U.S. patent number 3,843,863 [Application Number 05/436,027] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-22 for impedance varying device for microwave oven.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Louis H. Fitzmayer.
United States Patent |
3,843,863 |
Fitzmayer |
October 22, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
IMPEDANCE VARYING DEVICE FOR MICROWAVE OVEN
Abstract
Impedance varying apparatus for use with a microwave oven
operating at a predetermined microwave frequency includes metal
wall structure defining a cooking cavity, inner and outer coaxial
conductor sections coupled to the heating cavity, and a shorting
conductor interconnecting the inner and outer sections and movable
axially thereof between first and second positions for respectively
producing an effective open circuit and an effective short circuit
across the inner and outer conductor sections at the heating
cavity. An alternative embodiment includes inner, outer and
intermediate coaxial cylindrical conductor sections overlapping one
another, the inner and outer conductor sections being coupled to
the heating cavity, the intermediate conductor being insulated from
the inner conductor section and electrically connected to the outer
conductor section at the outer end thereof, and a conductive member
disposed within the intermediate conductor section and insulated
therefrom and movable axially with respect thereto. Three different
forms of cooperation between the inner conductor section and the
conductive member are disclosed.
Inventors: |
Fitzmayer; Louis H.
(Louisville, KY) |
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
(Louisville, KY)
|
Family
ID: |
23730802 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/436,027 |
Filed: |
January 24, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/745; 333/33;
219/750 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01P
5/04 (20130101); H05B 6/74 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01P
5/04 (20060101); H05B 6/74 (20060101); H05b
009/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;219/10.55
;333/33,35,97R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Truhe; J. V.
Assistant Examiner: Jaeger; Hugh D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Prangley, Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler
& Stotland
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a microwave oven for heating a body with microwave energy of
a predetermined wavelength, the combination comprising metal wall
structure defining a heating cavity for receiving therein the
associated body to be heated, source means for transmitting
microwave energy of the predetermined wavelength into said heating
cavity, of coaxial transmission line section coupled to said
heating cavity, and a conductive member disposed in said coaxial
transmission line section and movable with respect thereto between
first and second positions, said conductive member in the first
position thereof producing across said coaxial transmission line
section at said heating cavity an effective electrical open
circuit, said conductive member in the second position thereof
producing across said coaxial transmission line section at said
heating cavity an effective electrical short circuit, whereby the
impedance of said coaxial transmission line section and thereby the
field distribution in said heating cavity may selectively be
varied.
2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said conductive
member is movable axially of said coaxial transmission line
section.
3. The combination set forth in claim 1, and further including
dielectric means connected to said conductive member for effecting
movement thereof between the first and second positions
thereof.
4. In a microwave oven for heating a body with microwave energy of
a predetermined wavelength, the combination comprising metal wall
structure defining a heating cavity for receiving therein the
associated body to be heated; source means for transmitting
microwave energy of the predetermined wavelength into said heating
cavity; and a variable impedance coaxial transmission line section
coupled to said heating cavity; said coaxial transmission line
section including a hollow outer conductor section having one end
thereof connected to said wall structure, an inner conductor
section disposed within said outer conductor section coaxially
therewith and spaced therefrom, and an annular conductive member
connected to each of said inner and outer conductor sections
coaxially therewith for forming a short circuit therebetween and
movable axially thereof between first and second position, said
conductive member in the first position thereof providing at said
heating cavity an effective electrical open circuit between said
inner and outer conductor sections, said conductive member in the
second position thereof providing at said heating cavity an
effective electrical short circuit between said inner and outer
conductor sections, whereby the impedance of said coaxial
transmission line section and thereby the field distribution in
said heating cavity may selectively be varied.
5. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein said conductive
member in the first position thereof is spaced from said heating
cavity a distance substantially equal to one-quarter of the
predetermined wavelength as measured axially of said conductor
sections, said conductive member in the second position thereof
being disposed at said heating cavity.
6. In a microwave oven for heating a body with microwave energy of
a predetermined wavelength, the combination comprising metal wall
structure defining a heating cavity for receiving therein the
associated body to be heated, source means for transmitting
microwave energy of the predetermined wavelength into said heating
cavity, a coaxial transmission line section having inner and outer
conductors coupled to said heating cavity, impedance means disposed
in said coaxial transmission line section for providing a series
resonant circuit between the inner and outer conductors thereof,
and a conductive member disposed in said coaxial transmission line
section and movable with respect thereto between first and second
positions for varying the resonant frequency of said series
resonant circuit, said conductive member in the first position
thereof producing across said coaxial transmission line section at
said heating cavity an effective electrical open circuit, said
conductive member in the second position thereof producing across
said coaxial transmission line section at said heating cavity an
effective electrical short circuit, whereby the impedance of said
coaxial transmission line section and thereby the field
distribution in said heating cavity may selectively be varied.
7. The combination set forth in claim 6, wherein said impedance
means includes an inductive reactance and a capacitive reactance,
movement of said conductive member between the first and second
positions thereof effecting a change in the value of said
capacitive reactance.
8. The combination set forth in claim 6, wherein movement of said
conductive member between the first and second positions thereof
effects change of the resonant frequency of said series resonant
circuit between frequencies greater than and less than said
predetermined frequency.
9. The combination set forth in claim 6, wherein said coaxial
transmission line section includes three coaxial and overlapping
cylindrical conductor sections.
10. In a microwave oven for heating a body with microwave energy of
a predetermined wavelength, the combination comprising metal wall
structure defining a heating cavity for receiving therein the
associated body to be heated; source means for transmitting
microwave energy of the predetermiend wavelength into said heating
cavity; and a variable impedance coaxial transmission line section
coupled to said heating cavity; said coaxial transmission line
section including a hollow outer conductor section having one end
thereof connected to said wall structure, an inner conductor
section disposed within said outer conductor section coaxially
therewith and insulated therefrom and extending from said one end
thereof to a point outwardly beyond the other end thereof, a hollow
intermediate conductor section disposed between said inner and
outer conductor sections coaxially therewith and insulated from
said inner conductor section and extending from a point
intermediate the ends of said outer conductor section to a point
outwardly beyond the outer end of said inner conductor section,
conductive means electrically interconnecting said intermediate and
outer conductor sections and closing the space therebetween
adjacent to said other end of said outer conductor section, and a
cylindrical conductive member disposed within said intermediate
conductor section coaxially therewith and insulated therefrom and
movable between first and second positions with respect to said
inner conductor section, said conductive member in the first
position thereof providing at said heating cavity an effective
electrical open circuit between said inner and outer conductor
sections, said conductive member in the second position thereof
providing at said heating cavity an effective electrical short
circuit between said inner and outer conductor sections, whereby
the impedance of said coaxial transmission line section and thereby
the field distribution in said heating cavity may selectively be
varied.
11. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein said cylindrical
conductive member in the first position thereof is spaced a
predetermined distance axially from said outer end of said inner
conductor section, said cylindrical conductive member in the second
position thereof being disposed in engagement with said outer end
of said inner conductor section.
12. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein said inner
conductor section is hollow, said cylindrical conductive member
extending axially into said hollow inner conductor section in
sliding engagement therewith.
13. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein said inner
conductor section is hollow, said cylindrical conductive member
extending axially into said hollow inner conductor section and
being insulated therefrom.
14. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein the distance
from the inner end of said intermediate hollow conductor section to
said heating cavity is approximately equal to an odd integral
multiple of one-quarter of the predetermined wavelength.
15. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein the distance
from the inner end of said intermediate hollow conductor section to
said heating cavity is approximately equal to an odd integral
multiple of one-quarter of the predetermined wavelength, the
distance from the inner end of said intermediate hollow conductor
section to the outer end of said outer conductor section is less
than one-quarter of the predetermined wavelength, and the distance
from the inner end of said intermediate conductor section to the
outer end of said inter conductor section is less than one-half of
the predetermined wavelength.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to microwave ovens and to transmission means
for varying the distribution of microwave energy in the heating
cavity of the microwave oven. More particularly, the present
invention relates to variable impedance means coupled to the oven
cavity for varying the electric field distribution in the heating
cavity.
In cooking food with a microwave oven, microwave energy is radiated
into the heating cavity for establishing therein a predetermined
electromagnetic field pattern. Typically, this field pattern will
have regions of high impedance and regions of low impedance
therein. Similarly, different types of foods to be cooked in the
heating cavity have different impedances. Accordingly, a recurrent
problem of microwave cooking is effective matching of the impedance
of the food load to the impedance of the electromagnetic field
pattern in the heating cavity.
Previously attempted solutions to this problem have included
rotating food supports for moving the food load through a number of
different regions of the electromagnetic wave pattern, mode
stirrers for periodically changing the electromagnetic wave
pattern, and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to means for varying the electric
field distribution in the heating cavity by movement of a mechanism
outside the heating cavity rather than inside the heating
cavity.
It is the general object of the present invention to provide
apparatus for varying the electric field distribution in the
heating cavity by varying the impedance at the heating cavity of a
coaxial transmission line. More particularly, it is an object of
this invention to provide adjustable means for varying the
impedance of the transmission line at the heating cavity between an
effective short circuit and an effective open circuit.
It is an important object of this invention to provide in a
microwave oven for heating a body with microwave energy of a
predetermined wavelength, the combination comprising metal wall
structure defining a heating cavity for receiving therein the
associated body to be heated, source means for transmitting
microwave energy of the predetermined wavelength into the heating
cavity, a coaxial transmission line section coupled to the heating
cavity, and a conductive member disposed in the coaxial
transmission line section and movable with respect thereto between
first and second positions, the conductive member in the first
position thereof producing across the coaxial transmission line
section at the heating cavity an effective electrical open circuit,
the conductive member in the second position thereof producing
across the coaxial transmission line section at the heating cavity
an effective electrical short circuit, whereby the impedance of the
coaxial transmission line section and thereby the field
distribution in the heating cavity may selectively be varied.
Another object of this invention is to provide in an electronic
oven a combination of the type set forth, wherein the coaxial
transmission line section includes a hollow outer conductor section
having one end thereof connected to the wall structure, an inner
conductor section disposed within the outer conductor section
coaxially therewith and spaced therefrom, and a conductive member
connected to each of the inner and outer conductor sections for
forming a short circuit therebetween and movable axially thereof
between the first and second position.
Another object of this invention is to provide in a microwave oven
a combination of the type set forth, which includes impedance means
disposed in the coaxial transmission line section for providing a
series resonant circuit between the inner and outer conductors
thereof, and a conductive member disposed in the coaxial
transmission line section and movable with respect thereto between
first and second positions for varying the resonant frequency of
the series resonant circuit.
Still another object of this invention is to provide in a microwave
oven a combination of the type set forth wherein the coaxial
transmission line section includes a hollow outer conductor section
having one end thereof connected to the wall structure, an inner
conductor section disposed within the outer conductor section
coaxially therewith and insulated therefrom and extending from the
one end thereof to a point outwardly beyond the other end thereof,
a hollow intermediate conductor section disposed between the inner
and outer conductor sections coaxially therewith and insulated from
said inner conductor section and extending from a point
intermediate the ends of the outer conductor section to a point
outwardly beyond the outer end of the inner conductor section,
conductive means electrically interconnecting the intermediate and
outer conductor sections and closing the space therebetween
adjacent to the other end of the outer conductor section, and a
cylindrical conductive member disposed within the intermediate
conductor section coaxially therewith and insulated therefrom and
movable between the first and second positions with respect to the
inner conductor section.
Further features of the invention pertain to the particular parts
of the impedance varying apparatus whereby the above-outlined and
additional operating features thereof are attained.
The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be
understood by reference to the following specification taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an oven cavity diagrammatically
illustrating the electric field distribution therein and
illustrating in partial section an impedance varying apparatus
constructed in accordance with and embodying the features of a
first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section of a portion of an
oven heating cavity and a coaxial transmission line coupled thereto
including impedance varying apparatus constructed in accordance
with and embodying the features of a second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 2, showing an impedance
varying apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the
features of a third embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating an impedance
varying apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the
features of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now in particular to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is
illustrated a portion of an oven liner, generally designated by the
numeral 10, of a microwave oven, the oven liner 10 being
substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and
including a top wall 11 (FIG. 2) a rear wall 12, a bottom wall 17
(FIG. 2) and a pair of opposed side walls 13 and 14 cooperating to
define a heating cavity, generally designated by the numeral 15,
the front of the heating cavity 15 typically being closed by an
oven door which in the closed position thereof forms a front wall
16 in a well known manner. Microvewave energy of a predetermined
wavelength is generated in a microwave generator which is
preferably in the form of a magnetron tube (not shown) and is
transmitted by a suitable transmission line 18 to the heating
cavity 15 and is radiated thereinto by means of an antenna 19 for
establishing therein a predetermined electromagnetic wave pattern.
All or a portion of such a transmission line may typically be in
the form of a coaxial transmission line as is well known in the
art.
It is an important feature of the present invention to provide an
impedance varying apparatus, generally designated by the numeral
50, which utilizes a movable shorting plug. The impedance varying
apparatus 50 includes a hollow cylindrical outer conductor 51
circular in transverse cross-section, connected at one end thereof
to the rear wall 12 of the oven liner 10 at a plane A and extending
outwardly therefrom, and a cylindrical inner conductor 52 disposed
within the outer conductor 51 coaxially therewith. The inner
conductor 52 is preferably connected at the inner end thereof to a
parasitic antenna 53 which projects into the heating cavity 15.
Electrically interconnecting the inner and outer conductors 52 and
51 and closing the space therebetween is an annular conductive
shorting plug 55 slidably engageable with the inner and outer
conductor sections 52 and 51 for axial movement with respect
thereto. Fixedly secured to the shorting plug 55 and extending
outwardly therefrom is a cylindrical push tube 59 preferably formed
of dielectric material for effecting movement of the shorting plug
55 axially of the conductors 51 and 52.
The probe antenna 53 preferably has a length approximately equal to
.lambda./4 and is spaced a predetermined distance D from the oven
liner side wall 14, which distance is determined by the desired
effect on the electric field in the heating cavity. In FIG. 1, the
electric field distribution of the electromagnetic wave pattern in
the heating cavity 15 is illustrated in broken line designated by
the numeral 60, the direction of the electric field 60 being in the
direction of the arrow 61. When the shorting plug 55 is disposed at
a plane B spaced from the rear wall 12 of the oven liner a distance
substantially equal to .lambda./4, the probe antenna 53 is open
circuited and, therefore, has little effect on the electric field
distribution in the heating cavity 15. However, when the shorting
plug 55 is moved to the plane A, the probe antenna 53 resonates and
acts like a short circuit across the heating cavity 15, thereby
greatly distorting the electric field distribution, this distorted
electric field distribution being indicated in solid line in FIG. 1
and designated by the numeral 65. While variation of the electric
field distribution is shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration,
it should be noted that the magnetic field distribution may
similarly be distorted by use of a loop antenna instead of a probe
antenna.
By use of the impedance varying apparatus 50, any parasitic
elements within the heating cavity 15 can be resonated by external
motion of the shorting plug 55 to produce the correct impedance
across the coaxial conductors 51 and 52 at the plane A. The
specific distortion or enhancement of an existing electromagnetic
field mode or the generation of a new mode which can be achieved by
use of the apparatus 50 is determined by the specific type and
location of the parasitic element in the heating cavity 15.
Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated
another embodiment of the present invention, generally designated
by the numeral 20, which comprises an arrangement of coaxial
conductor sections. The impedance varying apparatus 20 includes a
hollow cylindrical outer conductor 21 circular in transverse
cross-section, having one end thereof connected to the rear wall 12
of the oven liner 10 at a plane A and having the other end thereof
disposed a predetermined distance rearwardly of the rear wall 12 at
a plane C. Disposed within the outer conductor section 21 coaxially
therewith and insulated therefrom is a solid cylindrical inner
conductor section 22 having an inner end substantially coplanar
with the inner end of the outer conductor section 21 and adapted
for coupling to an appropriate antenna or other parasitic radiating
means, the outer end of the inner conductor 22 extending outwardly
a predetermined distance beyond the outer end of the outer
conductor section 21 to a plane D.
Disposed within the outer conductor section 21 and in surrounding
relationship with the inner conductor section 22 coaxially
therewith and separated from the latter by a cylindrical insulating
sleeve 23 is a hollow cylindrical intermediate conductor section 24
having the inner end thereof disposed intermediate the ends of the
outer conductor section 21 at a plane B spaced from the rear wall
12 of the heating cavity 15 by a distance approximately equal to
one-quarter of the operating frequency of the microwave oven, which
in the preferred embodiment of the invention is approximately 915
MHz. The outer end of the intermediate conductor section 24 extends
a predetermined distance outwardly beyond the outer end of the
inner conductor section 22. Disposed between and electrically
interconnecting the outer and intermediate conductor sections 21
and 24 and accurately positioning these members with respect to
each other while closing the space therebetween is a conductive
annular spacer member 26.
Disposed within the insulating sleeve 23 and axially outwardly of
the inner conductor section 22 is a short conductive slug 25
preferably having an outer diameter substantially equal to the
outer diameter of the inner conductor section 22. Fixedly secured
to the conductive slug 25 and extending axially outwardly therefrom
is a pushrod 29 of insulating material for effecting movement of
the conductive slug 25 axially with respect to the inner conductor
section 22.
It will be appreciated that the impedance varying apparatus 20
forms three coaxial transmission line sections, viz., a first
section A-B having a first impedance Z.sub.1 and comprising the
portions of the inner and outer conductor sections 21 and 22
extending from the plane A to the plane B; a second coaxial
transmission line section B-C having a second impedance Z.sub.2 and
comprising the portions of the outer and intermediate conductor
sections 21 and 24 extending from the plane B to the plane C; and a
third coaxial transmission line section B-D having an impedance
Z.sub.3 and comprising the portions of the inner and intermediate
conductor sections 22 and 24 extending from the plane B to the
plane D. Preferably, the coaxial transmission line section A-B has
a length approximately equal to .lambda./4, the coaxial
transmission line section B-C has a length less than .lambda./4,
and the coaxial transmission line section B-D has a length greater
than .lambda./4 but less than .lambda./2, where .lambda. is the
wavelength of the microwave energy at the operating frequency of
the electronic oven, preferably 915 MHz.
The impedance varying apparatus 20 utilizes the principle of a
series resonant circuit tuned to a resonant frequency at the high
end of the permitted microwave band in which .lambda. falls, the
resonant frequency in the preferred embodiment being 940 MHz. at
the plane B when the parts are in the configuration illustrated in
FIG. 1. The coaxial transmission line section B-C is inductive at
the plane B and at the resonant frequency and the coaxial
transmission line section B-D is capacitive, the inductance and
capacitance of the coaxial transmission line sections B-C and B-D
series resonating to produce a short circuit between the inner and
outer conductor sections 21 and 22 at the plane B when the
conductive slug 25 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, with
its inner end at a plane designated by the reference E and its
outer end at a plane designated by the reference F. Thus, in this
configuration, there is an effective open circuit between the inner
and outer conductor sections 21 and 22 at the plane A of the
heating cavity.
As the conductive slug 25 is moved between the planes E and D the
resonant frequency of the impedance varying apparatus 20 is changed
considerably, producing an impedance variation at the plane A
between open and short circuit conditions. More particularly, as
the conductive slug 25 moves from the plane E to the plane D the
resonant frequency of the impedance varying apparatus 20 becomes
lower, passing through and becoming much lower than when the
conductive slug 25 reaches the plane D. Thus, the impedance at the
plane B becomes highly inductive and approaches an open circuit at
.lambda. when the conductive slug 25 is at the plane D. Thus, in
this latter configuration, there will be an effective electrical
short circuit between the inner and outer conductor sections 21 and
22 at the plane A.
In a constructional example of the embodiment of the invention
illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer conductor section 21 has an inner
diameter of three-quarters, inch, the intermediate conductor
section 24 has an outer diameter of approximately one-half inch and
an inner diameter of seven-sixteenths inch, while the inner
conductor section 22 has an outer diameter of five-sixteenths inch.
The length A-B is 31/4 inches, the length B-C is 21/2 inches, the
length B-D is 61/4 inches, the length D-E is a minimum of
one-eighth inch and the length E-F is five-eighths inch. With these
dimensions, the impedances of the three coaxial transmission line
sections are Z.sub.1 = 50 ohms, Z.sub.2 = 24 ohms and Z.sub.3 = 14
ohms where .lambda. = 915 MHz.
Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated an
alternative form of the present invention, generally designated by
the numeral 30, and substantially similar in construction and
operation to the impedance varying apparatus 20 of FIG. 2, but
utilizing a different form of inner conductor section. The
impedance varying apparatus 30 includes a hollow cylindrical outer
conductor section 31 connected to the rear wall 12 of the oven
liner 10 at a plane A and extending rearwardly therefrom, and a
hollow cylindrical inner conductor section 32 disposed within the
outer conductor section 31 coaxially therewith and insulated
therefrom and extending from the heating cavity 15 outwardly to a
plane D beyond the outer end of the outer conductor section 31.
Disposed between the inner and outer conductor sections 31 and 32
coaxially therewith and extending from a plane B intermediate the
planes A and C outwardly to a point beyond the outer end of the
inner conductor section 32 is a hollow cylindrical intermediate
conductor section 34, which is insulated from the inner conductor
section 32 by a tubular sleeve of insulating material 33 disposed
therebetween.
Electrically interconnectng the outer and intermediate conductor
sections 31 and 34 at the plane C and accurately positioning these
parts with respect to each other while closing the space
therebetween is an annular conductive spacer member 36. Extending
axially into the inner conductor section 32 in telescoping
relationship therewith is a cylindrical conductive member 35 having
an outer diameter very slightly less than the inner diameter of the
inner conductor section 32 for axially sliding engagement
therewith. Fixedly secured to the outer end of the cylindrical
conductive member 35 and extending outwardly therefom axially
thereof is a dielectric pushrod 39 for effecting movement of the
cylindrical conductive member 35 axially of the inner conductor
section 32.
The operation of the impedance varying apparatus 30 is
substantially the same as was described above with respect to the
apparatus 20, axial movement of the cylindrical conductive member
35 serving to vary the effective electrical length of the coaxial
transmission line section B-D, thereby varying the resonant
frequency of the series resonant circuit formed by the apparatus 30
for varying the impedance at the plane A between open and short
circuit conditions.
Another form of the invention, generally designated by the numeral
40, is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is substantially similar in
construction and operation to the apparatus 30. The impedance
varying apparatus 40 includes a hollow cylindrical outer conductor
section 41 connected to the rear wall 12 of the oven liner 10 at a
plane A and extending therefrom outwardly to a plane C, and a
hollow cylindrical inner conductor section 42 disposed within the
outer conductor section 41 coaxially therewith and insulated
therefrom and extending from the plane A outwardly beyond the plane
C to a plane D. Disposed between the outer and inner conductor
sections 41 and 42 coaxially therewith and insulated from the
latter by a tubular dielectric sleeve 43 is an intermediate hollow
conductive section 44 extending from a plane B intermediate the
planes A and C to a point outwardly beyond the plane D. Extending
axially into the inner conductor sections 42 from the outer end
thereof and insulated therefrom by a tubular dielectric sleeve 47
is a cylindrical conductive member 45. Electrically interconnecting
the outer and intermediate conductor sections 41 and 44 at the
plane C and accurately positioning these parts with respect to each
other while closing the space therebetween is an annular conductive
spacer member 46. Fixedly secured to the cylindrical conductive
member 45 at the outer end thereof and extending axially outwardly
therefrom is a dielectric pushrod 49 for effecting movement of the
cylindrical conductive member 45 axially of the inner conductor
section 42.
The operation of the impedance varying apparatus 40 is
substantially the same as was described above with respect to FIGS.
2 and 3, axial movement of the cylindrical conductive member 45
serving to vary the resonant frequency of the series resonant
circuit formed by the apparatus 40 and thereby varying the
impedance at the plane A between open circuit and short circuit
conditions. Preferably, when the apparatus 40 is in the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, for producing an effective
open circuit condition at the plane A, the cylindrical conductive
member 45 extends into the inner conductor section 42 a distance
substantially equal to .lambda./4.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided a
novel apparatus for varying the impedance of a coaxial transmission
line section coupling the microwave energy in a microwave oven
heating cavity, and thereby varying the field distribution in the
heating cavity.
More particularly, there has been provided an impedance varying
apparatus which includes a coaxial transmission line section
coupled to the heating cavity and a conductive member disposed in
the coaxial transmission line section and movable with respect
thereto between first and second positions for respectively
producing at the heating cavity end of the coaxial transmission
line section an open circuit or a short circuit condition.
There has also been provided an impedance varying apparatus which
includes coaxially arranged inner and outer conductors and a
conductive shorting plug interconnecting the inner and outer
conductors and movable axially thereof for varying the position of
a physical short circuit between the inner and outer conductors
thereby varying the impedance of the coaxial transmission line at
the heating cavity.
There has also been provided an impedance varying apparatus of the
character described, which includes impedance means disposed in the
coaxial transmission line section for providing a series resonant
circuit between the inner and outer conductors thereof, movement of
the conductive member between the first and second positions
thereof varying the resonant frequency of the series resonant
circuit.
There has also been provided three different forms of an impedance
varying apparatus, each of which forms includes three coaxially
arranged conductor sections which cooperate to form three coaxial
transmission line sections of different impedance, and a movable
conductive member for varying the effective electrical length of
one of the transmission line sections.
While there have been described what are at present considered to
be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be
understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it
is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications
as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *