SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING THE EQUILIBRIUM TEMPERATURE OF AN INDUCTIVELY-HEATED SUSCEPTOR
First Claim
1. A system for inductively heating a workpiece, comprising:
- an induction coil configured to conduct an alternating current and generate a magnetic field in response to the alternating current;
at least one susceptor face sheet configured to have a workpiece positioned therewith, the susceptor face sheet being formed of a ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature and being inductively heatable to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field; and
a current controller coupled to the induction coil and being configured to adjust the alternating current in a manner causing a change in at least one heating parameter of the susceptor face sheet.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for inductively heating a workpiece may include an induction coil, at least one susceptor face sheet, and a current controller coupled. The induction coil may be configured to conduct an alternating current and generate a magnetic field in response to the alternating current. The susceptor face sheet may be configured to have a workpiece positioned therewith. The susceptor face sheet may be formed of a ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature and being inductively heatable to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field. The current controller may be coupled to the induction coil and may be configured to adjust the alternating current in a manner causing a change in at least one heating parameter of the susceptor face sheet.
34 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for inductively heating a workpiece, comprising:
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an induction coil configured to conduct an alternating current and generate a magnetic field in response to the alternating current; at least one susceptor face sheet configured to have a workpiece positioned therewith, the susceptor face sheet being formed of a ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature and being inductively heatable to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field; and a current controller coupled to the induction coil and being configured to adjust the alternating current in a manner causing a change in at least one heating parameter of the susceptor face sheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of inductive heating, comprising the steps of:
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applying alternating current to an induction coil having at least one susceptor face sheet mounted adjacent thereto, the susceptor face sheet being formed of an electrically conductive ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature; generating a magnetic field; inductively heating the susceptor face sheet to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field; adjusting at least one current parameter of the alternating current; and shifting the equilibrium temperature of the susceptor face sheet in response to adjusting the current parameter. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of inductively heating a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
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applying alternating current to an induction coil having a susceptor face sheet mounted adjacent thereto, the susceptor face sheet being formed of an electrically-conductive ferromagnetic alloy having a Curie temperature of the workpiece in contact with the susceptor face sheet; generating a magnetic field in response to the alternating current; inductively heating the susceptor face sheet to an equilibrium temperature approaching the Curie temperature in response to the magnetic field; conductively heating the workpiece in thermal contact with the susceptor face sheet; stabilizing the temperature of the susceptor face sheet at an equilibrium temperature; adjusting at least one current parameter of the alternating current; and changing at least one heating characteristic of the susceptor face sheet in response to adjusting the current parameter of the alternating current.
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Specification