IP Library Granted Patent US 8,357,885
Granted Patent B2
US 8,357,885 · App. 12/541,190 · Granted Jan 22, 2013

Microwave furnace

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,357,885
App. No.
12/541,190
Granted
Jan 22, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for melting a substance may be provided. The system may comprise at least one burner probe. The at least one burner probe may comprise an absorber and a first wave guide configured to transmit microwaves. The absorber may be configured to receive the microwaves from the first wave guide and to convert energy from the microwaves into heat. The system may further comprise a second wave guide and a rotating wave guide. The rotating wave guide may be positioned between the first wave guide and the second wave guide. The rotating wave guide may comprise a plurality of sections configured to rotate about a central axis. The rotating wave guide may be configured to rotate approximately 90 degrees. For example, the rotating wave guide may comprise three sections wherein each one of the three sections may be configured to rotate approximately 30 degrees.

Claims (45)

1. A system for melting a substance, the system comprising:

at least one burner probe comprising,

a first wave guide configured to transmit microwaves; and

an absorber configured to,

receive the microwaves from the first wave guide, and

convert energy from the microwaves into heat;

a second wave guide; and

a rotating wave guide positioned between the first wave guide and the second wave guide.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first wave guide is round.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second wave guide is rectangular.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating wave guide comprising a plurality of sections configured to rotate about a central axis.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of wear plates respectively between each of the plurality of sections.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of wear plates is brass.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one connection in the rotating wave guide comprising an electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating wave guide comprises a plurality of sections configured to rotate about a central axis, the rotating wave guide configured to rotate approximately 90 degrees.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the rotating wave guide comprises three sections configured to rotate about a central axis, each one of the three sections configured to rotate approximately 30 degrees.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fixed piece positioned between the rotating wave guide and the first wave guide.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a transition piece positioned between the rotating wave guide and the first wave guide.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the transition piece comprising at least one tuner.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one tuner is configured to cause a minimal amount of microwave energy to be reflected back into the second wave guide.

14. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a fixed piece positioned between the rotating wave guide and the transition piece.

15. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a microwave generator.

16. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a microwave generator configured to supply microwaves to the second wave guide.

17. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a crucible.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one burner probe extends into the crucible.

19. A system for melting a substance, the system comprising:

a crucible;

at least one burner probe extending into the crucible, the at least one burner probe comprising,

a first wave guide configured to transmit microwaves; and

an absorber configured to,

receive the microwaves from the first wave guide, and

convert energy from the microwaves into heat;

a second wave guide; and

a rotating wave guide positioned between the first wave guide and the second wave guide, wherein the rotating wave guide comprises a plurality of sections configured to rotate about a central axis.

20. A system for melting a substance, the system comprising:

a crucible;

at least one burner probe extending into the crucible, the at least one burner probe comprising,

a first wave guide configured to transmit microwaves; and

an absorber configured to,

receive the microwaves from the first wave guide, and

convert energy from the microwaves into heat;

a second wave guide;

a rotating wave guide positioned between the first wave guide and the second wave guide, wherein the rotating wave guide comprises three sections configured to rotate about a central axis, each one of the three sections configured to rotate approximately 30 degrees;

a microwave generator configured to supply microwaves to the second wave guide; and

a transition piece positioned between the rotating wave guide and the first wave guide, wherein the transition piece comprises at least one tuner, wherein the at least one tuner is configured to cause a minimal amount of microwave energy to be reflected back into the microwave generator.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC; SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; NOVINIUM HOLDINGS, INC.; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 072299/0141 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Oct 23, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, LLC (F/K/A COLEMAN CABLE, INC.); TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH, LLC (F/K/A TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION); SUMNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC; MADISON ELECTRIC PRODUCTS, LLC; NOVINIUM, LLC; WATTEREDGE, LLC; TAPPAN WIRE & CABLE, LLC; UNITED COPPER INDUSTRIES, LLC; TOPAZ LIGHTING COMPANY LLC; OBI PARTNERS, LLC; WIIP, INC.
Reel/Frame 069235/0104 →
CONVERSION Recorded Jun 26, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 033244/0787 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Feb 21, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032308/0469 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY, LLC; COLEMAN CABLE, INC.; TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 032251/0277 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 5, 2012
From: RUNDQUIST, VICTOR F.; GREGORY, WILLIAM J.; GILL, KEVIN S.
To: SOUTHWIRE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 029260/0753 →