding hot spots or burned fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventors: Alan E. Miller, James L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5459302
    Abstract: A sample is heated by microwaves, and the temperature of the sample is measured by a radiation pyrometer arranged to receive radiation directly from the sample. The sample is disposed in a chamber having an orifice dimensioned to block the passage of microwaves, and admit the passage of radiation. The chamber has an upper wall in which one or more openings are formed for receiving a sample-containing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Societe Prolabo
    Inventor: Patrick Jacqualt
  • Patent number: 5417494
    Abstract: A method and system for probing a volume of material by detecting local conductivity in the material using microwave radiation. The probed volume of material is exposed to microwave radiation of a wavelength selected to excite the carriers of electrical current and induce localized heating in regions of the volume of material which is an electronic material or a device. A thermographic imaging system detects size and distribution of the locally heated regions, and a processing system determines a selected property of the material by analyzing the size and distribution of the locally heated regions. The thermographic imaging system can be an infra-red imaging system which detects infra-red radiation emitted from the locally heated region, or it can be a system which deposits a thermally sensitive film onto a surface of the material and detects thermally induced changes in the deposited film caused by the transferred heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Exid, Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Kempa, Roman Litovsky
  • Patent number: 5365042
    Abstract: A heat treatment installation for parts made of a composite material having a ceramic matrix and including a treatment enclosure which is connected to a microwave generator by a waveguide and which includes a press for hot pressing a part to be treated in the enclosure and a gas source for introducing a protective gas into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventors: Joel M. D. Benoit, Gilles J. M. Bessenay, Daniel G. Girault