Abstract: Heating systems and methods for inductive heating or a combination of resistive and inductive heating. A heater coil is inductively coupled to an article and a current signal is supplied to the heater coil. The heater coil generates a magnetic flux, based on the applied current signal, for inductively heating the article. Current pulses of a certain profile are used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heating element or coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost of the inductive heating system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing harmonic inductive power, and more particularly for delivering current pulses providing a desired amount of pulse energy in high frequency harmonics to a load circuit for inductive heating of an article. By controlling the shape and/or frequency of such current pulses, the apparatus and method can be used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heater coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost and complexity of an inductive heating power supply. Of particular significance, the apparatus and method may be used to significantly increase the power inductively delivered to a ferromagnetic or other inductively heated load, without requiring an increase of current in the heater coil. This enables new heating applications, and in some known applications, decreases the energy consumption or cooling requirements and/or increase the lifetime of the heater coil.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing harmonic inductive power, and more particularly for delivering current pulses providing a desired amount of pulse energy in high frequency harmonics to a load circuit for inductive heating of an article. By controlling the shape and/or frequency of such current pulses, the apparatus and method can be used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heater coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost and complexity of an inductive heating power supply. Of particular significance, the apparatus and method may be used to significantly increase the power inductively delivered to a ferromagnetic or other inductively heated load, without requiring an increase of current in the heater coil. This enables new heating applications, and in some known applications, decreases the energy consumption or cooling requirements and/or increase the lifetime of the heater coil.

Abstract: Method for inductive heating of a material located in a channel, the material having a melting range between a solidus temperature and a liquidus temperature. The method includes providing an internal inductive heating assembly in the material in the channel, and supplying a signal to the assembly to generate a magnetic flux in at least one of the assembly and material. The magnetic flux generates inductive heating of the assembly and/or the material and a physical agitation which lowers the solidus temperature of the material to a reduced solidus temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for inductive heating wherein an internal inductive heating assembly is provided within a bore of a solid article. The heating assembly includes an interior coil inductively coupled to a portion of the article adjacent the bore to inductively heat the article. The heating assembly lacks an internal cooling mechanism and the coil thermally coupled to the adjacent article portion for transmission of heat from the coil to the article.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for inductive heating wherein an internal inductive heating assembly is provided within a bore of a solid article. The heating assembly includes an interior coil inductively coupled to a portion of the article adjacent the bore to inductively heat the article. The heating assembly lacks an internal cooling mechanism and the coil thermally coupled to the adjacent article portion for transmission of heat from the coil to the article. A signal is provided to the coil to generate a magnetic flux for inductive heating of the adjacent article portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing harmonic inductive power, and more particularly for delivering current pulses providing a desired amount of pulse energy in high frequency harmonics to a load circuit for inductive heating of an article. By controlling the shape and/or frequency of such current pulses, the apparatus and method can be used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heater coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost and complexity of an inductive heating power supply. Of particular significance, the apparatus and method may be used to significantly increase the power inductively delivered to a ferromagnetic or other inductively heated load, without requiring an increase of current in the heater coil. This enables new heating applications, and in some known applications, decreases the energy consumption or cooling requirements and/or increase the lifetime of the heater coil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for inductive heating of a transfer pipe having a bore for transporting a flowable material. A heating coil assembly is disposed along an exterior length of the pipe for generating a magnetic flux for inductively heating the pipe and/or a material flowing in the bore. The coil configuration comprises a continuous coil having spaced-apart coil groups along the pipe length, with adjacent coil turns in each group. In various applications, such as for transporting molten metals from a furnace to a casting assembly, this coil configuration can provide one or more benefits including: reduced energy consumption by reducing thermal losses in the pipe and thus reducing the required temperature at which the molten material is delivered to the pipe; tighter temperature control; improved consistency of the molten material; increased heating efficiency, and/or greater thermal uniformity of the pipe and/or the molten material in the pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for inductive heating wherein an internal inductive heating assembly is provided within a bore of a solid article. The heating assembly includes an interior coil inductively coupled to a portion of the article adjacent the bore to inductively heat the article. The heating assembly lacks an internal cooling mechanism and the coil thermally coupled to the adjacent article portion for transmission of heat from the coil to the article.

Abstract: Method for inductive heating of a material located in a channel, the material having a melting range between a solidus temperature and a liquidus temperature. The method includes providing an internal inductive heating assembly in the material in the channel, and supplying a signal to the assembly to generate a magnetic flux in at least one of the assembly and material. The magnetic flux generates inductive heating of the assembly and/or the material and a physical agitation which lowers the solidus temperature of the material to a reduced solidus temperature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing harmonic inductive power, and more particularly for delivering current pulses providing a desired amount of pulse energy in high frequency harmonics to a load circuit for inductive heating of an article. By controlling the shape and/or frequency of such current pulses, the apparatus and method can be used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heater coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost and complexity of an inductive heating power supply. Of particular significance, the apparatus and method may be used to significantly increase the power inductively delivered to a ferromagnetic or other inductively heated load, without requiring an increase of current in the heater coil. This enables new heating applications, and in some known applications, decreases the energy consumption or cooling requirements and/or increase the lifetime of the heater coil.

Abstract: Heating systems and methods for inductive heating or a combination of resistive and inductive heating. A heater coil is inductively coupled to an article and a current signal is supplied to the heater coil. The heater coil generates a magnetic flux, based on the applied current signal, for inductively heating the article. Current pulses of a certain profile are used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heating element or coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost of the inductive heating system.

Abstract: Heating systems and methods for inductive heating or a combination of resistive and inductive heating. A heater coil is inductively coupled to an article and a current signal is supplied to the heater coil. The heater coil generates a magnetic flux, based on the applied current signal, for inductively heating the article. Current pulses of a certain profile are used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heating element or coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost of the inductive heating system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing harmonic inductive power, and more particularly for delivering current pulses providing a desired amount of pulse energy in high frequency harmonics to a load circuit for inductive heating of an article. By controlling the shape and/or frequency of such current pulses, the apparatus and method can be used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heater coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost and complexity of an inductive heating power supply. Of particular significance, the apparatus and method may be used to significantly increase the power inductively delivered to a ferromagnetic or other inductively heated load, without requiring an increase of current in the heater coil. This enables new heating applications, and in some known applications, decreases the energy consumption or cooling requirements and/or increase the lifetime of the heater coil.

Abstract: Heating systems and methods for inductive heating or a combination of resistive and inductive heating. A heater coil is inductively coupled to an article and a current signal is supplied to the heater coil. The heater coil generates a magnetic flux, based on the applied current signal, for inductively heating the article. Current pulses of a certain profile are used to enhance the rate, intensity and/or power of inductive heating delivered by the heating element or coil and/or to enhance the lifetime or reduce the cost of the inductive heating system.