Patent ID: 8618453
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
1. A susceptor assembly for use in heating an article in a resonant cavity of a microwave oven, the susceptor assembly comprising: a susceptor having a geometric center, the susceptor having a generally planar presentation surface positioned thereon to accept an article for presentation to the resonant cavity of the microwave oven and a second generally planar opposed surface, the presentation surface of the planar susceptor including an electrically lossy layer; and a field director structure having a plurality of vanes each mechanically connected to the opposed surface of the susceptor, the mechanical connection being implemented by either a fixed or a hinged connection between the vane and the susceptor, at least a first portion of each vane being electrically conductive and at least a second portion of the vane being electrically non-conductive, the electrically non-conductive portion of the vane being disposed between the electrically conductive portion of the vane and the opposed surface of the susceptor such that the electrically conductive portion of the vane is spaced at least a predetermined close distance from the electrically lossy layer of the planar susceptor, the electrically conductive portion of each vane having a first inner end and a second inner end, the first inner end of the conductive portion on each of the vanes being disposed at a distance at least a predetermined separation distance from a reference axis extending through the geometric center of the planar susceptor in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, so that the occurrence of overheating of the susceptor and the occurrence of overheating of the field director structure is prevented when the susceptor assembly is used in an unloaded microwave oven.