A method and arrangement for controlling magnetrons.

The present invention relates to a method and to an ar­rangement for controlling magnetrons in apparatus in which microwave energy is utilized for heating purposes.

Microwave heating is a technique which can be applied with great advantage in a multiple of processes which include the supply of thermal energy. One important advantage in this regard is that the heating power can be controlled in the absence of any inertia.

One drawback, however, is that microwave equipment is often more expensive than the conventional alternatives. The magnetron of such heating equipment is driven by a power unit with associated control system, which consti­tute the major cost of the equipment. Since the output power of a magnetron is limited, heating equipment will often require the presence of a significant number of magnetrons and associated power units and control sys­tems to achieve a given heating requirement.

Magnetrons are used almost exclusively as microwave generators for heating purposes. Those properties deci­sive in this regard are the high efficiency achieved in converting d.c. power to microwave power and the compact geometry of the magnetron. One serious drawback is that the voltage required to produce a given power output varies from magnetron to magnetron. This voltage is de­termined by the internal geometry of the magnetron and the magnetic field strength in the cavity.

Two types of magnetrons are found, namely those in which the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and those in which the magnetic field is generated by an electromagnet.

The strength of the permanent magnets varies in manufac­ture and during operation.

The magnetron construction includes a magnetic yoke, the permeability of which varies with temperature. The oper­ating curve, seen as a graph in which the anode voltage is plotted against the anode current, changes together with the geometric changes that take place in the magnetron in response to changes in temperature therein. The output power is proportional to the anode current, to a high level of accuracy.

Because of these circumstances, it is not possible to drive a multiple of magnetrons directly from a common power unit. The aforementioned graph presents a knee, the so-called knee voltage, over which the power output of the magnetron is greatly increased.

When two or more magnetrons are connected to a power unit in parallel and the magnetrons have mutually different operating curves, which is the normal case, one magnetron will produce a higher power output than the other. The magnetron with the higher output power will become hotter than the other, wherewith the operating curve falls and the power unit will produce a lower output voltage. This causes the power output of the magnetron producing the lower output to fall still further, etc., until only the one magnetron produces all power, due to the failure to reach the knee voltage of the other magnetron.

The fundamental problem resides in the necessity of con­trolling each magnetron individually, together with the attempt to decrease the number of power units and associ­ ated control systems.

This problem is resolved by means of the present invention which enables magnetrons equipped with permanent magnets and magnetrons equipped with electromagnets to be powered by one and the same power unit.

Thus, the present invention relates to a method for con­trolling magnetrons with regard to their microwave power, in equipment incorporating a multiple of magnetrons, characterized by connecting two or more magnetrons in par­allel with a power unit operative in producing a high voltage for operation of the magnetrons; by connecting to respective magnetrons a separate magnetron regulating cir­cuit which includes measuring means for measuring the anode current through respective magnetrons on the high-­voltage side thereof; and galvanically isolating said measuring means from a control circuit, said control circuit being constructed to control the anode current of the magnetron concerned in response to a signal produced by said measuring means.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to an arrangement or system for controlling two or more magne­trons from one and the same power unit, this arrangement having the characteristic features set forth in the following claim 10.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to a number of exemplifying embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>Figure 1 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of a circuit or coupling for two or more magnetrons connected to a common power unit and having individual regulating circuits;</li><li>Figure 2 illustrates a first embodiment of control means associated with said regulating circuit;</li><li>Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of control means associated with said regulating circuit;</li><li>Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of control means associated with said regulating circuit;</li><li>Figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment of an inventive circuit or coupling for two or more magnetrons connected to a common power unit and having individual regulating circuits;</li><li>Figure 6 illustrates a classic anode voltage - anode cur­rent (V_A - I_A) graph for a magnetron; and</li><li>Figure 7 illustrates schematically a circuit which sepa­rates two circuits electrically or galvanically.</li></ul>

Thus, Figure 6 illustrates an anode voltage - anode current graph which is typical of a magnetron. The curve in the graph presents a knee at voltage V₀. The magnetron will produce no power output at voltages beneath the knee vol­tage V₀. At voltages above the knee voltage, the dynamic resistance is low and the voltage increase from no output power to full output power is small. The power output of the magnetron is proportional to the anode current I_A to a high level of accuracy.

As beforementioned, there are two types of magnetron, namely magnetrons in which a magnetic field is generated with the aid of permanent magnets, and magnetrons in which the mag­ netic field is generated by a magnetic coil and a magnetic core. The knee voltage is fixed in the former type of magnetron, whereas in the latter type the knee-voltage is controlled or regulated in the manner indicated by the broken-line curve and the arrow in Figure 6, by controlling the current through the winding.

It has also been mentioned in the aforegoing that the graph V_A - I_A is not totally the same for each magnetron of mutu­ally the same specification, due to variations from magne­tron to magnetron. Thus, this is the fundamental reason for the problem of powering two or more magnetrons from a common power unit.

The present invention relates to a method and to an ar­rangement or system for controlling a multiple of magne­trons with regard to their microwave power, in which two or more magnetrons are connected in parallel to a power unit effective in generating a high magnetron operating voltage. In accordance with the invention each magnetron is connected to a separate regulating circuit which is individual thereto. The regulating curcuit includes a measuring means which is operative in measuring the anode current through the magnetron on the high-voltage side thereof. By measuring the anode current on the high-volt­age side of the magnetron, the anode current will be mea­sured individually for each of the magnetrons present while the anode of the magnetron is connected directly to earth, which is highly essential from the aspect of safety.

If the anode current were to be measured on the low-volt­age side, i.e. at a location, e.g., between anode and earth, the magnetron would be raised at a given potential, which is unacceptable from a safety aspect, assuming that not all of the magnetron is encased in an earthed casing which is insulated from the magnetron, waveguide and possible heating cavity.

The measuring means is constructed to send a signal to a control circuit. Because the measuring means is located on the high-pressure side, it is galvanically separated from the central circuit, which operates at a relatively low votage, such as normal mains voltage. The control circuit is intended to control the anode current of the magnetron, and therewith the power output, in response to the signal received from the measuring means.

According to one embodiment the measuring means comprises a resistance across which the voltage is measured, said voltage constituting the signal sent to the control cir­cuit.

A more detailed description will now be given of magne­trons of the kind solely equipped with permanent magnets, with reference to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-4.

Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram which incorporates two or more magnetrons 1, 2 of the aforesaid kind. These magnetrons are powered from a power unit 3 which is common to all magnetrons and which includes a transformer and a rectifier. The power unit 3 may have an output voltage of 3-4 KV for example.

In the Figure 1 embodiment, two magnetrons 1, 2 are con­nected in parallel across the power unit 3. The anodes 4 of the magnetrons 1, 2 are earthed. As indicated in Figure 1, several magnetrons can be connected to the bro­ken-line conductors 5, 6 in the same manner as the two magnetrons 1, 2 and associated circuits connected to the conductors 7, 8.

A regulating circuit, generally referenced 9, separate for each magnetron is connected to respective magnetrons. The regulating circuit 9 incorporates the aforementioned measuring means 10 operative in measuring the anode cur­rent through respective conductors 11, 12. As beforemen­tioned, the measuring means preferably comprises a resis­tance R across which the voltage is measured through con­ductors 13, 14; 15, 16. The conductors are connected to a measuring circuit 17; 18 of some suitable kind adapted to transfer the measuring value, in the form of said volt­age, to a control circuit 19; 20, said value being trans­ferred either in analogue or digital form.

The measuring means is galvanically separated from the control circuit 19, 20 by means of a circuit 21; 22. The circuit may take several different forms. However, a feature common to all forms of this circuit is that the circuit 21; 22 incorporates an analogue-digital converter or a digital-analogue converter, e.g. a frequency-voltage converter, in which the converters are isolated galvani­cally from one another.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 utilizes an opto­switch. In this case, the circuit 21; 22 includes a volt­age-frequency converter 80 which drives a light-emitting device 81, such as a light-emitting diode, such that the light emitter sends light pulses at a pulse repetition frequency corresponding to the voltage applied to the con­verter 80. The circuit 21; 22 also incorporates a fre­quency-voltage converter 82 to which there is connected a light-sensitive device 83, such as a photo-transistor which receives light transmitted from the light-emitting device 81 and converts this light to electric pulses cor­responding to the received light pulses. The converter 82 converts the pulses received, e.g., to a voltage that corresponds to the voltage applied across the first men­tioned converter. The light is suitably passed between the devices 81, 83 in a light conductor 84, such as plas­tic or glass fibres.

According to a second embodiment the aforesaid means for converting a voltage to a frequency may instead be con­nected to the primary winding of a transformer, the sec­ondary winding of which is connected to means for con­verting a frequency to a voltage, this latter voltage being delivered to the control circuit 19; 20.

The control circuit 19, 20 is intended for controlling the anode current of the magnetrons 1, 2 in response to a sig­nal received from the measuring means 10. The control means 19, 20 preferably comprises a microprocessor or a corresponding device, into which a control value, or set­point value, relating to the desired power output is in­serted. The voltage across the conductors 23, 24; 23, 25 leading to respective power units may also be supplied to the control circuit. The control circuit is therewith constructed to calculate the product of this latter volt­age and the anode current, this product constituting a relatively acurate measurement of the power output from respective magnetrons. The magnetrons have an efficiency of about 70%.

As will be understood, the anode voltage - anode current diagram of the magnetrons may instead be inserted in the control circuit, so that the circuit is able to calculate the prevailing output powers. The control circuit 19, 20 may be of any suitable kind and may have any desired, suitable construction.

The aforementioned control value is given in the form of an electric signal. The signal preferably constitutes a measurement of the desired anode current. The signal, however, may instead have the form of an output signal from a temperature sensor in the volume or the area in which the magnetron concerned delivers its power, where­with a temperature control is effected actually by means of the output power. The reference 26; 27 designates the setting means intended for sending a control value to the control circuit. As will be understood, this means may comprise an overall control system in the form of a com­puter or like device to which the control circuits of all magnetrons are connected.

Thus, the control circuit receives a control value from the means 26; 27 and a real value, or true value, from the measuring circuit 17; 18. The control circuit 19; 20 is constructed to deliver, via conductors 28; 29, a control signal to a regulating circuit that contains control de­vices 20; 31 for direct control of the anode current.

The control device may have several different, preferred forms.

According to one first preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figure 2, the control device 30; 31 comprises a peak voltage unit 85.

This unit is connected between the power unit 3 and the measuring means 10, and is constructed to apply a further voltage across the magnetrons 1, 2 e.g. a voltage of 200-­800 V, over and above the voltage delivered by the power unit.

The peak voltage unit includes a transformer 32 having a rectifying bridge 33, the one diagonal points of which are connected to the conductors referenced 24, 34; 25, 35 in Figures 1 and 2. The other diagonal points of the recti­fying bridge 33 are connected to the secondary winding of the transformer 32. The primary winding of the trans­former is connected to thyristors 36, a triac or like de­vice, by means of which a phase-angle control is intended to be effected on the power supplied to the peak voltage unit via its terminals 37, 38. The peak voltage unit may be supplied with an alternating current of, e.g., 380 V.

The semiconductor element 36 may be a so-called SCR cir­cuit (Silicon Control Rectifier).

The thyristor 36 is controlled directly from the control circuit 19; 20, through a control conductor referenced 28; 29.

A choke 43 or leakage transformer may be connected in series with the thyristor 36.

According to a second preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, in which the same designations have been used as those used in Figures 1 and 2, there is also used a peak voltage unit 86, which includes a transformer 39 and a first rectifying bridge 40 connected to the secondary winding of the transformer 39. A chopper 54 or the like is connected in parallel across a second rectifying bridge 41, this chopper 54 being intended for supplying the pri­mary winding of the transformer with a high frequency, e.g. 20 kHz. The chopper 54 is thus intended to enable a so-called primary-switched control to be made. A capacitor 42 is connected in parallel across the second rectifying bridge 41.

An alternating current, e.g. having a voltage of 380 V, is applied to the second rectifying bridge, via the termi­nals 44, 45. The chopper is controlled directly by means of the control conductor 28; 29 from the control circuit 19; 20. The output voltage from the first rectifying bridge 40 may, for example, be 200-800 V.

By generating a high frequency, via a d.c. voltage inter­mediary in accordance with this embodiment, a high voltage can be generated with a smaller transformer core 39 than that used in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2.

According to a third preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the power unit 3 is intended to deliver a volt­age which is higher than the highest voltage required by the magentrons 1, 2, the peak voltage unit in this case being constructed to reduce the voltage across the magne­trons.

A transistor switch 44, or like device, is connected be­tween the power unit and each of the aforesaid measuring means 10, each of which transistor switches is constructed in a manner which enables the switches to be controlled so as to limit the anode current through respective mag­netrons, as compared with the case with the anode current which would occur if the peak voltage unit were to be con­trolled in a manner not to reduce the voltage of the power unit. The transistor switch 44 is controlled with a con­trol current through a secondary winding 45 by a trans­former 46, the primary winding 47 of which is supplied with current from the control circuit 19; 20, through the control conductor 28; 29. The purpose of the transformer 46 is to separate the transistor switch 44 on the high-­voltage side from the regulating circuit 9, which operates at low voltage.

A choke 48 and a diode 49 connected in parallel over the choke are provided for restricting the increase in anode current with time.

Thus, a common feature of the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1-4 is that a common power unit can be used for powering two or more magnetrons having perma­nent magnets, merely by connecting an inexpensive and simple peak voltage unit to each of the magnetrons. The peak voltage unit enables each of the magnetrons to be controlled to a desired power output irrespective of the prevailing output of the remaining magnetrons.

A filament transformer 50; 51 is also connected to each magnetron in a conventional manner, the transformers being supplied from a voltage source 52; 53.

When the magnetrons are of the kind in which the magnetic field is generated by means of a magnetic winding or coil, there is provided for each magnetron a separate magnetizing unit which is connected to said winding and which is con­trolled by the control circuit in a manner such that the strength of the magnetic field in the magnetron at the prevailing voltage over said magnetron provides a pre-de­termined anode current through said magnetron.

One such arrangement is illustrated by way of example in Figure 5. Those elements in Figure 5 which correspond to similar elements in Figures 1-4 have been identified by the same reference numerals. Thus, the embodiment of Fig­ure 5 includes a power unit 3 and conductors 7, 8. The measuring means 10, the measuring circuit 17; 18, the cir­cuit 21; 22 and the control circuit 19; 20 and the means 26; 17 may be arranged in the same manner as that de­scribed above.

The magnetrons 60, 61 have an earthed anode 62, 63. The magnetrons 60, 61 are thus provided with a magnetic winding 64, 65 having an associated magnetic core for generating a magnetic field in the magnetrons. Such magnetrons may also be provided with a permanent magnet, although this magnet will not be capable by itself of generating a magnetic field sufficiently strong to generate microwaves.

A separate magnetizing unit 66; 67 is provided for each magnetron, for magnetizing purposes, said units being a current supply unit for supplying current to the magnetic windings 64; 65. As mentioned in the introduction, the anode voltage - anode current curve is moved up and down in accordance with the strength of the magnetic field. Thus, in this embodiment the voltage across the magnetron is substantially constant whereas the power output is controlled by lowering or raising the curve. This is effected by regulating the current through the magnetic windings.

As with the aforedescribed embodiments, the control circuit 19; 20 is supplied with a control value or set point value, and a real value. The control circuit 19, 20 of this embodiment is intended to deliver to the magnetizing unit 66; 67 a control signal over a conductor 68; 69, thereby to control the magnetizing unit in a manner such that the magnetic field strength of the magnetron at the prevailing voltage across the magnetron will provide a pre-determined anode current through said magnetron.

The magnetizing unit 66, 67 includes a rectifier and a current control device, such as a transistor or the like.

The transistor or the like is controlled by means of said control signal.

Any suitable circuit can be used. The magnetizing unit 66; 67 is supplied via a transformer 70; 71 from a voltage source 72; 73 with an alternating current which may, e.g., have a voltage of 380 V.

In the lower part of Figure 5 there is illustrated an em­bodiment in which the magnetic winding 64 is separated from the conductor 74 connected to the anode 75 of the magnetron 60.

According to another embodiment, illustrated in the upper part of Figure 5, a part 76 of the magnetic winding is connected in series to the conductor 77 which is connected to the anode 63 of the magnetron 61. Located between the winding 76 and the anode 63 of the magnetron is an earth­ing point 79, implying that the anode 63 is at earth potential.

It is suitable, however, for the same type of magnetron winding and control circuit to be used in all magnetrons supplied by the same power unit, even though two variants have been shown in Figure 5.

It will be obvious that further magnetrons with associated control circuits can be connected in parallel across the power unit, via the broken-line conductors 5, 6 in Figure 5.

It will also be understood that the power output of re­spective magnetrons can be controlled individually and ir­respectively of the prevailing power output of remaining magnetrons, by means of the respective control circuits and respective magnetizing units.

Thus, the present invention solves the problem mentioned in the introduction, by using a common power unit for two or more magnetrons, at the same time as the anode current for each magnetron is measured on the high-voltage side and used to control each magnetron separately. The cost represented by the individual control circuits is only a fraction of the cost of a power unit .

The present invention can be applied to particular ad­vantage in heating systems which incorporate a large number of magnetrons. In addition to requiring solely one power unit, the invention affords the added advantages that the weight of the system and the material required for its installation is less than that of conventional systems, at the same time as the volumetric bulk of the inventive sys­tem is much lower due to the fact that a multiple of power units is not required. The amount of wiring required is also greatly reduced.

Another advantage afforded by the invention is that in the case of a large system, the power unit can be dimensioned to power all magnetrons i.e. a greater number of magnetrons than, e.g., two to four magnetrons. In this case, not all magnetrons are activated in normal operation. When a mag­netron needs to be changed, however, the magnetron is switched off and another, not previously activated magne­tron, is activated so as to produce microwave power.

Another advantage afforded by the present invention is that the individual control, in which the anode current is measured, enables the magnetron to be controlled in a man­ner to compensate, e.g., for changes due to age.

A number of exemplifying embodiments of the invention have been described above. It will be understood that the circuits and components described by way of example can be replaced and modified by one skilled in this art and achieve the same function without departing from the basic concept of indivually controlling each magnetron by measuring the anode current on the high-voltage side.

The present invention shall not therefore be considered limited to the aforedescribed embodiments, since modi­fications can be made within the scope of the following claims.