Apparatus and methods for single sheet forming using induction heating
First Claim
1. An induction heating apparatus for forming sheet products, the induction heating apparatus comprising:
- a pair of dies defining a die cavity for containing a product;
a susceptor between the product and one die surface defined by one of the dies, the one die surface cooperating with a forming surface defined by the other one of the dies to define the die cavity;
an induction heater to induce eddy currents in the susceptor to heat the susceptor, the susceptor transferring heat to the product; and
an inlet for pressurized forming fluid to inject the fluid between the susceptor and the product to form the product into direct contact with the forming surface.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for single sheet forming using induction heating include a pair of dies defining a die cavity for containing a workpiece, which is inductively heated by an oscillating magnetic field within the die cavity. A susceptor is positioned between the workpiece and one die surface defined by one of the dies. The susceptor is capable of coupling with the oscillating magnetic field to induce a current within the susceptor to heat the susceptor. The susceptor transfers heat to the workpiece. An inlet for pressurized forming fluid injects the fluid between the susceptor and the workpiece to form the workpiece into direct contact with a forming surface defined by one of the dies. The susceptor may be electrically connected to the workpiece to inhibit electrical arcing from the susceptor to adjacent electrically conductive components when current is induced in the susceptor. The apparatus may further include a seal frame that releasably engages the workpiece to form a pressurizing cavity between the susceptor and the workpiece. The inlet injects the fluid into the pressurizing cavity to develop and apply forming pressure to the workpiece.
120 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An induction heating apparatus for forming sheet products, the induction heating apparatus comprising:
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a pair of dies defining a die cavity for containing a product;
a susceptor between the product and one die surface defined by one of the dies, the one die surface cooperating with a forming surface defined by the other one of the dies to define the die cavity;
an induction heater to induce eddy currents in the susceptor to heat the susceptor, the susceptor transferring heat to the product; and
an inlet for pressurized forming fluid to inject the fluid between the susceptor and the product to form the product into direct contact with the forming surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An induction heating apparatus for forming sheet products, the induction heating apparatus comprising:
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a pair of dies defining a die cavity for containing a product to be inductively heated by an oscillating magnetic field within the die cavity;
a first seal frame member between the product and a forming surface defined by one of the dies;
a second seal frame member between the product and one die surface defined by the other one of the dies, the one die surface cooperating with the forming surface to define the die cavity;
the first and second seal frame members releasably engaging the product therebetween to form a pressurizing cavity between the product and the second seal frame member; and
an inlet for pressurized forming fluid to inject the fluid into the pressurizing cavity to form the product into the forming surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A seal frame assembly comprising:
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a first seal frame member adjacent a forming surface defined by one of a pair of dies;
a second seal frame member adjacent one die surface defined by the other one of the dies, the one die surface cooperating with the forming surface to define a die cavity for containing a workpiece;
the first and second seal frame members releasably engaging a workpiece therebetween to form a pressurizing cavity between the workpiece and the second seal frame member; and
an inlet for pressurized forming fluid to inject the fluid into the pressurizing cavity to form the product into the forming surface. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A method for induction heating forming a nonmagnetic workpiece, the method comprising:
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positioning the workpiece within a die cavity defined by a pair of dies;
producing an oscillating magnetic field within the die cavity to induce a current within a susceptor to heat the susceptor, the susceptor being positioned within the die cavity between the workpiece and one die surface defined by one of the dies, the one die surface cooperating with a forming surface defined by the other one of the dies to define the die cavity;
transferring heat from the susceptor to the workpiece; and
forming the workpiece into direct contact with the forming surface when the workpiece reaches a forming temperature. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification