Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A microwave applicator for subjecting a workpiece to dielectric heating as it moves therethrough, comprising: a. a rectangular waveguide of cross-sectional dimensions A and B where A>B; b. means for exciting said waveguide principally in the TE01 mode to provide a substantially uniform electric field intensity across the dimension A; and c. at least first and second means mounted within the length of said waveguide and suitably spaced to provide an electric field of increased intensity through multiple reflections between said mounted means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A microwave applicator for subjecting a workpiece to dielectric heating as it moves therethrough, comprising: a. a rectangular waveguide of cross-sectional dimensions A and B where A>B; b. means for exciting said waveguide principally in the TE01 mode to provide a substantially uniform electric field intensity across the dimension A; and c. at least first and second means mounted within the length of said waveguide and suitably spaced to provide an electric field of increased intensity through multiple reflections between said mounted means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 1 in which said mounted means comprise inductive elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 2 in which said inductive elements include elongated inductive rods; means adapted to mount said rods symmetrically about a plane through the center of the dimension A; and said rods extending across the dimension A.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 3 in which said rods further include a low loss dielectric coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 4 in which said dielectric coating is teflon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 3 in which said rods are of equal diameter D; and said rods are equally spaced in a plane parallel to and a distance of approximately one-half D from a plane through the center of dimension B.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 6 which further includes a dielectric material mounted on at least one of the waveguide interior surfaces of dimension A; said dielectric material being uniform across dimension A and successively thinner along the waveguide length to successively vary the effective electrical separation of said rods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 3 in which said rods are of equal diameter D; and said rods are uniformly spaced along the length of said waveguide, alternaTely to one side and the other side of a plane through the center of dimension B.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 3 in which successive spacings between the rods increases along the length of the waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 3 in which the diameter of successive rods decreases along the length of the waveguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 3 in which the rods are rigidly fixed to the waveguide walls of dimension B.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 1 in which said waveguide is curved along its length.