Abstract: A master inductor circuit is connected to an alternating current power source and a passive inductor circuit are assembled as a separable split inductor assembly to form at least one pair of a master heating inductor and a passive heating inductor where the master and passive inductor circuits are electromagnetically coupled without physical connection. A bearing component can be brought into the presence of the magnetic flux field created by the master and passive heating inductors to simultaneously induction heat one or more bearing features on the bearing component with subsequent quenching down austenitized bearing features on the bearing component.

Abstract: A fan assembly including an air duct; an evaporator coil cover; a radial fan mounted onto the evaporator coil cover and disposed between the air duct and the evaporator coil cover; wherein the air duct includes a ring portion which interlocks with the evaporator coil cover around the radial fan; wherein the evaporator coil cover comprises three darts positioned substantially uniformly around the radial fan position; three grommets, each grommet having a central opening configured to fit over a dart, each grommet having a circumferential ridge configured to interlock with a lower rim or the radial fan is provided. Further provided is a method of reducing noise in a refrigeration appliance.

Abstract: A fan assembly including an air duct; an evaporator coil cover; a radial fan mounted onto the evaporator coil cover and disposed between the air duct and the evaporator coil cover; wherein the air duct includes a ring portion which interlocks with the evaporator coil cover around the radial fan; wherein the evaporator coil cover comprises three darts positioned substantially uniformly around the radial fan position; three grommets, each grommet having a central opening configured to fit over a dart, each grommet having a circumferential ridge configured to interlock with a lower rim or the radial fan is provided. Further provided is a method of reducing noise in a refrigeration appliance.

Abstract: A master inductor circuit is connected to an alternating current power source and a passive inductor circuit are assembled as a separable split inductor assembly to form at least one pair of a master heating inductor and a passive heating inductor where the master and passive inductor circuits are electromagnetically coupled without physical connection. A bearing component can be brought into the presence of the magnetic flux field created by the master and passive heating inductors to simultaneously induction heat one or more bearing features on the bearing component with subsequent quenching down austenitized bearing features on the bearing component.

Abstract: A railless billet electric induction heating apparatus and method is provided where billets are continuously or statically heated by induction by moving the billets without billet support rails through an induction coil supplied with alternating current power when the billets are in direct sliding contact with the interior surface of a clay graphite billet slider disposed within the induction coil. The clay graphite billet slider can also provide thermal insulation between the induction coil and the clay graphite billet slider to eliminate the requirement for a separate induction coil refractory.

Abstract: A railless billet electric induction heating apparatus and method is provided where billets are continuously or statically heated by induction by moving the billets without billet support rails through an induction coil supplied with alternating current power when the billets are in direct sliding contact with the interior surface of a clay graphite billet slider disposed within the induction coil. The clay graphite billet slider can also provide thermal insulation between the induction coil and the clay graphite billet slider to eliminate the requirement for a separate induction coil refractory.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for inductively heat treating a circular surface of annular workpieces where at least one inductor pair is used to perform a scan induction heat treatment of the circular surface. Controlled movement of the inductors and application of quenchant is provided particularly at the initial and final heat treatment locations on the circular surface to enhance metallurgical uniformity of the annular workpiece at these locations. In combination with controlled movement of the inductors, a simultaneous power-frequency control scheme can be applied to the inductors during the heat treatment process with the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for inductively heat treating a circular surface of annular workpieces where at least one inductor pair is used to perform a scan induction heat treatment of the circular surface. Controlled movement of the inductors and application of quenchant is provided particularly at the initial and final heat treatment locations on the circular surface to enhance metallurgical uniformity of the annular workpiece at these locations. In combination with controlled movement of the inductors, a simultaneous power-frequency control scheme can be applied to the inductors during the heat treatment process with the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for inductively heat treating a circular surface of annular workpieces where at least one inductor pair is used to perform a scan induction heat treatment of the circular surface. Controlled movement of the inductors and application of quenchant is provided particularly at the initial and final heat treatment locations on the circular surface to enhance metallurgical uniformity of the annular workpiece at these locations. In combination with controlled movement of the inductors, a simultaneous power-frequency control scheme can be applied to the inductors during the heat treatment process.

Abstract: A method for setting the operating frequency of a forge welding machine for a preferred width of the of the heat affected zone during a forge weld. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to determine the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of a preferred width of the heat affected zone. The operating power setting for the forge welding machine may also be determined in combination with the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of weld temperature.

Abstract: Large, non-unitarily forged shaft workpieces such as a crankshaft have successive shaft features inductively heated and forged without cool down between each sectional forging process. The temperature profile along the axial length of the next section of the shaft workpiece to be inductively heated and forged is measured prior to heating, and the induced heat energy along the axial length of the next section is dynamically adjusted responsive to the measured temperature profile to achieve a required pre-forge temperature distribution along the axial length of the next section prior to forging.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for induction heating of one or more components of a complex-shaped workpiece. The component is positioned within an opening formed by opposing pairs of arcuate coil structures formed in opposing inductor segments. One inductor segment is formed from electrically isolated inner and outer active inductor segments connected to one or more power supplies, while the other inductor segment is formed from electrically isolated inner and outer passive inductor segments that are magnetically coupled with respective inner and outer active inductor segments. Changing the output electrical parameters of the one or more power supplies controls the induction hardening along the transverse width of the workpiece with optional flux concentrators between opposing pairs of arcuate coil structures.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for inductively heat treating a circular surface of annular workpieces where at least one inductor pair is used to perform a scan induction heat treatment of the circular surface. Controlled movement of the inductors and application of quenchant is provided particularly at the initial and final heat treatment locations on the circular surface to enhance metallurgical uniformity of the annular workpiece at these locations. In combination with controlled movement of the inductors, a simultaneous power-frequency control scheme can be applied to the inductors during the heat treatment process.

Abstract: Large, non-unitarily forged shaft workpieces such as a crankshaft have successive shaft features inductively heated and forged without cool down between each sectional forging process. The temperature profile along the axial length of the next section of the shaft workpiece to be inductively heated and forged is measured prior to heating, and the induced heat energy along the axial length of the next section is dynamically adjusted responsive to the measured temperature profile to achieve a required pre-forge temperature distribution along the axial length of the next section prior to forging.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for induction heating of one or more components of a complex-shaped workpiece. The component is positioned within an opening formed by opposing pairs of arcuate coil structures formed in opposing inductor segments. One inductor segment is formed from electrically isolated inner and outer active inductor segments connected to one or more power supplies, while the other inductor segment is formed from electrically isolated inner and outer passive inductor segments that are magnetically coupled with respective inner and outer active inductor segments. Changing the output electrical parameters of the one or more power supplies controls the induction hardening along the transverse width of the workpiece with optional flux concentrators between opposing pairs of arcuate coil structures.

Abstract: A method for setting the operating frequency of a forge welding machine for a preferred width of the of the heat affected zone during a forge weld. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to determine the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of a preferred width of the heat affected zone. The operating power setting for the forge welding machine may also be determined in combination with the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of weld temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for computing the parameters of a forge welding machine for the forge welding of one or more materials is provided. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to compute the operating frequency and operating power setting for the forge welding machine in response to an inputted width of the heat affected zone and an inputted weld temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for supporting a billet inside an induction coil while the billet is being heated by electric induction. Two or more rails of a heat resistant ceramic material provide a curvilinear surface on which the billet can slide into and out of the coil and sit on during the heating process. Rail position adjustment means may be provided for moving the rails to accommodate billets of various sizes.

Abstract: A system and method for computing the parameters of a forge welding machine for the forge welding of one or more materials is provided. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to compute the operating frequency and operating power setting for the forge welding machine in response to an inputted width of the heat affected zone and an inputted weld temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for supporting a billet inside an induction coil while the billet is being heated by electric induction. Two or more rails of a heat resistant ceramic material provide a curvilinear surface on which the billet can slide into and out of the coil and sit on during the heating process. Rail position adjustment means may be provided for moving the rails to accommodate billets of various sizes.