Steel sheet heat treatment/stamp system and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for a manufacturing process comprising:
- a resistance heating assembly that applies an electrical current to a work part comprising a sheet of high-tensile steel having a heat-resistant plating to improve formability;
a heating control system that regulates the electrical current to the work part in order to control the temperature of the work part;
a temperature detector that detects a first temperature of the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current;
an electrical resistance detector that measures an electrical resistance within the work part to calculate a second temperature and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current; and
,wherein the heating control system compares the first temperature with the second temperature to determine the precise temperature of the work part;
wherein the resistance heating assembly comprises first and second end clamps, secured to opposite ends of the work part, for supplying the electrical current to the work part for resistance heating; and
wherein at least one of the first and second end clamps comprises a cooling mechanism to reduce temperature increases in the respective clamp that would cause uneven heating in the work part.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and related method are provided for a manufacturing process including heating of a processed part. A resistance heating assembly applies an electrical current to a work part comprising a sheet of high-tensile steel having a heat-resistant plating to improve formability. A heating control system regulates the electrical current to the work part in order to control the temperature of the work part. A temperature detector detects a temperature of the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current. An electrical resistance detector measures an electrical resistance within the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current.
12 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for a manufacturing process comprising:
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a resistance heating assembly that applies an electrical current to a work part comprising a sheet of high-tensile steel having a heat-resistant plating to improve formability; a heating control system that regulates the electrical current to the work part in order to control the temperature of the work part; a temperature detector that detects a first temperature of the work part and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current; an electrical resistance detector that measures an electrical resistance within the work part to calculate a second temperature and generates feedback to the heating control system in order to regulate the electrical current; and
,wherein the heating control system compares the first temperature with the second temperature to determine the precise temperature of the work part; wherein the resistance heating assembly comprises first and second end clamps, secured to opposite ends of the work part, for supplying the electrical current to the work part for resistance heating; and wherein at least one of the first and second end clamps comprises a cooling mechanism to reduce temperature increases in the respective clamp that would cause uneven heating in the work part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for a manufacturing process comprising:
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a resistance heating assembly that comprises first and second end clamps, secured to opposite ends of a work part, for supplying electrical current to the work part for resistance heating; a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the work part and generates temperature feedback in order to regulate the electrical current; an electrical resistance detector that measures an electrical resistance within the work part and generates electrical resistance feedback in order to regulate the electrical current; and a cooling mechanism for engaging at least one of the first and second clamps to reduce temperature increases in the respective clamp that would cause uneven heating in the work part; wherein the temperature of the work part and the electrical resistance within the work part are measured simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of manufacturing comprising:
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supplying electrical current to opposite ends of a work part for resistance heating; measuring a temperature of the work part and generating temperature feedback in order to regulate the electrical current; measuring an electrical resistance within the work part and generating electrical resistance feedback in order to regulate the electrical current; simultaneously measuring the temperature of the work part and measuring the electrical resistance within the work part; and reducing localized temperature increases that would cause uneven heating in the work part. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification