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.
Claims20
A microwave applicator cell for providing microwave energy to a treatment surface comprising:
- an exterior sidewall;
- an interior sidewall spaced apart from and arranged concentrically within the exterior sidewall;
- a central chamber defined within interior sidewall;
- a plurality of separating sidewalls extending between the exterior sidewall and the interior sidewall;
- a plurality of peripheral chambers defined between the exterior sidewall, the interior sidewall, and the separating sidewalls;
- a central microwave generator and waveguide pair configured to direct microwave energy into the central chamber toward the treatment surface;
- and
- a plurality of peripheral microwave generator and waveguide pairs each configured to direct microwave energy into one of the peripheral chambers toward the treatment surface.
A method for microwave treating a treatment surface comprising:
- continuously advancing a microwave applicator, the microwave applicator comprising:
- an exterior sidewall;
- an interior sidewall spaced apart from and arranged concentrically within the exterior sidewall;
- a central chamber defined within interior sidewall;
- a plurality of separating sidewalls extending between the exterior sidewall and the interior sidewall;
- a plurality of peripheral chambers defined between the exterior sidewall, the interior sidewall, and the separating sidewalls;
- a central microwave generator and waveguide pair configured to direct microwave energy into the central chamber toward the treatment surface;
- and
- a plurality of peripheral microwave generator and waveguide pairs each configured to direct microwave energy into one of the peripheral chambers toward the treatment surface;
- applying microwaves to the treatment surface as the plurality of microwave applicator is continuously advancing.
A microwave application system for continuous treatment of a treatment surface comprising:
- a microwave applicator comprising:
- an exterior sidewall,
- an interior sidewall spaced apart from and arranged concentrically within the exterior sidewall,
- a central chamber defined within interior sidewall,
- a plurality of separating sidewalls extending between the exterior sidewall and the interior sidewall,
- a plurality of peripheral chambers defined between the exterior sidewall, the interior sidewall, and the separating sidewalls,
- a central microwave generator and waveguide pair configured to direct microwave energy into the central chamber toward the treatment surface, and
- a plurality of peripheral microwave generator and waveguide pairs each configured to direct microwave energy into one of the peripheral chambers toward the treatment surface;
- and
- a power source configured to supply power to the microwave applicator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.