Microwave coupler with integrated microwave shield
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorAndrew David Norte
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments described herein provide a microwave coupler that utilizes a microwave shield within an interior of the microwave coupler to mitigate Radio Frequency (RF) leakage from an end of the microwave coupler. The microwave coupler includes a ramp section that is configured to mate to a microwave source, with the ramp section extending from an opening in a top wall of an enclosure. One end of the enclosure is configured to mate to a microwave waveguide, while an opposing end may be open or partially open. The microwave shield is located between the opposing end of the enclosure and the opening in the top wall, and extends from the top wall of the enclosure towards a bottom wall of the enclosure.
Claims20
A microwave coupler, comprising:
- an enclosure that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end that is configured to mate to a microwave waveguide, a top wall between the first end and the second end, a bottom wall opposite the top wall between the first end and the second end, and side walls between the top wall and the bottom wall;
- a ramp section extending from an opening in the top wall and having a third end that is configured to mate to a microwave source and configured to direct microwave energy from the microwave source into an interior of the enclosure through the opening;
- and
- a microwave shield disposed between the first end and the opening that extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall.
A microwave dryer configured to fix a material applied to a medium, the microwave dryer comprising:
- a microwave coupler including:
- an enclosure that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top wall between the first end and the second end, a bottom wall opposite the top wall between the first end and the second end, and side walls between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the enclosure includes a first passageway that receives the medium at the first end and is sized to pass the medium through the enclosure;
- a ramp section extending from an opening in the top wall and having a third end;
- and
- a microwave shield disposed between the first end and the opening that extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall;
- a microwave source coupled to the third end that is configured to generate electromagnetic energy to fix the material to the medium;
- and
- a microwave waveguide coupled to the second end and configured to transport the electromagnetic energy received from the microwave coupler, wherein the microwave waveguide includes a second passageway that receives the medium from the first passageway and is sized to pass the medium through the microwave waveguide.
A printing system, comprising:
- a print engine configured to apply a wet colorant to a print medium;
- and
- a microwave dryer configured to receive the print medium from the print engine, and to dry the wet colorant applied to the print medium, the microwave dryer comprising:
- a microwave coupler including:
- an enclosure that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top wall between the first end and the second end, a bottom wall opposite the top wall between the first end and the second end, and side walls between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the enclosure includes a first passageway that receives the print medium at the first end and is sized to pass the print medium through the enclosure;
- a ramp section extending from an opening in the top wall and having a third end;
- and
- a microwave shield disposed between the first end and the opening that extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall;
- a microwave source coupled to the third end that is configured to generate electromagnetic energy to dry the wet colorant applied to the print medium;
- and
- a microwave waveguide coupled to the second end and configured to transport the electromagnetic energy received from the microwave coupler, wherein the microwave waveguide includes a second passageway that receives the print medium from the first passageway and is sized to pass the print medium through the microwave waveguide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.