Abstract:
A microwave wire mesh oven including: a microwave oven cavity; a wire mesh element positioned to radiate black body radiation into the microwave oven cavity; and a magnetron configured to generate microwaves, wherein some of the generated microwaves impinge on the wire mesh element.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a 371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2016/052018 filed Sep. 15, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/219,112, filed Sep. 15, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/289,898, filed Feb. 1, 2016, all of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure teaches a microwave and wire mesh oven that enables a heating of a wire mesh element and the use of a microwave generator (magnetron) for use in high speed heating applications. In particular, the system includes a wire mesh element to radiate blackbody radiation to heat primarily an exterior of an item, and a magnetron to radiate microwaves to heat primarily an interior of an item. The blackbody transferring heat either by conduction in solids, convection of fluids (liquids or gases) or radiation through anything that will allow radiation to pass 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the prior art, disposing a wire mesh heating element to radiate blackbody radiation on item disposed in a microwave oven cavity is difficult due to leakage of microwaves, current leakage, effect of microwaves on the wire mesh, a spark hazard when microwaves impinge on the wire mesh and the like. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present teachings provide embodiments of heating system and methods, and features thereof, which offer various benefits. The system can employ multiple electrodes, systems, operations, and the like to promote safe, efficient, and effective use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. 
         [0005]    The present teachings disclose a microwave wire mesh oven including: a microwave oven cavity; a wire mesh element positioned to radiate black body radiation into the microwave oven cavity; and a magnetron configured to generate microwaves, wherein some of the generated microwaves impinge on the wire mesh element. 
         [0006]    The present teachings disclose a microwave wire mesh oven including: a microwave oven cavity defined by sidewall; a wire mesh element positioned to radiate black body radiation into the microwave oven cavity; a magnetron configured to generate microwaves that impinge on the wire mesh element; and a conductor traversing through the sidewall via an opening wherein the way the opening is shielded against electromagnetic energy. 
         [0007]    The present teachings disclose a microwave wire mesh heater including: a magnetron; a wire mesh element having a surface area including a non-contact area and a contact area along at least 50% of a wire mesh element length; a conductor in electrical contact with the wire mesh; an elastic thermal insulator bonded to at least one edge of the wire mesh element; and a fastener to secure the elastic thermal insulator, wherein the contact area contacts the conductor and the elastic thermal insulator is stretched and secured tautly under tension to the fastener prior to operation of the wire mesh heater, and the elastic thermal insulator keeps the wire mesh element tautly under tension during operation of the wire mesh heater. 
         [0008]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heating element disposed in a microwave oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a conductor piercing a sidewall of a microwave oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a wire mesh heating element secured to sidewalls of a microwave oven cavity. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a logical view of a wire mesh heater assembly, according to various embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a logical view of a wire mesh heater assembly, according to various embodiments. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater, according to various embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater, according to various embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of a cutout of a microwave mesh heater including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6C  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6D  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed near the bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed near the bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8C  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater, according to various embodiments. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8D  is an isometric view of a top and bottom wire mesh heater assembly, according to various embodiments. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed parallel to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9C  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed parallel to a bottom of an oven cavity and a rack disposed therein, according to various embodiments. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9D  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity and a tray disposed therein, according to various embodiments. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11A  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11B  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0035]    Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
       DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The present teachings disclose efficiently transferring electrical energy to a wire mesh heating element. In exemplary embodiments, the transfer is evenly distributed over a breadth or length of the wire mesh. This may reduce the stress induced in the wire mesh, and reduce the heat being generated during the electrical energy transfer. The present teachings may evenly distribute any heat being generated during the electrical energy transfer. By reducing the heating and/or more evenly distributing the heat, the mean time between failures of the wire mesh heater may be increased. 
         [0037]    The present teachings disclose a heating element system that operates semi-continuously or continuously at high temperatures. The present teachings also disclose constant tensioning of a wire mesh heating element during use so that the element as a whole remains flat. The present teachings also disclose a wire mesh heating element that can operate in a heating cavity in a semi-continuous or continuous mode and that can be replaced easily. 
         [0038]    In exemplary embodiments, a wire mesh heating assembly may include a primary conductor directly attached to the wire mesh heating element, and a secondary conductor or holder to secure the primary conductor through which the electrical current can flow. In some embodiments, the primary conductor may include a primary conduction rod or electrode. 
         [0039]    According to various embodiments, the primary conductor may be continuous or fully or partially segmented. The primary conductor may contact a length of the wire mesh element. 
         [0040]    The secondary conductor may tension, stretch or keep taut the wire mesh heating element in operation. In some embodiments, the secondary conductor may provide an adjustable tension for the wire mesh heating element in operation. The secondary conductor may include multiple tension points, a heat shield protection, and a latch or the like to provide ease of gripping and release of the primary conductor. 
         [0041]    In exemplary embodiments, a flexible or movable electrical connection may connect an electrical energy source to the primary conductor. The flexible or movable electrical connection may include a stranded wire or telescoping nested tubes attached to the secondary conductor. 
         [0042]    In exemplary embodiments, the wire mesh heating element may include a wire mesh cloth. In exemplary embodiments, the wire mesh heating element may include a wire intersecting wire strands with openings defined by the wire stands. In exemplary embodiments, the wire mesh heating element may include a perforated metal sheet. 
         [0043]    In exemplary embodiments, the wire mesh heating element may be formed to include only curved orifice openings for at least an area of the wire mesh that will be exposed to microwave radiation. In exemplary embodiments, the wire mesh may include round or oval openings. For example, the wire mesh heating element may be formed by perforating a metal sheet with round or oval holes. In an exemplary embodiment, the wire mesh may include holes/openings that are 0.020 inches in diameter and each of opening/hole centers are offset by 0.043 inches from one another. Such a wire mesh can provide, for example, a 20% open area through the wire mesh. 
         [0044]      FIG. 1  is an isometric of a wire mesh and microwave heater, according to various embodiments. 
         [0045]    A wire mesh and microwave heater  100  may include a wire mesh element  102 , a magnetron  104 , an AC-DC converter or high wattage power supply  106  to energize the wire mesh element  102 , an microwave oven cavity  108  to house an item to be heated, a sidewall  110  to define an oven cavity  108 , an operator console  116  and a power line  114  to receive electrical energy from an energy producer, such as a utility. 
         [0046]    The wire mesh element  102  can be disposed in the oven cavity  108  where radiation from the magnetron  104  impinges on the wire mesh element  102 . In some embodiments, only one wire mesh element  102  may be disposed in the oven cavity  108 . Both the magnetron  104  and the wire mesh element  102  may be operated selectively or simultaneously. A user of the wire mesh and microwave heater  100  may utilize the operator console  116  to operate the wire mesh and microwave heater  100  as desired. Conductors (see  FIG. 2 ) may pierce the sidewall  110 . In exemplary embodiments, at least one wire mesh element  102  may be disposed in or adjacent to the oven cavity  108 . In some embodiments, the wire mesh element  102  may be in disposed in the oven cavity  108  to radiate black body radiation on the item to be heated. 
         [0047]    In exemplary embodiments, the sidewalls  110  of the oven cavity  108  may act as a Faraday cage or shield. A Faraday cage or Faraday shield is an enclosure formed by conductive material or by a mesh of such material. Such an enclosure blocks external static and non-static electric fields by channeling electricity along and around, but not through, the mesh, providing constant voltage on all sides of the enclosure. Since the difference in voltage is the measure of electrical potential, no current flows through the space. In exemplary embodiments, the sidewalls  110  of the oven cavity  102  may act as a reflector shield for the radiation generated by the wire mesh element  102 . 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the high wattage power supply  106  may include a stored energy device  112 . Power in excess of the capacity of the AC power line may be provided by the stored energy device  112 . A microwave controller (not shown) may operate the wire mesh and microwave heater  100  as desired by energizing the magnetron  104 , the wire mesh element  102  or both as desired by a user. To effectuate the operation as desired by user, the microwave controller may pulse delivery of electrical energy to the wire mesh element  102 . The pulse delivery of electrical energy to the wire mesh element  102  may include changing a duration of energy delivery, changing an amplitude of energy delivery, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the microwave controller may control the intensity of the electrical energy delivered to the wire mesh element  102 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a conductor piercing a sidewall of a microwave oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
         [0050]    A sidewall  216  of a microwave oven cavity  218  may allow a passage for or be pierced by conductors  208 ,  210 . The conductors  208 ,  210  may energize the wire mesh element  212  from a voltage source  214 . At the point of the passage or piercing of the sidewall  216 , conductors  208 ,  210  may be surrounded by a screening gland or connector  204 , for example, a 360° gland or connector. In some embodiments, conductors  208 ,  210  may be filtered, for example, by a DC power supply filter, so that any microwaves conducted by the conductors  208 ,  210  through the sidewall  216  may be eliminated in order to control microwave leakage or leakage currents from the oven cavity  218 . The wire mesh element  212  may be secured to the conductors  208 ,  210  via a weld or the like. The conductors  208 ,  210  may be rotatable in a direction indicated by arrow  222 . A portion of the conductors  208 ,  210  may be rotatable only within the oven cavity  218 . The rotation of the conductors  208 ,  210  may keep the wire mesh  212  under tension. 
         [0051]    In exemplary embodiments, a Faraday cage  202  may be provided. The Faraday cage  202  may be disposed such that the screening gland or connector  204  is disposed in a void defined by the sidewall  216  and the Faraday cage  202 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a wire mesh heating element secured to sidewalls of a microwave oven cavity. 
         [0053]    A microwave and wire mesh oven  300  may include a microwave oven cavity  302  defined by a sidewall  308 . A wire mesh heating element  312  may be disposed in the microwave oven cavity  302 . The wire mesh heating element  312  may be disposed in electrical contact with conductors  304 ,  306 . A fastener  310  may be disposed in a sidewall  308  of the oven cavity  302 . The fastener  310  may be a tensioning device that can keep the wire mesh  312  taut. In some embodiments, the wire mesh  312  may have a tensioning material  314 , for example, silicon, disposed along one or more edges of the wire mesh  312 . The fastener  310  can be secured in the tensioning material  314  in order to keep the wire mesh  312  taut. The wire mesh  312  may include a bend, splined, rod or the like (not shown) to prevent the wire mesh  312  from sagging. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4A  is a logical view of a wire mesh heater assembly, according to various embodiments. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4B  is an expanded logical view of a wire mesh heater assembly, according to various embodiments. 
         [0056]    A wire mesh assembly  400  may include the wire mesh  402  and an elastic  404 . The wire mesh assembly  400  may include a secondary conductor  410  (see  FIG. 4B ). The elastic  404  may be secured, fastened or joined to one or more edges of the wire mesh  402  to form a bendable closed loop  430 . The elastic  404  maybe fastened to one or more edges of the wire mesh  402  using a fastener (not shown) such as a bolt and nut, or the like. The elastic  404  maybe secured or joined to one or more edges of the wire mesh  402  by embedding one of the edges in the elastic  404 . In some embodiments, the elastic maybe secured or joined to one or more edges of the wire mesh  402  by securing one of the edges of the elastic  404  with a fastener, such as, a plate securing with a nut/bolt, a rivet, or the like. The closed loop  430  may be disposed over two conductors  406 ,  408  to provide a heat zone  426  between the two conductors  406 ,  408  (primary conductors). In exemplary embodiments, the secondary conductor  410  contacts one or more of the two conductors  406 ,  408 . The two conductors  406 ,  408  can be energized by a voltage source (not shown) in series with a switch (not shown). The voltage source may be a DC voltage source. 
         [0057]    The elastic  404  may be a springy material able to withstand high temperatures, for example, silicone. The wire mesh  402  may be secured or fastened to the secondary conductor  410 . The secondary conductor  410  may be movably disposed over one or more of the two conductors  406 ,  408  in order to provide a high-performing electrical contact between the wire mesh  402  and one or more of the two conductors  406 ,  408 . In some embodiments, a solder, swage, weld or the like may be used to secure the wire mesh  402  to the secondary conductor  410 . The wire mesh assembly  400  can be disposed under tension (tautly) over the two conductors  406 ,  408 . In some embodiments, the two conductors  406 ,  408  may be immovably secured in a holder  442 . In some embodiments, one of the two conductors  406 ,  408  may be movably secured in the holder  442 , while the other of the two conductors  406 ,  408  may be immovably secured in the holder  442 . A heat shield  444  may be disposed between the heat zone  426  and the elastic material  404 . In exemplary embodiments, the heat shield  444  may be glass. In exemplary embodiments, the heat shield may be secured in the two conductors  406 ,  408  in a slot  412 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater, according to various embodiments. 
         [0059]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater, according to various embodiments. 
         [0060]    A microwave mesh heater  500  may include the wire mesh sub-assembly  514  including one or more primary conductors  502  and a heat shield  506 . The wire mesh sub-assembly  514  may be secured to a wall or sidewall  516  of microwave mesh heater  500 . A flange or connector  504  can be disposed around the one or more primary conductors  502 . The flange or connector  504  can be used to prevent a leakage of microwave waves from an oven cavity  512 . The oven cavity  512  may be defined at least in part by the sidewall  516 . A thin film insulator (not shown) can be disposed between the flange or connector  504  and the sidewall  516 . In some embodiments, a sidewall of microwave mesh heater  500  may include a turntable  530  for a tray to rotate thereupon. A heat shield  524  may be disposed between the one more conductors  502 . In some embodiments, openings behind washers  510  may be used to secure a second wire mesh sub-assembly. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIG. 5B , the microwave mesh heater  500  may include a wire mesh  522  and a secondary conductor  518  disposed around the one or more conductors  502 . An elastic  520  may be secured, fastened or joined to one or more edges of the wire mesh  522  to form a bendable closed loop. The elastic  520  maybe fastened to one or more edges of the wire mesh  522  using a fastener (not shown) such as a bolt and nut, or the like. The elastic  520  maybe secured or joined to one or more edges of the wire mesh  522  by embedding one of the edges in the elastic  520 . In some embodiments, the elastic  520  maybe secured or joined to one or more edges of the wire mesh  522  by securing one of the edges of the elastic  520  with a fastener, such as, a plate securing with a nut/bolt, a rivet, or the like. The closed loop may be disposed over the conductors  502  to provide a heat zone between the two conductors  502  (primary conductors). In exemplary embodiments, a secondary conductor  518  contacts one or more of the two conductors  502 . The two conductors  502  can be energized by a voltage source (not shown) in series with a switch (not shown). The voltage source may be a DC voltage source. In exemplary embodiments, the DC voltage source may be connected to an AC powerline. The AC powerline may be used to charge an energy storage device, such as, a battery, a capacitor or the like. The DC voltage source may draw power from the AC powerline, the energy storage, or another DC voltage source, singly or in combination, when energizing the wire mesh  522 . 
         [0062]    The elastic  520  may be a springy material able to withstand high temperatures, for example, silicone. The wire mesh  522  may be secured or fastened to the secondary conductor  518 . The secondary conductor  518  may be movably disposed over one or more of the two conductors  502  in order to provide a high-performing electrical contact between the wire mesh  522  and one or more of the two conductors  502 . In some embodiments, a solder, swage, weld or the like may be used to secure the wire mesh  522  to the secondary conductor  518 . The wire mesh  522  can be disposed under tension (tautly) over the two conductors  502  with the aid of the elastic  520 . In some embodiments, the two conductors  502  may be immovably secured to the sidewall  516 . In some embodiments, one of the two conductors  502  may be movably secured in the wire mesh sub-assembly  514 , while the other of the two conductors  502  may be immovably secured in the wire mesh sub-assembly  514 . The heat shield  524  may be disposed between the wire mesh  522  (a heated portion of the wire mesh  522 ) and the elastic material  520 . In exemplary embodiments, the heat shield  524  may be glass, for example, a glass suitable for use in high temperature environments, tempered glass. In exemplary embodiments, edges of the heat shield  524  may be secured by or disposed in the two conductors  502 . 
         [0063]    A platen or tray  532  may be disposed about the turntable  520 . The microwave mesh oven  500  may use a latch  534  to secure a microwave oven door  536 . The latch  534  may incorporate a failsafe switch that may prohibit operation of the microwave mesh oven  500  unless the microwave oven door  536  is closed. 
         [0064]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0065]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of a cutout of a microwave mesh heater including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0066]      FIG. 6C  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0067]      FIG. 6D  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0068]    In some embodiments, a microwave mesh heater  600  may include a wire mesh heater assembly  602  and a control panel  604 . The microwave mesh heater  600  may include a heating cavity  605 . As seen in the cutout of  FIG. 6B  and  FIG. 6C , the microwave mesh heater  600  may provide convection heat by moving a fluid like air over a wire mesh element  606 . Air heating by the wire mesh element  606  can then flow over and around an item to be heated. An inlet  614  of an air duct  612  maybe used to intake air from the oven cavity  605 . The air duct  612  can convey the intake air to an outlet  616  and expel the intake air from an outlet  616  (see  FIG. 6C ). The air movement in the air duct  612  can be facilitated via a fan  610 . Air exiting the outlet  616  may be distributed across/over a wire mesh element  606  and back into the oven cavity  605  to impinge upon the item to be heated. The wire mesh element  606  can be disposed over a primary conductor  604  and a secondary conductor  608 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 7A  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0070]      FIG. 7B  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, a wire mesh heater assembly  700  may include a wire mesh element  702 , an air duct  712 , an inlet  714 , an outlet (not shown) and a fan (not shown). 
         [0072]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed near the bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
         [0073]      FIG. 8B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed near the bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
         [0074]      FIG. 8C  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater, according to various embodiments. 
         [0075]      FIG. 8D  is an isometric view of a top and bottom wire mesh heater assembly, according to various embodiments. 
         [0076]    In some embodiments, a microwave mesh heater  800  may include a microwave outlet  802  behind which a magnetron (not shown) is disposed, a rack  804  where an item to be heated may be disposed, a bottom wire mesh heater assembly  806 , a top wire mesh heater assembly  808 , an oven cavity  810  and a stand  812  disposed to maintain a distance between the bottom wire mesh heater assembly  806  and the stand  812 . As seen in the  FIG. 8C , conductors  820  of the bottom wire mesh heater assembly  806  can extend outside a sidewall  824  of the oven cavity  810 . In some embodiments, conductors  824  of the top wire mesh heater assembly  804  can extend outside a sidewall  824  of the oven cavity  810 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 9A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed parallel to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
         [0078]      FIG. 9B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
         [0079]      FIG. 9C  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed parallel to a bottom of an oven cavity and a rack disposed therein, according to various embodiments. 
         [0080]      FIG. 9D  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity and a tray disposed therein, according to various embodiments. 
         [0081]    In some embodiments, a microwave mesh heater  900  may include a bottom surface  904 , a microwave outlet  908  behind which a magnetron (not shown) is disposed, a tray  906 , a rack  912 , a wire mesh heater assembly  902 , an oven cavity  910  and a stand  912 . As seen in  FIG. 9B , in one configuration, the microwave mesh heater  900  may have the wire mesh heater assembly  902  disposed orthogonal to the bottom  904  of the oven cavity  910 . As seen in  FIG. 9C , in one configuration, the stand  912  may be disposed in the oven cavity  910  to maintain a distance between the wire mesh heater assembly  902  disposed horizontal to the bottom  904  of the oven cavity  910  and the wire mesh heater assembly  902 . As seen in  FIG. 9B , in one configuration, the microwave mesh heater  900  may have the wire mesh heater assembly  902  disposed orthogonal to the bottom  904  of the oven cavity  910  and the tray  906  disposed therein. 
         [0082]      FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
         [0083]      FIG. 10B  is an isometric view of a microwave mesh heater including a wire mesh heater assembly disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity, according to various embodiments. 
         [0084]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a microwave mesh heater  1000  including a wire mesh heater assembly  1002  disposed orthogonal to a bottom of an oven cavity. The wire mesh heater is rotatable about a hinge/pivot  1006  and locked into the orthogonal position with a catch  1004  disposed in a locked position.  FIG. 10B  illustrate the catch  1004 ′ disposed in an unlocked position. With the catch  1004 ′ in the unlocked position, the wire mesh heater assembly  1002  can be disposed parallel to the bottom of the oven cavity. 
         [0085]      FIG. 11A  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0086]      FIG. 11B  is an isometric view of a wire mesh heater assembly including an air duct, according to various embodiments. 
         [0087]    In some embodiments, a wire mesh heater assembly  1100  may include a wire mesh element  1102 , an air duct  1112  (see  FIG. 11B ), an inlet  1114 , an outlet  1104  and a fan  1106 . In exemplary embodiments, air may be drawn into the air duct  1112  by operating the fan  1106  to draw air through/across the wire mesh element  1102 . Air drawn into the air duct  1112  may be expelled by one or more outlets  1104 . In exemplary embodiments, the one or more outlets  1104  may expel air below the stand  1116  to heat an underside of an item (not shown) placed on the stand  1116 . In exemplary embodiments, the one or more outlets  1104  may expel air to heat a side of an item (not shown) placed on the stand  1116 . In exemplary embodiments, the one or more outlets  1104  may expel air to heat a topside of an item (not shown) placed on the stand  1116 . In exemplary embodiments, the one or more outlets  1104  may expel air via one or more nozzles to create a jet-stream like airflow that impinges the item (not shown) on the stand  1116 . 
         [0088]    The examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potential and specific implementations. It can be appreciated that the examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration for those skilled in the art. The diagrams depicted herein are provided by way of example. There can be variations to these diagrams or the operations described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, in certain cases, method steps or operations can be performed in differing order, or operations can be added, deleted or modified.