Disclosed are RF power modules, and RF ovens, each comprising one or more RF power modules. In particular, a disclosed RF power module may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a trace; and a radiating element having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is in electrical communication with the trace of the of PCB, and the second end portion in operable communication with a microwave cavity, and the radiating element is disposed and soldered in parallel to the trace.
Methods and apparatuses for drying, especially cannabis, are provided. One of the provided methods includes: heating the cannabis in a cavity of a variable frequency microwave oven using at least two different frequencies; measuring temperature of at least 1 cm square of the cannabis at different times during the heating; and controlling the heating based on the temperature measured so that the cannabis is kept for at least 20 minutes at temperatures above 30°C and below 100°C.
F26B 3/347 - Electromagnetic heating, e.g. induction heating or heating using microwave energy
F26B 9/06 - Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitationDomestic airing cupboards in stationary drums or chambers
Methods and apparatuses for drying, especially cannabis, are provided. One of the provided methods includes: heating the cannabis in a cavity of a variable frequency microwave oven using at least two different frequencies; measuring temperature of at least 1 cm square of the cannabis at different times during the heating; and controlling the heating based on the temperature measured so that the cannabis is kept for at least 20 minutes at temperatures above 30°C and below 100°C.
F26B 3/347 - Electromagnetic heating, e.g. induction heating or heating using microwave energy
F26B 9/06 - Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitationDomestic airing cupboards in stationary drums or chambers
Described are apparatuses and methods for heating an object in a cavity by microwave energy. The apparatus includes, in some embodiments, multiple antennas; a microwave source configured to feed the cavity with microwave energy via the multiple antennas; and multiple radiators. Each of the radiators is configured to controllably move so as to couple the source to a respective one of the multiple antennas or decouple the source from the respective one of the multiple antennas.
A solid state microwave module is described. The solid state microwave module includes one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs); a microwave solid state amplifier assembled to the one or more PCBs; an antenna interface assembled to the one or more PCBs; a TEM or semi-TEM transmission line printed on the one or more PCBs and connecting the microwave solid state amplifier to the antenna interface; and four ports printed on the one or more PCBs to couple four respective different portions of microwave signals going through the TEM or semi-TEM transmission line to at least one power meter.
There is provided a method for monitoring and control of heating food portions in heaters, each installed in communication with a respective client computer in communication with a same server, the method performed by the server comprising: receiving from the client computers, RF signatures, each RF signature being based on measured reflections of RF signals transmitted within a cavity of one of the heaters containing therein a food portion, analyzing the RF signatures, determining for each heater based on the analysis of the RF signatures, at least one heating instruction to operate each heater to heat the food portion therein; and transmitting to each of the client computers, the respective at least one determined heating instruction comprising instructions to generate RF signals and transmit the RF signals to the food portions using heating antennas of the heater.
Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for heating an object in a cavity by feeding the cavity with RF signals. One of the disclosed methods includes simultaneously feeding the cavity with at least two RF signals. Of the at least two RF signals, a first RF signal is fed to the cavity via a first antenna and a second RF signal is fed to the cavity via a second antenna. The first and second RF signals have a common frequency and differ in phase by a first phase difference. The method also includes measuring the first phase difference and adjusting the feeding based on measurements of reflected RF signals reflected from the cavity. Conducting the measurements of the reflected RF signals may also be part of the disclosed method. A disclosed apparatus includes the structure required for carrying out the above method.
An apparatus for heating a load with microwave energy is provided. The microwave energy is applied by the apparatus at frequencies wherein the load's dielectric constant is within a predetermined range. The apparatus may include a microwave power source configured to supply microwave energy at the applied frequencies; and a radiating plate. The radiating plate may include an electrically conductive structure that includes a plurality of radiating elements; and a feeding port, connecting the electrically conductive structure to the microwave power source. The radiating plate is configured so that most of the power fed from the microwave source through the feeding port returns towards the power source when no load is contacting the radiating plate, and most of the power fed from the microwave source through the feeding port is absorbed by the load to be heated by the apparatus when the load is contacting the radiating plate, even in absence of a microwave cavity that encloses the radiating plate and the load.
Described is an apparatus for determining a value of a property of a flowing material that flows through the apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an RF cavity, a detector, and an electromagnetically obstructing member. The RF cavity extends between a first end and a second end and is configured to allow the flowing material to flow through the RF cavity from the first end to the second end. The detector is configured to detect electrical responses of the RF cavity to incoming RF signals of various frequencies, and generate signals indicative of the detected electrical responses; and the electromagnetically obstructing member is positioned at (at least) one of the first end and the second end of the RF cavity without obstructing flow of material through the at least one of the first end and second end of the RF cavity.
G01N 22/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more
10.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SENSING AND PROCESSING BY RF
A disclosed apparatus for sensing and processing an object in a cavity (104) comprises a sensing RF source (110) and a sensing antenna (112), and a processing RF source (120) and a processing antenna (122). The sensing RF source is configured to generate low power RF radiation at a first frequency range and the sensing antenna is configured to feed the cavity with RF radiation generated by the low power RF source. The processing RF source is configured to generate high power RF radiation at a second frequency range, and the processing antenna is configured to feed the cavity with RF radiation generated by the processing RF source. A protecting system (130) configured to protect the sensing RF source from RF radiation generated by the processing RF source may be provided.
Disclosed is a system for dielectrically processing a product in a radio frequency (RF) cavity. The system may include a cavity; an RF feeding module that includes a plurality of radiating elements configured to feed RF radiation into the cavity, and a plurality of dummy loads for receiving RF energy coupled from the cavity into the radiating elements; and the system includes a processor configured to (a) estimate an effect operating the system at each of a plurality of sets of operating parameters will have on the temperature of each of the dummy loads; (b) choosing among the plurality of sets of operating parameters at least one set based on the estimation; and (c) controlling the system to operate at the chosen at least one set of operating parameters.
Apparatuses and methods are provided for processing an object in a cavity. The apparatuses include at least one radio frequency (RF) energy supply component configured to supply RF energy for application to one or more radiating elements configured to emit RF radiation in response to the applied RF energy. In some embodiments, a provided apparatus also includes a memory storing a set of coefficients associated with the RF energy supply component; and a processor configured to receive feedback in response to emission of RF radiation by the one or more radiating elements and control application of RF energy to one or more of the radiating elements based on the feedback and the set of coefficients.
Methods and apparatuses for determining a value of a property of a material that flows in a conduit inside a microwave cavity are described. Such apparatus may include: a multi-mode microwave cavity having the conduit in it; a plurality of feeds, each configured to feed the cavity with RF radiation to excite multiple modes in the cavity; a detector, configured to detect parameters indicative of electrical response of the cavity to RF radiation fed to the cavity; and a processor, configured to determine the value of the property based on the parameters detected by the detector. In some embodiments, at least one of the feeds comprises a radiating element outside the cavity and a waveguide configured to guide waves from the radiating element to the cavity.
G01N 22/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more
A radiating element for applying electromagnetic energy to a cavity. The radiating element comprises a feeding section and a grounding section, wherein the feeding section and the grounding section extend substantially within a first plane. The radiating element also includes a radiating section in electrical communication with the feeding section and the grounding section, wherein the radiating section includes at least one bend between the feeding section and a distal end of the radiating section, the at least one bend extending in a second plane different from the first plane.
A method of applying RF energy to an object in a cavity is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include applying to the object a first amount of RF energy at power increasing from an initial power level to a final power level; and if an electrical discharge occurs, stopping RF energy application for a period sufficient to allow the electrical discharge to decay. The method may further include applying to the object a second amount of RF energy after the period ends. The second amount of RF energy may be applied at intermediate power, higher than the initial power level and lower than the final power level.
A method of processing an object in an energy application zone by application of radio frequency (RF) energy via a plurality of radiating elements may include applying RF energy to the energy application zone at a first plurality of excitation setups (excitation setups). The method may also include applying RF energy to the energy application zone at one or more excitation setups, at least one of which is not included in the first plurality of excitation setups, based on feedback received from the energy application zone in response to the application of the first amount of energy to the energy application zone at the first plurality of excitation setups.
Some of the disclosed embodiments include systems, apparatuses, and methods for heating a flowing material by applying radio frequency (RF) energy. In some embodiments, such an apparatus may include a conduit, in which the material flows; a cavity, encompassing at least a portion of the conduit; at least two radiating elements, configured to apply RF energy to the cavity at a common frequency and at a controllable phase difference; and a processor, configured to control the phase difference such that an electromagnetic field excited in the cavity has lower intensity near walls of the conduit than at the conduit center.
An apparatus for applying RF energy to process an object may include at least one controller configured to receive EM feedback-related values from an energy application zone, each of the values being associated with a respective MSE. The controller may also be configured to identify a change in one or more of the EM feedback-related values within a period of time; adjust the RF energy application based on the change in the EM feedback-related values identified, and cause application of RF energy to the energy application zone.
An apparatus for disinfecting water by UV light irradiated from a UV source in response to RF energy applied to the UV source may include a controller configured to: receive feedback indicative of RF energy absorbable by the UV source; receive input indicative at least one of: one or more flow characteristics of the water; water temperature; intensity of light emission from the UV source; and water turbidity. The controller may be configured to control application of RF energy to the UV source based on the feedback and the input.
C02F 1/32 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
H01J 65/04 - Lamps in which a gas filling is excited to luminesce by an external electromagnetic field or by external corpuscular radiation, e.g. for indicating
H05B 41/24 - Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by high-frequency AC
An apparatus for applying RF energy to an object in a cavity is disclosed. The apparatus may include a plurality of pairs of radiating ports, and a plurality of electrically conductive elements. Each pair of radiating ports may include two radiating ports configured to emit RF radiation into the cavity coherently with each other; and each electrically conductive element may be positioned between two radiating ports constituting a pair of radiating ports. The electrically conductive elements may be arranged such that RF radiation emitted by the plurality of pairs of radiating ports concentrates closer to the center of the cavity than that in the absence of the electrically conductive elements.
Apparatuses and methods of heating an object are described. The method comprises applying RF energy to the object. The method also comprises detecting changes in electromagnetic feedback received in response to the application of the RF energy, wherein the changes occur in response to interaction between the object and acoustic waves. The method further comprises controlling heating of the object with RF energy in response to the detected changes in the electromagnetic feedback.
A method for applying RF energy to detect a processing state of an object placed in an energy application zone, during processing of the object, may include applying RF energy to the object during processing. The method may also include receiving computed RF feedback, correlated with one or more processing states of the object; and monitoring the computed RF feedback during the processing to detect the one or more processing states of the object.
The presently disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for applying EM energy, via one or more radiating elements, to an energy application zone having stationary walls and including one or more electric or electromagnetic adjustable components. The apparatus may comprise a processor configured to: select an electric adjustable boundary condition parameter (EABC parameter) from a plurality of EABC parameters and set at least one of the adjustable components according to the selected EABC parameter. The processor may also be configured to cause the application of EM energy via at least one of the radiating elements. Optionally, the processor may be further configured to receive a feedback from the energy application zone; and select the EABC parameter according to the feedback.
H01Q 3/44 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
H01Q 19/10 - Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces
H05B 6/00 - Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
An apparatus for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in a first energy application zone via at least one radiating element is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one processor configured to cause the at least one radiating element to apply energy to the energy application zone at two or more MSEs; and adjust energy supplied to the at least one radiating element to follow changes in an MSE-dependent parameter, in absence of feedback from the energy application zone regarding the MSE-dependent parameter, based on data having been collected during energy application in a second energy application zone before the object is placed in the first energy application zone.
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for processing objects with RF energy. The apparatus may include a display for displaying to a user an image of an object to be processed, the image including at least a first portion and a second portion of the object. The apparatus may also include an input unit and at least one processor configured to: receive information based on input provided to the input unit; and generate, based on the received information, processing information for use in processing the object to achieve a first processing result in the first portion of the object and a second processing result in the second portion of the object.
An apparatus for igniting a fuel mixture by applying EM energy is disclosed. The apparatus may include a radiating element configured to apply EM energy to the fuel mixture at a plurality of Modulation Space Elements (MSEs), and a processor configured to determine at least one target spatial distribution of EM energy to be achieved during application of EM energy to the fuel mixture for igniting the fuel mixture, select a subset of MSEs from among the plurality of MSEs the subset of MSEs being selected to provide the at least one target spatial distribution, and cause application of EM energy to the fuel mixture at the selected subset of MSEs, via the at least one radiating element, to provide the at least one target spatial distribution of EM energy application.
F01N 3/028 - Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters using means for regenerating the filters, e.g. by burning trapped particles using electric or magnetic heating using microwaves
F01N 3/20 - Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operationControl specially adapted for catalytic conversion
F02P 23/04 - Other physical ignition means, e.g. using laser rays
An apparatus for applying electromagnetic (EM) energy to a device (e.g., an exhaust treatment device) is disclosed. The apparatus may include at least one radiating element positioned to apply EM energy to the device at a plurality of Modulation Space Elements (MSEs), at least one processor configured to determine a first spatial distribution of EM energy to be achieved during application of EM energy to the device for selectively heating a target material associated with a first portion of the device in fluid communication with exhaust gas, and cause application of EM energy, such that the first spatial distribution of EM energy is applied to the target material.
F01N 3/028 - Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for cooling, or for removing solid constituents of, exhaust by means of filters using means for regenerating the filters, e.g. by burning trapped particles using electric or magnetic heating using microwaves
F01N 3/20 - Exhaust or silencing apparatus having means for purifying, rendering innocuous, or otherwise treating exhaust for rendering innocuous by thermal or catalytic conversion of noxious components of exhaust characterised by methods of operationControl specially adapted for catalytic conversion
Apparatuses, methods, kits, and systems relating to applying electromagnetic energy to an object located at least partially in an energy application zone are disclosed. Some apparatuses may include a processor configured to determine a preliminary amount of energy to be dissipated in the object and determine a corrected amount of energy based on the preliminary amount of energy and calibration information. The processor may be further configured to cause a source to transfer energy to the energy application zone and determine an amount of dissipated energy, based on an amount of energy returned from the energy application zone and an amount of energy supplied to the energy application zone. The processor may also be configured to cause the source to transfer energy to the energy application zone at least until the amount of dissipated energy equals the corrected amount of energy.
Systems, Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for cooking a food item using RF oven. The food item may include a tag containing information regarding food items associated with the food item. The RF oven may include an interface to receive the information. The RF oven may also include a processor to determine an amount of energy to be delivered to the food item based on the information. The processor may be configured to cause a RF power source to supply RF energy to cook the food item based on the determined amount of energy.
B65D 81/34 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs intended to be cooked or heated within the package
Apparatuses and methods are provided for a processing apparatus configured to authenticate an item based on at least one optical indicium associated with the item before processing the item. An interface may be configured to receive processing information from a machine readable element associated with an item to be processed. An image acquisition device may be configured to acquire image information relating to at least one optical indicium associated with an item. At least one processor may be configured to verify authentication of the item based upon the image information acquired by the image sensor unit. The processor may be further configured to receive processing information from the interface and to determine one or more instructions for processing the item based on the processing information. The apparatus may be further configured to processing the item in accordance with the instructions after the item has been verified as authentic.
Some aspects of the invention may be directed to an apparatus and method for applying RF energy to containers. The containers (e.g., pots, tanks, vats, kettles, reactors, etc.) may contain an object to be heated or processed by EM energy. The object may be in the liquid phase, gas phase, solid phase or any combination of phases thereof. The apparatus may comprise an outer housing. Optionally the outer housing may be substantially opaque to RF energy. The apparatus may further comprise an inner housing disposed at least partially within the outer housing, wherein at least a portion of the inner housing is configured to transmit RF energy. The apparatus may include at least one radiating element configured to apply RF energy to an energy application zone within the inner housing. In some embodiments the at least one radiating element is located external to the inner housing, optionally between the inner housing and the outer housing. In some embodiments, the at least one radiating element may be activated and RF energy may be transmitted, via the at least one activated radiating element, to the object located within the energy application zone.
B65D 81/34 - Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs intended to be cooked or heated within the package
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for concentrating a solution are disclosed. The method may include forming a waterfall of the solution in a chamber, wherein substantially an entire flow of the waterfall is spaced apart from interior walls of the chamber, and applying electromagnetic energy to the waterfall for evaporating at least a portion of the solvent. The method may also include controlling application of the electromagnetic energy such that electromagnetic radiation applied to the waterfall at a first height location differs in at least one characteristic from electromagnetic radiation applied to the waterfall at a second height location along the waterfall.
A61L 2/00 - Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lensesAccessories therefor
B01J 19/12 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiationApparatus therefor employing electromagnetic waves
A choke is disclosed. The choke is configured to attenuate propagation of an electromagnetic (EM) wave between a cavity and a door adjacent to an opening of the cavity. The choke includes one or more choke components having a mechanical wave attenuating structure.
A method of processing an object is disclosed. The method comprises heating the object by applying radio frequency (RF) energy, monitoring a value related to a rate of absorption of RF energy by the object during the heating, and adjusting the RF energy in accordance with changes in a time derivative of the monitored value.
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone via at least one radiating element. At least one processor may be configured to determine locations of a first region and a second region in the energy application zone. In addition, the processor may be configured to regulate a source in order to apply a first predetermined amount of RF energy to the first region in the energy application zone and a second predetermined amount of RF energy to the second region in the energy application zone. The first predetermined amount of energy may be different from the second predetermined amount of energy.
Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone using a source of electromagnetic energy. At least one processor may be configured to acquire information indicative of electromagnetic energy loss associated with at least a portion of the energy application zone. The processor may be further configured to determine a weight to be applied to each of a plurality of electromagnetic field patterns each having a known electromagnetic field intensity distribution and cause the source to supply each of the plurality of electromagnetic field patterns to the energy application zone at the determined weights.
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone. At least one processor may be configured to cause electromagnetic energy to be applied at a plurality of electromagnetic field patterns to the object in the energy application zone. The processor may be further configured to determine an amount of power dissipated in the energy application zone, for each of the plurality of field patterns. The processor may also be configured to determine a spatial distribution of energy absorption characteristics across at least a portion of the energy application zone based on the amounts of power dissipated when the plurality of field patterns are applied to the energy application zone.
Antenna placement in degenerate modal cavities of an electromagnetic energy transfer system, an apparatus and method for applying electromagnetic energy to an object are disclosed in a degenerate energy application zone via a source of electromagnetic energy. The apparatus may include at least one processor is configured to regulate the source to apply electromagnetic energy at a predetermined frequency that excites a plurality of resonant modes in the degenerate energy application zone. The plurality of resonant modes are of the same transverse type.
Apparatuses and methods for applying EM energy to a load. The apparatuses and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The processor may also be configured to associate each of the plurality of modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application, based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate energy applied to the load such that for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load at the corresponding time duration of power application.
An apparatus for applying EM energy to a load may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of dissipated energy for each of a plurality of modulation space elements and group a number of the plurality of modulations space elements into at least two subsets based on the information received indicative of dissipated energy. The processor may also be configured to associate a power delivery protocol with each of the at least two subsets wherein the power delivery protocol differs between subsets and regulate energy applied to the load in accordance with each power delivery protocol.
A device for washing, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing an item is disclosed. The device may comprise a solution applicator for coating a surface of said item with a washing, sanitizing and/or sterilizing solution. The device may also comprise a heating unit for heating the solution coated on the surface of said item to a working temperature. The device may further comprise a control unit for keeping the temperature of the treating substance at the working temperature for a predetermined amount of time.
A method of irradiating a load comprising providing different amounts of energy at different frequencies by varying respective durations during which corresponding frequencies are transmitted. The method is useful for any form of heating including warming, drying and thawing using microwave and/or RF energy.
A device of heating one or more blood product units using electromagnetic (EM) energy. The device comprises a chamber sized and shaped for containing at least one frozen blood product unit, a dielectric heating unit for applying electromagnetic (EM) energy at a plurality of frequencies to the at least one blood product unit, and a controller for operating the dielectric heating unit to heat the at least one frozen blood product unit to about a body temperature in less than 3 minutes according to a heating pattern.
A61M 5/44 - Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular wayAccessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm rests having means for cooling or heating the devices or media
A61M 1/36 - Other treatment of blood in a by-pass of the natural circulatory system, e.g. temperature adaptation, irradiation
A method of heating and/or thawing using an RF heater is described. In some cases the heating differentially heats portions according to their dissipation ratios. Optionally, this avoids dissipating large amounts of energy into thawed portions while frozen portions are still extant and heat slowly. Optionally, this prevents overheating of thawed potions.
patents
