Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

Heating systems utilizing radio frequency (RF) energy and methods for using the same to rapidly and uniformly heat packaged articles moving through the system on one or more convey lines. These systems may be useful for a variety of processes, including the pasteurization or sterilization of packaged foodstuffs.

Provided is a refrigerator that includes the following: a storage chamber having a space to store a preserved product; an oscillator that forms high frequency power; and oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) disposed facing each other and connected to the oscillator, oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) receiving the high frequency power from the oscillator to generate an electric field in the storage chamber. Oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) are provided at interval H that is shorter than a long side dimension of oscillation electrode (24).

Provided is a refrigerator that includes the following: a storage chamber having a space to store a preserved product; an oscillator that forms high frequency power; and oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) disposed facing each other and connected to the oscillator, oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) receiving the high frequency power from the oscillator to generate an electric field in the storage chamber. Oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25) are provided at interval H that is shorter than a long side dimension of oscillation electrode (24).

A dielectric heating device is provided with two or more electrodes, a grounded surface connected to a first electrode, a signal source connected to a second electrode to output a high-frequency signal, a first element interposed serially between the signal source and second electrode, and a second element interposed serially between the grounded surface and first electrode. The first element includes two terminals that electrically connect the signal source and second electrode in a non-contact manner, to cause the high-frequency signal outputted from the signal source to pass through the first element, by using the electric coupling between the two terminals. The second element includes two terminals that electrically connect the grounded surface and first electrode in a non-contact manner, to output, by using the electric coupling between the two terminals, the high-frequency signal outputted from the signal source, to the grounded surface.

A dielectric heating device is provided with two or more electrodes, a grounded surface connected to a first electrode, a signal source connected to a second electrode to output a high-frequency signal, a first element interposed serially between the signal source and second electrode, and a second element interposed serially between the grounded surface and first electrode. The first element includes two terminals that electrically connect the signal source and second electrode in a non-contact manner, to cause the high-frequency signal outputted from the signal source to pass through the first element, by using the electric coupling between the two terminals. The second element includes two terminals that electrically connect the grounded surface and first electrode in a non-contact manner, to output, by using the electric coupling between the two terminals, the high-frequency signal outputted from the signal source, to the grounded surface.

A laundry drying machine includes: a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet and configured to accommodate a target object, and an electric field generator spaced apart from the drum and configured to, based on power being applied to the electric field generator, generate an electric field. The electric field generator includes an anode electrode spaced apart from the drum, fixed to the cabinet, and configured to apply the electric field to the target object, a power supply unit configured to supply the power to the anode electrode, and a matcher configured to match a source impedance of the power and an impedance of a load side. The drum is configured to rotate at an agitating rotation speed in a state in which the power supplied to the anode electrode is stopped, the agitating rotation speed being (i) greater than 0 rpm and (ii) less than 50 rpm.

A laundry drying machine includes: a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet and configured to accommodate a target object, an electric field generator spaced apart from the drum and configured to, based on power being applied to the electric field generator, generate an electric field, and an exhaust duct configured to discharge air inside the drum. The electric field generator includes: (i) an anode electrode spaced apart from the drum, fixed to the cabinet, and configured to apply the electric field to the target object, (ii) a power supply unit configured to supply the power to the anode electrode, and (iii) a matcher configured to match a source impedance of the power and an impedance of a load side. The drum is configured to, based on a reflectivity of the electric field exceeding a predetermined ratio, reduce a rotation speed.

Methods and systems are provided for applying RF power as part of an RF treatment. Starting the RF treatment may include treating a product positioned within an RF chamber with RF waves. The RF treatment may include estimating a log kill of the product during the RF treatment and terminating the RF treatment responsive to the estimated log kill reaching a log kill threshold.

Methods and systems are provided for applying RF power as part of an RF treatment. Starting the RF treatment may include treating a product positioned within an RF chamber with RF waves. The RF treatment may include estimating a log kill of the product during the RF treatment and terminating the RF treatment responsive to the estimated log kill reaching a log kill threshold.