US3597565A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waveguide applicator and method
Assignee: Cryodry Corp
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Filing: 1969-04-17
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A source of microwave energy excites a waveguide applicator which includes an input waveguide elbow, an output waveguide elbow and an elongated waveguide heating chamber coupled between the two elbows. Each of the elbows and the chamber are transversely defined by a pair of opposing broad walls and a pair of opposing sidewalls. The broad walls in the heating chamber of the applicator, excited in the TE10 mode, generate an electric field which decreases its angle of incidence with the material being treated as the electric field intensity decreases. This uniformly heats the material along its width. In a preferred embodiment, the top and bottom broad walls in the heating chamber are inclined symmetrically upwardly about the longitudinal center plane of the chamber so that the cross section of the heating chamber has a slight V-shape, and the angle of incidence of the electric field vector decreases away from the center of the chamber and toward the sidewalls. The material to be heated enters and exits the applicator through reject filters coupled to slots provided in the broad walls of the input and output elbows respectively. The reject filters prevent the escape of microwave energy through the entrance and exit locations without absorbing power. A water load is provided in the applicator downstream of the exit slot to absorb excess energy under varying loads; and means are provided to circulate air through the chamber to carry away moisture or cooking gases. A slot extends longitudinally along the center of the bottom broad wall. The slight V-shape of the heating chamber forms a natural trough for carrying fats, oils, etc. from the material being heated through the bottom slot under gravity flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray M Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:26
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/78; H05B6/782; H05B6/70; H05B6/701; H05B6/707; H05B6/708; H05B6/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for applying microwave energy to a material comprising waveguide means providing first and second spacedapart broadwall means arranged in opposing relation, excitation means including a source of microwave energy coupled to said waveguide means for energizing the same to provide an electric field of varying intensity extending between said first and second broadwall means, supporting means for supporting said material between said broadwall means and means for moving said material between said first and second broadwalls and along the direction of power flow through said waveguide, said waveguide means and said supporting means cooperating to vary the angle of incidence of said electric field on said material as the intensity of said electric field varies to thereby couple energy into said material along said direction of varying field intensity according to a predetermined pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for applying microwave energy to a material comprising waveguide means providing first and second spacedapart broadwall means arranged in opposing relation, excitation means including a source of microwave energy coupled to said waveguide means for energizing the same to provide an electric field of varying intensity extending between said first and second broadwall means, supporting means for supporting said material between said broadwall means and means for moving said material between said first and second broadwalls and along the direction of power flow through said waveguide, said waveguide means and said supporting means cooperating to vary the angle of incidence of said electric field on said material as the intensity of said electric field varies to thereby couple energy into said material along said direction of varying field intensity according to a predetermined pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said supporting means supports said material in a generally flat disposition and wherein at least one of said first and second broadwall means defines a surface inclined relative to the disposition of said material in a direction transverse of the movement of said material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said waveguide means includes a waveguide-heating chamber defined on a first pair of opposing sides by said first and second broadwall means and on a second pair of opposing sides by first and second sidewall each coupled between said first and second broadwall means, and wherein said excitation means energizes said waveguide heating chamber substantially entirely in the TE10 mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said waveguide-heating chamber is elongated in a generally horizontal direction and each of said first and second broadwall means is symmetrically inclined about its longitudinal center to define a V-shape whereby the angle of incidence of the electric field lines between said broadwall means decreases as the intensity of said electric field decreases.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said waveguide means further comprises input waveguide means interposed between said heating chamber and said excitation means for coupling power therebetween, said input waveguide means further defining an input aperture for receiving said material and permitting passage thereof to said heating chamber, and rejection filter means coupled to said input waveguide means adjacent said opening to prevent the escape of microwave energy therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 5 wherEin the lower broadwall of said heating chamber is V-shaped in transverse section having a low point at its transverse center and defines a slot extending in the center thereof along the direction of power flow whereby liquids rendered from said material during the application of microwave energy thereto are drained under gravity along said lower broadwall toward said slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said input means is a rectangular waveguide elbow-receiving power in a generally vertical direction and transmitting the same to said heating chamber in a generally horizontal direction, and wherein said aperture in said input means is defined in a broadwall thereof transverse to the flow of power therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising termination means coupled to said waveguide means downstream in the direction of power flow from a location at which said material moves between said first and second broadwalls whereby said termination means absorbs power not absorbed by said material to minimize reflected power.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said broadwalls of said waveguide means provide a heating chamber, and further comprising output waveguide means interposed between said waveguide-heating chamber and said termination means for coupling power therebetween, said output waveguide means further defining an output aperture for exiting said material from said heating chamber, and rejection filter means coupled to said output waveguide means to prevent the escape of microwave energy through said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said termination means comprises an elongated termination waveguide section receiving microwave energy from said broadwalls, and conduit means within said termination waveguide section and extending longitudinally thereof for carrying water through the same.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said waveguide means comprises an elongated waveguide-heating chamber of rectangular cross section extending in a generally horizontal direction whereby said broadwalls are planar, and wherein said supporting means moves said material longitudinally through said heating chamber and supports said material in a disposition angularly inclined relative to said broadwalls over at least a portion of said material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said waveguide means includes input waveguide means receiving power from said source and including a waveguide input elbow delivering said power in a generally horizontal direction, waveguide-heating chamber means receiving power from said input waveguide means and having upper and lower opposing broadwalls each defining a V-shape in cross section with the center being the lowest point of each, and output waveguide means receiving power from said heating chamber and including means for absorbing said power in termination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said lower broadwall of said heating chamber broadwalls an elongated slot extending through its center in the direction of power flow.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said input elbow defines an opening for admitting passage of said material to said heating chamber, and further comprising wave guide rejection filter means at said opening to prevent the escape of microwave energy therethrough.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said side opposing section of said V-shaped broadwalls is planar and opposing pairs are separated by a distance less than one-half the free space wavelength of the excitation frequency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a system for cooking separate lots of bacon strips of convenience size wherein the strips of each lot are in shingled relation, the combination comprising a waveguide applicator providing a heating chamber having upper and lower opposing broadwalls extending in a generally horizontal direction each longitudinal side of each of said broadwalls inclined upwardly about the longitudinal center line thereof, conveyor means supporting a plurality of lots of said bacon for carrying the same in a generally horizontal disposition through said heating chamber between said broadwalls with each individual strip extending transversely of said broadwalls, and source means for energizing said applicator substantially entirely in the TE10 mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a system for cooking separate lots of bacon strips of convenience size wherein the strips of each lot are in shingled relation, the combination comprising a waveguide applicator providing a heating chamber having upper and lower opposing broadwalls extending in a generally horizontal direction each longitudinal side of each of said broadwalls inclined upwardly about the longitudinal center line thereof, conveyor means supporting a plurality of lots of said bacon for carrying the same in a generally horizontal disposition through said heating chamber between said broadwalls with each individual strip extending transversely of said broadwalls, and source means for energizing said applicator substantially entirely in the TE10 mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said applicator further comprises input elbow means receiving power from said source for coupling said power to said waveguide-heating chamber, said input elbow receiving said power in a generally vertical direction and transmitting the same in a generally horizontal direction to said heating chamber and defining an aperture for admitting passage of said bacon to said chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 17 further comprising rejection filter means adjacent said admitting aperture for preventing the passage of microwave energy therethrough.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the lower broad wall of said heating chamber defines an elongated slot extending longitudinally along the center line thereof for draining fat rendered from said bacon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 19 further comprising means for circulating air through said heating chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 20 further comprising an output wave guide elbow receiving power from said heating chamber for transmitting the same in a generally vertical direction and defining an aperture for admitting the egress of said bacon, and termination means receiving power from said output elbow and including a load for absorbing substantially all of said power without reflection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 21 further comprising output rejection filter means coupled to output wave guide elbow adjacent said aperture for preventing the passage of said microwave energy therethrough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said heating chamber is symmetrical about a vertical plane extending through the longitudinal center thereof to prevent the excitation of TEmo modes where m is an even integer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the symmetrical half sections of said heating chamber are separateable to permit access to the interior thereof for cleaning and maintenance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a system for applying microwave energy of a given wavelength to a material, the combination of a waveguide, and source means for energizing said waveguide in the TE10 mode, said waveguide providing first and second opposing broadwalls elongated in the direction of power flow through said waveguide and inclined relative to a surface of said material to vary the angle of incidence of the electric field on said surface as said electric field decreases in a direction transverse of the direction of power flow through said waveguide to thereby cause a more uniform heating of said material along a direction transverse of the direction of power flow.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a system for applying microwave energy of a given wavelength to a material, the combination of a waveguide, and source means for energizing said waveguide in the TE10 mode, said waveguide providing first and second opposing broadwalls elongated in the direction of power flow through said waveguide and inclined relative to a surface of said material to vary the angle of incidence of the electric field on said surface as said electric field decreases in a direction transverse of the direction of power flow through said waveguide to thereby cause a more uniform heating of said material along a direction transverse of the direction of power flow.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 25 wherein said material has a generally horizontal disposition, and wherein opposing portions of said first and second broadwalls are parallel to each other and inclined relative to the horizontal whereby one of said broadwalls beneath said material will catch any liquid rendered therefrom and cause the same to be collected.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a system for heating material having a thickness which is generally uniform along a first direction, the combination of means for conveying said material in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and waveguide means having opposing broadwall means for generating an electric field varying in intensity in said first direction and for transmitting microwave power in said second direction, said waveguide means cooperating with said conveying means to orient said electric field lines to vary the angle of incidence of said lines on the surface of said material as said intensity varies to thereby cause a more uniform heating of said material along said first direction even though the intensity of said field decreases along said first direction.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a system for heating material having a thickness which is generally uniform along a first direction, the combination of means for conveying said material in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, and waveguide means having opposing broadwall means for generating an electric field varying in intensity in said first direction and for transmitting microwave power in said second direction, said waveguide means cooperating with said conveying means to orient said electric field lines to vary the angle of incidence of said lines on the surface of said material as said intensity varies to thereby cause a more uniform heating of said material along said first direction even though the intensity of said field decreases along said first direction.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of heating a material having a generally uniform depth along one diRection, comprising propagating microwave power through a waveguide in the direction of elongation of its opposing broadwalls, and passing said article between said broadwalls in the direction of elongation thereof while establishing the electric field intensity lines to vary their angles of incidence on the surface of said article in a plane perpendicular to said direction of elongation to induce uniform heating of said article along said one direction.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of heating a material having a generally uniform depth along one diRection, comprising propagating microwave power through a waveguide in the direction of elongation of its opposing broadwalls, and passing said article between said broadwalls in the direction of elongation thereof while establishing the electric field intensity lines to vary their angles of incidence on the surface of said article in a plane perpendicular to said direction of elongation to induce uniform heating of said article along said one direction.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a method of heating a material, the steps of passing said article in one direction through a waveguide, propagating microwave power through said waveguide along said direction, and establishing the electric field of said power to vary its angle of incidence on the surface of said article to cause uniform heating of said article along a second direction transverse of said one direction.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a method of heating a material, the steps of passing said article in one direction through a waveguide, propagating microwave power through said waveguide along said direction, and establishing the electric field of said power to vary its angle of incidence on the surface of said article to cause uniform heating of said article along a second direction transverse of said one direction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of passing air over said material as it is heated with said microwave energy.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising continuously draining liquid rendered from said material during heating.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of heating a material having length, width and generally uniform depth comprising transmitting microwave power in a first direction through a treating zone, said microwave power generated by an electric field excited at a predetermined frequency and the intensity of said field varying from a minimum at the side of said treating zone to a maximum intermediate said sides, moving said material through said treating zone with its length moving along said first direction and said field lines penetrating said material generally along its direction of depth whereby said field lines form an angle of incidence with said material at said location of maximum intensity of said field, and decreasing said angle of incidence where said intensity of said field is reduced from said maximum.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of heating a material having length, width and generally uniform depth comprising transmitting microwave power in a first direction through a treating zone, said microwave power generated by an electric field excited at a predetermined frequency and the intensity of said field varying from a minimum at the side of said treating zone to a maximum intermediate said sides, moving said material through said treating zone with its length moving along said first direction and said field lines penetrating said material generally along its direction of depth whereby said field lines form an angle of incidence with said material at said location of maximum intensity of said field, and decreasing said angle of incidence where said intensity of said field is reduced from said maximum.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the width of said material extends between said sides of said treating zone and said angle of incidence is reduced proceeding from the center of said treating zone to each side thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising transmitting unexpended microwave power from said treating zone to a terminating load to dissipate said power without reflection.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of passing air through said treating zone to remove moisture and cooking gas therefrom.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said material comprises individual lots of bacon strips of convenience size with adjacent strips of each lot arranged in shingled relation and further comprising the step of collecting fat rendered from said bacon by gravitational force.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a method of heating a generally thin material, the steps comprising placing the material in a treating zone and transmitting a microwave field substantially in the TEmo mode over said material while varying the angle of incidence of said field on said material as a function of the intensity of said field at the location of incidence to cause microwave energy to couple into said material according to a predetermined pattern along a direction transverse of the direction of power flow.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a method of heating a generally thin material, the steps comprising placing the material in a treating zone and transmitting a microwave field substantially in the TEmo mode over said material while varying the angle of incidence of said field on said material as a function of the intensity of said field at the location of incidence to cause microwave energy to couple into said material according to a predetermined pattern along a direction transverse of the direction of power flow.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of continuously moving said material through said treating zone.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the direction of movement of said material is along the direction of microwave power flow.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of passing air through said treating zone.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of dissipating all of the power transmitted through said treating zone without substantial reflection back into said zone.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a system for heating a material with microwave energy, the combination comprising a waveguide applicator providing a heating chamber and having a pair of opposing broadwalls, one of said broadwalls defining an aperture elongated transverse of the diRection of power flow for admitting passage of said material to said heating chamber, reject filter means including a waveguide having opposing broadwalls connected to said one broadwall of said applicator adjacent said aperture, and stub means in one broadwall of said reject filter means for rejecting the passage of microwave energy therethrough.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a system for heating a material with microwave energy, the combination comprising a waveguide applicator providing a heating chamber and having a pair of opposing broadwalls, one of said broadwalls defining an aperture elongated transverse of the diRection of power flow for admitting passage of said material to said heating chamber, reject filter means including a waveguide having opposing broadwalls connected to said one broadwall of said applicator adjacent said aperture, and stub means in one broadwall of said reject filter means for rejecting the passage of microwave energy therethrough.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the broadwalls of said reject filter means comprise upper and lower broadwalls and wherein said stub means is in said upper broadwall, and further comprising means for moving said material through said reject filter means in proximity to said second broadwall thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |