Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressurizing SiC clad rods of a nuclear core component. A lower end of the rod is sealed with a lower end plug and an upper end of the rod is sealed between the cladding and an external piece of an upper end plug that has a through opening through which a separate internal piece of the upper end plug extends. The internal piece of the upper end plug is initially moveable within the through opening between an upper position that forms a gas tight seal and a lower position that forms a gaseous path through the through opening. The rod is placed in a pressure chamber pressurized to a desired pressure. When the pressure is reduced within the pressure chamber the internal pressure in the rod biases the internal piece of the upper end plug in the upper sealed position.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining a plurality of workpiece parts, in particular body parts, in which: a) the workpiece parts are inserted into a joining tool, b) the workpiece parts in the joining tool are monitored for damages, c) the workpiece parts are joined by the joining tool, and d) the joined workpiece is monitored for damages in the joining tool.

Abstract: A hob includes at least one heating inductor and a glass or glass ceramics cover plate that has at least one side coated with a metal layer coated with a metal layer. In order to improve the electromagnetic compatibility of the hob with a metal layer coating, the metal layer has a cover region which covers the heating inductor and is electrically insulated from a surrounding region of the metal layer, which surrounding region surrounds the cover region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermoplastic component using inductive heating is described. The method includes positioning a plurality of induction heating coils to define a process area for the thermoplastic component, wherein the plurality of induction heating coils comprises a first set of coils and a second set of coils. The method also includes controlling a supply of electricity provided to the plurality of inductive heating coils to intermittently activate the coils. The intermittent activation is configured to facilitate prevention of electromagnetic interference between adjacent coils.

Abstract: A system for forming a brazed joint between a tie wire and a workpiece, and methods therefor are presented. The system includes: a braze chamber including an induction heating coil, the induction heating coil having magnetic flux concentrators thereon; and a controller receiving a temperature feedback signal from a temperature sensor on a tie wire and controlling a temperature of a section of the tie wire to be brazed by controlling an electrical current applied to the induction heating coil.

Abstract: A metal shell and plate member welding method includes the steps of: A) preparing a shell and a plate member, B) applying a solder material to the plate member, C) attaching the shell to the solder material at the plate member to form a semi-finished product and then putting the semi-finished product in a fence of a bottom tool member, D) moving the bottom tool member to insert the semi-finished product and the fence into the space surrounded by an induction coil of an induction heater and then pressing a top tool member on the semi-finished product, E) operating the induction coil to heat the border edge of the shell to a temperature level about 20° C.˜100° C. over the melting point of the solder material, thereby melting the solder material, and F) cooling down the solder material to finish the welding procedure.

Abstract: There is described a heating induction sealing device for forming a seal in a packaging material comprising an electrically conductive element and advancing, in use, along a first direction; the sealing device comprises at least one inductive element; inductive element comprises a first and second leg within which alternate currents flow, in use, in opposite direction; first leg is configured to induce, in use, a first portion of an eddy current within an area to be sealed of packaging material; second leg faces first leg along a second direction; second leg is configured to induce, in use, a second portion of eddy current within area to be sealed of packaging material; first and second leg have a length in a third direction parallel, in use, to first direction and transversal to second direction; first and second leg are nonsymmetrical with respect to third direction, so that seal is formed as continuous along second direction.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus with a first conveyor and a second conveyor is used a the welding apparatus and a welding method for container bodies and in particular can bodies between which conveyors the object to be welded is handed over. A control unit determines the take over position and/or the conveying travel of the second conveyor and controls the conveyors accordingly, so that the take over occurs at the determined position and/or with the determined conveying travel of the second conveyor. This allows an easy and swift changing of the welding apparatus to different sizes of the objects to be welded.

Abstract: The present invention is an inductive sealing unit, which includes a conductive coil assembly that has at least two sections. At least one of the sections is adjustable with respect to the other. Each section has a magnetic flux concentrator, such as a ferrite core. A flexible conductive coil, such as litz wire, is disposed with respect to the magnetic flux concentrator to provide an electromagnetic field which induces heat sufficient to seal an object. The assembly can be adjusted to accommodate different size objects to be sealed.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a preform in a vacuum vessel to produce a structural assembly are provided. The system includes a heated die set defining a cavity in which the preform can be formed, bonded, or otherwise processed. The die set is disposed in a cavity of the vacuum vessel from which gas can be evacuated. Thus, a pressurized fluid can be provided to the preform, e.g., to an interior space of the preform to form or constrain the preform in the die cavity, and the vacuum vessel can be evacuated so that the die set, and typically the preform, are exposed to a pressure that is reduced relative to the ambient pressure. Further, the vacuum vessel can constrain the die set in the closed position during processing.

Abstract: A multiple head induction sealing system includes at least two ferrite cores mounted which are channel-shaped and arranged so that the open ends of the channels are aligned either perpendicular or parallel to a workflow direction established as the objects to be heated pass beneath the unit. A litz wire coil is disposed proximate to each ferrite core which produces an electromagnetic field within the ferrite core. The ferrite cores and litz wire coil are adapted to direct the electromagnetic field toward an object to heat it.

Abstract: An induction heating apparatus seals a container, such as a bottle, with a non-tampering seal. The induction heating apparatus has a concentrator and a coil assembly. The coil assembly includes multiple coil devices. Each coil device includes a bobbin with a central tube and an insulated electrical conductor. The insulated electrical conductor is wound around the central tube of the bobbin and is electrically connected to an alternating current power source. The bobbin is mounted in the concentrator. When alternating current is applied to the insulated electrical conductor, an electromagnetic field is created that will induce in an aluminum foil in the non-tampering seal. The aluminum foil will be heated and the heat in the aluminum foil will be transferred to a layer of heat active polymer in the non-tampering seal, which will quickly bond the non-tampering seal to the bottle.

Abstract: A heat induction workstation has a base, a housing, a working station, an electrical power supplier and a cooling device. The housing has two baffles to divide the inner space of the housing into a central chamber and two side chambers. The working station is mounted in the central chamber and has at least one induction heating device. The electrical power supplier and the cooling device are respectively received in the side chambers. The electrical power supplier is electrically connected to the working station to provide electrical power to the working station. The cooling device is connected to the electrical power supplier to reduce the temperature of the electrical power supplier while the electrical power supplier is in operation.

Abstract: A container containing radioactive materials consists of a canister and a cover which is fixed to an opening of the canister, and the canister and the cover are welded by magnetic welding. The canister has a uniform thickness in the vicinity of the opening.

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing non-circular, in particular polygonal, for example tetragonal, hexagonal, octagonal or elliptical, container openings comprises one or a plurality of induction loops (11, 38, 41) for sealing purposes. Containers (2) comprise joined-on closure devices (3) with sealing discs (15) joined onto a sealing edge (14) of the container opening. The induction loops (11, 38, 41) are adapted to the shape of the sealing edge (14) and the spacing between the induction loop (11, 38, 41) and sealing edge (14) is constantly adjustable and selectable.

Abstract: A heating apparatus comprises a plastic body and a planar heating element, together defining a liquid heating vessel. The heating element is clamped between a portion of the body and a retaining ring, the body and the retaining ring being fixed together by an induction weld. Uniform compression of a seal is obtained during the welding process. The weld provides a reliable seal.

Abstract: Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range permits combining several manufacturing operations into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with annealing; two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105.degree. C.) or more, to produce quality parts. We mill parts flat to simplify their machining, form them to complex curvature, and anneal them.

Abstract: The side seam of a can is coated and heated inductively by passing it through a medium frequency, oscillating magnetic field generated by an induction coil wound around a core. The core is shaped and oriented so as to have two magnetically opposite poles direct magnetic flux in a concentrated manner from the coil into the side seams of cans traveling along a path of travel. The cores are constructed using individual laminations of high frequency core material, each less than about 0.006 inches thick, individually insulated from each other and bound together to form a U- or E-shaped core directing flux toward the workpiece. The induction coil is constructed using a form of Litz wire and the coil and core are air-cooled. In one embodiment, the core has a plurality of pole pieces each directed toward the path of travel. The induction coil is wound on the core such that sequential ones of the pole pieces along the path of travel have alternatingly magnetically opposite polarities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for 360.degree. induction heating of a can body to cure or partially cure a protective coating applied thereto. The can bodies are inductively heated by placing them in a medium frequency, oscillating magnetic field generated by a multiple turn induction coil helically wound around the transport path of the can body. By using a medium-frequency field and by centering the can bodies with respect to the induction coil, the can bodies may be evenly and uniformly heated around 360.degree. of their circumference.

Abstract: Our induction heating workcell permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range. The induction workcell allows us to combine manufacturing operations, like SPF, brazing, and annealing, into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. Superplastic forming (SPF) and brazing occur at temperatures that differ by about 150.degree.-200.degree. F. (85.degree.-105.degree. C.) or more as do SPF and .beta.-annealing of titanium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for superplastic forming. The workpiece is held between a pair of dies that are electrically and thermally nonconductive, and is heated inductively by a coil embedded within the dies. The dies are formed of a material that is substantially transparent to inductive heating. A plurality of electrical conductors are embedded within the die. The electrical conductors are interconnected into one or more electrically conductive coils that surround the workpiece. The electrical conductors are used to produce a time varying magnetic field that is used to heat the workpiece. In one embodiment, the workpiece is a composite material that is susceptible to inductive heating. The composite material includes an electrically conductive material. The time varying magnetic field heats the electrical conductive material, thereby heating the workpiece. The die also includes a forming surface having a shape corresponding to a desired shape of the workpiece.

Abstract: An induction heating module encapsulation apparatus and method for its use is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially airtight chamber which is composed of ceramic or some other high temperature insulating material in which a cap and a ceramic substrate having semiconductor chips joined thereon are placed. A sealband of solder or other brazing material is placed at the periphery of the cap where the cap and substrate are to be joined. An RF coil, which serves as inductor in the apparatus, the energized by a high frequency generator, generating an electromagnetic field in the radio frequency spectrum. The RF coil is oriented to localize the inducted current at the periphery of the cap and the sealband. The inducted current is dissipated in the form of heat until the sealband is molten. The RF power is then turned off.

Abstract: Apparatus for inductively heating metal can lids operates at medium frequency, with a many-turn induction coil wrapped partly or entirely around the can closures. No focusing cores are required, nor need the conductors be water cooled. Can ends may be fed through the apparatus in-stick. IGBTs are used in the H-bridge of the inverter. A control system is also provided which minimizes peak current flow through the switches and obviates the need for a series inductor conventionally used for current limiting. The control system monitors the tank voltage phase angle and turns the switches on and off in optimal response thereto. Can lids are separated magnetically while being motivated by sequentially switched electromagnets, and can bodies may be rotated by a split conveyor belt while being transported through inductive heating apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for superplastic forming. The workpiece is held between a pair of dies that are electrically and thermally nonconductive, and is heated inductively by a coil embedded within the dies.

Abstract: A method of maintaining the housing of a reactor pressure vessel having: a reactor pressure vessel into which cooling water is introduced; a cylindrical housing which penetrates an end bracket of the reactor pressure vessel; and a circumferential weld for securing the intermediate portion of the housing to the reactor pressure vessel by welding, the method of maintaining a housing of a reactor pressure vessel comprising the steps of: remaining the cooling water in the reactor pressure vessel; preventing leakage of the cooling water in the reactor pressure vessel through the housing by sealing the housing; making the inside portion of the housing lower than the seal to be a hollow space of a gas atmosphere; heating a heat affected zone due to welding by using a heating device inserted into the hollow space from a lower portion so as to compressive-yield the inner surface of the housing in the heat affected portion upper than the circumferential weld and tensile-yield the outer surface; and cooling heated porti