APPARATUS FOR USING MICROWAVE ENERGY FOR INSECT AND PEST CONTROL AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20150101239A1
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Published: 04/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cosoft Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nathaniel L. Cohen
• Inventors: Cohen, Nathaniel L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,629,354 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 43/132.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/2094 killing insects by using temperature, e.g. flames, steam or freezing A01M1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/22 Killing insects by electric means electric circuits therefor H05C
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 1/226 by using waves, fields or rays, e.g. sound waves, microwaves, electric waves, magnetic fields, light rays
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 19/00 Apparatus for the destruction of noxious animals, other than insects, by hot water, steam, hot air, or electricity electric traps A01M23/38
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 29/28 specially adapted for insects
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 5/02 Portable appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/707 using waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/72 Radiators or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/80 Apparatus for specific applications stoves or ranges F24C7/02

Abstract

An apparatus for using microwave energy for treating an infected site infested with insects or other small pests is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of microwave energy connected to a power source and a power controller, a transmission element, and an antenna. The apparatus can also comprise an isolator to protect the source of microwave energy. Methods to use such an apparatus for treatment of an infected site are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for using microwave energy to treat an infected site infested with insects or other small pests, the apparatus comprising:

a source of microwave energy that provides the microwave energy at a frequency greater than about 2.3 GHz;

a flexible transmission element configured to propagate the microwave energy, the flexible transmission element comprising coaxial cable; and

a microwave antenna that receives the microwave energy via the flexible transmission element and emits the microwave energy.

2. The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising an isolator connected between the source of microwave energy and the flexible transmission element.

3. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the source of microwave energy comprises a magnetron.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microwave antenna comprises a beam forming antenna.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beam forming antenna comprises a pyramidal horn antenna.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the pyramidal horn antenna comprises a baffle around an end of the pyramidal horn antenna.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beam forming antenna comprises a conical horn antenna.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the conical horn antenna comprises a baffle around an end of the conical horn antenna.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the beam forming antenna comprises an end fire array antenna.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the isolator is of a material selected from the group consisting of ferroelectric material and ferromagnetic material.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microwave antenna comprises a handle.

12. An apparatus for using microwave energy to treat an infected site infested with insects or other small pests, the apparatus comprising:

a source of microwave energy that provides the microwave energy at a frequency greater than about 2.3 GHz;

a flexible transmission element configured to propagate the microwave energy; and

an end fire array antenna that receives the microwave energy via the flexible transmission element and emits the microwave energy.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flexible transmission element comprises coaxial cable.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the end fire array antenna comprises an insulated board upon which at least one parallel pair of transmission lines and at least one radiating element are secured;

and wherein the parallel pair of transmission lines and radiating element are coupled.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the end fire array antenna comprises a transition section and a baffle.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the end fire array antenna further comprises a microwave transparent cover.

17. A method for using microwave energy to treat an infected site infested with insects or other small pests, the method comprising:

providing the microwave energy at a frequency greater than about 2.3 GHz;

propagating the microwave energy through a flexible transmission element, the flexible transmission element comprising coaxial cable;

passing the microwave energy from the flexible transmission element to a microwave antenna; and

emitting the microwave energy from the microwave antenna to illuminate at least a portion of the infected site with the microwave energy.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising scanning a remaining portion of the infected site such that an area encompassing the infected site is illuminated.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising passing the microwave energy to an isolator connected between the source of microwave energy and the flexible transmission element, wherein the isolator prevents almost all reflected power from returning to the source microwave energy.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the microwave antenna comprises an end fire array antenna.