Time estimation for energy application in an RF energy transfer device
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- supplying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone;
determining a value indicative of a rate of energy absorption by a load during a first period of time that the electromagnetic energy is supplied to the object; and
determining, based on the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load, an estimated amount of time to obtain a desired characteristic in the object,wherein the desired characteristic includes a predetermined temperature of the object, and determining the estimated amount of time includes determining an amount of energy needed to achieve the predetermined temperature of the object and dividing the amount of energy by the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load.
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Abstract
An apparatus configured to apply electromagnetic energy to an object may include an energy application zone adapted to receive at least a portion of an object and a source configured to supply RF energy to the energy application zone. The apparatus may also include at least one processor configured to: cause the source to supply RF energy to the energy application zone; determine a value indicative of a rate of energy absorption by a load, including at least a portion of the object, during a first period of time; and determine, based on the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load, an estimated amount of time to obtain a desired characteristic in at least a portion of the object.
48 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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supplying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone; determining a value indicative of a rate of energy absorption by a load during a first period of time that the electromagnetic energy is supplied to the object; and determining, based on the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load, an estimated amount of time to obtain a desired characteristic in the object, wherein the desired characteristic includes a predetermined temperature of the object, and determining the estimated amount of time includes determining an amount of energy needed to achieve the predetermined temperature of the object and dividing the amount of energy by the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus, for supplying RF energy to an object in an energy application zone via a source, the apparatus comprising:
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at least one processor configured to; receive from a user input relating to a desired cooking time; cause the source to supply RF energy to the energy application zone; determine a value indicative of a rate of energy absorption by a load, including at least a portion of the object, during a first period of time; determine, based on the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load, an estimated amount of time to obtain a desired characteristic in at least a portion of the object; carry out a comparison between the desired cooking time and the estimated amount of time; and operate the apparatus in accordance with the results of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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receiving an input of a desired cooking time; supplying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone; determining a value indicative of a rate of energy absorption by a load during a first period of time that the electromagnetic energy is supplied to the object; determining, based on the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load, an estimated amount of time to obtain a desired characteristic in the object; comparing the desired cooking time with the estimated amount of time; and operating the device in accordance with the results of the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification