Apparatus for using microwave energy for insect and pest control and methods thereof

Abstract

An apparatus for using microwave energy for treating an infected site infested with insects or other small pests is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a source of microwave energy connected to a power source and a power controller, a transmission element, and an antenna. The apparatus can also comprise an isolator to protect the source of microwave energy. Methods to use such an apparatus for treatment of an infected site are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for using microwave energy to treat an infected site infested with insects or other small pests, the apparatus comprising:
 a source of microwave energy that provides the microwave energy at a frequency greater than about 2.3 GHz;   a transmission element configured to propagate the microwave energy; and   an end fire array antenna that receives the microwave energy via the transmission element and emits the microwave energy substantially longitudinally from the end fire array in a focused beam toward the infected site, wherein the end fire array antenna is configured to scan the infected site, the end fire array antenna comprising:
 a circuit board; 
 a transmission line, comprising a parallel pair of conductors electromagnetically coupled to one another, the parallel pair of conductors comprising:
 a first conductor secured along a plane of the circuit board; and 
 a second conductor secured along the plane of the circuit board; 
 
 a first plurality of radiating elements secured on the circuit board and extending from the first conductor away from the second conductor; 
 a second plurality of radiating elements secured on the circuit board and extending from the second conductor away from the first conductor; 
 wherein the first conductor is not electrically wired to the second conductor; and 
   a cover that covers the circuit board, the transmission line, and the first and second plurality of radiating elements.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second plurality of radiating elements are spaced to create a beam pattern, wherein the first plurality of radiating elements extends substantially perpendicularly from the first transmission line, and wherein the second plurality of radiating elements extends substantially perpendicularly from the second transmission line. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus in  claim 1 , wherein the end fire array antenna comprises a transition section and a baffle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission element comprises a waveguide. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a microwave transparent cover. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for using microwave energy to treat an infected site, the apparatus comprising:
 a source of microwave energy that provides the microwave energy at a frequency greater than about 2.3 GHz;   a transmission element configured to propagate the microwave energy; and   an end fire array antenna that receives the microwave energy via the transmission element and emits the microwave energy substantially longitudinally from the end fire array in a beam toward the infected site, wherein the end fire array antenna is configured to scan the infected site, the end fire array antenna comprising:
 a circuit board; 
 a transmission line, comprising a parallel pair of conductors electromagnetically coupled to one another, the parallel pair of conductors comprising:
 a first conductor secured along a plane of the circuit board; and 
 a second conductor secured along the plane of the circuit board; 
 
 a first plurality of radiating elements secured on the circuit board and extending from the first conductor away from the second conductor; and 
 a second plurality of radiating elements secured on the circuit board and extending from the second conductor away from the first conductor. 
   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first plurality of radiating elements extends substantially perpendicularly from the first transmission line, and wherein the second plurality of radiating elements extends substantially perpendicularly from the second transmission line. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the end fire array antenna comprises a transition section and a baffle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the transmission element comprises a waveguide. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the end fire array antenna further comprises a cover that covers the circuit board, the transmission line, and the first and second plurality of radiating elements. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the cover comprises a microwave transparent cover. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for using microwave energy to treat an infected site, the apparatus comprising:
 a source of microwave energy that provides the microwave energy at a frequency greater than about 2.3 GHz;   a transmission element configured to propagate the microwave energy; and   a scanning microwave antenna that receives the microwave energy via the transmission element and emits the microwave energy, the scanning microwave antenna comprising a handle; and   a microwave isolator connected between the source of microwave energy and the transmission element, wherein the microwave isolator is configured to reduce an amount of the microwave energy reflected back from the scanning microwave antenna toward the source of microwave energy.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the transmission element comprises a waveguide. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the scanning microwave antenna comprises a slotted waveguide antenna array. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the scanning microwave antenna is a beam forming antenna. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the beam forming antenna comprises a pyramidal horn antenna. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the pyramidal horn antenna further comprises a baffle around an end of the pyramidal horn antenna, and wherein the baffle does not substantially follow a slope of an outer surface of the pyramidal horn antenna. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the beam forming antenna is an end fire array antenna. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the end fire array antenna comprises a transition section and a baffle. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the end fire array comprises a transmission line comprising a parallel pair of conductors electromagnetically coupled to one another.