Microwave/steam sterilizer
First Claim
1. Microwave waveguide structure for use in conducting microwave energy in a path intermediate a microwave energy generator and a working cavity comprising, in combination:
- a first waveguide conduit having a first end and a second end;
a second waveguide conduit having a first end, with the first and second waveguide conduits being connected together by their first ends at an intersection generally perpendicularly to each other;
with the first waveguide conduit extending from the microwave energy generator into the working cavity and with the second waveguide conduit located in the working cavity, with the microwave energy generator applying the microwave energy adjacent to the second end of the first waveguide conduit resulting in standing waves;
means in the second waveguide conduit for introducing microwave energy generated by the microwave energy generator into the working cavity; and
means located at the intersection of the first and second waveguide conduits for communicating the microwave energy from the first waveguide conduit continuously into the second waveguide conduit and for selectively shifting the standing waves of the microwave energy in the second waveguide conduit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In the most preferred form, a microwave/steam sterilizer and its method of operation are disclosed including a waveguide having a waveguide conduit including a terminal aperture located one quarter wavelength from the bottom of a water reservoir and including a series of subapertures spaced in the range of one quarter wavelength from each other. The waveguide further includes a mitered corner moveable to shift the microwave standing waves to communicate with the terminal aperture and/or the series of subapertures in response to conditions sensed in the working cavity. The waveguide and the walls of the working cavity are angled with respect to each other to avoid reflection of microwave energy back to the microwave energy generator. The sterilizer hydrates potential pathogens and subjects them to relatively uniform electromagnetic energy without arcing and without self-destruction of the microwave source by reflected microwave energy.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. Microwave waveguide structure for use in conducting microwave energy in a path intermediate a microwave energy generator and a working cavity comprising, in combination:
- a first waveguide conduit having a first end and a second end;
a second waveguide conduit having a first end, with the first and second waveguide conduits being connected together by their first ends at an intersection generally perpendicularly to each other;
with the first waveguide conduit extending from the microwave energy generator into the working cavity and with the second waveguide conduit located in the working cavity, with the microwave energy generator applying the microwave energy adjacent to the second end of the first waveguide conduit resulting in standing waves;
means in the second waveguide conduit for introducing microwave energy generated by the microwave energy generator into the working cavity; and
means located at the intersection of the first and second waveguide conduits for communicating the microwave energy from the first waveguide conduit continuously into the second waveguide conduit and for selectively shifting the standing waves of the microwave energy in the second waveguide conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a first waveguide conduit having a first end and a second end;
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4. Microwave waveguide structure for use in conducting microwave energy in a path intermediate a microwave energy generator and a working cavity comprising, in combination:
- a first waveguide conduit having a first end and a second end;
a second waveguide conduit having a first end, with the first and second waveguide conduits being connected together by their first ends at an intersection generally perpendicularly to each other;
with the first waveguide conduit extending from the microwave energy generator into the working cavity and with the second waveguide conduit located in the working cavity, with the microwave energy generator applying the microwave energy adjacent to the second end of the first waveguide conduit resulting in standing waves;
means in the second waveguide conduit for introducing microwave energy generated by the microwave energy generator into the working cavity; and
a mitered corner at the intersection of the first and second waveguide conduits movable between a first position and a second position for communicating the microwave energy from the first waveguide conduit into the second waveguide conduit and for shifting the standing waves of the microwave energy in the second waveguide conduit.
- a first waveguide conduit having a first end and a second end;
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9. Apparatus comprising, in combination:
- means for generating electromagnetic waves;
a working cavity;
means for sensing a condition within the working cavity; and
means for conducting the electromagnetic waves from the generating means into the working cavity resulting in standing waves and for shifting the standing waves in response to the condition within the working cavity sensed by the sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- means for generating electromagnetic waves;
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25. Microwave apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a microwave energy generator;
a working cavity for receiving the microwave energy, with the working cavity having at least a first wall;
means for guiding of the microwave energy from the microwave energy generator into the working cavity at the wall of the working cavity at a nonperpendicular angle to the wall to prevent first order reflection of the microwave energy from re-entering the guiding means. - View Dependent Claims (26)
- a microwave energy generator;
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27. Microwave apparatus comprising, in combination:
- a microwave energy generator;
a working cavity for receiving a load for subjection to the microwave energy;
means for guiding the microwave energy into the working cavity having a terminal aperture;
means for trapping reflected microwave energy not absorbed by the load for preventing re-entry of the reflected microwave energy from the working cavity through the terminal aperture for preventing self-destruction of the microwave energy generator comprising means located adjacent the terminal aperture for absorbing the microwave energy. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
- a microwave energy generator;
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36. Method of guiding microwave energy in a path from a microwave energy generator and into a working cavity comprising the steps of:
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a) guiding the microwave energy in a first waveguide conduit from the microwave energy generator towards the working cavity to a first point; b) continuously reflecting the microwave energy guided in the first waveguide conduit from the first point into a second waveguide conduit for introduction into the working cavity, with the microwave energy being reflected at an angle; and c) selectively shifting the angle of reflection of the microwave energy into the second waveguide conduit for shifting the standing waves in the second waveguide conduit. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. Process comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a working cavity; b) sensing a condition; c) generating microwave energy; d) guiding the generated microwave energy into the working cavity resulting in standing waves; and e) shifting the standing waves in response to the condition sensed. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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47. Process comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a working cavity having a wall; b) generating microwave energy; and c) guiding the generated microwave energy into the working cavity at the wall of the working cavity at a nonperpendicular angle to the wall to prevent first order reflection of the microwave energy off the wall from being reflected straight back towards the microwave energy generation. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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Specification