Device and method for controlling energy

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for applying EM energy to a load are provided. The apparatuses and methods may include at least one processor configured to receive information indicative of energy dissipated by the load for each of a plurality of modulation space elements. The processor may also be configured to associate each of the plurality of modulation space elements with a corresponding time duration of power application, based on the received information. The processor may be further configured to regulate energy applied to the load such that for each of the plurality of modulation space elements, power is applied to the load at the corresponding time duration of power application.

1 .- 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . An apparatus for heating a load in a cavity by irradiating the load using two radiating elements, the apparatus comprising:
 the cavity;   the two radiating elements; and   a controller configured to:
 receive feedback from the cavity indicative of an amount of energy absorbable by the load; 
 after receiving the feedback, determine, based on the received feedback, a plurality of relative amplitudes between radiation emitted by the two radiating elements; and 
 cause the two radiating elements to irradiate the load with radiation characterized by each of the determined plurality of relative amplitudes. 
   
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to control the irradiation of the load by sweeping over the determined plurality of relative amplitudes. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the plurality of relative amplitudes such that feedback from the cavity indicative of energy absorbable by the load associated with each of the determined relative amplitudes is above a predetermined level. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 66 , wherein the controller is configured to cause application of radio frequency radiation at the determined plurality of relative amplitudes sequentially. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the apparatus to:
 irradiate the load with the two radiating elements at multiple relative amplitudes; and   receive feedback indicative of energy absorption in the load in response to the irradiation at the multiple relative amplitudes.   
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the controller is further configured to determine values indicative of the amount of energy absorbable by the load based on the feedback at each of the multiple relative amplitudes. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the apparatus to irradiate at the determined plurality of relative amplitudes for a plurality of mutually different non-zero durations, respectively. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 71 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the plurality of mutually different non-zero durations based on values indicative of the amount energy absorbable by the load for radiation applied at each of multiple relative amplitudes. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the apparatus to irradiate the load at the determined plurality of relative amplitudes at a plurality of mutually different non-zero power levels, respectively. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the plurality of mutually different non-zero power levels based on values indicative of energy absorbable by the load at the determined plurality of relative amplitudes. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the controller is configured to receive feedback indicative of energy absorption in the load by measuring a reflected-coupled spectrum (RC spectrum). 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the two radiating elements are configured to transmit in unison. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 76 , wherein the controller is configured to control a relative amplitude between the two radiating elements. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the plurality of relative amplitudes such that a maximum power that can be dissipated in the load when radio frequency energy is transmitted to the cavity by the two radiating elements at each of the relative amplitudes exceeds a threshold value. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus of  claim 78 , wherein the threshold value is substantially the same for all the determined relative amplitudes. 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the plurality of relative amplitudes such that a time period required for a predetermined amount of energy to be absorbed in the load at each determined relative amplitudes is shorter than a threshold period. 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus of  claim 80 , wherein the predetermined amount of energy is substantially the same for all the determined relative amplitudes. 
     
     
         82 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the apparatus to irradiate the load at a plurality of frequencies. 
     
     
         83 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the controller is configured to associate each of the plurality of relative amplitudes with a respective time duration of power application, based on the feedback at the respective relative amplitudes.