High-performance workpiece heating system and method

A workpiece heating system for heating a workpiece supported on a generally cylindrical mandrel, comprising:

• an outer shell including a first shell portion and a second shell portion configured to be mated along a circumferential shell joint for enclosing the mandrel removably positionable in an approximately vertical orientation within the outer shell, the mandrel having a mandrel proximal end, a mandrel distal end, a mandrel partside configured to support a workpiece, and a mandrel backside located radially inboard of the mandrel partside;
• a gas displacement device mounted within the outer shell flush with or below the circumferential shell joint and having an outer circumferential exit configured to discharge a gas toward the mandrel backside;
• a heat exchanger mounted within the outer shell below the gas displacement device and configured to heat the gas prior to entering the gas displacement device;
• a hood system having a hood first wall and a hood second wall each configured to extend circumferentially in radially spaced relation to each other and in radially spaced relation respectively to the mandrel backside and the mandrel partside when the mandrel is positioned within the outer shell;
• the hood first wall and the mandrel backside collectively defining a first annular gap configured to receive the gas discharged from the gas displacement device and direct the gas in a generally axial direction along a first flow path segment from the mandrel proximal end to the mandrel distal end;
• and
• the hood second wall and the mandrel partside collectively defining a second annular gap configured to receive the gas from the first annular gap and direct the gas in a generally axial direction along a second flow path segment from the mandrel distal end to the mandrel proximal end.

A method of heating a workpiece supported on a mandrel, comprising:

• positioning the mandrel within an outer shell, the mandrel having a mandrel proximal end, a mandrel distal end, a mandrel axis, a mandrel partside supporting a workpiece, and a mandrel backside opposite the mandrel partside;
• heating the gas using a heat exchanger mounted within the outer shell;
• discharging, using a gas displacement device mounted within the outer shell, a gas from the gas displacement device toward the mandrel backside;
• directing, using a hood first wall of a hood system positioned over the mandrel, the gas from the gas displacement device in a generally axial direction through a first annular gap between the hood first wall and the mandrel backside along a first flow path segment extending from the mandrel proximal end to the mandrel distal end;
• directing, using a hood second wall of the hood system, the gas from the first annular gap in a generally axial direction through a second annular gap between the hood second wall and the mandrel partside along a second flow path segment extending from the mandrel distal end to the mandrel proximal end;
• and
• heating the mandrel in response to directing the gas through the first annular gap and the second annular gap and heating the workpiece in response to heating the mandrel.