Expert Tooling and Automation, Ltd.

Trimark Corporation

Other

Andrew Bools

Clayton R DeCamillis

Keith R Hicks

Andrew Cardin

Iftikhar Ahmad

Richard C Hazelhurst

Robert J Schauer

Angelo Luciano

Julie M Houdek

Ricci L Marzolf

David A Craft

Yunchuan Liu

A microwave heating system includes: a variable-frequency microwave source having a usable bandwidth about a center frequency; a waveguide with an input side connected to the source and an output side terminating in a launch structure; and, a metallic reflector plate facing the launch structure and perpendicular thereto and spaced therefrom at a distance of no more than twice the microwave wavelength at an operative frequency of the microwave source, the reflector plate including a recessed area of a selected size and shape located facing the launch structure so that a material to be treated may be placed between the launch structure and the recessed area for exposure to microwave energy. A related method is also disclosed.

Near-field microwave heating system and method

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn or waveguide configured to apply the microwave power to a small area to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites. The spot curing may secure components in place for further handling, after which a thermal or oven treatment will cure the remaining adhesive to develop adequate strength for service. A related method is also disclosed.

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn or waveguide configured to apply the microwave power to a small area to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites. The spot curing may secure components in place for further handling, after which a thermal or oven treatment will cure the remaining adhesive to develop adequate strength for service.

An operator for a latch system. The operator has a main body, a control unit, and a retainer. The control unit has at least a portion that is selectively repositionable relative to the main body by a user with the control unit in an operative position on the main body to change the state of a latch system with which the operator is associated. A retainer is placeable in an assembled position on the main body wherein the retainer maintains the control unit in the operative position. The main body has a first shoulder, with the retainer element having a second shoulder. The first and second shoulders face and abut each other with the retainer in the assembled position to prevent the retainer from being moved out of the assembled position such that the control unit could be moved out of the operative position. There are cooperating surfaces on the main body and retainer which guide the retainer and main body each against the other to allow the retainer to be guidingly moved against and relative to the main body from a first position relative to the main body into the assembled position. At least a part of at least one of the main body and retainer is deformable and is deformed as an incident of the retainer moving from the first position into the assembled position whereupon the first and second shoulders face and abut each other to prevent the retainer from being moved out of the assembled position.

Growing community of inventors

Leicester, United Kingdom

Andrew Bools