Apparatus and method for inductive heating
US7034263B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B40/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for inductive heating, in which a power source provides current pulses with high-frequency harmonics to a heater coil, the coil generating a magnetic flux for inductive heating of an article. The high-frequency harmonics enhance a relative proportion of inductive heating, compared to resistive heating of the heater coil. Providing these high-frequency harmonics, occurring above the border frequency of the heating system, enables the system to deliver an increased proportion of inductive heating, compared to resistive heating, without requiring an increase in the Root Means Square (RMS) current in the coil. Providing better coupling between the coil and the core, such as by embedding the coil wholly or at least partially in the core, and providing a magnetic yoke to close the loop with the core, can provide a significantly decreased border frequency. This reduction of the border frequency then can be utilized to provide larger amounts of energy in the high-frequency harmonics of the current pulses, and thus provide a greater percentage of inductive heating without increasing the current in the coil. The current pulses preferably have steeply varying portions, suc…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.