Microwave asphalt surface treatment system

Abstract

A microwave system for the treatment of asphalt surfaces that prevents the leakage of microwave radiation during use. The highly portable microwave treatment system prevents leakage of microwave radiation via a microwave horn and sealing shroud configuration that seals the unit to the asphalt surface being treated.

1 . A system for treating asphalt surfaces, comprising:
 a microwave generation system;   a waveguide; and   a microwave horn comprising a non-conductive sealing shroud.   
     
     
         2 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing shroud comprises an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         3 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 2 , wherein the sealing shroud further comprises a durable, flexible cover. 
     
     
         4 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 3 , further comprising a cooling system circulating liquid coolant through the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide comprises multiple members that can be joined in various configurations. 
     
     
         6 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 5 , wherein the waveguide further comprises a rotary joint. 
     
     
         7 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 5 , wherein the waveguide further comprises and external skeleton. 
     
     
         8 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 1 , wherein microwave horn comprises an RF sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 8 , wherein microwave horn further comprises a ventilation port. 
     
     
         10 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control system. 
     
     
         11 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 10  wherein the control system comprises a programmable microprocessor that monitors the generation and leakage of microwave radiation from the heating system. 
     
     
         12 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 11  wherein the microwave generation system generates microwaves at 915 Mhz. 
     
     
         13 . An asphalt surface treating system, comprising: a microwave generation system; and a microwave horn comprising a non-conductive sealing shroud, the sealing shroud comprising inflatable bladder and a durable, flexible cover. 
     
     
         14 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 13 , further comprising a cooling system circulating liquid coolant through the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         15 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 14 , further comprising a control system. 
     
     
         16 . The asphalt surface treating system of  claim 15  wherein the control system comprises a programmable microprocessor that monitors the generation and leakage of microwave radiation from the heating system; and
 the microwave generation system generates microwaves at 915 Mhz. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method of treating an asphalt surface comprising:
 generating microwave radiation at 915 Mhz;   directing said microwave energy to the asphalt surface via a waveguide and horn;   preventing the leakage of microwave energy between the horn and the asphalt surface by providing a non-conductive sealing shroud between the horn and the asphalt surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising: providing a cooling system circulating liquid coolant through the sealing shroud. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the sealing shroud comprises an inflatable bladder and a durable, flexible cover. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: providing a control system with a programmable microprocessor to monitor the generation and leakage of microwave radiation from the treating system.