Induction heating system output control based on induction heating device

• US 20060289493A1
• Filed: 06/03/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Thomas, Jeffrey R., Baxter, Randall G., Verhagen, Paul D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,115,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/660
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/06 Control, e.g. of temperature, of power
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/101 for local heating of metal pieces

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.

Claims

1. An induction heating system, comprising:

an induction heating device electrically coupleable to an induction heating power source operable to provide power to induction heating devices of different types, wherein the induction heating extension cable or induction heating device or any combination thereof is operable to provide a signal representative of the induction heating device to the inductive heating power source.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, comprising the induction heating power source, wherein the induction heating power source is operable to control the induction heating power source output based on the signal representative of the induction heating device.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the induction heating power source is operable to limit output of the induction heating power source based on the signal representative of the induction heating device.

4. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the induction heating power source is operable to provide a desired output based on at least one signal representative of work piece temperature, and wherein the induction heating power source automatically limits actual output of the induction heating power source based on the signal representative of the induction heating device.

5. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the induction heating device comprises a first electrical connector operable to couple the output of the induction heating power source to the induction heating device to produce a varying magnetic field.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the induction heating device comprises a second electrical connector operable to couple an electrical component to the induction heating power source, wherein the electrical component has a value that is recognized by the induction heating power source as corresponding to a specific induction heating device type.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the electrical component comprises a resistor.

8-16. -16. (canceled)

17. An induction heating system, comprising:

an induction heating power source electrically coupleable to an induction heating device, wherein the induction heating power source is operable to automatically establish a specific output limit from among a plurality of different output limits based on the induction heating device electrically coupled to the induction heating power source.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, comprising the induction heating device, wherein the induction heating device is operable to provide a signal representative of the induction heating device to the induction heating power source to enable the induction heating power source to establish a specific output limit corresponding to the induction heating device.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the induction heating power source comprises a connector electrically coupleable to a corresponding connector on the induction heating device to enable the induction heating power source to receive the signal representative of the induction heating device from the induction heating device.

20. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the induction heating power source is operable to produce a desired induction heating power source output based on a signal representative of work piece temperature received from a temperature feedback device, and wherein the induction heating power source limits actual induction heating power source output based on the induction heating power source output limit.

21-23. -23. (canceled)