Inductive Heating Patents (Class 219/600)
  • Publication number: 20110132901
    Abstract: A transverse-moving magnet magnetic heater is provided having a conductor assembly and a magnet assembly. The conductor assembly is operable to rotate relative to the magnet assembly about an axis so as to induce eddy currents in the conductor assembly when relative motion is produced between the conductor assembly and magnet assembly. The magnet assembly is operable to translate transversely into and out of magnetic engagement with the conductor assembly. The conductor assembly defines a fluid path therethrough operable to drive a working fluid therethrough and for the transfer of heat from the conductor assembly to the working fluid. The magnetic heater may be a component of a heat generation system comprising an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft for rotating the conductor assembly. The heat generated by the magnetic heater, as well as the heat generated by the engine from the engine exhaust and engine cooling system, is combined to heat a working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: MagTec Energy, LLC.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Lunneborg
  • Publication number: 20110132897
    Abstract: A heating device and a heating method which is able to quickly and accurately partition each region of a material to be heated and heat up each of the region to a required temperature, and a shape and required temperature of each region is different from each other. A heating device for heating a material to be heated by applying an electromagnetic wave to the material, wherein a plate member(s) which shields, absorbs and/or reflects the irradiated electromagnetic radiation and has a predetermined pattern contour can be placed, at least partially, close to the material to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN TAKAOKA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsunori Ishiguro, Masaki Furuhashi, Martin Pohl, Kiyohito Kondo
  • Patent number: 7955508
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are supercritical fluid biomass conversion machines, systems, and methods for converting a wide range of biomass materials into a plurality of reaction products including fermentable sugars and various aromatic substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Xtrudx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Allan, Thomas E. Loop, James D. Flynn
  • Publication number: 20110036830
    Abstract: In the heat treating method, a raceway surface of an outer ring is subjected to heat treatment, while an entirety of an outer peripheral face of the outer ring is cooled by injecting water. Moreover, a raceway surface of an inner shaft is subjected to heat treatment, while a flange of the inner shaft is cooled by bringing it into contact with water. The cooling unit has a holding part for holding the flange while the flange is in contact with water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Hisanobu Nakamura, Masahei Tachikame, Mitsuhiro Inada, Kunihiro Naganawa, Masahiko Oguri, Yoshiyuki Minami, Naoto Rakawa
  • Publication number: 20110031236
    Abstract: Devices and methods for RF heating of food, using techniques which allow uniformity and/or controlled non-uniformity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Eran BEN-SHMUEL, Alexander Bilchinsky, Udi Damari, Omer Einav, Benny Rousso, Shlomo Ben-Haim
  • Publication number: 20110006055
    Abstract: An apparatus for the inductive heating of oil sand and heavy oil deposits by way of current-carrying conductors is provided. The conductors include individual conductor groups, wherein the conductor groups are designed in periodically repeating sections of defined length defining a resonance length, and wherein two or more of the conductor groups are capacitively coupled. In this way, each conductor can be advantageously insulated and may include a single wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Dirk Diehl
  • Publication number: 20110008596
    Abstract: The invention relates to an article (10) made of a shape memory composite material (12) comprising a shape memory polymer (14) and a magnetic material (16) embedded therein, said shape memory polymer (14) after thermomechanical programming being capable of undergoing at least one temperature-induced transition from a temporary shape into a permanent shape, as well as to a method for the production thereof and a method for retrieving stored shapes. It is envisaged that the article (10) has at least two directly or indirectly interconnected sections (18, 20) which differ by a different surface-to-volume ratio (S/V).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geethacht GMBH
    Inventors: Karl Kratz, Andreas Lendlein, Reinhard Mohr, Marc Behl
  • Publication number: 20100320195
    Abstract: In an induction heating body 1 in which heat is generated by eddy current induced by a high-frequency magnetic field, when forming a radially-directed separation section 31 separated from the center to the outer periphery, one of end brim parts 31a1 is superimposed on the other end brim parts 31a2 or they are close to each other with the end surfaces thereof 31b1 and 31b2 being abutted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA, LTD.
    Inventors: Hagino Fujita, Takayuki Aikawa
  • Publication number: 20100314383
    Abstract: A device for tempering a test fluid includes an electric heating device for heating the test fluid, a sensor for detecting a measuring value associated with the temperature of the test fluid, and an electronic control device for controlling the heating device in dependence upon the measuring value. The heating device includes an induction generator, connected to a power supply, for the inductive heating of a heating element which is connected, in a heat-conducting manner, to the test fluid and/or to a container for the test fluid, and the sensor is a sensor measuring in a contact-less manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Kollewe
  • Publication number: 20100301036
    Abstract: Methods are presented for modifying a physical property of a structure, such as reducing or relieving remaining internal stress, in which two or more energy types are concurrently applied to the structure to change the physical property of interest in an accelerated fashion. A first energy type, such as heat, is applied according to time values and operational settings derived from a first order rate relationship for the first energy type and from a first order rate relationship for a second energy type. The second energy type, such as vibration or other time-varying energy form, is applied concurrently for the time value. Methods are also provided for determining operational settings for concurrent application of multiple energy types to a structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Donna Murray Walker
  • Publication number: 20100282737
    Abstract: An induction heating element including a circular inductor coil that has a circular outer contour and a ferrite element arrangement that has at least one ferrite element with a radially outer edge. At least at one curvature point, the radially outer edge of the ferrite element is curved to a greater degree than the circular outer contour of the inductor coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERĂ„TE GMBH
    Inventors: Jesus Acero Acero, Rafael Alonso Esteban, Adolfo Arnal Valero, Ruben Braulio Martinez, Claudio Carretero Chamarro, Ignacio Garde Aranda, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco
  • Publication number: 20100264134
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for induction heating is disclosed. The heating apparatus may comprise a bearing ring, at least one bearing element disposed in the bearing ring, and a braze material adjacent to the at least one bearing element and the bearing ring. The heating apparatus may additionally comprise an inductor positioned radially adjacent to at least a portion of the bearing ring. A current source may be electrically coupled to the inductor. A bearing orienting member may also abut a surface of the at least one bearing element. The bearing orienting member may orient a surface of the at least one bearing element. A heating method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: S. Barrett Peterson, Timothy N. Sexton, Curtis M. Simons, Troy C. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20100219177
    Abstract: Permanent magnets are arranged at the interior of a rotating body at uniform intervals. The device comprises: a rotating body which is rotated by a motor; a heat generation part, which is disposed in the vicinity of the rotating body, which includes an electroconductive material, and which is disposed within the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets; and a hot air capture plate, which is disposed in the vicinity of the heat generation part, and in which a plurality of hot air flow passage holes are provided, the rotating body being rotated by a rotating shaft, which is coupled to the motor. Furthermore, a thermocouple may be connected to the heat generation part, and the heat energy that would be dissipated to the outside air is converted to electrical energy by the thermocouple. Furthermore, the electromagnetic induction device is constituted such that a hot air capture plate, in which a plurality of hot air flow passage holes are provided, is disposed in the vicinity of the heat generation part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Tsugumitsu Matsui
  • Publication number: 20100201040
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for heating a surface by induction, in particular for molding or transforming a part made of thermoplastic or thermosetting composite material. The device comprises a body having at least one portion made of magnetic and heating conducting material wherein is provided a plurality of closed cavities proximate the surface to be heated, each cavity surrounding a field winding. The heat produced by induction on the walls of the cavity is transferred by conduction to the heating surface. The distance between the cavities and the position of said cavities relative to the heating surface are such that the heating is substantially uniform on said surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ROCTOOL
    Inventors: Alexandre Guichard, Jose Feigenblum
  • Publication number: 20100200571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inductive heating of an electrically-conducting component section symmetrical relative to an axis, in particular, a sleeve section of a tool clamping chuck for clamping a tool by means of a press fit, wherein the device has several pole pieces made from a magnetically-conducting material arranged in the circumferential direction around the symmetry axis of the component section introduced as required into the device and an induction device for supplying the pole pieces with magnetic flux such that the magnetic flux in pole pieces which are adjacent in the circumferential direction is opposed. The pole pieces are all mounted on the device such as to be movable about an axis (adjustment rotation axis) running essentially parallel to the axis of symmetry of the component section, such that each of the pole pieces can be adjusted in the direction of the surface region of the individual workpiece by means of a rotation about the provided adjustment rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: FRANZ HAIMER MASCHINENBAU KG
    Inventor: Franz Haimer
  • Patent number: 7745765
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for altering characteristics, such as can include structural, magnetic, electrical, optical or acoustical characteristics, of an electrically-conductive workpiece utilizes a magnetic field within which the workpiece is positionable and schemes for thermally treating the workpiece by heating or cooling techniques in conjunction with the generated magnetic field so that the characteristics of the workpiece are effected by both the generated magnetic field and the thermal treatment of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Roger A. Kisner, John B. Wilgen, Gerard M. Ludtka, Roger A. Jaramillo, Gail Mackiewicz-Ludtka
  • Publication number: 20100147831
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hardening method and a hardening device capable of successfully hardening a shaft and an inner wall of a hole of a work in which the hole is formed close to the shaft on a flat plate. A hardening device for hardening a shaft and an inner wall of a hole, the shaft extending vertically from a flat plate and the hole being formed adjacent to the shaft, includes a first heating coil that is a conductive body facing the shaft and a second heating coil that is a helical conductive body having at least a portion inserted into the hole, so that the first heating coil and the second heating coil heat the shaft and the inner wall of the hole respectively and simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Junji Minoue, Hiroko Watanabe, Masayuki Koyama, Hideo Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20100151695
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a chamber capable of being evacuated, a substrate stage adapted to mount a substrate, a heating unit adapted to be set above the substrate mounting surface of the substrate stage, face the substrate mounted on at least the substrate mounting surface, and heat the substrate by radiant heat without being in contact with the substrate, a shutter adapted to be retractably inserted in the space between the heating unit and the substrate mounted on the substrate mounting surface, and a shutter driving unit adapted to extend/retract the shutter into/from the space. The substrate is mounted on the substrate stage to face the heating unit, the substrate is annealed by heating the substrate by radiant heat from the heating unit, and the shutter is extended into the space between the heating unit and the substrate stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicants: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION, CANON ANELVA ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Masaki, Yuichi Sasuga, Masami Shibagaki, Hiroshi Doi
  • Publication number: 20100108665
    Abstract: A system for induction heating a metal plate passing through an inside of an induction coil, which induction heating system arranging at least two sections of the induction coil adjacent in a longitudinal direction of said metal plate, wherein when vertically projecting the induction coil of the front surface side and back surface side of said metal plate onto said metal plate, said front surface side and back surface side conductors are arranged offset so as not to overlap in the longitudinal direction of said metal plate in that vertical projection, further, said front surface side conductors being in proximity and said back surface side conductors being arranged having a distance apart more or said back surface side conductors being in proximity and said front surface side conductors being arranged having a distance apart more, said induction heating system able to control the heating temperature distribution even for thin metal plate without regard to being magnetic or nonmagnetic, in particular an induct
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hirota
  • Patent number: 7701677
    Abstract: A coil system for inductively heating a superconducting magnet in order to provide an internal energy dump by uniformly quenching a high performance superconducting magnet. The quench-inducing system uses AC magnetic fields that require negligible reactive power. The system is especially suited for inducing a relatively uniform quench in dry superconducting magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Still River Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Henry Schultz, Leonard Myatt, Leslie Bromberg, Joseph V. Minervini, Timothy Antaya
  • Publication number: 20100078426
    Abstract: A system for keeping a solution of urea in a liquid state comprising a tank having a level sensing apparatus, inlet and outlet tubes for supplying and withdrawing urea solution, and a plurality of non-contact heating elements disposed in vertical relationship to one another. Preferably, the heating elements are infrared (IR) radiative coils encased in IR-transparent quartz tubes. In one embodiment, each heating element represents a horizontally defined heating zone. When the reservoir tank is full and predetermined temperature conditions are met, all of the heaters are on, each heater irradiating its own horizontal zone. As zones are progressively emptied during consumption of the urea solution, as determined by the level sensor, each respective zone heater is de-energized. Because each horizontal zone is heated by a single heater, the solution is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature over the full depth of the tank without localized overheating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Bob Xiaobin Li, Michael J. Seino
  • Publication number: 20100055881
    Abstract: A heat treatment method for compound semiconductors includes a step for placing an object to be treated on a stage in a process chamber, and a step for irradiating the surface of the object with an electromagnetic wave having a specific frequency by introducing the electromagnetic wave into the process chamber. A compound semiconductor is heat-treated by the electromagnetic wave irradiated upon the surface of the object to be treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Masahiro SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20100043486
    Abstract: A heating apparatus for heating a subcompartment in a compartment of an appliance is disclosed. The heating apparatus includes an electromagnetic member disposed in the compartment, and a metal member thermally coupled to the subcompartment. The metal member is magnetically coupled to the electromagnetic member to generate an eddy current in the metal member in response to a magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic member for heating the subcompartment. A related heating method and a refrigerator incorporating such a heating apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Eric K. WATSON, Timothy Allen HAMEL, Denis ALAGIC
  • Publication number: 20100037825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction chamber (1) for an epitaxial reactor, provided with walls delimiting an inner cavity (10), specifically a lower wall (3) and an upper wall (2) and at least two side walls (4,5); the lower wall (3) and the upper wall (2) have different configurations and/or are made of different materials; this allows the lower wall (3) to be heated to a higher temperature than the upper wall (2). The present invention also relates to a method for heating a reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: LPE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gianluca Valente, Giacomo Nicolao Maccalli, Danilo Crippa, Franco Preti
  • Publication number: 20090294437
    Abstract: A device, in particular, for inductively heating up a heating element by means of an inductor and an element for recording a reference quantity which is dependent on the temperature of the heating element and derived from the electric quantity of the inductor in such a way that it makes it possible to form the reference value from the reference quantity and to adjust the temperature according to the reference quantity adjustment by means of the reference value. The aim of said invention is to carry out a reliable adjustment of a water temperature or of a cooked product even at extreme conditions or when the reference value is incorrect. For this purpose, the device comprises a correction means for correcting the reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: JosĂ© Miguel Burdio Pinilla, Jochen BĂ¼hner, Jose Ramon Garcia JimĂ©nez, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco, Dirk Hoffmann, Sergio Llorente Gil, Alfonso Lorente Perez, Fernando Monterde Aznar
  • Patent number: 7619188
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooking in heated water any dehydrated powdered food, including West African yams, garri and rice known collectively as fufu flour, beef, poultry, seafood, carrots, fruit, and any combination thereof, forming a product having varying degrees of thickness and hence varying cooking requirements, requiring correspondingly varying schedules for heating, dispensing, rehydrating and cooling. The apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor, either manually programmed or preprogrammed, for cooking various dehydrated powdered products according to a schedule particular to each at a push of a button. The apparatus has a heater for rapid heating, a dispenser which holds and dispenses the product into a cooking container, and a fan for rapid cooling if required by a cooking schedule. The apparatus benefits from a novel rehydration process that rapidly mixes water with the product to facilitate cooking such food almost instantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Bendall Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregson O. Oghafua, Lars D. Jensen, Darrel G. Walker
  • Publication number: 20090236315
    Abstract: A shielded lid heater lid heater suitable for use with a plasma processing chamber, a plasma processing chamber having a shielded lid heater and a method for plasma processing are provided. The method and apparatus enhances positional control of plasma location within a plasma processing chamber, and may be utilized in etch, deposition, implant, and thermal processing systems, among other applications where the control of plasma location is desirable. In one embodiment, a shielded lid heater is provided that includes an aluminum base and RF shield sandwiching a heater element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Willwerth, David Palagashvili, Valentin N. Todorow, Stephen Yuen
  • Publication number: 20090194526
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved antenna assembly (66) designed to maintain RF communication between an object (22, 64, 148) to be heated, and a heating assembly (20, 60) such as an induction heater having a hob (34) equipped with an induction work coil (36). The antenna assembly (66) provides substantially continuous RF communication about the entirety of the hob (34), so that the object (22, 64, 148) can be rotated through substantially 360E, or displaced radially, without loss of RF communication. The preferred antenna assembly (66) includes an antenna (67) mounted upon a substrate (68) and presenting a plurality of continuous, conductive antenna loops (70, 72) oriented to cooperatively and substantially around the hob (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Thermal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn M. Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20090179171
    Abstract: The present invention uses externally applied electromagnetic stimulus to control and heat porous magnetic particles and material associated with the particles. The particles contain magnetic material, such as superparamagnetic iron oxide and are associated with a material. Application of a DC magnetic field allows them to be moved with their associated material, and application of an AC RF electromagnetic field allows them to be heated with their associated material. The material can be associated with the particles by being contained in the pores of the particles, or in other cases the particles can adhere to the associated material, which can be an aqueous droplet. The present invention also provides a multi-layer porous magnetic particle. The particle includes a host layer having pores sized to accept magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles are infused within pores of the host layer An encoding layer includes pores that define a spectral code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Michael J. Sailor, Ji-Ho Park, Austin M. Derfus, Ester Segal, Kenneth S. Vecchio, Sangeeta N. Bhatia
  • Patent number: 7557708
    Abstract: The system of the present invention deals with an electronically controlled, low cost RFID Interrogator/Induction Heating System which does not require a separate interrogator, rather utilizing components within the system for purposes of interrogation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventors: David Pacholok, Mark T. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20090152260
    Abstract: An induction heating device includes a top plate arranged to have an object placed thereon, a heating coil receiving a high-frequency current to inductively heat the object, an infrared ray sensor for outputting a signal in accordance with energy of received infrared ray, a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the object based on the signal output from the infrared ray sensor, a heating controller for controlling the high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil based on the detected temperature, and a failure determining unit for determining whether the infrared ray sensor has a failure or not. This induction heating device can detect the failure of the infrared ray sensor, and thus stops or suppresses the heating upon detecting the failure of the infrared ray sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya Fujinami, Masaharu Ohashi, Takeshi Kitaizumi, Izuo Hirota, Hiroshi Tominaga, Kenji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7534980
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for high magnetic field ohmically decoupled non-contact treatment of conductive materials in a high magnetic field. A method includes applying a high magnetic field to at least a portion of a conductive material; and applying an inductive magnetic field to at least a fraction of the conductive material to induce a surface current within the fraction of the conductive material, the surface current generating a substantially bi-directional force that defines a vibration. The high magnetic field and the inductive magnetic field are substantially confocal, the fraction of the conductive material is located within the portion of the conductive material and ohmic heating from the surface current is ohmically decoupled from the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: John Wilgen, Roger Kisner, Gerard Ludtka, Gail Ludtka, Roger Jaramillo
  • Publication number: 20090071953
    Abstract: A glass-like carbon induction heating element having high heating efficiency and a heating apparatus are provided. A glass-like carbon induction heating element, which inductively generates heat by electromagnetic induction, has an infrared radiation characteristic that a ratio (E1/E2) of infrared radiation intensity (E1) of an opposed face to an object-to-be-heated to infrared radiation intensity (E2) of a non-opposed face to the object-to-be-heated exceeds 1.2. A heating apparatus has the glass-like carbon induction heating element, and a high frequency induction coil that is disposed outside the glass-like carbon induction heating element for allowing the glass-like carbon induction heating element to inductively generate heat, wherein the high frequency induction coil is applied with a current so that the object-to-be-heated is heated by infrared rays radiated from the glass-like carbon induction heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (Kobe Steel, Ltd)
    Inventor: Maki Hamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090071954
    Abstract: An induction tempering method allowing the tempering condition to be determined readily and the quality of a workpiece stabilized includes a heating temperature control step, and a heating time control step. The heating temperature control step includes a heating temperature control related temperature measurement step, a heating temperature adjustment step, and a heating step. The heating time control step includes a heating time control related temperature measurement step, a heating time adjustment step, and a heating end step. At the heating time adjustment step, a tempering time t to determine the timing in ending heating of the workpiece is calculated based on the following equation (A). H=a·log(t)+b·(1/T)+c??(A) H: hardness of workpiece; t: tempering time; T: temperature of workpiece; a, b, c: constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Takumi Fujita, Nobuyuki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090032571
    Abstract: Methods and associated systems for welding a particle-matrix composite body to another body are disclosed. In some embodiments, a particle-matrix bit body may be welded to a metal coupler. In one embodiment, a heating torch may heat a first localized volume of the particle-matrix composite body to a temperature below the melting temperature of the matrix material of the particle-matrix composite body. A welding torch may simultaneously melt a second localized volume proximate the first localized volume to a temperature above the melting temperature of the matrix material of the particle-matrix composite body to weld the particle-matrix composite body to another body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Redd H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090000620
    Abstract: Humidifier apparatus for a respiratory apparatus includes a housing providing a gas flow path, a heater apparatus, and a water supply distribution member configured and arranged to deliver water vapour to the gas flow path. The water distribution member is provided to the housing and in thermal communication with the heater apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Virr
  • Patent number: 7459053
    Abstract: An elongated workpiece is inductively heated by a difference in an amount of magnetic flux flowing in a portion of the elongated workpiece compared to an amount of magnetic flux around the same portion of the elongated workpiece. The flux differential induces circumferential eddy currents to heat that portion of the workpiece. The alternating magnetic flux is conducted to the workpiece in a high permeability flux guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Marvin J. Bone, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080203087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an induction heating device. The induction heating device comprises an induction coil and a frequency converter for producing a control voltage for the induction coil. The frequency converter comprises a rectifier rectifying an alternating supply voltage (UN), an intermediate circuit capacitor, looped in between output terminals of the rectifier and equalizing the rectified voltage (UG), and at least one controllable switching element, looped in between the output terminals of the rectifier. According to the invention, in a predetermined discharge interval (INT) before a zero crossing (ND) of the alternating supply voltage (UN), the intermediate circuit capacitor is discharged to a threshold value by controlling the at least one switching element before the induction coil is controlled in order to produce an adjustable heating capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Ralf Dorwarth, Martin Volk, Tobias Schonherr
  • Publication number: 20080197126
    Abstract: Induction heatable clothing items such as footwear (22) and apparel (160) are provided which include a clothing body having an induction heatable element (36, 108, 112, 114, 116) and preferably having heat retentive material containing phase change material, wherein the element (36, 108, 112, 114, 116) is operable to be heated when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. The clothing items (22, 160) are heated using induction heaters (26, 84). In preferred forms, wireless temperature sensing is used to control heating of the items (22, 160). To this end, the heating elements (36, 108, 112, 114, 116) may be provided with RFID tag/temperature sensor assemblies (58, 60, 110), and the induction heaters (26, 84) are equipped with correlated RFID reader/writer devices (80). Alternately, microwire temperature sensors (120) may be used with the induction heaters (26, 84) having microwire detectors. In other embodiments, temperature monitoring is achieved using impedance detection feedback control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Thermal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bourke, Brian L. Clothier
  • Patent number: 7414226
    Abstract: A method to heat a stator bar and clip assembly in a brazing chamber including: placing the stator bar and clip assembly in the brazing chamber, wherein the assembly is seated in a heating coil; positioning a conductive mass between a press and the stator bar and clip; applying the press to the assembly while the assembly is seated in the coil; heating the stator bar and clip by applying energy to the coil; brazing the stator bar to the clip with the heat from the coil, and removing the press and cooling the brazed clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yu Wang, David Robert Schumacher, James Michael Fogarty, Alan Michael Iversen
  • Publication number: 20080061054
    Abstract: In order to prevent non-sheet passing portion temperature rise occurred in a non-sheet passing area of an electromagnetic induction heating member 1, leakage of magnetic flux is reduced by setting a Curie temperature of the heating member 1 to be smaller than an acceptable upper limit temperature and setting a thickness of the heating member so that a thickness tk in a Curie temperature arrival area (P1-P2) is larger than a thickness tn in a Curie temperature non-arrival area P2 which is a conveyance area of a material to be heated having a minimum passing size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jiro Shirakata, Shouhei Takeda, Koki Watanabe, Shinichiro Wakahara, Koji Takematsu, Koichiro Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20080047956
    Abstract: A warming system includes a thermal battery for storing energy and warming an item. The thermal battery includes a porous, electrically-conductive material and a phase-change substance. The phase change substance is interspersed in a plurality of pores in the porous, electrically conductive materially. The warming system includes a first and second compartment. The first compartment is for receiving an item to be warmed, and the second compartment is for retaining the thermal battery therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Richard Dudman
  • Publication number: 20080011740
    Abstract: A device (10) for heating a drinking vessel (5), particularly for a drink machine (1), whereby said device (10) has a receptacle mechanism (11) for the drinking vessel (5) with a steam delivery (13) into the interior (5a) of the drinking vessel (5). In order to create a device of this type in a manner that is simple in construction, safe and effective, the steam delivery (13) has a steam distribution chamber (15) arranged on the side of the cover (12) that lies opposite the covering surface (12a), whereby this steam distribution chamber (15) is connected to a steam intake (14) and empties into the covering area (12a) via at least one opening (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: WMF WUERTTEMBERGISCHE METALLWARENFABRIK AG
    Inventor: Frank Goltenboth
  • Publication number: 20080011741
    Abstract: An inductive heating element includes a substrate and an insulating layer covering the substrate. The substrate contains a carbonaceous material such as glassy carbon. The inductive heating element effectively exchanges heat with a flowing gas to be heated and thereby efficiently heat the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Maki HAMAGUCHI, Takayasu Fujiura
  • Publication number: 20070235445
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for high magnetic field ohmically decoupled non-contact treatment of conductive materials in a high magnetic field. A method includes applying a high magnetic field to at least a portion of a conductive material; and applying an inductive magnetic field to at least a fraction of the conductive material to induce a surface current within the fraction of the conductive material, the surface current generating a substantially bi-directional force that defines a vibration. The high magnetic field and the inductive magnetic field are substantially confocal, the fraction of the conductive material is located within the portion of the conductive material and ohmic heating from the surface current is ohmically decoupled from the vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: John Wilgen, Roger Kisner, Gerard Ludtka, Gail Ludtka, Roger Jaramillo
  • Publication number: 20070194008
    Abstract: An intake air heating system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed and includes an electric heater that heats the intake air and a control module that switches a voltage to the electric heater based on a control signal. The control module includes a gate drive module that includes a bootstrap charge pump module and generates a gate drive signal based on the control signal and that is referenced to the voltage. The control module also includes a power module that switches the power to the electric heater based on the gate drive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald Neil Seger
  • Publication number: 20070194009
    Abstract: An intake air heating system for an internal combustion engine includes an electric heater that heats the intake air, a control circuit that switches a voltage to the electric heater based on a control signal and an over-temperature signal, a temperature sensor that generates a temperature signal based on a temperature of the control circuit, and a temperature sensing circuit that generates the over-temperature signal based on the temperature signal and a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald Neil Seger
  • Patent number: 7211774
    Abstract: The invention is an induction heating system comprising a first article having a metallic mesh lining; and a second article having a coil for receiving an alternating electrical current; wherein the coil induces a current in the metallic mesh lining when the second pad is placed in close proximity to the first pad and the coil receives an alternating electrical current; whereby the current induced in the metallic mesh lining causes the metallic mesh lining to generate heat that can be applied to a body through contact with the first article. Additionally, this inventive induction heating system may further comprise a controller circuit in the second article for detecting an eddy current in the coil and operating a switch to turn the alternating electrical current off when no eddy current is detected in the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John W. Dunsmoir, Francis X. Kinstler, Sheryl S. Kinstler
  • Patent number: 7199342
    Abstract: The present invention includes a mechanical joint between a die and a substrate that is reflowed by microwave energy and a method of forming such a mechanical joint by printing a solder over a substrate, placing the solder in contact with a bump over a die, reflowing the solder with microwave energy, and forming a mechanical joint from the solder and the bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Ratificar, Carlos Gonzalez, Lejun Wang
  • Patent number: 7049548
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a preform in a vacuum vessel to produce a structural assembly are provided. The system includes a heated die set defining a cavity in which the preform can be formed, bonded, or otherwise processed. The die set is disposed in a cavity of the vacuum vessel from which gas can be evacuated. Thus, a pressurized fluid can be provided to the preform, e.g., to an interior space of the preform to form or constrain the preform in the die cavity, and the vacuum vessel can be evacuated so that the die set, and typically the preform, are exposed to a pressure that is reduced relative to the ambient pressure. Further, the vacuum vessel can constrain the die set in the closed position during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John F. Sjogren, Theodore J. Eilert, Henry D. Harkins