Apparatus and method for microwave processing of materials

Patent · Tue May 28 00:00:00 EDT 1996

OSTI ID:238065

Johnson, A C; Lauf, R J; Bible, D W; Markunas, R J

Disclosed is a variable frequency microwave heating apparatus designed to allow modulation of the frequency of the microwaves introduced into a furnace cavity for testing or other selected applications. The variable frequency heating apparatus is used in the method of the present invention to monitor the resonant processing frequency within the furnace cavity depending upon the material, including the state thereof, from which the workpiece is fabricated. The variable frequency microwave heating apparatus includes a microwave signal generator and a high-power microwave amplifier or a microwave voltage-controlled oscillator. A power supply is provided for operation of the high-power microwave oscillator or microwave amplifier. A directional coupler is provided for detecting the direction and amplitude of signals incident upon and reflected from the microwave cavity. A first power meter is provided for measuring the power delivered to the microwave furnace. A second power meter detects the magnitude of reflected power. Reflected power is dissipated in the reflected power load. 10 figs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,521,360/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-306,305
• OSTI ID: 238065
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 28 May 1996
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
MATERIALS
FABRICATION
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
MICROWAVE HEATING
FREQUENCY MODULATION
POWER SUPPLIES
POWER LOSSES
MONITORING
PROCESS CONTROL