Method for curing polymers using variable-frequency microwave heating
Abstract
A method for curing polymers (11) incorporating a variable frequency microwave furnace system (10) designed to allow modulation of the frequency of the microwaves introduced into a furnace cavity (34). By varying the frequency of the microwave signal, non-uniformities within the cavity (34) are minimized, thereby achieving a more uniform cure throughout the workpiece (36). A directional coupler (24) is provided for detecting the direction of a signal and further directing the signal depending on the detected direction. A first power meter (30) is provided for measuring the power delivered to the microwave furnace (32). A second power meter (26) detects the magnitude of reflected power. The furnace cavity (34) may be adapted to be used to cure materials defining a continuous sheet or which require compressive forces during curing.
- Inventors:
-
- Oak Ridge, TN
- Clinton, TN
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 871386
- Patent Number(s):
- 5721286
- Assignee:
- Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- method; curing; polymers; variable-frequency; microwave; heating; 11; incorporating; variable; frequency; furnace; 10; designed; allow; modulation; microwaves; introduced; cavity; 34; varying; signal; non-uniformities; minimized; achieving; uniform; cure; throughout; workpiece; 36; directional; coupler; 24; provided; detecting; direction; directing; depending; detected; power; meter; 30; measuring; delivered; 32; 26; detects; magnitude; reflected; adapted; materials; defining; continuous; sheet; require; compressive; forces; signal depending; furnace cavity; compressive force; microwaves introduced; allow modulation; continuous sheet; directional coupler; microwave signal; frequency microwave; variable frequency; microwave heating; power meter; power delivered; reflected power; microwave furnace; wave signal; form cu; curing polymers; /522/528/
Citation Formats
Lauf, Robert J, Bible, Don W, and Paulauskas, Felix L. Method for curing polymers using variable-frequency microwave heating. United States: N. p., 1998.
Web.
Lauf, Robert J, Bible, Don W, & Paulauskas, Felix L. Method for curing polymers using variable-frequency microwave heating. United States.
Lauf, Robert J, Bible, Don W, and Paulauskas, Felix L. Thu .
"Method for curing polymers using variable-frequency microwave heating". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/871386.
@article{osti_871386,
title = {Method for curing polymers using variable-frequency microwave heating},
author = {Lauf, Robert J and Bible, Don W and Paulauskas, Felix L},
abstractNote = {A method for curing polymers (11) incorporating a variable frequency microwave furnace system (10) designed to allow modulation of the frequency of the microwaves introduced into a furnace cavity (34). By varying the frequency of the microwave signal, non-uniformities within the cavity (34) are minimized, thereby achieving a more uniform cure throughout the workpiece (36). A directional coupler (24) is provided for detecting the direction of a signal and further directing the signal depending on the detected direction. A first power meter (30) is provided for measuring the power delivered to the microwave furnace (32). A second power meter (26) detects the magnitude of reflected power. The furnace cavity (34) may be adapted to be used to cure materials defining a continuous sheet or which require compressive forces during curing.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1998},
month = {1}
}