US 6,875,966 B1 · Portable induction heating tool for soldering pipes

Abstract

A portable induction tool is provided for soldering or brazing sections of metal pipe together. A work coil head (with induction coil) is U-shaped, allowing placement of the head around lengths of pipe, heating a susceptor (e.g., the pipe) to form a joint, and then to be withdrawn after the pipe joint is made. In one form, the tool uses heat pipes to remove thermal energy from the head, and also a heat exchanger for higher-powered units. Power capacitors are generally included with the induction (work) coil to create a tank circuit of a resonant frequency. The induction coil uses Litz wire, copper tubing, or heat pipes with a conductive outer skin to carry the high-current being delivered to the induction coil. The induction coil has a general racetrack configuration, which is typically wound in a U-shape (or as a semicircle) as a single winding, with multiple turns.

Claims52

Dependent claims

An induction heating apparatus, comprising:

(a) a head portion, comprising:
(i) an outer wall, (ii) an inner wall, (iii) an induction coil disposed between said inner and outer walls, wherein:
(iv) said inner wall forms an opening having substantially a U-shape as its interior surface, and (v) said inner wall and said outer wall are substantially rigid, and do not exhibit movable portions with respect to one another;
and
(b) a gripable portion, comprising:
(i) an enclosure surface, (ii) an electrical switching circuit, (iii) a receiving area that receives power for energizing said induction coil, and (iv) at least one electrical conductor to carry said power between said induction coil and said receiving area.

3 more elements

A coil head for an induction heating apparatus, said coil head comprising:

(a) an outer member;
(b) an inner member, said inner member having a first arcuate surface along a first, inner side wall, and a second arcuate surface along a second, outer side wall, said first and second side walls being of a shape such that said inner member exhibits a profile that is substantially semi-circular;
and
(c) an induction coil disposed between said inner and outer members, said induction coil comprising an electrical winding that is substantially arcuate of a semi-circular profile, such that it is substantially positioned along the second, outer side wall of said inner member;
said induction coil exhibiting a length dimension along its substantially semi-circular profile, between a first end and a second end of said induction coil;
wherein:
when said inner member is moved proximal to a cylindrical workpiece that is to be heated, in which said cylindrical workpiece exhibits a circumference dimension along its outer surface, said length dimension of the induction coil is of a distance that is substantially one-half of said workpiece circumference dimension.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Portable induction heating tool for soldering pipes

Life of this patent

Portable induction heating tool for soldering pipes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52