Directional Microwave Antenna Layout for Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave heating devices often result in uneven heating due to the generation of standing waves caused by microwave reflection, leading to inconsistent heating patterns in irradiated objects.
Innovation Solution
The design of a microwave irradiation device that uses directional antennas arranged to avoid intersecting structures that reflect microwaves, preventing the formation of standing waves and ensuring uniform heating by directing microwaves in a controlled manner to minimize reflection and maximize uniform energy distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional microwave heating devices are used, then heating can be performed, but uneven heating occurs due to standing wave formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable turntable that rotates the irradiated object during microwave heating. This dynamic movement changes the spatial relationship between the object and the microwave field over time, allowing different regions of the object to be exposed to varying microwave intensities. The rotation continues during heating, ensuring that no single area remains in a standing wave node or antinode position continuously, thereby achieving more uniform heating throughout the object.
Solution Approach 2:
The turntable performs periodic rotation at a controlled speed during the heating process. This periodic motion creates a time-varying exposure pattern where each point on the object experiences alternating regions of high and low microwave intensity. The periodic action ensures that heat is distributed more evenly across the entire object surface and interior, eliminating the uneven heating caused by static standing wave patterns.
2Temperature
If multiple dipole antennas are arranged to surround the reaction container, then uniform heating can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the microwave irradiation function into multiple segments by using several dipole antennas positioned at different locations around the reaction container. Each antenna independently contributes to the overall heating, and their combined effect creates a more uniform microwave field distribution. The segmentation allows the system to achieve uniform heating without requiring a single complex antenna structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the output from multiple dipole antennas to create a unified heating effect. By strategically positioning antennas at specific distances (approximately 1/4 wavelength) from the reaction container and coordinating their operation, the system merges their individual microwave fields into a composite field that provides uniform heating. This merging approach achieves the heating uniformity of complex multi-antenna systems while maintaining relatively simple individual antenna structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach achieves uniform heating of irradiated objects by eliminating standing waves, reducing energy loss, and allowing for efficient heating without the need for complex waveguides, thus enabling more consistent and effective microwave processing.
Implementation Method 1
a directional antenna configured to emit microwaves from an irradiation source in an irradiation surface by power feed through conduction via the power feeder
Implementation Method 2
a heating device that dielectrically heats an irradiated object by irradiating the irradiated object with microwaves
Data Source
AI summary
A microwave irradiation device including: a holder that holds an irradiated object; a power feeder configured to conduct with an oscillator; and a directional antenna configured to emit microwaves from an irradiation source in an irradiation surface by power feed through conduction via the power feeder.