An apparatus manipulates the shape of hair using dielectric heating. Typically,the apparatus includes opposing first and second electrodes respectively provided on first and second arms that are movable towards and away from one another. Drive circuitry supplies electrical energy to the first and second electrodes, to cause an alternating electric field to be produced in the vicinity of the electrodes in use, and thereby cause dielectric heating of hair placed between the electrodes in use. Sensing circuitry senses a change in coupling of energy from the alternating electric field to the hair during heating of the hair. Control circuitry controls the drive circuitry to vary the electrical energy supplied to the first and second electrodes in dependence upon the sensed change in coupling. A related method manipulates the shape of hair using dielectric heating.

An apparatus manipulates the shape of hair using dielectric heating. Typically,the apparatus includes opposing first and second electrodes respectively provided on first and second arms that are movable towards and away from one another. Drive circuitry supplies electrical energy to the first and second electrodes, to cause an alternating electric field to be produced in the vicinity of the electrodes in use, and thereby cause dielectric heating of hair placed between the electrodes in use. Sensing circuitry senses a change in coupling of energy from the alternating electric field to the hair during heating of the hair. Control circuitry controls the drive circuitry to vary the electrical energy supplied to the first and second electrodes in dependence upon the sensed change in coupling. A related method manipulates the shape of hair using dielectric heating.

A heater according to an embodiment generally includes a base, a protrusion, a heat generating layer, a first protective layer, and an electrode layer. The protrusion protrudes from the base. The heat generating layer is disposed on the protrusion. The first protective layer is disposed on the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is disposed on the base to drive the heat generating layer.

A heater according to an embodiment generally includes a base, a protrusion, a heat generating layer, a first protective layer, and an electrode layer. The protrusion protrudes from the base. The heat generating layer is disposed on the protrusion. The first protective layer is disposed on the heat generating layer. The electrode layer is disposed on the base to drive the heat generating layer.

Wood kilns, electrode systems for wood kilns, and methods of using the systems for the radiofrequency (RF) drying and phytosanitizing of wood are provided. The electrode systems are based on a three-electrode design in which a central plate electrode having winged edges is disposed between a pair of ground plate electrodes. The winged edges of the central electrode improve the uniformity of heating during the phytosanitizing process, relative to a five-electrode parallel plate system, or a three-electrode parallel plate system having a conventional planar central plate electrode.

Wood kilns, electrode systems for wood kilns, and methods of using the systems for the radiofrequency (RF) drying and phytosanitizing of wood are provided. The electrode systems are based on a three-electrode design in which a central plate electrode having winged edges is disposed between a pair of ground plate electrodes. The winged edges of the central electrode improve the uniformity of heating during the phytosanitizing process, relative to a five-electrode parallel plate system, or a three-electrode parallel plate system having a conventional planar central plate electrode.

Methods and systems are provided for, applying RF power as part of an RF treatment. The RF power may be applied until a first target temperature is reached, wherein the first target temperature is less than a final target temperature. Responsive to the reaching the first target temperature, application of the RF power may be varied via a feedback control loop until final target temperature is achieved. The application of the RF power may be paused responsive to determining that a temperature spread is greater than a threshold.

A thermal increase system includes a cavity, a first electrode disposed in the cavity, a second electrode disposed in the cavity, and a self-oscillator circuit that produces a radio frequency signal that is converted into electromagnetic energy that is radiated into the cavity by the first and second electrodes. The self-oscillating circuit includes the first electrode and the second electrode. In an embodiment, the first electrode is a first plate in a capacitor structure and the second electrode is a second plate in the capacitor structure. The cavity and a load contained within the cavity operates as a capacitor dielectric of the capacitor structure. A resonant frequency of the self-oscillator circuit is at least partially determined by a capacitance value of the capacitor structure.

A radio frequency (RF) laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, a drying surface and a Faraday cage enclosing the drying surface. The drying surface on which textiles are supported further includes an RF applicator having an anode and cathode coupled to the RF generator. At least a portion of the cathode substantially encompasses the anode to electrically shield the anode from the Faraday cage ensuring the formation of an e-field between the anode and cathode instead of the anode and the Faraday cage upon energizing the RF generator.

A radio frequency (RF) laundry dryer includes, amongst other things, an RF generator, a drying surface and a Faraday cage enclosing the drying surface. The drying surface on which textiles are supported further includes an RF applicator having an anode and cathode coupled to the RF generator. At least a portion of the cathode substantially encompasses the anode to electrically shield the anode from the Faraday cage ensuring the formation of an e-field between the anode and cathode instead of the anode and the Faraday cage upon energizing the RF generator.