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US 7,607,860 B2Granted
Continuous method and apparatus for microwave-based dryer
OwnerJohn F. Novakinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a movable apparatus for utilizing microwave energy to dry materials (optionally with sterilization) by the direct application of bifurcated out-of-phase microwave energy.
Claims14
A continuous process for drying a material containing an initial degree of water which comprises the steps of:
- (a) driving a vehicle comprising a multi-mode microwave applicator over at least a portion of said material;
- (b) exposing said portion of said material to said applicator having an air flow about said portion of said material;
- (c) exposing said portion of said material to at least two sources of microwaves, said microwaves being in non-parallel alignment to each other for a period of time sufficient to dry said portion of said material to a lower degree of water;
- said at least two sources of microwaves propagated from a bifurcated waveguide assembly;
- said introduced microwaves, being 90° out of phase to each other;
- said microwaves having a frequency between 915 MHz and 1000 MHz;
- said microwave applicator further comprising a 3-port ferrite circulator to absorb any reflected microwaves;
- and
- said bifurcated waveguide assembly having a microwave pressure window at an exit end comprising fused quartz to prevent any vapors in the applicator from returning through said waveguide.
6 more elements
A drivable apparatus which comprises:
- (a) a movable chassis comprising a microwave generator;
- (b) at least one multi-mode microwave applicator in proximity to a material to be dried and in communication with said microwave generator via a waveguide;
- (c) said applicator having an air flow about at least a portion of said material;
- (d) said applicator having at least two sources of microwaves from said microwave generator, said microwaves being in non-parallel alignment to each other;
- said at least two sources of microwaves propagated from a bifurcated waveguide assembly;
- said introduced microwaves, being 90° out of phase to each other;
- said microwaves having a frequency between 915 MHz and 1000 MHz;
- and
- (e) a microwave energy absorber to absorb any reflected microwaves;
- and
- (f) said bifurcated waveguide assembly having a microwave pressure window at an exit end comprising fused quartz to prevent any vapors in the applicator from returning through said waveguide.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.