Magnetron control system and associated methodology

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10155602-B2
Application number	US-201615237930-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 16, 2016
Priority date	Feb 10, 2005
Publication date	Dec 18, 2018
Grant date	Dec 18, 2018

Abstract

A process is disclosed for controlling a plurality of magnetrons of a thermal processing tunnel in accordance with a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme. In some implementations, the process can include the steps of: receiving an identifier indicating a predefined packaged food product configuration; based on the identifier, obtaining a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme that is preconfigured based on at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration, wherein the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme is preconfigured to cause at least one of the plurality of magnetrons to have a different execution characteristic than at least one other magnetron of the plurality of magnetrons; and transmitting at least one instruction in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme to a signal controller that drives the plurality of magnetrons, thereby causing the plurality of magnetrons to execute in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for controlling a plurality of magnetrons of a thermal processing tunnel in accordance with a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme, the system comprising:
at least one input device;
at least one processor in communication with the input device;
at least one memory; and
computer-executable instructions stored on the at least one memory and being executable by the at least one processor for:
receiving, via the at least one input device, an identifier indicating a predefined packaged food product configuration;
based on the identifier, obtaining a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme that is preconfigured based on at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration, wherein the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme is preconfigured to cause at least one of the plurality of magnetrons to have a different execution characteristic than at least one other magnetron of the plurality of magnetrons; and
transmitting at least one instruction in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme to a signal controller that drives the plurality of magnetrons, thereby causing the plurality of magnetrons to execute in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein receiving the identifier indicating the predefined packaged food product configuration includes receiving a selection of the identifier from a catalogue of a plurality of identifiers indicating respective predefined packaged food product configurations.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one input device comprises a sensor disposed at an entrance of the thermal processing tunnel or within the thermal processing tunnel, wherein receiving the identifier indicating the predefined packaged food product configuration includes receiving a sensor input associated with the identifier from the sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration includes a spatial configuration of food within a package.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration includes a food type combination within a package.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration includes a temperature map of food within the food package assembly.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration includes a microwave shielding arrangement associated with a package.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration includes a microwave antenna arrangement associated with a package.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the execution characteristic is at least one member of a group consisting of: a supplied power level to the magnetron, no power to the magnetron, and a wave frequency.

10. A computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by a processor, are configured for:
receiving, via at least one input device, an identifier indicating a predefined packaged food product configuration;
based on the identifier, obtaining a preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme that is preconfigured based on at least one characteristic of the predefined packaged food product configuration, wherein the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme is preconfigured to cause at least one of the plurality of magnetrons to have a different execution characteristic than at least one other magnetron of the plurality of magnetrons; and
transmitting at least one instruction in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme to a signal controller that drives the plurality of magnetrons, thereby causing the plurality of magnetrons to execute in accordance with the preconfigured magnetron actuation scheme.

Assignees

• Conagra Foods Rdm Inc

Inventors

• Keller Karl
• Kurtz Silvia
• Wiemann David
• Jahn Rebecca
• Lineback Scott
• Abou-Nasr Faisal K
• Grace Ryan T

Classifications

• B65B31/046

  the nozzles co-operating, or being combined, with a device for opening or closing the container or wrapper (B65B31/06 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65B25/001

  of foodstuffs, combined with their conservation (B65B25/041, B65B25/062, B65B25/067 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D2205/00

  Venting means · CPC title

• B65B31/08

  the nozzle being adapted to pierce the container or wrapper · CPC title

• B65D77/225

  Pressure relief-valves incorporated in a container wall, e.g. valves comprising at least one elastic element · CPC title