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Apparatus and method for microwave processing of materials

  • US 5,521,360 A
  • Filed: 09/14/1994
  • Issued: 05/28/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A variable frequency microwave heating apparatus for processing selected materials, said variable frequency microwave heating apparatus including a microwave furnace which defines a multi-mode cavity for processing said selected materials, and said variable frequency microwave heating apparatus comprising:

  • a first microwave signal generator for generating at least a first signal with a selected waveform, frequency, and amplitude;

    a second microwave signal generator for generating at least a second signal with a selected waveform, frequency, and amplitude;

    a first signal amplifier for amplifying said first signal, said first signal amplifier producing a first set of microwaves within a selected frequency range and defining a center frequency, said first set of microwaves having an associated power with a selected amplitude, said first signal amplifier comprising a first microwave electron device;

    a second signal amplifier for amplifying said second signal, said second signal amplifier producing a second set of microwaves within a selected frequency range and defining a center frequency, said second set of microwaves having an associated power with a selected amplitude, said second signal amplifier comprising a second microwave electron device;

    a first power supply for supplying power to said first signal amplifier;

    a second power supply for supplying power to said second signal amplifier;

    a transmitter for conveying said first and second sets of microwaves into said microwave furnace;

    a signal director for directing said first and second sets of microwaves into said microwave furnace and microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace into a reflected load dissapator, said reflected load dissipator for dissipating said microwaves from said microwave furnace, said microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace having an associated power and magnitude thereof,a system monitor for monitoring said magnitude of said power associated with said first and second sets of microwaves conveyed to said microwave furnace and said magnitude of said power associated with said microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace, said system monitor serving to measure reflected power at a plurality of frequencies, whereby process diagnostic information may be obtained from said plurality of frequencies; and

    a data processor for processing output from said system monitor.

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