Nxp Usa, Inc.

Xiaofei Qiu

Lionel Mongin

Pierre Marie Jean Piel

James Eric Scott

Jérémie Simon

Minyang Ma

Pierre Piel

A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, one or more electrodes proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode(s), and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the output of the RF signal source and the electrode(s). The system also includes measurement circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured to measure one or more parameters that include voltage, current, forward signal power, reflected signal power, and S11 along the transmission path. A system controller is configured to monitor the measurements, and to modify operation of the system when a rate of change of any of the monitored parameter(s) exceeds a predetermined threshold. The impedance matching network may be a single-ended network or a double-ended network.

Defrosting apparatus with arc detection and methods of operation thereof

A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, an electrode proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, and a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode. The system also includes power detection circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured repeatedly to take forward and reflected RF power measurements along the transmission path. A system controller repeatedly determines, based on the forward and reflected RF power measurements, a calculated rate of change, and repeatedly compares the calculated rate of change to a threshold rate of change. When the calculated rate of change compares favorably with the threshold rate of change, the RF signal source continues to provide the RF signal to the electrode until a determination is made that the defrosting operation is completed, at which time the RF signal source ceases to provide the RF signal to the electrode.

Apparatus and methods for detecting defrosting operation completion

A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, two electrodes proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrodes, and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the output of the RF signal source and the electrodes. The system also includes power detection circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured to detect reflected signal power along the transmission path. A system controller is configured to modify, based on the reflected signal power, a value of a variable passive component of the impedance matching network to reduce the reflected signal power. The impedance matching network may be a single-ended network or a double-ended network.

Defrosting apparatus and methods of operation thereof

A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, an electrode proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode, and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the output of the RF signal source and the electrode. The system also includes power detection circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured to detect reflected signal power along the transmission path. A system controller is configured to modify, based on the reflected signal power, an inductance value of the impedance matching network to reduce a ratio of the reflected signal power to the forward signal power. The impedance matching network includes a plurality of fixed-value, lumped inductors positioned within a fixed inductor area.

Defrosting apparatus with lumped inductive matching network and methods of operation thereof

A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, one or more electrodes proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode(s), and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the RF signal source output and the electrode(s). A system controller is configured to modify, based on the reflected signal power, values of variable passive components of the impedance matching network to reduce the reflected signal power. The system controller may be configured to estimate the mass of the load by comparing component value(s) of one or more variable passive components of the impedance matching network with a component value table stored in memory, where stored mass values correspond to the stored component values. Desired signal parameters for the RF signal may be determined based on the estimated mass of the load.

Defrosting apparatus with mass estimation and methods of operation thereof

A radio frequency (RF) heating and defrosting apparatus may include an electrode which, when supplied with RF signal energy, may responsively radiate electromagnetic energy into a cavity of the RF heating and defrosting apparatus. This radiated electromagnetic energy may cause a thermal increase of a load in the cavity. A capacitor may be formed from a portion of the electrode and a conductive plate disposed adjacent to the electrode. The conductive plate may be coupled to a ground reference structure. Dielectric material(s) having a low dielectric constant may be disposed directly between the electrode and the conductive plate.

Radio frequency heating and defrosting apparatus with in-cavity shunt capacitor

A device includes an output circuit that includes an input port at which a signal is received, an output port at which an impedance-adjusted representation of the signal is provided, and a set of bond wires connecting the input and output ports. The device further includes first and second couplers, each including a respective coupling bond wire along the set of bond wires for inductive coupling with the set of bond wires. The first coupler is oriented relative to the distributed-element output circuit to measure forward power provided by the impedance-adjusted representation of the signal via the output port. The second coupler is oriented relative to the output circuit to measure reflected power received via the output port.

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Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Xiaofei Qiu