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US 11,740,023 B2Granted
Method for heating a blank and heating system
AssigneeAutotech Engineering S.L.
InventorsManuel López Lage, Jordi Castilla Moreno, Daniel Merino Fernández
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a steel component from a blank is provided. Firstly, a blank is placed in a conveyor system. Then, at least a preselected zone of the blank is preheated while the blank is retained at a predetermined preheating location. Finally, the blank is conveyed through a furnace. A preheating system for heating blanks in a production line is also provided.
Claims19
A method for manufacturing a steel component from a blank, the method comprising:
- placing a blank on a conveyor system, the blank comprising a first zone having a first thickness and a second zone having a second thickness, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness;
- followed by
- preheating the blank by performing a preheating process comprising (1) directing heat at the second zone and not the first zone;
- or (2) applying heat to both the first and second zones such that the second zone is heated to a temperature greater than a temperature of the first zone;
- and after completion of the preheating,
- conveying the preheated blank through a furnace having a furnace temperature at or above an Ac3 temperature of the blank for heating the blank to a temperature equal to or above the Ac3 temperature, and wherein the preheating comprises retaining the blank at a predetermined preheating location upstream of the furnace.
3 more elements
A heating system for heating blanks in a production line, the heating system comprising:
- a furnace;
- a conveyor system for conveying the blanks through the furnace;
- and
- a preheating system located upstream from the furnace and comprising either
- (1) an array having rows and columns of individual heating elements configured to be selectively regulated to allow the heating elements to (a) direct heat at one or more preselected zones of a blank such that directing heat at one or more other preselected zones of the blank is prevented or minimized, or (b) direct heat at different temperatures to the blank to subject at least two zones to a different temperature, or
- (2) an arranged array having rows and columns of individual heating elements to direct heat at one or more preselected zones of a blank such that directing heat at one or more other preselected zones of the blank is prevented or minimized,
- wherein the conveyor system is configured to temporarily retain the blank in a predetermined preheating location upstream from the furnace,
- wherein the heating system comprises stopping elements to retain the blank at the predetermined location, and
- wherein the stopping elements are retractable pins configured to be displaceable in an up-and-down motion for retaining the blank at the predetermined location.
6 more elements
A heating system for heating blanks in a production line, the heating system comprising:
- a furnace;
- a conveyor system for conveying the blanks through the furnace;
- and
- a preheating system located upstream from the furnace and comprising either
- (1) an array having rows and columns of individual heating elements configured to be selectively regulated to allow the heating elements to (a) direct heat at one or more preselected zones of a blank such that directing heat at one or more other preselected zones of the blank is prevented or minimized, or (b) direct heat at different temperatures to the blank to subject at least two zones to a different temperature, or
- (2) an arranged array having rows and columns of individual heating elements to direct heat at one or more preselected zones of a blank such that directing heat at one or more other preselected zones of the blank is prevented or minimized,
- wherein the conveyor system is configured to temporarily retain the blank in a predetermined preheating location upstream from the furnace,
- wherein the heating system comprises stopping elements to retain the blank at the predetermined location, and
- wherein the stopping elements are elevating bars configured to lift the blank perpendicularly to a conveying direction.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.