Susceptor connection system and associated apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A susceptor connection system for releasably connecting susceptors, the system comprising:
- first and second susceptors comprised of a conductive material for supporting an induced current flow and thereby heating to a target temperature, each susceptor defining a peripheral edge portion;
at least one shoe adapted to be urged against the peripheral edge portions of the susceptors to place the edge portions of the susceptors in electrical contact, each shoe defining a passage for circulating a coolant to cool the susceptors; and
a compression device positioned adjacent at least one of the shoe and the peripheral edge portions of the susceptors, the compression device being configured to urge the shoe against the peripheral edge portions such that the susceptors are placed in electrical contact and the shoe thermally communicates with the peripheral edge portions to cool the peripheral edge portions.
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Abstract
A susceptor connection system and an associated apparatus and method are provided. The susceptor connection system includes at least one shoe that can be urged against a peripheral edge portion of the susceptors by a compression device. In this regard, each shoe can urge the edge portions of the susceptors together to achieve electrical contact therebetween, e.g., so that an induced current can flow between the susceptors to heat the susceptors and a workpiece. In addition, each shoe can define a passage for circulating a coolant to cool the edge portions and thereby reduce the oxidation and contact resistance between the susceptors.
52 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A susceptor connection system for releasably connecting susceptors, the system comprising:
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first and second susceptors comprised of a conductive material for supporting an induced current flow and thereby heating to a target temperature, each susceptor defining a peripheral edge portion;
at least one shoe adapted to be urged against the peripheral edge portions of the susceptors to place the edge portions of the susceptors in electrical contact, each shoe defining a passage for circulating a coolant to cool the susceptors; and
a compression device positioned adjacent at least one of the shoe and the peripheral edge portions of the susceptors, the compression device being configured to urge the shoe against the peripheral edge portions such that the susceptors are placed in electrical contact and the shoe thermally communicates with the peripheral edge portions to cool the peripheral edge portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for processing a workpiece at a target temperature, the apparatus comprising:
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first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the workpiece, at least one of the dies defining a contour surface corresponding to a desired configuration of the workpiece;
first and second susceptors disposed in the die cavity, the susceptors comprised of a conductive material for supporting an induced current flow and thereby heating the workpiece to a forming temperature, each susceptor defining first and second longitudinally opposite peripheral edge portions;
first and second shoes adapted to be urged against the first and second peripheral edge portions of the susceptors respectively to place the respective peripheral edge portions of the susceptors in electrical contact, each shoe defining a passage for circulating a coolant to cool the susceptors; and
at least one compression device positioned adjacent at least one of each shoe and the respective peripheral edge portions of the susceptors, the compression device being configured to urge the shoes against the respective peripheral edge portions such that the susceptors are placed in electrical contact and the shoes thermally communicate with the peripheral edge portions to cool the peripheral edge portions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for releasably connecting susceptors and controlling the temperature in the susceptors, the method comprising:
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providing first and second conductive susceptors;
urging peripheral edge portions of the susceptors together with at least one shoe to place the edge portions of the susceptors in electrical contact;
inducing a current in the susceptors and thereby heating the susceptors to a target temperature; and
circulating coolant through a passage defined by the shoe and thereby transferring thermal energy from the peripheral edge portions of the susceptors and controlling the temperature of the peripheral edge portions. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification