Patent ID: 6104018
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
An apparatus for generating uniform heating in material contained in a cylindrical vessel, which comprises in combination:(a) means for generating TE.sub.10 -mode microwave radiation;(b) a cylindrical microwave transition having an axis, a side wall, an open end and a closed end parallel thereto, both ends being perpendicular to the axis, the open end thereof being disposed in the vicinity of an open end of the cylindrical vessel and substantially coextensive therewith such that the axis of said transition is coaxial with the axis of the vessel, for coupling microwave radiation into said vessel;(c) first means for directing the TE.sub.10 -mode microwave radiation from said generating means through the closed end of said transition and along the axis of said transition and for adjusting the intensity thereof, whereby TE.sub.11 -mode microwave radiation having adjustable intensity is excited therein;(d) second means for directing the TE.sub.10 -mode radiation from said generating means through the side wall of said transition and for adjusting the intensity thereof, such that the electric field of the microwave radiation is perpendicular to the axis of said transition, whereby TE.sub.01 -mode microwave radiation having adjustable intensity is excited therein; and(e) third means for directing the TE.sub.10 -mode radiation from said generating means through the side wall of said transition and for adjusting the intensity thereof, such that the electric field of the microwave radiation is parallel to the axis of said cylindrical transition, whereby TM.sub.01 -mode microwave radiation having adjustable intensity is excited therein; whereby the TE.sub.11 -, TE.sub.01 -, and TM.sub.01 -mode microwave radiation generated in said transition and having adjustable intensity are simultaneously coupled into the material contained in the cylindrical vessel such that the material is uniformly heated.