Patent Grant
10674570
Electromagnetic waves have been used in various applications to apply energy to objects. In the case of radio frequency (RF) for example, electromagnetic energy may be supplied using a magnetron, which is typically tuned to a single frequency for applying electromagnetic energy only in that frequency. One example of a commonly used electromagnetic device is a microwave oven. Typical microwave ovens apply electromagnetic energy at the single frequency of 2.45 GHz. To increase the distribution of electromagnetic waves, the typical microwave oven includes a metallic fan (behind a grill in the oven) to disturb the standing wave pattern and in an attempt to achieve more uniform energy distribution in the oven's cavity.
Due to the nature of the absorptive properties of electromagnetic energy, even if uniform electromagnetic field distribution could be achieved at a particular frequency, energy absorption might not be uniform. This is because differing materials (or materials having varying characteristics) typically have variable absorptive properties. Moreover, absorptive properties are often a function of temperature and/or phase of the materials in the object. Thus, as the temperature and/or phase of an object changes, e.g., due to electromagnetic energy application, the object's absorptive properties may change, and the rate and magnitude of this change may depend on properties of material(s) in the object and the amount of energy required causing those changes. In addition, the shape of an object may contribute to its absorptive properties at a particular frequency. Irregularly shaped objects, for example, may exhibit irregular electromagnetic energy absorption. All these factors can make it difficult to control the absorption of electromagnetic energy in an object.
Some exemplary aspects of the disclosure include apparatuses and methods for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone. Electromagnetic energy may be supplied to the zone and received via the zone. This can occur, for example, through the use of a radiating element that receives electromagnetic energy from a source and transmits it through one or more radiating elements, (e.g., antennas). An exemplary apparatus and method may further include the determination of a value indicative of energy absorbable absorption by the object at each of a plurality of frequencies. This may occur, for example, through the use of a controller, which may be further configured to cause energy to be supplied to at least one radiating element in at least a subset of the plurality of frequencies. Energy applied to the zone at each of the subset of frequencies may be a function of the absorbable energy value at each frequency. Alternatively or additionally, energy applied to the zone at each of the subset of frequencies may be a function of the absorbable energy value at more than one of the plurality of frequencies.
According to another exemplary aspect of the disclosure, one or more apparatuses or method may include determining a value indicative of energy absorbable by an object at each of a plurality of frequencies, and causing energy to be supplied to the at least one radiating element in at least a subset of the plurality of frequencies to an energy application zone. Energy applied to the zone at each of the subset of frequencies may be inversely related to the absorbable energy value at each frequency.
In yet another aspect, one or more apparatuses or methods may adjust energy supplied to the radiating element(s) as a function of the frequency at which the energy is absorbed.
Alternatively, or additionally, exemplary apparatuses and methods may determine a desired energy absorption amount in the object to be heated at each of a plurality of frequencies, and may adjust energy supplied at each frequency in order to target the desired energy absorption amount to the object to be heated at each frequency. Alternatively, or additionally, exemplary apparatuses and methods may determine a desired energy absorption amount in the object to be heated, and may adjust energy supplied at each frequency in order to target or effect substantially the desired energy absorption amount in the object to be heated.
According to a further exemplary aspect, one or more apparatuses or methods may involve determining a value indicative of energy absorbable by the object at each of a plurality of frequencies, and may further adjust energy supplied such that when the energy supplied is plotted against an absorbable energy value over a range of frequencies, the two plots tend to mirror each other.
In some embodiments, the two plots may tend to mirror each other at one or more sub-sets (e.g., sub-band) of the plurality of frequencies.
According to a further exemplary aspect, one or more apparatuses or methods may involve determining a threshold value for the value indicative of energy absorbable at least one frequency, among the plurality of frequencies, and preventing electromagnetic energy from being supplied to the at least one radiating element at the at least one frequency.
The drawings and detailed description which follow contain numerous alternative examples consistent with embodiments of the invention. A summary of every feature disclosed is beyond the object of this summary section. For a more detailed description of exemplary aspects of the invention, reference should be made to the drawings, detailed description, and claims, which are incorporated into this summary by reference.
Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When appropriate, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
In one respect, the invention may involve apparatus and methods for applying electromagnetic energy. The term electromagnetic energy, as used herein, includes any or all portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, including but not limited to, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), near infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, etc. In one particular example, applied electromagnetic energy may include RF energy with a wavelength in free space of 100 km to 1 mm, which is a frequency of 3 KHz to 300 GHz, respectively. In some other examples, the frequency bands may be between 500 MHz to 1500 MHz or between 700 MHz to 1200 MHz or between 800 MHz to 1 GHz. Microwave and ultra high frequency (UHF) energy, for example, are both within the RF range. Even though examples of the invention are described herein in connection with the application of RF energy, these descriptions are provided to illustrate a few exemplary principles of the invention, and are not intended to limit the invention to any particular portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Similarly, for exemplary purposes, this disclosure contains a number of examples of electromagnetic energy used for heating. Again, these descriptions are provided to illustrate exemplary principles of the invention. The invention, as described and claimed, may benefit various industrial, commercial, and consumer processes involving the application of energy, regardless of whether the application of energy results in heating. For example, electromagnetic energy may also be applied to an object for combusting, thawing, defrosting, cooking, drying, accelerating reactions, expanding, evaporating, fusing, causing or altering biologic processes, medical treatments, preventing freezing or cooling, maintaining the object within a desired temperature range, or any other application where it is desirable to apply energy. Electromagnetic energy may be applied to the object to, among other things, cause portions of the object to undergo a phase change and/or volume change and/or initiated chemical reaction or reactions.
In certain embodiments, electromagnetic energy may be applied to an “object”. References to an “object” (also known as a “load” or “object to be heated”) to which electromagnetic energy is applied is not limited to a particular form. An “object” or a “load” may include a liquid, solid, or gas, depending upon the particular process with which the invention is utilized. The object may also include composites or mixtures of matter in differing phases. Thus, by way of non-limiting example, the term “object” encompasses such matter as food to be defrosted or cooked; clothes or other wet material to be dried; frozen organs to be thawed; chemicals to be reacted; fuel or other combustible material to be to be combusted; hydrated material to be dehydrated, gases to be expanded; liquids to be heated, boiled or vaporized, or any other material for which there is a desire to apply, even nominally, electromagnetic energy.
In some aspects, the object may comprises a plurality of “items” (also known as: portions, regions, sub-regions, areas, parts, or pieces) that may be placed together in the energy application zone. The items may be from substantially the same kind of different from each other. It is to be understood that electromagnetic energy is considered “applied to the object” if the electromagnetic energy is applied to at least one of the items (e.g., one portion) in the object.
Regardless of the form of the object, the invention may involve the application of energy to the object when the object is in the energy application zone. It is to be understood that the object need not be completely located in the energy application zone. That is, it is to be understood that an object is considered “in” the energy application zone if at least a portion of the object is located in the zone or if some portion of the object receives applied electromagnetic radiation.
By way of example only, electromagnetic energy may be applied to an object for heating, combusting, thawing, defrosting, cooking, drying, accelerating reactions, expanding, evaporating, fusing, causing or altering biologic processes, medical treatments, preventing freezing, maintaining the object within a desired temperature range, or any other application where it is desirable to apply energy.
In certain embodiments, the application of electromagnetic energy may occur in an “energy application zone”, such as energy application zone 9, schematically depicted in
Exemplary energy application zone 9 may include locations where energy is applied in an oven, chamber, tank, dryer, thawer, dehydrator, reactor, furnace, engine, chemical or biological processing apparatus, incinerator, material shaping or forming apparatus, conveyor, combustion zone, cooler, freezer, etc. In some embodiments, the energy application zone may be part of a vending machine, in which objects are processed once purchased. Thus, consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, energy application zone 9 may include an electromagnetic resonator 10 (also known as cavity resonator, or cavity) (
In certain embodiments, the application of electromagnetic energy may occur via one or more power feeds. A feed may include one or more waveguides and/or one or more radiating elements (e.g., antennas) for applying electromagnetic energy to the zone. Alternatively, a feed may include any other suitable structure from which electromagnetic energy may be emitted.
In the presently disclosed embodiments, more than one feed and plurality of radiating elements may be provided. The radiating elements may be located on one or more surfaces of the energy application zone. Alternatively, radiating elements may be located inside or outside the energy application zone. The orientation and configuration of each radiating element may be distinct or the same, based on the specific energy application. For example, each radiating element may be positioned, adjusted, and/or oriented to transmit electromagnetic waves along a same direction, or various different directions. Furthermore, the location, orientation, and configuration of each radiating element may be predetermined before applying energy to the object, or dynamically adjusted using a processor while applying energy. Moreover, the location, orientation, and configuration of each radiating element may be dynamically adjusted, for example, using a processor during operation of the apparatus, between rounds of energy application. The invention is not limited to radiating elements having particular structures or which are necessarily located in particular areas or regions.
As schematically depicted in the block diagram of
As used herein, the terms “radiating element” and “antenna” may broadly refer to any structure from which electromagnetic energy may radiate and/or be received, regardless of whether the structure was originally designed for the purposes of radiating or receiving energy, and regardless of whether the structure serves any additional function. For example, a radiating element or an antenna may include an aperture/slot antenna, or an antenna which includes a plurality of terminals transmitting in unison, either at the same time or at a controlled dynamic phase difference (e.g., a phased array antenna). Consistent with some exemplary embodiments, antennas 102 may include an electromagnetic energy transmitter (referred to herein as “a transmitting antenna”) that feeds energy into electromagnetic energy application zone 9, an electromagnetic energy receiver (referred herein as “a receiving antenna”) that receives energy from zone 9, or a combination of both a transmitter and a receiver. For example, a first antenna may be configured to supply (or apply) electromagnetic energy to zone 9, and a second antenna may be configured to receive energy from the first antenna. Alternatively, multiple antennas may each serve as both receivers and transmitters, and some antennas may serve a dual function while others serve a single function. So, for example, a single antenna may be configured to both apply electromagnetic energy to the zone 9 and to receive electromagnetic energy via the zone 9; a first antenna may be configured to apply electromagnetic energy to the zone 9 and a second antenna may be configured to receive electromagnetic energy via the zone 9; or a plurality of antennas could be used, where at least one of the plurality of antennas is configured to both apply electromagnetic energy to zone 9 and to receive electromagnetic energy via zone 9. At times, in addition to or as an alternative to applying and/or receiving energy, an antenna may also be adjusted to affect the field pattern. For example, various properties of the antenna, for example, position, location, orientation, temperature, etc., may be adjusted. Different antenna property settings may result in differing electromagnetic field patterns within the energy application zone thereby affecting energy absorption in the object. Therefore, antenna adjustments may constitute one or more variables that can be varied in an energy application process.
Consistent with some embodiments, energy may be supplied to one or more transmitting antennas. Energy supplied to a transmitting antenna may result in energy emitted by the transmitting antenna (referred to herein as “incident energy”). The incident energy may be applied to zone 9, and may be in an amount equal to the one that is supplied to the antennas by a source. Of the incident energy, a portion may be dissipated by the object (referred to herein as “dissipated energy” or “absorbed energy”; the terms dissipated or dissipation are interchangeable with absorbed or absorption). Another portion may be reflected at the transmitting antenna (referred to herein as “reflected energy”). Reflected energy may include, for example, energy reflected back to the transmitting antenna due to mismatch caused by the object and/or the energy application zone. Reflected energy may also include energy retained by the port of the transmitting antenna (i.e., energy that is emitted by the antenna but does not flow into the zone). The rest of the incident energy, other than the reflected energy and dissipated energy may be transmitted to one or more receiving antennas other than the transmitting antenna (referred to herein as “transmitted energy.”). Therefore, the incident energy (“I”) supplied to the transmitting antenna may include all of the dissipated energy (“D”), reflected energy (“R”), and transmitted energy (“T”), the relationship of which may be represented mathematically as I=D+R+ΣTi.
In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, the one or more transmitting antennas may apply electromagnetic energy into zone 9. Energy delivered by a transmitting antenna into the zone (referred to herein as “delivered energy” or “d”) may be the incident energy emitted by the antenna minus the reflected energy at the same antenna. That is, the delivered energy may be the net energy that flows from the transmitting antenna to the zone, i.e., d=I−D. Alternatively, the delivered energy may also be represented as the sum of dissipated energy and transmitted energy, i.e., d=R+T, (where T=ΣTi).
The invention is not limited to antennas having particular structures or which are necessarily located in particular areas or regions. Antennas 102 may be placed in differing locations of zone 9. Antennas 102 may be polarized in differing directions in order to, for example, reduce coupling, enhance specific field pattern(s), increase the energy application efficiency, support specific algorithm(s), and in the presently disclosed embodiments, enable the application of specific algorithm. The foregoing are examples only, and polarization may be used for other purposes as well. In one example, three antennas may be placed parallel to orthogonal coordinates, however it is contemplated that any suitable number of antennas (for example, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, etc.) may be used. For example, a higher number of antennas may add flexibility in system design and improve control of energy distribution, e.g., greater uniformity and/or resolution of energy application in zone 9 (i.e., the ability to differentiate one region in the zone from another region and apply differing controllable amounts of energy to two different regions). Alternatively, other aspects of the invention may contribute to uniformity of energy application.
Consistent with some embodiments, field adjusting elements 22 and 24 may be adjusted to change the electromagnetic wave pattern in cavity 10 in a way that selectively directs the electromagnetic energy from antennas 16, 18, and 20 into object 11. Additionally or alternatively, field adjusting elements 22 and 24 may be further adjusted to simultaneously match at least one of antennas 16, 18, and 20 that act as transmitters, and thus reduce coupling to the other antennas that act as receivers.
Field adjusting element 22, as shown, for example, in
Field adjusting element 24, as shown more clearly in
Additionally, one or more sensor(s) (or detector(s)) may be used to sense (or detect) information (e.g., signals) relating to object 11 and/or to the energy application process and/or the energy application zone (e.g., zone 9). At times, one or more antennas, e.g., antenna 16, 18, may be used as sensors. The sensors may be used to sense any information, including electromagnetic power, temperature, weight, humidity, motion, etc. The sensed information may be used for any purpose, including, for example, process verification, automation, authentication, safety.
Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, antennas 102 may form an antenna array. An antenna array may occupy a larger area than a single antenna, reducing the dependence of location of an object on an energy application protocol (e.g., a heating protocol). Furthermore, an antenna array may have a higher directionality or bandwidth than individual antennas. By way of example, two or more of the antenna sources may be consistent, such that antennas 102 may have a common behavior. In another example, antenna arrays can be made steerable to provide variable antenna directionality and to allow more efficient transfer of energy to object 11.
Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, antennas 102 may include one or more feeds supplied with electromagnetic waves having the same or different phases reaching some or all antennas in an antenna array (e.g., phased array). For example, antennas 102 may be operated as a phased array such that energy is supplied to each of the antennas at a differing phase, thus matching the phase resulting from the geometrical design of the complex antenna and possibly changing the near field geometry of the electromagnetic field and/or concentrating the energy maxima in the object or in one or more portions of the object. A phased array may allow summing of electromagnetic energy on the object. In addition, by having the ability to control the phase of each antenna dynamically (and independently), a phased array may provide an additional degree of freedom in controlling electromagnetic wave patterns in electromagnetic energy application zone 9. Various types of feeds may be used to feed the electromagnetic energy, including main wires, cables, transmission lines, waveguides, or any other structure capable of conveying electromagnetic energy.
Depending on the embodiments, the antenna structure may vary in order to tune the antenna impedance and change the electromagnetic field pattern inside cavity 10. For example, the radius and the height of a helix antenna may be adjusted.
In some embodiments, fractal antennas may be used as antennas 16, 18 and 20.
Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, fractal antennas may also show a center frequency change when placed in cavity 10. This difference may be used to design antennas for use in cavities by scaling the frequencies similar to
In certain embodiments, there may be provided at least one processor. As used herein, the term “processor” may include an electric circuit that performs a logic operation on input or inputs. For example, such a processor may include one or more integrated circuits, microchips, microcontrollers, microprocessors, all or part of a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), digital signal processors (DSP), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other circuit suitable for executing instructions or performing logic operations.
The instructions executed by the processor may, for example, be pre-loaded into the processor or may be stored in a separate memory unit such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetic medium, a flash memory, other permanent, fixed, or volatile memory, or any other mechanism capable of storing instructions for the processor. The processor(s) may be customized for a particular use, or can be configured for general-purpose use and can perform different functions by executing different software.
If more than one processor is employed, all may be of similar construction, or they may be of differing constructions electrically connected or disconnected from each other. They may be separate circuits or integrated in a single circuit. When more than one processor is used, they may be configured to operate independently or collaboratively. They may be coupled electrically, magnetically, optically, acoustically, mechanically or by other means permitting them to interact.
The at least one processor may be configured to cause electromagnetic energy to be applied to zone 9 via one or more antennas across a series of swept frequencies, attempting to apply electromagnetic energy at each such frequency to an object 11. For example, the at least one processor may be configured to regulate one or more other components of controller 101 in order to cause the energy to be applied.
The at least one processor may be coincident with or may be part of controller 101, such as is illustrated in
Controller 101 may include various components or subsystems configured to control the application of electromagnetic energy through one or more antennas 102. For example, controller 101 may include computing subsystem 92, electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96, and interface between subsystems 92 and 96. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, computing subsystem 92 may be a general purpose or special purpose computer. Computing subsystem 92 may be configured to generate control signals for controlling electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96 via interface 130. Computing subsystem 92 may further receive measured signals from electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96 via interface 130. Exemplary embodiments of computing subsystem 92, electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96, and interface 130 will be described in greater details in connection with
While controller 101 is illustrated for exemplary purposes as having three subcomponents, control functions may be consolidated in fewer components, or additional components may be included consistent with the desired function and/or design of a particular embodiment. As described herein, controller 101 may be configured to perform various functions/processes for applying electromagnetic energy to zone 9.
In certain embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to determine a value indicative of energy absorbable by the object at each of a plurality of frequencies. This may occur using one or more lookup tables, by pre-programming the processor or memory associated with the processor, and/or by testing an object in an energy application zone to determine its absorbable energy characteristics. One exemplary way to conduct such a test is through a sweep.
As used herein, the word “sweep” includes, for example, the transmission over time of more than one frequency. For example, a sweep may include the sequential transmission of multiple frequencies in a contiguous frequency band; the sequential transmission of multiple frequencies in more than one non-contiguous frequency band; the sequential transmission of individual non-contiguous frequencies; and/or the transmission of synthesized pulses having a desired frequency/power spectral content (i.e. a synthesized pulse in time). A sweep may include the transmission of frequencies in a contiguous frequency band at a predetermined frequency range, e.g., the sequential transmission of multiple frequencies in a frequency band at 0.1 MHz, 0.2 MHz, 0.5 MHz, 1 MHz or any other frequency range. Thus, during a frequency sweeping process, the at least one processor may regulate the energy supplied to the at least one antenna to sequentially apply electromagnetic energy at various frequencies to zone 9, and to receive feedback which serves as an indicator of the energy absorbable by object 11. While the invention is not limited to any particular measure of feedback indicative of energy absorption in the object, various exemplary indicative values are discussed below.
During the sweeping process, electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96 may be regulated to receive electromagnetic energy reflected and/or coupled at antenna(s) 102, and to communicate the measured energy information back to subsystem 92 via interface 130, as illustrated in
Energy that may be dissipated or absorbed by an object is referred to herein as “absorbable energy.” Absorbable energy may be an indicator of the object's capacity to absorb energy or the ability of the apparatus to cause energy to dissipate in a given object. In the presently disclosed embodiments, absorbable energy may be calculated as a product of the maximum incident energy supplied to the at least one antenna and the dissipation ratio. Reflected energy (i.e., the energy not absorbed or transmitted) may, for example, be a value indicative of energy absorbed by the object or other load. By way of another example, a processor might calculate or estimate absorbable energy based on the portion of the incident energy that is reflected and the portion that is transmitted. That estimate or calculation may serve as a value indicative of absorbed energy.
During a frequency sweep, for example, the at least one processor may be configured to control a source of electromagnetic energy such that energy may be sequentially supplied to an object at a series of frequencies. The at least one processor may then receive a signal indicative of energy reflected at each frequency, and optionally also a signal indicative of the energy transmitted to other antennas. Using a known amount of incident energy supplied to the antenna and a known amount of energy reflected and/or transmitted (i.e., thereby indicating an amount absorbed at each frequency) an absorbable energy indicator might be calculated or estimated. Or, the processor may simply rely on an indicator of reflection as a value indicative of absorbable energy.
Absorbable energy may also include energy that may be dissipated by the structures of the energy application zone in which the object is located (e.g., cavity walls) or a leakage of energy at an interface between an oven cavity and an oven door. Because absorption in metallic or conducting material (e.g., the cavity walls or elements within the cavity) is characterized by a large quality factor (also known as a “Q factor”), such frequencies may be identified as being coupled to conducting material, and at times, a choice may be made not to apply energy in such sub bands. In that case, the amount of electromagnetic energy absorbed in the cavity walls may be substantially small, and thus, the amount of electromagnetic energy absorbed in the object may be substantially equal to the amount of absorbable energy.
The absorption of electromagnetic energy in the cavity and/or in the object placed in the cavity may be different for different frequencies. Some frequencies may be associated with a higher energy absorption than other frequencies. Applying electromagnetic energy at all frequencies may result in higher energy absorption in certain locations in the object that are associated with higher energy absorption and thus may result in undesired local rises in temperature. In some embodiments, a choice may be made not to apply electromagnetic energy to frequencies associated with high absorbable energy (e.g., frequencies with a high dissipation ratio). A threshold value of absorbable energy may be determined, such that energy is not applied to the cavity at frequencies associate with energy absorbable value above the threshold value. The threshold value may be predetermined prior to the energy application, either as a fixed value or a value that changes, for example, during the electromagnetic energy application. Additionally or alternatively, the threshold value may be determined during the electromagnetic application. In some embodiments, the threshold may be determined based on a feedback received from the cavity. For example, the threshold may be determined such that no energy is applied to the energy application zone at frequencies associated with a dissipation ratio above 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85 or 0.9.
In the presently disclosed embodiments, a dissipation ratio may be calculated using formula (1):
DR=(Pin−Prf−Pcp)/Pin (1)
where Pin represents the electromagnetic energy applied into zone 9 by antennas 102, Prf represents the electromagnetic energy reflected/returned at those antennas that function as transmitters, and Pcp represents the electromagnetic energy coupled at those antennas that function as receivers. DR may be a value between 0 and 1, and, in the presently disclosed embodiments, may be represented by a percentage number.
For example, consistent with the embodiment of
DR=1−(|S11|2+|S12|2+|S13|2). (2)
For a given object 11, the dissipation ratio may change as a function of the frequency of the applied electromagnetic energy. Accordingly, a dissipation ratio spectrum may be generated by plotting the dissipation ratio associated with each frequency against the respective frequencies. Exemplary dissipation ratio (efficiency) spectrums 210 and 250 are illustrated in
According to some exemplary embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to regulate subsystem 96 for measuring a first amount of incident energy at a transmitting antenna at a first frequency; measure a second amount of energy reflected at the transmitting antenna as a result of the first amount of incident energy; measure a third amount of energy transmitted to a receiving antenna as a result of the first amount of incident energy; and determine the dissipation ratio based on the first amount, the second amount, and the third amount. By way of example, controller 101 may be configured to measure a first amount of incident energy at a first antenna 102 which performs as a transmitter at a first frequency, measure a second amount of energy reflected at first antenna 102 as a result of the first amount of incident energy, measure a third amount of energy transmitted to at least one second antenna 102 which performs as a receiver as a result of the first amount of incident energy, and determine the dissipation ratio based on the first amount, the second amount, and the third amount.
The value indicative of the absorbable energy may further involve the maximum incident energy associated with power amplifier 112, illustrated, for example, in
In certain embodiments, the at least one processor may also be configured to cause energy to be supplied to the at least one radiating element in at least a subset of the plurality of frequencies, wherein energy applied to the zone at each of the subset of frequencies may be a function of the absorbable energy value at each frequency. In some embodiments, energy applied to the zone at each of the frequencies (e.g., at each of the frequencies for which a DR was calculated) may be a function of the absorbable energy value at the applied frequency. For example, the energy applied to the at least one antenna 102 at each of the subset of frequencies may be determined as a function of the absorbable energy value at each frequency (e.g., as a function of a dissipation ratio, maximum incident energy, a combination of the dissipation ratio and the maximum incident energy, or some other indicator). In the presently disclosed embodiments, this may occur as the result of absorbable energy feedback obtained during a frequency sweep. That is, using this absorbable energy information, the at least one processor may adjust energy applied at each frequency such that the energy at a particular frequency may in some way be a function of an indicator of absorbable energy at that frequency. The functional correlation may vary depending upon application. For some applications where absorbable energy is relatively high, there may be a desire to have the at least one processor implement a function that causes a relatively low application of energy at each of the emitted frequencies. In some embodiments, for example, a processor may restrict application of energy at frequencies where absorbable energy is relatively high (e.g., having a DR above 70%, 75%, 80% or 90%). This may be desirable, for example when a more uniform energy distribution profile is desired across object 11, as will be discussed later in greater detail.
For other applications, there may be a desire to have the at least one processor implement a function that causes a relatively high energy application. This may be desirable to target specific areas of an object with higher absorbable energy profiles. For yet other applications, it may be desirable to customize the amount of energy supplied to a known or suspected energy absorption profile of the object 11. In still other applications, a dynamic algorithm or a look up table can be applied to vary the energy applied as a function of at least the absorbable energy and perhaps one or more other variables or characteristics. These are a few examples of how energy applied into the zone at each of the subset of frequencies may be a function of the absorbable energy value at each frequency. The invention is not limited to any particular scheme, but rather may encompass any technique for controlling the energy supplied by taking into account an indicator of absorbable energy.
In certain embodiments, the energy applied to the at least one radiating element at each of the subset of frequencies may be a function of the absorbable energy values at the plurality of frequencies other than the frequency at which energy is supplied. For example, in the presently disclosed embodiments, the dissipation ratios at a range of “neighborhood” frequencies around the frequency at issue may be used for determining the amount of energy to be applied. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the entire working band excluding certain frequencies that are associated with extremely low dissipation ratios (which may be associated with metallic materials, for example) may be used for the determination.
In certain embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to cause energy to be supplied to the at least one radiating element in the plurality of frequencies, wherein energy applied to the zone at each of the plurality of frequencies may be inversely related to the absorbable energy value at each frequency. In certain embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to cause energy to be supplied to the at least one radiating element in at least a subset of the plurality of frequencies, wherein energy applied to the zone at each of the subset of frequencies may be inversely related to the absorbable energy value at each frequency. Such an inverse relationship may involve a general trend—when an indicator of absorbable energy in a particular frequency subset (i.e., one or more frequencies) tends to be relatively high, the actual incident energy at that frequency subset may be relatively low. And when an indicator of absorbable energy in a particular frequency subset tends to be relatively low, the incident energy may be relatively high. The inverse relationship may be even more closely correlated. For example, in the presently disclosed embodiments, the applied energy may be set such that its product with the absorbable energy value (i.e., the absorbable energy by object 11) is substantially constant across the frequencies applied. In either case, a plot of applied energy may generally appear as a reverse image of a value indicative of absorption (e.g., dissipation ratio or a product of the dissipation ratio and the maximal incident power available at each transmitted frequency). For example,
In some embodiments the processor may be configured to determine a threshold value for the value indicative of energy absorbable in the object as a function of the frequencies. The processor may further be configured to decrease or prevent energy applied at frequencies having value indicative of energy absorbable above the threshold value. For example, threshold 230 in
In certain embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to adjust energy applied such that when the energy applied is plotted against an absorbable energy value over a range of frequencies, the two plots tend to mirror each other. In some embodiments, the two plots may tend to mirror each other at least one subset of the range of frequencies. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the two plots may be mirror images of each other. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the plots may not exactly mirror each other, but rather, have generally opposite slope directions, i.e., when the value corresponding to a particular frequency in one plot is relatively high, the value corresponding to the particular frequency in the other plot may be relatively low. For example, as shown in
Some exemplary schemes can lead to more spatially uniform energy absorption in the object 11. As used herein, “spatial uniformity” refers to a condition where the energy absorption (i.e., dissipated energy) across the object or a portion (e.g., a selected portion) of the object that is targeted for energy application is substantially constant. The energy absorption is considered “substantially constant” if the variation of the dissipated energy at different locations of the object is lower than a threshold value. For instance, a deviation may be calculated based on the distribution of the dissipated energy, and the absorbable energy is considered “substantially constant” if the deviation is less than 50%. Because in many cases spatially uniform energy absorption may result in spatially uniform temperature increase, consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, “spatial uniformity” may also refer to a condition where the temperature increase across the object or a portion of the object that is targeted for energy application is substantially constant. The temperature increase may be measured by a sensing device, for example, a temperature sensor in zone 9.
In order to achieve approximate substantially constant energy absorption in an object or a portion of an object, controller 101 may be configured to hold substantially constant the amount of time at which energy is supplied to antennas 102 at each frequency, while varying the amount of power supplied at each frequency as a function of the absorbable energy value.
In certain situations, when the absorbable energy value is below a predetermined threshold for a particular frequency or frequencies, it may not be possible to achieve uniformity of absorption at each frequency. In such instances, consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, controller 101 may be configured to cause the energy to be supplied to the antenna for that particular frequency or frequencies a power level substantially equal to a maximum power level of the device. Alternatively, consistent with some other embodiments, controller 101 may be configured to cause the amplifier (e.g. amplifier 112) to apply no energy at all at these particular frequency or frequencies. At times, a decision may be made to apply energy at a power level substantially equal to a maximum power level of the amplifier only if the amplifier may apply to the object at least a threshold percentage of energy as compared with the uniform applied energy level (e.g. 50% or more or even 80% or more). At times, a decision may be made to apply energy at a power level substantially equal to a maximum power level of the amplifier only if the reflected energy is below a predetermined threshold, in order, for example, to protect the apparatus from absorbing excessive power. For example, the decision may be made based on the temperature of a dummy load into which reflected energy is introduced, or a temperature difference between the dummy load and the environment. The at least one processor may accordingly be configured to control the reflected energy or the absorbed energy by a dummy load. Similarly, if the absorbable energy value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller 101 may be configured to cause the antenna to apply energy at a power level less than a maximum power level of the antenna. In some embodiments, if the absorbable energy value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller 101 may be configured to cause the antenna to apply little or no energy (low or zero power level).
In an alternative scheme, uniform absorption may be achieved by varying the duration of energy application while maintaining the power applied at a substantially constant level. In other words, for frequencies exhibiting lower absorbable energy values, the duration of energy application may be longer than for frequencies exhibiting higher absorption values. In this manner, an amount of power supplied at multiple frequencies may be substantially constant, while an amount of time at which energy is supplied varies, depending on an absorbable energy value at the particular frequency.
In certain embodiments, the at least one antenna may include a plurality of antennas, and the at least one processor may be configured to cause energy to be supplied to the plurality of antennas using waves having distinct phases. For example, antenna 102 may be a phased array antenna including a plurality of antennas forming an array. Energy may be supplied to each antenna with electromagnetic waves at a different phase. The phases may be regulated to match the geometric structure of the phased array. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the at least one processor may be configured to control the phase of each antenna dynamically and independently. When a phased array antenna is used, the energy supplied to the antenna may be a sum of the energy supplied to each of the antennas in the array.
Because absorbable energy can change based on a host of factors including object temperature, depending on application, it may be beneficial to regularly update absorbable energy values and thereafter adjust energy application based on the updated absorbable values. These updates can occur multiple times a second, or can occur every few seconds or longer, depending on application. As a general principle, more frequent updates may increase the uniformity of energy absorption.
In accordance with the presently disclosed embodiments, a controller may be configured to adjust energy applied from the antenna as a function of the frequency at which the energy is applied. For example, regardless of whether a sweep or some other active indicator of energy absorption is employed, certain frequencies may be targeted or avoided for energy application. That is, there may be frequencies that the controller 101 avoids altogether, such as where the absorption level falls below a predetermined threshold. For example, metals tend to be poor absorbers of electromagnetic energy, and therefore certain frequencies associated with metals will exhibit low absorption indicator values. In such instances the metals may fit a known profile, and associated frequencies may be avoided. Or, an absorption indicator value may be dynamically determined, and when it is below a predetermined threshold, controller 101 may prevent an antenna 102 from thereafter applying electromagnetic energy at such frequencies. Alternatively, if it is desirable to apply energy to only portions of an object, energy can be targeted to those portions if associated frequency thresholds are either known or dynamically determined.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one processor may be configured to determine a desired energy absorption amount and adjust energy supplied from the antenna at each frequency in order to target or achieve the desired energy absorption amount. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the at least one processor may be configured to determine a desired energy absorption amount at each of a plurality of frequencies and adjust energy supplied from the antenna at each frequency in order to target the desired energy absorption amount at each frequency. For example as discussed earlier, controller 101 may be configured to target a desired energy absorption amount at each frequency in attempt to achieve or approximate substantially uniform energy absorption across a range of frequencies. Alternatively, controller 101 may be configured to target an energy absorption profile across object 11, which is calculated to avoid uniform energy absorption, or to achieve substantially uniform absorption in only a portion of object 11.
Some or all of the forgoing functions and control schemes, as well as additional functions and control schemes, may be carried out, by way of example, using structures such as the electromagnetic energy application subsystems schematically depicted in
Embodiments of the invention may include a source of electromagnetic energy. A “source” may include any components that are suitable for generating electromagnetic energy. Consistent with the invention, the source may be configured to apply electromagnetic energy to the energy application zone in the form of propagating electromagnetic waves at predetermined wavelengths or frequencies (also known as electromagnetic radiation). As used herein, “propagating electromagnetic waves” may include resonating waves, evanescent waves, and waves that travel through a medium in any other manner. Electromagnetic radiation carries energy that may be imparted to (or dissipated into) matter with which it interacts.
Such a source may include, for example, electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96, as depicted in the schematic of
VCO 122 may be configured to receive a signal from interface 130 (described in greater details in connection with
The signal may then be sent through a main line of dual directional coupler 110. The output of coupler 110 may be amplified by power amplifier 112 and then passed through isolator 114. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, a signal proportional to the energy reflected from amplifier 112 may also be fed to interface 130. Coupler 110 may feedback a portion of the signal entering it to interface 130. These signals may enable supervision of VCO 122/VCA 106 and amplifier 112. In the presently disclosed embodiments such as a production system, dual directional coupler 110 may be omitted.
RF switch 116 may be configured to switch power either to power load 118 or to antennas 102, via dual directional coupler 120. Dual directional coupler 120 may be configured to sample the electromagnetic energy transmitted into and received from cavity 10 and send the energy measurement signals to interface 130.
Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, RF amplifier 112 may be a solid state amplifier based on the LDMOS technology with a Psat=300 W, an efficiency=about 22%, and an effective band of 800-1000 MHz. Such amplifiers may either have a relatively narrow bandwidth or a low efficiency (<25%) or both.
Consistent with some embodiments, amplifier 112 (e.g., RF amplifier) may be based on SiC (silicon carbide) or GaN (gallium nitride) semiconductor technology, with a potential efficiency for example of 70%. Transistors utilizing such technologies are commercially available from companies, such as Eudyna, Nitronex and others. Amplifiers having a maximum power output of 300-600 W (can be built from low power (50-100 Watt) modules) and a bandwidth of 600 MHz (at 700 MHz center frequency) or a bandwidth of 400 MHz (at 2.5 GHz center frequency) may be used as RF amplifier 112. Such amplifiers may have a much higher efficiency (e.g., an efficiency of 60% consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments) than prior art amplifiers and much higher tolerance to reflected signals. Due to the high efficiency of RF amplifier 112, isolator 114 may be omitted consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments.
While a few amplifier examples are described above, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to a particular structure. To the extent that an amplification function is employed in alternative embodiments, within the scope and spirit of the invention, an amplification function can be accomplished with alternative structures, as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, reading this disclosure.
The schematic of
Circuitry 200 may also include, among other things, an RF switch 194, a load 190 and dual directional coupler 120, interconnected, for example, as illustrated in
In the presently disclosed embodiments, dual directional coupler 120 may be excluded. Alternatively or additionally, RF switch 194 may be replaced by a circulator such that power returned from antenna 2 may be always dumped at load 190. Furthermore, although
Processing unit 921 may include any suitable microprocessor, digital signal processor, or microcontroller. In the presently disclosed embodiments, processing unit 921 may be part of the at least one processor in controller 101. Processing unit 921 may be configured to communicate with electromagnetic control interface 925 to provide control instructions to electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96 or 196 and/or obtain measured energy information received from subsystem 96. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, processor 921 may be configured to execute a frequency sweeping process during which electromagnetic energy at a plurality of frequencies is applied (e.g., sequentially) to zone 9. Processing unit 921 may be further configured to determine a value indicative of energy absorbable by object 11 at each of the plurality of frequencies based on the received information during the frequency sweep process. Processing unit 921 may also be configured to select one or more frequencies, among the plurality of frequencies swept, and determine the magnitude of electromagnetic energy for subsequent application at each selected frequency, as described earlier.
Storage unit 922 may include any appropriate type of mass storage provided to store any type of information that processing unit 921 may need to operate. For example, storage unit 922 may include one or more of a RAM, ROM, cache memory, dynamic RAM, static RAM, flash memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or any other structure for storing information. Similarly, memory module 923 may include one or more memory devices identified in the list above. The computer program instructions may be accessed and read from the ROM, or any other suitable memory location, and loaded into the RAM for execution by processor 921.
In the presently disclosed embodiments, both storage unit 922 and memory module 923 may be configured to store information used by processing unit 921, and the functions of both may be combined in a single structure or multiple structures. For example, storage unit 922 and/or memory module 923 may be configured to store one or more parameters of electromagnetic energy determined by processing unit 921. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, these parameters may include frequencies of the applied electromagnetic energy, and magnitudes of the energy at these corresponding frequencies. Storage unit 922 and/or memory module 923 may also be configured to store other intermediate parameters determined by processing unit 921.
User input interface 924 may be any device accessible by the operator of apparatus 100 to input a control signal. For example, user input interface 924 may include one or more of a graphic interface (e.g., Graphical User Interface), one or more hard or soft buttons, a keyboard, a switch, a mouse, or a touch screen.
Electromagnetic control interface 925 may be configured to obtain data from subsystem 96 or 196 via interface 130 and/or to transmit data to these components. For example, electromagnetic control interface 925 may be coupled with interface 130 and be configured for two way communication between subsystem 92 and subsystem 96 or 196. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, electromagnetic control interface 925 may be configured to provide the plurality of sweeping frequencies to subsystem 96 during the frequency sweeping process and receive from subsystem 96 reflected and/or coupled electromagnetic energy measurements.
Computing subsystem 92 may also provide visualized information to the user via display device 926. For example, display device 926 may include a computer screen and provide a graphical user interface (“GUI”) to the user. In some embodiments, when user input interface 924 is a touch screen, user input interface 924 and display device 926 may be incorporated in a single device. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, display device 926 may display a chart illustrating the absorbable energy value plotted against the swept frequencies. Display device 926 may also display a chart illustrating the magnitude of applied electromagnetic energy plotted against the selected frequencies.
During a frequency sweeping process such as described in connection with
In step 152, object 11, for example, a frozen organ, frozen or a non-frozen food object, or any other type of object as previously defined, may be placed in cavity 10. In step 160, a calibration or adjustment routine may then be performed to set operating variables associated with various components of apparatus 100. Depending on the particular application, these variables may include power output (e.g., by amplifier 112 to cavity 10) at each antenna 102 at each frequency; a subset of frequencies of each VCO 122; a selected method of providing electromagnetic energy at the subset of frequencies (for example sequentially applying energy at the subset of frequencies or simultaneously applying energy having the desired frequency and power characteristics as a pulsed signal); positions of the field adjusting elements 22 and 24, position of object 11, and any other adjustable variables associated with the electromagnetic energy application process.
A calibration routine may be performed to ensure the uniformity of electromagnetic energy applied to different portions of object 11. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, step 160 may include a frequency sweeping process for determining operating variables for apparatus 100 such that the absorbable energy is substantially uniform throughout object 11. Calibration routine may be executed by processing unit 921 in subsystem 92. Criteria 156 may be provided to the calibration routine. In the presently disclosed embodiments, criteria 156 may be stored in storage device 922 and/or memory module 923 in subsystem 92. An exemplary calibration process and exemplary criteria are described in greater details in connection with
In step 158, after the variables are determined, these variables are set in the various components of apparatus 100 through subsystem 96 and heating may commence in step 170. During the heating process, electromagnetic energy may be applied to cavity 10 via antennas 102, for example, antennas 16, 18, and/or 20. Consistent with either the embodiment of
Alternatively, frequencies may be swept sequentially across a range of the cavity 10 resonance frequencies or, more preferably along a portion of the range. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, the magnitude of the supplied power may be adjusted during this sweep so that the absorbable energy at each frequency remains constant or substantially constant during the sweep. For example, amplification ratio of power amplifier 112 may be changed inversely with the energy absorption characteristic of object 11, as were described earlier in connection with
In the presently disclosed embodiments, power may be applied over a predetermined time at each frequency to obtain a certain amount of electromagnetic energy. For example, 1 J energy may be applied at 300 MHz in 1 millisecond and 2 J may be applied at 310 MHz in another 1 millisecond. Alternatively or additionally, an amount of electromagnetic energy may be applied during a variable amount of time at each frequency. In particular, the amount of time may be determined for each frequency, such that the applied power at each frequency is substantially the same. For example, 1 J energy may be applied at 300 MHz in 1 milliseconds and 2 J may be applied at 310 MHz in 2 milliseconds, so that the supplied power at each of the two frequencies is 1000 W.
Energy application may be interrupted periodically (e.g., several times a second) for a short time (e.g., only a few milliseconds or tens of milliseconds). Once energy application (e.g., for heating as disclosed in connection with
If the criterion or criteria for terminating heating is not met (step 154: no), it may be determined if the variables should be re-determined and reset in step 151. If not (step 151: no), process may return to step 170 and continue to provide heating. Otherwise (step 151: yes), process may return to calibration routine 160 and determine new variables for apparatus 100. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, less frequencies may be swept in a calibration process performed during the heating phase than those swept in a calibration process performed before the heating phase, such that the heating process is interrupted for a minimum amount of time.
By way of example only, calibration routine 160 may be performed 120 times in a minute during the heating phase. Higher (e.g. 200/min, 300/min) or lower (e.g., 100/min, 20/min, 2/min, 10/heating time, 3/heating time) calibration rates are also non-limiting examples of performance rates that might be used, depending on the details of a desired application. Thus, while in some applications calibrations may be performed once every 0.5 seconds or once every 5 seconds, a nearly infinite range of possibilities exist. Moreover, non-uniform calibration rates may be used. For example, the first interruption may occur after 0.5 second, while the second interruption may occur after another 0.8 second.
According to other embodiments, the calibration rate may be dynamically determined based on the amount of energy applied into cavity 10 and/or the amount of energy dissipated into object 11. For example, in step 151, it may be determined that new variables are needed, only if a given amount of energy (e.g., 10 kJ or less or 1 kJ or less or several hundreds of joules or even 100 J or less) has been applied or dissipated into object 11 or into a given portion of object 11 (e.g., by weight such as 100 g or by percentage, such as 50% of object 11). Consistent with other embodiments, the determination in step 151 may be made based on information provided by other means, for example an RF/bar-code readable tag (e.g., containing previously determined energy application information or an amount of energy to be dissipated in the object) or temperature sensors that measure the temperature of object 11.
In some embodiments, heating may be terminated once one or more sensor(s) indicate that certain criteria are met. Such criteria may indicate, for example: once sufficient amount of energy is absorbed in the object, once one or more portions of the object are at a predetermined temperature, once time derivatives of absorbed power changes. Such automatic processing adjustment may be useful, for instance, in vending machines where food products are heated or cooked when purchased. Purchase may start the heating and specific heating conditions (for example, energy supplied at each frequency) may be determined in accordance with feedback from the heated product, for example. Additionally or alternatively, heating may be stopped once the sensors sense conditions that are defined to the controller as stopping criteria. Additionally or alternatively, cooking or processing instructions may be provided on a machine readable element (e.g., barcode or a tag, associated with the processed object). The processed object may be, for example, heated food product purchased in the vending machine.
In yet other embodiments, the determination in step 151 may be made based on the rate of change in spectral information between interruptions. For example, a threshold of change in dissipation and/or frequencies (e.g., a 10% change in sum integral) may be provided, and once the threshold is exceeded, a calibration may be performed. As another example, different change rates may be provided corresponding to different calibration rates, for example in a form of look-up table. In an alternative scheme, the rate of change may be determined as the average changes between every two calibrations. Such changes may be used to adjust the period between two calibrations once or more than once during a heating session. Additionally or alternatively, the rate of calibration may also be affected by changes in apparatus 100 (e.g., if used in an oven, movement of a plate on which the object is located). Optionally, major changes may increase the rate and minor or no changes may decrease it.
In step 164, subsystem 92 may provide control signals indicating a plurality of sweeping frequencies to subsystem 96 via interface 130 and subsystem 96 may be configured to apply electromagnetic energy to zone 9 at these plurality of frequencies via antennas 102. Consistent with some heating embodiments, different sweeping parameter may be determine (e.g., by controller 101) for example the sweeping range and/or the sweeping resolution. The sweeping frequencies may be within a range of 300-1000 MHz or even up to 3 GHz, depending on the heating application. Consistent with some embodiments, ranges, for example 860-900 MHz, 800-1000 MHz or 420-440 MHz may also be used. In some embodiments, a range of 430-450 MHz may be used. Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, the sweeping range may include several non-contiguous ranges, if more than one continuous range satisfies the criteria for use in a particular application such as heating. A sweep may include the transmission of multiple frequencies in a contiguous frequency band at a predetermined frequency range (e.g., the transmission of multiple frequencies in a frequency band at 0.1 MHz, 0.2 MHz, 0.5 MHz, 1 MHz or any other frequency range).
In step 166, sweeping results may be compared with criteria 156. The sweeping results may be the value indicative of energy absorbable (e.g. dissipation ratio) as a function of the swept frequencies and the criteria may indicate different dissipation ratio threshold values, indicating how much electromagnetic energy may be applied in each frequency. In some embodiments one criterion may be not to apply little or no energy in certain frequencies (e.g. frequencies having dissipation ratio value higher than a threshold value). In some exemplary embodiments, the dissipation ratio for each transmitting antenna may be maximized, i.e., the maximum dissipation ratio within the sweep range may be made as high as possible. The maximum dissipation ratio and the frequency at which the maximum ratio is achieved may then be recorded. Additionally, the width of the dissipation ratio peak and a Q-factor may also be recorded. In some embodiments, the area under each resonance peak of the dissipation ratio (see
In step 168, it may be determined if the criteria has been met. For example, each frequency may have maximum absorption at a specific location within an object in an energy application zone, and this peak (maximum) energy absorption region (e.g., in the case of
Therefore, consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, the criteria for determining if the variables are properly set may be that the peak dissipation ratio (in the presently disclosed embodiments) or the area or a width (in other embodiments) is above some predetermined threshold, or a Q-factor is below some predetermined threshold. For example, a threshold may be set such that only the area above 60% dissipation ratio is maximized for each of the antennas.
In step 168, of
In some situations where multiple antennas are used, power may be fed to all of the antennas at the same time using the exemplary subsystem 96 of
In step 204 of
However, it is also contemplated that consistent with other embodiments and depending on the particular application (e.g., in a thawing application), frequencies corresponding to a dissipation ratio below a predetermined threshold or within a certain predetermined range may be used such that certain materials or items in object 11 are selectively heated. For example, it is known that water has a dissipation ratio higher than non-water materials. Therefore, by applying energy at frequencies that correspond to low dissipation ratios, the object may be thawed without heating the water inside.
In optional step 216, it may be determined if field adjusting elements 22 and 24 have been properly adjusted. If not (step 216: no), a desired position and/or orientation of the field adjusting elements may be determined during an integrative process 218. In step 218, the positions of field adjusting elements 22 and 24 may be set. This adjustment may be optional and in the presently disclosed embodiments, such elements might not require adjustment. In general, the criterion for such adjustment is that the peaks have as high dissipation ratio as possible with as broad a peak as possible. Depending on specific applications, additional adjustment may be made, for example to move the peak to a certain band.
Consistent with the presently disclosed embodiments, a search may be performed in iterative process 218 for a position of field adjusting elements 22 and 24 at which the dissipation ratio at all of the antennas meets criteria. For example, standard search techniques can be used or a neural network or other learning system can be used, especially if the same type of object is heated repeatedly. It is contemplated that any iterative process known in the art may also be used.
Once it is determined if field adjusting elements 22 and 24 have been properly adjusted (step 216: yes), in step 210, the elements are set to the best positions as determined. In some embodiments, in step 212, the sweep may be adjusted to avoid hot spot (e.g., to avoid feeding excess power into certain parts of the object). For example, if the object contains a metal rod or a metal zipper, a high Q peak 254 may be generated in dissipation ratio, as shown in
The invention may further include a method for applying electromagnetic energy to an object. Electromagnetic energy may be applied to an object, for example, through at least one processor implementing a series of steps of process 1300 of
In certain embodiments, a method may involve controlling a source of electromagnetic energy. As previously discussed, a “source” of electromagnetic energy may include any components that are suitable for generating electromagnetic energy. By way of example only, in step 1310, the at least one processor may be configured to control a source of EM energy (e.g., electromagnetic energy application subsystem 96).
The source may be controlled in order to apply electromagnetic energy at a plurality of frequencies to at least one radiating element, such as is indicated in step 1320. Various examples of frequency application, including sweeping, as discussed earlier, may be implemented in step 1320. Alternatively, other schemes for controlling the source may be implemented so long as that scheme results in the application of energy at a plurality of frequencies. If exemplary subsystem 96 is employed, in step 1320, the at least one processor may regulate subsystem 96 to apply energy at multiple frequencies to at least one transmitting antenna.
In certain embodiments, the method may further involve determining a value indicative of energy absorbable by the object at each of the plurality of frequencies, in step 1330. An absorbable energy value may include any indicator—whether calculated, measured, derived, estimated or predetermined—of an object's capacity to absorb energy. For example, subsystem 92 may be configured to determine an absorbable energy value (e.g., a dissipation ratio associated with each frequency).
In certain embodiments, the method may also involve adjusting an amount of electromagnetic energy incident or applied at each of the plurality of frequencies based on the absorbable energy value at each frequency. In some embodiments, the method may also involve adjusting an amount of electromagnetic energy incident or applied at a sub-band of the plurality of frequencies based on the absorbable energy value at each frequency. For example, in step 1340, at least one processor may determine an amount of energy to be applied at each frequency, as a function of the absorbable energy value associated with that frequency. In some embodiments, the power level used for applying the EM energy may be adjusted at each of the plurality of frequencies based on the absorbable energy value at each frequency.
In step 1430, the at least one processor may be configured to regulate subsystem 96 to measure reflected energy at the at least one radiating element and transmitted energy at other radiating elements, at each of a plurality of frequencies. Subsystem 96 may be regulated to receive electromagnetic energy reflected at the transmitting antenna and transmitted energy at receiving antennas, and to communicate the measured energy information back to subsystem 92 via interface 130. In the presently disclosed embodiments, reflected power and the transmitted power may be measured, instead of the energy, by subsystem 96. In step 1430, a processor may take into account any indicator the object's capacity to absorb energy, whether calculated, measured, estimated, or derived from memory.
In step 1440, the at least one processor may determine an absorbable energy value. For example, subsystem 92 may be configured to determine the absorbable energy value based on the measurements obtained in step 1430. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the determined value may be a dissipation ratio determined according to formula (1) based on the measured reflected power and transmitted power. In some other embodiments, input reflection coefficients S11, S22, and S33 and transfer coefficients S12=S21, S13=S31, S23=S32 based on the measured power information and the dissipation ratio may be determined according to formula (2).
In step 1450, the at least one processor may determine a subset of frequencies, out of the frequencies used in step 1420 at which energy is to be applied. For example, the at least processor may generate a dissipation ratio spectrum 250 by plotting the dissipation ratio associated with each frequency against the respective frequencies, as illustrated for example in
In the presently disclosed embodiments, a choice may be made not to use all possible frequencies in a working band, such that the emitted frequencies are limited to a sub band of frequencies where the Q factor in that sub band is smaller or higher than a threshold. Such a sub band may be, for example 50 MHz wide or more or even 100 MHz wide or more, 150 MHz wide or more, or even 200 MHz wide or more.
In step 1460, the at least one processor may determine an amount of energy to be supplied to the radiating element at each candidate frequency, e.g., at each of the subset of frequencies or over the whole working band. For example, the energy supplied to the at least one antenna 102 at each of the subset of frequencies may be determined as a function of the absorbable energy value at each frequency (e.g., as a function of a dissipation ratio, maximum incident energy, a combination of the dissipation ratio and the maximum incident energy, or some other indicator). The functional correlation may vary depending upon application. For example, the at least one processor may implement a function that causes a relatively low supply of energy to be supplied at a frequency where absorbable energy value is relatively high. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the energy supplied at each of the subset of frequencies may be determined as a function of the absorbable energy values at one or more frequencies, among the plurality of frequencies, other than or in addition to the frequency at which energy is supplied. For example,
In the presently disclosed embodiments, the at least one processor may determine the power level used for applying the determined amount of energy at each frequency, as a function of the absorbable energy value. When making the determination, energy may be applied for a constant amount of time at each frequency. Alternatively, the at least one processor may determine varying durations at which the energy is applied at each frequency, assuming a substantially constant power level. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the at least one processor may determine both the power level and time duration for applying the energy at each frequency.
In step 1470, the at least one processor may cause the source of electromagnetic energy to supply the determined amount of energy to the radiating element at each candidate frequency, e.g., at each of the subset of frequencies. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the amount of energy applied in step 1470 at a particular frequency may be higher than that applied in step 1420 at that frequency. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the amount of energy applied in step 1470 at a particular frequency may be substantially the same as that applied in step 1420 at that frequency.
In the presently disclosed embodiments, controller 101 may be configured to hold substantially constant the amount of time at which energy is applied at each frequency, while varying the power level at each frequency, as determined in step 1460. In some other embodiments, controller 101 may be configured to cause the energy to be supplied to the antenna at a power level substantially equal to a maximum power level of the device, while supplying the energy over varying time durations at each frequency, as determined in step 1460. The energy supplied to the at least one radiating element may be applied to energy application zone 9 and dissipated into object 11. In the presently disclosed embodiments, both the power and duration of energy application at different frequencies may be varied.
In step 1480, the at least one processor may determine if energy application should be continued. For example, a temperature sensor may be used to detect the temperature of at least one portion of object 11. The at least one processor may determine that energy application should be stopped if the temperature reaches a pre-determined threshold. As another example, the at least one processor may determine that energy application should be stopped if energy has been applied for a pre-determined amount of time or if a predetermined amount of energy was dissipated into the object. Accordingly, if there is no need for further application of energy (step 1480: NO), process 1400 may terminate in step 1500.
If further application of energy is desired (step 1480: YES), the at least one processor may determine if new energy absorbable values need to be determined, in step 1490. Because absorbable energy can change based on a host of factors including object temperature, depending on application, it may be beneficial to regularly update absorbable energy values and thereafter adjust energy application based on the updated absorption values. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the at least one processor may determine to update the dissipation ratios every 10 milliseconds. Alternatively or additionally, other updating rates may be used, for example once in 5 seconds or any value in-between the aforementioned. Depending on the application, updating rates greater than 5 seconds may also be chosen. In the presently disclosed embodiments, the at least processor may be configured to monitor certain characteristic parameters associated with object 11, for example the temperature of object 11, and dynamically determine if an update is necessary.
If an update is not needed (step 1490: NO), process 1400 may be redirected to step 1470 and cause the source to continue supplying energy to the radiating elements. If an update is needed (step 1490:YES), process 1400 may be redirected to step 1420 and determine the absorbable energy values and amount of energy to be supplied at each frequency again.
In the foregoing Description of Exemplary Embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for purposes of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the invention.
Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed systems and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, as claimed. Thus, it is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/222,948, which was filed on Aug. 20, 2008, as a continuation of International Application No. PCT/IL07/00236, filed Feb. 21, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/775,231, filed Feb. 21, 2006, and also to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/806,860, filed Jul. 10, 2006. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/322,133, which was filed on Apr. 8, 2010. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/563,180 and 12/563,182, filed Sep. 12, 2009, both of which are continuations of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/222,948, filed Aug. 20, 2008. The disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/563,180 and 12/563,182, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/775,231, 60/806,860, and 61/322,133 and also International Application No. PCT/IL07/00236 are fully incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120067872 A1 | Mar 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60775231 | Feb 2006 | US | |
| 60806860 | Jul 2006 | US | |
| 61322133 | Apr 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/IL2007/000236 | Feb 2007 | US |
| Child | 12222948 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12222948 | Aug 2008 | US |
| Child | 13080072 | US |
