Abstract A resonant cavity, defined by a cylindrical sidewall and first and second transverse end plate members, is excited in the TM010 mode by a source of microwave energy to generate an electric field with lines extending generally parallel to the axis of the sidewall of the cavity. The intensity of the electric field increases in a radial direction of the cavity from a minimum at the sidewall to a maximum along the axis. A thin, continuous slot is provided in the sidewall and end plates so that a filament can be inserted into the cavity in an axial disposition and then moved lengthwise along the axis of the cavity for drying. Air is preferably circulated through the cavity for carrying away moisture and for cooling the sidewalls of the cavity. An adjustable stub, mounted for radial movement in the cavity, tunes the resonant frequency of the cavity to match the frequency of the source. A coupling probe is located on one of the end plates; and the tuning stub is adjusted to maximize power coupled to the probe for tuning.
Inventors
👤 Ray M Johnson
👤 Franklin J Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-23 20:18
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01P; H01P7/00; H01P7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for applying microwave energy from a source to a material in the form of a filament or thread comprising: a resonant cavity having a cylindrical conductive sidewall, means receiving the microwave energy from said source to excite said cavity to generate an electric field therein in substantially the TM010 mode wherein the electric field lines are substantially parallel and concentrated along the axis of said sidewall, said cavity receiving said material in a disposition substantially along the axis thereof, and conductive screw means received in said cylindrical sidewall of said cavity and selectively extendible radially of said cavity to tune the resonant frequency of said cavity to the frequency of said source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for applying microwave energy from a source to a material in the form of a filament or thread comprising: a resonant cavity having a cylindrical conductive sidewall, means receiving the microwave energy from said source to excite said cavity to generate an electric field therein in substantially the TM010 mode wherein the electric field lines are substantially parallel and concentrated along the axis of said sidewall, said cavity receiving said material in a disposition substantially along the axis thereof, and conductive screw means received in said cylindrical sidewall of said cavity and selectively extendible radially of said cavity to tune the resonant frequency of said cavity to the frequency of said source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for forcing air through said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising block means associated with said screw means for locking said screw means in a predetermined position to thereby fix the resonant frequency of said cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising probe means in said cavity for coupling a small amount of energy from said cavity to determine the maximum coupling of energy from said source means to said cavity as said conductive screw means is adjusted whereby the resonant frequency of said cavity may more easily be adjusted to the resonant frequency of said source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said cavity further includes first and second transverse end plates extending substantially in planes passing through said axis of said sidewall and wherein said cavity defines a continuous slot in said sidewall and said first and second transverse end plates to communicate the axis of said cavity with its exterior to facilitate threading of said material into said cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for exciting said cavity comprises a loop extending within said cavity to excite the same, and means for adjusting the orientation of said excitation loop for matching the input impedance of said cavity with the output impedance of said source.