An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors. The radiofrequency electromagnetic current radiates to a hydrocarbon formation surrounding the transmission line conductors.

An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The method involves providing electrical power to at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating high frequency alternating current; using the electromagnetic wave generator to generate high frequency alternating current; using at least one pipe to define at least one of at least two transmission line conductors; coupling the transmission line conductors to the electromagnetic wave generator; and applying the high frequency alternating current to excite the transmission line conductors. The excitation of the transmission line conductors can propagate an electromagnetic wave within the hydrocarbon formation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining that a hydrocarbon formation between the transmission line conductors is at least substantially desiccated; and applying a radiofrequency electromagnetic current to excite the transmission line conductors. The radiofrequency electromagnetic current radiates to a hydrocarbon formation surrounding the transmission line conductors.

Provided is a refrigerator that includes a storage chamber capable of storing a preserved product, power supply unit (48), oscillation circuit (22), oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25), matching unit (52) that matches impedance, controller (50), and a shield. Power supply unit (48) includes a first power supply part that rectifies an alternating current from a commercial alternating-current power supply and converts the alternating current into a direct current, a first ground part that serves as a reference potential of the first power supply part, a second power supply part and a third power supply part that each step down an output voltage of the first power supply part and output the stepped-down output voltage, a second ground part that serves as a reference potential of the second power supply part, and a third ground part that serves as a reference potential of the third power supply part. Oscillation circuit (22) is supplied with power from the second power supply part, and controller (50) is supplied with power from the third power supply part.

Provided is a refrigerator that includes a storage chamber capable of storing a preserved product, power supply unit (48), oscillation circuit (22), oscillation electrode (24) and counter electrode (25), matching unit (52) that matches impedance, controller (50), and a shield. Power supply unit (48) includes a first power supply part that rectifies an alternating current from a commercial alternating-current power supply and converts the alternating current into a direct current, a first ground part that serves as a reference potential of the first power supply part, a second power supply part and a third power supply part that each step down an output voltage of the first power supply part and output the stepped-down output voltage, a second ground part that serves as a reference potential of the second power supply part, and a third ground part that serves as a reference potential of the third power supply part. Oscillation circuit (22) is supplied with power from the second power supply part, and controller (50) is supplied with power from the third power supply part.

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 food preparation device may include at least two energy sources, a chamber into which at least two types of energy are providable via the at least two energy sources, and a cooking controller operably coupled to the at least two energy sources to selectively distribute power to respective ones of the at least two energy sources. The at least two energy sources may include a radio frequency (RF) capacitive heating source and a cold air source.

Localized heating can use a fixed-frequency planar transmission line resonators arranged along a main-line, selected by tuning an electromagnetic input signal frequency applied to the main line for depositing heat in an adjacent active substrate. More generally, adjusting input signal frequency can be used to selectively address and energize an electromagnetic-to-heat, an electromagnetic-to-vibration, or other transducer to controllably direct energy toward a desired transducer load. Resonators or other electromagnetically energized transducers can be arranged to electromagnetically interfere, such that specifying or adjusting a relative phase of applied electrical signals can be used to specify or adjust the energy directed toward a desired transducer load. Temperature sensing can characterize a material in a target region near the transducer. A cold-hot-cold temperature profile can better manage temperature and avoid overheating a dielectric material such as the active substrate material.

Localized heating can use a fixed-frequency planar transmission line resonators arranged along a main-line, selected by tuning an electromagnetic input signal frequency applied to the main line for depositing heat in an adjacent active substrate. More generally, adjusting input signal frequency can be used to selectively address and energize an electromagnetic-to-heat, an electromagnetic-to-vibration, or other transducer to controllably direct energy toward a desired transducer load. Resonators or other electromagnetically energized transducers can be arranged to electromagnetically interfere, such that specifying or adjusting a relative phase of applied electrical signals can be used to specify or adjust the energy directed toward a desired transducer load. Temperature sensing can characterize a material in a target region near the transducer. A cold-hot-cold temperature profile can better manage temperature and avoid overheating a dielectric material such as the active substrate material.

The present invention discloses an electromagnetic wave generating system, including an electromagnetic generating module, a radiating assembly and a matching unit connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module and the radiating assembly. The electromagnetic generating module is configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal. The radiating assembly includes one or more radiating units and is configured to be electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module to generate electromagnetic waves of a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signal. The matching unit includes a first matching module, a second matching module and a fixed value inductor. The input end of the first matching module is configured to be electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module. The fixed value inductor is connected in series between the output end of the first matching module and the radiating assembly. The input end of the second matching module is connected in series between the output end of the first matching module and the inductor, and the output end of the second matching module is configured to be grounded. The first matching module and the second matching module respectively include a plurality of parallel branches to realize a load combination that is several times the sum of the number of the parallel branches of the two matching modules.

The present invention discloses an electromagnetic wave generating system, including an electromagnetic generating module, a radiating assembly and a matching unit connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module and the radiating assembly. The electromagnetic generating module is configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal. The radiating assembly includes one or more radiating units and is configured to be electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module to generate electromagnetic waves of a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signal. The matching unit includes a first matching module, a second matching module and a fixed value inductor. The input end of the first matching module is configured to be electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module. The fixed value inductor is connected in series between the output end of the first matching module and the radiating assembly. The input end of the second matching module is connected in series between the output end of the first matching module and the inductor, and the output end of the second matching module is configured to be grounded. The first matching module and the second matching module respectively include a plurality of parallel branches to realize a load combination that is several times the sum of the number of the parallel branches of the two matching modules.