Variable frequency microwave furnace system

A variable frequency microwave furnace system for processing selected materials, said variable frequency microwave furnace system including a microwave furnace which defines a multimode cavity for processing said selected materials, and said variable frequency microwave furnace system comprising:

• a microwave signal generator for generating a signal with a selected waveform, frequency, and amplitude;
• a first signal amplifier for amplifying said signal generated by said signal generator, said first signal amplifier producing microwaves within a selected frequency range, said microwaves having an associated power with a selected magnitude, said first signal amplifier comprising a traveling wave tube;
• a power supply for supplying power to said first signal amplifier, said power supply being adjustable thereby said amplitude of said signal generated by said signal generator is selectively modulated;
• a signal director for directing said microwaves produced by said first amplifier and microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace;
• a reflected load dissipator for dissipating said microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace, said microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace having an associated power and magnitude thereof;
• and
• a transmitter for conveying said microwaves produced by said first signal amplifier into said microwave furnace.

A variable frequency microwave furnace system for processing selected materials, said variable frequency microwave furnace system including a microwave furnace which defines a multimode cavity for processing said selected materials, and said variable frequency microwave furnace system comprising:

• a microwave signal generator for generating a signal with a selected waveform, frequency, and amplitude;
• a signal amplitude controller for selectively modulating said amplitude of said signal generated by said signal generator;
• a first amplifier for selectively amplifying said signal generated by said signal generator;
• a second signal amplifier for amplifying said signal generated by said signal generator and amplified by said first signal amplifier, said second signal amplifier producing microwaves within a selected frequency range said microwaves having an associated power with a selected magnitude, said second signal amplifier comprising a traveling wave tube;
• a power supply for supplying power to said second signal amplifier, said power supply being adjustable thereby said amplitude of said signal generated by said signal generator is selectively modulated;
• a transmitter for conveying said microwaves produced by said second signal amplifier into said microwave furnace;
• a signal director for directing said microwaves produced by said second amplifier and microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace;
• a reflected load dissipator for dissipating said microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace, said microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace having an associated power and magnitude thereof;
• and
• a system monitor for monitoring said magnitude of said power associated with said microwaves conveyed to said microwave furnace and said magnitude of said power associated with said microwaves reflected from said microwave furnace, said system monitor serving to monitor an efficiency of said variable frequency microwave furnace system.