The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 05, 1994
Filed:
Apr. 06, 1992
Philip J Gentile, East Syracuse, NY (US);
Micro Dry, Inc., Tulsa, OK (US);
Abstract
The present invention features a UV tube detector for sensing a resonant arcing condition in a microwave environment. Where clothing or fabric is being dried in a magnetron-powered, microwave chamber, the UV tube detector is placed in proximity to the fabric. The UV tube detector senses a possible resonant arcing condition related to small metal objects hidden in the material. Upon the sensing of arcing, tile UV tube provides a signal for shutting down the magnetron power. In conjunction with UV detection, the moisture condition can be monitored during the drying cycle. At a point in the microwave heating cycle consistent with an 'end of microwave heating cycle' or 'near dryness', the power output of the magnetrons is reduced or terminated. The moist fabric can then be dried via reduced microwave heating and/or by normal heating methods, including, but not limited to, electrical radiant heating and convection techniques. In this manner, it is possible to bring the fabric to a state of dryness, despite the presence of resonant arc-producing objects.