Patent ID: 8927913
Filing Date: 2015-01-06
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
1. A method of estimating a process condition of at least one item within a microwave chamber, comprising: controlling a radiation emitter array having at least a first plurality of emitters disposed on a first side of a microwave chamber and a second plurality of emitters disposed on a second side of a microwave chamber, the first and second pluralities of emitters configured for emitting radiation in different dimensions within the microwave chamber, the emission of radiation from one or more emitters of the radiation emitter array responsive to a beam array controller operable to move two or more emission beam paths to a plurality of locations within the microwave chamber; sensing, using a radiation sensor array having at least a first plurality of sensors disposed within the microwave chamber opposite the first plurality of emitters and a second plurality of sensors disposed within the microwave chamber opposite the second plurality of emitters, at least two radiation shadows formed behind the at least one item in the microwave chamber, the at least two radiation shadows formed by the two or more emission beam paths at least partially blocked by the at least one item; estimating one or more of a size or geometry of the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least in part on the sensing, using a radiation sensor array, at least two radiation shadows; receiving one or more initial values of one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber; applying, via the beam array controller controlling one or more emission beam paths of the radiation emitter array, one or more microwave energy beams to the at least one item in the microwave chamber, wherein at least one microwave energy beam power level is based at least in part on the receiving one or more initial values of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber; remotely monitoring, via the radiation sensor array sensing at least one of the one or more microwave energy beams, a spatial variation of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber at least one of simultaneously with or following the applying of the one or more microwave energy beams; and estimating the process condition for microwaving the at least one item in the microwave chamber based at least in part on the estimated one or more of the size or geometry and the monitoring of the one or more dynamically variable heatability properties for the at least one item in the microwave chamber.