Title: 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:

Lauf, Robert J ^[1]; Bible, Don W ^[2]; Paulauskas, Felix L ^[1]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Oak Ridge, TN
2. Clinton, TN

Issue Date:

1998-01-01

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

OSTI Identifier:

871386

Patent Number(s):

5721286

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

H - ELECTRICITY H05 - ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR H05B - ELECTRIC HEATING

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B29C2035/0855 - {using microwave}
B29C35/0805 - {using electromagnetic radiation}

H - ELECTRICITY H05 - ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR H05B - ELECTRIC HEATING

H05B6/686 - {Circuits comprising a signal generator and power amplifier, e.g. using solid state oscillators}
H05B6/705 - {using microwave tuning}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02B - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS

Y02B40/00 - Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances

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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/