CROSS-FIELD INDUCTION HEATING DEVICE

Abstract

A transverse field induction heating apparatus for the inductive heating of sheet metal in a rolling mill includes an upper inductor and a lower inductor. The upper inductor includes two adjacently positioned upper partial induction loops which are series-connected and fed an electrical current in opposite directions. The lower inductor includes two adjacently positioned lower partial induction loops which are series-connected and fed an electrical current in opposite directions. The electrical current in both partial induction loops is oriented in an opposing direction. Each of the upper and lower partial induction loop is structured to be moved individually perpendicular to a sheet axis and includes a rounded head positioned adjacent to each other such that the rounded head is shaped as a hammer head.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A transverse field induction heating apparatus for the inductive heating of sheet metal in a rolling mill, comprising: an upper inductor comprising two adjacently positioned upper partial induction loops which are series-connected and fed an electrical current in opposite directions; and a lower inductor comprising two adjacently positioned lower partial induction loops which are series-connected and fed an electrical current in opposite directions, wherein the electrical current in both partial induction loops is oriented in an opposing direction, wherein each upper and lower partial induction loop is configured to be moved individually perpendicular to a sheet axis, wherein each upper and lower partial induction loop comprises a rounded head positioned adjacent to each other, and wherein the rounded head is shaped as a hammer head.

11. The transverse field induction heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the two adjacently positioned upper and lower partial induction loops are positioned in a single coil housing.

12. The transverse field induction heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the two adjacently positioned upper and lower partial induction loops are positioned between two drive rollers of the sheet metal to be heated.

13. The transverse field induction heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the two adjacently positioned upper and lower partial induction loops are positioned within a shielding cap.

14. The transverse field induction heating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of the two adjacently positioned upper and lower partial induction loops comprise supply and return conductors that run parallel to each other in their foot region.

15. The transverse field induction heating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein when the two adjacently positioned upper and lower partial induction loops are positioned in a standard position, the rounded head of each upper and lower partial induction loop is configured to extend beyond one sheet edge, and the supply and the return conductors are configured to extend beyond an opposing sheet edge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with FIG. 1, which schematically depicts a plan view of part of a transverse field induction heating apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] With the transverse field induction heating apparatus described here, only one inductor divided into two partial induction loops 2, 3 is shown above a sheet 1 to be heated of a rolling line, while the associated inductor below the sheet and corresponding feed apparatuses, conveying apparatuses, etc. of the induction heating apparatus are not shown. What is essential is that the inductor shown here is divided into two adjacently arranged partial induction loops 2, 3 which are series-connected and fed in opposite directions so that the divided, fed, equal current in both partial induction coils 2, 3 is oriented in opposite directions, as indicated by corresponding arrows in the partial induction loops 2, 3. The direction of the current induced in sheet 1 is also indicated by arrows.

[0020] The two adjacently arranged partial induction loops 2, 3 each comprise a head region 4 and a foot region 5. The head region is structured or shaped like a hammer head, whereas the foot region 5 has a supply and return conductor that run parallel to each other. Each head region and foot region extend in the standard position shown here beyond an edge of the metal sheet to be heated.

[0021] Both partial induction loops 2, 3 can be moved independent of each other relative to the axis of the metal sheet, wherein their position can be correspondingly controlled in order to achieve very even heating of the metal sheet.

[0022] Overall, the transverse field induction heating apparatus is arranged between two adjacent drive rollers 6 of the metal sheet.

[0023] The two partial induction loops 2, 3 are in a common coil housing (not shown) and are series-connected and arranged within a shielding cap (not shown) to dampen the resulting stray field.

[0024] Given the division into two conductor loops that are fed in opposite directions and arranged adjacent to each other, the power input into the metal sheet 1 is heated much less in the region between the conductor loops. This prevents the sheet edge from overheating with maximum surface power density. Since the divided current in both loops is oriented in opposite directions, the resulting magnetic fields are compensated in the head region of the inductor. This prevents a circular current from being induced over the non-insulated drive rollers 6.