A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

A machine (1) and a method for thermobonding using an emission of electromagnetic waves (13), for example microwaves, to activate one or a plurality of adhesive layers located between a support and one or a plurality of layers of flexible covering, through a bed of particles (4) fluidized by a humidified gas. A multi-layer upholstery item including at least one non-permeable layer and produced in a single operation is also described.

Ice may form along the leading edge of an aircraft wing or horizontal and vertical stabilizers. A pneumatic deicer system may be configured to inflate and dislodge ice along the leading edge of lift and control surfaces. The pneumatic deicer system may comprise a laser welded deicing boot attached to the leading edge. The compressed air can be directed to the deicing boot, inflating the deicing boot along inflatable tubes formed by laser welds, which can crack and dislodge the ice. A method of manufacturing a laser welded pneumatic deicer boot is also disclosed.

Laser transparent compositions that may be black in color. The laser transparent compositions may include a matrix material that includes a polypropylene, a dye system that includes one, and optionally two or more, polar organic compounds, a plurality of glass fibers, and a UV stabilizer. Methods of laser welding, which may include irradiating a laser absorbing composition that contacts a laser transparent composition at an interface.

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

A microwave processing system includes: a broadband variable frequency microwave (VFM) source; a plurality of waveguide applicators, each of which includes a waveguide transition and is capable of supporting a selected subset of frequencies within the bandwidth of the broadband VFM source; a microwave switching means allowing the microwave source to be connected to any one of the waveguide transitions so that microwave power is delivered to the corresponding waveguide applicator; and wherein each of the waveguide applicators includes at least one channel through which a microwave transparent tube may be run so that process fluid flowing through the tube may be exposed to microwave power in the applicator.

A microwave heating device includes a variable frequency microwave power supply, a waveguide launcher, and a fixture to contain a material to be heated, with the fixture located directly adjacent to the end of the launcher. All heating occurs in the near-field region, i.e., no cavity modes or standing waves are established within the fixture. This condition may be insured by keeping the thickness of the fixture or workpiece under one wavelength (at all microwave frequencies being used). The launcher is preferably a horn configured to spread the microwave power laterally over a selected area while maintaining a single propagating mode. The invention may be used to enhance catalytic reactions for research and other purposes. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to perform spot curing or repair operations involving adhesives and composites.

Ice may form along the leading edge of an aircraft wing or horizontal and vertical stabilizers. A pneumatic deicer system may be configured to inflate and dislodge ice along the leading edge of lift and control surfaces. The pneumatic deicer system may comprise a laser welded deicing boot attached to the leading edge. The compressed air can be directed to the deicing boot, inflating the deicing boot along inflatable tubes formed by laser welds, which can crack and dislodge the ice. A method of manufacturing a laser welded pneumatic deicer boot is also disclosed.