COST EFFECTIVE HYBRID PROTECTION FOR HIGH POWER AMPLIFIER
First Claim
1. A solid state radio frequency generation system for an electromagnetic cooking device having an enclosed cavity in which a food load is placed, the solid state radio frequency generation system comprising:
- a small signal generator for generating an input RF signal;
an RF feed configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the enclosed cavity to heat up and prepare the food load, the RF feed configured to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation from the enclosed cavity;
a high-power RF amplifier coupled between the small signal generator and the RF feed, the high-power RF amplifier comprising;
at least one amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power with respect to the input RF signal; and
a circulator for directing the amplified output signal to the RF feed and for redirecting any reflected waves and their associated power received from the RF feed to a dummy load; and
a hardware protection component for detecting backward power in the reflected electromagnetic radiation received by the RF feed and for reducing power supplied to the at least one amplifying stage if the backward power exceeds a power threshold within a time scale that prevents electrical stress or damage to the circulator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RF generation system is provided for an electromagnetic cooking device having a cavity. The system includes: a signal generator for generating an input RF signal; an RF feed configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity and to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation from the cavity; and a high-power amplifier coupled between the signal generator and the RF feed. The high-power amplifier including an amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power, and a circulator for directing the amplified output signal to the RF feed and for redirecting any reflected radiation received from the RF feed to a dummy load. The system further includes a hardware protection component for detecting backward power in the reflected radiation and for reducing power supplied to the amplifying stage if the backward power exceeds a power threshold within a time scale that prevents damage to the circulator.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solid state radio frequency generation system for an electromagnetic cooking device having an enclosed cavity in which a food load is placed, the solid state radio frequency generation system comprising:
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a small signal generator for generating an input RF signal; an RF feed configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the enclosed cavity to heat up and prepare the food load, the RF feed configured to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation from the enclosed cavity; a high-power RF amplifier coupled between the small signal generator and the RF feed, the high-power RF amplifier comprising; at least one amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power with respect to the input RF signal; and a circulator for directing the amplified output signal to the RF feed and for redirecting any reflected waves and their associated power received from the RF feed to a dummy load; and a hardware protection component for detecting backward power in the reflected electromagnetic radiation received by the RF feed and for reducing power supplied to the at least one amplifying stage if the backward power exceeds a power threshold within a time scale that prevents electrical stress or damage to the circulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A solid state radio frequency generation system for an electromagnetic cooking device having an enclosed cavity in which a food load is placed, the solid state radio frequency generation system comprising:
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a small signal generator for generating an input RF signal; a plurality of RF feeds configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the enclosed cavity to heat up and prepare the food load, the plurality of RF feeds each configured to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation from the enclosed cavity; a set of high-power RF amplifiers coupled to the plurality of RF feeds, each high-power RF amplifier comprising; at least one amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power with respect to the input RF signal; and a circulator for directing the amplified output signal to the RF feed and for redirecting any reflected waves and their associated power received from the RF feed to a dummy load; and a hardware protection component for detecting backward power in the reflected electromagnetic radiation received by the plurality of RF feeds and for reducing power supplied to the plurality of high-power amplifiers if the backward power from any one of the plurality of RF feeds exceeds a power threshold within a time scale that prevents electrical stress or damage to the circulator of one of the plurality of high-power RF amplifiers. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electromagnetic cooking device comprising:
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an enclosed cavity in which a food load is placed; a small signal generator for generating an input RF signal; an RF feed configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the enclosed cavity to heat up and prepare the food load, the RF feed configured to receive reflected electromagnetic radiation from the enclosed cavity; a high-power RF amplifier coupled between the small signal generator and the RF feed, the high-power RF amplifier comprising; at least one amplifying stage configured to output a signal that is amplified in power with respect to the input RF signal; and a circulator for directing the amplified output signal to the RF feed and for redirecting any reflected waves and their associated power received from the RF feed to a dummy load; and a hardware protection component for detecting backward power in the reflected electromagnetic radiation received by the RF feed and for reducing power supplied to the at least one amplifying stage if the backward power exceeds a power threshold within a time scale that prevents electrical stress or damage to the circulator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification