In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) generator that is to generate a RF signal, first and second electrodes, and an impedance match module in series between the RF generator and the first electrode. The RF generator detects reflected power from the RF signal applied to a load electrically coupled between the first and second electrodes to change a temperature of the load, the RF signal to be applied to the load until the reflected power reaches a particular value.

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for heating an object in a cavity by feeding the cavity with RF signals. One of the disclosed methods includes simultaneously feeding the cavity with at least two RF signals. Of the at least two RF signals, a first RF signal is fed to the cavity via a first antenna and a second RF signal is fed to the cavity via a second antenna. The first and second RF signals have a common frequency and differ in phase by a first phase difference. The method also includes measuring the first phase difference and adjusting the feeding based on measurements of reflected RF signals reflected from the cavity. Conducting the measurements of the reflected RF signals may also be part of the disclosed method. A disclosed apparatus includes the structure required for carrying out the above method.

Systems and methods are provided for calibration of conditioning systems through selected biomaterials and/or sensing unit where the variability of the conditioning system is identified and compensated in subsequent conditioning session to improve the conditioning system impact and consistency on the nutritional substance desired result.

A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, an electrode proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, and a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode. The system also includes power detection circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured repeatedly to take forward and reflected RF power measurements along the transmission path. A system controller repeatedly determines, based on the forward and reflected RF power measurements, a calculated rate of change, and repeatedly compares the calculated rate of change to a threshold rate of change. When the calculated rate of change compares favorably with the threshold rate of change, the RF signal source continues to provide the RF signal to the electrode until a determination is made that the defrosting operation is completed, at which time the RF signal source ceases to provide the RF signal to the electrode.

A defrosting system includes an RF signal source, an electrode proximate to a cavity within which a load to be defrosted is positioned, a transmission path between the RF signal source and the electrode, and an impedance matching network electrically coupled along the transmission path between the output of the RF signal source and the electrode. The system also includes power detection circuitry coupled to the transmission path and configured to detect reflected signal power along the transmission path. A system controller is configured to modify, based on the reflected signal power, an inductance value of the impedance matching network to reduce a ratio of the reflected signal power to the forward signal power. The impedance matching network includes a plurality of fixed-value, lumped inductors positioned within a fixed inductor area.

Disclosed herein is a conditioning system for nutritional substances. The conditioning system obtains information regarding the nutritional substance to be conditioned, the desired conditioning, and the desired properties, including nutritional content, of the conditioned nutritional substance, and dynamically controls the conditioning in response to this information optimize the organoleptic properties of the conditioned nutritional substance, while minimizing any detrimental changes to the nutritional content.

Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.

Disclosed are an electromagnetic wave generating system and a heating device. The electromagnetic wave generating system includes 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. The first matching module includes a plurality of fixed value inductors connected in series between the electromagnetic generating module and the radiating assembly, and a plurality of parallel branches, wherein each parallel branch of the first matching module includes a fixed value capacitor and a switch connected in series. The input ends of the plurality of parallel branches of the first matching module are respectively connected in series between two adjacent inductors and between an end inductor and the radiating assembly, and the output ends thereof are all configured to be grounded, so as to match a load more accurately after receiving an adjusting command.

Disclosed are a heating device (100) and a refrigerator. The heating device (100) includes a cylinder body (110), a door body (120), an electromagnetic generating module (161) and a radiating antenna (150). A heating chamber (111) having a pick-and-place opening is defined in the cylinder body (110), and the heating chamber (111) is configured to place an object to be processed. The door body (120) is disposed at the pick-and-place opening and configured to open and close the pick-and-place opening. The electromagnetic generating module (161) is configured to generate an electromagnetic wave signal. The radiating antenna (150) is disposed in the cylinder body (110) and electrically connected with the electromagnetic generating module (161) to generate electromagnetic waves of a corresponding frequency according to the electromagnetic wave signal. Since the peripheral edge of the radiating antenna (150) is formed by smooth curves, the distribution area of the electromagnetic waves in a plane parallel to the radiating antenna (150) may be increased, and the electromagnetic waves may be prevented from being too concentrated, thereby avoiding the problems of local overheating and uneven temperature of food.

The present disclosure provides a microwave oven, and a thawing control method and device for the same. The method includes: S1, receiving a thawing instruction; S2, starting a thawing; and S3, controlling a thawing condition, to maintain a temperature of food in the microwave oven in 3 C.0 C. With the method, by taking temperatures in the range of 3 C.0 C. as an optimal temperature at thawing endpoint for thawing the food, the thawed food is more nutritious, healthier, and easier to cut, and has the low temperature difference, without a cooked discoloration phenomenon.