Multilayer susceptors for achieving thermal uniformity in induction processing of organic matrix composites or metals
First Claim
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1. A method for processing a workpiece at two different temperatures, comprising the steps of:
- (a) sealing the workpiece in a multilayer retort, wherein a second, inner metal sheet has a higher Curie temperature than a lower Curie temperature of a first, outer metal sheet, the second sheet being in contact with the workpiece;
(b) inductively heating the workpiece to about the first Curie temperature by inducing currents in the first sheet; and
(c) inductively heating the workpiece to about the second Curie temperature when the first sheet becomes nonmagnetic by inducing currents in the second sheet.
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Abstract
Sesceptor sheets are selected so that their magnetic permeability decreases to unity at approximately the desired operating temperature thereby limiting heating to this "Curie temperature" and providing substantial uniformity of temperature in the panel Preferably, the susceptor includes multiple layers, such as a first metal having a relatively lower Curie temperature, a thin foil of copper in contact with the surface of the first sheet, and a second metal having a relatively higher Curie temperature. Such a susceptor allows thermal control at two spaced set points defined by the Curie temperatures.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for processing a workpiece at two different temperatures, comprising the steps of:
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(a) sealing the workpiece in a multilayer retort, wherein a second, inner metal sheet has a higher Curie temperature than a lower Curie temperature of a first, outer metal sheet, the second sheet being in contact with the workpiece; (b) inductively heating the workpiece to about the first Curie temperature by inducing currents in the first sheet; and (c) inductively heating the workpiece to about the second Curie temperature when the first sheet becomes nonmagnetic by inducing currents in the second sheet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A multilayer susceptor for temperature control of a workpiece in induction heating operations, comprising:
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(a) a first metal sheet being a first material susceptible to heating by induction and having a Curie temperature; (b) a copper metal sheet about 0.010 inch thick abutting the first sheet substantially in surface contact the copper sheet being susceptible to heating by induction; and (c) a third metal sheet abutting the copper sheet to form a three sheet sandwich with the first and third sheets being outer sheets and the copper sheet being an inner sheet, the third sheet being a material susceptible to heating by induction and having a Curie temperature higher than that of the first sheet. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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6. A retort comprising at least two multilayer susceptors of claim sealable around a workpiece.
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10. A multilayer susceptor for temperature control of a workpiece in induction heating operations, comprising:
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(a) a first metal sheet susceptible to heating by induction, having a Curie temperature, and being a first material selected from the group consisting of steel;
ductile cobalt alloy having about 5% Fe and 95% Co;
an alloy having about 42% Ni and 58% Fe;
an alloy having about 49% Co, 49% Fe, and 2% V; and
an alloy having about 79% Ni, 17% Fe, and 4% Mo;(b) a second metal sheet of a second material different from the first material, the second material having a first surface abutting the first sheet substantially in surface contact with the first sheet and an opposed outer surface, the second material being susceptible to heating by induction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification