Abstract: A system and method for user interface development and appliance data transmission is provided. The method includes generating, at a controller at an appliance, a core control module configured to perform operations corresponding to a first operating function at the appliance; obtaining, at a network computing device, a user input corresponding to a second operating function; building, at the network computing device, a user-specific control module comprising the second operating function; transmitting, to the controller at the appliance, the user-specific control module; and combining the user-specific control module to the core control module.

Abstract: Implementations described herein include a device comprising a frame and an energy source operably coupled to the frame that applies energy to eyelids and allows for normal blinking of the eye. The frame is securably positionable on a face of a user. The frame includes an engagement portion operably coupled to a support portion. The engagement portion is positionable over an eye of a user. The engagement portion extends between a medial side and a lateral side thereof. The support portion is securable to the face of the user peripheral to an eye area thereof. The eye area includes both the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid of the eye. The engagement portion can be a first engagement portion and the frame can further include a second engagement portion spaced apart from the first engagement portion. The first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can be coupled via a support portion extending therebetween.

Abstract: A test apparatus and method for testing a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes an integrated circuit and a plurality of external radiating elements located at a surface of the device. The external radiating elements include at least one transmit element and receive element. The test apparatus includes a plunger. The plunger includes a dielectric portion having a surface for placing against the surface of the device. The plunger also includes at least one waveguide. Each waveguide extends through the plunger for routing electromagnetic radiation transmitted by one of the transmit elements of the device to one of the receive elements of the device. Each waveguide comprises a plurality of waveguide openings for coupling electromagnetically to corresponding radiating elements of the device. The dielectric portion is configured to provide a matched interface for the electromagnetic coupling of the waveguide openings to the plurality of external radiating elements of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fabrication of ceramics from celestial materials using microwave sintering and mechanical compression for space mining applications are disclosed. In one aspect, a chamber for sintering loose mineral material into solid ceramic shapes includes a plurality of zirconia insulting plates configured to clamp the mineral material and forming a cavity in which the mineral loose material is contained, and at least one dipole array configured to generate microwave energy and apply the microwave energy to the mineral material.

Abstract: The present invention is a microwave heating device and has a microwave guide tube, two microwave transmitting modules, and a transmission module. The microwave guide tube forms a wave travelling path and has at least one conveying opening pair and at least one waveguide plate pair. The at least one conveying opening pair has two conveying openings respectively disposed on two opposite walls of the microwave guide tube along a conveying direction. The at least one waveguide plate pair is disposed in the microwave guide tube and has two waveguide plates parallel with the wave travelling path. The two microwave transmitting modules are disposed on two opposite ends of the microwave guide tube. The transmission module extends through the at least one conveying opening pair along the conveying direction.

Abstract: There are provided heating chamber, and reflection angle control device provided on upper wall configuring at least part of walls of heating chamber and configured to control a reflection angle of a microwave to control standing wave distribution in heating chamber. Reflection angle control device controls the reflection angle of the microwave when the microwave radiated from microwave radiation device is not directly absorbed into heating target but is reflected by the wall. Standing wave distribution in heating chamber can thus be controlled to be different from ordinary distribution for improvement in local heating performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microwave heating apparatus and method of heating a load using microwaves. The microwave heating apparatus comprises a cavity dividable into at least two compartments, a first microwave generator and a first feeding port for feeding a first mode field in a first compartment of the cavity, a second microwave generator and a second feeding port for feeding a second mode field in a second compartment of the cavity. The first mode field and the second mode field provide complementary heating patterns in the cavity when the cavity is undivided. The present disclosure provides the flexibility of heating a load in a large cavity or heating a plurality of loads in smaller compartments of the cavity while still providing even heating in the cavity and in the compartments.

Abstract: A mold heating device for heating a tire mold (M) for a green tire (T) includes an upper ring member (11) and a lower ring member (12) arranged so as to face one other in a specific direction with the space in which the tire mold (M) is disposed therebetween. A plurality of nonmagnetic members (13) are disposed at a plurality of positions aligned in the circumferential direction of the ring members (11, 12) with spaces therebetween so as to connect the upper ring member (11) and the lower ring member (12). Ferromagnetic non-conductive members (14) are provided on the inner surfaces of the nonmagnetic members (13), and a coil (15) is supported by the nonmagnetic members (13) with the ferromagnetic non-conductive members (14) therebetween so as to surround the space where the tire mold (M) is disposed from the outside in the direction perpendicular to the specific direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microwave oven including an oven door and a heating chamber with a back wall, and the oven door is installed in the front of the heating chamber. There are more than one protrusion disposed on the back wall, and each of the protrusions has more than three reflecting surfaces and protrudes toward an inside of the heating chamber. The back wall of the heating chamber in the microwave oven has the structure of a plurality of reflecting surfaces, which makes the microwave emitted by a magnetron reach every position of the heating chamber by reflection of the multiple reflecting surfaces, thereby the microwave distributes more evenly and consistently, thus the food may be heated more rapidly and uniformly.

Abstract: The microwave heating apparatus of the present invention enables microwaves to be propagated onto an object to be heated through a waveguide such that the microwaves propagate to a microwave space reduced by a wavelength controller which is arranged, as a solid-state object, to occupy a predetermined space in the waveguide. Thus, the microwave heating apparatus of the present invention heats the object to be heated which has been placed in the reduced space. The microwave heating apparatus of the present invention utilizes the effects of lengthening the wavelength of the microwaves propagating to the reduced space so as to be longer than the wavelength before entering the reduced space by a predetermined multiple depending on a near-cutoff condition.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes an oven cavity, defined by flat, electrically conductive oven walls. A microwave source generates microwave energy including orthogonal linearly polarized components into the oven cavity from a port formed in a first one of the oven walls. A grid wall of conductive lines parallel to a polarization direction is spaced from a second oven wall by a distance nominally equivalent to a quarter wavelength of the microwave energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for annealing a semiconductor device structure using microwave radiation. For example, a semiconductor device structure is provided. An interfacial layer is formed on the semiconductor device structure. A high-k dielectric layer is formed on the interfacial layer. Microwave radiation is applied to anneal the semiconductor device structure for fabricating semiconductor devices.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for exciting a rotating field pattern in a cavity containing an object, the apparatus comprising a radiating element configured to excite an electromagnetic (EM) field pattern in the cavity, wherein the EM field pattern is excited with EM energy at a frequency in the radio-frequency (RF) range, a field rotating element configured to rotate the EM field pattern, wherein the field rotating element has an anisotropy, the anisotropy selected from magnetic anisotropy, electric anisotropy, and a combination of magnetic and electric anisotropies, and a controller configured to determine the EM field pattern according to value indicative of energy absorbable by the object and to control the anisotropy of the field rotating element in order to rotate the EM field pattern.

Abstract: A microwave energy interactive construct for heating a food item having a surface intended to be browned and/or crisped includes a flanged receiving element shaped to receive the food item. The flanged receiving element includes a plurality of hingeable flange segments, so that microwave energy interactive material disposed on the hingeable flange segments may be brought into intimate and/or proximate contact with the surface of the food item.

Abstract: A method of generating an RF field reflection, including positioning a grid wall in front of a conductive wall, launching RF energy at the grid wall and said conductive wall, including first and second linearly polarized orthogonal components, and highly reflecting one component from the grid wall set and allowing the other component to pass through the grid wall set with little reflection to reflect from the conductive wall. A microwave oven includes an oven cavity, defined by flat, electrically conductive oven walls. A microwave source generates microwave energy including orthogonal linearly polarized components into the oven cavity from a port formed in a first one of the oven walls. A grid wall of conductive lines parallel to a polarization direction is spaced from a second oven wall by a distance nominally equivalent to a quarter wavelength of the microwave energy.

Abstract: A field director assembly includes electrically conductive vanes configured to prevent arcing in an unloaded microwave oven.

Abstract: A radio frequency heater is disclosed including a vessel for containing material to be heated and a radio frequency radiating surface. The vessel has a wall defining a reservoir. The radio frequency radiating surface at least partially surrounds the reservoir. The radiating surface includes two or more circumferentially spaced petals that are electrically isolated from other petals. The petals are positioned to irradiate at least a portion of the reservoir, and are adapted for connection to a source of radio frequency alternating current. A generally conical tank or tank segment having a conically wound radio frequency applicator is also contemplated. Also, a method of heating an oil-water process stream is disclosed. In this method a radio frequency heater and an oil-water process stream are provided. The process stream is irradiated with the heater, thus heating the water phase of the process stream.

Abstract: A susceptor assembly includes electrically conductive vanes positioned with respect to each other and to an planar susceptor member having an electrically lossy layer thereon to prevent overheating of the susceptor in an unloaded microwave oven.

Abstract: A susceptor assembly includes electrically conductive vanes configured to prevent arcing in an unloaded microwave oven.

Abstract: Provided herein are a cooking apparatus and an operating method thereof. The cooking apparatus includes a microwave generator to generate and output microwaves of a plurality of frequencies to heat an object within a cavity, a resonance mode conversion unit to convert a resonance mode by varying at least one of progressing direction, power or frequency of the microwaves output to the inside of the cavity, and a controller to operate the resonance mode conversion unit, if the number of frequencies of microwaves, the heating efficiencies of which are more than a reference heating efficiency, is below a reference value, based on heating efficiencies calculated according to microwaves reflected by the inside of the cavity from among the output microwaves. Thereby, operating efficiency of the cooking apparatus is improved.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to microwave ovens. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a microwave heating unit. The microwave heating unit is configured to radiate microwaves into a cavity and includes an antenna array coupled to one or more amplifiers. The antenna array is configured to generate the radiated microwaves. In some embodiments, the microwave oven is configured to measure temperatures of a item within the cavity, and to steer a microwave beam produced by the antenna array based on the measured temperatures.

Abstract: A self-supporting field director for use in heating an article in a microwave oven is characterized by a plurality of vanes, each vane extending radially outwardly from a central axis and being angularly adjacent to two other vanes. The vanes are supported by a slotted central support member. Each vane has a substrate formed from an electrically non-conductive material. A portion of at least one of the first and second major surfaces is covered by an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A reusable self-supporting field director for use in heating an article in a microwave oven is characterized by a plurality of vanes, with each vane extending radially outwardly from a central axis. Each vane is angularly adjacent to two other vanes and is attached to each other at their inner ends. Each vane has a predetermined thickness dimension. Each vane each vane has a substrate formed from an electrically non-conductive material having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion, and an electrically conductive sheath having a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the substrate. The sheath encases the substrate so that a portion of the first and second major surfaces and a portion of the first and second minor surfaces of each vane are covered by an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A field director assembly includes electrically conductive vanes positioned with respect to each other and to a planar support member to prevent overheating of the susceptor in an unloaded microwave oven.

Abstract: A microwave oven and method for heating a load using microwaves are provided. The microwave oven comprises a cavity adapted to receive a load. The cavity is designed to support at least two predefined mode fields. For each predefined mode field, a resonance frequency in the cavity is known. Further, the microwave oven comprises a frequency-controllable microwave source for feeding microwaves into the cavity via at least one feeding port. The method comprises the steps of measuring a signal reflected from the cavity as a function of the operating frequency of the microwave source and identifying resonance frequencies in the cavity based on the measured signal. Further, the method comprises the steps of selecting, for the predefined modes, at least two of the identified resonance frequencies based on the known resonance frequencies and switching the operating frequency of the microwave source using the selected frequencies.

Abstract: A system for plasma treatment of a liquid and corresponding uses thereof, the system comprising a chamber having a liquid input conduit and a liquid output conduit, a source of electromagnetic radiation of wavelength ? coupled to the chamber by a waveguide of appropriate width to provide only fundamental mode of the electromagnetic radiation, a focusing means positioned between the waveguide and the chamber for transmissively focusing the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon to a location within the chamber remote from walls of chamber for creating a plasma at the location, characterized in that the plasma is formed entirely within the liquid.

Abstract: In a microwave irradiation apparatus, an applicator portion has an interior space for housing an object to be irradiated. A first microwave irradiation system outputs a first microwave to the interior space in a first mode so as to generate a large electric field and a small magnetic field at a specific place of the interior space. A second microwave irradiation system outputs a second microwave having a polarization plane crossing a polarization plane of the first microwave to the interior space in a second mode so as to generate a large magnetic field and small electric field at the specific place of the interior space.

Abstract: A microwave irradiation system includes first and second microwave generators, and an applicator which includes: a microwave transmission part connected to the first and second microwave generators; a reflecting plane, at an other end of the microwave transmission part of the applicator, configured to reflect microwaves from the first and the second microwave generators at such a location that a space of an object, in the microwave transmission part of the applicator between the end and the other end is irradiated with both a greater intensity of electric field and a smaller intensity of magnetic field generated by the first microwave generator and with both a greater intensity of magnetic field and a smaller intensity of electric field generated by the second microwave generator; and a filter part through which at least one of the first and second microwave generators is connected to the applicator.

Abstract: A susceptor assembly includes a generally planar susceptor having an electric field director structure mechanically connected thereto. The field director structure includes at least one, but more preferably, a plurality of two or more vanes mechanically connected to the susceptor. Each vane has a surface at least a portion of which is electrically conductive. The vane(s) are most preferably disposed substantially orthogonal to the planar susceptor. The connection may be either a fixed or a flexible articulating connection. In use, such as in the presence of a standing electromagnetic wave generated within a microwave oven, only an attenuated electric field component of the electromagnetic wave exists in a plane tangent to the surface of the vane in the vicinity of the conductive portion of the vane.

Abstract: A microwave heater capable of heating a bundle of wood and equipped with an optimized system for launching and/or dispersing microwave energy. The microwave launching system can include one or more split microwave launchers at least partly disposed in the interior of the heater. The microwave dispersing system can include one or more moving reflectors for rastering microwave energy emitted from the split launchers.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating containers, and in particular plastic preforms, comprises at least one microwave generating unit that generates an electromagnetic alternating field in the form of microwaves, a microwave transfer unit that transfers the microwaves generated by the microwave generating unit to a resonator unit, and a transport means that 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.

Abstract: A microwave irradiation system includes first and second microwave generators, and an applicator which includes: a microwave transmission part connected to the first and second microwave generators; a reflecting plane, at an other end of the microwave transmission part of the applicator, configured to reflect microwaves from the first and the second microwave generators at such a location that a space of an object, in the microwave transmission part of the applicator between the end and the other end is irradiated with both a greater intensity of electric field and a smaller intensity of magnetic field generated by the first microwave generator and with both a greater intensity of magnetic field and a smaller intensity of electric field generated by the second microwave generator; and a filter part through which at least one of the first and second microwave generators is connected to the applicator.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ceramic parts with a certain porosity by sintering using microwaves, the materials to be sintered being arranged in a vessel, wherein the microwaves introduce sintering energy into the materials to be sintered via electromagnetic waves in the range of vacuum wavelengths between 5 cm-20 cm in multimode having an electromagnetic power of up to one kilowatt, and besides being built from primary materials for the structure of the vessel, the vessel is built from a secondary material which comprises, in particular, a mixture of or mixed crystals of non-metallic, para-, ferro- or antiferromagnetic materials.

Abstract: A heating device for a field-device display module includes a heating element. The heating element is adapted to the shape of the field-device display module and is equipped such that it converts an electrical current to thermal energy. The heating element can be coupled to the field-device display module such that by the heating element the field-device display module can be heated.

Abstract: This document discloses semiconductor processing systems, methods, and devices. The systems, methods and devices activate dopants in a processing chamber having a temperature that is less than, for example, 300 degrees. A microwave energy source provides a microwave transmission to a waveguide system that uniformly distributes the microwave transmission. The waveguide system can include a rectangular waveguide coupled to a cylindrical waveguide. The rectangular waveguide guides the microwave transmission in a second propagation direction to a cylindrical waveguide. The cylindrical waveguide uniformly distributes the electromagnetic transmission and guides the electromagnetic transmission in a third propagation direction to a processing chamber. A semiconductor wafer can be exposed to the microwave transmission and the temperature of the chamber to activate dopants in the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling drying of ceramic greenwares in a manner that accounts for the load presented to a radio-frequency (RF) source of an RF applicator to reduce the risk of overheating greenware during drying. The method includes partially drying the greenware and then substantially drying the greenware with RF radiation. The amount of RF radiation provided to an electrode region is controlled based on the number of greenware pieces within the electrode region at a given time. The system includes a control unit electrically connected to the electrode and configured to provide a select RF voltage to the electrode based on the number of greenwares within the electrode region. The system adjusts at least one input voltage from a power supply. The adjusted voltage is stepped-up, DC-rectified to form a plate voltage, and then is converted by a high-frequency DC/AC convertor to the select high-frequency AC RF voltage needed to dry the greenwares without overheating.

Abstract: A surface-heating system heats a surface with a high-power wavefront at a millimeter-wave frequency. The high-power wavefront may be a collimated wavefront or a converging or diverging wavefront. In some embodiments, the system includes a frequency generator to generate a lower-power millimeter-wave frequency signal, and an active-array antenna system to amplify the millimeter-wave frequency and generate the high-power wavefront in a direction of a surface for heating the surface. In other embodiments, a frequency generator and power amplifier may generate a high-power power millimeter-wave frequency signal, and a passive-array antenna system may provide the high-power wavefront in a direction of the surface. In some embodiments, a thermal-sensing subsystem may measure the surface temperature and generate a control signal to maintain the surface temperature within a predetermined temperature range.

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: A serpentine waveguide applicator for exposing a material to microwave energy for hearing, drying, or curing. A conveyor transports the material through aligned slots formed in facing sides at consecutive waveguide passes of the serpentine array. Each pass has a ridged waveguide structure with ridges in each corner of the otherwise rectangular waveguide. The ridges make the interior cross section of the waveguide passes cruciform and direct microwave energy away from the slots to reduce arcing, crosstalk, and leakage.

Abstract: A computer-based design methodology for photonic bandgap devices that permits determination of both the upper and lower bandgap edges in either a one-dimensional or two-dimensional photonic crystal. Using this methodology, a one-dimensional crystal may be created for use in a waveguide-fed microwave oven as a radiation reflector-suppressor, particularly for undesirable higher harmonic frequencies of about 12 GHz. By conceptually arranging multiple reflectors in a desired geometry, a two-dimensional crystal may be created that is particularly useful as a waveguide or splitter. The waveguide or splitter thus created has especially high efficiency for microwave wavelength ranges of about 9 GHz as compared with the prior art and is particularly useful in communications applications.

Abstract: Oven enclosure with microwave functionality, in which, at a short distance from an enclosure bottom panel, support elements are provided for accommodating a microwave-permeable base plate serving as a food holder.

Abstract: The oven cavity (1) of a microwave oven includes an apertured launch wall (3) on the external side of which a launch box (5) is mounted so as to cover the aperture. Two three or four magnetrons supply microwave energy to the launch box (5), and hence into the oven cavity, via corresponding waveguides (10a, 10b, 10c) each in communication with a respective side of the launch box (5). In another aspect of the invention, a microwave oven cavity (1) includes an apertured launch wall (3), means for supplying microwave energy to the cavity (1) through the aperture and a match plate (26) mounted in the cavity so as to be spaced a small distance from the launch wall (3) and in registration with the aperture. The match plate and the launch wall (3), define a slot for coupling microwave energy into the cavity (1), and at least one hole (27) in the match plate (26), in use, enables microwave energy to be coupled to resonant modes in the centre of the cavity.

Abstract: A microwave cooking tray comprises a base having at least two compartments. Each compartment of the base has a bottom surface defining a pattern, the bottom surface of one of the compartments defining a first pattern and a bottom surface of a second of the compartments defining a second pattern. The first and second patterns are distinct and each is designed for optimal cooking of a particular type of food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating uniform heating of an microwave absorptive target. A microwave housing has a longitudinal axis and propagates a waveguide mode at an operating frequency. The target is located in an axial cross-sectional area relative to the longitudinal axis. First layer conductive strips are layered proximal to an inner wall of the microwave housing, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and being separated from an adjacent first layer conductive strip by a respective first layer gap, the inner wall acting as a ground plane. Second layer conductive strips are layered proximal to the first layer of conductive strips, parallel to the longitudinal axis and being separated from an adjacent second layer conductive strip by a respective second layer gap. Each first layer gap is centered under a respective second layer conductive strip and each second layer gap is centered over a conductive layer.

Abstract: Trays placed in an autoclave are coupled with microwaves from microwave generators and move back and forth as they are processed to ensure even heating. The generators are placed at the side of the autoclave so each generator connects to a wave guide in the autoclave with upwardly directed decoupling openings immediately below the tray to be heated. The distance between the decoupling opening and the tray is maintained at less than one-half wavelength. The foods on the tray are heated first from below and then the heat rises. When water in the lower food layers is heated, steam forms and must pass through the cooler upper layers to escape. As it does so, it loses heat to these layers, warming them and preventing scorching on the food's surface as well as any bursting of the trays' seal.

Abstract: A method of locally concentrating an applied electric field to promote chemical reaction having a dispersion of individual field concentrators on the surface of a substrate, embedded on a substrate, and embedded on the surface of a substrate, in which the individual field concentrators consists of shaped material and the shape and material are capable of producing a locally concentrated electric field in the vicinity of the field concentrator from interaction between the field concentrator and the applied electric field.

Abstract: A system is described for programming a household appliance that has electronic control means for executing a plurality of control programs. The household appliance operates in accordance with conventional functions, able to perform standard programs, and has the feature of being prearranged for receiving and retaining additional operating programs, coming from outside, according to the user's specific requirements; such new programs are designed and stored in the control system of the household appliance through an external electronic device, such as a Personal Computer programmed accordingly. The control system of the household appliance comprises a duly prearranged microcontroller, associated with suitable memory means and means for interfacing with said external electronic device; a protected part, i.e.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a motor for a stirrer and a motor mounting unit. The motor is provided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a first flange having a hole. The motor mounting unit is provided on an outer surface of a wave guide, and includes a seat, a mounting piece provided at an edge of the seat and having a hole, and a stopper. The stopper is upwardly projected from a first piece provided on the seat adjacent to the mounting piece, to delimit a mounted position of the motor. The motor mounting unit also includes a guide piece upwardly projected from a second piece provided at an edge of the seat. A slot is longitudinally formed along the guide piece. The motor has a second flange at a position opposite to the first flange to be fitted into and guided along the slot.