Microwave Emitter Power Control for Reflected-Wave Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave processing apparatuses face instability in processing due to changes in power consumption distribution, which can adversely affect semiconductor elements and the processing of heating-target objects, particularly when reflected waves are large or small, leading to potential instability and suboptimal results.
Innovation Solution
A radio wave emitting device with multiple signal generators, amplifiers, emitters, measurers, and a controller that adjusts operation modes based on temperature and reflected-wave power measurements to stabilize power distribution and protect signal amplifiers, ensuring consistent processing by adjusting electric power settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric power of traveling waves is adjusted based on reflected wave levels, then the semiconductor elements are protected from damage, but the power consumption distribution in the heating chamber changes, causing instability in processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the control strategy for individual power units based on their specific operating conditions. When reflected waves are detected in a specific power unit, only that unit enters protection mode with modified power settings, while other units continue normal operation. This localized control prevents system-wide power distribution changes that would otherwise occur with global power adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control of multiple power units independently. Each power unit is controlled based on its own reflected wave measurements, allowing the system to protect individual semiconductor elements without affecting the overall power consumption distribution in the heating chamber. This segmentation enables selective protection while maintaining stable processing conditions.
2Productivity
If the electric power of traveling waves is increased to improve heating efficiency, then the reflected waves may adversely affect the semiconductor elements, but reducing power decreases heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring reflected waves from each power unit and using this information to dynamically adjust the electric power of traveling waves. When reflected waves exceed a threshold, the system automatically reduces power to protect semiconductor elements. This real-time feedback enables the system to maintain high heating efficiency under normal conditions while providing automatic protection when reflected waves become harmful.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electric power of traveling waves variable rather than fixed. The power level is dynamically adjusted based on real-time reflected wave measurements, allowing the system to optimize heating efficiency when conditions are favorable and protect semiconductor elements when reflected waves increase. This dynamic control enables adaptation to changing operating conditions.
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 device enhances processing stability by maintaining power consumption distribution similarity between normal and protection operations, thereby protecting signal amplifiers and ensuring consistent and efficient heating of the irradiation target.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of signal amplifiers amplify the one or more high frequency signals to output a plurality of amplified high frequency signals
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of radio wave emitters emit a plurality of radio waves into the cavity based on the plurality of amplified high frequency signals
Implementation Method 3
The plurality of measurers output one or both of temperature measurement values and reflected-wave electric power measurement values
Data Source
AI summary
In a radio wave emitting device of the present disclosure, the controller switches an operation of the device from a normal operation to a protection operation when, during execution of the normal operation, protection is necessary for at least one of signal amplifiers based on one or both of temperature measurement values and reflected-wave power measurement values. The normal operation includes setting an electric power target value for a radio wave to a normal target value for radio wave emitters. The protection operation includes setting the electric power target value for the radio wave to a protection target value for radio wave emitters. For one or both of a protection target radio wave emitter and a radio wave emitter other than the protection target radio wave emitter, the protection target value is lower than the normal target value. The protection target value is set so that a power consumption distribution in a cavity when executing the protection operation is closer to that when executing the normal operation than that when only the electric power target value of the protection target radio wave emitter is set to the protection target value.