Strip (e.g., Sheet, Etc.) Patents (Class 219/645)
  • Publication number: 20120118877
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes a coil for generating a magnetic flux by a current flowing therethrough; an image heating member having an electroconductive layer in which an eddy current is produced by the magnetic flux by which heat is generated, to heat an image on a recording material; an electroconductive magnetic flux adjusting member movable from a first position and a second position to decrease the eddy current produced in the image heating member by the magnetic flux; a sensor for sensing the temperature of the image heating member; and a controller for controlling electric power supplied to the coil on the basis of an output of the sensor. The controller changes an electric power condition to be supplied to the coil before start of the movement from the first position to the second position of magnetic flux adjusting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakase, Yasuo Nami, Naoyuki Yamamoto, Hitoshi Suzuki, Toshiharu Kondo, Yasuhiro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20120021916
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating a sheet material made of an electrically conductive, non-magnetic material, the apparatus including at least one coil arrangement with DC-carrying windings that is made to rotate around an axis oriented perpendicular to the sheet material and to thereby induce eddy currents in the sheet material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: ZENERGY POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Carsten Buehrer, Christoph Fuelbier, Jens Krause
  • Patent number: 7968823
    Abstract: A wireless inductive coupling assembly for a heated glass panel assembly is provided that includes a metal oxide coated glass panel with a panel frame, an opening frame that cooperates with the coated glass panel frame to allow the panel to cover a panel opening, a receiving coil that is positioned in the panel frame and that is wired to the panel, and a sending coil that is positioned in the opening frame and that is wired to an electrical power source. When the electrical power source supplies electrical power to the sending coil, the sending coil wirelessly induces an electrical current in the receiving coil, which causes the dielectric panel to provide heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Engineered Glass Products, LLC
    Inventor: Peter F. Gerhardinger
  • Publication number: 20100243644
    Abstract: It was learned that in an insulation heating coil used for continuously heating a running steel sheet, the conventional insulated structure of the induction heating coil was selected focusing on the heat resistance and insulation ability of the insulation itself and cannot prevent a drop in insulation ability due to entry of fine metal particles (for example, zinc fumes) in the surroundings. Therefore, an insulated structure of induction heating coil preventing the entry of zinc fumes and other fine metal particles, not falling in strength even in a high temperature environment, and able to extend the service life of the induction coil is provided. Specifically, the surface of the induction heating coil is covered with a ceramic cloth made of alumina-silica ceramic long-fibers not containing boron and the surface of that is formed with a heat-resistant insulation layer made of a surface hardening ceramic material containing alumina or alumina-silica fine particles and alumina-silica ceramic short-fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Terashima, Seiji Ieda
  • Patent number: 7772529
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving permalloy sensitivity. One or more permalloy sensing components can be configured upon a substrate, and one or more conductors are located above a portion of the permalloy sensing component of interest. A current can then be initiated through the conductor. The substrate can then be heated such that the current creates a magnetic field that modifies the anisotropy of the portion of the permalloy sensing component of interest, thereby providing selective anisotropy and improving permalloy sensitivity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Perry A. Holman
  • Publication number: 20100155390
    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 portion for being located above the metal plate and a lower portion for being located below the metal plate. The upper and lower portions of the induction coil are spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction of the metal plate at least at one position in a transverse direction of the metal plate. The distance in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate between the upper portion and the lower portion of the induction coil varies across a transverse direction of the metal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hirota
  • Publication number: 20100089906
    Abstract: Process for heating a plastic by means of at least one source of electromagnetic radiation, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation is emitted in the infrared at a wavelength or in a wavelength spectrum contained in one of the following ranges: 1110-1160 nm; 1390-1450 nm; 1610-1650 nm; 1675-1700 nm; 18802100 nm; 2170-2230 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventor: Bernard Plantamura
  • Patent number: 7687746
    Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising an energetic nanolaminate film that produces heat when initiated, a power source that provides an electric current, and a control that initiates the energetic nanolaminate film by directing the electric current to the energetic nanolaminate film and joule heating the energetic nanolaminate film to an initiation temperature. Also a method of heating comprising providing an energetic nanolaminate film that produces heat when initiated, and initiating the energetic nanolaminate film by directing an electric current to the energetic nanolaminate film and joule heating the energetic nanolaminate film to an initiation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Tringe, Alexander E. Gash, Troy W. Barbee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7671307
    Abstract: A transversal field heating installation for inductively heating flat objects transported in an advancing direction includes at least one inductor unit that extends across the width of the flat object. The inductor unit has at least two superimposed inductor layers parallel to the plane of the flat object. These inductor layers can be independently displaced transversally in relation to the advancing direction of the flat object, and each have two inductor sections with two parallel interspaced base limbs extending transversally in relation to the advancing direction and one lateral limb. Each inductor layer has lateral limb per strip edge of the flat object. The inductor sections of an inductor layer can be independently displaced transversally in relation to the advancing direction of the flat object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Universitaet Hannover
    Inventors: Alexander Nikanorov, Holger Schuelbe, Bernard Nacke
  • Publication number: 20100022398
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lamination method. The lamination method includes making the interior of a process chamber a vacuum, the process chamber including a first and a second metal sheet, supplying the first and the second metal sheets, injecting a bonding material between the first and the second metal sheets supplied, bonding the first and the second metal sheets with each other, and heating the bonded metal sheets. The first metal sheet is a superconductive tape, and the second metal sheet is stabilization metal tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: HO-SUP KIM, Sang-Soo Oh, Tae-Hyung Kim, Kyu-Jeong Song, Hong-Soo Ha, Rock-Kil Ko
  • Patent number: 7633039
    Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein relate to sensor devices and processes of producing them. Some embodiments include a sensor device with a substrate with a sensing element mounted above the substrate, with a heating element, mounted substantially coplanar to the sensing element; and with a heat spreading element, the heat spreading element thermally coupling the sensing element and the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Wolfgang Granig
  • Publication number: 20090255924
    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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 7525073
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for inductively heating a workpiece to a desired cross sectional temperature. At least one pair of coils form a transverse flux inductor. The workpiece is located between the pair of opposing coils, which are oriented across the cross section of the workpiece. Each coil comprises a plurality of coil sections. The distance between one or more opposing coil sections is adapted to achieve the desired cross sectional induction heating temperature profile in the workpiece. Alternatively the distance between all opposing coil sections are equidistant from each other, and one or more flux concentrators, moveable at least in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece, can be used to achieve the desired cross sectional induction heating temperature profile in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Jean Lovens, Mike Maochang Cao
  • Publication number: 20090101636
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for inductively heating a workpiece to a desired cross sectional temperature. At least one pair of coils form a transverse flux inductor. The workpiece is located between the pair of opposing coils, which are oriented across the cross section of the workpiece. Each coil comprises a plurality of coil sections. The distance between one or more opposing coil sections is adapted to achieve the desired cross sectional induction heating temperature profile in the workpiece. Alternatively the distance between all opposing coil sections are equidistant from each other, and one or more flux concentrators, moveable at least in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece, can be used to achieve the desired cross sectional induction heating temperature profile in the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Jean Lovens, Mike Maochang Cao
  • Publication number: 20090057301
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating of a workpiece moving through a chamber that is enclosed by a gas plenum. A fluid flows through the gas plenum and chamber with at least a part of the flow passing through passages in an induction coil that is used to inductively heat the workpiece as it moves through the chamber. The gas plenum and passages are arranged so that gas flow through the passages in the induction coil is directed towards opposing surfaces of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 7482559
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for inductively heating a workpiece by transverse flux induction. The apparatus comprises a pair of identical coils, each of which includes a reversed head section bent to the opposite side of the workpiece. The assembled pair of coils is configured to effectively form a generally O-shaped coil arrangement on opposing sides of the workpiece. Combination electrically conductive and magnetic compensators, passive or active/passive, are also provided for use with transverse flux inductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Mike Maochang Cao, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich
  • Patent number: 7368689
    Abstract: The device for heating by electromagnetic induction of a metal strip (A) comprises at least one inductor coil (B) which surrounds an area of the strip in a transversal manner in relation to the longitudinal direction of the strip. The coil (B) comprises at least one monoturn (1) whose median plane (P) is orthogonal in relation to the longitudinal direction (D) of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Fives Celes
    Inventors: Philippe Roehr, Rémy Klein
  • Patent number: 7365290
    Abstract: A reduction of the unevenness of a temperature increase at the end of heating work can be achieved without specific equipment, and with securing the shortening of the working time, which is an advantage of a bulk heating. When a region to be heated of an article made of a thin sheet is heated inductively so that the whole region thereof reaches a temperature equal to or more than a target temperature using an inductive portion of a heating inductor, to which a high-frequency current is applied by a power supply device, by stopping or reducing temporarily the power application of the high-frequency current to the heating inductor during the temperature increase, a temperature difference in the region to be heated is reduced so that the unevenness of the temperature increase at the end of the heating work is reduced by the step of reducing the temperature difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kikuchi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Shikuwa, Yosiyuki Morisita, Hisao Hoshino, Tatsushi Yurudume, Satoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7339145
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for induction heating of pieces or blanks (10) of electrically conducting and non-magnetic material, wherein a device creates a static magnetic field (3) and a second device is arranged to cause a relative movement (4) between the piece or blank (10) and the static magnetic field (3), so that current is induced (12) in the piece or blank (10) which thereby is being heated up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sintef Energiforskning AS
    Inventor: Niklas Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20070235446
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for inductively heating a workpiece by transverse flux induction. The apparatus comprises a pair of identical coils, each of which includes a reversed head section bent to the opposite side of the workpiece. The assembled pair of coils is configured to effectively form a generally O-shaped coil arrangement on opposing sides of the workpiece. Combination electrically conductive and magnetic compensators, passive or active/passive, are also provided for use with transverse flux inductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Mike Maochang CAO, Vitaly A. PEYSAKHOVICH
  • Patent number: 7262392
    Abstract: An elongated substrate may be heated in a roll processing system. At least a portion of the elongated substrate is loaded into the roll processing system. A sufficient electrical current is caused to flow in the portion of the elongated substrate to heat the portion to a desired temperature. The heating may be either resistive or inductive. The roll processing system may be a roll-to-roll type where the substrate moves as a portion of it is heated. Alternatively, the substrate may be wound into a coiled substrate and the turns of the coil insulated against undesired electrical contact. The entire coiled substrate may then be heated either resistively or inductively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Nanosolar, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7234500
    Abstract: A cutting device (10) for cutting a material (12) and providing a cut portion of the material (12). The device comprises a heating assembly comprising an electrical induction arrangement (32) for heating the cut portion of the material by induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Relco U.K. Limited
    Inventors: David Gill, Mark Gill
  • Patent number: 7141768
    Abstract: A device for fastening surfaces together in an effective, efficient, and preferably reversible bond is disclosed. This device is particularly useful in the construction industry for fastening roll goods, such as wall coverings, or mill work, such as moldings, to surfaces, such as walls. The fastening device comprises a susceptor sheet, preferably having a thickness of no greater than about 2 mils, and a heat-activateable adhesive on at least one surface of the susceptor, wherein adhesive is placed on the substrate in a very carefully and specifically-defined manner. The fastening device is activated by induction heating, preferably by a hand-held induction tool. The method of fastening surfaces together utilizing the fastening device described above is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nexicor, LLC
    Inventors: Adam G. Malofsky, Bernard M. Malofsky, William H. Mann
  • Patent number: 7126096
    Abstract: Rib and spar webs are joined in a composite wingbox to eliminate fasteners by welding the webs along bondlines 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: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Th Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marc R. Matsen, Douglas A. McCarville, Michael M. Stepan
  • Patent number: 7087869
    Abstract: In a transverse induction heating apparatus in which a material to be rolled is heated by inductors to which electric power is supplied from an AC power source, iron core widths of the inductors in a plate width direction of the material to be rolled are smaller than plate width of the material to be rolled, they are disposed on a plate width center line of the material to be rolled, and when a current penetration depth is ?(m), specific resistance of the material to be rolled is ?(?-m), magnetic permeability of the material to be rolled is ?(H/m), heating frequency of the AC power source is f (Hz), and plate thickness of the material to be rolled is tw (m), the heating frequency of the AC power source is set so that ?={?/(?·f·?)}1/2 and (tw/?)<0.95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinobu Eguchi, Hideo Sakamoto, Norihiro Saijou
  • Patent number: 7049548
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a preform in a vacuum vessel to produce a structural assembly are provided. The system includes a heated die set defining a cavity in which the preform can be formed, bonded, or otherwise processed. The die set is disposed in a cavity of the vacuum vessel from which gas can be evacuated. Thus, a pressurized fluid can be provided to the preform, e.g., to an interior space of the preform to form or constrain the preform in the die cavity, and the vacuum vessel can be evacuated so that the die set, and typically the preform, are exposed to a pressure that is reduced relative to the ambient pressure. Further, the vacuum vessel can constrain the die set in the closed position during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John F. Sjogren, Theodore J. Eilert, Henry D. Harkins
  • Patent number: 6963056
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for controlling the cross sectional temperature profile of a continuously moving workpiece with an induction coil assembly that provides for a combination of longitudinal and transverse magnetic flux field heating of the workpiece. The induction coil assembly includes means for laterally moving the workpiece in and out of the coil assembly without movement of the coil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: Vitaly A. Peysakhovich, Jean Lovens, Michel Fontaine, Peter Robert Dickson
  • Patent number: 6933480
    Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a coil for generating a magnetic field; a heating element for generating heat by eddy currents generated by the magnetic field; an electroconductive member for generating an electromotive force by a current flowing through the coil; and an electric circuit for generating a voltage by electrical collection from the electroconductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoichirou Ohta
  • Patent number: 6864419
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for reducing the electromagnetic field intensity in selected regions for a field produced when ac current flows through one or more induction coils through which a workpiece moves for induction heating of the workpiece. The electromagnetic shield has transverse screen elements through which the workpiece moves at opposing ends of the one or more induction coils. One or two longitudinal screen elements connect the transverse screen elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventor: Jean Lovens
  • Patent number: 6849837
    Abstract: A method for using magnetic fields to heat magnetically susceptible materials within and/or adjacent to adhesives, so as to bond, bind, or fasten solid materials to one another. The system uses alternating magnetic fields that induce eddy currents and generate heat within susceptors. An induction heating tool is used to emit the magnetic field at its work coil, and an electronic controller measures the energy being used by a power converter that generates the alternating current driving the work coil which creates the magnetic field. The heating tool is used in a method of adhesive bonding in which the thickness of the conductive layer of the susceptor is in the range of 0.01-3.0 mils, or the heating event time interval is in the range of 0.05-10.0 seconds, or the average power density of the magnetic field at the susceptor is in the range of 10-5000 Watts per square inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nexicor LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Riess, Adam G. Malofsky, John P. Barber, David P. Bauer
  • Patent number: 6794622
    Abstract: A method and a device for the removal of rust and paint from a metal surface, wherein induction heat is used for heating the metal surface. The device includes an electrical power supply coupled to an induction coil. A wheel and a tachometer on the device measure the velocity of the device as the wheel rotates on the metal surface. A control unit regulates the power output of the electrical power supply based upon the measured velocity of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Jak. J. Alveberg AS
    Inventors: Bjorn Erik Alveberg, Tom Arne Baann
  • Publication number: 20040178191
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a magnetic tape having a predetermined curvature, specifically, a high-capacity linear-recording magnetic tape excellent in linear running characteristics in a linear tape drive. The present invention provides a high-capacity linear-recording magnetic tape excellent in linear running characteristics in the linear tape drive. The present invention is a method for manufacturing a magnetic tape comprising the steps of winding a magnetic tape having a predetermined width around a tape-curving hub 8 having a tape winding surface 8a formed in a tapered shape, and holding the magnetic tape at a temperature of 40 to 60° C. during a predetermined time in the state where the magnetic tape is wound around the tape-curving hub 8 to obtain a predetermined curvature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Yajima, Akihiko Seki
  • Patent number: 6770858
    Abstract: For optimum induction heating of metallic strips (1) of differing widths—particularly in the edge region—one multicoil transverse field inductor is positioned both above and below the strip (1) to be heated, whose coil axes are positioned vertically to the strip surface. In this case, each inductor comprises at least one inductor segment (2, 3; 7; 15; 17), which is constructed as a coil composite of multiple approximately rectangular coils (8, 9, 10; 16; 18) which extend predominantly transversely to the transport direction of the strip (1), the coils (8, 9, 10; 16; 18) having different, stepped transverse extensions and the coil having the highest transverse extension extending at most up to the lateral edges of the widest strip and the coil having the lowest transverse extension extending at most up to the lateral edges of the narrowest strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Otto Junker GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Schluckebier
  • Publication number: 20040024482
    Abstract: Simple and complex “heat pipes” are fabricated using solid, freeform fabrication techniques. The heat pipes are surrounded by materials having other desired physical properties such as coefficient of thermal expansion, stiffness, etc. According to one embodiment of the invention, high thermal conductivity foils, composed of materials such as copper or aluminum, are sandwiched between materials having desirable thermal expansion properties to provide components having high cooling rates and dimensional stability. Layer thickness, alloy and thickness are variable, and can be further altered by stacking varying numbers of layers of a given composition prior to incorporating a second material. The object size and design can range from a few millimeters on a side up to large components designed to manage heat flow in entire assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Dawn White, David Carmein
  • Patent number: 6677561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coil to be used in transverse flux induction heating of an object in the form of a metal strip or another elongate metal workpiece. The coil contains at least one pair of loops of conductors, which are non-symmetrically positioned to each other and the conductors overlap each other so that the inductor has double conductors across the object to be heated and a single conductor parallel to the object to be heated at the edges. The heating effect is prevented alone in the conductors by dividing the induced current for the conductors to two equal branches each having the same width as the original current and the combined heating effect in the branches is only half of the heating effect before branching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oyj
    Inventors: Ilpo Koppinen, Brian Swank
  • Publication number: 20030222079
    Abstract: A system for inductively heating a belt employs a magnetic flux intensifier that serves to intensify a magnetic field through which an electrically conductive belt is driven in order to heat said belt. A workpiece such as a sheet of paper having partially dried ink (or electrophotographic toner in need of softening) can be placed in association with the belt and thereby heated in order to dry the ink (or fuse the toner).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Lawton, Jose Alvaro Barba Villanueva, B. Mark Hirst
  • Patent number: 6639197
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for using magnetic fields to heat magnetically susceptible materials within and/or adjacent to adhesives, resins, or composites so as to reversibly or irreversibly bond, bind, or fasten opaque or non-opaque solid materials to one another. The system makes use of the effect that alternating magnetic fields induce eddy currents and generate heat within susceptors, and the effect that alternating magnetic fields additionally induce magnetic hysteresis that occurs in magnetic materials and thereby generate heat. An induction heating tool is used to emit the magnetic field at its work coil, and an electronic controller measures the energy being used by a power converter that generates the alternating current driving the work coil which creates the magnetic field. The distance between the susceptor and work coil is repeatedly analyzed based upon the power converter's input energy, and the work coil is driven at a repeatedly corrected power level during the heating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Nexicor LLC
    Inventors: Edward A. Riess, Adam G. Malofsky, John P. Barber, David P. Bauer
  • Publication number: 20030164372
    Abstract: For optimum induction heating of metallic strips (1) of differing widths—particularly in the edge region—one multicoil transverse field inductor is positioned both above and below the strip (1) to be heated, whose coil axes are positioned vertically to the strip surface. In this case, each inductor comprises at least one inductor segment (2, 3; 7; 15; 17), which is constructed as a coil composite of multiple approximately rectangular coils (8, 9, 10; 16; 18) which extend predominantly transversely to the transport direction of the strip (1), the coils (8, 9, 10; 16; 18) having different, stepped transverse extensions and the coil having the highest transverse extension extending at most up to the lateral edges of the widest strip and the coil having the lowest transverse extension extending at most up to the lateral edges of the narrowest strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: Dieter Schluckebier
  • Publication number: 20030155348
    Abstract: The invention relates to an antenna radiation heating (2) to heat a matter by means of resonance with several surface antenna elements (3), each consisting of a carrier surface material (11) and a radiation coating (10) applied thereon which is delimited by two spaced electrical conductors (14, 15) in parallel, with electrical contact as antenna limiter and with which high-frequency electromagnetic radiation can be emitted. Furthermore, this antenna radiation heating (2) comprises a harmonic generator which is coupled to the two electrical conductors (14, 15) of a surface antenna element (3) for an excitation of the radiation coating (10) for emitting an oscillation spectrum within the range of molecular natural frequencies of the matter to be heated. In accordance with the invention, the radiation coating (10) is unilaterally applied to the carrier surface material (11) and forms an element front facing a matter to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Helmut Reichelt
  • Patent number: 6608290
    Abstract: The invention concerns heating metal strips or other coilable strand metal object to an elevated temperature, wherein the metal object is passed in a heating section through a furnace chamber that is made at least partly of an insulating and electrically non-conductive material while being heated through transverse flux induction heating (TFIH) by transverse flux induction heating elements located outside of the chamber which contains a protective non-oxidizing gas or gas mixture. The metal object is of stainless steel that has been cold rolled to a very high degree of surface reflectivity. The cold rolled stainless steel object is passed through the furnace chamber and is heated in the chamber to a processing temperature between 700 and 1200° C. The cold rolled stainless steel object is maintained at that temperature between 700 and 1200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Avesta Sheffield Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Philip S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6576878
    Abstract: A transverse flux induction heating apparatus adjusts the level of edge heating of a workpiece by changing the pole pitch of induction coils forming the apparatus to provide a more uniform transverse temperature of the workpiece. Changes in the operating frequency of the induction power supply and in the distance between induction coils and workpiece are not required to adjust edge frequency heating. The pole pitch, and therefore, the level of edge heating can be continuously changed, or conveniently adjusted prior to a production run, in a high speed continuous heat treatment process for a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Inductotherm Corp.
    Inventors: John C. Thorpe, Hans G. Heine, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich
  • Patent number: 6570141
    Abstract: In transverse flux induction heating of electrically conductive strip, conductors that cross the strip width are stacked, or connected, such that a multiple of the induced current flows across the strip width as compared to that which flows along the strip edges. Conductors across the width of the strip and conductors along the edges of the strip are connected in series to insure that the current which flows in the conductors is everywhere the same. In the case of two stacked cross conductors, this gives an I2R heating of four times the heating across the strip width as compared to that along the strip edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Nicholas V. Ross
  • Patent number: 6498328
    Abstract: A heating device for the electromagnetic induction heating of a metal strip traveling in a specified direction. The device includes at least one electric coil arranged opposite at least one of the large surfaces of the strip so as to heat the latter by transverse magnetic flux induction, each coil being associated with at least one magnetic circuit. Each circuit is divided into a plurality of magnetically independent bars arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the strip. The bars may moved toward or away one another thereby adapting to the width of the strip and distributing the magnetic flux across the width of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignees: Celes, Usinor, Electricite de France
    Inventors: Marc Anderhuber, Jean-Philippe Chaignot, Claude Couffet, Jean Hellegouarc'h, Bernard Paya, René Pierret, Yves Neau, Jean-Camille Uring, Olivier Pateau, Gérard Griffay, Alain Daubigny, Philippe Roehr
  • Publication number: 20020148830
    Abstract: In transverse flux induction heating of electrically conductive strip, conductors that cross the strip width are stacked, or connected, such that a multiple of the induced current flows across the strip width as compared to that which flows along the strip edges. Conductors across the width of the strip and conductors along the edges of the strip are connected in series to insure that the current which flows in the conductors is everywhere the same. In the case of two stacked cross conductors, this gives an I2R heating of four times the heating across the strip width as compared to that along the strip edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Nicholas V. Ross
  • Publication number: 20020121512
    Abstract: A transverse flux induction heating apparatus adjusts the level of edge heating of a workpiece by changing the pole pitch of induction coils forming the apparatus to provide a more uniform transverse temperature of the workpiece. Changes in the operating frequency of the induction power supply and in the distance between induction coils and workpiece are not required to adjust edge frequency heating. The pole pitch, and therefore, the level of edge heating can be continuously changed, or conveniently adjusted prior to a production run, in a high speed continuous heat treatment process for a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: John C. Thorpe, Hans G. Heine, Vitaly A. Peysakhovich
  • Patent number: 6399929
    Abstract: A coil/capacitor combination useable as an induction furnace includes a reactive capacitor bank directly bolted to the coil and protected from coil fields by shields and heat sink plates. The coil includes a selectively openable switch for placing the coil assembly on and off of a moving strip. The switch is operated by deflecting coil turns within the natural resiliency of the turns themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Ajax Magnethermic Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Hanton, Maochang Cao, David W. Adair
  • Patent number: 6346690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for induction heating includes a power supply, and a controller, and an induction head. The induction head includes a flexible coiled, such as one formed with Litz wire. The head also includes a thermal insulator, for disposing between the head and the workpiece. The insulator reflects heat back to the workpiece, protecting the coil, but is transparent to inductive (E-M) energy. The power supply is a variable output frequency power supply, such as one having a resonant tank, to adapt to the inductance of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ulrich, David M. Bickel, Don Wiseman, Randall Baxter
  • Publication number: 20020011486
    Abstract: Device for the electromagnetic induction heating of a metal strip travelling in a specified direction comprising at least one electric coil arranged opposite at least one of the large faces of the said strip so as to heat the latter by transverse magnetic flux induction, each coil being associated with at least one magnetic circuit, each circuit being divided into a plurality of mutually uncoupled magnetic bars arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the strip, the said magnetic circuit, consisting of the said plurality of mutually independent bars, adapts to the width of the strip to be heated by moving the said bars away from or towards one another, in such a way as to continuously adapt the distribution of the said magnetic flux to the characteristic dimensions of the said strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Marc Anderhuber, Jean-Philippe Chaignot, Claude Couffet, Jean Hellegouarc'h, Bernard Paya, Rene Pierret, Yves Neau, Jean-Camille Uring, Olivier Pateau, Gerard Griffay, Alain Daubigny, Philippe Roehr
  • Patent number: 6337471
    Abstract: We combine superplastic forming (SPF) with adhesive bonding (AB) to produce quality multisheet sandwich panel structures, especially those using a superplastic aluminum alloy, such as Al 2004, Al 8090, or Al 1570. We produce the parts with improved energy efficiency and at lower cost. We heat the multisheet pack having an adhesive, preferably a polyimide, between the core sheets and the face sheets to its superplastic forming range. Then, we superplastically form the pack to define adhesive bonds between the sheets in the core and between the core and the face sheets with the flowing adhesive. Finally, we cool the formed pack below the superplastic range to set the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Matthew G. Kistner, Jeffrey D. Will
  • Patent number: 6323468
    Abstract: A static coil induction welding apparatus and method for induction welding thermoplastic composite structures. The apparatus includes a plurality of independent coil segments disposed adjacent one another in side-by-side fashion to form a coil pack. A plurality of such coil packs are disposed in side-by-side fashion to form a coil assembly which covers the entire area of the weld zone. An AC power supply associated with each coil pack applies an AC signal through a switching network to electrically energize its associated coil segments such that the AC signals are in predetermined phase relationships relative to one another, thus generating a plurality of eddy current loops in a susceptor placed between the components being welded. The switching network alternately switches the coil segments such that the AC signals applied to the coil segments are shifted back and forth between adjacently disposed coil segments repeatedly approximately every 0.5 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Dabelstein, Larry E. Dolan, Stephen Christensen, David S. Nansen