Solid state radio frequency (SSRF) water heater device
AssigneeKoninklifke Fabriek Inventum B.V.
InventorsArnau Castillo Gonzalez, Hans Huijsing
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solid-state radio frequency (SSRF) water heating apparatus is disclosed. In embodiments, the SSRF water heater includes a water tank, SSRF generator array and RF sensors enclosed within an RF-shielded cage. The SSRF array synthesizes RF signals in the microwave range and transmits the RF energy through the water tank, exciting and heating the water molecules without direct contact. The RF sensors at the opposite end of the tank sense residual RF energy not absorbed by the water. Control processors regulate the generation and transmission of the RF energy based on the sensed residual energy. The heated water and/or generated steam is piped to hot water dispensers, beverage makers, or steam ovens.
Claims15
A solid-state radio frequency (SSRF) water heating apparatus, comprising:
- a radio frequency (RF)-sealed enclosure;
- at least one tank disposed within the RF-shielded enclosure, the tank configured to hold a volume of water and comprising:
- at least one first RF-transparent surface at a first end of the tank;
- and
- at least one second RF-transparent surface at a second end of the tank, the second end opposite the first end;
- a solid-state RF (SSRF) array disposed within the enclosure at the first end of the tank, the SSRF array operatively coupled to a power supply and configured to:
- generate RF energy in the microwave frequency range;
- and
- heat the volume of water by transmitting the RF energy through the tank between the first RF-transparent surface and the second RF-transparent surface;
- and
- control processors in communication with the SSRF array, the control processors configured to adjust the transmitted RF energy.
A solid-state radio frequency (SSRF) steam generation apparatus, comprising:
- a radio frequency (RF)-sealed enclosure;
- at least one tank disposed within the RF-shielded enclosure, the tank configured to hold a volume of water and comprising:
- at least one first RF-transparent surface at a first end of the tank;
- and
- at least one second RF-transparent surface at a second end of the tank, the second end opposite the first end;
- a solid-state RF (SSRF) array disposed within the enclosure at the first end of the tank, the SSRF array operatively coupled to a power supply and configured to:
- generate RF energy in the microwave frequency range;
- and
- generate a volume of steam within the tank by transmitting the RF energy through the tank between the first end and the second end;
- one or more RF sensors disposed within the enclosure at the second end, the RF sensors in communication with the control processors and configured to measure residual RF energy associated with the transmitted RF energy;
- control processors in communication with the SSRF array and with the one or more RF sensors, the control processors configured to adjust the transmitted RF energy based on the measured residual RF energy;
- and
- at least one outlet valve operatively coupled to the tank, the outlet valve in communication with the control processors and configured to dispense the volume of steam from within the tank by opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.