Method and apparatus for water-cooling power modules in an induction calendering control actuator system used on web manufacturing processes
AssigneeABB AB
InventorsBruce Taylor, Rene Larive
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An induction heating system used on web manufacturing processes has one or more workcoils each with an associated power module. The power modules are cooled using water. In one embodiment the power modules and the workcoils are in physical contact with a full width water cooled support beam. In another embodiment the key heat generating elements of the power modules are mounted against a thermally conductive power module frame which is then mounted against the thermally conductive wall of an un-perforated water header.
Claims20
A heating apparatus for connection to a power source and operable to heat a calender roll having a predetermined width, the heating apparatus comprising:
- one or more workcoils operable to inductively heat the calender roll;
- one or more power modules operable to convert primary power from the power source to a higher frequency secondary power, each of the one or more power modules providing secondary power to an associated one of said one or more workcoils;
- and
- a support beam having said calender roll predetermined width, each of said one or more power modules mounted internal to said support beam in a manner such that each said power module is disposed in contact against a channel in said support beam through which a cooling liquid can flow, the channel having no openings inside the support beam and being in thermal contact with each said power module.
A web making machine comprising:
- at least one calender roll;
- one or more workcoils operable to inductively heat the calender roll;
- a beam to support said one or more workcoils;
- one or more power modules each associated with one of the workcoils, the one or more power modules being operable to convert primary power from a power source to a higher frequency secondary power;
- and
- a channel in the beam through which a cooling liquid can flow, said one or more power modules mounted in contact against said channel so as to be in thermal contact therewith, the channel having no openings inside the beam.
A heating apparatus for connection to a power source and operable to heat a calender roll, the heating apparatus comprising:
- a header through which cooling liquid may flow, the header extending the width of the calender roll;
- a workcoil operable to inductively heat the calender roll;
- a power module in physical and thermal contact with the header and operable to convert primary power from the power source to a higher frequency secondary power, the power module providing secondary power to the workcoil;
- flow connectors;
- a cooling device connected to the header by the flow connectors, the cooling device being operable to receive cooling liquid from the header that has been heated by the power module, cool the received cooling liquid and return the cooled cooling liquid to the header;
- and
- wherein the flow connectors are the only connections that permit cooling liquid to flow into or out of the header.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.