US 5,536,921 A · System for applying microware energy in processing sheet like materials

Abstract

A microwave processing system is provided wherein the material to be processed is in the form of a web type quantity configuration with a thickness that is small in relation to the wavelength of a particular microwave frequency. The material is passed through the field associated with a plurality of microwave standing waves of the particular frequency, each adjacent standing wave being offset 1/4 wavelength along the direction of movement of the web. A carrier gas removes volatile solvents from the material surfaces. Control is provided for the interrelationship of temperature, rate of movement, flow of carrier gas, and microwave power.

Claims19

Dependent claims

In apparatus for coupling microwave energy into a material, the improvement comprising:

a heating stage,
said heating stage including
a web type quantity configuration of a material to be processed,
means for passing said web along a path of movement in a first direction through said heating stage,
at least two of a plurality of the same frequency, single mode, microwave standing waves,
each said standing wave being positioned in a direction transverse to said first direction, and,
each adjacent said standing wave, serially along said first direction, being positioned with a 1/4 wave offset,
said web type quantity configuration of material being processed in said heating stage, said means for passing said web type quantity configuration of material and said microwave standing waves in said heating stage being related, in that said material has a thickness dimension in said heating stage that is less than said standing wave peak to valley distance.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for applying microware energy in processing sheet like materials

Life of this patent

System for applying microware energy in processing sheet like materials

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19