Method and apparatus for testing microwave ovens
First Claim
1. Apparatus for determining microwave leakage characteristics of a microwave oven for use in quality control of the manufacture of such ovens, comprising:
- a microwave energy sensor;
means for moving the sensor at high speed adjacent the oven to sense microwave leakage therefrom;
first control means for causing the moving means to move the sensor at slower speeds whenever an elevated level of leakage is sensed; and
second control means for identifying the location of the sensed levels having a maximum leakage above a preselected amount, said second control means including reference means for comparing the sensed leakage with preselected values for acceptable leakage for said identified location, said reference values being adjusted by a factor correlated with the speed of the sensor.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for testing microwave ovens to determine if exterior radiation levels exceed permissible maxima. The leakage levels are sensed by a sensor moved along a preselected path accurately spaced from the oven cabinet. The probe is moved automatically at high speed along the path until a leakage level above a preselected value is sensed. A control associated with the apparatus automatically causes the sensor to move subsequently at a reduced speed to determine the maximum leakage at that position. The control causes a repeated traverse of the questioned position at the slow speed to provide an accurate maximum leakage determination. The control includes reference information indicating acceptable levels of leakage along the path of movement of the sensor which are continuously compared with actual sensed values. Different factors are applied to the reference values correlated with the speed of movement of the sensor and the desired coarse or fine scanning accuracy to permit the selective, high speed movement of the sensor between all high leakage positions. Information concerning the location of the high leakage positions is provided at the end of the test to permit facilitated correction of any leakage problems found. The control may further include structure for tagging the device being tested and for other suitable disposition thereof, as desired. The apparatus in the illustrated embodiment includes a robot for automatically moving the sensor along the desired path and an associated control for effecting the desired high speed-low speed movement in providing the rapid determination of high leakage positions.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. Apparatus for determining microwave leakage characteristics of a microwave oven for use in quality control of the manufacture of such ovens, comprising:
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a microwave energy sensor; means for moving the sensor at high speed adjacent the oven to sense microwave leakage therefrom; first control means for causing the moving means to move the sensor at slower speeds whenever an elevated level of leakage is sensed; and second control means for identifying the location of the sensed levels having a maximum leakage above a preselected amount, said second control means including reference means for comparing the sensed leakage with preselected values for acceptable leakage for said identified location, said reference values being adjusted by a factor correlated with the speed of the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. The inspection method of determining the microwave leakage characteristic of a microwave oven having means for causing a time variable delivery of microwave energy to portions of the oven wherein such leakage may occur while said inspection method is being carried out in quality control of the manufacture of such ovens, comprising the steps of:
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providing a microwave energy sensor; providing mechanism for moving the sensor at a high speed of approximately 4" per second along a preselected path adjacent the oven to be inspected; providing a signal corresponding to the microwave energy levels sensed by the sensor as it is moved along said path; providing a reference corresponding to acceptable levels of microwave energy leakage as sensed by the sensor as it is moved at said high speed along said path; providing a high leakage level indicating signal whenever the level of microwave energy leakage sensed by the rapidly moving sensor at a position in said path is at a high leakage level which exceeds the acceptable level thereat; automatically controlling the sensor to reduce the sensor movement speed in response to said high leakage level signal; redetermining the microwave energy leakage at said position while moving the sensor at a speed sufficiently lower than said high speed, to average out any time variations in the delivery of the microwave energy to said position, and while moving the sensor along said preselected path pattern which assures the accuracy of determination of the microwave energy leakage level thereat; automatically controlling the movement of said sensor in accordance with the signal corresponding to the sensed microwave energy level to recommence high speed sensor movement when the sensed leakage level is acceptable; and providing data relative to sensed high leakage level values and positions thereof along said path for use in effecting subsequent corrective actions as required. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification