Method for heating a metal product, induction heating device, production line and use of an induction heating device of this kind

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for heating a metal product conveyed along a conveyor path with at least one resonant circuit of an inductor, in which the at least one resonant circuit provides a magnetic field with which the metal product is made to interact, in which the body temperature of the metal product is measured downstream of the inductor, and in which the power of the at least one resonant circuit is manipulated depending on the body temperature of the metal product measured downstream of the inductor.

Description

[0001] Method for heating a metallic material, induction heating device, production line and use of such an induction heating device

[0002] The invention relates to a method for heating a metallic material conveyed along a conveyor line, with at least one oscillating circuit of an inductor, in which the at least one oscillating circuit provides a magnetic field with which the metallic material is brought into interaction.

[0003] The invention further relates to an induction heating device for heating a metallic material with at least one inductor comprising at least one oscillating circuit for providing a magnetic field, and with a control and / or regulating device for controlling and / or regulating the at least one inductor, wherein the at least one oscillating circuit has at least one induction coil and a capacitor device.

[0004] The invention also 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 also relates to the use of such an induction heating device. Generic methods for heating metallic goods are known from the prior art, as are induction heating devices for heating such metallic goods. Inductive heating methods are used in particular for reheating metallic goods that have already been preheated but have often cooled down again in the meantime, especially directly upstream of processing machines on a rolling train, for example directly upstream of a rolling stand or the like. Inductive heating methods are particularly well suited to additionally heating metallic goods to a required processing temperature in a short time, or even to bringing them entirely to a desired processing temperature.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing an improvement or alternative to the prior art. In particular, the invention is based on the object of being able to process a metallic product more optimally with regard to mechanical processing on a production line, such as a rolling mill or the like.

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by a method for heating a metallic material conveyed along a conveyor line with at least one oscillating circuit of an inductor, in which the at least one oscillating circuit provides a magnetic field with which the metallic material is brought into interaction, in which the body temperature of the metallic material is measured downstream of the inductor, and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit is manipulated as a function of the body temperature of the metallic material measured downstream of the inductor.

[0008] Using the method proposed here, it is possible not only to heat metallic goods advantageously inductively, but also to heat them much more precisely and to bring them to a desired target temperature before these metallic goods are finally subjected to a further downstream processing process.

[0009] This significant improvement in inductive heating is achieved in particular by manipulating the power of the inductor or of at least one oscillating circuit as a function of the body temperature of the metallic material measured downstream of the inductor.

[0010] The proposed process with the more targeted inductive heat treatment can not only have a positive influence on the mechanical processing of the metallic material following the inductive heating.

[0011] In addition, the inductive heating process can generally be carried out in a more energy-efficient manner, since, for example, existing temperature drops can be responded to with more differentiated and targeted heat inputs.

[0012] This allows the present process to be carried out significantly more efficiently, particularly electrically. The additional process variants described here can further enhance these energy-saving effects.

[0013] The term "manipulate" in this case describes both controlling and / or regulating the power or active power of an oscillating circuit of the inductor.

[0014] "Controlling" the power can be advantageously carried out, for example, with thicker metallic goods, such as slabs or the like, whereas "regulating" can be advantageously applied with thinner metallic goods, such as sheets or the like, particularly in connection with a "closed-loop system" or similar. Manipulation of the power of the resonant circuit within the meaning of the invention can be carried out simply by changing the voltage across the resonant circuit.

[0015] In the context of the invention, the term “oscillating circuit” describes any device on an inductor that generates magnetic fields.

[0016] Such an oscillating circuit comprises at least one induction coil and a capacitor device, wherein the magnetic field is initiated by this induction coil, and wherein by means of this magnetic field a heat input into the metallic material can be effected when the metallic material is brought into interaction with the magnetic field.

[0017] The term "metallic goods" in the sense of the invention describes any goods which can be heated by induction, such as strips, slabs, billets, sheets, cast blocks, wires or the like, in particular electrically conductive semi-finished products, preliminary products, intermediate products or products made of iron, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material.

[0018] The term "downstream" in the sense of the invention describes a position behind the inductor, i.e. a position (rear side) at which the metallic material heat-treated by means of the magnetic field leaves the inductor again. In particular, the term "downstream" refers to the main conveying direction in which the metallic material is conveyed forward along the conveying path.

[0019] In this case, the term "body temperature" describes the temperatures or temperature conditions prevailing on the metallic material, whether as local or regional surface temperatures or surface temperature distributions and / or as temperature profiles within the metallic material, as well as any combinations thereof.

[0020] The body temperature of the metallic object can be determined in various ways. The body temperature of the metallic object can be determined particularly easily and accurately using optical methods, particularly laser optics.

[0021] The inductive heat treatment of the metallic material can be carried out even more precisely if the power of the at least one oscillating circuit is manipulated as a function of a target temperature on the metallic material that is to be set downstream of the inductor.

[0022] A particularly precisely set target temperature can have a positive effect on the quality of subsequent further processing of the metallic material, particularly with regard to rolling.

[0023] The target temperature refers to the target outlet temperature which is inherent in the metallic material after it has run out of the inductor.

[0024] For example, the target temperature can be determined and adjusted depending on the material parameters of the metallic material.

[0025] Cumulatively or alternatively, it is advantageous if the power of the at least one resonant circuit is manipulated as a function of a target temperature distribution on the metallic material, which is to be set downstream of the inductor, in which the body temperature of the metallic material is distributed as homogeneously as possible within the body of the metallic material. Such a homogeneous target temperature distribution can also have a positive effect on the quality of subsequent further processing of the metallic material, in particular with regard to rolling.

[0026] In the sense of the homogeneous temperature target distribution, it should be explained at this point that this means a temperature homogeneity of or greater than or equal to 80%, preferably greater than or equal to 90%, or particularly preferably greater than or equal to 95%, with reference to the body of the metallic material.

[0027] The term "homogeneity" in the sense of the invention describes the equality or uniform distribution of the body temperature within the body of the metallic item. To determine this homogeneity, the temperature distribution can be carried out at equidistant intervals, in particular along a longitudinal direction of the metallic item and / or based on an equidistant, in particular Cartesian, surface grid of the metallic item.

[0028] A temperature homogeneity of 80% or greater or equal to means that the maximum temperature deviation from a reference temperature value, in particular from the mean temperature value, is less than or equal to 20%. Similarly, a temperature homogeneity of 90% or greater or equal to means that the maximum temperature deviation from a reference temperature value is less than or equal to 10%.

[0029] In this respect, it is advantageous if the power of the at least one resonant circuit is manipulated in such a way that the metallic material downstream of the inductor has a homogeneous body temperature.

[0030] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the power of the at least one resonant circuit is manipulated in such a way that the metallic material downstream of the inductor has, in places and / or regions, only a body temperature deviation of 25 ° C or less, preferably of 20 ° C or less, or particularly preferably of 15 ° C or less.

[0031] If the metallic material has only such a small body temperature deviation with regard to its physical expansion, an advantageous temperature homogeneity can be ensured with regard to the metallic material, and thus also advantageous processing properties.

[0032] The situation is similar if the power of the at least one resonant circuit is manipulated in such a way that the metallic material downstream of the inductor has, in places and / or regions, only a body temperature deviation of 10% or less, preferably of 5% or less, or particularly preferably of 2% or less.

[0033] By keeping the body temperature deviation so low, significantly improved processing properties of the metallic material can be ensured.

[0034] If the body temperature deviation is related to a target temperature to be reached downstream of the inductor, the metallic material can be heated particularly evenly by induction.

[0035] Furthermore, it is expedient if a plurality of measured values ​​relating to the body temperature of the metallic material are determined at a plurality of measuring points and / or measuring areas downstream of the inductor, and in which the power of the at least one resonant circuit is manipulated by means of the plurality of measured values.

[0036] By means of the large number of measured values, a particularly good overview of the nature of the body temperature of the metallic material can be determined, especially if the measured values ​​are determined with regard to several measuring points and / or measuring ranges.

[0037] The term "measuring point" describes individual measuring points on the body of the metallic material, by means of which local temperature conditions in particular can be measured and recorded.

[0038] The term "measuring area", on the other hand, defines an area or region of the body of the metallic good with respect to which a large number of measuring points are provided, in particular a group of measuring points, so that rather regional temperature conditions can be measured and recorded.

[0039] By means of this large number of measuring points or measuring areas, the body temperature distribution on the metallic item can be precisely recorded both in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

[0040] In this respect, it is advantageous if the power of the at least one resonant circuit is manipulated as a function of a body temperature distribution along the longitudinal extent and / or along the transverse extent of the metallic material.

[0041] The power of the at least one oscillating circuit can be manipulated particularly favorably if a two- and / or three-dimensional temperature profile image with regard to a body temperature distribution on the metallic item is generated by means of determined measured values, and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit is manipulated on the basis of the two- and / or three-dimensional temperature profile image.

[0042] The power of the at least one oscillating circuit can advantageously be manipulated if a forecast for a designated body temperature distribution of a subsequent metallic good is created by means of the generated two- and / or three-dimensional temperature profile image, and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit is manipulated taking this forecast into account.

[0043] The present method can be further positively developed if, by means of measured values ​​determined at first measuring points and / or measuring ranges, additional measured values ​​at further measuring points and / or measuring ranges are predicted, in particular at adjacent measuring points and / or measuring ranges, and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit is manipulated taking into account the predicted additional measured values.

[0044] A target temperature or a target temperature distribution can be achieved even more precisely if a designated body temperature and / or a designated temperature profile image of a subsequent metallic item is predicted depending on measured values ​​already determined downstream of the inductor, and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit for the subsequent metallic item is manipulated taking into account the designated body temperature and / or the designated temperature profile image.

[0045] Furthermore, the large number of measured values ​​can be used to generate a body temperature matrix, which allows a body temperature distribution to be recorded particularly precisely.

[0046] In this respect, it is advantageous if a temperature matrix with regard to the metallic material is generated using measured values ​​of the body temperature of the metallic material.

[0047] The inductive heat treatment of the metallic material can be made more effective if the power of the at least one oscillating circuit is manipulated as a function of measured irregularities with regard to the temperature distribution of the body temperature on or within the metallic material, in particular downstream of the inductor.

[0048] In this respect, the performance of the at least one oscillating circuit can preferably be manipulated taking into account temperature anomalies of the metallic material.

[0049] Temperature anomalies are understood here as critical temperature deviations on the body of the metallic item, be it critical temperature deviations compared to a required target temperature and / or with regard to different body temperatures on the metallic item.

[0050] An advantageous method variant provides that the power of the at least one oscillating circuit is manipulated as a function of material parameters of the metallic product and / or as a function of production parameters.

[0051] Suitable material parameters can, for example, relate to the general material composition (alloy), the permeability, the saturation flux density, the dimensions of the metallic material, or the like.

[0052] Relevant production parameters can be, for example, the conveying speed by which the metallic material is moved through the magnetic field, or the residence time of the metallic material on the conveying line upstream and / or downstream of the inductor.

[0053] The material or process parameters can be derived partially or completely from a numerical model. A further improvement of the present method can be achieved if the performance of at least one resonant circuit is manipulated as a function of a simulated model calculation, in particular as a function of a model-predictive calculation.

[0054] Advantageously, this allows model-based values ​​to be taken into account when manipulating performance.

[0055] For example, the required target temperature and / or temperature target distribution can also be advantageously determined and preset.

[0056] In particular, a model predictive calculation is based on mathematical formulas in order to describe, for example, the functional and physical correlations of an inductor, in particular of an oscillating circuit thereof, in particular in interaction with the metallic good and / or the material properties of the metallic good, during an inductive heating of a metallic good.

[0057] In this respect, a model-predictive manipulation of the power of at least one oscillating circuit is also advantageous, since this allows for an even better dynamic manipulation of the power in real time.

[0058] Furthermore, with regard to an even more precise power manipulation within the meaning of the invention, it can be advantageous if the body temperature of the metallic material is measured in front of the inductor and / or immediately in front of a rolling stand, and in which the power of at least one resonant circuit of the inductor is manipulated as a function of the measured values ​​determined in this way.The object of the invention is also achieved by an induction heating device for heating a metallic material with at least one inductor comprising at least one oscillating circuit for providing a magnetic field and with a control and / or regulating device for controlling and / or regulating the at least one inductor, wherein the at least one oscillating circuit has at least one induction coil and a capacitor device, wherein the induction heating device has a manipulation device by means of which the power of the at least one inductor, in particular of the at least one oscillating circuit thereof, can be manipulated as a function of measured values ​​measured downstream of the inductor relating to body temperatures of the metallic material.

[0059] By means of a manipulation device operating in this way, the inductive heating of the metallic material can be carried out even more precisely and, on the other hand, even more energy-efficiently.

[0060] The term "control and / or regulating device" in the present case describes a device by means of which in particular the at least one inductor can be controlled and / or regulated. For example, the inductor is moved into a conveyor line or a production line so that the metallic material to be heated can be brought into active contact with the magnetic field while the metallic material is being conveyed along the conveyor line. Or the inductor is moved out of the conveyor line when the induction heating device is not active, for example during a product change, maintenance work or similar. The height of the induction coil relative to the metallic material can also be adjusted by means of the control and / or regulating device.

[0061] The term "manipulation device" describes in the sense of

[0062] The invention relates to a device by means of which the power of the inductor and in particular of the resonant circuit thereof can be adjusted, in particular taking into account measured values ​​of body temperatures measured on the metallic material, which are or were measured downstream of the inductor.

[0063] The required measured values ​​for the already inductively heat-treated metallic material can be determined in various ways, for example, using suitable measuring sensors on the conveyor system to monitor the conveyor line. For this purpose, the manipulation device in question must have an interface device configured to communicate with the measuring sensors on the conveyor system.

[0064] However, in order for the induction heating device to be able to operate largely independently of other devices, it is advantageous if the induction heating device has a temperature measuring device with one or preferably several sensor elements for measuring body temperatures of the metallic material, wherein the temperature measuring device, in particular the sensor elements thereof, is arranged opposite the at least one inductor in such a way that measuring points and / or measuring areas with regard to the metallic material downstream of the at least one inductor can be measured.

[0065] If the temperature measuring device, in particular the sensor elements thereof, are arranged downstream of the at least one inductor, measuring points and / or measuring areas downstream, i.e. behind, the at least one inductor can be reliably monitored.

[0066] Preferably, the sensor elements are arranged so that they can be moved on or opposite the inductor, so that measuring points or measuring ranges can be selected and adjusted almost arbitrarily depending on the respective metallic material. To ensure that the manipulation device and the temperature measuring device can easily exchange measured values ​​with each other, it is advantageous if the temperature measuring device and the manipulation device have a common data connection.

[0067] It is understood that the common data connection can be designed in different ways, for example as a wired and / or wireless data connection, depending on how the manipulation device and the temperature measuring device can be advantageously integrated into the respective induction heating device.

[0068] Measured values ​​can be measured in a variety of ways. Measured values ​​can be determined particularly reliably if the temperature device has optical sensor elements, in particular laser-optical measuring devices, pyrometers, or the like.

[0069] Measured values ​​can be measured as accurately and precisely as possible if measuring points or measuring areas are arranged or can be arranged variably directly downstream or behind the inductor or the induction coil of the oscillating circuit, wherein positions of the measuring points or the measuring areas are arranged at a distance from the inductor or the induction coil of less than or equal to 1,000 mm, preferably of less than or equal to 500 mm, or particularly preferably of less than or equal to 200 mm.

[0070] The present distance is preferably to be understood as a horizontally measured distance along the conveyor line.

[0071] It is further advantageous if the manipulation device comprises an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit by means of which measured and / or predicted measured values ​​can be processed, in particular also in connection with empirical values ​​from previous measurements.

[0072] In particular, the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit can be configured to carry out model calculations from these values ​​or model predictive calculations in order to be able to simulate temperature conditions or designated temperature conditions.

[0073] For example, based on surface temperatures and the respective material properties of a metallic item, a body temperature distribution inside the metallic item can be calculated or predicted, to name just one example.

[0074] In particular, temperature conditions of a metallic product leaving a casting plant can also be used and processed.

[0075] A further advantageous embodiment can be provided if the manipulation device is self-learning and / or self-optimizing.

[0076] By means of a manipulation device designed in this way, the present induction heating device can be continuously optimized, in particular also the methods to be carried out therewith for heating metallic goods conveyed along a conveyor line.

[0077] The present induction heating device is particularly well suited for carrying out the method proposed here.

[0078] The object of the invention is also achieved by 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, comprising an induction heating device according to one of the features described here.

[0079] A production line equipped with this induction heating device can be operated much more effectively.

[0080] In particular, metallic goods can be heat-treated more specifically and precisely by means of a production line equipped with the present induction heating device immediately before processing devices, such as rolling devices or the like.

[0081] It is understood that the present production line may be provided with a processing device that mechanically processes the metallic material, or with several processing devices that operate in the same or different ways.

[0082] Such processing devices may, for example, comprise a rolling stand for rolling the metallic material.

[0083] In this respect, the present production line can also be characterized by a rolling mill.

[0084] In order for the metallic goods to be fed to the individual processing devices, the metallic goods are transported along a conveyor section of the production line or a suitably equipped roller conveyor.

[0085] It is understood that the production line may also include additional treatment or processing devices, such as separating devices, winding devices, separating devices, or the like. The object of the invention is also achieved by using the induction heating device underlying the invention according to one of the features described here.

[0086] It is understood that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims can also be combined if necessary in order to be able to implement the advantages and effects that can be achieved in a cumulative manner.

[0087] It should also be pointed out here 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 concrete text of a particular passage that only "exactly one...", "exactly two..." etc. are meant.

[0088] At this point it should also be mentioned that in the context of this patent application the expression "in particular" should always be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The expression is not to be understood as "and indeed" or "namely".

[0089] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments.

[0090] In the drawing, the only figure shows a schematic plan view of an inductor with a manipulation device for controlling or regulating the power of an oscillating circuit of the inductor, comprising a temperature measuring device for measuring measured values ​​at measuring points and measuring areas downstream of the inductor.

[0091] The induction heating device 1 shown as an example in the single figure for inductively heating a metallic material 2 is arranged on a conveyor line 4 for conveying the metallic material 2, wherein the metallic material 2 is conveyed forward in the conveying direction 6.

[0092] Here, the induction heating device 1 is located specifically in an area of ​​a production line 7 with a heating section 8 of a rolling mill 10, specifically in front of a rolling stand 12 of the rolling mill 10.

[0093] Several such induction heating devices 1 can be arranged on the heating section 8, which can have essentially the same structure, but are not shown further here.

[0094] In this respect, the structure of the induction heating devices 1 is shown and explained only as an example using the induction heating device 1 shown in the single figure.

[0095] The induction heating device 1, in particular the inductor 13 thereof, can be displaced out of or into the conveyor line 4 according to the displacement direction 1A, transverse to the conveyor line 4, wherein the inductor 13 of the induction heating device 1 is located in the conveyor line 4 as shown in the single figure. The inductor 13 can be a longitudinal field inductor or a transverse field inductor.

[0096] The induction device 1 or the inductor 13 thereof can be characterized in particular by two resonant circuits 14, essentially comprising an induction coil 14A, a capacitor device 14B, power electronics 14C for controlling the respective resonant circuit 14 and electrical connection connections 14D (numbered only as an example).

[0097] The respective oscillating circuit 14 obtains electrical energy from a transformer 16 .

[0098] According to the view of the single figure, only the upper oscillating circuit 14 of the inductor 13, which is located above the conveyor line 4 and thus also above the metallic material 2, and related components are shown as examples.

[0099] The induction coil 14A is enclosed in a housing 18.

[0100] For cooling the induction coil 14A, the inductor 13 has a cooling 22 which has a cooling circuit 22A in which a coolant (not numbered) circulates.

[0101] The cooling circuit 22A has a cooling circuit supply 22B and a cooling circuit return 22C on the housing 18.

[0102] Furthermore, the induction heating device 1 also has a control and / or regulating device 30, by means of which in particular functions of the inductor 13 can be controlled or regulated, such as displacing the inductor 13 according to the displacement direction 1A, to name only one of these functions as an example.

[0103] In order to manipulate the power of the induction heating device 1, and specifically also the power of the resonant circuits 14 of the inductor 13, as a function of the body temperature conditions of the metallic material 2 measured downstream 32 of the inductor 13, the induction heating device 1 has a corresponding manipulation device 34. By means of the manipulation device 34, for example, the voltage at the resonant circuits 14 can be manipulated or changed in order to thereby adjust the respective power of the resonant circuit 14, specifically as a function of the measured values.

[0104] In this exemplary embodiment, the manipulation device 34 has a temperature measuring device 36 which is arranged behind or downstream of the inductor 13, wherein the temperature measuring device 36 has a plurality of sensor elements 36A (numbered only as an example) in order to be able to measure or determine measured values ​​at a wide variety of measuring points 38, in particular local measuring points, and at measuring areas 39, in particular regional measuring areas.

[0105] The manipulation device 34 and the temperature measuring device 36 are operatively connected to a data connection line 40.

[0106] The temperature measuring device 36 or the sensor elements 36A as well as the measuring points 38 or measuring areas 39 generated thereby are preferably located at a distance 42 of a maximum of 1,000 mm from the rear side 13A of the inductor 13, so that the most unadulterated measuring values ​​can be determined.

[0107] In order that the measured body temperatures of the metallic good 2 or the measured values ​​determined therefor can be advantageously evaluated, further processed and, if necessary, also stored by the manipulation device 34, the manipulation device 34 has, among other things, an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 44.

[0108] The manipulation device 34 and in particular also the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 44 are designed to predict or simulate additional measured values ​​from adjacent measuring points or areas 38 or 39 on the basis of determined measured values.

[0109] In particular, the manipulation device 34 is configured to carry out model predictive calculations.

[0110] In particular, the manipulation device 34 is thereby also able to operate in a self-learning and / or self-optimizing manner.

[0111] In a structurally simple manner, the manipulation device 34 is integrated here with its electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 44 into the control and / or regulating device 30 of the induction heating device 1.

[0112] Advantageously, the manipulation device 34 can also transmit measured values ​​and / or processed data 46 to a higher-level operational management and / or control system 48 of the production line 7, if required.

[0113] Data connections 40 are shown in the single figure only as examples and representatively in dashed lines, whereby for the sake of clarity not all data connections have to be shown.

[0114] In any case, the presently claimed method can be advantageously carried out with the present induction heating device 1.

[0115] It is understood that the exemplary embodiment explained above is merely a first embodiment of the claimed induction heating device 1. Therefore, the embodiment of the invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. List of reference symbols

[0116] 1 induction heating device

[0117] 1A Displacement directions

[0118] 2 metallic goods

[0119] 4 conveyor line

[0120] 6 Conveying direction

[0121] 7 Production line

[0122] 8 Heating section

[0123] 10 Wal zwerk

[0124] 12 whale frame

[0125] 13 Inductor

[0126] 13A back

[0127] 14 resonant circuits

[0128] 14A induction coil

[0129] 14B Condenser device

[0130] 14C Power Electronics

[0131] 14D electrical connections

[0132] 16 Transformer

[0133] 18 Enclosure

[0134] 22 Cooling

[0135] 22A cooling circuit

[0136] 22B Cooling circuit flow

[0137] 22C cooling circuit return

[0138] 30 Control and / or regulating device

[0139] 32 downstream or area downstream of the inductor

[0140] 34 Manipulation device

[0141] 36 Temperature measuring device

[0142] 36A sensor elements

[0143] 38 local measuring points

[0144] 39 regional measuring areas

[0145] 40 data connection line

[0146] 42 distance

[0147] 44 electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 46 processed data

[0148] 48 Operational management and / or control system

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for heating a metallic material (2) conveyed along a conveyor line (4) with at least one oscillating circuit (14) of an inductor (13), in which the at least one oscillating circuit (14) provides a magnetic field with which the metallic material (2) is brought into interaction, in which the body temperature of the metallic material (2) is measured downstream (32) of the inductor (13), and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit (14) is manipulated as a function of the body temperature of the metallic material (2) measured downstream of the inductor (13).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated as a function of a target temperature on the metallic material (2) to be set downstream (32) of the inductor (13).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated as a function of a temperature target distribution on the metallic material (2) to be set downstream (32) of the inductor (13), in which the body temperature of the metallic material (2) is distributed as homogeneously as possible in the body of the metallic material (2), in particular with a temperature homogeneity of or greater than or equal to 80%, preferably greater than or equal to 90%, or particularly preferably greater than or equal to 95%.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated in such a way that the metallic material (2) downstream (32) of the inductor (13) has, in places and / or regions, only a body temperature deviation of 25 °C or less, preferably of 20 °C or less, or particularly preferably of 15 °C or less.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated in such a way that the metallic material (2) downstream (32) of the inductor (13) has, in places and / or regions, only a body temperature deviation of 10% or less, preferably of 5% or less, or particularly preferably of 2% or less.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the body temperature deviation is related to a target temperature to be reached downstream (32) of the inductor (13).

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that downstream (32) of the inductor (13) a plurality of measured values for the body temperature of the metallic material (2) are determined at a plurality of measuring points (38) and / or measuring areas (39), and in which the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated by means of the plurality of measured values.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that a two- and / or three-dimensional temperature profile image with regard to a body temperature distribution on the metallic material (2) is generated by means of determined measured values, and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit (14) is manipulated on the basis of the two- and / or three-dimensional temperature profile image.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that a prognosis for a designated body temperature distribution of a subsequent metallic good (2) is created by means of the generated two- and / or three-dimensional temperature profile image, and in which the power of the at least one oscillating circuit (14) is manipulated taking this prognosis into account.

10. Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that by means of measured values determined at first measuring points (38) and / or measuring areas (39), additional measured values at further measuring points (38) and / or measuring areas (39) are predicted, in particular at adjacent measuring points (38) and / or measuring areas (39), and in which the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated taking into account the predicted additional measured values.

11. Method according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that a designated body temperature and / or a designated temperature profile image of a subsequent metallic item (2) is predicted as a function of measured values already determined downstream (32) of the inductor (13), and in which the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) for the subsequent metallic item (2) is manipulated taking into account the designated body temperature and / or the designated temperature profile image.

12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a temperature matrix with respect to the metallic material (2) is generated by means of measured values of the body temperature of the metallic material (2).

13. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated as a function of measured irregularities with regard to the temperature distribution of the body temperature on or within the metallic material (2), in particular downstream of the inductor (13).

14. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated as a function of material parameters of the metallic good (2) and / or as a function of production parameters.

15. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) is manipulated as a function of a simulated model calculation, in particular as a function of a model predictive calculation.

16. Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the body temperature of the metallic material (2) is measured in front of the inductor (13) and / or immediately in front of a rolling stand (12), and in which the power of the at least one resonant circuit (14) of the inductor (13) is manipulated as a function of measured values determined in this process.

17. Induction heating device (1) for heating a metallic material (2) with at least one inductor (13) comprising at least one oscillating circuit (14) for providing a magnetic field, and with a control and / or regulating device (30) for controlling and / or regulating the at least one inductor (13), wherein the at least one resonant circuit (14) has at least one induction coil (14A) and a capacitor device (14B), in particular for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the induction heating device (1) has a manipulation device (34) by means of which the power of the at least one inductor (13), in particular of the at least one resonant circuit (14) thereof, depending on measured values of body temperatures of the metallic material (2) measured downstream (32) of the inductor (13).

18. Induction heating device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the induction heating device (1) has a temperature measuring device (36) with one or preferably several sensor elements (36A) for measuring body temperatures of the metallic material (2), wherein the temperature measuring device (36), in particular the sensor elements (36A) thereof, is arranged opposite the at least one inductor (13) in such a way that that measuring points (38) and / or measuring areas (39) with respect to the metallic material (2) downstream of the at least one inductor (13) are measurable.

19. Induction heating device (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the temperature measuring device (36), in particular the sensor elements (36A) thereof, is arranged downstream (32) of the at least one inductor (13).

20. Induction heating device (1) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the temperature measuring device (36) and the manipulation device (34) have a common data connection (40).

21. Induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the temperature measuring device (36) has optical sensor elements (36A), in particular laser-optical measuring devices, pyrometers or the like.

22. Induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that measuring points (38) or measuring areas (39) are arranged or can be arranged variably directly downstream (32) or behind the inductor (13) or the induction coil (14A) of the resonant circuit (14), wherein positions of the measuring points (38) or the measuring areas (39) are at a distance (42) to the inductor (13) or the induction coil (14A) are arranged of less than or equal to 1,000 mm, preferably of less than or equal to 500 mm, or particularly preferably of less than or equal to 200 mm.

23. Induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the manipulation device (34) comprises an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (44) by means of which measured and / or predicted measured values can be processed, in particular also in connection with empirical values.

24. Induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the manipulation device (34) is self-learning and / or self-optimizing.

25. Production line for manufacturing and / or processing a metallic product (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) according to one of claims 17 to 24.

26. Use of an induction heating device (1) according to one of claims 17 to 24.

Images