Microwave heating apparatus and method

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:867454

Johnson, Andrew J ^[1]; Petersen, Robert D ^[2]; Swanson, Stephen D ^[3]

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1. Boulder, CO
2. Thornton, CO
3. Brighton, CO

An apparatus is provided for heating and melting materials using microwave energy, and for permitting them to solidify. The apparatus includes a microwave energy source, a resonant cavity having an opening in its floor, a microwave energy choke encompassing the opening in the floor of the cavity, a metal container to hold the materials to be heated and melted, a turntable, and a lift-table. During operation, the combined action of the turntable and the lift-table position the metal container so that the top of the container is level with the floor of the cavity, is in substantial registration with the floor opening, and is encompassed by the microwave energy choke; thus, during operation, the interior of the container defines part of the resonant cavity. Additionally, a screw feeder, extending into the cavity and sheltered from microwave energy by a conveyor choke, may convey the materials to be heated to the container. Also, preferably, the floor of the resonant cavity may include perforatins, so that the offgases and dust generated in the apparatus may be removed from the resonant cavity by pulling outside air between the container choke and the exterior wall of the container into the resonant cavity and out from the cavity through the perforations.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP03533
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4940865
• OSTI ID: 867454
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

microwave
heating
apparatus
method
provided
melting
materials
energy
permitting
solidify
source
resonant
cavity
floor
choke
encompassing
metal
container
hold
heated
melted
turntable
lift-table
operation
combined
action
position
top
level
substantial
registration
encompassed
interior
defines
additionally
screw
feeder
extending
sheltered
conveyor
convey
preferably
perforatins
offgases
dust
generated
removed
pulling
outside
air
exterior
wall
perforations
outside air
microwave energy
energy source
resonant cavity
microwave heating
wave energy
heating apparatus
metal container
exterior wall
combined action
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