Induction welding heat shield assembly with multiple heat shields with aligned recesses for induction welding path

An induction welding assembly comprising:

• an induction welding coil;
• a heat shield assembly comprising a plurality of heat shields aligned in end-to-end relation,
• wherein for each heat shield of the plurality of heat shields, the heat shield comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first heat shield end, a second heat shield end opposite the first heat shield end, and a heat shield recess in the first surface that extends between the first and second heat shield ends, wherein the heat shield recess comprises a pair of sidewalls and a base that extends between each sidewall of the pair of sidewalls and wherein the base is curved proceeding from the first heat shield end to the second heat shield end, wherein the first surface adjacent the heat shield recess are flat, wherein the second surface of the heat shield of the plurality of heat shields is curved from the first heat shield end to the second heat shield end, wherein the curve of the second surface of the heat shield of the plurality of heat shields matches the curve of the base of the heat shield recess, and
• wherein the heat shield recesses of the plurality of heat shields are aligned to provide a welding path for the induction welding coil;
• and
• a workpiece zone, wherein the heat shield assembly is disposed between induction welding coil and the workpiece zone in a first dimension.

An induction welding method, comprising:

• positioning a workpiece such that a heat shield assembly is disposed between the workpiece and an induction welding coil, wherein the heat shield assembly comprises a plurality of heat shields that collectively define a length dimension of the heat shield assembly, wherein for each heat shield of the plurality of heat shields, the heat shield comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first heat shield end, a second heat shield end opposite the first heat shield end, and a heat shield recess in the first surface that extends between the first and second heat shield ends, wherein the heat shield recess comprises a pair of sidewalls and a base that extends between each sidewall of the pair of sidewalls and wherein the base is curved proceeding from the first heat shield end to the second heat shield end, wherein the first surface adjacent the heat shield recess are flat, wherein the second surface of the heat shield of the plurality of heat shields is curved from the first heat shield end to the second heat shield end, wherein the curve of the second surface of the heat shield of the plurality of heat shields matches the curve of the base of the heat shield recess, and wherein the workpiece comprises a first workpiece member and a second workpiece member;
• advancing the induction welding coil along a curved welding path and along the length dimension of the heat shield assembly, wherein a spacing between the induction welding coil and the heat shield remains at least substantially constant during the advancing;
• and
• operating the induction welding coil to induction weld the first workpiece member to the second workpiece member.