High-frequency induction heating power supply
AssigneeGas Research Institute
InventorsMark Maxfield, Frank A. Doljack
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high-frequency power supply which is primarily intended for use with an inductive heating apparatus. The high-frequency power supply has a pre-regulator for emitting a constant output voltage, an inverter for generating a constant output voltage, and an output network for amplifying the constant output voltage and converting the constant output voltage to a high-frequency constant output current. The power supply disclosed generates a very high frequency ac output, drives a wide range of possible loads, minimizes root mean square input current for a given output power, and can be powered from a wide range of input power sources.
Claims16
A method for delivering a high-frequency constant output current to an inductive heating apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
- converting a variable input voltage to a regulated output voltage with a pre-regulator;
- inverting the regulated output voltage to generate a high-frequency constant output voltage with an H-bridge inverter;
- amplifying the constant output voltage with a tuned output network;
- converting the amplified constant output voltage to the high-frequency constant output current;
- and
- delivering the high-frequency constant output current to the inductive heating apparatus.
In combination, an induction heating apparatus and an induction heating power supply for receiving a variable input voltage and emitting a high-frequency constant output current to the induction heating apparatus, the induction heating power supply comprising:
- a pre-regulator receiving the variable input voltage and converting the variable input voltage to a regulated output voltage;
- an H-bridge inverter receiving the regulated output voltage and generating a high-frequency constant output voltage, the H-bridge inverter connected with respect to the pre-regulator;
- and
- a tuned output network amplifying the constant output voltage and converting the constant output voltage to the high-frequency constant output current, the tuned output network connected with respect to the H-bridge inverter and the induction heating apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.