A system for controlled induction welding of at least one weld seam area (A) of at least two surfaces of at least one workpiece is provided. The system comprises an inductor configured to be arranged in conjunction with the at least one workpiece, a processing means configured to generate an electromagnetic field by applying an alternating voltage to the inductor so as to inductively heat at least one of the surfaces so that the weld seam area (A) is welded together, simultaneously measure at least one parameter (P) of the at least one workpiece at least based on the generated electromagnetic field, detect a change of the at least one parameter (P), and determine a temperature estimation of the at least one workpiece based on said detected change.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling welding. One embodiment is a method for controlling welding. The method includes initiating induction welding by operating an induction coil along a weld interface of a first composite part comprising a matrix of thermoplastic reinforced by fibers, in order to join the first composite part to a second composite part, determining a measured magnetic field strength at a location distinct from the induction coil, and determining a welding temperature at the weld interface of the first composite part based on the measured magnetic field strength.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling welding. One embodiment is a method for controlling welding. The method includes initiating induction welding by operating an induction coil along a weld interface of a first composite part comprising a matrix of thermoplastic reinforced by fibers, in order to join the first composite part to a second composite part, determining a measured magnetic field strength at a location distinct from the induction coil, and determining a welding temperature at the weld interface of the first composite part based on the measured magnetic field strength.

An automatically flushing water heater maintenance system may be provided, the system including a water heater and a water heater controller. The water heater may include an inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configured to control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The water heater controller may be configured to communicate with the first control valve by transmitting a first control signal to the first control valve, the first control signal configured to cause the first control valve to open or close as part of an automatic flushing process. As a result of the flushing, the useful life of the water heater may be extended, and/or water heater leakage alleviated. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon using the automatic water heater flushing functionality.

An induction welder is provided that includes a first lead, a second lead and an induction welding coil. The induction welding coil is electrically coupled with the first lead and the second lead. The induction welding coil is configured as or otherwise includes a conductive element. This conductive element is configured into at least a plurality of loops arranged within a common plane.

An induction welder is provided that includes a first lead, a second lead and an induction welding coil. The induction welding coil is electrically coupled with the first lead and the second lead. The induction welding coil is configured as or otherwise includes a conductive element. This conductive element is configured into at least a plurality of loops arranged within a common plane.

An example system for controlling heating of a workpiece includes: an interface configured to receive a target temperature (T.sub.T) for the workpiece; a processor configured to: select a current temperature (T.sub.S) for the workpiece based on monitoring one or more temperature sensors; and set a control temperature (T.sub.C) based on the received target temperature and T.sub.S; and a control system configured to: control heating of the workpiece via a heating device until the workpiece reaches T.sub.C as measured by at least one of the one or more temperature sensors, and controlling the heating device to stop heating the workpiece in response to the workpiece reaching T.sub.C; wherein: the processor is configured to characterize a temperature ramp rate based on a measured temperature overshoot at the workpiece after turning off the heating device; and the control system is configured to control heating of the workpiece to T.sub.T by controlling the heating device based on the temperature ramp rate.

An example system for controlling heating of a workpiece includes: an interface configured to receive a target temperature (T.sub.T) for the workpiece; a processor configured to: select a current temperature (T.sub.S) for the workpiece based on monitoring one or more temperature sensors; and set a control temperature (T.sub.C) based on the received target temperature and T.sub.S; and a control system configured to: control heating of the workpiece via a heating device until the workpiece reaches T.sub.C as measured by at least one of the one or more temperature sensors, and controlling the heating device to stop heating the workpiece in response to the workpiece reaching T.sub.C; wherein: the processor is configured to characterize a temperature ramp rate based on a measured temperature overshoot at the workpiece after turning off the heating device; and the control system is configured to control heating of the workpiece to T.sub.T by controlling the heating device based on the temperature ramp rate.

A method of controlling highly regulated power and frequency from a high frequency power supply system to provide a highly regulated power and frequency to a workpiece load where the highly regulated power and frequency can be independent of the workpiece load characteristics by inverter switching control and an inverter output impedance adjusting and frequency control network that can include precision variable reactor pairs with a geometrically-shaped moveable insert core section and a stationary split-bus section with a complementary geometrically-shaped split bus section and a split electric terminal bus section where the insert core section can be moved relative to the stationary split-bus section to vary the inductance of the variable reactors.

A method of controlling highly regulated power and frequency from a high frequency power supply system to provide a highly regulated power and frequency to a workpiece load where the highly regulated power and frequency can be independent of the workpiece load characteristics by inverter switching control and an inverter output impedance adjusting and frequency control network that can include precision variable reactor pairs with a geometrically-shaped moveable insert core section and a stationary split-bus section with a complementary geometrically-shaped split bus section and a split electric terminal bus section where the insert core section can be moved relative to the stationary split-bus section to vary the inductance of the variable reactors.