Microwave Heat Deposition Mapping for Uniform Cavity Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking appliances, particularly microwave ovens, suffer from uneven heating, leading to unsatisfactory food quality, excessive user intervention, and potential accidents due to overheating, with slow heating times and imprecise temperature control.
Innovation Solution
Implement Fast Pattern Temperature Imaging (FPTI) and Adaptive Fast Pattern Temperature Imaging (AFPTI) to measure and adaptively control spatially varying heating patterns using sensors and algorithms, allowing precise temperature profile management by measuring heat deposition and adjusting control parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional microwave heating is used, then heating speed is fast, but temperature distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating process into multiple discrete heating patterns that can be individually controlled and optimized. By dividing the heating task into pattern segments, the system can apply different heating strategies to different spatial regions, achieving uniform temperature distribution while maintaining fast heating speeds through parallel processing of multiple patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic heating pattern selection and adjustment based on real-time temperature feedback. The system dynamically adapts the heating patterns by adjusting parameters such as power levels, duration, and spatial distribution according to the measured temperature state, enabling both rapid heating and uniform temperature control through continuous optimization.
2Manufacturing precision
If heating time is extended to achieve uniform temperature, then temperature distribution improves, but heating efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of the heating patterns through Fast Pattern Temperature Imaging (FPTI) to establish a library of heating responses for different patterns. This preliminary action allows the system to predict the outcome of heating sequences without actual trial heating, enabling optimal pattern selection and sequencing that achieves uniform temperature distribution in minimal time through pre-computed optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring actual temperature distribution during or after heating cycles and using this information to adjust subsequent heating patterns. The feedback mechanism enables the system to correct temperature non-uniformities in real-time, achieving both high temperature uniformity and heating efficiency through iterative optimization based on measured results.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple heating patterns are used to achieve homogeneous heating, then temperature uniformity improves, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified digital models and lookup tables that represent complex heating pattern effects through pre-measured FPTI data. Instead of directly controlling multiple complex heating patterns, the system uses copied representations in the form of heating response libraries and predictive models, reducing control complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve homogeneous temperature distribution through pattern combination.
4Measurement precision
If Fast Pattern Temperature Imaging is implemented, then temperature measurement precision improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach where instead of directly measuring complex three-dimensional temperature fields, the system uses intermediate representations such as two-dimensional temperature maps from thermal cameras or simplified sensor arrays. These intermediaries provide sufficient temperature information for control purposes without requiring full 3D thermal imaging, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining adequate measurement precision for effective heating control.
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
Enables predictable, homogeneous heating by accurately controlling temperature profiles, reducing overheating risks and user intervention, and achieving faster, more consistent cooking results.
Implementation Method 1
a change in temperature of the load (808) disposed inside a cavity during emission of electromagnetic radiation into the cavity is measured
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes, by an electromagnetic device, generating an initial map of a temperature profile of a load disposed inside a cavity, emitting electromagnetic radiation into the cavity based on initial control parameter configurations, where a change in temperature of the load during the emission is measured by one or more sensors, generating updated maps of electromagnetic energy absorbed by the load based on the measured change in temperature of the load, where the updated maps comprise an indication of a spatial heating rate within the load, determining a sufficient number of the updated maps of electromagnetic energy absorbed by the load disposed inside the cavity have been measured, and, in response to determining that a sufficient number of the one or more updated maps of electromagnetic energy have been measured, storing the updated maps of electromagnetic energy absorbed by the load.