Specific Heating Application Patents (Class 219/635)
  • Patent number: 6114675
    Abstract: An alloying system for a galvanized steel sheet, using an induction heating coil, wherein the temperature of the steel sheet in an induction heating furnace is measured based on the impedance of a high frequency heater, and the amount of heating is controlled by feedback, to form an alloy layer of the steel sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Wada, Etsurou Hirai, Kazuya Tsurusaki, Yuuji Asahara, Kwang-Hee Han, Jae-Young Lee, Noi-Ha Cho, Jang-Sub Shim, Si-Youl Chun
  • Patent number: 6104012
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for permanently joining two or more metallic vehicle frame components using magnetic impulse welding techniques is disclosed. In a first embodiment, an overlap joint is formed by the joinder of two individual open channel side rail sections to form a portion of a vehicle frame side rail. The first side rail section is initially formed slightly smaller in size than the second side rail section so that it may be disposed telescopically therein with clearance. An electromagnetic coil is provided for generating a magnetic field which causes the side rail sections to move toward one another at a high velocity. The high velocity impact and the large pressures cause the two side rail sections to weld or molecularly bond. Alternatively, a bracket can be joined to a side rail section in a similar manner. In a second embodiment, a pair of closed channel structural members are formed using hydroforming techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Durand
  • Patent number: 6097012
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved induction-heating bender comprising: conveyor means for feeding a workpiece to be bent; a pivot arm having a gripper rotatably fixed at its free end for gripping the workpiece, permitting the gripper to be set at a selected angle relative to the axial line of the pivot arm; an arm support for rotatably holding the pivot arm and for carrying the same toward the workpiece, permitting the pivot arm to be set at a controlled effective pivot-to-gripper distance; and a heating-and-cooling mechanism for induction-heating and softening the workpiece and for cooling the same. The pivot arm has its axial line offset from its pivot. The gripper can be rotatably adjusted in angular position relative to the axis of the pivot arm, thereby permitting the workpiece to be smoothly bent into the spiral or elliptical form. The heating-and-cooling mechanism comprises a plurality of cool compartments for effecting different hardenings for selected parts of workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Hajime Yoshida
    Inventor: Kazuo Shiozuka
  • Patent number: 6087640
    Abstract: Capitalizing on the unique feature of our induction heating workcell that permits rapid and controlled heating and cooling of a workpiece within a wide temperature range permits combining several manufacturing operations into a single heating cycle to save time, energy, capital, touch labor, and factory space. For example, we can combine superplastic forming (SPF) with annealing; two operations that occur at temperatures that differ by about 150-200.degree. F. (85-105.degree. C.) or more, to produce quality parts. We mill parts flat to simplify their machining, form them to complex curvature, and anneal them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Franna S. P. Gillespie, Marc R. Matsen
  • Patent number: 6084225
    Abstract: A getter heating coil assembly producing a focused magnetic field for heating objects in close proximity to the coil assembly. The coil assembly comprises electrical conductors wound on a coil bobbin, the coil bobbin having a central spindle around which the conductors are wound. The wound bobbin is assembled with a magnetic field concentrator, said field concentrator having a central core extending from a base, and a side wall extending from the base to enclose the wound bobbin. The central core of the field concentrator fits within the spindle on the bobbin and extends through it. The coil bobbin remains exposed on one side for emission of focused electromagnetic energy when alternating current is supplied to the coil windings. A button of high magnetic permeability material may be attached to the field concentrator for focusing the emitted electromagnetic energy toward the center of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Lepel Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6069348
    Abstract: Apparatus for inductively heating and hardening diesel cam shaft lobes includes a table supporting an inductor for radial displacement relative to the lobe of a workpiece to be hardened and a master component having a lobe identical to that of the workpiece to be hardened and supported for rotation about an axis parallel to and laterally spaced from that of the workpiece. The master component and workpiece are rotated in synchronism, and a follower roll on the table engages the lobe of the master component to accurately maintain a desired air gap between the inductor and lobe of the workpiece during the hardening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Tocco, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Roginski
  • Patent number: 6014403
    Abstract: In an induction furnace for the synthesis of glasses, in particular fluorozirconate glasses for optical fibres for telecommunications, the support device (6') for the crucible (3) is associated with a pair of sleeves (7, 9) between which an annular element (8) which constitutes the actual support element is inserted. The first sleeve (7) has such longitudinal dimensions that the crucible (3) is supported in the annular element (8) in such a way as to be spaced from the planar element (5'), and the second sleeve has such longitudinal dimensions that its top edge is at a level higher than that of the top edge of the crucible (3), to obtain a homogeneous temperature region extending at least along the entire height of the crucible (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Cselt- Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Braglia, Guojun Dai, Sabrina Mosso
  • Patent number: 6008480
    Abstract: An induction heating method and apparatus for simultaneously and efficiently fusing battery cell terminal posts and bushings in a battery production line. The apparatus includes an induction heating generator having a T-shaped bus bar for symmetrically supporting a plurality of pairs of induction heating coils, with one coil of each pair being supported on the forward side of a transverse bus bar section and the other coil of each pair being supported on a rear side of the transverse bus bar section. The coils each have respective mounting structures for permitting individual vertical adjustment of the coil with respect to the bus bar to enable uniform positioning of the coils with respect to a plurality of bushings and terminal posts for effecting uniform depth fusion of the plurality of posts and bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Lund
  • Patent number: 5994680
    Abstract: An electric heating element having a central conductor and an outer metallic sheath is welded to a base of vessel to provide a heating container, for hot water in a domestic appliance for example. In order to carry out the welding, the vessel is heated up by an induction heater to a certain temperature and the temperature of the actual contacting welding surfaces raised above the certain temperature to a fusing temperature by applying and controlling electric power supplied to the conductor while the heating element is held firmly in position against the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Chiaphua Industries Limited
    Inventor: John Duncan McNair
  • Patent number: 5944245
    Abstract: A device for fusing a shank and a cutting edge to form a bit is composed of a bottom plate on which a shank locating apparatus, a heater, a cutting edge locating apparatus, a collection apparatus, and a pneumatic-electro control apparatus are mounted. The device can be manually or automatically operated through the pneumatic-electro control apparatus such that a plurality of shanks are arranged and located one after another at a first fusion position, and that a plurality of cutting edges are arranged and located one after another at a second fusion position. The shank located at the first fusion position is heated by the heater before the shank is fused with the cutting edge located at the second fusion position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Yi-Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 5938965
    Abstract: An inductor is provided for removing paint from a workpiece traveling along a longitudinal path and having a vertical stem portion intersecting the path and a hook portion having a juncture with the stem portion and extending laterally to one side of the path. The inductor has front and rear ends and the workpiece travels along the path in the direction from the front end to the rear end. The inductor comprises a coil having first and second ends for connection to a power source and a plurality of elongated conductor segments connected in series between the ends and located on opposite sides of and parallel to the path and inductively coupled with the hook and stem portions of the workpiece for heating the latter to remove the paint therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Tocco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert John Madeira
  • Patent number: 5938964
    Abstract: A high frequency heating method of a bolt sets a maximum achievable temperature Tmax in an inner surface of the bolt with hole to a value which is not higher than a final heat treated temperature To. A maximum thermal stress .sigma.max occurring in the bolt with hole is set to a value which is not more than a yield stress .sigma.ys of the bolt material. From the maximum thermal stress .sigma.max, a temperature difference .DELTA.T is obtained between Tmax and a mean temperature Tmean along an entire cross section of the bolt, under the condition that .DELTA.T is to be not more than a permissible maximum temperature difference .DELTA.To obtainable from the yield stress of the material. The maximum suppliable power by Tmax, .DELTA.T and dimensions of the bolt are obtained, and then a heater is inserted into a small diameter hole of the bolt with hole and the maximum suppliable power, which value is obtained by the above operation, is supplied to the heater so that the bolt with hole is heated to be elongated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Takita, Takayuki Kawano, Takijiro Shimamoto, Kouichi Ide
  • Patent number: 5902509
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for inductively heating a refractory shaped member provided with an internal space, particularly for a metallurgical vessel, enable as rapid, uniform heating of the shaped member as possible. An inner inductor is introduced into the internal space, the shaped member is heated from the interior by such inductor, and the inductor then is removed from the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Dider-Werke AG
    Inventors: Raimund Bruckner, Rudiger Grau, Daniel Grimm, Steve Lee
  • Patent number: 5874713
    Abstract: A single turn induction heating coil provides a varied magnetic flux density for heating a portion of a load having a thermally and magnetically responsive sealant and tubing. The varied interior diameter of the cylindrical coil structure increases the magnetic flux density at the open ends of the coil or wherever desired, causing the ends of the magnetically responsive materials contained within the coil to be heated at a rate comparable to the middle portion of the coil. Consequently, the sealant and tubing recover faster and more uniformly avoiding the high incidence of tubing "flare up" or "flip back" common with typical single or multi-turn induction coil heaters. In the preferred application, heating produces a complete fluid block in a cable load section within the coil without overheating or damaging the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Cydzik, Peter Mark Godfrey
  • Patent number: 5847375
    Abstract: Rib and spar webs are joined in a composite wingbox to eliminate fasteners by welding the webs along bond lines defined by overlapping sections of the webs. Heat to produce the weld is generally achieved resistively by connecting a multistrip susceptor positioned along the bond line to a current source, since the geometry makes it difficult to heat these web joints inductively. The wingbox is completed without fasteners by welding skins to the rib-spar wingbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Douglas A. McCarville, Michael M. Stepan
  • Patent number: 5847370
    Abstract: The side seam of a can is coated and heated inductively by passing it through a medium frequency, oscillating magnetic field generated by an induction coil wound around a core. The core is shaped and oriented so as to have two magnetically opposite poles direct magnetic flux in a concentrated manner from the coil into the side seams of cans traveling along a path of travel. The cores are constructed using individual laminations of high frequency core material, each less than about 0.006 inches thick, individually insulated from each other and bound together to form a U- or E-shaped core directing flux toward the workpiece. The induction coil is constructed using a form of Litz wire and the coil and core are air-cooled. In one embodiment, the core has a plurality of pole pieces each directed toward the path of travel. The induction coil is wound on the core such that sequential ones of the pole pieces along the path of travel have alternatingly magnetically opposite polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Sluka, Hassan Iravani, Robert A. Sprenger, deceased
  • Patent number: 5834743
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fusing intercell connectors to battery cell terminal posts. The apparatus includes inexpensive, non-metallic molds, each having a mold opening and being positionable onto a connector with the mold opening in aligned relation to a terminal post positioned in a connector opening for defining a mold cavity adjacent an end of the terminal post and the connector opening. A selectively positionable induction heating head is provided for locating an induction heating coil in predetermined spaced relation to a terminal post and connector to be fused such that generation of a high frequency, oscillating current in the coil causes melting and fusion of the terminal post and connector with the mold retaining and forming the molten lead. The induction heating head may be manually positionable for use with batteries with different post locations and orientations and includes safety and position locating features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Lund, Charles J. DiMarco
  • Patent number: 5821504
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for 360.degree. induction heating of a can body to cure or partially cure a protective coating applied thereto. The can bodies are inductively heated by placing them in a medium frequency, oscillating magnetic field generated by a multiple turn induction coil helically wound around the transport path of the can body. By using a medium-frequency field and by centering the can bodies with respect to the induction coil, the can bodies may be evenly and uniformly heated around 360.degree. of their circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara Sprenger, Mark Gacka, Robert A. Sprenger, deceased
  • Patent number: 5801358
    Abstract: A joining member for joining parts or materials to form a joined structure is constituted by a composite material containing a heating assistant in a matrix material. For disintegrating the joined structure, it is placed in a heating zone, and a high frequency magnetic field or a high frequency electric field, or a high frequency magnetic field and a high frequency electric field are applied to the joining member. The heating assistant may be in a form of a particle or a fiber containing at least one of a soft magnetic material, an electrically conducting material and a dielectric material. The matrix material may be plastic or ceramic. The disintegration of the joined structure can be efficiently and selectively carried out, thus contributing to efficient recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Sadahiko Yokoyama, Masatoshi Iji
  • Patent number: 5789721
    Abstract: A high-frequency induction heater having a working coil for providing a high-frequency application of power to a sample is provided with a control circuit for controlling the amount of power to the working coil. A phase control member can be triggered to provide a first level of power to the sample to heat it below its combustion level, to thereby remove any exterior stains. Subsequently, a second level of power can be applied for a predetermined period of time to heat it to a combustion point whereby the combustion gases of the sample are free from any byproducts of the stain and an accurate measurement can be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Morinobu Hayashi, Koichi Nagai, Akihiro Hirano
  • Patent number: 5783806
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes an electroconductive heat generating element; an excitation coil for producing a magnetic flux, the excitation coil produces a magnetic flux which is effective to generate eddy current in the electroconductive heat generating element to generate heat in the electroconductive heat generating element; an electric circuit for energizing the excitation coil, the electric circuit having a series resonance circuit and a switching element connected with the series resonance circuit; electric power supply control means for controlling the switching element to effect switching between an energization state and non-energization state for the series resonance circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaiaha
    Inventor: Minoru Hayasaki
  • Patent number: 5765490
    Abstract: Process for heating a hollow needle (2) consisting essentially of a metal tube (3), the inside and/or outside of which have previously been brought into contact with a contaminating medium, according to which an electric current is supplied to the said needle, flowing in the metal wall and over the length of the said tube (3) and dissipating thermal energy therein through the ohmic effect, characterized in that a predetermined quantity of electrical energy is supplied to the said needle (2), metered as a function of the electrical characteristics of the said tube (3), on the one hand to suffice for decontamination of the needle, both inside and outside, and on the other hand to limit the heating and preserve the integrity, including the original shape, of the said needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Bio Merieux
    Inventors: Bruno Colin, Genevieve Bossy
  • Patent number: 5747780
    Abstract: At the front side of a wafer cassette fitted to a wafer feeding unit of a magnetic levitation wafer conveying device, a wafer stopper for preventing the wafer waiting in the wafer cassette from popping out is provided. The wafer supplied from the magnetic levitation conveying device is supplied into the reaction chamber by magnetic force, and is directly held in the reaction chamber by this magnetic force. Since the wafer stopper is positioned between the wafer cassette fitted in the wafer feeding unit and the starting end of the wafer conveying route, the wafer waiting in the wafer cassette next to the wafer to be conveyed is prevented from popping out together with the wafer to be conveyed. Moreover, the wafer conveyed by the magnetic force can be directly held in the reaction chamber in heated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shioyama, Masako Hori, Koji Kimura
  • Patent number: 5723844
    Abstract: A system for using a ferrite element to convert RF energy into heat consists only of the ferrite element, an RF generator and a cable connecting the ferrite element to the RF generator. No external impedance matching mechanism is needed, and the preferred form of the ferrite has a Curie temperature in excess of 150.degree. C., and has a lower cutoff frequency of about 10 KHz. The specific best mode ferrite element includes a formulation of MnO.sub.0.45 Zn.sub.0.3 FeO.sub.0.25 Fe.sub.2 O.sub.4. One use of the circuit is in the mining industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventors: Robert L. Dow, Paul W. Proctor
  • Patent number: 5702667
    Abstract: Conventional methods for heat treating cylindrical components such as track bushings involve multiple steps. For example, many such methods consist of carburizing, cooling, induction-hardening, quenching, and tempering. The conventional methods have proved to be costly because different heat treating apparatus are required. This causes duplicate handling and wasted manufacturing time. The present invention provides an apparatus 30 for heat treating a bushing 10 simultaneously from an outer peripheral surface 12 and the pair of inner circumferential surfaces 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis C. Pond
  • Patent number: 5698124
    Abstract: A fiber drawing apparatus is provided with an improved fiber draw furnace wherein an inner zirconia tube is surrounded by a radially-spaced annular insulating region of magnesia within a silica beaker. While the magnesia has a melting point approximately the same as zirconia, the electrical conductivity of magnesia is substantially lower, enabling it to withstand higher RF power. Moreover magnesia is more soluble than zirconia in silica, reducing the likelihood of particulate contamination of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Vincent DiMarcello, James William Fleming, Jr., Arthur Clifford Hart, Jr., Richard Garner Huff, Karen S. Kranz
  • Patent number: 5690851
    Abstract: A drink can induction heating apparatus includes a ferrite core having a plurality of projected portions and recesses formed between the adjacent projected portions. When a drink can is set in a position to be heated, each of the projected portions is oriented toward a longitudinal axis of the drink can and a particular portion of a circumferential wall of the drink can. The apparatus further includes a saddle-shaped heating coil which is partly received in the recesses of the ferrite core and covers a region around the foregoing particular portions of the drink can in a non-contact manner, and an inverter for feeding the AC power to the heating coil. The inverter is arranged to produce the AC power at a resonance frequency which corresponds to one of 5 kHz to 15 kHz where equivalent resistance values of an aluminum can and a steel can approximate to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignees: SPC Electronics Corp., Daiwa Can Co.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yoshioka, Masami Matsunaga, Tetsuya Takatomi, Hideo Kanai, Tsutomu Ishima
  • Patent number: 5683608
    Abstract: A die for use in an induction heating workcell incorporates segments of the induction coil in spaced array within a cast ceramic or phenolic body. A peripheral compression frame, typically of phenolic, surrounds the die body and applies a compressive load to the body through lateral and transverse reinforcing rods that are cast into the body. Matched dies close to trap heat in a workpiece at the center of the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Paul S. Gregg, Howard Martinson, Robert Snyder
  • Patent number: 5660753
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a metal surface to remove a nonferrous thermosetting resin coating bonded to the metal surface. The apparatus uses a power supply device for providing an approximately 75-100 kW signal at approximately 10-40 kHz to the apparatus. A coil assembly device is coupled to the power supply device for producing a high frequency inductive field which will penetrate through the nonferrous thermosetting resin coating with virtually no attenuation and will induce an eddy current of sufficient power in the underlying metal substrate to rapidly heat the interface to a sufficient temperature to immediately destroy the interface bond between the nonferrous thermosetting coating and the metal substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: David Grant Lingnau
  • Patent number: 5630957
    Abstract: A process for induction hardening a part to a desired depth with an AC signal applied to the part from a closely coupled induction coil includes measuring the voltage of the AC signal at the coil and the current passing through the coil; and controlling the depth of hardening of the part from the measured voltage and current. The control system determines parameters of the part that are functions of applied voltage and current to the induction coil, and uses a neural network to control the application of the AC signal based on the detected functions for each part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventors: Douglas R. Adkins, Charles A. Frost, Philip M. Kahle, J. Bruce Kelley, Suzanne L. Stanton
  • Patent number: 5601743
    Abstract: In order to determine the contents of solids in a heated elongated slug of thixotropic metal having a longitudinal axis, there is an apparatus comprising an inductive heating coil with electrical winding. Moreover, a sensor includes at least one measuring coil arranged between the heating coil and the slug. This sensor provides an output signal which corresponds to the contents of solids demanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Buhler AG
    Inventors: Felix Mednikov, Karl Wisspeintner, Walter Uhlmann
  • Patent number: 5571436
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for superplastic forming. The workpiece is held between a pair of dies that are electrically and thermally nonconductive, and is heated inductively by a coil embedded within the dies. The dies are formed of a material that is substantially transparent to inductive heating. A plurality of electrical conductors are embedded within the die. The electrical conductors are interconnected into one or more electrically conductive coils that surround the workpiece. The electrical conductors are used to produce a time varying magnetic field that is used to heat the workpiece. In one embodiment, the workpiece is a composite material that is susceptible to inductive heating. The composite material includes an electrically conductive material. The time varying magnetic field heats the electrical conductive material, thereby heating the workpiece. The die also includes a forming surface having a shape corresponding to a desired shape of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Paul S. Gregg, Marc R. Matsen
  • Patent number: 5568240
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a movable member having an electrically conductive layer and movable with a recording material; an excitation coil for producing magnetic flux, which produces eddy current in said movable member to generate heat therein, and wherein an image on said recording material is heated by heat of said movable member; wherein said movable member has a low thermal conductivity material at a side nearer to said excitation coil than the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasumasa Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 5558495
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for creating heat by electromagnetic induction between relatively rotating components. In RAT applications, part of the nose cone (34) is formed from electrically conductive material (106) which is in thermally conductive relation to the nose cone exterior. A magnetic field is created by components (60) that are spaced apart from the electrically conductive material and relatively rotatable with respect to that material. The electrically conductive material intersects the magnetic field, at least in part, such that eddy currents are created in the electrically conductive material by relative rotation with respect to the magnetic field. These eddy currents create heat which is conducted to the exterior surface of the RAT nose cone. Preferably, the magnetic field is created by a pair of spaced-apart permanent magnets (60) mounted on a support plate (62) inside the RAT hub (28) and immediately behind the nose cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Barry J. Parker, Alexander Krinickas, John D. Stilwell, Neil L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5530228
    Abstract: A process for consolidating a composite material comprising the steps of forming a workpiece including a matrix interspersed with fibers, supporting the workpiece by an electrically conductive support, inductively heating the support and thereby conductively heating the workpiece, and applying pressure to the heated workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Alvin C. Burnett, Kurt F. Hanke, Susan V. Laurenti, Marc R. Matsen, Donald M. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 5525780
    Abstract: A multipurpose chuck apparatus (100) has a chamber (112) for holding a medium (114). The medium (114) is heated into a high temperature molten state by a radio frequency induction heating coil (130). The medium (114) heats up a semiconductor material (118) through a chuck member (116) that separates the medium (114) from the semiconductor material (118). The heating performed by the radio frequency induction heating coil (130) generates a fluid flow within the medium (114), providing a uniform temperature distribution throughout the medium (114). A magnetic rotation device (121) controls movement of rotating member (128) having a mixing member (122) and rotating fins (184) to ensure complete uniform temperature distribution throughout the medium (114), especially in the vicinity of the chuck member (116). An inlet cooling tube (122) and an outlet cooling tube (124), isolated from the medium (114) provide cooling fluid to the chuck member (116) for temperature control of the semiconductor material (118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Mehrdad M. Moslehi
  • Patent number: 5477035
    Abstract: A resonance circuit including a high frequency induction heating coil is set to a resonance state and a heating temperature of an object to be heated (for example, catalytic converter or the like) is controlled on the basis of a resonance frequency varied with an increased temperature of the object under the resonance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignees: Denki Kogyo Company, Ltd., Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Matsumoto, Tetsuo Fusato, Fumitoshi Kimura, Fujio Matsui
  • Patent number: 5468937
    Abstract: A pipe impurity removing apparatus and process is provided, in which moisture adhered on the inner peripheral surface of a supply line can be surely removed, regardless of the pre- or post-completion of a piping execution, and the reduction of its working time can be aimed at. The inner peripheral surface of a pipe 30 which constitutes a supply line 3 for a semiconductor manufacturing unit, is coated or surface-modified with chromium oxide 6 which is a dielectric. A purge gas is caused to flow through the pipe 30 from the upperstream side to the downstream side, and an impurity remover 7 is engaged with the pipe 30 and high-frequency induction heating is applied thereto to heat the chromium oxide 6, whereby moisture adsorbed on the chromium oxide 6 is exhausted and removed together with the purge gas indicated by an arrowmark from the inside of the pipe 30 to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Teisan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Yokogi
  • Patent number: 5444221
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-frequency heating apparatus including an elongated chamber in which a plurality of rocker arms are introduced, each of the rocker arms being attached with a chip and brazing filler such as a copper wax, a high-frequency brazing coil for high-frequency heating a designated part of each rocker arm in the chamber to braze the chip to the rocker arm, a high-frequency temperature-holding coil for holding the temperature of the rocker arm constant, and a nitrogen gas supplying device for keeping the chamber filled with a nitrogenous atmosphere during the high-frequency heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoei Shintani, Yoshihide Fuziwara, Shozo Kawana, Haruo Tanaka, Daiji Ito
  • Patent number: 5438181
    Abstract: An apparatus includes (a) a device which is capable of selectively generating heat in electrically-conductive material without substantially generating heat in non-electrically-conductive material, (b) a device capable of heating non-electrically-conductive material, and (c) an insulating shield between the two devices to help focus the energy generated by at least one of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Essex Specialty Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. Volkmann, Frederick A. Buck
  • Patent number: 5428208
    Abstract: A method of case hardening a steering gear rack bar having a plain cylindrical barrel portion and an integral toothed portion on which are formed a plurality of rack gear teeth each having a predetermined helix angle relative to a longitudinal centerline of the rack bar. The method includes forming an induction coil having a linear section and a spiral section with a helix angle equal to the helix angle of the rack gear teeth, locating the rack bar inside the induction coil with the barrel portion thereof juxtaposed the linear section of the induction coil and with the spiral section of the induction coil surrounding the toothed portion, rotating the rack bar about its longitudinal centerline while passing alternating electric current through the coil to concurrently induction heat both the barrel portion and the toothed portion, and quenching the rack bar after the alternating current is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Madhu S. Chatterjee, William I. Stuehr
  • Patent number: 5414246
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out scaleless inductive heating of ferrous parts comprising (i) using an integrated manifold-inductor quenchant device, and while gradually flowing a diluted combustible gas into the spacing between the inductor and part surface to be heated, inductively heating such surface as part of a heat treating cycle; and (ii) concurrently stopping such flow and injecting a fluid quenchant through the spacing to rapidly lower the temperature of the part surface to complete the heat treating cycle. Advantageously such method may further comprise flushing the spacing between the inductor and heated part surface, and then repeating the steps of the prior method to treat more parts with the same inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Mark G. Shapona
  • Patent number: 5412182
    Abstract: An interstitial heater, made of an electrically conductive tube with a wire wound in a toroidal configuration about the tube and connected to a capacitor to form a tank circuit, is driven with a radiofrequency power source at resonance to provide tissue heating by thermal conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: City of Hope
    Inventor: Kwok W. Chan
  • Patent number: 5412185
    Abstract: Induction heating is utilized to heat polymer matrix composites containing electrically conductive fibers. This is accomplished with an apparatus having a mandrel for supporting a composite workpiece and a helical induction coil disposed around the mandrel. The mandrel, workpiece and induction coil are disposed in an autoclave. The mandrel is a hollow, porous member having a port formed therein which is connected to a vacuum. A vacuum bag is hermetically sealed on the mandrel so as to define an enclosure over the workpiece. A power source is connected to the induction coil and, when activated, causes the coil to generate an oscillating magnetic field lying along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The magnetic field induces heat-generating eddy currents in the fibers of the workpiece which are oriented orthogonally to the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip C. Sturman, Jr., Robert A. Gray
  • Patent number: 5412184
    Abstract: A jaw-like cylindrical tool for producing a strong electromagnetic field for causing a Curie point heater to be energized having a curved cross-section that brings the two edges of the jaw-like structure into contact. Closely spaced conductors lie along the inner surface of the structure transverse to its axis while widely spaced conductors lie transverse to said axis along the outer surface of the structure. The inner surface of the structure has a plurality of axially extending ferrite rods lying immediately adjacent the inner surface conductors. The inner and outer surface conductors are connected so that the currents flow in opposite directions, the outer conductors reducing electromagnetic radiation while the ferrites and inner conductor spacing produce a strong central magnetic field irrespective of the field created by the opposing field produced by the outer conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Thomas H. McGaffigan
  • Patent number: 5410567
    Abstract: An induction furnace for heating a portion of an optical preform in order to draw an optical fiber therefrom. The furnace includes a tubular susceptor which is disposed centrally within a housing. The electromagnetic field from a high frequency coil surrounding the susceptor is coupled to the susceptor to heat and reflow a portion of the preform. A cellular refractory tubular insulator is located between the coil and the susceptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin R. Brundage, David J. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 5403540
    Abstract: A method is presented for uniformly heating plastically deformable material, which comprises particles of electrically conducting matter. This method comprises inducing an electric current, or causing hysteresis loss within such material, by using electromagnetic radiation with frequency between about 50 Hertz and about 10 MegaHertz, to cause heating of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin R. Brundage, David L. Hickman, David F. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5397876
    Abstract: A high frequency bolt heater is provided which can heat up the inside of a narrow hole much faster than a conventional bolt heater employing a resistance wire. The high frequency bolt heater includes an induction heating coil made of a copper tube bent in a hairpin fashion and whose shape is made approximately circular in section by pinching a magnet between opposed portions thereof. The heater can be inserted into a hole bored in the axial direction of a metallic bolt. A length of the coil is made approximately equal with that of the bored hole, and the magnet is omitted from a region of the heater which corresponds to a screw portion of the bolt for mounting a nut. An adjustable stopper made of a heat resistant electrical insulator is provided for setting a necessary length of the induction heating coil to be inserted into the hole, and a heat resistant insulator is provided on the surface of the induction heating coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaishi, Dai-ichi High Frequency Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takijiro Shimamoto, Yoji Morita, Ichiro Shimasaki, Ichiro Matsuura, Tsukasa Maenosono
  • Patent number: 5389765
    Abstract: An arrangement for severing a tension member of a permanent soil anchor of ferromagnetic material at a predetermined location includes a coil surrounding the tension member in a tubular manner at the predetermined location, wherein the coil is mountable together with the tension mender. A high temperature-resistant thermal insulation layer is provided underneath the coil and a tubular core is arranged between the high temperature-resistant layer and the tension member, so that the coil forms a primary winding and the core forms a first secondary winding and the tension member forms a second secondary winding. The tension member is severed by applying an electric current having a frequency of approximately 5 to 30 kHz and a voltage of approximately 500 to 800 V to the coil, so that the tensile strength of the tension member is reduced at the predetermined breaking point by the heat produced by induction resulting from the electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Dyckerhoff & Widmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Toni Baer
  • Patent number: 5389766
    Abstract: A snow-melting apparatus of an electromagnetic induction heating type, comprises: a high frequency power source; a pair of conductive cables wound in at least one turn around a segment of each rail and through through-holes which are formed through side walls of the rail, the segment of the rail being defined between two through-holes; and a lead wire interconnecting the power source and the conductive cable, for supplying current from the power source to the conductive cable, thereby heating the rail by the flow of electromagnetic ally induced current in the rail segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Takahashi, Ichiro Ideno, Kouji Awatani, Hirotsune Kimura