Patent ID: 6608291
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
An induction heating apparatus, comprising:a solid state power generator capable of driving a variable impedance, said generator operating with a switching regulator for generating current at a high frequency; an induction coil assembly connected to said solid state power generator, said induction coil assembly including a capacitive circuit portion coupled to a conductive coil, wherein said conductive coil operates responsive to said high frequency current to generate a magnetic field for inductively coupling with a susceptor, thereby substantially rapidly heating said susceptor's material; said solid state power generator including a power output stage driven under feedback control so as to effectuate resonance in said induction coil assembly at around said high frequency; and said power output stage including a pre-driver circuit portion coupled to a driver circuit portion, wherein said pre-driver circuit portion comprises a plurality of buffer circuits disposed in parallel, each buffer circuit operating to drive a transformer coupled to a field effect transistor (FET) device, and said transformer and said FET device forming at least a part of said driver circuit portion.