Radio frequency heating and ventilating electrode system

Claim 1

A radio frequency heating and ventilating electrode system for use with a radio frequency generator having outputs of different polarity for treating an extended length of rod-like electrically non-conducting material, comprising a plurality of electrically conductive hollow loop electrode elements each having a plurality of inwardly directed apertures therethrough, said loop elements being generally coaxial with and parallel to one another and spaced from one another in superposed relationship in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said loop electrode elements along a common axis said loop electrode elements forming two series of loop electrode elements arranged alternately with one another along said common axis loop electrode element mounting means for each of said two series of loop electrode elements, including hollow, electrically conductive support members electrically connected to each of said loop electrode elements providing fluid communication thereinto, and fluid supply means connected to said support members for providing fluid flow thereto, said conductive support members being connected to different polarity outputs of said radio freqency generator to provide said different polarity outputs on said two series of ring electrode elements for heating and ventilating rod-like, electrically non-conducting material positioned along said common axis within said loop electrode elements.