US4162380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waveguide assembly for microwave oven
Assignee: Whirlpool Corp
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Filing: 1977-05-31
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Granted: 1979-07-24
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Expires: 1997-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A waveguide structure for use in a microwave oven wherein a portion of the wall structure defining the oven cavity also forms a portion of the waveguide. The waveguide is formed of a plurality of wall members cooperatively defining a waveguide conduit for delivering microwave energy from a generator through an inlet opening in the oven cavity wall. The several wall members of the waveguide conduit are pressformed and secured together by mechanical fastening structure to provide high accuracy in the waveguide configuration. The conduit wall further includes a mounting flange secured to the cavity wall to provide further precise accurate association of the waveguide conduit with the cavity wall opening. An external paint coating on the cavity wall defines with a mounting flange of the waveguide conduit wall a capacitive seal therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry D. Burke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:31
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/70; H05B6/707; H01; H01P; H01P11/00; H05B6/6402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a microwave oven having wall means defining an oven cavity, said wall means defining an inlet opening, and microwave energy generating means externally of said cavity, an improved waveguide for delivering microwave energy from said generating means through said inlet opening into said cavity, comprising: a first waveguide member; and a second waveguide member secured in sealed relationship to said first waveguide member to define therewith a partial waveguide conduit having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, said partial waveguide conduit being secured in sealed relationship to said wall means with said partial waveguide conduit outlet opening generally aligned with said wall means inlet opening to define a substantially closed conduit for conducting microwave energy from said generating means successively through said partial waveguide conduit inlet opening through said partial waveguide conduit, and through said aligned partial waveguide conduit outlet opening and wall means inlet opening into said cavity, said partial waveguide conduit outlet opening being substantially larger than said wall means inlet opening and overlying the wall means about said inlet opening whereby a substantial portion of said wall means adjacent said wall means inlet opening defines with said partial waveguide conduit said improved waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a microwave oven having wall means defining an oven cavity, said wall means defining an inlet opening, and microwave energy generating means externally of said cavity, an improved waveguide for delivering microwave energy from said generating means through said inlet opening into said cavity, comprising: a first waveguide member; and a second waveguide member secured in sealed relationship to said first waveguide member to define therewith a partial waveguide conduit having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, said partial waveguide conduit being secured in sealed relationship to said wall means with said partial waveguide conduit outlet opening generally aligned with said wall means inlet opening to define a substantially closed conduit for conducting microwave energy from said generating means successively through said partial waveguide conduit inlet opening through said partial waveguide conduit, and through said aligned partial waveguide conduit outlet opening and wall means inlet opening into said cavity, said partial waveguide conduit outlet opening being substantially larger than said wall means inlet opening and overlying the wall means about said inlet opening whereby a substantial portion of said wall means adjacent said wall means inlet opening defines with said partial waveguide conduit said improved waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said wall means defines a top wall of the cavity and said wall means inlet opening is in said top wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein at least one of said waveguide members is provided with one integral flange fixedly secured to said wall means to facilitate accurate alignment of said partial waveguide conduit with said wall means inlet opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein each of said waveguide members comprises a solely press-formed member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said wall means comprises a solely press-formed member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said first waveguide member includes a mounting flange exteriorly of said conduit and said waveguide includes means securing said mounting flange to said wall means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said first waveguide member includes a mounting flange exteriorly of said conduit and said waveguide includes cooperating rivet means for securing said mounting flange to said wall means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said first waveguide member includes a mounting flange exteriorly of said conduit and said waveguide includes means securing said mounting flange to said wall means, said waveguide further including a capacitive seal means between said mounting flange and said wall means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said first waveguide member includes a mounting flange exteriorly of said conduit and means securing said mounting flange to said wall means, said wall means being provided with an external dielectric layer adjacent said opening providing a capacitive seal means between said mounting flange and said wall means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said first waveguide member includes a peripheral mounting flange exteriorly of said conduit and means securing a first portion of said mounting flange to said second waveguide member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said first and second waveguide members include joined peripheral mounting flanges approximately one inch in width.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second waveguide members includes a mounting flange secured to said wall means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second waveguide members includes a mounting flange secured to said wall means by mechanical fastening means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second waveguide members includes a mounting flange secured to said wall means by mechanical fastening means spaced apart a distance no greater than 1/4 the wavelength of the microwave energy generated by said generating means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said waveguide members are formed of metal and provided with facially abutting flanges having continuous, uniform metal-to-metal contact providing a microwave seal therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein said guide means comprises a plurality of mechanically interfastened wall portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein a capacitive seal is provided between said second waveguide member and said wall means about said wall means inlet opening.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 1 wherein threaded securing means are provided for securing the generating means to the waveguide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The microwave oven waveguide of claim 18 wherein said securing means further at least partially secures said first waveguide member to said second waveguide member.
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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) | 1982-07-23 | 1983-01-22 | 1983-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-23 | 1987-01-22 | 1987-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-23 | 1991-01-22 | 1991-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |