Side entry coil induction heater with flux concentrator
First Claim
1. An induction heating apparatus, for heating a portion of a load containing a thermally responsive material, said induction heating apparatus comprising:
- a coil including an opening such that the load may be inserted laterally into said opening with the portion of the load to be heated disposed within an area formed by said coil;
said coil generating a magnetic field when driven by an electric current through said coil, wherein the direction of the magnetic field is substantially transverse to the axis of the opening in a region surrounding and extending outwardly from at least a portion of the portion of the load to be heated;
a flux concentrator member movable between a heating position disposed along said opening and located in said region where said magnetic field is substantially transverse to the axis of the opening and a loading position removed from the opening of the coil, said flux concentrator member having a high magnetic permeability so as to thereby enhance the uniformity of the magnetic field generated within said coil; and
power supply means connected to said coil for driving alternating current through said coil, such that induction heating of the portion of the load to be heated is produced by the magnetic field generated by the current.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An induction heater for heating a portion of a load comprises a side entry coil driven by a source of alternating current, with a flux concentrator located at the coil opening. The coil produces a magnetic field in the region occupied by the flux concentrator and the heated portion of the load. The flux concentrator extends along the opening of the coil and is fabricated of high permeability, low loss material, such as nickel-zinc ferrite, so as to enhance the uniformity of the magnetic field generated within the coil. In the preferred application, heating produces a complete fluid block in a cable section within the coil without overheating or damaging the cable.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An induction heating apparatus, for heating a portion of a load containing a thermally responsive material, said induction heating apparatus comprising:
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a coil including an opening such that the load may be inserted laterally into said opening with the portion of the load to be heated disposed within an area formed by said coil; said coil generating a magnetic field when driven by an electric current through said coil, wherein the direction of the magnetic field is substantially transverse to the axis of the opening in a region surrounding and extending outwardly from at least a portion of the portion of the load to be heated; a flux concentrator member movable between a heating position disposed along said opening and located in said region where said magnetic field is substantially transverse to the axis of the opening and a loading position removed from the opening of the coil, said flux concentrator member having a high magnetic permeability so as to thereby enhance the uniformity of the magnetic field generated within said coil; and power supply means connected to said coil for driving alternating current through said coil, such that induction heating of the portion of the load to be heated is produced by the magnetic field generated by the current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for heating a load by magnetic induction, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a coil including an opening such that the load may be inserted laterally into the opening with the portion of the load to be heated disposed within an area formed by said coil; inserting the portion of the load to be heated into said area through said opening; positioning a flux concentrator member along the opening, said flux concentrator member being comprised of material having a high magnetic permeability; generating a magnetic induction field with said coil in the load and said flux concentrator member, whereby the load is heated by said magnetic field, said magnetic field being described by magnetic flux lines such that the flux lines in said flux concentrator member primarily pass through the load, at least a portion of said magnetic flux lines being substantially transverse to said coil opening; and connecting power supply means to said coil, said power supply means generating an alternating electric current in said coil, thereby producing said magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification