Patent ID: 8129664

Claim:
An induction heater, comprising: a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed; a heating coil provided below the top plate, the heating coil induction-heating the object to be heated, the object being made of nonmagnetic metal with electrical conductivity not less than that of aluminum; said heating coil having a high potential therein when said heating coil receives current; and an electrical conductor disposed between the top plate and the heating coil such that the electrical conductor faces the heating coil, the electrical conductor reducing buoyancy during induction-heating of the object to be heated made of nonmagnetic metal with electrical conductivity not less than that of aluminum; and a support for holding the heating coil; wherein, the electrical conductor has an extended portion, the extended portion including at least a first segment extending downward from the electrical conductor, a second segment extending in a first radial direction from the first segment, and a third segment extending in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction from the second segment, the second segment and the third segment joined by a bend in the extended portion, the second segment contacting a lower surface of the support; and the extended portion has a connector positioned at an end of the third segment opposite the bend; said connector connectable to a low potential which is lower than said high potential.