Induction heating apparatus, method for inductive heating, production line, and use

Abstract

The invention relates to an induction heating apparatus for heating a metal good, having a coil device with at least one induction coil for inductively heating the metal good and having a machine direction in which the metal good can be conveyed. The induction heating apparatus is characterized at least by a leveling apparatus by means of which a coil side of the at least one induction coil facing the metal good can be actively oriented relative to the metal good.

Description

[0001] Induction heating device, method for induction heating, production line and use

[0002] The invention relates to an induction heating device for heating a metallic material, comprising a coil device with at least one induction coil for inductively heating the metallic material and a machine direction in which the metallic material can be conveyed.

[0003] The invention further relates to a method for inductively heating a metallic material, in which at least one induction coil and the metallic material are at least partially brought into overlap.

[0004] The invention further relates to a production line for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and / or a preliminary product and / or an intermediate product and / or a product made of iron, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material.

[0005] The invention further relates to uses of an induction heating device, an inductive heating method, a production line and a leveling device.

[0006] Generic devices for the inductive heating of metallic goods are known from the prior art. For example, there are devices whose induction coils can be moved from the side into a work area, allowing the induction coils and the metallic goods to overlap, while the metallic goods are conveyed through the work area during their inductive heating.

[0007] For example, EP 3 025 799 A1 discloses a rolling mill with induction coils for the inductive heating of a metal strip. The induction coils can be moved into or out of the line of the metal strip by means of an inductor carriage, i.e., transversely to the metal strip. Furthermore, the induction coils are adjustable relative to the metal strip.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing an improvement or an alternative to the prior art.

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved by an induction heating device for heating a metallic material, comprising a coil device with at least one induction coil for inductively heating the metallic material and a machine direction in which the metallic material can be conveyed, wherein the induction heating device has at least one leveling device by means of which a coil side of the at least one induction coil facing the metallic material can be actively aligned with respect to the metallic material.

[0010] Optionally, the leveling device can be configured to actively align the coil side of the at least one induction coil facing the metallic material in a plane-parallel manner with respect to the metallic material.

[0011] Advantageously, by means of the leveling device, disadvantageous angles of incidence between the induction coil and a surface of the metallic material can be avoided or compensated, whereby the metallic material can be heated much more homogeneously by the induction heating device.

[0012] More specifically, undesirable angles of incidence between a coil side of the induction coil facing the metallic material and a material surface of the metallic material can be compensated, with the material surface facing the coil side.

[0013] In particular, with the proposed leveling device, an inhomogeneous coil-to-material surface distance, especially transverse to the direction of passage or conveyance of the metallic material, and thus also a resulting inhomogeneous heating of the metallic material can be avoided or at least significantly improved.

[0014] To date, this has not been possible in the current state of the art, which often results in inhomogeneous heating of the material to be heated.

[0015] The leveling of the at least one induction coil according to the invention can prevent a critical angular position between the induction coil and the metallic material, whereby the risk of inhomogeneous heating of the metallic material which would otherwise result can be significantly reduced or preferably completely avoided.

[0016] Such leveling is particularly advantageous with respect to embodiments of induction heating devices with so-called open induction coils, which are attached to a conveyor line for conveying the metallic material only on one side of this conveyor line, but have no mechanical connection or support to a bearing point or the like on an open side of the conveyor line opposite the attachment side. More precisely, the respective induction coil is often carried by a cantilever arm part, which is arranged in particular above the conveyor line or can be temporarily arranged above the conveyor line by transverse displacement.

[0017] Depending on the mechanical and / or electromagnetic forces that occur, which can act jointly or individually on the induction coil, the latter can tilt or incline unfavorably relative to the material surface (critical angle of incidence), which can result in a non-constant distance between the induction coil and the material surface, particularly over the length of the induction coil. Since the electrical power transferred or induced by the induction coil onto the metallic material is significantly influenced by this distance, a critical angle setting can result in inhomogeneous heating of the metallic material.

[0018] The longer the cantilever arm section, or the more delicate its construction, the greater its bending potential. The angle of inclination between the induction coil and the metallic material, particularly the induction coil side relative to the top of the material, depends on the extent of the bending.

[0019] Possible forces that can influence the position or location of the induction coil in relation to the metallic item can be, in addition to the gravitational force acting on the masses of the induction coil, the cantilever arm part, the relevant storage devices or similar, electromagnetic forces that interact with the induction coil, in particular between the induction coil and a suspension of the induction coil, between two induction coils of a coil device (e.g. Maxwell forces) and between the induction coil and the metallic item (e.g. Lorentz forces), if this metallic item is arranged between two induction coils, for example an upper and a lower induction coil.

[0020] In any case, the present induction heating device is designed to inductively heat-treat the metallic material while the metallic material is conveyed along a conveying plane of a conveying path through a working area of ​​the induction heating device.

[0021] Preferably, this conveying path extends in the machine direction of the induction heating device.

[0022] The induction heating device has, at least in its working area, a machine plane along which the metallic material is conveyed. Preferably, the machine plane and the conveying plane coincide or are at least plane-parallel to one another.

[0023] In this respect, the induction coil can also be leveled, in particular actively leveled, relative to the machine plane in the sense of the invention by means of the present leveling device.

[0024] The leveling device ensures that the induction coil can be aligned largely plane-parallel, so that a constant distance between the coil and the surface of the coil can be set in order to achieve a homogeneous heat input over the length of the coil.

[0025] This not only saves costs in the production of the induction heating device.

[0026] The term "coil device" in the sense of the invention describes a device which has at least one resonant circuit. Such a resonant circuit has, in addition to at least one induction coil, also at least one capacitor which is operatively connected to the at least one induction coil to form the resonant circuit.

[0027] Since such coil devices are sufficiently known from the state of the art, their detailed structure and functioning will not be discussed further here.

[0028] The present coil device can also comprise two or more induction coils, in particular a first, upper induction coil, which can be arranged above the metallic material, and a further, lower induction coil, which can consequently be arranged below the metallic material.

[0029] The term "metallic good" describes any product comprising an electrically conductive ferrous material, a steel material and / or a non-ferrous metal material. In particular, a metallic good can be understood to mean any semi-finished product and / or any preliminary product and / or any intermediate product and / or any product which is electrically conductive and can therefore be heated inductively.

[0030] The term “leveling device” in the sense of the invention describes any device by means of which an angle of incidence or a critical angle of incidence between an induction coil, in particular a coil side or a side surface thereof, and a material surface of a metallic material can be actively avoided or actively aligned. The leveling and / or active adjustment by means of the leveling device can be carried out with the aim of plane-parallel alignment of the coil to the material surface. Likewise, leveling by means of the leveling device can also comprise an active non-plane-parallel alignment. The active non-plane-parallel alignment can serve to actively compensate for or deliberately adjust an inhomogeneous thermal profile of the material. Alternatively or cumulatively, a geometric inclination of the profile of the material can be compensated or adjusted.

[0031] The present leveling device should not be confused with a mandatory conventional height adjustment, by means of which an induction coil can be adjusted in height relative to a metallic object, but which is not designed to actively influence the angle of attack between the induction coil and the metallic object.

[0032] The present leveling device can be constructed in different ways.

[0033] For example, a framework, such as a cantilever arm part, on which the induction coil is arranged, can be mounted in such a way that the induction coil can be actively leveled relative to the metallic material in the sense of the invention.

[0034] Optionally, the induction heating device comprises a transverse support, wherein the transverse support is configured to displace the at least one induction coil transversely to the machine direction.

[0035] In this way, the present leveling device can also compensate for bending phenomena on the cross support, whereby in particular the cross support and load-bearing components thereof can be dimensioned smaller.

[0036] Rather, with a lighter cross support, the induction coil can be moved more efficiently and significantly faster relative to the metallic material, particularly transversely to the machine direction. The latter can also have a beneficial effect on a more homogeneous inductive heat input into the metallic material, as heat sinks present in the metallic material can be approached and reached more quickly, and thus heat treated for a longer period, while the metallic material continues to be conveyed in the machine direction.

[0037] The term "cross support" in the present case describes a device by means of which the induction coil can be displaced as required relative to the metallic material or relative to a working area or effective area of ​​the induction heating device, namely transversely to the machine direction and preferably along the machine plane.

[0038] The induction coil and the leveling device are carried by the cross support.

[0039] For this purpose, the cross support can have a frame, such as a cantilever arm or the like, on which the induction coil or the leveling device is arranged.

[0040] In any case, the cross support can be designed to be able to displace, in particular, the induction coil of the coil device transversely to the machine direction towards or away from the working area, in particular along the machine plane.

[0041] For this purpose, the cross support can comprise, in addition to a displacement device for the translational displacement of the induction coil, also suitable drive devices, such as electrical and / or hydraulic and / or pneumatic drives or the like.

[0042] A structurally advantageous embodiment provides that the at least one leveling device has at least one rotational degree of freedom, by means of which the at least one induction coil is arranged in a rotatable manner.

[0043] Just a single rotational degree of freedom is sufficient to allow the induction coil to rotate around a rotational axis, so that an unfavourable angular position relative to the metallic material, which is caused for example by a bend in the cross support, can be eliminated.

[0044] In order to be able to compensate in particular for a disadvantageous bending, such as with regard to a cantilever arm part on which the induction coil is arranged, it is advantageous if the axis of rotation of the at least one rotational degree of freedom runs in the direction of the machine direction.

[0045] In other words, this axis of rotation preferably runs transversely to the bend or a related bending line.

[0046] In any case, it is advantageous if the induction coil has at least one rotational degree of freedom.

[0047] Optionally, the leveling device is designed to align a coil side of the at least one induction coil facing the metallic material in a plane-parallel manner with respect to the metallic material.

[0048] This makes it possible, among other things, to ensure that the efficiency of the energy transfer between the coil side aligned plane-parallel to the metallic material and the metallic material is distributed as homogeneously as possible over the surface area of ​​the coil side facing the metallic material, so that the most homogeneous heating of the metallic material can be achieved.

[0049] Leveling can be carried out particularly simply with the present leveling device if the at least one leveling device has a rocker device.

[0050] Such a rocker device can be implemented very simply on the induction heating device if the induction coil is rotatably mounted on the cross support by means of a rotary joint bearing.

[0051] For example, the induction coil has a frame part, a rack part or the like, which has or provides one or more bearing points.

[0052] If such a bearing point is arranged approximately in the middle of the induction coil on the frame part, for example as seen with regard to the longitudinal extent (transverse to the machine direction) of the induction coil, the induction coil can carry out a rocking movement around this axis of rotation in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0053] If the rocking movement takes place around an axis of rotation which is aligned in the direction of conveyance or the machine direction, a bend in an elongated cantilever arm part of the cross support can be easily compensated so that the coil side facing the metallic material and the opposite material surface can always have the same distance in terms of their flat dimensions, or unfavourable distance deviations in relation to the opposing surfaces and thus an unfavourable angle of attack can be avoided.

[0054] The suspension of the induction coil can already be realized in a sufficiently levelable manner by means of the rocker device, which has a rotational degree of freedom (spatial axis) due to a corresponding movable bearing on the suspension.

[0055] Due to this at least one additional degree of freedom, the induction coil can be aligned parallel to the material surface even if the suspension or cross support is deformed.

[0056] In order to be able to carry out a leveling, such as a rocking movement, on the induction coil in a controlled manner, it is advantageous if the at least one leveling device has means for actively leveling a spatial position of the at least one induction coil.

[0057] In order to be able to actively effect a spatial change in position with regard to the induction coil in the sense of the invention for leveling the induction coil, it is advantageous if such a leveling means is arranged between the induction coil and the cross support in such a way that the induction coil can be actively moved relative to the cross support, in particular can be actively rotated or pivoted.

[0058] For example, the leveling means is attached on the one hand to the cross support, for example to a frame or a cantilever part thereof, and on the other hand to the induction coil, for example to a frame part thereof.

[0059] Such an actively operable levelling device can be implemented in a simple manner, for example by means of one or more spring devices and / or spring-damper devices.

[0060] It should be expressly pointed out at this point that an "active alignment" and / or "actively alignable" within the meaning of this description does not necessarily mean an actively adjustable means, but can also be understood as a passively adjusting means which is designed to reduce an occurring angle of attack with passive means, in particular by means of a spring device and / or a spring-damper device.

[0061] Hydraulic or pneumatic piston devices, electric drives, or the like can also be provided as actively controlled or regulated leveling devices. Cable-operated mechanisms can also be used as actively controlled leveling devices.

[0062] Wedge adjustments can also be used as actively operated leveling devices.

[0063] Cumulatively or alternatively, active leveling can also be carried out with the aid of an electromagnetic leveling device, which, for example, uses electromagnetic repulsive forces acting between the metallic object and the induction coil.

[0064] Such electromagnetic repulsive forces acting between the metallic material and the induction coil can be advantageously used in conjunction with the rocker device described above for balancing or leveling the induction coil.

[0065] The electromagnetic forces when the coil is "switched on" depend on the distance between the coil and the metallic object. In a rocker system with spring damping device as described above, the electromagnetic forces interact with the spring forces and bring about a force and position equilibrium.

[0066] In this respect, leveling can be advantageously carried out if the induction coil is at least partially aligned or leveled by means of electromagnetic forces.

[0067] In order to provide the leveling device on the induction coil in a structurally simple manner, it is expedient for at least one leveling device to be arranged on the cross support. This allows the leveling device to be arranged directly between the cross support and the induction coil, which, on the one hand, makes the construction particularly simple and, on the other hand, allows active leveling to be transmitted directly and spontaneously to the induction coil.

[0068] If the leveling device is also arranged so that it can be moved with the cross support, it can be moved or relocated together with the induction coil assigned to it transversely to the machine direction or to the metallic material.

[0069] Leveling of the induction coil can be achieved particularly easily in structural terms if the at least one induction coil is arranged in a floating manner on the cross support by means of the at least one leveling device.

[0070] In particular, with a floating arrangement of the induction coil, leveling can be carried out in a particularly simple manner, even continuously during an inductive heat treatment of the metallic material.

[0071] This is particularly advantageous when a bend on the cross support changes, in particular due to a changing thermal load or changing electromagnetic reaction forces after activation of the induction coil, wherein a bend of a heated cantilever arm part of the cross support can increase, in particular under the load of an induction coil arranged cantilevered thereon.

[0072] Such a suspended suspension of the induction coil can be easily achieved using a variety of leveling devices, as already explained above.

[0073] A homogeneous inductive heat treatment of the metallic material can be reliably ensured for each induction coil if the number of leveling devices corresponds to the number of induction coils.

[0074] It goes without saying that not every induction coil needs to be equipped with its own leveling facility.

[0075] However, it is advantageous if the number of leveling devices is selected depending on the number of induction coils.

[0076] It is advantageous if each cross support is equipped with a leveling device so that each induction coil of a cross support can have its own leveling device.

[0077] For example, the induction heating device can have two or more cross supports, in particular two independently operable cross supports, such as an upper cross support and a lower cross support.

[0078] For example, one of several existing cross supports can also be arranged with physical support on both sides of the conveyor line, in particular the lower cross support, if this can be done within a reasonable framework from a constructional perspective, in particular with regard to the fact that sufficient installation space is available for this on the conveyor line.

[0079] This means that an additional levelling device is not required on the cross support supported on both sides.

[0080] If necessary, a leveling device with only a small or lesser leveling effect can also be provided there, for example, to compensate for or level out a smaller deflection expected on this cross support compared to the upper cross support. For example, cross supports can also be mounted on different sides of the conveyor line, so that cross supports can be moved from opposite sides of the conveyor line from induction coils into the working area of ​​the induction heating device.

[0081] In addition, it is advantageous if leveling devices can be arranged above and / or below the metallic material.

[0082] In this way, induction coils placed below or above the metallic material can advantageously be leveled independently of each other.

[0083] The leveling device can be structurally assigned particularly easily close to the induction coil if the cross support has a cantilever arm part on which the at least one leveling device is arranged.

[0084] As already described above, the induction coil can be generally leveled by means of the leveling device and can be arranged on the cross support in a pivoting or rotating manner.

[0085] Furthermore, it is also possible that, for example, with regard to a vertically conveyed metallic product, a bend in a suspension (cross support) for an induction coil due to gravitational forces does not necessarily have to be compensated by means of the leveling device, but essentially only the effects of asymmetric electromagnetic forces, for example with regard to a belt that is not running centrally or induction coils that are shifted transversely to the direction of travel or conveyance.

[0086] The present leveling device can be operated particularly effectively if the at least one leveling device has a detection device for detecting an orientation, in particular an angle of incidence, of the coil side relative to a surface of the metallic material.

[0087] Such a detection device can be provided particularly easily using optical measuring sensors.

[0088] However, other devices for measuring angles or for measuring a critically deviating spatial position can also be used in this case, in particular in relation to a reference plane, such as the machine plane, or a horizontal or vertical plane.

[0089] Advantageously, means for active leveling can be activated, controlled and / or regulated depending on data determined by the detection device.

[0090] The present leveling device can react even better to a bend on the cross support if the at least one leveling device has a further detection device for detecting bending effects on the cross support.

[0091] Alternatively or additionally, a detection device may comprise a means for detecting the temperature in order to activate, control and / or regulate the leveling according to a desired heating power distribution in relation to the transverse extent of the metallic material.

[0092] A corresponding bend can be detected optically on the cross support, for example. However, a detection device with strain gauges or similar can also be advantageously used in this case. Advantageously, means for active leveling can be activated, controlled, and / or regulated depending on the data determined by the additional detection device.

[0093] The object of the invention is further also achieved by a method for inductively heating a metallic item, in which at least one induction coil and the metallic item are at least partially brought into overlap, wherein the coil side of the at least one induction coil facing the metallic item is actively aligned with respect to the surface of the metallic item.

[0094] Preferably, an embodiment of the previously described induction heating device is used in the method described here.

[0095] If the coil side of the induction coil is actively aligned with the surface of the metallic material, disadvantageous angles of incidence between the coil side and the surface of the material can be avoided, which in turn allows a more homogeneous inductive heat treatment of the metallic material to be achieved.

[0096] In particular, plane-parallel alignment or leveling is particularly advantageous for a homogeneous heat input into the metallic material.

[0097] If the induction coil, in particular the coil side facing the metallic material, is rotated about at least one spatial axis for alignment, the induction coil can be leveled particularly easily in terms of process technology.

[0098] In order to be able to carry out a sufficiently good leveling of the induction coil relative to the material surface, it is advantageous if the induction coil is rotated for alignment or leveling with an angle of rotation of greater than or equal to 2 °, preferably of greater than or equal to 5 ° or particularly preferably of greater than or equal to 7 °.

[0099] The leveling device can essentially already enable all the necessary compensating movements and yet be constructed compactly if the induction coil is rotated for alignment or leveling with a rotation angle of less than or equal to 20 °, preferably of less than or equal to 15 ° or particularly preferably of less than or equal to 10 °.

[0100] With the suggested angles of rotation, almost all bending effects occurring on the cross support can be compensated.

[0101] In this case, it is expedient if the induction coil is rotated while the metallic material is moved or conveyed in a translational manner.

[0102] In any case, it is advantageous for a more homogeneous inductive heat input into the metallic material if the induction coil is also rotated in such a way that the respective normals of the coil side and the material surface run parallel to one another, or are arranged at an angle of 10 ° or less to one another, preferably at an angle of 5 ° or less or particularly preferably at an angle of 2 ° or less.

[0103] A leveling of the induction coil in relation to the metallic material or the machine level of the induction heating device as proposed in the invention can be carried out in advance, i.e. before the induction coil is or is brought into overlap with the surface of the material.

[0104] However, leveling according to the invention can also take place during or after the induction coil is or has been brought into contact with the surface of the material. Leveling can take place discontinuously or, preferably, continuously, for example, while the metallic material is being inductively heat-treated, and in particular while the metallic material is being conveyed past the induction coil(s).

[0105] In this respect, an advantageous process variant proposes that the coil side is aligned or leveled with respect to the surface, while the metallic material is heated inductively.

[0106] This allows immediate response to changing conditions during inductive heat treatment, particularly in connection with continuous leveling, as already explained above.

[0107] Even if the metallic material has some shape or form deviations, in particular with regard to the surface of the material facing or opposite the induction coil, homogeneous inductive heating of the metallic material can still be reliably guaranteed if the coil side and the surface of the material for inductive heating are aligned 60% or more parallel, in particular plane-parallel, to one another, preferably 70% or more or particularly preferably 90% or more.

[0108] Leveling can be carried out particularly precisely if the coil side is aligned or leveled relative to the material surface depending on the deflection of a cantilever arm part of a cross support.

[0109] If the coil side is aligned or leveled relative to the material surface depending on the projection of at least one induction coil, leveling can be carried out even better.

[0110] Cumulatively or alternatively, it is advantageous if the coil side is aligned or leveled relative to the material surface depending on heat generation and / or heat dissipation on the metallic material.

[0111] This ensures that additional bending effects on the cross support due to different heat developments on the induction heating device can be effectively counteracted.

[0112] For this purpose, the leveling device is preferably arranged on the cross support. A structurally simple design provides for the induction coil to be movably mounted on the cross support by means of the leveling device.

[0113] Optionally, a coil side facing the metallic material is aligned with respect to the material surface with an angular offset relative to the material surface of the metallic material, in particular with an angular offset in a transverse direction transverse to a machine direction.

[0114] In this way it can be achieved that by means of the leveling device an active non-plane-parallel alignment can also be set between the metallic product and a coil side facing the metallic product. The active non-plane-parallel alignment can serve to actively compensate for or deliberately adjust an inhomogeneous heat profile of the product. Alternatively or cumulatively, a geometric inclination of the profile of the product can be compensated for or adjusted. The object of the invention is also achieved by a production line for manufacturing and / or processing a metallic product, in particular a semi-finished product and / or a preliminary product and / or an intermediate product and / or a product made of iron, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material, comprising the induction heating device on which the invention is based according to one of the features explained here.

[0115] Such a production line can be set up in different ways, in particular depending on the metallic material that is currently to be treated or processed.

[0116] By way of example only, it should be mentioned here that the production line may also comprise a rolling mill, a rolling train or one or more rolling stands, to which one or more induction heating devices may be assigned or upstream and / or downstream.

[0117] As a rule, such production lines comprise several devices (processing stations), in each of which the metallic product is subjected to one or more process steps. These devices can be, for example, heating or cooling devices, transport devices, shaping devices, cleaning devices, chemical treatment devices, surface coating devices, cutting or joining devices, or combinations thereof. Corresponding process steps for this can be, for example, increasing or reducing the temperature, transport, forming, cleaning, chemical treatment, surface coating, cutting or joining, or combinations thereof.

[0118] The object of the invention is also achieved by the use of a

[0119] Induction heating device, an inductive heating process and / or a production line, each according to one of the features described here.

[0120] The object of the invention is also achieved in particular by the use of a leveling device for compensating bending effects on a cross support for carrying at least one induction coil on an induction heating device for inductively heating a metallic material.

[0121] Advantageously, by means of the provision or use of the leveling device according to the invention, bending or sagging effects caused by a projecting component of the cross support or due to its design can be compensated for in the sense of the invention with regard to the at least one induction coil.

[0122] In any case, the proposed invention contributes considerably to heating a metallic article more uniformly by induction and to ensuring a significantly more uniform course of heat treatment on the metallic article.

[0123] In this way, more uniform forming forces can be achieved in subsequent processing steps of the metallic material, such as rolling the metallic material or the like.

[0124] In general, this results in higher product quality.

[0125] It should also be pointed out that in the context of this patent application, indefinite articles and indefinite numerical expressions such as "one...", "two..." etc. are generally to be understood as at least expressions, i.e. as "at least one...", "at least two..." etc., unless it is clear from the context or the specific text of a particular passage that only "exactly one...", "exactly two..." etc. are meant. It should also be mentioned at this point that in the context of this patent application the expression "in particular" is always to be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The expression is not to be understood as "and indeed" or "namely".

[0126] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments.

[0127] Components which in the individual figures are at least substantially identical in terms of their function can be identified by the same reference symbols, although the components do not have to be numbered and explained in all figures.

[0128] The drawing shows:

[0129] Figure 1: schematically shows a view of a first induction heating device for inductively heating a metallic material, comprising a coil device with two induction coils and having a leveling device for the induction coils; and

[0130] Figure 2: schematically shows a view of another possible induction heating device for inductively heating a metallic material, comprising a coil device with two induction coils and showing an alternative leveling for the induction coils.

[0131] According to the illustration in Figure 1, a first embodiment of an induction heating device 1 for heating a metallic material 2 is shown, which is conveyed along a conveying plane 4 of a conveying path 5 in the conveying direction 6.

[0132] In this embodiment, the conveyor line 5 is part of a production line 8 not shown in detail here.

[0133] The conveying path 5 here coincides with the machine direction 5 (not separately numbered again) of the induction heating device 1, just as the conveying plane 4 is identical with the machine plane 4 (also not separately numbered again) of the induction heating device 1.

[0134] The induction heating device 1 has a coil device 10 with two induction coils 12 and 14 for inductively heating the metallic material 2, by means of which the metallic material 2 is heat-treated in a working area 16 of the induction heating device 1.

[0135] The induction coils 12 and 14 each have a coil side 12A and 14A respectively, which are directly opposite the respective material surface 2A and 2B.

[0136] Since the coil sides 12A and 14A and the material surfaces 2A and 2B are essentially arranged plane-parallel to one another, the respective coil sides 12A and 14A have no angle of attack 18 or an angle of attack 18 equal to 0° with respect to the respective material surface 2A and 2B, wherein the angle of attack 18 in this illustration is only fictitiously shown with respect to a horizontal 20 with respect to the second induction coil 14.

[0137] Furthermore, the induction heating device 1 has a displaceable cross support 22 with two cantilever arm parts 24 and 26 as a one-sided suspension of the two induction coils 12 and 14, which can each be displaced with a displacement device 28 or 30 in the transverse direction 22A transversely to the machine direction 6 in order to be able to arrange the induction coils 12 and 14 for inductive heating of the metallic material 2 individually and temporarily in the working area 16.

[0138] The respective cantilever arm parts 24 and 26 are arranged at their ends 24A and 26A facing away from the working area 16 on bearings 32 (not shown or explained in more detail here only as examples; e.g. fixed and / or loose bearings) of the cross support 22 so as to be displaceable in the transverse direction 22A.

[0139] For this purpose, the first induction coil 12 is supported by the first cantilever arm part 24. More precisely, the first induction coil 12 is arranged at the free end 24A of the first cantilever arm part 24.

[0140] The second induction coil 14 is correspondingly supported by the second cantilever arm part 26. More specifically, the second induction coil 14 is arranged at the free end 26A of the second cantilever arm part 26.

[0141] It can also be clearly seen from Figure 1 that there is a bend 34 (shown only as an example) on the cross support 22, wherein the respective bend 34 results from the projecting placement of the respective induction coil 12 or 14 on the associated cantilever arm part 24 or 26 or on its free end 24A or 26A.

[0142] To compensate for these bends 34 and to maintain preferably plane-parallel alignments of the induction coils 12 and 14 with respect to the material surfaces 2A and 2B, respectively, each of the induction coils 12 and 14 is assigned a leveling device 36 or 38, which is arranged between the induction coils 12 or 14 and the cantilever arm parts 24 or 26. Each of the leveling devices 36 or 38 has or enables at least one rotational degree of freedom about a rotation axis 40 (numbered only as an example) for aligning or leveling the induction coil 12 or 14 within the meaning of the invention.

[0143] In this embodiment, the leveling devices 36 and 38 each have a rocker device 42 (numbered only as an example) in order to realize the above-described axis of rotation 40 (rotational degree of freedom) with respect to the induction coil 12 and 14, respectively.

[0144] Furthermore, the leveling devices 36 and 38 each have means 44 for actively leveling (numbered only as an example) a spatial position (not separately numbered) of the respective induction coil 12 or 14.

[0145] In this embodiment, these leveling means 44 are constructed in a simple manner using spring-damper devices 46 (numbered only as an example).

[0146] In addition, the leveling devices 36 and 38 also comprise a first optional detection device 48 for detecting an orientation or the angle of incidence 18 of the respective coil side 12A or 14A relative to the directly opposite material surface 2A or 2B of the metallic material 2.

[0147] The leveling devices 36 and 38 further comprise a further optional detection device 50 for detecting bending effects 34 on the cross support 22.

[0148] In particular, the data from the two detection devices 48 and 50 can advantageously be used to level the induction coils 12 and 14. Another possible embodiment of an alternative induction heating device 100 is shown in the illustration according to Figure 2, wherein only the features by which this second embodiment differs from the first embodiment are explained below in order to avoid repetition.

[0149] For the general functioning of the alternative induction heating device 100, reference is made to the previous explanations regarding the first induction heating device 1.

[0150] The alternative induction heating device 100 has an additional support device 52 with respect to its cross support 22 or its second cantilever arm part 26.

[0151] While the main bearings 32 of the cross support 22 are arranged on a first side 54 of the conveyor line 5 (see also Figure 1), the additional support device 52 of the alternative induction heating device 100 is placed on the opposite side 56 of the conveyor line 5 in order to support the second cantilever arm part 26 at its free end 26A.

[0152] As a result, the second leveling device 38 (see Figure 1) can either be designed with smaller dimensions, or a second leveling device 38 can be dispensed with entirely, as shown here with regard to the alternative induction heating device 100. List of reference symbols

[0153] 1 induction heating device

[0154] 2 metallic goods

[0155] 2A upper material surface

[0156] 2B lower material surface

[0157] 4 conveyor level or machine level

[0158] 5 Conveyor line

[0159] 6 Conveyor direction or machine direction

[0160] 8 production lines

[0161] 10 Coil device

[0162] 12 first (upper) induction coil

[0163] 12A coil side

[0164] 14 second (lower) induction coil

[0165] 14A coil side

[0166] 16 Work area

[0167] 18 angle of attack

[0168] 20 horizontal

[0169] 22 Cross support

[0170] 22A transverse direction

[0171] 24 first (upper) cantilever arm part

[0172] 24A free end

[0173] 26 second (lower) cantilever arm part

[0174] 26A free end

[0175] 28 first (upper) transfer device

[0176] 30 second (lower) relocation device

[0177] 32 warehouses

[0178] 34 bends

[0179] 36 first (upper) leveling device

[0180] 38 second (lower) leveling device

[0181] 40 rotational degrees of freedom or axis of rotation or spatial axis

[0182] 42 Rocker device

[0183] 44 Leveling agents

[0184] 46 Spring-damper device

[0185] 48 first detection device further detection device support device first side opposite, second side alternative induction heating device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Induction heating device (1; 100) for heating a metallic material (2), comprising a coil device (10) with at least one induction coil (12, 14) for inductively heating the metallic material (2) and a machine direction (5) in which the metallic material (2) can be conveyed, characterized by at least one leveling device (36, 38) by means of which a coil side (12A, 14A) of the at least one induction coil (12, 14) facing the metallic material (2) can be actively aligned with respect to the metallic material (2).

2. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the induction heating device (100) has a transverse support (22), wherein the transverse support is designed to displace the at least one induction coil (12, 14) transversely to the machine direction (5).

3. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one leveling device (36, 38) has at least one rotational degree of freedom (40) by means of which the at least one induction coil (12, 14) is arranged rotatably mounted.

4. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the leveling device (36, 38) is designed to align a coil side (12A, 14A) of the at least one induction coil (12, 14) facing the metallic material (2) in a plane-parallel manner with respect to the metallic material (2).

5. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one leveling device (36, 38) has a rocker device (42).

6. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one leveling device (36, 38) has means (44) for actively leveling a spatial position of the at least one induction coil (12, 14).

7. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one leveling device (36, 38) is arranged on the cross support (22), in particular is arranged displaceably with the cross support (22).

8. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one induction coil (12, 14) is arranged floating on the cross support (22) by means of the at least one leveling device (36, 38).

9. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a number of leveling devices (36, 38) corresponds to a number of induction coils (12, 14).

10. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that leveling devices (36, 38) can be arranged above and / or below the metallic material (2).

11. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transverse support (22) has at least one cantilever arm part (24, 26) on which the at least one leveling device (36, 38) is arranged.

12. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one leveling device (36, 38) has a detection device (48) for detecting an orientation, in particular an angle of attack (18) , the coil side (12A, 14A) opposite a material surface (2A, 2B) of the metallic material (2).

13. Induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one leveling device (36, 38) has a further detection device (50) for detecting bending effects (34) on the cross support (22).

14. A method for inductively heating a metallic item (2), in which at least one induction coil (12, 14) and the metallic item (2) are at least partially brought into overlap, wherein the coil side (12A, 14A) of the at least one induction coil (12, 14) facing the metallic item (2) is actively aligned with respect to the surface (2A, 2B) of the metallic item (2).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the induction coil, in particular the coil side (12A, 14A) facing the metallic material (2), is rotated about at least one spatial axis (40) for alignment, in particular with a rotation angle of greater than or equal to 2°, preferably of greater than or equal to 5° or particularly preferably of greater than or equal to 7°, and / or with a rotation angle of less than or equal to 20°, preferably of less than or equal to 15° or particularly preferably of less than or equal to 10°.

16. Method according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the coil side (12A, 14A) is aligned or leveled relative to the material surface (2A, 2B) while the metallic material (2) is inductively heated.

17. Method according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the coil side (12A, 14A) and the material surface (2A, 2B) for inductive heating are aligned 60% or more parallel, in particular plane-parallel, to each other are, preferably 70% or more or particularly preferably 90% or more.

18. Method according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the coil side (12A, 14A) is aligned or leveled relative to the material surface (2A, 2B) depending on a deflection (39) of a cantilever arm part (24, 26) of a cross support (22).

19. Method according to one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the coil side (12A, 14A) is aligned or leveled relative to the material surface (2A, 2B) depending on a projection width of the at least one induction coil (12, 14).

20. Method according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the coil side (12A, 14A) is aligned or leveled relative to the material surface (2A, 2B) depending on a heat generation and / or heat release at the metallic material (2).

21. Method according to one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the coil side (12A, 14A) facing the metallic material (2) is aligned with respect to the material surface (2A, 2B) with an angular offset with respect to the material surface (2A, 2B) of the metallic material (2), in particular with an angular offset in a transverse direction (22A) transverse to a machine direction (6).

22. Method according to one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the coil side (12A, 14A) of the at least one induction coil (12, 14) facing the metallic material (2) is aligned plane-parallel to the material surface (2A, 2B) of the metallic material (2).

23. Production line (8) for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic good (2), in particular a semi-finished product and / or a precursor product and / or an intermediate product and / or a product made of iron, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material, comprising an induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

24. Use of an induction heating device (1; 100) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and / or an inductive heating method according to one of claims 14 to 22 and / or a production line (8) according to claim 23.

25. Use of a leveling device (36, 38) for compensating for bending effects (34) on a cross support (22) for carrying at least one induction coil (12, 14) on an induction heating device (1; 100) for inductively heating a metallic material (2).

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