초록 ▼

A housing rotatably supports a hollow drum on substantially a horizontal axis whereby articles to be treated tumble around the interior of the drum when the latter is rotated. A microwave power mechanism, such as a magnetron, is provided in a door for the housing and has an output portion thereof di

A housing rotatably supports a hollow drum on substantially a horizontal axis whereby articles to be treated tumble around the interior of the drum when the latter is rotated. A microwave power mechanism, such as a magnetron, is provided in a door for the housing and has an output portion thereof directed into the drum for heating and drying articles tumbling in the drum. An output portion of the microwave power mechanism has a dielectric dome-like shield mounted over it for deflecting tumbling articles away from such output. A forced air system is provided for ventilating the interior of the drum, and such system includes a passageway extending adjacent to the power mechanism so that such ventilating air also cools the power means. The present mechanism is associated with an electrical circuit having door interlocks, door panel interlocks, and other interlocks, as well as a magnetically operated door interlock that is substantially foolproof so that power from the microwave power mechanism is positively deenergized when the door is open. Circuitry is provided for the microwave power mechanism to protect it from excess average and peak reflected power. The circuitry also includes a humidity sensor to prevent excessive drying.

대표청구항 ▼

Microwave treating mechanism for removing moisture from articles comprising (a) a hollow tumbler-type drum arranged to receive articles from which moisture is to be removed, (b) support means supporting said drum on substantially a horizontal axis, (c) drive means arranged to rotate said drum whereb

Microwave treating mechanism for removing moisture from articles comprising (a) a hollow tumbler-type drum arranged to receive articles from which moisture is to be removed, (b) support means supporting said drum on substantially a horizontal axis, (c) drive means arranged to rotate said drum whereby articles being treated tumble across the interior of said drum, (d) microwave power means on said support means disposed with the output thereof directed in an axial direction into said drum for engaging articles tumbling across the rotating drum for removing moisture therefrom, (e) an electric circuit for said power means, (f) control means in said circuit for said power means, (g) and forced air means in said mechanism moving heated air through said drum for carrying away moisture within said drum, (h) said forced air means including air inlets into said support means and drum, (i) an air outlet from said drum, (j) and a passageway between said inlet and outlet (k) said passageway extending adjacent to said power means in an arrangement such that forced air that removes moisture from said drum cools said power means and said power means in being cooled causes said forced air to be heated before its entry into said drum to increase the vapor carrying capabilities of said forced air.