CONTROL DEVICE FOR INDUCTION HEATING

• US 3,622,138 A
• Filed: 09/16/1969
• Issued: 11/23/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Steven P. Kostyal
• Original Assignee: Steven P. Kostyal
• Inventors: Kostyal, Steven P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dost, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US04/858,471
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 266/4E,4S,5E 219/50.2,10.57,10.43
• US Class Current: 219/639
• CPC Class Codes: C21D 1/10 by electric induction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 10/25 Process efficiency

Abstract

Photocells or other electromagnetic radiation-sensing devices are employed in combination with surface-hardening apparatus, which apparatus comprises an induction unit, a quenching unit, a support for an elongated workpiece and motors for moving and rotating the workpiece through the induction and quenching units, to control any or all functions of the apparatus.

Claims

1. An induction heating device for selectively heating portions along the length of an elongated workpiece having a central axis, said device comprising:

a frame element including means for supporting said workpiece for rotation about said axis;

means for rotating said workpiece about said aXis;

an inductor element encircling said workpiece;

means for causing relative movement between said frame element and said inductor element in a direction parallel to said axis whereby said inductor element is moved with respect to said workpiece;

control means connected to one of said elements for connecting said inductor to a source of alternating current only when said inductor element is opposite said selected portions of said workpiece, said control means including a source of electromagnetic radiation, a pickup means spaced from said radiation source, a control unit having a first condition when said pickup means is exposed to said source and a second condition when said pickup means is shielded from said radiation source, and means for connecting said source of alternating current to said inductor element only when said control unit is in one of said conditions; and

, a movable control element fixed onto the other of said elements for movement with respect to said control means, said control element having spaced shielding means for causing said control unit to be in said one condition when said inductor element is adjacent said selected portions.

2. An induction heating device for heating selected first portions along the length of an elongated workpiece while selected second portions are unheated, said workpiece having a central axis, said device comprising:

a frame element including means for supporting said workpiece on said frame element for rotation about said axis;

means for rotating said workpiece about said axis;

an inductor element having a central workpiece-receiving passageway;

power means connected to said inductor element for energizing said inductor;

means mounting said inductor with said workpiece extending through said passageway;

means for causing relative movement between said frame element and said inductor element in a direction generally parallel to said axis;

an electromagnetic radiation control device fixed with respect to one of said elements, said control device comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation, a spaced pickup means sensitive to the radiation of said source, a selectably actuated means having a first condition when said pickup means is exposed to said source and a second condition when said pickup is shielded from said source, means responsive to said selectably actuated means being in one of said conditions for disconnecting said power means from said inductor element and second means responsive to said selectably actuated means being in the other of said conditions for connecting said power means to said inductor element; and

, a shield mounted on the other of said elements for relative movement with respect to said control device and in said space between said source and said pickup means, said shield having spaced openings therein, said openings corresponding to only one of said first and second portions of said workpiece whereby said power means is connected to said inductor element when said inductor element is opposite said first portions of said workpiece.