The Pillsbury Company

Litton Systems, Inc.

Other

Ronald R Lentz

Peter S Pesheck

Michael R Perry

Dan J Wendt

Matthew Woodard Lorence

Jonathon D Kemske

Diane R Rosenwald

George R Anderson

Michael J Rice

Andrew H Johnson

Eldon J Klemp

Craig M Shevlin

Sheryl L Smith

Thomas R Peck

Jimmy DeMars

Thomas R Frigge

John Eger, Jr

Alvaro Santos

Shomo, Jr, Robert B

David H Larkey

A susceptor according to the present invention includes a substrate having physical properties so that melting and size deformation of the substrate occur in response to microwave absorption by the susceptor. A metalized layer is coupled to the substrate, and supporting means is provided for supporting the substrate and the metalized layer.

Temperature controlled susceptor structure

The present invention includes a method of selectively heating, comprising the step of providing a source of radiation capable of delivering at least 60% of its power in a selected wavelength band, and exposing the food to the radiation for an amount of time sufficient to heat beneath a surface.

Method of processing food utilizing infrared radiation

An apparatus is suitable for use in a microwave oven. An artificial dielectric is located adjacent or within a food product cooking stack in the microwave oven. A support media supports the artificial dielectric in the cooking stack at a desired distance from the oven shelf. The artificial dielectric has properties suitable so that the cooking stack can be positioned in the microwave oven to achieve desired cooking performance.

Artificial dielectric tuning device for microwave ovens

A susceptor includes a substrate and a metal layer coupled to the substrate. An adhesive layer is coupled to the metal layer and a support layer is coupled to the adhesive layer for supporting the susceptor structure. The metal layer includes nickel, chromium and iron each comprising a percentage of the metal layer approximately within the following ranges: nickel is 60% to 68%; chromium is 5% to 37%; and iron is 3% to 38%.

Nickel, chromium, iron alloy type susceptor structure

A microwave susceptor structure includes a first thick metal layer, and a second matching layer coupled to the thick metal layer. The matching layer is chosen to couple a desired amount of power into the thick metal layer.

Thick metal microwave susceptor

A reflective temperature compensating microwave susceptor is disclosed. The susceptor has a microwave interactive heating layer which may be characterized in various ways. In one aspect, the microwave interactive heating layer is operable to provide an increase in reflectance by several factors during heating from 23.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. The microwave interactive heating layer may have a surface resistance that decreases significantly from 23.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. In another aspect, the microwave interactive heating layer may have an electrical conductivity which increases significantly from 23.degree. to 250.degree. C. The microwave interactive heating layer is preferably formed as a thin film deposited upon a substrate, preferably a sheet of polyester. The coated polyester is adhesively bonded to a support member. The microwave interactive heating layer preferably comprises TiO.sub.x, where x has a value between two and one. Most preferably, the microwave interactive heating layer predominantly comprises Ti.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Reflective temperature compensating microwave susceptors

A method and apparatus is disclosed for a system for heating food products in a variety of microwave ovens. The invention allows the temperature profile of the food product to be set at a predetermined level. A grid is used in combination with a conductive ring. There is preferably a spacing between the grid and the surface of the food product between about 0.25 inch and about 2.4 inches, a margin between openings in the grid between about 0.6 inch and about 1.8 inches, and the openings in the grid are of a size between about 0.75 inch and about 1.75 inches. A single iris embodiment is disclosed. The single iris may be in contact with the surface of the food product or spaced therefrom. An embodiment is also disclosed wherein a grid is in contact with the food surface.

Method and apparatus for adjusting the temperature profile of food

A method and apparatus for measuring strong microwave electric field strengths is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first active temperature probe in cooperation with susceptor means for measuring a temperature indicative of the heating effects of microwave radiation at a test location, and an ambient temperature probe for measuring ambient temperature. The temperature differential between the two probes is used by calibration means for determining electric field strength at the test location. The method includes the steps of heating a susceptor means with microwave radiation, and measuring a temperature indicative of the heating effects of microwave radiation at the test location. Ambient temperature is measured, and the temperature differential used to determine the magnitude of the electric field strength.

Method and apparatus for measuring strong microwave electric field

A stationary microwave leakage detector and method for testing microwave ovens for the maximum power density of microwaves leaking through the oven's door seals. The leakage detector is composed of an array of antennae arranged in a line generally circumscribing the circumference of the door at a fixed distance therefrom. The antennae are spaced apart a predetermined maximum distance thus insuring that a given antennae will sense at least a portion of the narrowest possible beam of microwaves emitting from the periphery of the door. Furthermore, the spacing and arrangement of the array vis-a-vis the oven door insure that the minimum power density observed by an antenna is a known ratio of the maximum power density of a narrowest beam possibly incident thereon, thus providing a means to guarantee from the measured power density levels that there are no microwaves leaking from the oven under test greater than a certain maximum power density. Alternately, the antennae are spaced such that the sum of any two adjacent antennae will be equal to or greater than the maximum power density of a narrowest beam possibly incident upon one of them. This antenna spacing provides a stationary method for testing microwave ovens for the maximum power density of microwaves leaking through the oven's door seals.

Microwave oven leakage detector and method of using same to test door

An improved feed system for a microwave oven, including a shelf mounting a microwave energy source and a shelf extension protruding not more than half-way into the microwave cavity. The shelf extension acts as a microwave launching portion and includes a pair of adjacent cut-out sections with arcuate perimeters matching the rotational arc circumscribed by a pair of rotating stirrer blades. Alternative embodiments of the shelf extension - microwave launching portion are illustrated and described.

Feed system for a microwave oven

A method and control system for regulating the output power of a magnetron in a microwave oven having a food heating cavity, a magnetron, and a waveguide coupling the magnetron to the heating cavity. The reflection coefficient within the waveguide is measured and a control signal is generated to switch the magnetron between first and second levels of power output when the reflection coefficient reaches a pre-determined value indicating that the food item within the oven has begun to defrost. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention incorporates digital signal processing utilizing a microprocessor to calculate the reflection coefficient and generate the control signal based upon digital signal inputs that are a function of the detected microwave energy within the waveguide.

Growing community of inventors

Wayzata, MN, United States of America

Ronald R Lentz