Microwave Heating Device Polarization Grid Source Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microwave heating systems face issues with microwave reflection causing failures in irradiating sources and sample material escape due to the arrangement of microwave sources around the reaction furnace, particularly when dealing with varying sample forms like solid, liquid, or gas.

Innovation Solution

A microwave irradiating and heating device is designed with a reaction furnace, a polarization grid, a linearly polarized microwave source outside the furnace, and a reflector above the furnace, where the polarization direction of the microwave is perpendicular to the grid, ensuring the microwave is confined within the furnace.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If microwave irradiating sources are arranged circumferentially around the reaction furnace, then heating coverage is improved, but microwave reflection causes failures in the irradiating sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating coverageVSAvoidirradiating source reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A polarization grid is introduced as an intermediary component between the microwave irradiating source and the reaction furnace. The grid selectively transmits microwaves with polarization perpendicular to its orientation while reflecting microwaves with parallel polarization, preventing harmful reflections back to the irradiating source while maintaining heating effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the polarization parameter of microwaves by using a polarization grid that converts the polarization state. By orienting the grid perpendicular to the microwave source, it reflects unwanted microwaves back while transmitting useful ones, thereby controlling microwave propagation characteristics to prevent source failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the reaction furnace is not equipped with lid, then access for loading/unloading sample material is improved, but sample material escapes from the furnace

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading accessibilityVSAvoidsample material retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A polarization grid acts as a flexible barrier that is transparent to microwaves with specific polarization while physically containing sample material. The grid functions as a selective membrane that allows operational access while preventing material escape through its selective transmission properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If microwave irradiating sources are arranged circumferentially, then heating uniformity is improved, but energy is lost through microwave reflection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating uniformityVSAvoidmicrowave energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The polarization grid converts harmful reflected microwaves into beneficial transmitted microwaves by selectively reflecting microwaves with parallel polarization back toward the sample material for additional heating, while transmitting microwaves with perpendicular polarization. This transforms energy loss into useful heating energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 configuration effectively confines microwaves and sample materials within the furnace, preventing source failures and material escape, while enhancing energy absorption and efficiency by allowing repeated irradiation of reflected microwaves.

Implementation Method 1

a polarization grid provided for the reaction furnace; the polarization direction of the reflected microwave which is made incident upon the polarization grid is perpendicular to an orientation of the polarization grid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

a reflector for reflecting the microwave emitted from the microwave irradiating source toward the reaction furnace through the polarization grid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a microwave irradiating source for emitting a linearly polarized microwave; a reaction furnace for containing a sample material to be irradiated with microwave and to be heated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9737866B2Microwave irradiating and heating device

Publication Date: 2017.08.22 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a microwave irradiating and heating device including: a reaction furnace (1) for containing a sample material (50) to be irradiated with microwave and to be heated; a polarization grid (2) provided for the reaction furnace (1); a microwave irradiating source (3) for emitting a linearly polarized microwave, the microwave irradiating source (3) being disposed outside the reaction furnace (1); and a reflector (4) for reflecting the microwave emitted from the microwave irradiating source (3) toward the reaction furnace (1) through the polarization grid (2), the reflector (4) being disposed above the reaction furnace (1), wherein the microwave irradiating source (3) is arranged in such a way that the polarization direction of the reflected microwave which is made incident upon the polarization grid (2) is perpendicular to an orientation of the polarization grid (2).