Use of moving element to produce heat
US6281611A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B40/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for heating substances such as beverages, soups, chemicals, etc., with heat produced by circulating electrical eddy currents. In one form of the device, a magnetic flux generating base produces a varying magnetic field by using an electric motor to move a plurality of permanent magnets. The varying magnetic field induces the eddy currents to circulate in a ferromagnetic conductor that is sealed in the bottom of a container resting on the magnetic flux generating base. Losses due to the eddy current produce heat that is transferred into the substance within the container. In another embodiment, the motor moves one or more magnetic flux shunts to vary the magnetic field experienced by the ferromagnetic conductor. The presence of the container on the magnetic flux generating base can be detected and used to control the operation of the electrical motor. An indicator is provided in one embodiment to alert a user when the electrical motor is energized and the substance in the container is being heated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.