Abstract: An adjustably dimensionable inductive heating apparatus includes inductor turns which are supported by a slide or actuator to allow selective positioning of the inductor turns to a variety of positions. The adjustable support members are disposed to allow the inductor turns to move in a relative width dimension or a relative turn spacing or height dimension. Flexible crossover connector cables accommodate turn repositioning without inhibition of inductor movement. Another feature includes selective length adjustment with the inclusion of a plurality of flexible crossover connectors including in-line switches for selecting which crossover connector cable will determine overall coil length.

Abstract: In an electric induction furnace for heating a bar-shaped workpiece, wherein the workpiece has a longitudinal axis and is conveyed through the furnace in a conveying direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, an induction coil comprises a continuous conductor including a plurality of substantially horizontal primary conductor members and a plurality of substantially vertical return bends. The primary conductor members and return bends are serially connected and wound about a coil axis into a spiral having a substantially rectangular shape when viewed along the coil axis, which is substantially parallel to the conveying direction. The coil encloses a heating zone and generates a varying magnetic field in the heating zone when a varying electric current is conducted in the conductor. The coil includes first and second ends and has at the second end a workpiece exit portion, which encloses an exit section of the heating zone.

Abstract: A method and assembly for heat treating a railway rail is provided which maintains balanced thermal and metallurgical deformations about rail neutral axes during the heat treating process to produce a substantially straight rail with only minimal requirements for subsequent mechanical steps for distortion compensation. The method comprises the first step of preheating the overall rail including head, web and flange portions to a first preselected temperature below a metallurgical transformation temperature. A second step comprises heating rail head and flange portions to preselected temperatures above the metallurgical transformation temperature with a balanced thermal deformation about rail neutral axes. A third step comprises quenching the rail head and flange portions to produce a desired metallurgical structure in the rail head portion for improved wear characteristics while still maintaining a balanced thermal deformation about the axes. A fourth step comprises after-cooling the entire rail.