Abstract: Apparatus and process for heating and melting a material in a susceptor vessel are provided wherein phase synchronized ac voltage is supplied from a separate power source to each one of at least two induction coils in separate zones around the vessel. Power magnitude from each source to an induction coil is controlled by pulse width control of the source's output voltage. Output frequency from each source is either fixed or variable based upon the electrically conductive state of the material. Optional electromagnetic stirring is achieved by establishing a phase shift between the voltage outputs of the power supplies after the material in the susceptor vessel has melted.

Abstract: An induction heating system for manufacturing a part including an induction coil and a smart susceptor positioned within an oscillating electromagnetic field from the induction coil. The smart susceptor includes a ferromagnetic material cold sprayed onto a tool. The tool may be a sheet metal component formed to a desired shape by incremental sheet forming. The smart susceptor may be heated up by eddy currents generated in the ferromagnetic material by the oscillating electromagnetic field. The smart susceptor may be designed to have a desired Curie temperature based on the composition of the ferromagnetic material. The smart susceptor is formed into a desired shape by cold spraying ferromagnetic material onto a tool already formed into the desired shape. The smart susceptor may be removed from the tool by thermally shocking the smart susceptor and the tool and may be used to heat a part to be formed.

Abstract: Thermal removal of optical fiber coatings by insertion through heated ferrules to form ferrule assemblies for fiber optic connectors, and related assemblies are disclosed. An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a protective coating. By removing the coating at an end portion of the optical fiber, the end portion may be precisely positioned and secured within a ferrule to enable reliable optical communications. The coating may be thermally removed, or substantially thermally removed, by inserting the optical fiber through a rear opening of the ferrule which has been heated above a temperature sufficient to change the coating to a non-solid state. In this manner, the coating may be efficiently removed from the end portion of the optical fiber while being inserted into the ferrule bore of the ferrule to enable efficient forming of a ferrule assembly for a fiber optic connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat treatment oven comprising a loading or treatment zone, at least one gas inlet, a gas preheater chamber situated in the oven between the gas inlet and the loading or treatment zone, a susceptor comprising at least a side wall surrounding the preheater chamber and the loading or treatment zone, and a field winding suitable for heating the side wall by induction. The portion of the side wall of the susceptor that is situated around the preheater chamber presents at least two recesses spaced apart circumferentially from one another so as to form portions of reduced thickness in said portion of the side wall.

Abstract: Thermoplastic pellitized materials are melted in gravity flow through coaxially oriented perforated cylindrical metal susceptors. The susceptors are equally energized by the interception of a common magnetic field formed by a high frequency powered inductor coil.

Abstract: The present invention provides an innovative packaging for microwave preparation of expandable food, such as cookies, an innovative food product prepared from the packaging and the method of preparation thereof. The innovative packaging includes first and second susceptor sheet portions each having an accordion-like shape; one or more members for spacing the susceptor sheet portions at a predetermined distance; and an expandable uncooked food placed between the two susceptor sheets, wherein the food is in intimate contact with sheet portions and becomes efficiently browned and crisped during microwave cooking. The food is preferably a cookie dough.

Abstract: An inductively coupled heating system having a segmented susceptor is disclosed. The segmented susceptor includes two or more segments, each segment having a side edge that is mateable with a side edge of another segment. The two mated side edges form an interface, increasing eddy currents near the interface. An inductively coupled heating system having a susceptor with multiple doped regions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heating device for the transformation of a material, includes: a lower mold element or matrix, made of an electrically conductive material and having a molding zone for contacting with the material to be transformed; an upper element that lacks a molding zone, made of an electrically conductive material; inductor elements for generating a magnetic field that envelops the matrix and the upper element, with the matrix and the element being electrically insulated from one another during the induction heating phase so that the surfaces opposite these two elements delimit an air gap in which the magnetic field that induces currents circulates at the surface of the molding zone of the matrix, thus making it possible to localize the action of the inductors at the interface of the molding zone/material to be transformed; and deformable pressure element, arranged between the matrix and the upper element, able to exert uniform pressure on the material to be transformed.

Abstract: A device for heating of railway tracks is provided. The device comprises a magnetic field generator fed with a low-frequency current. The magnetic field generator is formed by a device without a circuit returning a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generator. Hereby the magnetic flux can be returned via a heater. The heater is a material generating heat when placed in the magnetic field. The heater can be the railway tracks or a plate provided in conjunction with the railway tracks.

Abstract: A composite fabrication apparatus which may include a first tooling die and a second tooling die movable with respect to each other; a temperature control system having induction coils disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die; a first die susceptor provided on the first tooling die and a second die susceptor provided on the second tooling die and connected to the induction coils; and a cooling system disposed in thermal contact with the first tooling die and the second tooling die. A resin transfer system delivers resin from a resin source to the tooling dies to allow resin transfer molding. A composite fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system or method for heat treating a localized area of a component part includes providing a susceptor, shaping the susceptor to conform to the component part, a component part, and a heat source, heating the susceptor by the heat source, and introducing the susceptor to the desired target area of the component part for a controlled or predetermined interval as necessary to achieve a desired metallurgical effect to take place with respect to the desired target area.

Abstract: An induction heating inductor and perforated susceptor are formed as an integral unit to provide a low cost, physically stable, efficient, and easily cleaned unit.

Abstract: An induction heating device for heating a liquid, said device comprising a half ellipsoidal shaped induction coil and matching susceptor.

Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.

Abstract: Provided is a heat treatment apparatus which, when simultaneously heating substrates placed on susceptors, is capable of controlling the uniformity of temperature within each substrate. The heat treatment apparatus includes: a reaction tube which performs predetermined treatment to wafers; a plurality of susceptors each of which has a mounting surface for mounting the wafer and is made of a conductive material; a rotatable quartz boat wherein the susceptors spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surfaces are arranged and supported in the reaction tube; a magnetic field generating unit which is arranged on a sidewall of the processing chamber and includes a pair of electromagnets which generate an AC magnetic field in a direction parallel to the mounting surfaces of the susceptors and inductively heat the susceptors; and a control unit which controls the AC magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit.

Abstract: In-plane temperature of each substrate is uniformly controlled at the time of heating substrates placed on a plurality of susceptors, respectively. A heat treatment apparatus is provided with susceptors, i.e., conductive members for placing wafers thereon, having an induction heating body electrically divided into a center portion thereof and a peripheral portion thereof; a quartz boat supporting the susceptors arranged in a row; an induction coil, which is arranged inside a processing chamber to surround the circumference of each of the susceptors and configured such that the temperature of the induction coil can be freely adjusted; and a control unit which performs temperature control by changing the ratio between heat value at the center portion of the induction heating body and that at the peripheral portion, by controlling two high frequency currents of different frequencies to be applied to the induction coil from a high frequency current circuit.

Abstract: Induction heating of a pattern perforated rotating cylinder susceptor is utilized to melt and apply thermoplastic materials to a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for inductively heating a first and second surface to form a closure assembly. A method contemplated by the present invention includes spacing an upper die from a lower die for receipt of the first surface and the second surface configured in an overlying orientation, securing one end of the first surface to an end of the second surface and compressing the first surface toward the second surface to form a compressed arrangement which is inductively heated into a closure assembly.

Abstract: A method of curing a composite material. A tool is heated using microwaves. At least a part of the composite material is shielded by reflecting microwaves away from the composite material with a shield. Heat is transferred from the tool through the shield to the composite material. The tool comprises a material which is sensitive to microwaves so that, when microwaves are incident upon the tool, some of the microwaves are absorbed by the microwave-sensitive material, thereby heating the tool.

Abstract: An approach to activating a getter within a sealed vacuum cavity is disclosed. The approach uses inductive coupling from an external coil to a magnetically permeable material deposited in the vacuum cavity. The getter material is formed over this magnetically permeable material, and heated specifically thereby, leaving the rest of the device cavity and microdevice relatively cool. Using this inductive coupling technique, the getter material can be activated after encapsulation, and delicate structures and low temperature wafer bonding mechanisms may be used.

Abstract: To provide an induction heating apparatus that employs a batch-type heating system for heating a large-diameter wafer and can perform uniform heating with a high precision, an induction heating apparatus (10) that heats an inductive-heating target member using a magnetic flux generated from a solenoid-type induction heating coil (18) and heats a wafer (40) using the heat generated from the inductive-heating target member, wherein a plurality of inductive-heating target members 14 (14a, 14b, and 14c) of which principal surface is arranged perpendicularly to a core axis direction of the induction heating coil (18) are interspersed. In the induction heating apparatus (10) described above, a susceptor (12) may be configured by housing the inductive-heating target member (14) in a single holder (16) made of a member having magnetic permeability and heat conductivity.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided which include a specimen vessel holding at least one biological sample. A histological agent is in the specimen vessel so as to come into contact with the tissue sample. A microwave susceptor is provided in, near, or integral to the specimen vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for heating moldings, in particular dental ceramic moldings, with the aid of microwaves or a magnetic field, the apparatus having a susceptor surrounding the molding, in particular according to the type of a container that is closed, said susceptor absorbing microwave radiation or being heated by a magnetic field and emitting heat to the molding. Further, a shielding for electrical and/or magnetic fields is arranged in the path between the microwave oven or the induction coil and the molding, in particular at the inner wall of the susceptor.

Abstract: A rotary tube furnace (1) comprising an insulated heating chamber (4), the insulated heating chamber having a product discharge outlet (21) and a process tube inlet (39), a heating element (14) operatively arranged to selectively heat the heating chamber, a generally horizontally extending process tube (2) supported for rotation relative to the heating chamber, the process tube having a first portion (36) generally arranged outside of the heating chamber and a cantilevered second portion (37) extending from the first portion into the heating chamber and terminating at a discharge end (38) within the heating chamber, a feed mechanism (40) configured and arranged to feed product into the process tube, and a bearing assembly operating between a support frame (34) and the first portion of the process tube and configured and arranged to support the process tube and transmit rotational torque to the process tube.

Abstract: A device for evaporating a metal melt, the device comprising a first crucible or crucible portion operative to receive the metal melt comprising at least one aperture, from which the evaporated metal may pass off, a second crucible or crucible portion operative to receive a susceptor material, comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, which is arranged such that it can heat susceptor material comprised in the second crucible or crucible portion through incident electromagnetic induction, wherein it does not or only negligibly heats the metal melt in the first crucible or crucible portion, wherein the first crucible or crucible portion and the second crucible or crucible portion are thermally coupled, such that the metal melt can attain a desired temperature.

Abstract: Induction heating systems and methods for combinatorial heating of a substrate are disclosed. The induction heating system includes a susceptor segmented into multiple regions (e.g., two to 20 regions) that are separated from one another by a reflective channel that is purged with a liquid (e.g., gas or liquid). The induction heating system includes multiple induction coils, each induction coil corresponding to one of the susceptor regions or segments. The distance between each induction coil and the susceptor region can be varied using an independent lift for each region. The relative distance between the coils and the corresponding susceptor regions is used to vary the temperature of a substrate so that different regions of the substrate can be independently heated to different temperatures.

Abstract: An inductively coupled heating system having a segmented susceptor is disclosed. The segmented susceptor includes two or more segments, each segment having a side edge that is mateable with a side edge of another segment. The two mated side edges form an interface, increasing eddy currents near the interface. An inductively coupled heating system having a susceptor with multiple doped regions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate thermal treatment apparatus enables excellent heating control in suppressing influence of mutual induction between induction heating coils even when the induction heating coils are arranged in the vertical direction while providing horizontal magnetic flux to susceptors. The apparatus indirectly heats wafers mounted on horizontally-arranged susceptors including induction heating coils to form alternate-current magnetic flux in a direction parallel to a mount face of the susceptor. The wafer are arranged at an outer circumferential side of the susceptor. The induction heating coils are structured with at least one main heating coil and subordinate heating coils electromagnetically coupled with the main heating coil.

Abstract: A method for processing solar cells comprising: providing a vertical furnace to receive an array of mutually spaced circular semiconductor wafers for integrated circuit processing; composing a process chamber loading configuration for solar cell substrates, wherein a size of the solar cell substrates that extends along a first surface to be processed is smaller than a corresponding size of the circular semiconductor wafers, such that multiple arrays of mutually spaced solar cell substrates can be accommodated in the process chamber, loading the solar cell substrates into the process chamber; subjecting the solar cell substrates to a process in the process chamber.

Abstract: A system for inductively heating a workpiece may include an induction coil, at least one susceptor face sheet, and a current controller coupled. The induction coil may be configured to conduct an alternating current and generate a magnetic field in response to the alternating current. The susceptor face sheet may be configured to have a workpiece positioned therewith. The susceptor face sheet may be formed of a ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature and being inductively heatable to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field. The current controller may be coupled to the induction coil and may be configured to adjust the alternating current in a manner causing a change in at least one heating parameter of the susceptor face sheet.

Abstract: A part is inductively heated by multiple, self-regulating induction coil circuits having susceptors, coupled together in parallel and in series with an AC power supply. Each of the circuits includes a tuning capacitor that tunes the circuit to resonate at the frequency of AC power supply.

Abstract: An apparatus may have a tool die for forming a component. The tool die may have a die susceptor having a forming surface for forming the component, and at least one flexible induction coil segment for heating the die susceptor. The at least one flexible induction coil segment may be configured to conform to a contour of the forming surface of the die susceptor.

Abstract: A wiper assembly having a wiper with an inductively heatable portion, and an induction heating device including an induction work coil which is configured to be placed near the wiper to inductively heat the inductively heatable portion. The inductively heatable portion may be in the wiper blade, the wiper arm which supports the blade, or both. The induction work coil may be placed on or near the windshield or other surface which is cleaned by the wiper and may heat the wiper regardless of its position or only when the wiper is at a specific location such as its retracted “rest” position. The wiper assembly may also include a temperature sensor for sensing a current temperature of the wiper and control circuitry associated with the induction heating device for controlling operation of the work coil.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise a first tool die and a second tool die, each having a tool base. Each tool base may have a laminated structure that has a plurality of spaced metallic laminations. The laminated structure may have a truncated portion forming a cavity configured to receive a tool insert, and at least one opening for receiving an induction coil. The first tool die and the second tool die may also have a tool insert configured to be received in the cavity of the tool base. The tool insert may have a die susceptor capable of being heated by the induction coil. The apparatus may also have an actuator for moving the first tool die and the second tool die toward one another for forming a component between the die susceptor of the tool insert of the first tool die and the die susceptor of the tool insert of the second tool die.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus uses an inductive heating method to allow an object to be heated while preventing a treatment chamber from being heated. The treatment apparatus for performing a heat treatment on the object has a treatment chamber and an induction heating coil section. The treatment chamber is capable of accommodating a plurality of objects. The induction heating coil section is wound around an outer circumference of the treatment chamber. The treatment apparatus also has a high frequency power supply and a gas supply unit. The high frequency power supply applies high frequency power to the induction heating coil section. The gas supply unit introduces a necessary gas to the treatment chamber. A holding unit is inserted in and removed from the treatment chamber under the condition that the holding unit holds the object and an induction heating generator adapted to be inductively heated by means of a high frequency wave emitted by the induction heating coil section.

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 for coating a work piece includes a process chamber, a coating material supply apparatus located at least partially within the process chamber for delivering a coating material to the work piece, a pre-heater assembly adjoining the process chamber, and a support for holding the work piece. The pre-heater assembly includes a housing that opens to the process chamber, a thermal hood positioned within the housing and configured to reflect thermal energy for reflecting thermal energy toward the work piece. The support is movable to selectively move the work piece between a first position within the housing of the pre-heater assembly and a second position within the process chamber and outside the housing of the pre-heater assembly.

Abstract: A substrate heating apparatus configured to be coupled to a processing system and radiatively heat a substrate is described. The substrate heating apparatus includes a radiative heat source coupled to a processing system and configured to produce electromagnetic (EM) radiation, a translucent object positioned between the radiative heat source and the substrate along a the EM radiation path, and an opaque object also positioned between the radiative heat source and the substrate along the EM radiation path. The translucent object includes at least one textured surface to cause random refraction of the EM radiation passing through the translucent object, or an optical waveguide configured to encapsulate the opaque object and direct the EM radiation around the opaque object, or both, to prevent creation of a shadow of the opaque object on the substrate.

Abstract: A heating blanket comprises a conductor for receiving current and generating a magnetic field in response to the current. The heating blanket may include a susceptor sleeve formed of magnetic material having a Curie temperature. The susceptor sleeve may extend along the conductor and may be inductively heated in response to the magnetic field.

Abstract: A composite induction consolidation apparatus includes a base mandrel and a ferromagnetic base mandrel facesheet having a specific Curie temperature carried by the base mandrel. The base mandrel facesheet is adapted to support a composite part and allow ambient air pressure to compact the composite part against the base mandrel facesheet.

Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of fixing marking materials onto media are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a first member including a first surface; a second member comprising at least one ferromagnetic material having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1, a susceptor over the at least one ferromagnetic material, the susceptor comprising at least one electrically resistive metal, and a second surface over the at least one ferromagnetic material and the susceptor, the second surface forming a nip with the first surface at which media are received; and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to inductively heat the second member.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for directional solidification of silicon by electric induction susceptor heating in a controlled environment. A susceptor vessel is positioned between upper and lower susceptor induction heating systems and a surrounding induction coil system in the controlled environment. Alternating current selectively applied to induction coils associated with the upper and lower susceptor heating systems, and the induction coils making up the surrounding induction coil system, result in melting of the silicon charge in the vessel and subsequent directional solidification of the molten silicon. A fluid medium can be directed from below the vessel towards the bottom, and then up the exterior sides of the vessel to enhance the directional solidification process.

Abstract: A substrate for processing in a heating system is disclosed. The substrate includes a bottom portion for absorbing heat from a radiating heat source, the bottom portion having a first region having a first emissivity and a second region having a second emissivity less than the first emissivity. The first region and the second region promote thermal uniformity of the substrate by compensating for thermal non-uniformity of the radiating heat source.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate heat treatment apparatus includes a boat formed by stacking, in a vertical direction, a plurality of susceptors to be treated placing wafers thereon individually, and auxiliary susceptors disposed in a manner to sandwich the plurality of susceptors to be treated therebetween in the vertical direction; an induction heating coil disposed on an outer circumferential side of the boat and configured to generate an alternating magnetic flux in a direction parallel to planes of the plurality of susceptors to be treated on which the wafers are individually placed; and a power supply configured to supply power to the induction heating coil.

Abstract: An oven, in particular a dental oven, with a heating chamber (12), into which dental restoration parts that are to be thermally treated, in particular multi-unit dental restoration parts, can be introduced. The dental oven includes a thermal heating component (16) which heats the dental restoration parts (30) via thermal conduction, thermal convection and/or infrared radiation, so that the dental restoration parts (30) are received in or on a susceptor comprised of a highly heat-conductive material, in particular silicon carbide.

Abstract: It is disclosed and induction furnace (1) comprising: a box-like housing structure (2, 6), which defines an internal chamber (3) of the induction furnace (1); an infiltration crucible (7) housed in the internal chamber (3) and comprising a first (10) and second (11) essentially mutually parallel and spaced away radiation plates, made of susceptor material, and an infiltration chamber (13), which is interposed between the radiation plates (10, 11) in order to be heated by the plates, the infiltration chamber being provided for housing a semifinished workpiece (14), to be subjected to infiltration, and infiltration material (15); at least an induction coil (L1, L2) housed in the internal chamber (3) to be supplied with at least an electrical current (i1, i2) for induction heating of the radiation plates (10, 11).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for synthesizing nanostructures in a reactor having a reaction zone and a conductive susceptor positioned in the reaction zone. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of placing a semiconductor plate having a film of a catalyst in the reaction zone such that the semiconductor plate is supported by the conductive susceptor; transporting a gas mixture having a feedstock gas having hydrocarbon and a carrier gas into the reaction zone of the chamber; inductively heating the reaction zone; and regulating the heating so that the temperature of the conductive susceptor increases from a first temperature to a second temperature when the gas mixture is introduced into the cavity of the chamber to allow nanostructures to be grown from the interaction of the gas mixture with the film of a catalyst of the semiconductor plate.

Abstract: An induction heating device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, in which the induction heating device is composed of an induction coil and a magnetic conductive plate. The induction coil, being arranged for enabling the same to move relative to a target object, is used for heating the target object after being excited. The magnetic conductive plate is disposed at a specific position proximate to the induction coil that can be varied. According to the positioning of the magnetic conductive plate, the magnetic conductive plate can be used as a shield for blocking the magnetic field resulting from the excited induction coil when it is being positioned between the induction coil and the target object, and the magnetic conductive plate can be used for enhancing the magnetic field when it is being positioned at a side of the induction coil that is away from the target object.

Abstract: An induction heating inductor and perforated susceptor are formed as an integral unit to provide a low cost, physically stable, efficient, and easily cleaned unit.

Abstract: A radio frequency applicator and method for heating a geological formation is disclosed. A radio frequency source configured to apply a differential mode signal is connected to a coaxial conductor including an outer conductor pipe and an inner conductor. The inner conductor is coupled to a second conductor pipe through one or more metal jumpers. One or more current chokes, such as a common mode choke or antenna balun, are installed around the outer conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe to concentrate electromagnetic radiation within a hydrocarbon formation. The outer conductor pipe and the second conductor pipe can be traditional well pipes for extracting hydrocarbons, such as a steam pipe and an extraction pipe of a steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) system. An apparatus and method for installing a current choke are also disclosed.