Solid-State RF Sources for Dairy Product Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microwave processing in industrial applications for dairy products results in undesirable heat development and uncontrollable processes due to long operating times and the occurrence of hot spots, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A processing apparatus utilizing solid-state radio frequency sources to heat, dry, disinfect, and pasteurize dairy products, featuring a pump to transport the products through a microwave chamber with multiple solid-state RF sources, allowing for precise control of electromagnetic fields and energy distribution, and using a control system with sensors to adjust power levels, frequency, and phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional magnetron microwave processing is used for dairy products, then the processing can be performed, but long operating times result in undesirable heat development and uncontrollable processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single magnetron system into multiple independent solid-state RF sources arranged in arrays. Each source can be controlled independently, allowing the total processing time to be reduced by applying energy more simultaneously and controllably across multiple zones, thereby resolving the contradiction between power delivery and operating time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of each solid-state RF source individually through a control system that adjusts power levels, frequency, and phase in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize heating patterns and reduce total operating time while preventing excessive heat development, addressing the contradiction between processing speed and temperature control.
2Power
If conventional magnetron microwave processing is used for dairy products, then the processing can be performed, but hot spots occur and the process is not sufficiently controllable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microwave generation system into multiple independently controllable solid-state RF sources arranged in arrays. This segmentation allows different zones to be controlled independently, preventing hot spots by adjusting power distribution across multiple sources and ensuring uniform heating throughout the dairy product, thereby resolving the contradiction between power delivery and temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by enabling individual control of each solid-state RF source's power level, frequency, and phase. This allows the system to adjust energy distribution locally in different zones of the processing chamber, ensuring uniform heating patterns and preventing hot spots while maintaining overall processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent incorporates a control system that receives feedback signals from sensors monitoring the processing conditions and adjusts the solid-state RF sources accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables real-time optimization of power distribution to prevent hot spots and maintain temperature uniformity, resolving the contradiction between processing speed and temperature control precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If solid-state radio frequency sources are used with multiple sources in arrays, then even energy distribution is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the solid-state RF sources and control system to perform multiple functions: generating microwave energy, controlling power levels, adjusting frequency and phase, and coordinating multiple sources in arrays. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each source, thereby managing device complexity while achieving uniform energy distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple solid-state RF sources into a centralized control system that manages power levels, frequency, and phase coordination. This consolidation approach reduces overall system complexity by integrating multiple control functions into a unified system rather than requiring separate control mechanisms for each source.
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 approach enables efficient and controlled heating and treatment of dairy products, preventing hot spots and ensuring even energy distribution, reducing energy consumption and increasing product yield while maintaining precise control over the treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
a dairy product is pumped by a pump through a microwave chamber and thereby heated, dried, disinfected and/or pasteurized, sterilized... utilizing solid-state radio frequency sources to heat, dry, disinfect, and pasteurize dairy products
Implementation Method 2
The antenna can be coupled to and/or located in a waveguide, wherein the antenna can radiate the microwaves into the waveguide which preferably is designed of reflective material and can guide the microwaves to a desired location
Implementation Method 3
a dairy product is pumped by a pump through a microwave chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A processing apparatus that includes: a pump; a microwave chamber; and at least one solid-state radio frequency source. The pump pumps a diary product through the microwave chamber; the solid-state radio frequency source includes one or more antennas and/or waveguides; the processing apparatus has a sensor and a control system, the sensor is configured to measure at least one property of the dairy product and at least one property of radiation reflected from the diary product, and a signal from the sensor is utilized by the control system to control the solid-state radio frequency source; a chamber is arranged between the microwave chamber and the solid-state radio frequency source so that the solid-state radio frequency source is free from contacting a wall of the microwave chamber, the chamber is cooled by a cooling unit that is configured to cool the radio frequency source.