Apparatus for scaleless induction heating
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorMark G. Shapona
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for carrying out scaleless inductive heating of ferrous parts comprising (i) using an integrated manifold-inductor quenchant device, and while gradually flowing a diluted combustible gas into the spacing between the inductor and part surface to be heated, inductively heating such surface as part of a heat treating cycle; and (ii) concurrently stopping such flow and injecting a fluid quenchant through the spacing to rapidly lower the temperature of the part surface to complete the heat treating cycle. Advantageously such method may further comprise flushing the spacing between the inductor and heated part surface, and then repeating the steps of the prior method to treat more parts with the same inductor.
Claims8
An integrated inductor-manifold-quench apparatus for heat treating a heated surface of a ferrous part, comprising:
- (a) a manifold having foramina, said manifold cooperating with the part to be heat treated to provide a space therebetween and to provide a path for fluids exiting from the manifold foramina to traverse the heated surface of the part;
- (b) an inductive heater carried by the manifold to be in close proximity to the heated surface of the part with the fluid path disposed therebetween;
- (c) selectively controllable electrical power supply for the heater to provide a power-on and a power-off condition of said heater;
- and
- (d) a fluid supply for introducing a diluted rapidly reacting combustible gas mixture, at least during the power-on condition of the heater, to the manifold and thence to said space, and for injecting a quenchant fluid during the power-off condition of the inductor, the injection being through the manifold foramina to follow said path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.