Plasma-assisted microwave processing of materials
US5847355A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K10/02
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A microwave plasma assisted method and system for heating and joining materials. The invention uses a microwave induced plasma to controllably preheat workpiece materials that are poorly microwave absorbing. The plasma preheats the workpiece to a temperature that improves the materials' ability to absorb microwave energy. The plasma is extinguished and microwave energy is able to volumetrically heat the workpiece. Localized heating of good microwave absorbing materials is done by shielding certain parts of the workpiece and igniting the plasma in the areas not shielded. Microwave induced plasma is also used to induce self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) process for the joining of materials. Preferably, a microwave induced plasma preheats the material and then microwave energy ignites the center of the material, thereby causing a high temperature spherical wave front from the center outward.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.