Superplastic forming using induction heating
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsPaul S. Gregg, Marc R. Matsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for superplastic forming. The workpiece is held between a pair of dies that are electrically and thermally nonconductive, and is heated inductively by a coil embedded within the dies.
Claims27
An apparatus for superplastic forming a workpiece susceptible to inductive heating, the apparatus comprising:
- a die formed of a material substantially transparent to the transmission of an inductive magnetic field, the die having a forming surface that has a shape corresponding to a desired shape for a workpiece having a first side and a second side, the die being adapted to hold the workpiece in an overlying relationship with the forming surface with the first side facing the forming surface;
- and
- means for superplastic forming the workpiece into the shape of the forming surface, the means for superplastic forming including an inductive heater that directly subjects the workpiece to an alternating magnetic field until the workpiece is heated to a temperature at which it is superplastic.
A method for superplastic forming a workpiece susceptible to inductive heating, and having first and second sides, the method comprising:
- positioning the workpiece in an overlying relationship with a die formed of a material substantially transparent to the transmission of an inductive magnetic field and having a non-metallic forming surface that has a shape corresponding to a desired shape for the workpiece;
- inductively heating the workpiece by directly subjecting the workpiece to a time-varying magnetic field produced through the use of an alternating electrical current until the workpiece is heated to a temperature at which it is superplastic;
- and
- superplastic forming the workpiece into the shape of the forming surface.
A method for superplastic forming a workpiece susceptible to inductive heating, comprising the steps of:
- (a) directly inductively heating the workpiece to its superplastic forming temperature range by subjecting the workpiece to a time-varying magnetic field produced by an alternating electrical current;
- (b) superplastic forming the workpiece, while maintaining the temperature of the workpiece within the superplastic forming temperature range;
- and
- (c) at least partially cooling the workpiece by stopping the use of the inductive heating.
A method for superplastic forming a workpiece susceptible to inductive heating, comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning the workpiece in a ceramic die;
- (b) directly inductively heating the workpiece to a superplastic forming temperature range by subjecting the workpiece to a time-varying magnetic field produced using an alternating electrical current;
- (c) superplastic forming the workpiece while maintaining the temperature of the workpiece in its superplastic forming range;
- (d) stopping the inductive heating after the workpiece is formed to a desired shape;
- (e) cooling the workpiece to a temperature below its superplastic forming range;
- and
- (f) removing the workpiece from the ceramic die at a temperature below the superplastic forming range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.