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.

A lesion control system includes a radio-frequency (RF) generator that produces RF energy having a predetermined frequency and power; a controller comprising a microprocessor; a multi-polar RF ablation probe having a plurality of electrical contacts; a plurality of RF input lines electrically coupled to an output terminal of the RF generator; a plurality of RF output lines, each RF output line electrically coupled to a respective one or more of the electrical contacts in the multi-polar RF ablation probe; an RF return line electrically coupled to a return terminal of the RF generator; and a plurality of switches, each switch having a respective terminal electrically coupled to a respective RF output line, each switch electrically coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to produce switch control signals that change a respective state of one or more of the switches to set a configuration of the multi-polar RF ablation probe.

A lesion control system includes a radio-frequency (RF) generator that produces RF energy having a predetermined frequency and power; a controller comprising a microprocessor; a multi-polar RF ablation probe having a plurality of electrical contacts; a plurality of RF input lines electrically coupled to an output terminal of the RF generator; a plurality of RF output lines, each RF output line electrically coupled to a respective one or more of the electrical contacts in the multi-polar RF ablation probe; an RF return line electrically coupled to a return terminal of the RF generator; and a plurality of switches, each switch having a respective terminal electrically coupled to a respective RF output line, each switch electrically coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to produce switch control signals that change a respective state of one or more of the switches to set a configuration of the multi-polar RF ablation probe.

A PEF cooking appliance includes a container for food to be cooked. The container includes two PEF electrodes which are spaced apart from one another and between which food to be cooked can be poured. A power factor correction filter is connected to a supply voltage and configured to generate a pulse voltage greater than 600 V, and an energy storage apparatus is connected to the power factor correction filter. Connected to energy storage apparatus are wo pulse forming apparatuses such that a first one of the two pulse forming apparatuses is connected to a first one of the two PEF electrodes and a second one of the pulse forming apparatuses is connected to a second one of the two PEF electrodes.

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 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 high-frequency heating device that includes: a first conductor; a second conductor disposed with the first conductor through a space therebetween; a high-frequency power source that is connected to the first conductor and the second conductor and that applies a high-frequency voltage between the first conductor and the second conductor; and a connection path that electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor to each other at a first connection position and a second connection position. The first connection position is different from a first power feeding position at which the first conductor and the high-frequency power source are connected to each other on the first conductor, and the second connection position is different from a second power feeding position at which the second conductor and the high-frequency power source are connected to each other on the second conductor.

A high-frequency heating device that includes: a first conductor; a second conductor disposed with the first conductor through a space therebetween; a high-frequency power source that is connected to the first conductor and the second conductor and that applies a high-frequency voltage between the first conductor and the second conductor; and a connection path that electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor to each other at a first connection position and a second connection position. The first connection position is different from a first power feeding position at which the first conductor and the high-frequency power source are connected to each other on the first conductor, and the second connection position is different from a second power feeding position at which the second conductor and the high-frequency power source are connected to each other on the second conductor.

A dielectric heating device includes a first electrode and a second electrode that face an object to be heated and to which an AC voltage is applied, and a coil that is electrically coupled in series to the first electrode. A linear distance between one end and the other end of the coil is equal to or smaller than a linear distance between the one end and a central portion of the coil in a magnetic path direction of the coil.