Patent ID: 6576878
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
Apparatus for induction heating of a workpiece having a non-uniform transverse temperature distribution, the apparatus comprising:a transverse flux induction coil having an adjustable operating coil pole pitch, the workpiece moving through the transverse flux induction coil; a plurality of temperature sensors for sensing the non-uniform transverse temperature distribution of the workpiece prior to the workpiece moving through the transverse flux induction coil; and a processor for determining a transverse induction heating profile to heat the workpiece to a substantially uniform transverse temperature distribution, the transverse induction heating profile determined from the non-uniform transverse temperature distribution of the workpiece, the processor further comprising an output signal for adjusting the pole pitch responsive to the transverse induction heating profile, whereby the transverse flux induction coil inductively heats the workpiece moving through the transverse flux induction coil to a substantially uniform transverse temperature.