RETURNED POWER FOR MICROWAVE APPLICATIONS

摘要

The present invention related to devices and methods that use returned power (RP) measurements during microwave energy delivery to perform one or more functions. For example, microwave devices and systems that comprise one or more features to measure the returned microwave power. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power may be used to obtain information about one or more of: antenna shape, system status and system performance. One or more measurements of the returned microwave power shaping elements may also be used to obtain information about one or more properties of the target material. The invention also discloses devices and methods for delivering microwave energy to a variety of target materials to achieve a variety of desired microwave effects.

主权项

1. A method of providing microwave energy by introducing an antenna comprising a flexible radiating element into or adjacent to a target material, the method comprising:
delivering microwave energy through the antenna to the target material; obtaining a returned power measurement of the antenna; determining a change in an electrical length of the antenna using the returned power measurement and altering delivery of the microwave energy based on the change in electrical length.