Contact members for packaged articles heated with radio frequency energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio frequency (RF) energy heating systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting and launching RF energy due to the wavelength, which affects the heating process of articles, leading to inefficiencies and uneven heating.
Innovation Solution
A process and system that involves passing articles through a liquid contact zone with an initial thermal regulation zone, an RF heating zone, and a subsequent thermal regulation zone, where RF energy is used to increase the temperature of the articles by at least 20°C, with a nonlinear travel path and energy-absorptive components to enhance energy absorption and uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If RF energy is used to heat articles, then heating efficiency is improved, but uneven heating and transmission difficulties occur due to wavelength issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces liquid contact members as intermediaries between the RF energy source and the articles. These contact members absorb RF energy and transfer it to the articles through direct contact, solving the problem of uneven heating caused by RF wavelength issues while maintaining high heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical heating systems with RF energy-based heating. By using electromagnetic fields instead of mechanical contact heating, the system achieves higher efficiency while using liquid contact members to ensure uniform energy distribution to avoid uneven heating
2Productivity
If articles are heated rapidly with RF energy, then production rate is improved, but thermal degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using liquid contact members that make selective contact with different parts of the articles. This ensures localized and uniform heat distribution, allowing rapid heating while preventing thermal degradation through controlled energy transfer to specific areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous heating through the liquid contact members that remain in contact with articles throughout the heating zone. This continuous energy transfer enables rapid heating to increase production rate while maintaining controlled temperature distribution to prevent thermal degradation
3Device complexity
If a linear convey line is used, then device complexity is reduced, but heating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a helical (curved) convey line instead of a linear path. This curvature allows articles to traverse through the RF heating zone in a spiral pattern, ensuring all surfaces receive uniform RF energy exposure while maintaining relatively simple device structure through a single continuous helical path
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
The system achieves efficient and uniform heating of articles, with the average temperature at the geometric center increased by at least 20°C, and subsequent cooling, while maintaining a small footprint and high production rate, minimizing thermal degradation and energy absorption.
Implementation Method 1
heating the articles on the convey line with RF energy in the RF heating zone to thereby increase the average temperature at the geometric center of the articles by at least 20° C.
Implementation Method 2
regulating the temperature of the articles on the convey line in the initial thermal regulation zone to promote temperature uniformity of the articles
Implementation Method 3
passing a plurality of articles through a liquid contact zone of an RF heating system while maintaining the articles in contact with a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.