Object processing state sensing using RF radiation
First Claim
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1. A method for applying RF energy to determine a processing state of an object placed in a cavity having an energy application zone, during processing of the object, the method comprising:
- applying RF energy to the object during the processing via at least one radiating element;
receiving RF feedback from at least one detector connected to the at least one radiating element, said RF feedback being indicative of a dielectric response of the cavity and/or the object to electromagnetic (EM) fields excited in the cavity;
mathematically manipulating the RF feedback to obtain computed RF feedback;
determining one or more processing states of the object based on a correlation between the computed RF feedback and the one or more processing states of the object; and
monitoring the computed RF feedback during the applying to monitor the one or more processing states of the object.
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Abstract
A method for applying RF energy to detect a processing state of an object placed in an energy application zone, during processing of the object, may include applying RF energy to the object during processing. The method may also include receiving computed RF feedback, correlated with one or more processing states of the object; and monitoring the computed RF feedback during the processing to detect the one or more processing states of the object.
50 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method for applying RF energy to determine a processing state of an object placed in a cavity having an energy application zone, during processing of the object, the method comprising:
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applying RF energy to the object during the processing via at least one radiating element; receiving RF feedback from at least one detector connected to the at least one radiating element, said RF feedback being indicative of a dielectric response of the cavity and/or the object to electromagnetic (EM) fields excited in the cavity; mathematically manipulating the RF feedback to obtain computed RF feedback; determining one or more processing states of the object based on a correlation between the computed RF feedback and the one or more processing states of the object; and monitoring the computed RF feedback during the applying to monitor the one or more processing states of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for applying RF energy, via at least one radiating element, to determine a processing state of an object placed in a cavity, during processing of the object, the apparatus comprising:
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an RF energy application unit configured to apply energy, via the at least one radiating element, to the object in an energy application zone in order to generate RF feedback; at least one detector connected to the at least one radiating element, said at least one detector being utilized to detect RF feedback indicative of a dielectric response of the cavity and/or the object to electromagnetic (EM) fields excited in the cavity; and at least one processor configured to; cause RF energy application by the RF energy application unit; receive RF feedback from the at least one detector, said RF feedback being indicative of a dielectric response of the cavity and/or the object to electromagnetic (EM) fields excited in the cavity; mathematically manipulate the received RF feedback to obtain computed RF feedback; determine one or more processing states of the object based on a correlation between the computed RF feedback and the one or more processing states of the object; and monitor the computed RF feedback during the processing, to monitor the one or more processing states of the object. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for processing an object placed in an energy application zone comprising:
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applying RF energy, via at least one radiating element, to the object in the energy application zone; receiving by a processor RF feedback from a sensor located in or around the energy application zone, said RF feedback being indicative of a dielectric response of the cavity and/or object to electromagnetic (EM) fields excited in the cavity; mathematically manipulating the received RF feedback to obtain computed RF feedback; monitoring the computed RF feedback during the applying to monitor the processing state of the object based on a correlation between the computed RF feedback and one or more processing states of the object; and terminating the applying when the computed RF feedback reaches a target value. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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Specification