Strip (e.g., Sheet, Etc.) Patents (Class 219/645)
  • Patent number: 11785678
    Abstract: A rotating magnet heater for metal products, such as aluminum strip, can include permanent magnet rotors arranged above and below a moving metal strip to induce moving or time varying magnetic fields through the metal strip. The changing magnetic fields can create currents (e.g., eddy currents) within the metal strip, thus heating the metal strip. A magnetic rotor set can include a pair of matched magnetic rotors on opposite sides of a metal strip that rotate at the same speed. Each magnetic rotor of a set can be positioned equidistance from the metal strip to avoid pulling the metal strip away from the passline. A downstream magnetic rotor set can be used in close proximity to an upstream magnetic rotor set to offset tension induced by the upstream magnetic rotor set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NOVELIS INC.
    Inventors: Antoine Jean Willy Pralong, Peter Knelsen, David Anthony Gaensbauer, Rodger Brown, Michael Kosmicki, David Michael Custers, Natasha Iyer, Robert Bruce Wagstaff, Alp Manavbasi, ChangOok Son, Duane E. Bendzinski, Rajeev G. Kamat, David Skingley Wright, Andrew James Hobbis, Christophe Besson
  • Patent number: 11541575
    Abstract: A first tooling die and a second tooling die are movable with respect to each other. The first tooling die and the second tooling die form a die cavity. The first tooling die and the second tooling die comprise a plurality of stacked metal sheets. A plurality of air gaps is defined between adjacent stacked metal sheets. A first smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and connected to the first tooling die. The first smart susceptor material has a first Curie temperature. A second smart susceptor material is within the die cavity and associated with the second tooling die. The second smart susceptor material has a second Curie temperature lower than the first Curie temperature. A flexible membrane is between the second tooling die and the first smart susceptor material. The flexible membrane is configured to receive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Timothy J. Luchini, Bret A. Voss, Christopher J. Hottes
  • Patent number: 11515801
    Abstract: A power conversion device which is premised on converting electric power supplied from a power source with use of a magnetic component, includes: a plurality of bus bars configured to supply electric power to a load; current sensor elements which are respectively provided for the plurality of bus bars, and are configured to detect magnetic fluxes generated when electric currents flow through the plurality of bus bars; and a plate-like magnetic shield plate which is arranged on a straight line connecting the magnetic component and the current sensor element, and is configured to shield magnetic fluxes directed from the magnetic component to one or more current sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuro Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11516893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layer susceptor assembly for inductively heating an aerosol-forming substrate which comprises at least a first layer and a second layer intimately coupled to the first layer. The first layer comprises a first susceptor material. The second layer comprises a second susceptor material having a Curie temperature lower than 500° C. The susceptor assembly further comprises a third layer intimately coupled to the second layer. The third layer comprises a specific stress-compensating material and specific layer thickness for compensating differences in thermal expansion occurring in the multi-layer susceptor assembly after a processing of the assembly such that at least in a compensation temperature range an overall thermal deformation of the susceptor assembly is essentially limited to in-plane deformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Andreas Michael Rossoll, Oleg Fursa
  • Patent number: 11479837
    Abstract: Systems and methods of pre-ageing of a metal strip during metal processing include passing the metal strip adjacent a magnetic rotor of a reheater. The systems and methods also include heating the metal strip through the magnetic rotor by rotating the magnetic rotor. Rotating the magnetic rotor induces a magnetic field into the metal strip such that the metal strip is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Novelis Inc.
    Inventor: David Michael Custers
  • Patent number: 11371115
    Abstract: A heating device and/or method to heat a slab, and in particular its edges, by electromagnetic induction, including an electric coil and a magnetic concentrator associated with the electric coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.P.A., ROTELEC SA
    Inventors: Fabio Guastini, Andrea Codutti, Marco Petronio, Nicola Gagliardi
  • Patent number: 11287189
    Abstract: A billet pushout system is provided for an electric induction billet heating line with long length revolute jointed pushout rods forming a non-jamming pushout rod assembly that is stored in a linear enclosure connected to an arcuate enclosure that deploys and retracts the pushout rod assembly to and from the electric induction billet heating line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: CLINTON MACHINE, INC.
    Inventors: Ted L. Loznak, Thomas Stanley Domagala
  • Patent number: 11125271
    Abstract: A method of steering a moving metal strip by positioning one or more magnetic rotors near a metal strip. Each rotor includes one or more permanent magnets and rotates to impart a changing magnetic field on the metal strip passing nearby. The magnetic rotors can rotate around an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of travel of the metal strip. The magnetic rotors can be positioned to impart forces on the strip in any combination of laterally, vertically, or longitudinally. A control mechanism can control the rotor speed, rotor direction, vertical position of the rotors, vertical spacing between rotors, and/or lateral position of the rotors. In some cases, the control mechanism can be coupled to sensors, such as a light curtain and a laser distance sensor, in order to provide closed loop feedback control of a metal strip passing through the non-contact magnetic rotor steering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: NOVELIS INC.
    Inventors: Michael Kosmicki, Michael Bommarito, David Gaensbauer, Robert Bruce Wagstaff, David Michael Custers
  • Patent number: 11124852
    Abstract: A system includes a feeder configured to feed a continuous length of a tube at a predefined rate, a speed sensor configured to determine a feed rate of the continuous length of the tube, a first geometry sensor configured to determine one or more geometric dimensions of a portion of the continuous length of the tube, a first treatment station comprising a first entrance, a first exit, and a first heat treatment zone therebetween, the first heat treatment zone comprising at least one first zone heating element, and a controller configured to power the first zone heating element at a first heat treatment power level based on a first heat treatment target value, the feed rate, one or more of the geometric dimensions, and a first heating element value of the first zone heating element. The system may also include additional heat treatment and cooling stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TENARIS COILED TUBES, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Emiliano Valdez, Diego Javier Monterosso, Jorge M. Mitre
  • Patent number: 10880958
    Abstract: A first coil 110 and a second coil 120 are faced each other across a conductor plate S so that the first coil (110) and the second coil (120) become substantially the same in position in a Y-axis direction. The conductor plate S is inductively heated by applying alternating currents at a frequency at which a depth of penetration of the current becomes equal to or less than half a plate thickness of the conductor plate S to the first coil (110) and the second coil (120) in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Umetsu, Tsutomu Ueki
  • Patent number: 10844467
    Abstract: A compact heat treatment line can include a short heating zone capable of rapidly bringing a metal strip to a suitable solutionizing temperature through the use of magnetic rotors, such as permanent magnet magnetic rotors. A fast and efficient soaking zone can be achieved as well, such as through the use of magnetic rotors to levitate the metal strip within a gas-filled chamber. Magnetic rotors can further levitate the metal strip through a quenching zone, and can optionally reheat the metal strip prior to final coiling. Magnetic rotors used to heat and/or levitate the metal strip can also provide tension control, can facilitate initial threading of the metal strip, and can cure coatings and/or promote uniformity of coatings/lubricants applied to the metal strip without overheating. Such a heat treatment line can provide continuous annealing and solution heat treating in a much more compacted space than traditional processing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: NOVELIS INC.
    Inventors: David Anthony Gaensbauer, David Michael Custers, Michael Kosmicki, Curtis Eddie, Andrew James Hobbis
  • Patent number: 10837090
    Abstract: A non-contact heating apparatus uses a series of rotating magnets to heat, levitate, and/or move metal articles therethrough. A first series of rotating magnets heats the metal article to a desired temperature. A second series of rotating magnets levitates the metal article within the heating apparatus and maintains desired tension in the metal article, including urging the metal article through the heating apparatus. The heating apparatus can extend sufficiently far to soak the metal article at the desired temperature for a desired duration. The rotating magnets can be positioned outside of an electrically non-conductive, heat resistant chamber filled with an inert or mildly reactive gas, through which the metal article passes in the heating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: NOVELIS INC.
    Inventors: David Anthony Gaensbauer, David Edward Gantzer, Robert Bruce Wagstaff, Theresa Elizabeth MacFarlane, Rodger Brown, Andrew James Hobbis, Antoine Jean Willy Pralong
  • Patent number: 10821510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an associated device, the method including at least the following steps: applying a layer of powder to a component platform in the region of a building and joining area; locally melting and/or sintering the powder layer, wherein, in the region of the building and joining area, at least one high-energy beam is moved in relation to the component platform, selectively impinging the powder layer, at least part of which at least one high-energy beam and the component platform are moved in relation to one another, in the form of a parallel arrangement arranged along a linear feed direction; lowering the component platform by a predetermined layer thickness in a lowering direction; and repeating the above-mentioned steps until the component region is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: MTU Aero Engines AG, EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Jakimov, Georg Schlick, Herbert Hanrieder, Martin Leuterer
  • Patent number: 10757764
    Abstract: A transverse flux electric induction heating apparatus is provided with a pair of transverse flux inductor assemblies where the inductor in each one of the pair of assemblies is formed from a pair of continuous flexible cables disposed within movable roll channels in roll assemblies that are used to adjust the transverse length of the inductor across the edge-to-edge transverse of a workpiece moving between the inductor in each one of the pair of assemblies and/or to adjust the pole pitch between transverse inductor lengths of each inductor in the pair of assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: INDUCTOTHERM CORP.
    Inventors: Michel Fontaine, Philippe Weber, Benjamin Michel, Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 10638553
    Abstract: A transverse flux induction heating apparatus (1, 100), defining a first longitudinal axis (X, R), for heating a metallic strip (11), the apparatus comprises at least two induction coils (2, 4; 102, 104) arranged on respective planes parallel to each other and parallel to said first longitudinal axis, and mutually arranged at a distance such to allow the passage of the strip between said at least two induction coils along a second longitudinal axis (Y, S) perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis; at least two compensation poles (20, 22, 24, 26; 120, 124), each compensation pole being constrained to a respective induction coil; wherein each compensation pole comprises a winding (28, 128), having at least one turn (29, 129), and a first auxiliary magnetic flux concentrator (30, 130) surrounded by the at least one turn; wherein at least one of said at least two compensator poles is adapted to move along the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventors: Michele Minen, Fabio Guastini
  • Patent number: 10612108
    Abstract: A method for heating a blank or a preformed steel sheet component for hot forming and/or quench hardening purposes. In at least some regions, the heating is carried out to a temperature above AC3; the heating of the blank is embodied as a rapid heating and to this end, the blank is heated in a first zone at an average heating rate of >25 K/s up to about 600° C. and above this temperature, is heated at an average heating rate of >10 K/s up to a maximum of the AC3 temperature and then is transferred to a second zone in which the blank that has been preheated in the first zone is heated in at least some regions to temperatures greater than AC3, in particular >850° C., with the heating rate in the second zone being >10 K/s. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: voestalpine Stahl GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Haslmayr, Siegfried Kolnberger, Thomas Kurz, Leopold Stegfellner, Andreas Sommer
  • Patent number: 10568166
    Abstract: An induction heating device for a metal strip includes a first induction coil member and a second induction coil member provided in parallel with a metal strip across the metal strip that travels in a longitudinal direction, provided to protrude from the metal strip, and provided so as not to overlap each other in the traveling direction of the metal strip, and a magnetic core member provided between the first induction coil member and the second induction coil member, and provided to cover a large area of an end portion in the sheet width direction of the metal strip on the side of each of the first induction coil member and the second induction coil member, and cover a small area of the end at a center portion between the first induction coil member and the second induction coil member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hirota, Masato Taira
  • Patent number: 10440784
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, inductive heating is added to a metal working process, such as a welding process, by an induction heating head. The induction heating head may be adapted specifically for this purpose, and may include one or more coils to direct and place the inductive energy, protective structures, and so forth. Productivity of a welding process may be improved by the application of heat from the induction heating head. The heating is in addition to heat from a welding arc, and may facilitate application of welding wire electrode materials into narrow grooves and gaps, as well as make the processes more amenable to the use of certain compositions of welding wire, shielding gasses, flux materials, and so forth. In addition, distortion and stresses are reduced by the application of the induction heating energy in addition to the welding arc source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald Edward Jones, Valerie Lisa Rhoades, Todd Earl Holverson, Adam Nathan Cuneo, Mark Dietrich Mann
  • Patent number: 10327287
    Abstract: The transverse flux induction heating device is allows an alternating magnetic field to intersect the sheet face of a conductive sheet which is conveyed in one direction, thereby inductively heating the conductive sheet. The transverse flux induction heating device includes a heating coil disposed such that a coil face faces the sheet face of the conductive sheet; a core around which the heating coil is coiled; a shielding plate formed of a conductor and disposed between the core and a side end portion in the direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the conductive sheet; and a non-conductive 10 soft magnetic material which is attached to the shielding plate, wherein the shielding plate is interposed between the core and the non-conductive soft magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Umetsu, Tsutomu Ueki, Yasuhiro Mayumi, Toshiya Takechi
  • Patent number: 10292210
    Abstract: The transverse flux induction heating device is allows an alternating magnetic field to intersect the sheet face of a conductive sheet which is conveyed in one direction, thereby inductively heating the conductive sheet. The transverse flux induction heating device includes a heating coil disposed such that a coil face faces the sheet face of the conductive sheet; a core around which the heating coil is coiled; a shielding plate formed of a conductor and disposed between the core and a side end portion in the direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the conductive sheet; and a non-conductive soft magnetic material which is attached to the shielding plate, wherein the shielding plate is interposed between the core and the non-conductive soft magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Umetsu, Tsutomu Ueki, Yasuhiro Mayumi, Toshiya Takechi
  • Patent number: 10219329
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a thermoplastic component using inductive heating is described. The method includes positioning a plurality of induction heating coils to define a process area for the thermoplastic component, wherein the plurality of induction heating coils comprises a first set of coils and a second set of coils. The method also includes controlling a supply of electricity provided to the plurality of inductive heating coils to intermittently activate the coils. The intermittent activation is configured to facilitate prevention of electromagnetic interference between adjacent coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Mark A. Negley
  • Patent number: 10128524
    Abstract: A fuel cell manufacturing method and a fuel cell manufacturing device are provided in which it is possible to heat, in a localized manner, sections for which heating is desired. In this fuel cell manufacturing method, a laminate is obtained by stacking a membrane electrode assembly and a separator that has an adhesive disposed therebetween. Coils are provided adjacent a site of the laminate to be heated. Preferably, coils are disposed on opposite sides of the site in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly and the separator such that current flows in the same direction as directions intersecting the stacking direction. The site to be heated is subjected to induction heating by passing current through the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Ichihara, Naoyuki Torii, Tsuneo Saito, Takahiko Fujii, Teruhito Nakatomi
  • Patent number: 10072318
    Abstract: In a continuous annealing line for steel sheets comprising a heating zone, a soaking zone and a cooling zone, two or more induction heating devices are arranged in series in a front half part of the heating zone, and a heating stop region of 1˜30 m in length or a slow heating region having a heating rate of more than 0° C./s but not more than 10° C./s is provided in a temperature zone that the temperature of the steel sheet between two or more induction heating devices is 250° C. to 600° C. Even if the steel sheet is rapidly heated at a heating rate of not less than 50° C./s with such a rapid heating apparatus of the heating zone, the temperature distribution in the steel sheet is uniformized to realize the quality improvement of steel sheet shape or magnetic properties and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Fukunaga, Isao Akagi
  • Patent number: 9943899
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for pressure forming a metal preform including shock annealing of the preform and subsequently preheating the preform prior to pressure forming. Shock annealing may be carried out as differential shock annealing in which different regions of the preform are annealed to different degrees. Preheating may be carried out by differentially preheating, optionally shock preheating, different regions of the preform for preheating at least those regions of the preform which will be subject to elevated expansion during pressure forming. Shock annealing by induction heating can lower energy consumption, reduce processing times and allow for larger expansion of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: MONTEBELLO TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD., 1949467 ONTARIO INC.
    Inventors: Betty Jean Pilon, Peter Stathopoulos, Georgi Georgiev, Benjamin Joseph Pilon
  • Patent number: 9942949
    Abstract: A control unit of an induction heating unit controls AC power output to a heating coil of a transverse type induction heating unit that allows an alternating magnetic field to intersect a sheet surface of a conductive sheet that is being conveyed to inductively heat the conductive sheet. The control unit includes: a magnetic energy recovery switch that outputs AC power to the heating coil; a frequency setting unit that sets an output frequency in response to at least one of the relative permeability, resistivity, and sheet thickness of the conductive sheet; and a gate control unit that controls a switching operation of the magnetic energy recovery switch on the basis of the output frequency set by the frequency setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Fukutani, Yasuhiro Mayumi, Toshiya Takechi, Kenji Umetsu
  • Patent number: 9930730
    Abstract: A variable width transverse flux electric inductor has a fixed powered coil section and associated box-like moveable passive coil sections that electromagnetically couple with magnetic flux generated by current flowing through the fixed powered section. The passive coil sections can be transversely moved across the workpiece to accommodate induction heating of workpieces having different widths or track movement of the workpiece. Alternatively the fixed powered coil section and associated moveable coil sections may be connected to each other through flexible connections, sliding contacts or other means, such as clamps, so that an electrical connection can be maintained between both in any relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: INDUCTOTHERM CORP.
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 9908165
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for pressure forming a metal preform including shock annealing of the preform and subsequently preheating the preform prior to pressure forming. Shock annealing may be carried out as differential shock annealing in which different regions of the preform are annealed to different degrees. Preheating may be carried out by differentially preheating, optionally shock preheating, different regions of the preform for preheating at least those regions of the preform which will be subject to elevated expansion during pressure forming. Shock annealing by induction heating can lower energy consumption, reduce processing times and allow for larger expansion of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignees: MONTEBELLO TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD., 1949467 ONTARIO INC.
    Inventors: Betty Jean Pilon, Peter Stathopoulos, Georgi Georgiev, Benjamin Joseph Pilon
  • Patent number: 9578693
    Abstract: The transverse flux induction heating device allows an alternating magnetic field to intersect the sheet face of a conductive sheet which is conveyed in one direction, thereby inductively heating the conductive sheet. The transverse flux induction heating device includes a heating coil disposed such that a coil face faces the sheet face of the conductive sheet; a core around which the heating coil is coiled; and a shielding plate formed of a conductor and disposed between the core and a side end portion in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conductive sheet, wherein the shielding plate has a protruded portion, and the side surface of the protruded portion represents a closed loop when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the coil face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Umetsu, Tsutomu Ueki, Yasuhiro Mayumi, Toshiya Takechi
  • Patent number: 9474109
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus capable of heating a conductive plate member throughout in a widthwise direction is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention is configured to have flat-shaped coils, each forming a magnetic path in a center portion thereof, provided on upper and lower sides of the conductive plate member so as to heat the conductive plate member and to have circumferential coils provided on right and left end sides of magnetic metal casings through which the circumferential magnetic paths of the flat-shaped coils pass, whereby magnetic paths of the circumferential coils pass through both end portions of the conductive plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: TOKUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Tonomura, Yasuhiro Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9462641
    Abstract: Induction heating apparatus and methods are disclosed for selective workpiece heating such as strip heating, in which DC windings around one or more laminations proximate to a workpiece edge are selectively energized using DC electrical power for controlled partial or full saturation of the one laminations to control edge overheating in a transverse flux induction heating system, in which certain implementations further employ a copper shield between the induction heating coil and the strip workpiece proximate the edge of the workpiece to control the edge heating effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald R. Akers
  • Patent number: 9445460
    Abstract: A variable width transverse flux electric inductor has a fixed powered coil section and associated box-like moveable passive coil sections that electromagnetically couple with magnetic flux generated by current flowing through the fixed powered section. The passive coil sections can be transversely moved across the workpiece to accommodate induction heating of workpieces having different widths or track movement of the workpiece. Alternatively the fixed powered coil section and associated moveable coil sections may be connected to each other through flexible connections, sliding contacts or other means, such as clamps, so that an electrical connection can be maintained between both in any relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: INDUCTOTHERM CORP.
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 9389558
    Abstract: A fixing device includes an endless heat generating section including a conductive layer, an induction-current generating section configured to generate an induction current in the conductive layer, a temperature-sensitive magnetic body present in a position opposed to the induction-current generating section via the heat generating section, and a magnetic plate present in a position opposed to the heat generating section via the temperature-sensitive magnetic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9247590
    Abstract: A control unit of an induction heating unit controls AC power output to a heating coil of a transverse type induction heating unit that allows an alternating magnetic field to intersect a sheet surface of a conductive sheet that is being conveyed to inductively heat the conductive sheet. The control unit includes: a magnetic energy recovery switch that outputs AC power to the heating coil; a frequency setting unit that sets an output frequency in response to at least one of the relative permeability, resistivity, and sheet thickness of the conductive sheet; and a gate control unit that controls a switching operation of the magnetic energy recovery switch on the basis of the output frequency set by the frequency setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Fukutani, Yasuhiro Mayumi, Toshiya Takechi, Kenji Umetsu
  • Patent number: 9169529
    Abstract: A method for heat treating a gear having gear teeth includes removably mounting the gear on a work-piece holder, moving one of either a magnet assembly or the work-piece holder to bring the gear and the magnet assembly into heating proximity, rotating the magnet assembly for a desired amount of time while said magnet assembly and gear are in heating proximity to each other to heat treat surfaces of the gear teeth, moving one of either the magnet assembly or the work-piece holder relative to the other to bring different surfaces of the gear into heating proximity with said magnet assembly, and repeating for each opposed pair of gear teeth surfaces until all said gear teeth surfaces are heat treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Stephen Johnson, Xiaolan Ai, Stephen B. Fitch
  • Patent number: 9029743
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Timothy Allen Hamel, Denis Alagic
  • Patent number: 8907257
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a contactlessly chargeable heater. In one example, the contactlessly chargeable heater includes: an induction patch emitting magnetic field by means of current applied to an inner coil; and a heating body, receiving the magnetic field from the charging patch to perform a contactless charging operation, and including a conductive metal yarn for emitting heat via the power generated through the contactless charging operation. The conductive metal yarn is woven together using threads within the heating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventor: Gi Soo Chung
  • Publication number: 20140339221
    Abstract: A reinforced electric induction gas sealed tunnel furnace is provided. The assembled tunnel furnace has a tunnel wall that has the exterior wall transversely surrounded by structural reinforcing elements that give the tunnel structural strength to withstand a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the tunnel, for example, when the tunnel interior environment is a vacuum and the tunnel exterior environment is at atmospheric pressure. One or more inductors form the induction coil system for the N tunnel furnace and can be located external to the tunnel wall, but within or adjacent to, the structural reinforcing elements. In alternative arrangements the structural reinforcing elements may be oriented with the length of the tunnel and installed either within or external to the tunnel. The tunnel and the structural reinforcing elements are sufficiently electromagnetically transparent to not interfere with inductive heating of a strip passing through the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 8884197
    Abstract: An indoor or outdoor induction cook top with a heat management system is disclosed. The cook top controls heat generated by various components, including the electronic controller, mechanical controls, and the induction generators. The heat management system provides precise temperature control and an efficient way of removing heat from the cooktop. The cook top construction provides the ability to incorporate a smooth ceramic glass cook top and a number of induction hobs in multiple arrangements. The cook top also features a reduction in the number of components, the efficient removal of generated heat, the reduction of noise, an increase in performance and a barrier airflow director. Consequently, the cook top may be installed in a countertop without the need for venting above the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Western Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Gagas, Scott A. Jonovic, Richard C. Hochschild, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8884200
    Abstract: An openable induction coil is provided. An electromagnetically shielded inductor assembly can be formed from the openable induction coil and an electromagnetically shielded enclosure into which the coil can be inserted. The induction coil can be pivoted open while in the shielding enclosure without complete disassembly of the enclosure. In some examples of the invention, a dynamic “curtain” of a gas is injected through spaces between opening portions of the coil and adjacent sections of the shielding enclosure, and into the interior of the induction furnace formed by the openable induction coil when it is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 8816255
    Abstract: Provided is a surface heater using a strip type surface heating element and a fabricating method thereof, in which the surface heater can be embodied into a thin film form using a metallic surface heating element which has a specific resistance value appropriate as a heat wire and is formed of a strip style, where the strip type surface heating element can be sequentially produced at an inexpensive cost. The surface heater includes: the strip type surface heating element in which a number of strips which are obtained by slitting a metallic thin film are arranged with an interval in parallel with each other and both ends of each adjacent strip are connected with each other; and an insulation layer which is coated on the outer circumference of the strip type surface heating element in a plate form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Amogreentech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yeong Lee, Hyun Chul Lim, Sung Chul Yang, Sang Dong Jeong, Soung Ho Jang
  • Patent number: 8803046
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heat treatment of electrically conductive thin strip material. Multiple series-connected coil loops, each having a pole pair, are provided in each of a top and bottom induction coil, which are positioned mirror image to each other. The top and bottom induction coils form a transverse flux induction heat treatment apparatus. A separate flux concentrator is provided over and on the side of each pole. The thin strip material passes between the poles of the top and bottom induction coils and the flux concentrators associated with each of the poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Radyne Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg G. Warner, James D. Parker, John Justin Mortimer
  • Publication number: 20140124503
    Abstract: The invention proposes a method for heating a steel sheet wherein the generation of buckling can be prevented regardless of presence or absence of rolls restraining the steel sheet by antecedently heating the widthwise central portion of the steel sheet with a solenoid type induction heating coil having a convex form projected onto the surface of the steel sheet toward an upstream side in rapidly heating the continuously traveling steel sheet, whereby an isotherm of the steel sheet in the heating is a convex form toward the upstream side, so that a large wrinkle is generated on the steel sheet, and also proposes a heating apparatus used in this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimichi Hino, Hirokazu Sugihara
  • Publication number: 20130312478
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a hot pressed product with which a heating coil of the induction heating device is moved in a feeding direction of the metal strip and in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the metal strip so as to reduce variation in a feed velocity of the metal strip relative to the heating coil of the induction heating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOPRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: MASANORI KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8592735
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus for controlling the temperature distribution for heating a metal plate irrespective if it has a small thickness, is magnetic or nonmagnetic, and capable of coping with a change in the width of the plate, or meandering of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8536498
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus for heating a traveling metal plate includes an induction coil for surrounding the metal plate. The induction coil includes an upper induction coil for being located above the metal plate and a lower induction coil for being located below the metal plate. The upper and lower induction coils are spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the metal plate a constant distance across a transverse direction of the metal plate. Each of the upper induction coil and the lower induction coil is arranged obliquely at an edge area of the metal plate so as to form an oblique angle with the transverse direction of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8502122
    Abstract: The invention provides an induction heating system and method of using it for heating a metal plate. The induction coil of the induction heating system includes sections each having conductors at front and back surfaces of the metal plate, which are arranged such that at least a one of the front or back surface conductor has a part slanted in the width direction of the metal plate, and vertical projections of the conductors onto the metal plate do not overlap at the center of the metal plate but overlap outside the edges of the metal plate. In addition, front conductors from adjacent sections are spaced differently as back conductors. The induction heating system allows for better control of the heating temperature distribution regardless of the metal plates thickness and magnetic properties, especially temperature distributions at the edges of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8425961
    Abstract: A method for producing a confectionery product from at least two pieces with at least one interface between the two pieces and including meltable material at least in parts of the interface, comprising the step of heating the interface during or after the two pieces have been brought into contact with each other. An apparatus for producing a confectionery product from two or more pieces comprising at least one heater in or downstream of a station where at least two pieces of the confectionery product are brought into contact with each other. A mold for the production of a confectionery product having at least two pieces has at least one component or portion heatable by induction heating. A heatable component, preferably a ferromagnetic component provided in the vicinity of a confectionery product, is used for partially heating the confectionery product, preferably by induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan Joel Turek
  • Patent number: 8338760
    Abstract: An inductor for induction hardening of a metallic rod-shaped toothed rack, wherein a first outer surface of the toothed rack provided with the teeth is substantially planar and a remaining second outer surface of the toothed rack in cross-section is profiled, wherein the inductor has a substantially rod-shaped first inductor element that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toothed rack. The first inductor element extends across an entire length of the toothed rack to be hardened along the first outer surface provided with the teeth and hardens the first outer surface of the toothed rack. The toothed rack and the inductor during the hardening process are arranged stationarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: EFD Induction GmbH
    Inventor: Leif Markegaard
  • Publication number: 20120312805
    Abstract: The transverse flux induction heating device allows an alternating magnetic field to intersect the sheet face of a conductive sheet which is conveyed in one direction, thereby inductively heating the conductive sheet. The transverse flux induction heating device includes a heating coil disposed such that a coil face faces the sheet face of the conductive sheet; a core around which the heating coil is coiled; and a shielding plate formed of a conductor and disposed between the core and a side end portion in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conductive sheet, wherein the shielding plate has a protruded portion, and the side surface of the protruded portion represents a closed loop when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the coil face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Kenji Umetsu, Tsutomu Ueki, Yasuhiro Mayumi, Toshiya Takechi
  • Publication number: 20120273098
    Abstract: A method for producing a structural sheet metal component formed from an aluminum alloy for a motor vehicle includes providing an aluminum sheet blank in a state T4 or T5 or T6 or T7, heating the aluminum sheet blank to a heating temperature between 100° C. and 450° C., forming the aluminum sheet blank to a structural sheet metal component, and heat post-treatment of the formed structural sheet metal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Bohner, Jochen Dörr, Jochem Grewe