Patent ID: 6111236
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
In combination:a crankshaft including a plurality of substantially cylindrical pins and a plurality of substantially cylindrical bearing surfaces which are in alternating sequence with said substantially cylindrical pins; andan induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening said crankshaft, said induction hardening apparatus comprising:a first workstation for induction hardening of said plurality of substantially cylindrical pins;a second workstation for induction hardening of said plurality of substantially cylindrical bearing surfaces;a robotic device constructed and arranged for moving said crankshaft from said first workstation to said second workstation; andsaid first workstation including fixture means for positioning and supporting said crankshaft at a crankshaft location, rotary drive means for rotating said crankshaft, a moveable induction coil which is constructed and arranged to inductively harden one pin at a time and a positioning system for moving said induction coil in a predetermined path which tracks the path of said one pin as said crankshaft is rotated, said positioning system maintaining a substantially uniform distance of separation between an inside surface of said induction coil and an outer surface of said one pin, during crankshaft rotation.