Abstract: The present invention addresses the issue of providing a heat treatment system and a heat treatment method whereby the inner circumference of a cylindrical workpiece can be reliably cooled regardless of the dimensions or shape of the workpiece and productivity can be improved, during quenching of the inner circumference of the cylindrical workpiece. The present invention has: rotating devices 18, 19 that rotate the cylindrical workpiece 11: holding members 181, 191 that hold the cylindrical workpiece 11 at a prescribed position; a heating member 16 that heats the cylindrical workpiece 11 from the inner circumferential surface side; a cooling device 17 that injects cooling fluid and cools the cylindrical workpiece 11 from the outer circumferential surface side; and a injecting device 34 provided at a position separated from the cooling device 17 and which inject the cooling fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and tool for hardening a hollow profile of a steel workpiece having an interior space. The method includes the steps of providing a workpiece having a hollow profile, heating the hollow profile, placing the hollow profile of the steel workpiece in a hardening tool, and cooling the hollow profile from the inside by way of a cooling core having an exterior shape that is complimentary to that of the structural shape of the interior space of the hollow profile.

Abstract: An apparatus includes rails for supporting sides of a circumferential peripheral edge of a carrier. A movable ram engages a rearward portion of the carrier. A movable restrainer restrains movement of the ram. A wheel engages a forward portion of the carrier. A controller is operable to control the movable restrainer to restrain movement of the ram with the carrier and at least one metal object disposed adjacent an induction heating device, the wheel to rotate the carrier and the metal object, the induction heating device to induction heat the rotating metal object, and the movable restrainer to disengage the ram so that the wheel pivots away to allow passage of the carrier and the heated metal object into a quench bath. A plurality of metal objects may be arranged in a circular array in the carrier about a diameter generally equal to the diameter of an induction coil.

Abstract: A system, process, and component are disclosed. The system and process involve an induction heater arranged and disposed to heat a component to form a heated surface and a nozzle arrangement positioned to apply a fluid to the heated surface to form a processed surface of a component. The processed surface includes compressive residual stress resulting in increased resistance to fatigue, including fretting fatigue, for the component.

Abstract: An apparatus for quenching a ring shaped article includes a heating station for heating the ring shaped article to a quenching temperature; a primary cooling station for cooling the ring shaped article to a deformation correction initiating temperature; and a secondary cooling station for cooling the ring shaped article down to a temperature lower than a martensitic transformation point. The heating station includes a preheating station for heating by induction heating the ring shaped article to a predetermined preheating temperature near to the quenching temperature and a soaking station for heating the ring shaped article, which has been heated to the preheating temperature by the preheating station, to the quenching temperature within a continuous heating furnace. The preheating station includes a rotary table and a heating coil arranged to straddle between inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the ring shaped article.

Abstract: Improved induction heating of a rolling bearing without the risk of damaging or blocking the bearing is achieved by controlling the heating cycle as a function of the temperature difference between the inner and outer bearing rings and/or dividing the heating cycle into different portions using different power combinations of at least two induction coils.

Abstract: An apparatus for induction heat treating and quenching a metallic part with rolls to convey, guide and restrain the part during processing. The apparatus includes a heating coil assembly with two sections of coils wound in opposite directions. The apparatus may include a quenching station with individual quenching sections having different pressures and flows of a liquid. A process for induction heat treating and quenching a metallic part in a series of rolls includes induction heating the part in a counter-wound coil assembly; quenching the part with a liquid while under restraint, and induction heating the part again after quenching. Controlling varying speed and the proximity of the metallic part to the coil assembly is ideal.

Abstract: An induction hardening apparatus and methods are provided. The induction hardening apparatus includes a feed line having first and second ends. A coil assembly is positioned between the first and second ends. The feed line includes a support arrangement for supporting two workpieces against one another and transferring the workpieces simultaneously through the coil assembly along a feed axis defined by the feed line.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat treatment of a long material of metal includes an induction unit having an inductor for heating a long material and a quenching spray associated to the inductor. The induction unit and the long material are moveable in relation to one another during a heat treatment. A holding device secures the long material and includes at least two clamping units which are spaced from one another at a distance in a longitudinal direction of the long material. The clamping units can be opened to allow passage of the induction unit during the heat treatment and closed again after passage of the induction unit.

Abstract: To provide a heat treatment providing a product with quality as desired, high frequency induction heating treatment equipment capable of temperature control to provide such heat treatment includes temperature controlling means for adjusting in temperature an object to be treated, and quenching means for determining when the object heated should be cooled. The temperature controlling means includes heating means, temperature measuring means involved in temperature control, and temperature adjusting means. The quenching means includes temperature measuring means involved in quenching, and heat treatment adjusting means.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process of fabricating a steel material by performing a heat treatment to a steel material having high strength, in order to reduce hardness at one part of the steel material to less than hardness at other parts of the steel material, wherein the heat treatment comprises a heating step in which a portion having a certain depth from a surface of the steel material is rapidly heated by induction heating or direct energization heating, and a cooling step in which the steel material, which has been subject to the heating step, is rapidly cooled a predetermined time after the heating step, and a heating temperature in the heating step is Ac1 transforming point or more.

Abstract: A golf shaft includes: a hollow tubular structure; and a gradient structure in which an amount of retained austenite is increased from an approximate center in a thickness direction of the hollow tubular structure to a surface of the hollow tubular structure.

Abstract: In a method for heat treating a fuel assembly channel made of zircaloy, the channel is continuously moved relative to a heat-treatment device and, longitudinal sections of it are heated to the beta phase range in an inductive heating zone. The longitudinal section of the channel heated in this manner is than cooled in a cooling zone to a temperature within an alpha phase range. The heat treatment is effected by at least two heating devices, which are spaced apart from one another, operate independently of each other, and each contain at least one induction coil and together form a heating zone. The channel section is first heated using a first heating device and then heat-treated using a second heating device which has less power and in that cooling is effected using a stream of inert gas applied to the outer surface of the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for inductively heating a workpiece by transverse flux induction. The apparatus comprises a pair of identical coils, each of which includes a reversed head section bent to the opposite side of the workpiece. The assembled pair of coils is configured to effectively form a generally O-shaped coil arrangement on opposing sides of the workpiece. Combination electrically conductive and magnetic compensators, passive or active/passive, are also provided for use with transverse flux inductors.

Abstract: In an induction heating coil for heating a shaft member having multiple steps, annular conductors are separately disposed in the axis direction, the annular conductors having inner diameters so as to form predetermined gaps with outer peripheries of heating portions of the shaft member, the lengths of annular conductors (1, 2, and 3) are set so that the areas of the respective heating portions are approximately equal to each other, and the annular conductors are connected to each other in series, so that the respective step shaft portions of the shaft member are uniformly heated. The annular conductors described above may be formed to have shapes in conformity with the shapes of the heating portions of the shaft member and may be formed to have a step shape corresponding to steps of the shaft member having different outer diameters.

Abstract: An induction brazing and quenching apparatus and related method of coupling components together.

Abstract: A thermal quenching installation making use of induction heating. This installation has induction heater means comprising a stationary induction coil, handling means to cause the element to pass through said coil, and cooling means, preferably a shower, disposed downstream from the coil.

Abstract: A magnetic flux concentrator is used to control the end heating of a tubular material in an electric induction heat treatment process. The magnetic flux concentrator may consist of fixed elements, or a combination of fixed and moveable elements to accommodate end heating of tubular materials having different dimensions or material properties.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for preheating welds uses a centered induction plate (12) having preferably a plurality of induction coils (30, 32) to impart the generation of heat in the materials to be welded (14), being interactively controlled by at least a temperature sensor (90, 92) and power supply control loop (16) so that even preheating can be obtained for a selected length of time given the parameters of the weld desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat-treating an elongate structural body part made from a blank compressed while being soft or from steel strip of hardenable 22 Mn B5 mod. steel sheet with a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm, includes an apparatus for positioning the structural body part in substantially upright disposition. Placed in surrounding relationship to the structural body part is an induction element which can move from bottom to top, thereby being able to follow a contour of the structural body part and allowing to at least partially heat the structural body part to an austenitizing temperature suitable for hardening. Disposed adjacent to the induction element is a cooling unit which follows the induction element in movement direction. The induction element and the cooling unit are moveable relative to one another and connected to a tool carriage which is mounted to a column for movement in a vertical direction, in a transverse direction to the column and about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for hardening cylindrical bearing locations on a shaft, in particular a crankshaft, in which transition radii to the adjacent shaft parts are of undercut design, is provided with a heating unit, which is connected to a power supply, and with an inductor. The inductor has two heating conductor arms, which are arranged at a distance from one another and each run in the peripheral direction of the bearing location that is to be hardened. Each of the two heating conductor arms is provided with an inner bearing-surface hardening branch and two outer radius hardening branches, the bearing-surface hardening branch in each case being mechanically connected to the radius hardening branches by current-carrying elements which bear the radius hardening branches. The mechanical connection is sufficiently elastic for the radius hardening branches to be displaceable relative to the bearing-surface hardening branch in the axial direction of the shaft that is to be hardened.

Abstract: In a transverse induction heating apparatus in which a material to be rolled is heated by inductors to which electric power is supplied from an AC power source, iron core widths of the inductors in a plate width direction of the material to be rolled are smaller than plate width of the material to be rolled, they are disposed on a plate width center line of the material to be rolled, and when a current penetration depth is ?(m), specific resistance of the material to be rolled is ?(?-m), magnetic permeability of the material to be rolled is ?(H/m), heating frequency of the AC power source is f (Hz), and plate thickness of the material to be rolled is tw (m), the heating frequency of the AC power source is set so that ?={?/(?·f·?)}1/2 and (tw/?)<0.95.

Abstract: A workpiece heating system having an induction heating power source and a controller. The controller is operable to control the operation of the power source according to programming instructions received from a user. The controller enables a user to establish a sequence of inductive heating operations to be performed automatically by the induction heating system from among a selection of inductive heating operations. A temperature feedback device may be included to provide the controller with the workpiece temperature. A data recorder may be provided to receive and record the workpiece temperature.

Abstract: A system and method inductively heats and stress relieves a weld joint area having a stress induced zone. A susceptor assembly is positioned over the stress induced zone. The susceptor assembly includes susceptor sheets manufactured to operate at different, preselected Curie temperatures. A housing is mounted over the susceptor assembly including an induction coil positioned adjacent to the susceptor assembly. An alternating electric current is applied to the induction coil. The alternating electric current causes the induction coil to generate a plurality of magnetic flux lines. The invention provides the advantage that the magnetic flux lines passing through the susceptor assembly heat the susceptor assembly providing localized and controlled temperature heat to the weld joint area to stress relieve the stress induced zone.

Abstract: A device for inductive billet-heating includes a single or multi-layer billet-heating coil (4) for a round billet (5), in which the billet-heating coil (4) is made up of one or more consecutive, galvanically separated zones. The zones are supplied with electrical energy from a three-phase network by means of an electrical switching device and a control unit. The billet-heating coil (4) includes multiple, synchronically regulated zones (Z1, Z2 through Zn) with reference to frequency and phase of inductive field. For a current feed to each zone (Z1 through Zn) of the billet-heating coil (4), a converter (2) with variable frequency and a plurality of modules is provided. The converter includes plurality of power-moderate closed units with DS-network feed and synchronization of phase and frequency of an output voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for induction heat treatment of electrically conductive workpieces. The inductor assembly is formed from a single piece inductor that utilizes an electrically non-conductive top, side and bottom frames to hold flux concentrators in place over the sides of the inductor. Flux concentrators can be changed by unfastening the frame members, removing the existing flux concentrators, inserting new flux concentrators, and fastening the frame members. One or more of the frame members may serve as a receiving chamber for supply of a quench medium to an induction heated workpiece positioned in an opening in the inductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the mechanical properties, especially the hardness, of journal crosses for use in articulated shafts. According to the invention, a superficial area which is defined by the transition surfaces between two journals that are adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction and the superficial areas of the peripheral surfaces of the adjacent journals that point in the peripheral direction is induction-hardened in one method step and then quenched with cooling agents.

Abstract: A method of heat-treating a rack bar includes a step of continuously conveying a rack bar provided with a rack teeth portion and a ball screw portion by a quenching means, and a step of sequentially applying a quenching treatment to each circumferential surface of the rack teeth portion and the ball screw portion. The quenching treatment is preferably and sequentially applied to each entire circumferential surface of the rack teeth portion and the ball screw portion.

Abstract: In a heat-treatment apparatus for heat-treating a V-type cylinder block (W) by induction heating, the block (W) is fixedly mounted on a work table (11) and set at a reference position thereon. A plurality of induction heating coils (23) are disposed in each of opposite sides of a base frame (10) of the work table (11) through Z tables (21), Y tables (18) and X tables (13). These tables (13, 18, 21) enable the heating coils (23) to enter and exit from the corresponding cylinder bores (Wn) of the block (W) in a direction in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the cylinder bores (Wn). The Z table (21) moves back and forth in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the cylinder bores (wn). The Y table moves back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the rows of the cylinder bores (Wn). The X table (13) moves back and forth in parallel with the rows of cylinder bores (Wn).

Abstract: This invention relates to a procedure for hardening the bearing surfaces (H1,H2,H3,H4) of a shaft or axle, in particular a crankshaft (2) or camshaft, in which the bearing surfaces (H1-H4) to be hardened are hardened sequentially with the shaft or axle turning around their longitudinal axis (L) by means of a heating and quenching device (3), in which the distortion of the shaft or axle that arises in the area of the respective bearing surface (H1) during the course of hardening is determined, in which the shaft or axle is supported by at least one supporting device (9) during hardening of a bearing surface (H1-H6), which is placed against a previously hardened bearing surface (H1), and in which the setting of the supporting device (9) is regulated taking into account the distortion determined for the bearing surface (H1), against which the supporting device (9) is placed, and a device which enables hardening of crankshafts with a minimal distortion.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for casting, hot rolling and annealing of non-heat treatable aluminum alloys which comprises continuously casting, hot rolling and, in-line with the hot rolling line, heating the aluminum sheet using infrared heat. The infrared heating system uses a control to assure that the aluminum alloy is heated to the proper temperature based on one or a number of process variables, such as hot rolling exit temperature, hot rolled product exit rate in terms of speed and product dimensions, and sheet temperature at the exit of the infrared heater. Variations in the infrared heating temperature can be tolerated in the product without deviating from target mechanical properties.

Abstract: A plurality of billets are inductively heated in a staged process wherein the output current of a power supply is repeatedly time shared among a plurality of induction coils within which the plurality of billets have been placed. The time periods of the applied current to each coil become sequentially shorter over the total heating time of a billet to allow magnetically induced heat to conduct to the center of the billet during the dwell periods between applied electrical current periods. This maximizes the efficiency of the output of the power supply while melting of the outer regions of a billet is avoided in a process wherein the billets do not have to be moved during the overall billet total heating time.

Abstract: A method for induction heating a workpiece made of a material such as ferrous material or alloy is carried out by placing a non-magnetic conductive shield in proximity to a current concentrating surface of the workpiece and exposing the workpiece with a shield in place to a time varying magnetic field. The magnetic field induces eddy currents in the surface of the workpiece. The conductive shield is placed in sufficient proximity to reduce or eliminate the eddy currents in the portion covered by the shield. At least a part of the uncovered portion of the workpiece is heated above the austenitizing or solution temperature of the material. At the same time, the covered portions of the workpiece are protected from overheating by the shield. The workpiece is then quenched to complete the hardening process.

Abstract: In transverse flux induction heating of electrically conductive strip, conductors that cross the strip width are stacked, or connected, such that a multiple of the induced current flows across the strip width as compared to that which flows along the strip edges. Conductors across the width of the strip and conductors along the edges of the strip are connected in series to insure that the current which flows in the conductors is everywhere the same. In the case of two stacked cross conductors, this gives an I2R heating of four times the heating across the strip width as compared to that along the strip edges.

Abstract: In a process for the induction hardening of crankshafts with at least one connecting-rod pin and with at least two main bearings, in particular for the hardening of the at least one connecting-rod pin, by means of a contactlessly operating inductor, the crankshaft performs a rotational movement during the hardening of the at least one connecting-rod pin. The center axis of the at least one connecting-rod pin to be hardened is used as the axis for the rotational movement of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A heating device for the electromagnetic induction heating of a metal strip traveling in a specified direction. The device includes at least one electric coil arranged opposite at least one of the large surfaces of the strip so as to heat the latter by transverse magnetic flux induction, each coil being associated with at least one magnetic circuit. Each circuit is divided into a plurality of magnetically independent bars arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the strip. The bars may moved toward or away one another thereby adapting to the width of the strip and distributing the magnetic flux across the width of the strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rolling and heat treatment of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods and bars, is described in which the elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments are arranged in in-line disposition whereby any of several heat treatment procedures can be performed on the product without need for transferring the product to remotely located heat treatment facilities. The methods of performing various heat treatments through use of the disclosed apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the process of induction heating a workpiece. A miniature magnetic sensor located near the outer surface of the workpiece measures changes in the surface magnetic field caused by changes in the magnetic properties of the workpiece as it heats up during induction heating (or cools down during quenching). A passive miniature magnetic sensor detects a distinct magnetic spike that appears when the saturation field, Bsat, of the workpiece has been exceeded. This distinct magnetic spike disappears when the workpiece's surface temperature exceeds its Curie temperature, due to the sudden decrease in its magnetic permeability. Alternatively, an active magnetic sensor can also be used to measure changes in the resonance response of the monitor coil when the excitation coil is linearly swept over 0-10 MHz, due to changes in the magnetic permeability and electrical resistivity of the workpiece as its temperature increases (or decreases).

Abstract: There are provided an induction heating coil for carrying out high frequency induction heating (heating during movement) of a hot rolled steel or the like by surrounding the hot rolled steel or the like which is placed on a plurality of conveying rollers and conveyed, and an induction heating apparatus using this induction heating coil. In an induction heating coil 2 for induction heating a heated body (a thin slab 8 or the like) by surrounding it, a first coil portion 13 wound in a spiral form while transferring in one direction (the direction of the arrow mark &agr;) along a coil axis S and a second coil portion 14 which is connected to a terminal (turn point 18) of the first coil portion 13 and wound back while transferring in the other direction (the direction of the arrow mark &bgr;) along the coil axis S are combined so as to overlap in the non-contact state.

Abstract: A multi-station induction heat treatment system is used for heat treating metal workpieces that have multiple generally cylindrical components whose axes are parallel to and offset from a common workpiece axis. The heat treatment system includes heat treatment stations that heat treat while the workpiece and inductor components are stationary. The system is particularly suited to the heat treatment of workpieces, such as crankshafts, that have an intervening non-symmetrically shaped component between two substantially cylindrically shaped components, some of which are not coaxial, that must be heat-treated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus disclosed for cost-effective net shape precision ausform finishing the engagement surfaces of ball and roller bearings, for enhancing the surface strength and durability of bearing inner and outer races. The method consists of induction heating to austenitize the contacting surface layers of rolling element bearing races, followed by martempering (or marquenching), and then net shape roll finishing of the induction heated contacting surface layers in the metastable austenitic condition to finished dimensional accuracy requirements, and finally cooling to martensite. The apparatus utilizes a fixed vertical through-feed axis for the workpiece bearing race with capability for rotation and linear up and down positioning motion, and two coordinated and controlled laterally-moving infeed axes for roll finishing tooling dies.

Abstract: A transverse flux heating coil is disclosed to inductively heat a continuous run of wire. In general, the transverse flux heating coil includes a single loop conductive element having a pair of termination ends extending therefrom and connectable to a power supply. The single loop conductive element is constructed to distribute the majority of the current across a width of the single loop conductive element and forms an internal heating area in which a continuous run of wire is fed therethrough. The flux generated by the current is generally transverse to a direction of travel of the wire through the heating coil. The transverse flux heating coil includes a first conductor having a width facing an internal heating area that is substantially greater than a thickness and is constructed of planar copper bar stock.

Abstract: A process for heat treating steel wires in which the wires are passed through an induction furnace with induction coils connected in series to a common power supply. No more than one wire passes through any one of the induction coils. The wires are heated to their Curie temperature, where the wires become non-magnetic. This makes the process substantially self-regulating. If one or more wires are heated more rapidly than others, little if any heating of the more rapidly heated wires will occur after they reach their Curie temperature, and all wires will leave the inductive heating furnace at or near their Curie temperature. The system will operate satisfactorily with one or more wires missing. When this happens, for loading purposes or other reasons, the efficiency of the unit degrades but sufficient excess power remains such that heating of the wires that are passing through the system will be relatively unaffected at the design mass flow rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for simultaneous peripheral electro-inductive hardening of bearing surfaces (2A, 3A) and transition A radii in crankshafts (1), comprising lifting pins (2, 3) arranged directly adjacent to each other and one behind the other with different angular positions on the plane perpendicular to the their axis of rotation (D), wherein inductors (8, 9) are provided which are placed on the lifting pins (2, 3) approximately in the same direction (C) thereof. A lifting pin (2, 3) is allocated to each inductor, which is arranged in such a way that it intersects the axial direction of the crankshaft (1). Said inductor comprises at least two inductor detents (8C, 8D, 9C, 9D) arranged parallel to each other. One inductor detent (8D, 9D) is arranged in an overlay area (4) of the lifting pins (2, 3) while the other inductor detent (8C, 9C) is arranged in an edge area of the lifting pin (2, 3) facing a cheek (5, 6).

Abstract: The invention relates to the rotary and simultaneous electroinductive hardening of the bearing surfaces (2a; 3a) of crank pins (2; 3) of a crankshaft (1) disposed immediately one beside the other and offset in relation to one another in the axial direction (D), having inductors (10; 11) which each engage around the crank pins (2; 3) by a maximum of 180.degree. and which each have two inductor branches (12, 13; 14, 15) arranged in parallel and following the curvature of the bearing surfaces (2a; 3a), of which one branch is associated with the overlapping zone (5) of the crank pins (2; 3), the other branch being associated with the particular other edge zone (2b; 3b) of the crank pin (2; 3) associated therewith, the inductor branches (12, 13; 14, 15) of each inductor (10; 11) having in the axial direction (D) a distance (A) increased in relation to half the total width (B) of the crank pins (2; 3).

Abstract: Apparatus for inductively heating and hardening diesel cam shaft lobes includes a table supporting an inductor for radial displacement relative to the lobe of a workpiece to be hardened and a master component having a lobe identical to that of the workpiece to be hardened and supported for rotation about an axis parallel to and laterally spaced from that of the workpiece. The master component and workpiece are rotated in synchronism, and a follower roll on the table engages the lobe of the master component to accurately maintain a desired air gap between the inductor and lobe of the workpiece during the hardening operation.

Abstract: In the apparatus: Y table 43 carries a work W and travels a predetermined distance in direction Y in a reciprocating manner; X table 41 causes the work W to reciprocate in direction X between a first position, in which the work W is loaded onto and unloaded from Y table 43, and a fourth position, in which an induction heating coil 23 is disposed; X table 41 is mounted on a base frame 11; a first reference on Y table 43 positions rows of quenched portions 76a of the work W in desired locations when the work W is loaded onto Y table 43; a second reference on Y table 43 serves as a reference for determining coordinates of Y table 43; a position measuring means 32 in a second position intermediate between the first and the third position measures coordinates of the second reference and of the quenched portions 76a; and, a control means 100 issues signals to control X-Y table 40 together with the heating coil 23 based on the measured coordinates.

Abstract: An induction heating device for surface treating the teeth (11) of a mechanical part on which each tooth (111) has a projecting tip (111s) and a tooth root linking the tooth to an adjacent tooth, wherein an in duction coil (12, 12') is spaced from the tooth tips and powered by at least one high-frequency current source. The coil consists of a set of conductive segments (24, 24') individually orthogonal to the generatrix (d, d') of the teeth, located above respective tooth tips and interconnected via connecting segments (25, 25').

Abstract: In a method for the inductive surface hardening of workpieces with any desired external geometries, especially camshafts for internal combustion engines, an inductor (15) is provided which at least partially surrounds the workpiece (2 or 4). The workpiece (2 or 4) executes a uniform rolling motion, and, given a constant coupling distance (X), the internal contour (18) of the inductor (15) represents a line parallel to the rolling contour (16) of the workpiece (2 or 4).

Abstract: A heating system and method for heating a metal strip to within a predetermined temperature tolerance range while the metal strip serially travels through a heating system. The heating system has at least one preceding heating section, at least one induction heating section, and at least one following heating sections, with the heating sections being serially arranged. The metal strip is heated to below the Curie point of the metal strip in the preceding heating section. Next, the metal strip is heated to, at a maximum, approximately the Curie point in the induction heating section. Then, the metal strip is heated to above the Curie point and to within the predetermined temperature tolerance range in the following heating section.