Microwave cell system and method for asphalt treatment
OwnerGary J. Holodnakinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes systems and methods that employ a plurality of microwave applicator cells as a combined unit to continuously travel along an asphalt surface to treat the existing asphalt with microwave energy. The microwave treatment reanimates the existing (and likely damaged) asphalt to a workable state that is almost identical in nature to newly laid asphalt. The microwave system is configurable to span the width of a standard road lane, wherein the continuously traveling system efficiently repairs damaged roads with minimal down time.
Claims23
A microwave applicator cell for providing microwave energy to a treatment surface comprising:
- an applicator body including an exterior sidewall, top wall, and an interior sidewall spaced apart and substantially concentric with the exterior sidewall, the interior sidewall defining a central chamber;
- at least two microwave generator and waveguide pairs;
- each waveguide of the microwave generator and waveguide pair having a first end operatively connected to an associated microwave generator and a second end mounted to the top wall arranged to direct microwaves from the microwave generator to the treatment surface bounded by the applicator body, and wherein at least one microwave generator and waveguide pair is configured to direct microwave energy into the central chamber toward the treatment surface.
A microwave application system for continuous treatment of a treatment surface comprising:
- a plurality of microwave applicator cells for providing microwave energy to a treatment surface comprising an applicator body and at least one microwave generator and waveguide pair, wherein the applicator body comprises an exterior sidewall, a top wall, and an interior sidewall spaced apart and substantially concentric with the exterior sidewall, the interior sidewall defining a central chamber, wherein the waveguide of the microwave generator and waveguide pair has a first end operatively connected to an associated microwave generator and a second end mounted to the top wall arranged to direct microwaves from the microwave generator to the treatment surface bounded by the applicator body, and wherein at least one microwave generator and waveguide pair is configured to direct microwave energy into the central chamber toward the treatment surface;
- a power source configured to supply power to the at least one microwave generator.
A method for microwave treating a treatment surface comprising:
- continuously advancing a plurality of microwave applicator cells, each microwave applicator cell comprising an applicator body and at least one microwave generator and waveguide pair, wherein the applicator body comprises an exterior sidewall, a top wall, and an interior sidewall spaced apart and substantially concentric with the exterior sidewall, the interior sidewall defining a central chamber, wherein the waveguide of the microwave generator and waveguide pair has a first end operatively connected to an associated microwave generator and a second end mounted to the top wall arranged to direct microwaves from the microwave generator to the treatment surface bounded by the applicator body, and wherein at least one microwave generator and waveguide pair is configured to direct microwave energy into the central chamber toward the treatment surface;
- applying microwaves to the treatment surface as the plurality of microwave applicator cells are continuously advancing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.