US4406937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave device for the heat treatment of powdery or granular materials
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-03-05
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Granted: 1983-09-27
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Expires: 2001-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A two part waveguide consists of a fixed part formed of a metal sleeve provided with metal dividing walls and a movable part formed by a helix positioned within the sleeve and rotatable sleeve about an axis coaxial with the axis of the cylindrical sleeve. A plurality of magnetrons are positioned on the outer surface of the sleeve. The sleeve includes two openings, one for admitting material to be treated and the other for discharging the material to be treated. The openings are dimensioned so that the microwaves cannot leave the waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel Soulier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:01
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/78; H05B6/784; F; F26; F26B; F26B17/00; F26B17/18; F26B17/20; F26B3/00; F26B3/32; F26B3/34; F26B3/347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for the heat treatment of divided material by microwave radiation to create a progressive wave, said device comprising: a cylindrical sleeve formed from an electrical conducting material; metal dividing walls fixed to the interior surface of said sleeve and spaced from one another by a first distance, said walls extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of said sleeve; a nonpolar lining positioned in said sleeve in spaces between said walls, said sleeve, said walls and said lining defining a fixed waveguide portion; a movable waveguide portion comprised by a helix inside said sleeve and rotatable about an axis coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical sleeve, the pitch of said helix being equal to said first distance, whereby said divided material may be transported along the length of said sleeve; a plurality of magnetrons positioned on the outer surface of said sleeve, the axial distance between two successive ones of said magnetrons being a function of said helix pitch; a first opening in said sleeve for admitting said material; a second opening in said sleeve for discharging said material, said first and second openings being dimensioned so that said microwaves cannot leave said sleeve via said openings.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
A device for the heat treatment of divided material by microwave radiation to create a progressive wave, said device comprising: a cylindrical sleeve formed from an electrical conducting material; metal dividing walls fixed to the interior surface of said sleeve and spaced from one another by a first distance, said walls extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of said sleeve; a nonpolar lining positioned in said sleeve in spaces between said walls, said sleeve, said walls and said lining defining a fixed waveguide portion; a movable waveguide portion comprised by a helix inside said sleeve and rotatable about an axis coaxial with the axis of said cylindrical sleeve, the pitch of said helix being equal to said first distance, whereby said divided material may be transported along the length of said sleeve; a plurality of magnetrons positioned on the outer surface of said sleeve, the axial distance between two successive ones of said magnetrons being a function of said helix pitch; a first opening in said sleeve for admitting said material; a second opening in said sleeve for discharging said material, said first and second openings being dimensioned so that said microwaves cannot leave said sleeve via said openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the radial height of said sleeve and walls constitutes between 1/4 and 1/2 of the combined radial height of said sleeve, said walls and said helix.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of each of said magetrons exceeds the pitch of said helix.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said helix, in particular in the neighborhood of the fixed wave-guide portion formed by the dividing walls, is set so that there is never communication between microwaves emitted from two of said magnetrons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness of said fixed dividing walls is set so that there is never communication between microwaves from two of said magnetrons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 wherein cooling devices associated with said magnetrons produce cooling air, said cooling device including means for selectively using said cooling air for removing water vapor released from said material during treatment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat treatment device is pressurized by means of an inert gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openings for admitting and discharging the material are square-section tubes whose sides are at most equal to half the wavelength of the microwaves used for the treatment of the material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openings for admitting and discharging the material are circular-section tubes, whose diameters are sized so as to prevent propagation of the microwaves used for treating the material out of said sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said helix is a variable-pitch screw.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, werein the thickness of said lining of said sleeve represents from 1/4 to 1/2 of the total height of said sleeve, said walls and said helix.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve is formed by two half-sleeves joined together by means of two flanges.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge of said helix which faces said dividing walls is beveled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-26 | 1987-03-28 | 1987-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-26 | 1991-03-28 | 1991-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-26 | 1995-03-28 | 1995-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |