Microwave Oven Circulator Housing for Isolation and Thermal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and complex thermal management of traditional circulators in microwave ovens limit the adoption of solid-state microwave technology for mass market applications, as they require expensive materials and modular construction that can lead to reliability issues.

Innovation Solution

A circulator design that integrates a solid-state microwave source and semiconductor components on a common circuit board, with a heat sink for thermal management, reducing the number of parts and improving reliability, and using a casing to house both the circulator and microwave source, which simplifies production and integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional circulators are used in microwave ovens, then isolation and protection functions are achieved, but production cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation functionVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the circulator and solid-state microwave source into a single integrated device housing. The circulator contains the microwave source, amplifier, and termination in one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate modular components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the isolation function through the circulator's inherent non-reciprocal design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional circulators are used, then isolation function is achieved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation functionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated design allows the circulator and microwave source to be manufactured as a single unit, reducing assembly costs and simplifying production. The common housing and internal component arrangement enable more efficient manufacturing processes compared to assembling multiple separate modules, thereby reducing production cost while maintaining the isolation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If solid-state microwave sources are integrated with circulator, then production cost reduces, but thermal management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidthermal management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the heat sink directly into the circulator housing, creating a unified thermal management system. The amplifier and other heat-generating components are thermally coupled to the heat sink through direct contact or thermal interfaces within the housing. This integrated approach simplifies thermal management by consolidating cooling functions into the same structure that houses the electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design reduces production costs, enhances thermal control, and improves reliability by integrating multiple RF devices within a single housing, addressing the limitations of traditional circulators and enabling more efficient and cost-effective solid-state microwave technology in microwave ovens.

Implementation Method 1

This can be ensured by making the load impedance of the microwave absorber equal to the characteristic impedance Z0

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpedance matching:

Implementation Method 2

A circulator forming an isolator is obtained simply by terminating one of the three ports of the circulator with a microwave absorber, which absorbs all the power entering it

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

The circulator comprises a heat sink for transferring heat from the microwave absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

The non-reciprocity observed in these devices usually comes from the interaction between the propagating wave and the material, which can be different with respect to the direction of propagation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-reciprocal wave propagation:

Data Source

PatentUS20240339744A1Circulator Arrangement and Means of Construction for a Microwave Oven

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 TE CONNECTIVITY NEDERLAND

AI summary

The document relates to a circulator forming an isolator for transmitting microwaves in one direction. The circulator comprises: a receiving port for receiving a high-power microwave beam generated by a solid state microwave source; a transceiver port for transmitting the high-power microwave beam to a microwave chamber and the transceiver port for receiving a reflected microwave beam from the microwave chamber; and a microwave absorber connected to a terminating port of the circulator, the microwave absorber for absorbing the reflected microwave beam received by the transceiver port. Further, the circulator comprises a heat sink thermally conductive coupled to the microwave absorber, the heat sink for transferring heat, which is generated by absorbing the microwave beam, to a fluid medium, wherein the heat sink is formed by a casing, the casing housing the circulator and the casing having a void for housing the solid state microwave source.