# US 7,607,860 B2 · Continuous method and apparatus for microwave-based dryer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,860 B2 - Document ID: US7607860B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/228,173 - Filed: 2005-09-16 - Published: 2006-04-13 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2004-09-16 - Inventors: John F. Novak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607860B2 ## CPC - F26B 19/005: {Self-contained mobile devices, e.g. for agricultural produce (movable devices with radiation means F26B3/28; small self-contained devices for drying objects at rest F26B9/003)} - E01C 23/14: for heating or drying foundation, paving, or materials thereon, e.g. paint (E01C23/03 takes precedence; heating or drying devices incorporated in the paving E01C11/26; surface {soil} stabilisation by fusing, calcining or burning soil in situ E01C21/02; for street cleaning E01H1/08; melting snow or ice on surfacing E01H5/10) - F26B 3/343: {in combination with convection} - F26B: DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM (drying devices for combines A01D41/133; racks for drying fruit or vegetables A01F25/12; drying foodstuffs A23; drying hair A45D20/00; body-drying implements A47K10/00; drying household articles A47L; drying gases or vapours B01D; chemical or physical processes for dewatering or like separating liquids from solids B01D43/00; centrifugal apparatus B04; drying ceramics C04B33/30; drying yarns or fabrics in association with some other form of treatment D06C; drying frames for laundry without heating or positive air circulation, domestic laundry-or spin-driers, wringing or hot pressing laundry D06F; furnaces, kilns, ovens F27) - E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein said applicator is heated and operates between approximately 100° F. and 212° F. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The process of claim 2 wherein said applicator is heated by a heating means provided from combustion products of engine exhaust gas ducted into and out from the microwave applicator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 said frequency is approximately 915 MHz. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein said material is a roadbed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein said material is concrete. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein material is an asphalt surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein said material is an agricultural field. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said applicator is heated and operates between approximately 100° F. and 212° F. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said heated applicator is heated by a heating means provided from combustion products of an engine exhaust gas ducted into and out from the microwave applicator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 said frequency is approximately 915 MHz. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said microwave energy absorber is a 3-port ferrite circulator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 which further comprises an RF trap.