Microwave mode coupling device for transferring EM energy between first and second structures through an intermediate waveguide having a pressure barrier therein
AssigneeNuionic Technologies (Canada) Inc
InventorsJames M. Tranquilla, Kenneth Clark
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microwave mode coupling device for transferring electromagnetic (EM) energy from a first structure to a second structure while providing a pressure barrier between the first structure and the second structure, the coupling device comprising first and second transmission line sections separated by an intermediate waveguide section.
Claims18
A microwave mode coupling device for transferring electromagnetic (EM) energy from a first structure to a second structure while providing a pressure barrier between the first structure and the second structure, the coupling device comprising first and second transmission line sections separated by an intermediate waveguide section, wherein the device is configured to transfer electromagnetic (EM) energy having an EM wave frequency within the Industrial, Scientific & Medical (ISM) bands.
A system comprising:
- a first waveguide structure configured to propagate transverse electric (TE) mode microwaves;
- an applicator vessel configured to operate under positive pressure;
- a microwave mode coupling device providing a pressure barrier between the first waveguide structure and the applicator vessel, the coupling device comprising first and second transmission line sections separated by an intermediate waveguide section, wherein a first electrode extends from the first transmission line section into the first waveguide structure, and a second electrode extends from the second transmission line section into the applicator vessel, and a dielectric element is located in the intermediate waveguide section between respective spaced apart and opposing ends of the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric element providing the pressure barrier between the first waveguide structure and the applicator vessel, wherein the first transmission line section is configured to transmit EM energy received from the first waveguide structure as transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode waves, the intermediate waveguide section is configured to transfer EM energy received from the first transmission line section using transverse magnetic (TM) mode waves, and the second transmission line section is configured to transmit EM energy received from the intermediate waveguide section to the applicator vessel using (TEM) mode waves.
A method of effecting a transfer of electromagnetic (EM) energy from a first structure to a second structure, comprising:
- transmitting EM energy received from the first structure through a first transmission line section of a coupling device using transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode waves;
- transmitting EM energy received from the first transmission section line through an intermediate waveguide section of the coupling device using transverse magnetic (TM) mode waves;
- transmitting EM energy received from the intermediate waveguide section through a second transmission line section of the coupling device using transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode waves,
- applying the EM energy transmitted through the second transmission line section to the second structure;
- and
- providing a pressure barrier between the first structure and the second structure in the intermediate waveguide section, through which the TM mode waves pass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.