Microwave heating method and apparatus

Microwave heating apparatus for heating a room and the like comprising:

• means for generating microwave energy having a wave guide for directing said energy;
• means defining a chamber having microwave reflecting wall surfaces for containing the microwave energy generated by said generating means and having heat insulation;
• and
• a microwave absorbent body containing pipe means in said chamber that is of a heat conductive material for conveying a fluid, said body arranged in a generally parabolic configuration in said chamber with said generating means located at approximately the focal point of said body and with said wall surfaces reflecting microwave energy to said body to enhance the absorption of said microwave energy by said body to heat said body, said body transferring the absorbed heat to said fluid carried in said pipe means.

In a microwave heating system for a room serviced by a heat distribution system, said heating system comprising, in combination:

• means for radiating microwave energy having a wave guide for directing said energy;
• energy absorbent and transfer means including a microwave energy absorbent liquid in a chamber having microwave energy reflecting wall surfaces for containing the microwave energy generated by said generating means and having heat insulation;
• and
• pipe means in said chamber that are permeable to microwave energy for conveying said microwave energy absorbent liquid capable of directly absorbing and being heated by said microwave energy, said pipe means being in the form of a plurality of pipe sections arranged in a generally parabolic array in said chamber with said generating means located at approximately the focal point of said array and with said wall surfaces reflecting microwave energy to said liquid to enhance the absorption of said microwave energy by said liquid to heat said liquid, said liquid receiving and converting said microwave energy to heat within the liquid from which the heat is transferred to be passed into said heat distribution system.

A method of heating a room and like space comprising the steps of:

• generating microwve energy that is directed through a wave guide;
• radiating said microwave energy into a chamber having microwave energy reflecting wall surfaces for containing the microwave energy generated by said generating means and having heat insulation;
• and
• confining a fluid medium to a flow path arranged in a generally parabolic array in said chamber with the source of said generated microwave energy at approximately the focal point of said array to enhance the absorption of said microwave energy by said liquid as said liquid is passed through said chamber.