Patent Publication Number: US-11399416-B2

Title: Heating circuit layout for smart susceptor induction heating apparatus

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus and methods of heating a part to a processing temperature and, more particularly, to such apparatus and methods using smart susceptor induction heating to obtain substantially uniform temperature across the part. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Inductively heated smart susceptors have been used in heating blankets or stand-alone heating tools to cure or otherwise process parts requiring application of heat. While such devices are known to sufficiently obtain a uniform temperature across a given area, current designs have a limited total area across which uniform heating can be provided, are limited to processing certain part shapes, and have overly long heating/cooling cycles when processing multiple parts. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a heating apparatus for thermally processing a part includes a table formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface configured to engage a first surface of the part. A table inductive heating circuit is thermally coupled to the table and configured to generate a processing temperature at the table surface. The table inductive heating circuit includes a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other, wherein each of the plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. The plurality of table induction coil circuits further includes a first table induction coil circuit tracing a first path across the table, the first path including spaced first and second end sections joined by an intermediate section, wherein the first table induction coil circuit has first table induction coil length, and a second table induction coil circuit tracing a second path across the table, wherein the second path is at least partially nested between the first and second end sections of the first path, and the second table induction coil circuit has a second table induction coil length that is different from the first table induction coil length. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a heating apparatus for thermally processing a part includes a table formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface configured to engage a first surface of the part. A table inductive heating circuit is thermally coupled to the table and configured to generate a processing temperature at the table surface. The table inductive heating circuit includes a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other, wherein each of the plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. The plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a first table induction coil circuit having spaced first and second end segments joined by an intermediate segment, wherein the first table induction coil circuit has first table induction coil length, and a second table induction coil circuit having spaced first and second end segments joined by an intermediate segment, wherein the second table induction coil circuit has a second table induction coil length that is substantially equal to the first table induction coil length. The intermediate segment of the second table induction coil circuit overlaps the intermediate segment of the first table induction coil circuit. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the present disclosure, a heating apparatus for thermally processing a part includes a table formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface configured to engage a first surface of the part. A table inductive heating circuit is thermally coupled to the table and configured to generate a processing temperature at the table surface. The table inductive heating circuit includes a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other, wherein each of the plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. The plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a first table induction coil circuit having a plurality of first table induction coil circuit segments extending substantially parallel to each other, the plurality of first table induction coil circuit segments including at least a first pair of segments and a second pair of segments spaced from the first pair of segments, wherein the first table induction coil circuit segments of the first pair of segments are positioned directly adjacent each other and are configured to carry current in opposite directions to each other, and the first table induction coil circuit segments of the second pair of segments are positioned directly adjacent each other and configured to carry current in opposite directions to each other. The plurality of table induction coil circuits further includes a second table induction coil circuit having a plurality of second table induction coil circuit segments extending substantially parallel to each other, the plurality of second table induction coil circuit segments including at least a first pair of segments and a second pair of segments spaced from the first pair of segments, wherein the second table induction coil circuit segments of the first pair of segments are positioned directly adjacent each other and are configured to carry current in opposite directions to each other, and the second table induction coil circuit segments of the second pair of segments are positioned directly adjacent each other and configured to carry current in opposite directions to each other. 
     The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a heating apparatus according to the present disclosure provided at a processing location. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial end elevation view, in cross-section, of the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an end elevation view, in cross-section, of a table for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of an inductive heating circuit for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example of an inductive heating circuit having a susceptor wrapped around an electrical conductor for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are schematic plan views of an inductive heating circuit layout having a rectilinear hook configuration, for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are schematic plan views of an alternative example of an inductive heating circuit layout having rhombus turns, for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9A  is an end elevation view, in cross-section, of a tool having a non-planar tooling surface, for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9B  is a plan view of the heating apparatus of  FIG. 9A , with certain components removed for clarity. 
         FIG. 9C  is a block diagram of a method of forming a part with a non-planar contour. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a thermal management system for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10B  is a block diagram of a method of thermally processing parts using the thermal management system of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIGS. 11A-C  are plan, side elevation, and end views, respectively, of a support assembly for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded, perspective view of a hub and adapter interface for connecting a support assembly to a lower heating assembly, for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is an end elevation view of a heating blanket assembly of an upper heating assembly, for use in the heating apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a method of positioning a heating blanket by controlling pressures in first and second pressure chambers in the upper heating assembly of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrated schematically. It is to be further appreciated that the following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses thereof. Hence, although the present disclosure is, for convenience of explanation, depicted and described as certain illustrative embodiments, it will be appreciated that it can be implemented in various other types of embodiments and in various other systems and environments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an example of a heating apparatus  20 , according to the present disclosure, for curing, forming, or otherwise processing a part  21 . The heating apparatus  20  is shown as a stand-alone tool provided at a processing location  22 . The processing location  22  includes multiple interfaces which enable operation of the heating apparatus  20 , such as a pressurized fluid source  24  (which is capable of providing a fluid, such as air or nitrogen, at positive and/or negative pressures), a low voltage power supply  26 , and a high frequency power supply  28 . A controller  30 , provided either with the heating apparatus  20  or at the processing location  22 , is operably coupled to the pressurized fluid source  24 , low voltage power supply  26 , and high frequency power supply  28  control operation of the heating apparatus  20  and receive feedback signals from the heating apparatus  20 . In the examples described below, the heating apparatus  20  is portable, so that multiple heating apparatus  20  may be used, either sequentially or simultaneously, at the same processing location  22 . 
     The heating apparatus  20  is shown in greater detail at  FIG. 2 . Generally, the heating apparatus  20  includes a support assembly  32  supporting a lower heating assembly  34  and an upper heating assembly  36 . The upper heating assembly  36  is movable relative to the lower heating assembly  34  to permit insertion and removal of the part  21  to be heated. The type of moveable connection between the lower heating assembly  34  and the upper heating assembly  36  is based, in part, by the size of the heating apparatus  20  and the size and shape of the part  21  to be processed. For example, when the part  21  has a flat or near-flat shape, the upper heating assembly  36  may be pivotally coupled to the lower heating assembly  34 , such as by a hinged connection. As understood in greater detail below, each of the lower heating assembly  34  and the upper heating assembly  36  includes an inductive heating circuit, thereby to supply heat to all outer surfaces of the part  21 . 
     The heating apparatus  20  heats the part  21  to a processing temperature. That is, the inductive heating circuits in either or both of the lower and upper assemblies  34 ,  36  are operated to heat the part  21  to a desired temperature. In some examples, the part  21  is formed of a composite material and the processing temperature is a curing temperature of the composite material. In other examples, the part  21  is formed of a thermoplastic material and the processing temperature is a consolidation temperature of the material. Curing temperature and consolidation temperature are only two exemplary processing temperatures, however, as the heating apparatus  20  may be used in other types of processes with parts formed of other materials having different characteristics. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the lower heating assembly  34  of the heating apparatus includes a table  40  formed of a thermally conductive material that defines a table surface  42 . Exemplary thermally conductive materials include steel, alloy steel (including nickel-iron alloy), and aluminum, however other materials that conduct heat may also be used. The table  40  is sized to accommodate the part  21 . In some examples, the table  40  is four feet wide and eight feet long, however the table  40  may have a width and a length that is smaller or larger. Additionally, in some examples the table  40  has a thickness in a range of approximately ¼″ to 1″, however smaller or larger table thicknesses outside this exemplary range may be used. Heat generated at a back surface  46  of the table  40  is conducted through the thickness of the table  40  to the table surface  42 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first surface  44  of the part  21  is placed directly onto the table surface  42 , thereby to form the part  21  with a substantially flat shape. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4  and discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 9A-9C , a tool  50  formed of a thermally conductive material is placed on the table surface  42  and the part  21  is placed on top of the tool  50 . 
     A table inductive heating circuit  52  is thermally coupled to the table  40  and operable to heat at least the table surface  42  to a processing temperature. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the table inductive heating circuit  52  is disposed within a groove  54  that is formed in the back surface  46  of the table  40 , and which extends partially through the table  40  toward the table surface  42 . By locating the table inductive heating circuit  52  in the groove  54  provided on the back surface  46 , the table inductive heating circuit  52  avoids direct contact with the part  21  and/or tool  50 , thereby protecting the table inductive heating circuit  52  from wear. To further protect the table inductive heating circuit  52 , in some examples a cover  56  is coupled to the back surface  46  of the table  40  and sized to close off the groove  54 , thereby fully enclosing the table inductive heating circuit  52 . The cover  56  is joined to the back surface  46  of the table by adhesive  58 , welding, or other coupling means. Ribs  71  may be coupled to the cover  56  to structurally support the table  40  and promote air flow across the cover  56 . The ribs  71  may be formed integrally with the cover  56  to facilitate easier assembly of the heating apparatus  20 . In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the ribs  71  are illustrated as having trapezoidal cross-sectional shapes, however it will be appreciated that the ribs  71  may be formed with other cross-sectional shapes, such as square or rectangular blades. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the groove  54  includes a plurality of groove sections  60  spaced throughout the table  40 . The table inductive heating circuit  52  includes a plurality of table induction coil circuits  62 , with each table induction coil circuit  62  disposed in as associated groove section  60 . The groove sections  60  and table induction coil circuits  62  are distributed over the area of the table  40  to provide more uniform heating of the entire table surface  42 . 
     To further promote uniform heating across the table  40 , the table induction coil circuits  62  are coupled in parallel to each other, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The table induction coil circuits  62  further are coupled in series with an AC power supply  64  that supplies alternating current to each of the table induction coil circuits  62 . While three table induction coil circuits  62  are shown in  FIG. 5 , other examples may have greater or less than three circuits to inductively heat the table  40  depending on the size of the table and the intended type of processing to be performed on the part  21 . The AC power supply  64  is configured as a portable or a fixed power supply, and supplies alternating current at a frequency and voltage suitable for the application. For example and without limitation, the frequency of the AC current may range from approximately 1 kHz to 300 kHz. 
     The heating apparatus  20  may incorporate one or more sensors  66 , which may be thermal sensors such as thermocouples for monitoring the temperature at various locations across the table  40 . Alternatively, the sensor  66  may be provided as a thermal sensor coupled to the power supply  64  to indicate a voltage applied to the table induction coil circuits  62 . A controller  68 , which may be provided as a programmed computer or programmable logic controller (PLC), is operatively coupled with the power supply  64  and the sensor  66 , and is operative to adjust the applied alternating current over a predetermined range in order to adapt the heating apparatus  20  for use in a wide range of parts and structures having different heating requirements. While the controller  68  may be provided feedback from the sensor  66 , it is understood that the table induction coil circuits  62  employ a smart susceptor that automatically limits the maximum temperature that is generated without adjustment of voltage, as understood more fully below. 
     In the illustrated example, each table induction coil circuit  62  includes multiple components that interact to inductively generate heat in response to an applied electrical current. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , each table induction coil circuit  62  includes an electrical conductor  70  and a smart susceptor  72 . The electrical conductor  70  is configured to receive an electrical current and generate a magnetic field in response to the electrical current. More specifically, electric current flowing through the electrical conductor  70  generates a circular magnetic field around the electrical conductor  70 , with a central axis of the magnetic field coincident with an axis  74  of the electrical conductor  70 . Alternatively, if the electrical conductor  70  is coiled into a spiral shape, the resulting magnetic field is co-axial with an axis of the coiled spiral. In the illustrated example, the electrical conductor  70  is formed of a plurality of electrical conductor strands  70   a  that are bundled in a Litz wire configuration, as best shown in  FIG. 6 . More specifically, each electrical conductor strand  70   a  may include a metal core  76  and a coating  78 . The electrical conductor  70  is operatively coupled to the power supply  64  noted above. 
     The smart susceptor  72  is configured to inductively generate heat in response to the magnetic field generated by the electrical conductor  70 . Accordingly, the smart susceptor  72  is formed of a metallic material that absorbs electromagnetic energy from the electrical conductor  70  and converts that energy into heat. Thus, the smart susceptor  72  acts as a heat source to deliver heat via a combination of conductive and radiant heat transfer, depending on the distance between the smart susceptor  72  and location to be heated. 
     The smart susceptor  72  is formed of a material selected to have a Curie point that approximates a desired maximum heating temperature of the heating apparatus  20 . The Curie point is the temperature at which a material loses its permanent magnetic properties. When used in an inductive heating arrangement as described herein, where the smart susceptor  72  generates heat only as long as it is responsive to the magnetic field generated by the electrical conductor  70 , the amount of heat generated by the smart susceptor  72  will decrease as the Curie point is approached. For example, if the Curie point of the magnetic material for the smart susceptor  72  is 500° F., the smart susceptor  72  may generate two Watts per square inch at 450° F., may decrease heat generation to one Watt per square inch at 475° F., and may further decrease heat generation to 0.5 Watts per square inch at 490° F. As such, each table induction coil circuit  62  will automatically generate more heat to portions of the table surface  42  that are cooler due to larger heat sinks and less heat to portions of the table surface  42  that are warmer due to smaller heat sinks, thereby resulting in more uniform heating of the part  21  at approximately a same equilibrium temperature. Thus, each table induction coil circuit will continue to heat portions of the heating area that have not reached the Curie point, while at the same time, ceasing to provide heat to portions of the heating area that have reached the Curie point. In so doing, the temperature-dependent magnetic properties, such as the Curie point of the magnetic material used in the smart susceptor  72 , may prevent over-heating or under-heating of areas of the table surface  42 . 
     The electrical conductor  70  and smart susceptor  72  may be assembled in a configuration that facilitates insertion into the groove  54 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the smart susceptor  72  may be wrapped around the electrical conductor  70  in a spiral configuration. Winding the smart susceptor  72  around the electrical conductor  70  not only positions the smart susceptor  72  sufficiently proximate the electrical conductor  70  to magnetically couple the wires, but also mechanically secures the electrical conductor  70  in place, which is particularly advantageous when the electrical conductor  70  is formed of a plurality of electrical conductor strands  70   a . Alternatively, however, an opposite configuration may be used, in which the electrical conductor  70  is wrapped around the smart susceptor  72 . Still further, other assembly configurations of the electrical conductor  70  and the smart susceptor  72  may be used that achieve the necessary electro-magnetic coupling of the wires. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the upper heating assembly may include a heating blanket  80  for heating from above the part  21 . The heating blanket  80  is flexible to conform to a second surface  84  of the part  21 , and defines a heating surface  82  facing the part  21 . For example, the heating blanket  80  may include a core formed of a pliable material, such as silicone or a polymer, with a blanket inductive heating circuit  86  disposed in the core. Alternatively, the blanket inductive heating circuit  86  itself may be woven or knitted into a flexible layer that conforms to the part  21 . The blanket inductive heating circuit  86  is configured to generate the processing temperature at the heating surface  82 , and may include an electrical conductor and a smart susceptor similar to the table inductive heating circuit  52  described above. 
     One or both of the table inductive heating circuit  52  and the blanket inductive heating circuit  86  has a circuit layout that advantageously cancels longer-range electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil circuits. In a first example illustrated at  FIGS. 7A and 7B , an inductive heating circuit  100  includes a plurality of induction coil circuits  102  coupled in parallel with each other and in series to the power supply  64 . The induction coil circuits  102  are arranged in a nested pattern, with some of the circuits at least partially surrounded (i.e., “nested”) by others of the circuits. The plurality of induction coil circuits  102  are spaced to span the entire area of the table  40 , thereby to more uniformly distribute heat. 
     For example, as best shown in  FIG. 7B , a first one of the induction coil circuits  102   b  traces a first path  104  across the table  40 , with the first path including spaced first and second end sections  104   a ,  104   b  joined by an intermediate section  104   c . This shape is referred to herein as a rectilinear hook shape. Additionally, a second one of the induction coil circuits  102   d  traces a second path  106  across the table  40 , wherein the second path  106  is at least partially nested between the first and second end sections  104   a ,  104   b  of the first path  104 . The nested arrangement of the induction coil circuits permits a side-by-side placement of the circuits without overlap, thereby allowing the circuits to be disposed in a common plane. Furthermore, to reduce global electromagnetic field imbalance at the intermediate section  104   c , the lengths of the induction coil circuits  102   b ,  102   d  are varied. That is, the first of the induction coil circuits  102   b  has a first induction coil length L 1 , while the second of the induction coil circuits  102   d  has a second induction coil length L 2 , wherein L 2  is different from L 1 . 
     Multiple induction coil circuits may be nested. For example, with continued reference to  FIG. 7B , the second path  106  traced by the second of the induction coil circuits  102   d  may include spaced first and second end sections  106   a ,  106   b  joined by an intermediate section  106   c . Additionally, a third of the induction coil circuits  102   e  traces a third path  108  across the table  40 . The third path  108  is also at least partially nested between the first and second end sections  104   a ,  104   b  of the first path  104 , and may further be at least partially nested between the first and second end sections  106   a ,  106   b  of the second path  106 . Still further, the third of the induction coil circuits has a third induction coil length L 3  that is different from the first induction coil length L 1  and the second induction coil length L 2 , thereby to further reduce global electromagnetic field imbalances. 
     Longer-range electromagnetic field may be further reduced by arranging each induction coil circuit in a double-back configuration, in which portions of the circuit lie adjacent to each other. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the first of the induction coil circuits  102   b  includes a first segment  110  configured to carry current in a first direction along the first path  104 , and a second segment  112 , positioned adjacent the first segment  110 , and configured to carry current in a second direction along first path  104 , wherein the first direction along the first path  104  is opposite the second direction along the first path  104 . The first segment  110  of the first induction coil circuit  102   b  joins the second segment  112  of the first induction coil circuit  102   b  at a double-back bend  114 . The second induction coil circuit  102   d  may be arranged similarly, with a first segment  116  configured to carry current in a first direction along the second path  106 , and a second segment  118  positioned adjacent the first segment  116  and configured to carry current in a second direction along second path  106 , wherein the first direction along the second path  106  is opposite the second direction along the second path  106 . Further, the first segment  116  of the second induction coil circuit  102   d  joins the second segment  118  of the second induction coil circuit  102   d  at a double-back bend  120 . Because the first and second segments of each circuit will have the same current flowing in opposite directions, the double-back configuration advantageously at least partially cancels the longer-range electromagnetic field generated by the induction coil circuits. 
     An alternative circuit layout is illustrated at  FIGS. 8A and 8B , which show a rhombus turn configuration. In this example, an inductive heating circuit  121  is provided having a plurality of induction coil circuits  122 . As shown, the induction coil circuits  122  form three rhombus turns  123 , however a different number of rhombus turns may be provided. In this configuration, a first induction coil circuit  122  has spaced first and second end segments  122   a ,  122   b  joined by an intermediate segment  122   c . Similarly, a second induction coil circuit  124  has spaced first and second end segments  124   a ,  124   b  joined by an intermediate segment  124   c . In this example, the first and second induction coil circuits  122 ,  124  have substantially the same lengths, with the intermediate segment  122   c  of the first induction coil circuit  122  overlapping the intermediate segment  124   c  of the second induction coil circuit  124 . As best shown in  FIG. 8B , the intermediate segments have vertices. That is, the intermediate segment  122   c  of the first induction coil circuit  122  includes first and second sections joined at a vertex  122   d , and the intermediate segment  124   c  of the second induction coil circuit  124  includes first and second sections joined at a vertex  124   d . In this example, the second section of the intermediate segment  122   c  overlaps the first section of the intermediate segment  124   c.    
     With continued reference to  FIG. 8B , the first and second end segments  122   a ,  122   b  of the first induction coil circuit  122  are substantially parallel and spaced by a first lateral distance D 1 . Similarly, the first and second end segments  124   a ,  124   b  of the second induction coil circuit  124  are substantially parallel and spaced by a second lateral distance D 2 , wherein the first lateral distance D 1  is substantially equal to the second lateral distance D 2 . 
     Still further, additional induction coil circuits  122  may be provided. For example, a third induction coil circuit  126  has spaced first and second end segments  126   a ,  126   b  joined by an intermediate segment  126   c . The third induction coil circuit  126  has a third induction coil length L 3  that is substantially equal to the first and second induction coil lengths L 1 , L 2 . Furthermore, the intermediate segment  126   c  of the third induction coil circuit  126  overlaps the intermediate segments  122   c ,  124   c  of the first and second induction coil circuits  122 ,  124 . Finally, in some examples, an insulation layer  128  is disposed between the intermediate segments, such as the intermediate segments  122   c ,  124   c  of the first and second induction coil circuits  122 ,  124 . 
     In some applications, the heating apparatus  20  may be configured to thermally process parts having non-planar shapes. For example,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a tool  130  placed on the table  40  to form the part  21  with a non-planar shape. The tool  130  is formed of a thermally conductive material, so that heat generated at the table surface  42  is further conducted through the tool  130  and ultimately to the first surface  44  of the part  21 . More specifically, the tool  130  has a base surface  132  configured to engage the table surface  42  of the table  40 , and a tooling surface  134  opposite the base surface  132 . The tooling surface  134  is formed with a contoured shape that is non-planar. Accordingly, the tooling surface  134  of the tool  130  is configured to engage the first surface  44  of the part  21 . In this example, the heating blanket  80  may also be provided, so that the heating surface  82  of the heating blanket  80  is configured to thermally couple with the second surface  84  of the part  21 . 
     The heating apparatus  20  permits the use of additional tooling structures to more precisely form the desired shape of the part  21 . For example, the contoured shape of the tooling surface  134  may include a concave section  136 , and a fill part  140  formed of a thermally conductive material is configured for insertion into the concave section  136 , thereby to more precisely shape a central portion of the part  21 . Additionally or alternatively, the edges of the part  21  may be more precisely formed using a side wall  142  of the tool  130  and a side dam  144  spaced from and extending around a perimeter of the tool  130 . When viewed in cross-section as shown in  FIG. 9A , the side wall  142  of the tool  130  extends from a first end  146  adjacent the table surface  42  to a second end  148  spaced from the table surface  42 . The side dam  144  has a base side  150  engaging the table surface  42 , a lateral side  152  engaging the side wall  142  of the tooling surface  134 , and an inclined side  154  extending between the base side  150  and the lateral side  152 . While the example of the side dam  144  shown in  FIG. 9A  has a triangular cross-sectional shape, it will be appreciated that the side dam  144  may have other cross-sectional shapes. Still further, the contoured shape of the tooling surface  134  may include a convex section  156 . 
       FIG. 9C  is a block diagram of a method  300  thermally processing a part  21  to have a non-planar shape. At block  302 , the method includes providing a table  40  formed of a thermally conductive material and defining a table surface  42 . Continuing a block  304 , a tool  130  is placed on the table surface  42 , wherein the tool  130  is formed of a thermally conductive material. The tool  130  has a base surface  132  configured to engage the table surface  42 , and a tooling surface  134  opposite the base surface  132 . As best shown in  FIG. 9A , the tooling surface  134  has a contoured shape that is non-planar. At block  306 , the method  300  includes positioning the part  21  with a first surface  44  engaging at least the tooling surface  134 . At block  308 , a heating blanket  80  is positioned over a second surface  84  of the part  21 , the second surface  84  being opposite the first surface  84 . At block  310 , the method continues by heating the tooling surface  134  and the heating blanket  80  to a processing temperature for a sufficient time until the part  21  at least partially conforms to the tooling surface  134  of the tool  130 . 
     In the example illustrated at  FIG. 10A , the heating apparatus  20  includes a thermal management system  160  that enables more rapid heating and/or cooling of the table surface  42 . More specifically, the thermal management system  160  is thermally coupled to the table  40 , and includes a chamber  166  defining an interior space  167 . In the illustrated example, the chamber  166  is formed by an enclosure side wall  162  coupled to the back surface  46  of the table  40 , and a sheath  164  coupled to the enclosure side wall  162  and spaced from the back surface  46 . Accordingly, the interior space  167  of the chamber  166  is adjacent the back surface  46  of the table  40 . Furthermore, at least one cooling fin  168  is coupled to the back surface  46  of the table  40  and is disposed within the chamber  166 . In the example illustrated at  FIG. 10A , four cooling fins  168  are provided, however a greater or lesser number of fins may be provided. An inlet  170  and an outlet  172  extend through the chamber  166 . Air residing in the chamber  166  will act as an insulator to retain heat at the table surface  42 , allowing the heating apparatus  20  to more rapidly reach the processing temperature. Alternatively, cooling of the table surface  42  may be facilitated by the fins  168 . 
     To increase the amount of cooling provided by the thermal management system  160 , an air source  174  fluidly communicates with the inlet  170 . The air source  174  is selectively operable to generate an air flow through the chamber  166  only when cooling is desired. Accordingly, the thermal management system  160  is selectively operable in an insulator mode, during which the air flow is prevented through the chamber  166 , and a cooling mode, during which the air flow is permitted through the chamber  166 . Still further, the air source may be a variable speed air source configured to produce the air flow at different air flow rates, thereby to further vary the rate of cooling when in the cooling mode. 
     To more uniformly distribute cooling across the table  40 , each cooling fin  168  has a varying cross-sectional area. More specifically, each fin  168  has an upstream end  176 , located nearer the inlet  170 , and a downstream end  178 , located nearer the outlet  172 . The cross-sectional area of each cooling fin  168  varies from a smaller fin area at the upstream end  176  to a larger fin area at the downstream end  178 . Accordingly, as the air flow travels through the chamber  166  from the inlet  170  to the outlet  172 , it will increase in temperature, thereby potentially reducing cooling capacity. The larger cross-sectional area of the fins  168  at the downstream end  178  will increase cooling capacity, thereby achieving more uniform cooling across the entire length of the table  40 . 
     The thermal management system  160  permits more rapid thermal processing of parts.  FIG. 10B  is a block diagram of a method  180  of thermally processing parts. At block  182 , a first part is placed on the table surface  42  of the heating apparatus  20 . At block  183 , the table surface  42  is then heated to a processing temperature using the table inductive heating circuit  52 . The table inductive heating circuit may include a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other, wherein each of the plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. At block  184 , the thermal management system  160  provided with the heating apparatus  20  is then operated in an insulator mode to maintain the table surface  42  at the processing temperature until the first part is thermally processed. Subsequently, at block  185 , the thermal management system  160  is operated in a cooling mode to cool the table surface  42  to a reduced temperature that allows safe handling of the part and/or the table. While the thermal management system  160  may be used in combination with any of the features disclosed herein, providing the thermal management system  160  in combination with locating the table inductive heating circuit  52  in the groove  54  provided on the back surface  46 , as disclosed above, may advantageously increase the efficiency with which the temperature of the table  40  is raised or lowered. 
     In some applications, the method  180  may be used to rapidly process multiple parts. In these applications, the method  180  optionally includes removing the first part from the table surface  42  of the heating apparatus  20  at block  186 , placing a second part on the table surface  42  of the heating apparatus  20  at block  187 , heating the table surface  42  to the processing temperature using the table inductive heating circuit  52  at block  188 , operating the thermal management system  160  in the insulator mode to maintain the table surface  42  at the processing temperature until the second part is cured at block  189 , and operating the thermal management system  160  in the cooling mode to cool the table surface  42  to the reduced temperature at block  190 . 
     The support assembly  32  of the heating apparatus  20  may be configured to minimize heat transfer from the table  40  to the surrounding environment, facilitate access by a user, and to facilitate transfer of the heating apparatus  20  to different locations. In the example illustrated at  FIGS. 11A-C  and  12 , a plurality of hubs  200  are coupled to the back surface  46  of the table  40 . To sufficiently support the table  40 , at least three hubs  200  are provided, however a greater number of hubs  200  may be used. The hubs  200  are spaced from each other, and each hub  200  includes a stem  202 . 
     The support assembly  32  is configured to support the lower and upper assemblies  34 ,  36  and interface with the hubs  200 . Accordingly, the support assembly includes a frame  204  having a plurality of interconnected trusses  206 . In some examples, the trusses  206  are provided as composite tubes, however other materials and configurations may be used. The frame  204  has an upper end  208  defining an upper end boundary  210  extending around an upper end cross-sectional area, and a lower end  212  defining a lower end boundary  214  extending around a lower end cross-sectional area. To facilitate access to the table  40 , the lower end cross-sectional area is smaller than the upper end cross-sectional area, with the lower end boundary  214  being offset laterally inwardly relative to the upper end boundary  210 . The support assembly further includes three adapters  220  coupled to the upper end  208  of the frame  204 . Each adapter  220  is positioned for alignment with an associated hub  200  and defines a socket  222  sized to receive the stem  202  of the hub  200 . By providing a truss structure having reduced mass, and minimal, spaced contact points between the support assembly  32  and the table  40 , heat transfer to the surrounding environment is minimized. Thus, while the support assembly  32  may be used in conjunction with any of the other features disclosed herein, it may be advantageous to combine the support assembly  32  with the thermal management system  160  to more effectively control heating and/or cooling of the table  40 . Furthermore, the stem/socket interface facilitates separation of the support assembly  32  from the lower and upper assemblies  34 ,  36 , thereby facilitating use of a single support assembly  32  with different lower and upper assemblies  34 ,  36 . 
     The support assembly  32  may further include features that secure placement and improve mobility of the heating apparatus  20 . For example, as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , casters  230  may be coupled to the lower end boundary  214  of the frame  204 . Still further, a lift sleeve  232  is disposed between the lower end boundary  214  of the frame  204  and each caster  230 . Each lift sleeve  232  defines a transverse lift tool aperture  234  sized to receive a lift tool, such as a tine of a fork lift. Additionally, each caster  230  includes a brake operatively coupled to a toggle switch  236 . The toggle switches  236  are interconnected by brake rods  238 , which in turn are operatively coupled to a lever  240 . Accordingly, operation of the lever  240  is transmitted by the brake rods  238  to the toggle switches  236 , thereby to simultaneously actuate each of the toggle switches  236  between a braked position and an unbraked position. 
     The heating apparatus  20  further may be configured to control multiple pressure zones in the upper heating assembly  36 , thereby to ensure sufficient thermal coupling of the heating blanket  80  with the part  21  while avoiding excessive damage to the heating blanket  80 . In the example shown in  FIG. 13 , the upper heating assembly  36  includes a first flexible layer  250  sized to extend over at least a portion of the table  40  and configured to form a first pressure chamber  252  between the table  40  and the first flexible layer  250 . The first pressure chamber  252  is sized to receive the part  21  and has a first pressure level P 0 . The upper heating assembly  36  further includes a second flexible layer  254  extending over the first flexible layer  250  to form a second pressure chamber  256  between the first flexible layer  250  and the second flexible layer  254 . The heating blanket  80  is disposed in the second pressure chamber  256 . Each of the first and second flexible layers  250 ,  254  is formed of a pliant material, such as silicone. The second flexible layer  254  has an exterior surface  258  facing away from the first flexible layer  250  and exposed to an exterior pressure level P 2 . The second pressure chamber  256  has a second pressure level P 1  that is higher than the first pressure level P 0  and lower than the exterior pressure level P 2 . Accordingly, the pressure differential across the first flexible layer  250  causes the first flexible layer  250  to conform closely to the part  21 . The pressure differential across the second flexible layer  254  controls the amount of force applied to the heating blanket  80 . Because the second pressure level P 1  is higher than the first pressure level P 0 , the force applied by the second flexible layer  254  is less than if the second flexible layer  254  was omitted, so that the heating blanket  80  does not conform as closely to the part  21  as the first flexible layer  250 . Reducing the degree to which the heating blanket  80  stretches minimizes wear and tear on the heating blanket  80 . Thus, while the first and second flexible layers  250 ,  254  may be used in conjunction with any of the other features disclosed herein, it may be advantageous to combine them with the additional tooling structures disclosed above with reference to  FIG. 9A , thereby to more precisely form the part  21  with a non-planar shape. 
     A pressurized fluid source  260  may be provided to actively manage the pressure levels in the first and second pressure chambers  252 ,  256 . As schematically shown in  FIG. 13 , the pressurized fluid source  260  fluidly communicates with the first pressure chamber  252  and the second pressure chamber  256 , and is configured to generate the first pressure level P 0  in the first pressure chamber  252  and the second pressure level P 1  in the second pressure chamber  256 . 
     The pressurized fluid source  260  further may be configured to manage the exterior pressure level P 2 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the upper heating assembly  36  may include a shell  262  extending over the second flexible layer  254 , thereby to define an exterior chamber  264  between the shell  262  and the second flexible layer  254 . The pressurized fluid source  260  further may fluidly communicate with the exterior chamber  264 , thereby to generate the exterior pressure level P 2 . In some examples, the first pressure level is a vacuum pressure level, and the second pressure level is equal to or higher than an atmospheric pressure level. 
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram of a method  400  of positioning the heating blanket by controlling the pressures in the chambers  252 ,  256 ,  264 , thereby to thermally process the part  21  using the heating apparatus  20 . The method  400  begins at block  402  by forming a first pressure chamber  252  between a table  40  of the heating apparatus  20  supporting the part  21  and a first flexible layer  250 . At block  404 , a second pressure chamber  256  is formed between the first flexible layer  250  and a second flexible layer  254 , with the second flexible layer  254  having an exterior surface  258  facing away from the first flexible layer  250  and exposed to an exterior pressure level P 2 . A heating blanket  80  is disposed in the second pressure chamber  256 , with the heating blanket  80  being formed of a pliant material and including a blanket inductive heating circuit configured to generate a processing temperature, the blanket inductive heating circuit comprising a plurality of blanket induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other, wherein each of the plurality of blanket induction coil circuits includes a blanket electrical conductor and a smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. At block  406 , the method  400  includes maintaining a first pressure level P 0  in the first pressure chamber  252  that is lower than the exterior pressure level, and maintaining a second pressure level P 1  in the second pressure chamber  256  that is higher than the first pressure level P 0  and lower than the exterior pressure level P 2 . 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended to illuminate the disclosed subject matter and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claims. Any statement herein as to the nature or benefits of the exemplary embodiments is not intended to be limiting, and the appended claims should not be deemed to be limited by such statements. More generally, no language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as being essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter. The scope of the claims includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited therein as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the claims unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Additionally, aspects of the different embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another. Finally, the description herein of any reference or patent, even if identified as “prior,” is not intended to constitute a concession that such reference or patent is available as prior art against the present disclosure.