Patent ID: 6897407
Filing Date: 2005-05-24
Classification: C21D

Abstract:
1. A method of heating an elongated metallic workpiece having regions of relatively large cross section and other regions of relatively small cross section distributed along a length of the workpiece, the method comprising the steps of: a) passing an electric current through said workpiece to resistively heat said workpiece; b) electrically or thermally bridging regions of smaller cross section of said workpiece by providing an electrical or thermal shunt thereacross so that the bridged regions are heated at most to a lesser extent than nonbridged regions while nonbridged regions are heated by the passage of the electric current therethrough to a certain temperature level whereby certain parts of the workpiece are heated or cooled in a targeted manner; and c) thereafter heating the entire workpiece to provide a defined temperature level in all parts of the workpiece.