Method for controlling microwave heating systems

A method for processing articles, comprising:

• (a) obtaining an operating profile for heating a type of article in a liquid-filled microwave heating system, the operating profile including a temperature-time profile for a target F0 value and a first group of set point values for achieving the temperature-time profile;
• (b) selecting the first group of set point values from the operating profile, the first group of set point values including a first target value for a control parameter of the microwave heating system, the first target value used by a control system operatively coupled to the microwave heating system as a first operating set point for the control parameter;
• and
• (c) using the control system operatively coupled to the microwave heating system, operating the microwave heating system by:
• (i) passing a carrier loaded with a plurality of articles through a liquid-filled microwave heating chamber along a convey line, wherein the articles are submerged in a liquid medium during passing through the microwave heating chamber;
• (ii) while passing the carrier through the microwave heating chamber, discharging microwave energy into the microwave heating chamber to heat the plurality of articles;
• (iii) while heating the plurality of articles, measuring an actual value of the control parameter to provide a measured value;
• and
• (d) in response to determining a difference between the measured value and the first target value exceeds a predetermined allowable difference, selecting a second group of set point values from the operating profile, the second group of set point values including a second target value for the control parameter;
• and
• (e) using the control system, operating the microwave heating system according to the second group of set point values, including using the second target value as a second operating set point for the control parameter.

A microwave heating system comprising:

• a plurality of liquid-filled processing sections including a microwave heating chamber section, each of the plurality of processing sections comprising a respective convey segment configured to transport a carrier with a plurality of articles through the processing section such that the articles are submerged in a liquid medium during passing through the processing section;
• and
• a control system operatively coupled to each of the plurality of processing sections to control operation of the processing sections, the control system adapted to:
• (a) access an operating profile associated with a type of article, the operating profile including a temperature-time profile for a target F0 value and a first group of set point values for achieving the temperature-time profile, the first group of set point values including a first target value for a control parameter of a processing section of the plurality of processing sections;
• (b) operate the processing section in accordance with the group of set point values including using the first target value as a first operating set point for the control parameter;
• (c) pass a carrier loaded with a plurality of articles through each processing section including the microwave heating chamber;
• (d) while passing the carrier through the microwave heating chamber, discharge microwave energy into the microwave heating chamber to heat the plurality of articles;
• (e) measure an actual value of the control parameter to provide a measured value;
• (f) in response to determining a difference between the measured value and the first target value exceeds a predetermined allowable difference, select a second group of set point values from the operating profile, the second group of set point values including a second target value for the control parameter;
• and
• (g) following selecting of the second group of set point values, operate the processing section according to the second group of set point values, including using the second target value as a second operating set point for the control parameter.