Abstract: Electric induction heating of the edges of a slab comprising an electrically conductive, non-ferrous material is achieved with a transverse flux induction coil that comprises a pair of coil sections with the slab passing between the coil sections. The coil sections extend transversely beyond the opposing edges of the slab. Magnetic flux concentrators are positioned around regions of the coil sections that are above and below the slab. An electrically conductive compensator is inserted between each of the two opposing extended ends of the coils sections in the vicinity of an edge of the slab. Alternatively only one of the edges of the slab may be inductively heated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for heating and melting of materials by electric induction heating of susceptor components in a crucible of the furnace. The susceptor components comprise at least an array of susceptor rods arranged around the inner perimeter of the crucible. A susceptor base may also be provided in the crucible with connection to one end of the susceptor rods. One or more susceptor tubes may also be used within the interior volume of the crucible. Alternating current flow through one or more induction coils surrounding the exterior of the crucible generate magnetic flux fields that couple with the susceptor components to inductively heat the susceptor components. Heat from the susceptor components transfers to the material in the crucible to heat and melt the material.

Abstract: Electric induction heating of the edges of a slab comprising an electrically conductive, non-ferrous material is achieved with a transverse flux induction coil that comprises a pair of coil sections with the slab passing between the coil sections. The coil sections extend transversely beyond the opposing edges of the slab. Magnetic flux concentrators are positioned around regions of the coil sections that are above and below the slab. A flux compensator is inserted between each of the two opposing extended ends of the coils sections in the vicinity of an edge of the slab. Alternatively only one of the edges of the slab may be inductively heated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for heating and melting of materials by electric induction heating of susceptor components in a crucible of the furnace. The susceptor components comprise at least an array of susceptor rods arranged around the inner perimeter of the crucible. A susceptor base may also be provided in the crucible with connection to one end of the susceptor rods. One or more susceptor tubes may also be used within the interior volume of the crucible. Alternating current flow through one or more induction coils surrounding the exterior of the crucible generate magnetic flux fields that couple with the susceptor components to inductively heat the susceptor components. Heat from the susceptor components transfers to the material in the crucible to heat and melt the material.

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: 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: An electromagnetic pump has a supply section and a magnetic force pumping section wherein flow of an electrically conductive material through the supply section is opposite to the flow of the material in the magnetic force pumping section in some examples. Multiple coils surround the supply and magnetic force pumping sections. Current flowing through the multiple coils creates magnetic fields that magnetically couple with a magnetic material disposed between the supply and magnetic force pumping sections so that the fields penetrate the electrically conductive material in the magnetic force pumping section substantially perpendicular to the desired flow direction which maximizes the magnitudes of magnetic forces applied to the electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pump has a supply section and a magnetic force pumping section wherein flow of a electrically conductive material through the supply section is opposite to the flow of the material in the magnetic force pumping section in some examples. Multiple coils surround the supply and magnetic force pumping sections. Current flowing through the multiple coils creates magnetic fields that magnetically couple with a magnetic material disposed between the supply and magnetic force pumping sections so that the fields penetrate the electrically conductive material in the magnetic force pumping section substantially perpendicular to the desired flow direction which maximizes the magnitudes of magnetic forces applied to the electrically conductive material.

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: An apparatus and process are provided for controlling the cross sectional temperature profile of a continuously moving workpiece with an induction coil assembly that provides for a combination of longitudinal and transverse magnetic flux field heating of the workpiece. The induction coil assembly includes means for laterally moving the workpiece in and out of the coil assembly without movement of the coil assembly.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pump has a supply section and a magnetic force pumping section wherein flow of a electrically conductive material through the supply section is opposite to the flow of the material in the magnetic force pumping section in some examples. Multiple coils surround the supply and magnetic force pumping sections. Current flowing through the multiple coils creates magnetic fields that magnetically couple with a magnetic material disposed between the supply and magnetic force pumping sections so that the fields penetrate the electrically conductive material in the magnetic force pumping section substantially perpendicular to the desired flow direction which maximizes the magnitudes of magnetic forces applied to the electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An induction furnace is provided with a bottom induction coil to melt, heat and/or stir an electrically conductive material placed in the furnace. The furnace is particularly useful for electrically conductive materials having a relatively low value of thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A transverse flux induction heating apparatus adjusts the level of edge heating of a workpiece by changing the pole pitch of induction coils forming the apparatus to provide a more uniform transverse temperature of the workpiece. Changes in the operating frequency of the induction power supply and in the distance between induction coils and workpiece are not required to adjust edge frequency heating. The pole pitch, and therefore, the level of edge heating can be continuously changed, or conveniently adjusted prior to a production run, in a high speed continuous heat treatment process for a workpiece.

Abstract: An induction furnace system has an active induction coil surrounding a crucible. A passive induction coil also surrounds the crucible. The passive induction coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor to form an L-C tank circuit. A source of ac current is provided to the active induction coil to produce a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts an electrically conductive material in the crucible. The magnetic field also magnetically couples with the passive induction coil to induce a current in the passive induction coil. This induced current generates a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts the material. The resistance of the L-C tank circuit is reflected back into the circuit of the active induction coil to improve the overall efficiency of the induction furnace system. The crucible may be open-ended to allow the passage of the electrically conductive material through the crucible during the heating process.

Abstract: An induction furnace is provided with a bottom induction coil to melt, heat and/or stir an electrically conductive material placed in the furnace. The furnace is particularly useful for electrically conductive materials having a relatively low value of thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: An induction furnace system has an active induction coil surrounding a crucible. A passive induction coil also surrounds the crucible. The passive induction coil is connected in parallel with a capacitor to form an L-C tank circuit. A source of ac current is provided to the active induction coil to produce a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts an electrically conductive material in the crucible. The magnetic field also magnetically couples with the passive induction coil to induce a current in the passive induction coil. This induced current generates a magnetic field that inductively heats and melts the material. The resistance of the L-C tank circuit is reflected back into the circuit of the active induction coil to improve the overall efficiency of the induction furnace system. The crucible may be open-ended to allow the passage of the electrically conductive material through the crucible during the heating process.

Abstract: A transverse flux induction heating apparatus adjusts the level of edge heating of a workpiece by changing the pole pitch of induction coils forming the apparatus to provide a more uniform transverse temperature of the workpiece. Changes in the operating frequency of the induction power supply and in the distance between induction coils and workpiece are not required to adjust edge frequency heating. The pole pitch, and therefore, the level of edge heating can be continuously changed, or conveniently adjusted prior to a production run, in a high speed continuous heat treatment process for a workpiece.

Abstract: A flat inductor heating system for inducing heat in a variety of applications including heating, melting and holding a melt at temperature. The system may also be used to stir the melt. The system includes at least one flat induction coil cast in an aggregate of shot and a binding material. The aggregate serves to direct magnetic flux to the melt, thereby improving efficiency. The system is situated above a refractory holding the melt and may either rest on the refractory or be raised and lowered into and out of the refractory.

Abstract: An induction heating device for controlling the temperature distribution in an electrically conductive material, or susceptor, when heated by induced eddy currents in the material. A non-electrically conductive material can be heated in a controlled manner by placing the material near to the susceptor. Variable power is applied to multiple induction coil sections wound around the length of the susceptor from a power source by one or more switching circuits. The coil sections can be overlapped or counter-wound between adjacent coil sections, or provided power in a cascaded manner, to achieve desired temperature distributions in the susceptor. A control circuit is used to control the power applied to each coil section and the output of the power source. By placing a non-electrically conductive material near to the susceptor the material can be heated in a controlled manner.

Abstract: An induction coil for inductively heating electrically conductive materials includes a plurality of individual coil turns, each turn lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the coil and comprising an electrical conductor formed into an annulus. The conductor has first and second terminals for connecting the turn to an electrical circuit. The first and second terminals are adjacent each other at a preselected circumferential position on the annulus and are physically and electrically isolated from each other. The first terminal of one turn is located adjacent and electrically connected to the second terminal of an adjacent turn. The first terminal of a selected one of the plurality of turns forms a first coil terminal and the second terminal of a different selected one of the plurality of turns forms a second coil terminal.