Curie temperature thermostat for a eddy current heating device and method
AssigneePratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
InventorKevin Dooley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The device and method are used for controlling eddy currents generated by an electro-magnetic heater having at least one magnetic field producing element. To control the heater, a source of heat is used to heat a Curie temperature material, located adjacent to the magnetic field producing element. This prevents heat from being generated in the object being heated.
Claims15
A device for controlling an eddy current heater provided to heat an object, the heater comprising at least one magnetic field producing element, the device comprising:
- a Curie temperature material located adjacent to the magnetic field producing element and the object to be heated;
- and
- a source of heat to selectively heat the Curie temperature material above the Curie temperature so as to prevent heat from being generated in the object by the heater.
An eddy current heater, the heater having permanent magnets, the heater comprising:
- an electromagnetically conductive material located adjacent to the permanent magnets, the material having a Curie temperature;
- and
- means for heating the material above its Curie temperature.
A method for controlling a heat generation by a permanent magnets heater used for heating an object, the method comprising:
- operating the heater to generate heat in the object;
- determining that the object has received enough heat;
- and
- reducing or interrupting the eddy currents generated by the permanent magnets heater by heating a Curie temperature material above the Curie temperature thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.