Inductive heating process control of continuous cast metallic sheets
AssigneePhilip Morris USA Inc.
InventorsDavid Sharpe, Firooz Rasouli, John F. Cunningham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece is provided having a feeding device, a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and at least a first hot rolling mill. A process control device monitors at least one parameter of the first RF generator and outputs a signal. A method for continuous rolling of a metallic workpiece is also provided using the apparatus for rolling. The process control device signal can be used to monitor metallurgical properties of the workpiece and provide in-line evaluation of the workpiece.
Claims41
An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece comprising:
- a feeding device operable to convey the workpiece along a process line;
- a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and operable to heat the workpiece during movement along the process line;
- at least a first hot rolling mill operable to hot roll the workpiece during movement along the process line;
- and
- a process control device operable to monitor at least one parameter of the first RF generator.
A method for continuous rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece comprising the steps of:
- feeding the workpiece at a first speed into a process line;
- heating the workpiece during movement along the process line to a first temperature in at least a first inductive heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator;
- monitoring at least one parameter of the first RF generator;
- and
- hot rolling the workpiece in at least a first hot rolling mill operating at a second speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.