US3857009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave browning means
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1973-09-10
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for heating with microwave energy utilizing nonresonant means for converting and transforming free space plane waves within the oven enclosure into fringing electric field patterns to brown or sear the load surfaces similar to broiling. One embodiment comprises parallel abutting plates with alternate plates of a high dielectric constant material to provide a predetermined phase lag and with the intervening low dielectric constant sections to provide alternating fringing electric fields, illustratively, in the pi or any other desired mode pattern. Alternate embodiments include microwave strip transmission lines comprising conductive strips separated by a dielectric substrate to couple and convert the free space waves into the desired heating mode pattern. A load supporting shelf within the microwave oven may be readily adapted to include the alternating dielectric materials to provide the desired fringing electric field patterns. Conveyer belts may also be adapted to incorporate browning surface means by strips of a high dielectric material on the belt material. Further embodiments include microwave oven enclosures radiated by horn means which may be cross-polarized, as well as, the combination of horn radiators coupled to microwave browning plates.
Inventors
- 👤 G Macmaster
- 👤 K Dudley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:44
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/72; H05B6/725; H05B6/6408; H05B6/6411; H05B6/647; H05B6/6482; H05B6/6491; H05B6/6494
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
In combination: an enclosure; means for radiating microwave electromagnetic energy within said enclosure; a load; and means for supporting said load within said enclosure comprising means for converting and transforming free space energy waves into a fringing electric field pattern having a substantially 180* phase differential in close proximity to the exterior surfaces of said load; said converting and transformer means comprising alternate regions of high and low dielectric loss characteristics
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
In combination: an enclosure; means for radiating microwave electromagnetic energy within said enclosure; a load; and means for supporting said load within said enclosure comprising means for converting and transforming free space energy waves into a fringing electric field pattern having a substantially 180* phase differential in close proximity to the exterior surfaces of said load; said converting and transformer means comprising alternate regions of high and low dielectric loss characteristics
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said converting and transformer means comprise an array of parallel members of a high dielectric loss material and alternate intervening spaces with the walls of said dielectric members facing said spaces being coated with a conductive material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said converting and transformer means comprise an array of parallel members of a high dielectric loss material and alternate intervening spaces with the walls or dielectric members facing said spaces being tapered in a direction to provide the larger intervening space reGions in closer proximity to the load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said converting and transformer means comprise a dielectric substrate member having spaced conductive strips on opposing sides with a greater number of strips on one side and means for interconnecting alternate strips on said side with the strips on the remaining side.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said load supporting means comprise a conveyor belt of a low loss dielectric material having spaced members of a high dielectric loss material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said high dielectric loss members are disposed in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of said conveyor belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said high dielectric loss members are disposed in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of said conveyor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
Microwave heating apparatus comprising: an enclosure; means for radiating microwave electromagnetic energy within said enclosure; means for supporting a load within said enclosure; said load supporting means including means for converting and transforming free space energy waves into a fringing electric field pattern having a substantially 180* phase differential in close proximity to the exterior surfaces of said load; said converting and transformer means comprising regions of alternately high and low dielectric loss characteristics.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
Microwave heating apparatus comprising: an enclosure; means for radiating microwave electromagnetic energy within said enclosure; means for supporting a load within said enclosure; said load supporting means including means for converting and transforming free space energy waves into a fringing electric field pattern having a substantially 180* phase differential in close proximity to the exterior surfaces of said load; said converting and transformer means comprising regions of alternately high and low dielectric loss characteristics.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said converting and transformer means comprise a plurality of abutting parallel dielectric regions forming a plate member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein one of said plate members simultaneously contact opposing surfaces of said load.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said load supporting conveyer belt comprise means of a low loss dielectric material for transporting a load through said enclosure having spaced strips of a high dielectric loss material disposed on the load carrying surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said converting and transformer means comprise a plurality of dielectric members of alternately high and low loss characteristics forming a shelf within said enclosure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said energy radiating means are disposed below said load supporting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said load supporting means comprise a dielectric substrate member having spaced conductive lines on opposing sides with the number of lines on one side being substantially greater and means for electrically interconnecting said lines to provide the predetermined fringing electric field pattern.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |