Non-linear slotted waveguide for diverse application

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11006649-B2
Application number	US-201816176910-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 31, 2018
Priority date	Oct 31, 2018
Publication date	May 18, 2021
Grant date	May 18, 2021

Abstract

Structures and methods of using a microwave pasteurization device, as well as related non-linear waveguides. In some embodiments, an in-shell egg pasteurization device with a non-linear slotted waveguide. In some embodiments the non-linear slotted waveguide comprises shaped waveguide applicators. The shaped waveguide applicators may employ oval, lens, or plum shaped non-linear slots to improve efficiency and efficacy of pasteurizing in-shell eggs, live oysters, tomatoes, or blueberries while maintianly the quality and functional attributes of the raw product.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A food pasteurization device for a target food item, the device comprising:
a pasteurization area comprising a microwave cavity into which microwaves are radiated, the microwave cavity having a top and a bottom;
a microwave generator to provide microwaves to the pasteurization area from the top of the microwave cavity to the bottom of the microwave cavity;
a microwave generator control configured to modify one or more variables of the microwave radiation emitted from the microwave generator, wherein the one or more variables includes a total power density;
a non-linear slotted waveguide positioned at any angle in the pasteurization area in the microwave cavity;
wherein the non-linear slotted waveguide comprises a shaped waveguide applicator to optimally distribute radiation according to a geometry of the target food item, wherein the shaped waveguide applicator is selected from the group consisting of:
an oval shape having a center point, wherein the first side of the center point is defined by the equation

1
=

x
2

625

+

y
2

36

and a second side of the center point is defined by the equation

1
=

x
2

961

+

y
2

36

,

a lanceolate shape, wherein the lanceolate shape includes a first vertex and a second vertex, such that the shaped waveguide applicator is tapered toward each of the first vertex and the second vertex, and
a plum shape defined by the equation

R
⁡

(
θ
)

=

1
+

c
1

⁢

sin
⁡

(
θ
)

+

c
2

⁢

sin
2

⁡

(
θ
)

[

cos
⁡

(
θ
)

b

]

2

+

[

sin
⁡

(
θ
)

a

]

2

,

wherein R(θ) is the radial distance from the origin in polar coordinates, c 1 is 0.24, c 2 is 0.38, the semi-major axis α is 26, and semi-minor axis β is 18; and
wherein the microwaves emitted to the pasteurization area pasteurize the target food item.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the shaped waveguide applicators are nonuniform to radiate microwaves nonuniformly to the food item.

3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a holding area, after the pasteurization area, in which the food item is held in a heated environment for a period of time.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the food item is selected from the group consisting of in-shell eggs, live closed oysters, fresh tomatoes, and fresh blueberries.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the microwave cavity is large enough to accommodate a plurality of food items.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the microwave generator control modifies a duration of the microwave radiation depending on the number of food items placed in the microwave cavity.

7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature monitor to provide real-time temperature readings from the food item in the pasteurization area.

8. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cooling area, after the pasteurization area in which the food item is held in a cooled area for a period of time.

9. A method of pasteurizing a target food item, the method comprising:
providing a food item pasteurization device for the target food item, the device comprising:
a pasteurization area comprising a microwave cavity into which microwaves are radiated, the microwave cavity having a top and a bottom;
a microwave generator to provide microwave energy to the pasteurization area in a single mode or a multi mode-cavity;
a microwave generator control configured to modify one or more variables of the microwave radiation emitted from the microwave generator, wherein the one or more variables includes a total power density;
a non-linear slotted waveguide positioned at any angle to the pasteurization area in the microwave cavity;
wherein the non-linear slotted waveguide comprises a shaped waveguide applicators to optimally distribute radiation according to a geometry of the target food item;

placing a load of the target food item within the pasteurization area;
adjusting the total power density of the microwave radiation to 1.5 W/g of the load of the target food item within the pasteurization area;
rotating the target food item within the pasteurization area at an angular velocity of π/6 rad/s; and
distributing the microwave radiation to the target food item within the pasteurization area,
wherein microwaves emitt

Assignees

• Florida A&M Univ

Inventors

• Dev Satyanarayan
• Raghavan Vijaya Grama Seetharamiengar
• Gariepy Yvan
• Orsat Valerie

Classifications

• A23B2/08

  using microwaves or dielectric heating · CPC title

• A23B5/0052 Primary

  in the shell · CPC title

• A23B7/01

  by irradiation or electric treatment · CPC title

• A23B5/01

  by irradiation or electric treatment · CPC title

• A23L15/20

  Addition of proteins, e.g. hydrolysates, fats, carbohydrates, natural plant hydrocolloids; Addition of animal or vegetable substances containing proteins, fats, or carbohydrates · CPC title