RF Heating Apparatus Phase Optimization Lookup Table
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio-frequency heating apparatuses require a long time to determine the optimum heating conditions due to the need to optimize frequency and phase settings individually, leading to inefficient heating processes.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency heating apparatus with a radio-frequency power generation unit, a variable phase shift unit, and a control unit that detects and adjusts frequency and phase settings to optimize heating efficiency by analyzing reflected and through waves, allowing for rapid determination of optimal conditions without measuring all possible combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If frequency and phase conditions are individually optimized within a given range by detecting reflected power in all combinations, then heating optimization is achieved, but the time required to determine optimum heating condition becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the relationship between frequency/phase conditions and reflected power in a lookup table before actual heating operations. When heating is needed, the system simply queries the pre-computed table rather than performing exhaustive measurements, thus achieving optimized heating conditions without the time penalty of real-time exhaustive search.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures reflected power at discrete frequency and phase points within the optimization range, rather than continuously across all possible values. By sampling at strategic intervals and using interpolation or pre-computed tables, the system achieves sufficient optimization without the excessive time cost of exhaustive continuous measurement.
2Measurement precision
If all combinations of frequency and phase conditions are measured to determine optimum heating condition, then accurate optimization is achieved, but the measurement process becomes excessively time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes the reflected power characteristics for various frequency and phase combinations and stores them in a lookup table. During actual operation, the system retrieves pre-calculated values rather than performing exhaustive real-time measurements, maintaining accuracy while dramatically reducing measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational model or lookup table that copies the reflected power characteristics across different frequency and phase conditions. Once measured or calculated for one set of conditions, the data is replicated and adapted for other conditions through the pre-computed relationships, avoiding redundant measurements.
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 significantly reduces the time required to determine the optimal heating conditions, improving heating efficiency and convenience by allowing for quick setup and continuous optimal heating.
Implementation Method 1
a radio-frequency power generation unit configured to generate radio-frequency power of a set frequency
Implementation Method 2
a variable phase shift unit configured to change a phase of the radio-frequency power generated by the radio-frequency power generation unit
Implementation Method 3
detect an amplitude and a phase of a reflected wave constituting the backward power inputted by reflection to the radiation unit
Implementation Method 4
detect an amplitude and a phase of a through wave constituting the backward power inputted to the radiation unit of the one of the radio-frequency power units
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency heating apparatus includes a radio-frequency power generation unit (120), variable phase shift units (142a to 142d) that change a phase of a radio-frequency power generated by the radio-frequency power generation unit (120), radio-frequency power units (140a to 140d), and a control unit (110) that sets a frequency for the radio-frequency power generation unit (120) and a phase shift amount for the variable phase shift units (142a to 142d). Backward power detection units in the radio-frequency power units (140a to 140d) individually detect a reflected power and a through power at the frequency set for the radio-frequency power generation unit (120) by the control unit (110), and the control unit (110) determines a frequency for the radio-frequency power generation unit (120) and a phase shift amount for the variable phase shift units (142a to 142d) for heating the object, on the basis of the detected amplitude and phase of the reflected wave and the through wave.