With Power Supply System Patents (Class 219/660)
  • Patent number: 8796602
    Abstract: An induction heating device includes the following elements: a resonance circuit; a power factor improvement circuit for boosting rectified output, supplying the output to an inverter, and improving the power factor of a commercial alternating current; and a load material detector for detecting the material of the load. The inverter includes switching elements forming a full-bridge circuit. The drive frequency of the switching elements is switched between a frequency substantially equal to a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit and a frequency substantially 1/n time (n being an integer equal to or larger than two) thereof, according to a detection result of the load material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Miyauchi, Izuo Hirota
  • Patent number: 8796597
    Abstract: An in-line package apparatus includes a first treating unit, an input storage unit, a heating unit and an output storage unit. The first treating unit performs a ball attach process or a chip mount process. A processing object that a process is completed in the first treating unit is received in a magazine so as to be vertically stacked and a plurality of magazines each having one or more processing objects is stored in an input stacker. The heating unit performs a reflow process on the processing objects in the magazine stored in the input stacker by an induction heating method. A processing object that a reflow process is completed is received in a magazine and then stored in an output stacker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Ill Kim, Jong-Gi Lee, Kwang-Yong Lee, Ki-Kwon Jeong
  • Patent number: 8791399
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to accurately detect a state of an object to be heated in a cooking vessel and effectively avoid cooking failure. An induction heating section (13) inductively heats a cooking vessel (11). A vibration detecting section (14) detects a vibration of the cooking vessel (11) via a top plate (12). A vibration waveform extracting section (15) extracts a vibration waveform of a frequency component having a frequency equal to a predetermined multiplication product of an induction heating frequency, from a waveform of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting section (14). A determining section (16) determines a state of an object to be heated, based on the vibration waveform extracted by the vibration waveform extracting section (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Sachio Nagamitsu, Makiko Noda
  • Patent number: 8779338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a cooking device, in particular an induction hob. The method comprises the steps of activating an overload power (POVER) for at least one electric or electronic component of the cooking device by using at least two synchronized generators, which overload power (POVER) is greater than a standard maximum power (PMAX), deactivating the overload power (POVER) after a predetermined period (?t), and operating the cooking device at a power (P), which is at most the standard maximum power (PMAX). The standard maximum power (PMAX) is provided for a permanent operation of the cooking device. The overload power (POVER) and/or the period (?t) are determined by a function depending on at least the overload power (POVER) and the period (?t). The present invention relates further to a corresponding apparatus for controlling a cooking device, in particular an induction hob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Laurent Jeanneteau, Erik Svend Christiansen, Thibaut Rogolle, Massimo Zangoli, Mario Barocci
  • Publication number: 20140158679
    Abstract: A cooker, a method for controlling power of a cooker, and a power control system including the same are provided. A high power cooking device can be used without making an additional power construction work or causing a power circuit breaker installed in an input terminal of a household power source to be opened. Driving power of a burner is controlled or distributed by using a current flowing in a power circuit breaker or an overcurrent breaker installed in a load end, whereby power operation efficiency of an input power source can be enhanced and the input power source cannot be broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunwook Moon, Byeongwook Park, Yangkyeong Kim
  • Publication number: 20140144903
    Abstract: The invention relates to an induction annealing apparatus able to anneal cartridge cases to improve their reusability. The apparatus may comprise a power supply unit and a plurality of annealing units, each comprising a magnetic core having ends separated by an air gap. An induction coil is wound around the magnetic core to generate a magnetic field in the air gap. A cartridge case holder holds the cartridge case such that the neck of the cartridge case is positioned in one of the air gaps. The power supply unit selectively connects to the annealing units to supply power for a predetermined length of time, and the size of the air gap of the magnetic cores of each of the annealing units may differ. In other embodiments, the size of the air gap may be adjustable, a temperature sensor or a ferrite stake may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: AMP ANNEALING LIMITED
    Inventors: Alexander Findlay, Matthew A. Findlay
  • Patent number: 8723089
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus is capable of stop heating without excessively boosting output voltages of a booster circuit and a power factor correction circuit. The induction heating apparatus includes a boosting function unit, an inverter circuit, and a booster circuit controller. The boosting function unit includes a power factor correction circuit and a booster circuit, and boosts an input direct-current power to a direct-current voltage having a peak value larger than the peak value of the input direct-current power by turning on/off a switching element. The inverter circuit includes a heating coil, and inputs the direct-current voltage output by the boosting function unit to generate a high frequency current in the heating coil by turning on or off a different switching element. The booster circuit controller stops a boosting operation of the boosting function unit without a prescribed delay from the stop of an operation of the inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Sadakata, Hiroshi Tominaga, Yoshiaki Ishio, Izuo Hirota
  • Patent number: 8716636
    Abstract: An arrangement for induction hardening a part including a pair of separate inductors electrically isolated from each other and configured to substantially surround a part when brought into close juxtaposition with each other. The inductor sections are powered by respective secondary inductor loops brought into close juxtaposition with a primary inductor loop connected to an ac power source which induces an ac current in each inductor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: John C. Bollman, Richard J. Roth
  • Patent number: 8698054
    Abstract: An induction heating inductor and perforated susceptor are formed as an integral unit to provide a low cost, physically stable, efficient, and easily cleaned unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Bernard C. Lasko
  • Patent number: 8686321
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to induction cooking zones of an induction cooking hob with a plurality of power converters, each feeding an induction heating element, comprises feeding all the induction heating elements according to a predetermined and repetitive driving sequence in order to keep a predetermined delivered power to the induction heating elements according to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Davide Parachini, Francesco Del Bello, Andrea De Angelis, Jurij Paderno
  • Patent number: 8674274
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating a material that is susceptible to RF heating by an RF antenna array. The apparatus includes a source of RF power connected to an antenna array having a plurality of loop antenna sections connected to each other by dipole antenna sections wherein the loop antenna sections and dipole antenna sections create a magnetic near field and an electric near field such that the ratio of magnetic field strength to electric field strength is approximately a predetermined value. Material is heated by the apparatus by placing the material in the near fields of the antenna array and creating magnetic near fields and electric near fields that approximate a ratio that is predetermined to efficiently heat the material and connecting the antenna array to an RF power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Publication number: 20140008355
    Abstract: An induction heating system including a container for storing a substance; a heating element in thermal contact with the substance; a machine readable tag in thermal contact with the substance, the tag having a machine readable temperature-dependant characteristic; an interrogator for reading the temperature-dependant characteristic of the tag and for determining the current temperature of the substance; an induction heater for generating an AC magnetic field to heat the heating element; and a heater controller for controlling operation of the induction heater, in response to the substance temperature determined by the interrogator, to heat the substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: BLUECHIP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Jason Phillip Chaffey, Miroslav Miljanic
  • Publication number: 20130299488
    Abstract: A portable induction heating tool is provided as a membrane roofing tool for use in sealing anchor plates with a heat-activated adhesive to a membrane roofing member. The tool uses two different audible tones so two tools can be used simultaneously on a single roof, while allowing a user to easily distinguish between the operation of both tools. The main housing containing electronics is weather-tight, and requires no forced-cooling devices. The controller automatically performs data logging functions, such as counting the number of anchor plates per job or per day that have been properly placed, counting the number of activation events for a tool's life, tracking the number of faults which occur as the tool is being used, and the controller can identify the type of fault that occurs during operation of the tool. The controller also stores energy setting changes in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: OMG, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonios Challita, John P. Barber, Joshua S. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8563896
    Abstract: A welding system and method includes a main torch including a main electrode configured to form a first arc with a base metal; a first bypass torch including a first bypass electrode configured to form a second arc with the main electrode; and a second bypass torch including a second bypass electrode configured to form a third arc with the main electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventors: Yu Ming Zhang, Jinsong Chen
  • Patent number: 8563905
    Abstract: A method for controlling an inductive heating system of a cooking hob provided with an induction coil is disclosed. The method controls it in connection with a predetermined working condition, comprises assessing the value of power absorbed by the system, measuring a temperature indicative of the thermal status of at least one element of the heating system, feeding the assessed power value to a computing model capable of providing an estimated value of temperature, comparing the measured temperature with the estimated temperature and tuning the computing model on the basis of such comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alessandro Boer, Francesco Del Bello, Diego Neftali Gutierrez, Jurij Paderno, Davide Parachini, Gianpiero Santacatterina
  • Patent number: 8541723
    Abstract: An induction heat cooking device is provided that finishes preheating in a short time and maintains the temperature obtained at the finish of the preheating. The induction heat cooking device includes a heating coil for heating a cooking container by induction, an inverter circuit for providing a high frequency current to the heating coil, an operation unit including an operation mode setting unit for setting an operation mode of the inverter circuit, an infrared sensor for detecting an infrared light that is emitted from a bottom surface of the cooking container, a control unit for controlling an output of the inverter circuit based on an output of the infrared sensor and a setting inputted to the operation unit, and a notification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Noguchi, Kuniaki Sakakibara, Yoshiaki Ishio, Hiroshi Tominaga, Kenji Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130220996
    Abstract: An induction heater system, comprising an induction heating coil, wherein said induction heating coil has a first end and a second end, and a circumference; a power source electrically connected to said first end and said second end; an electrical connection through said induction heating coil and between said first end and said second end and said power source; and a gap located along said circumference of said induction heating coil, wherein said gap extends substantially longitudinally along the induction heating coil and divides said circumference of said induction heating coil into a first section and a second section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: David John Liney
  • Publication number: 20130200070
    Abstract: A multi-layer, multi-turn structure for an inductor having a plurality of conductor layers separated by layers of insulator is described. The inductor further comprises a connector electrically connected between the conductor layers. The structure of the inductor may comprise a cavity therewithin. The structure of the inductor constructed such that electrical resistance is reduced therewithin, thus increasing the efficiency of the inductor. The inductor is particularly useful at operating within the radio frequency range and greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventor: NuCurrent, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130186886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking hob with a mobile upper part and a stationary or mobile lower part. The upper part includes at least one panel (10) arranged at its top side. The upper part includes at least one induction coil (12) arranged below the panel (10). The upper part includes at least one rechargeable battery (14). The upper part includes at least one inverter circuit for generating the alternating current for the induction coil (12). The lower part includes a base plate (18). The lower part includes a power supply circuit (16) arranged on the base plate (18) and connected or connectable to the grid. The upper part is attachable on and removable from the lower part by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Karl Leidig, Kersten Kaiser, Thomas Fich Pedersen, Florian Ruther, Filippo Tisselli, Francesco Corleoni, Evi Hessenauer
  • Patent number: 8488982
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling electric power of a coil which performs induction heating in an imaging apparatus. The method includes: detecting an input current of the coil; detecting a resonant current of the coil; calculating a difference between the detected resonant current and the detected input current; and controlling electric power supplied to the coil based on the difference. These operations are repeatedly performed whenever the detected input current is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-an Sik
  • Patent number: 8476562
    Abstract: An inductive heater humidifier for heating fluids is provided by the present disclosure. The humidifier includes a reservoir having a ferromagnetic bottom plate. The reservoir is disposed on top of a non-metallic cover plate, which rests on a topless ferrite base. The ferrite base includes induction coil for generating heat. The induction coil is energized to produce eddy currents that generate heat, which is convectively transferred to the reservoir via the bottom plate to heat fluid in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cal Swanson
  • Patent number: 8471183
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus includes a current supply unit configured to supply a high-frequency current to a coil for inductively heating a conductive heating element based on a direct current obtained by rectifying AC power supplied from an AC power supply, a driving unit configured to output a drive pulse for supplying the high-frequency current from the current supply unit, a control unit configured to control a frequency of a drive pulse output by the driving unit, and a power limiting unit configured to limit an operation of the driving unit when input power determined based on an input voltage of the AC power supply and an input current to the current supply unit exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetaka Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 8461497
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes an induction heating coil configured to heat a heat generating member including a conductive heating element, a boosting circuit configured to boost a DC voltage obtained by rectifying AC power, a switching element configured to input a DC voltage boosted by the boosting circuit and to supply a high-frequency current to the induction heating coil, a driving circuit configured to drive the switching element, a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the heat generating member, and a control unit configured to control power supplied to the induction heating coil by controlling a boosting ratio of the boosting circuit and a driving frequency of the switching element by the driving circuit so that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches a target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junji Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20130119052
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction heating type image heating device is capable of preventing image defects caused by an increase in the temperature of a non-sheet passing portion during thin paper passage, and uses a magnetic shunt alloy having a predetermined Curie temperature. The image heating device is configured to heat a material based on heat generated by an eddy current generated in a conductive member by inducing a magnetic field in a conductive member with a magnetic flux generation unit. The conductive member includes a magnetic shunt alloy whose composition is adjusted to have a predetermined Curie temperature. The image heating device includes a cooling device configured to cool an end portion of the conductive member. Consequently, the image heating device can increase a cooling effect by the cooling device during thin paper passage, in which a fixing temperature is lower than during plain paper passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130112683
    Abstract: A cooking appliance and method, the appliance including: at least one temperature controlled heating element; a user interface for enabling a user to select a predefined subject for cooking; and a processor module that maintains a cooking data for cooking the selected predefined subject, and provides prompts to the user during cooking. The cooking data can be indicative of a cooking sequence or procedure. A cookware sensor can automatically identifying cookware being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Breville Pty Limited
    Inventors: Tibor Hegedis, David Davenport, Richard Hoare
  • Patent number: 8431875
    Abstract: A method for the synchronization of induction coils supplied by power converters and acting on a common heating zone or on adjacent heating zones of an induction heating system, particularly of an induction cooking hob, comprises the steps of activating a first power converter, detecting a parameter correlated to the magnetic field generated by the first power converter and activating a second power converter by using the parameter as synchronization signal, the parameter being induction coil voltage or induction coil current or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Diego Neftali Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 8427117
    Abstract: Electromechanical arrangements are utilized widely whereby a prime mover in the form of a mechanical assembly such as a gas turbine engine is utilized to drive an electrical machine as an electrical generator. Unfortunately the loads applied to the electrical generator may vary creating oscillation across phases of the electrical generator. Such oscillations generally will be translated to the mechanical assembly in the form of torque oscillations which may cause stressing. Stressing of the mechanical assembly will reduce its life and may alter its performance as well as fuel consumption. By provision of appropriate mechanisms for balancing electrical loads across an electrical machine as well reducing the time decay period for stored charge within an electrical assembly associated with an electrical machine it is possible to reduce torque oscillations as presented to the mechanical assembly and therefore improve its operational performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: David R Trainer, Thomas C J Feehally, Gareth E Moore
  • Patent number: 8415594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an induction heating device. The induction heating device comprises an induction coil and a frequency converter for producing a control voltage for the induction coil. The frequency converter comprises a rectifier rectifying an alternating supply voltage (UN), an intermediate circuit capacitor, looped in between output terminals of the rectifier and equalizing the rectified voltage (UG), and at least one controllable switching element, looped in between the output terminals of the rectifier. According to the invention, in a predetermined discharge interval (INT) before a zero crossing (ND) of the alternating supply voltage (UN), the intermediate circuit capacitor is discharged to a threshold value by controlling the at least one switching element before the induction coil is controlled in order to produce an adjustable heating capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Ralf Dorwarth, Martin Volk, Tobias Schönherr
  • Publication number: 20130075388
    Abstract: A method for heating a liquid in a cooking vessel is provided. According to various aspects, an induction heating device includes a resonant circuit having an induction heating coil. A parameter value of the resonant circuit may be determined, depending on a temperature of the cooking vessel. A radio-frequency square-wave voltage may be applied at a predefined heating power setpoint value to the resonant circuit to supply heating power to the cooking vessel. The time profile of the parameter value may be evaluated for determining the boiling point of the liquid. After the boiling point has been determined, the heating power setpoint value may be reduced by a predefined amount over a predefined time period after which a current parameter value may be determined and stored. The parameter value may be adjusted to a setpoint value which is dependent on the stored parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: E.G.O. Elektro-Geratebau GmbH
    Inventor: E.G.O. Elektro-Geratebau GmbH
  • Patent number: 8357883
    Abstract: Disclosed is an induction heating system for a motor-driven vehicle (VC), which comprises a polyphase-type AC motor (1) adapted to drive the vehicle (VC), an electrical storage device (10) which stores an electric power to be supplied to the AC motor (1), a DC-AC converter (11) adapted to convert a direct current from the electrical storage device (10) into an alternating current and supply the alternating current to the AC motor (1), and an induction heating coil (C or C1 to C3) adapted to receive a supply of the alternating current from the DC-AC converter (11), to inductively heat a target component mounted to the vehicle (VC). The induction heating system of the present invention can efficiently inductively heat the target component without providing an additional converter exclusively for induction heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20130015178
    Abstract: A high frequency electromagnetic induction heating device includes a power supply, a high frequency electromagnetic induction coil and an electromagnetic guide sleeve. The high frequency electromagnetic induction coil has two electrodes which are electrically connected with the power supply. The electromagnetic guide sleeve is disposed around the high frequency electromagnetic induction coil, and has an opening exposing the high frequency electromagnetic induction coil, wherein the opening faces towards a surface to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Shu-Chen LIN
  • Patent number: 8340538
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling electric power of a coil which performs induction heating in an imaging apparatus. The method includes: detecting an input current of the coil; detecting a resonant current of the coil; calculating a difference between the detected resonant current and the detected input current; and controlling electric power supplied to the coil based on the difference. These operations are repeatedly performed whenever the detected input current is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: An-sik Jeong
  • Publication number: 20120305547
    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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Fukutani, Yasuhiro Mayumi, Toshiya Takechi, Kenji Umetsu
  • Publication number: 20120305546
    Abstract: An induction heating system includes a heating coil operable to inductively heat a load with a magnetic field, a variable high frequency power source supplying a high frequency current to the heating coil, a detector for detecting a current through the coil and providing a current signal representative of the current, a controller for controlling the frequency of the current to the heating coil and responsive to the current signal from the detector to capture and analyze a current signature, the controller being operative to sweep a current operating frequency across an operating frequency spectrum, and to combine a sum of the current signature with a two-sample swing of the current signature, and determine a presence of a load on the heating coil and control the frequency of the current to the coil based on a signal resulting from the combined signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Mariano Pablo FILIPPA, Daniel Vincent BROSNAN
  • Publication number: 20120285948
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting vessel presence and circuit resonance for an induction heating apparatus are disclosed. A detector circuit generates an output signal based on a feedback signal corresponding to a signal, such as current, flowing through an induction heating coil. The output signal has a duty cycle corresponding to the proximity of operating frequency of the induction heating apparatus to resonance. Changes in the duty cycle of the output signal can be monitored to determine the presence or absence of a vessel on the induction heating coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mingwei Shan, Daniel Vincent Brosnan, Gregory Francis Gawron, SR., John Michael Kulp, JR., Eric K. Watson
  • Publication number: 20120288638
    Abstract: An induction heater includes an electrically conductive coil that produces an alternating magnetic field when current is applied to the coil. The magnetic field is used to heat metal containers such as tubular containers. The coil extends about a heating path of travel that extends along the longitudinal axis of the coil. A transport device is provided to move the container through the magnetic field such that the longitudinal axis of the container is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the coil. This allows for heating the container at the twelve and six o'clock positions. The transport device functions to roll the container along the heating path. In a preferred embodiment, the coil is wrapped about a core with a generally rectangular shape. Ferromagnetic members may optionally be used to further shape the magnetic field. The methods and apparatus may be used for regular or irregularly shaped containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Nordon Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Baxter, Howard Podolny, Robert Zuccarelli
  • Publication number: 20120267359
    Abstract: An electronic high frequency induction heater driver, for a variable spray fuel injection system, uses a zero-voltage switching oscillator that utilizes a full H-bridge topology wherein the semiconductor switches are synchronized within the bridge for function. The induction heater driver, upon receipt of a turn-on signal, multiplies a supply voltage through a self-oscillating series resonance, wherein one component of the tank resonator circuit comprises an induction heater coil magnetically coupled to an appropriate loss component so that fuel inside a fuel component is heated to a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Perry Czimmek
  • Patent number: 8283614
    Abstract: Apparatuses useful for printing and methods of fixing marking materials onto media are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses useful in printing includes a first member including a first surface; a second member comprising at least one ferromagnetic material having a relative magnetic permeability greater than 1, a susceptor over the at least one ferromagnetic material, the susceptor comprising at least one electrically resistive metal, and a second surface over the at least one ferromagnetic material and the susceptor, the second surface forming a nip with the first surface at which media are received; and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to inductively heat the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Kladias, Gerald A. Domoto, Donald M. Bott
  • Publication number: 20120248098
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control method of an induction heating cooker including detecting at least one heating coil occupied by a first container from among a plurality of heating coils, switching a plurality of inverter units so that a power level input by a user is applied to the detected at least one heating coil, determining, if the at least one heating coil occupied by the first container includes plural heating coils, whether or not output currents within a target output current range corresponding to the power level are present from among the output currents of the respective heating coils sensed by sensing units, and equally adjusting duty ratios of pulse width modulation signals applied to the inverter units of the respective heating coils until at least one of the output currents reaches the target output current range, if no output current within the target output current range is present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Ho LEE, Jong Chull Shon, Min Gyu Jung, Ha Na Kim
  • Publication number: 20120241442
    Abstract: An induction heating device comprises: a resonant circuit provided with a coil heating a workpiece inductively and a capacitor, the coil and the capacitor being coupled in parallel with each other; a switching element coupled in series with the resonant circuit; a power supply which applies to the resonant circuit, a direct-current input voltage whose instantaneous value can be changed with the lapse of time; and a power controller which controls power to the workpiece by turning the switching element ON at a certain time and changing an ON period of the switching element, and the power controller is characterized by turning the switching element ON with a delay of an integral multiple of a resonant period of the resonant circuit if a value of power to the workpiece is equal to or lower than a first threshold which is predetermined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiichi KIRIKUBO, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Yutaka Yamamoto, Takahiro Tsujimoto, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Hidenori Mine, Masato Ishii
  • Publication number: 20120234825
    Abstract: Provided is a power supply apparatus, and an appliance including the power supply apparatus, which includes a filter that attenuates a noise component being transmitted toward a source that supplies an AC electric current. The filter lacks a capacitor establishing a conductive path for conducting a high-frequency alternating signal, a leakage current, or both to a ground electrode. A rectifier is also included, and is disposed electrically between the filter and a load that is to be energized by operation of the power supply circuit. The rectifier converts the AC electric current into a rectified signal. The power supply apparatus also includes a grounding capacitor that establishes a capacitive, conductive path between an output of the rectifier and a ground electrode that is to be electrically connected to earth ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Dongyu Wang, Gianluca Venturini
  • Patent number: 8247749
    Abstract: Large, non-unitarily forged shaft workpieces such as a crankshaft have successive shaft features inductively heated and forged without cool down between each sectional forging process. The temperature profile along the axial length of the next section of the shaft workpiece to be inductively heated and forged is measured prior to heating, and the induced heat energy along the axial length of the next section is dynamically adjusted responsive to the measured temperature profile to achieve a required pre-forge temperature distribution along the axial length of the next section prior to forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Inductoheat, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Doyon, Douglas R. Brown, Don L. Loveless, Valery I. Rudnev
  • Publication number: 20120199578
    Abstract: An induction heating device having an adjustable heating power output includes at least one resonant circuit, which includes an induction heating coil, and a heating power adjusting device, which is designed to vary a resonant frequency of the resonant circuit in order to adjust the heating power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERATEBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Steffen Lang
  • Publication number: 20120118878
    Abstract: The present invention provides an induction heating device for a fuel cell system, which can rapidly heat coolant during cold start-up, control the power consumption depending on the voltage of a fuel cell stack, and ensure the insulation resistance by separating a heating unit, which is in contact with the coolant, from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seong Kyun Kim, Haeng Jin Ko, Su Dong Han, Gi Young Nam, Yun Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20120103975
    Abstract: A radio-frequency heating apparatus of the present invention includes: a phase varying unit (103a, 103b) to vary the phase of radio-frequency power; a plurality of antennas (104a, 104b) which are placed on the same plane in a heating chamber (101) and radiate a plurality of radio-frequency waves, the radio-frequency waves having a predetermined phase difference caused by phase variation in the phase varying unit; a geometry information acquisition unit (120) to acquire the geometry of an object (150); and a control unit (130) to controls phase varying units (103a, 103b) so that the radio-frequency waves are in phase in a first mode, and the radio-frequency waves are in opposite phase in a second mode, the control unit (130) switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the acquired geometry information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Okajima
  • Publication number: 20120103973
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to apply electromagnetic energy to an object may include an energy application zone adapted to receive at least a portion of an object and a source configured to supply RF energy to the energy application zone. The apparatus may also include at least one processor configured to: cause the source to supply RF energy to the energy application zone; determine a value indicative of a rate of energy absorption by a load, including at least a portion of the object, during a first period of time; and determine, based on the value indicative of the rate of energy absorption by the load, an estimated amount of time to obtain a desired characteristic in at least a portion of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Robert Rogers, Daniella Atzmony
  • Publication number: 20120097665
    Abstract: A method of irradiating a load comprising providing different amounts of energy at different frequencies by varying respective durations during which corresponding frequencies are transmitted. The method is useful for any form of heating including warming, drying and thawing using microwave and/or RF energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander Bilchinsky, Eran Ben-Shmuel
  • Patent number: 8115147
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, the induction heating system includes an induction heating power source. The induction heating power source is operable to identify an induction heating device coupled to the induction heating power source. The exemplary induction heating power source is operable to automatically limit power based on the identity of the induction heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Paul D. Verhagen
  • Publication number: 20120024842
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for an induction cooking device and an induction cooking device with a circuit of this kind, wherein the circuit includes a resonant circuit with at least one induction coil for the inductive heating of an induction cooking dish and at least one capacitor, as well as a variable circuit element for the variation of the inductivity and/or the capacity of the resonant circuit. The variable circuit element in preference is a choke controllable with direct current and the switching circuit in preference is operated with a constant frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: INDUCS AG
    Inventors: Albert Thomann, Christian Fuchs, Martin Behle
  • Publication number: 20110315677
    Abstract: A device for heating an object by an electromagnetic induction comprises at least one rotor, and the rotor comprises at least one permanent magnet. The device also comprises a stator for providing varying magnetic field arranged to interact with at least one magnet of the rotor and causing said rotor to rotate around the axis. The magnets of said rotor is arranged to provide varying magnetic field and eddy currents within the object when said rotor is rotated so that said object is heated by the electromagnetic induction generated by said varying magnetic field and eddy currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: EFFMAG OY
    Inventor: Pekka Suominen