US 12,144,094 B2
Microwave suppression tunnel and related features
Vernon R. Hegg, Plymouth, MN (US)
Assigned to A.L.M. Holding Company, Onalaska, WI (US)
Filed by A.L.M. Holding Co., Onalaska, WI (US)
Filed on Jun. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/208,990.
Application 18/208,990 is a division of application No. 16/918,411, filed on Jul. 1, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/869,305, filed on Jul. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0328853 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. H05B 6/76 (2006.01); A23L 3/00 (2006.01); A23L 3/54 (2006.01); E01C 19/08 (2006.01); E01C 19/20 (2006.01); H05B 6/64 (2006.01); H05B 6/78 (2006.01); H05K 9/00 (2006.01); E01C 19/10 (2006.01); H05B 6/70 (2006.01)
CPC H05B 6/76 (2013.01) [A23L 3/001 (2013.01); A23L 3/54 (2013.01); E01C 19/08 (2013.01); E01C 19/20 (2013.01); H05B 6/6426 (2013.01); H05B 6/784 (2013.01); H05K 9/0056 (2013.01); H05K 9/009 (2013.01); A23V 2002/00 (2013.01); E01C 19/1004 (2013.01); E01C 2019/208 (2013.01); H05B 6/707 (2013.01); H05B 2206/044 (2013.01); H05B 2206/046 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of making a bituminous mix, comprising:
receiving a quantity of aggregate material at a conveyor unit, wherein the aggregate material passes through at an inlet microwave suppression tunnel before entering the conveyor unit, and wherein the aggregate material comprises: recycled asphalt paving (RAP), reclaimed asphalt shingles (RAS), virgin aggregate, sand, other bituminous mix or aggregate material, or combinations thereof;
transporting the quantity of aggregate material along the conveyor unit;
heating the quantity of aggregate material within the conveyor unit using at least one microwave generator operatively connected to at least one microwave guide configured to cause microwaves emitted by the microwave energy generator to heat the quantity of aggregate material within the conveyor unit by converting the microwaves to heat when absorbed by at least a portion of the quantity of aggregate material within the conveyor unit; and
causing the heated quantity of aggregate material to exit the conveyor unit through an outlet microwave suppression tunnel,
wherein the inlet microwave suppression tunnel comprises at least one flexible and/or movable flap,
wherein the at least one flap is configured to absorb, deflect, or block microwave energy,
wherein the at least one flap is configured to be deflected as the quantity of aggregate material passes through the inlet microwave suppression tunnel and then to return to a resting, closed position when the quantity of aggregate material is no longer passing through the inlet microwave suppression tunnel, and
wherein the flap comprises a metallic shielding mesh.