A crucible apparatus includes a crucible and one or more induction coils arranged around the crucible. Upon application of electric power to the one or more induction coils, a first thermal zone is generated in at least a first portion of the crucible and a second thermal zone is generated in at least a second portion of the crucible, wherein a first thermal characteristic of the first thermal zone is different from a second thermal characteristic of the second thermal zone.

A crucible apparatus includes a crucible and one or more induction coils arranged around the crucible. Upon application of electric power to the one or more induction coils, a first thermal zone is generated in at least a first portion of the crucible and a second thermal zone is generated in at least a second portion of the crucible, wherein a first thermal characteristic of the first thermal zone is different from a second thermal characteristic of the second thermal zone.

An induction heating apparatus includes a coil driver configured to have a plurality of selectable resonant frequencies, and a controller configured to control the coil driver. The coil driver drives a coil according to a control signal from the controller.

An induction heating apparatus includes a coil driver configured to have a plurality of selectable resonant frequencies, and a controller configured to control the coil driver. The coil driver drives a coil according to a control signal from the controller.

Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for melting materials and for containing the molten materials within melt zone during melting. Exemplary apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.

Various embodiments provide apparatus and methods for melting materials and for containing the molten materials within melt zone during melting. Exemplary apparatus may include a vessel configured to receive a material for melting therein; a load induction coil positioned adjacent to the vessel to melt the material therein; and a containment induction coil positioned in line with the load induction coil. The material in the vessel can be heated by operating the load induction coil at a first RF frequency to form a molten material. The containment induction coil can be operated at a second RF frequency to contain the molten material within the load induction coil. Once the desired temperature is achieved and maintained for the molten material, operation of the containment induction coil can be stopped and the molten material can be ejected from the vessel into a mold through an ejection path.

An induction heating device for a metal strip, including: an induction coil provided on one side or on both sides of a front face side or a reverse face side of a metal strip, and that induces an induction current in the strip when a primary current is passed through the coil, the induction current configuring a closed loop as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a metal strip face; plural magnetic cores disposed at a specific position, this being a position at a back face side of the coil and separated from the strip by a specific distance, to concentrate magnetic flux generated by the coil in the strip; and a moving mechanism coupled to the magnetic cores, and that moves the cores to increase or decrease a disposed number of the cores at the specific position disposed side-by-side along a metal strip width direction.

An induction heating device for a metal strip, including: an induction coil provided on one side or on both sides of a front face side or a reverse face side of a metal strip, and that induces an induction current in the strip when a primary current is passed through the coil, the induction current configuring a closed loop as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a metal strip face; plural magnetic cores disposed at a specific position, this being a position at a back face side of the coil and separated from the strip by a specific distance, to concentrate magnetic flux generated by the coil in the strip; and a moving mechanism coupled to the magnetic cores, and that moves the cores to increase or decrease a disposed number of the cores at the specific position disposed side-by-side along a metal strip width direction.

A heating apparatus for thermally processing a part includes a table formed of a thermally conductive material and a table inductive heating circuit thermally coupled to the table. The table inductive heating circuit comprising a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other. Each table induction coil circuit includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. First and second table induction coil circuits have pairs of segments positioned adjacent each other that are configured to carry current in opposite directions. In some examples, the table induction coil circuits have partially nested, rectilinear hook shapes. In other examples, the table induction coil circuits overlap each other at rhombus-shaped turns.

A heating apparatus for thermally processing a part includes a table formed of a thermally conductive material and a table inductive heating circuit thermally coupled to the table. The table inductive heating circuit comprising a plurality of table induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel with each other. Each table induction coil circuit includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature. First and second table induction coil circuits have pairs of segments positioned adjacent each other that are configured to carry current in opposite directions. In some examples, the table induction coil circuits have partially nested, rectilinear hook shapes. In other examples, the table induction coil circuits overlap each other at rhombus-shaped turns.