Open-loop and / or closed-loop control unit, inductor system, production line and use

Abstract

The invention relates to an open-loop and / or closed-loop control unit for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of an inductor system comprising at least one first inductor and one second inductor for heating a metal product, in particular a semi-finished product and / or a precursor and / or an intermediate product and / or a product composed of iron, steel and / or a non-iron metal material, the open-loop and / or closed-loop control unit having: - at least one data exchange means, the data exchange means being designed for data communication with at least the first inductor and the second inductor and being able to be electronically connected to at least the first inductor and the second inductor; and - an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit, - the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit being connected to the data exchange means for data communication; and - the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit being designed to execute at least one algorithm for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the inductor system.

Description

[0001] Control and / or regulation unit, inductor system, production line and use

[0002] The invention relates to a control and / or regulating unit for controlling and / or regulating an inductor system.

[0003] The invention further relates to an inductor system for heating 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.

[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 also relates to the use of a control and / or regulating unit.

[0006] Control and / or regulating units for an inductor are known from the prior art.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing an improvement or alternative to the prior art. The object underlying the present invention is achieved by a control and / or regulating unit having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the control and / or regulating unit are described in the claims dependent on claim 1.

[0008] In more detail, the object is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention by a control and / or regulating unit for controlling and / or regulating an inductor system having at least a first inductor and a second inductor for heating 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, wherein the control and / or regulating unit has: at least one data exchange means, wherein the data exchange means is set up for data communication with at least the first inductor and the second inductor and can be electronically connected to at least the first inductor and the second inductor; and an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit, wherein the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit is connected to the data exchange means for data communication;and wherein the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit is configured to execute at least one algorithm for controlling and / or regulating the inductor system.;

[0009] According to the invention, the control and / or regulating unit proposed here enables advantageous control and / or regulation of even a more complex system comprising a plurality of inductors of an inductor system, in particular on a production line. The control and / or regulating unit proposed here enables data exchange between a plurality of inductors, wherein the inductors can be arranged spatially adjacent and / or remote from one another in a production line. As a result, a coherent inductor system is formed from a plurality of independently operated inductors.

[0010] Furthermore, it is provided for the data exchange means that the data exchange is not limited between the majority of the inductors, but the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit proposed here can also be included.

[0011] Any type of data can be considered when exchanging data. Data can represent operating parameters of one or more inductors. Data can represent measured variables, such as measured variables that describe one or more properties of the metallic material. Measured variables can preferably be determined on an inductor, for example by a sensor device configured for this purpose. Data can also include setting variables, preferably setting variables for controlling and / or regulating at least one inductor.

[0012] In other words, a higher-level control or regulation of individual inductors of an inductor system is created, taking into account the operating mode of a neighboring inductor or of other inductors of the inductor system, so that it is possible to operate each inductor under optimal individual operating conditions.

[0013] For this purpose, the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit of the control and / or regulating unit has an algorithm which can be set up to track individual operating objectives of an individual inductor and / or overall operating objectives of the inductor system by evaluating the data and generating control values ​​for the setting variables of the inductors and / or the inductor system.

[0014] In this way, the inductor system can be controlled and / or regulated as a whole under optimal operating conditions by the control and / or regulation unit proposed here.

[0015] For example, the objective can be to avoid a partial load operating range on an inductor as much as possible. Alternatively, the objective can be to minimize the reactive power and / or dissipation of the inductor system.

[0016] In particular, the present control and / or regulating unit can be used to advantageously coordinate the specific requirements of multiple inductors. For example, inductors arranged one after the other along a conveyor line can each be operated within a more optimal load range.

[0017] In this respect, it is advantageous that the operating parameters of an existing inductor or several existing inductors can be controlled or regulated depending on the operating parameters of an additional inductor or other additional inductors. This can ensure significantly more effective operation of a combination of the existing inductors.

[0018] Furthermore, by means of the control and / or regulating unit, an inductor system or inductors thereof can be adapted very favorably to new products or metallic goods and / or other alloys with regard to their mode of operation.

[0019] Preferably, the control or regulation of the inductor system can also be provided and operate independently of a conventional control and / or regulation system of a production line or the like.

[0020] This alone results in a high level of modularity.

[0021] Advantageously, the present control and / or regulation unit can also be easily retrofitted to an existing system network.

[0022] If individual inductors are already equipped with their own individual control and / or regulation devices, a cascaded control and / or regulation can be used advantageously.

[0023] In induction heating, an inductor is excited to oscillate by means of an induction heating device, particularly in the medium frequency range, especially in a frequency range between approximately 10 Hz and approximately 4 MHz, and especially in a frequency range between 1 kHz and 600 kHz. It is known to integrate this inductor, with the aid of an additional capacitance, into a so-called resonant circuit, which is excited by an inverter, for example by specifying a corresponding voltage curve near the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit.

[0024] According to the invention, it is advantageous if each inductor is preferably assigned a resonant circuit and at least one inverter for supplying the resonant circuit with electrical energy. This allows the inductors to be controlled and / or regulated independently of one another, so that the control and / or regulation unit can utilize the full flexibility of an inductor system.

[0025] For example, in the case of three, four, five or more inductors of an inductor system, preferably three, four, five or more resonant circuits or inverters are provided.

[0026] The following term is explained in this regard:

[0027] First of all, it should be expressly pointed out that in the context of this patent application, indefinite articles and 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 expressly clear from the respective context or it is obvious or technically necessary for the person skilled in the art that only "exactly one...", "exactly two...", etc. can be meant.

[0028] In the context of this patent application, the expression "in particular" should always be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The expression should not be understood as "and indeed" or "namely".

[0029] The term "data exchange means" in the sense of the invention describes electronic connecting devices for the data-technical connection of inductors, for example in the form of mechanical connections and / or a wireless data transmission network. A wireless transmission network can preferably be understood as a WLAN network. An electronic connecting device with mechanical connections can preferably be understood as a bus system, in particular a Controller Area Network (CAN bus), a Profibus, a Profinet, or the like.

[0030] By means of suitable data exchange means, reliable data communication within an inductor system can be ensured, for example, by using the same data protocol with respect to the inductors. The term "electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit" describes a device by means of which data communication with a data exchange means is enabled and which is configured for reading in data, processing data, and / or storing data. Suitable electronic data processing and / or evaluation units can be configured as hardware components and / or software components.

[0031] In this case, algorithms of the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit can be generated and / or selected, for example, depending on the respective component to be heated.

[0032] The component to be heated can be 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, or the like.

[0033] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the algorithm is set up to adapt the power of at least the first inductor and / or the second inductor.

[0034] The power of an inductor is preferably a power greater than zero and less than or equal to a predetermined maximum power of the respective inductor, wherein a nominal power can be less than the maximum power and should be understood as a continuous power under which an inductor can be operated in a thermally stable and / or reliable manner.

[0035] In production lines featuring an inductor system, the objective is often to heat a metallic product to a defined target temperature using the inductor system before a downstream treatment step. The option provided here for adjusting the power of an inductor by the control and / or regulating unit enables, among other things, the individual power of an inductor to be varied to achieve this target temperature while simultaneously fulfilling a secondary objective. This enables multi-criteria optimization of the operation of the inductor system.

[0036] However, the ability to adjust the power also allows the control and / or regulation unit to react to changes in the properties of the metallic material. Among other things, it may be advantageous to use a first inductor to achieve a target temperature of the metallic material close to or identical to the Curie temperature and a second inductor to continue heating the metallic material above the Curie temperature.

[0037] Furthermore, the control and / or regulating unit can react to a change in the geometry of the metallic material and / or a change in the material composition of the metallic material.

[0038] For example, the rated power of an inductor is greater than or equal to 2 MW, preferably greater than or equal to 5 MW or greater than or equal to 10 MW.

[0039] Preferably, the rated power of an inductor is greater than or equal to 20 MW.

[0040] Particularly preferably, the rated power of an inductor is greater than or equal to 30 MW.

[0041] It is understood that the present inductor system may comprise inductors with different power ratings. It is particularly advantageous if the algorithm is configured to optimize the electrical and / or thermal efficiency of the inductor system.

[0042] For example, the reactive power requirement for operating an inductor may increase when the inductor is operated at partial load.

[0043] There are various known reasons for this, such as the possible power control of an inductor by detuning the resonant circuit by varying the switching frequency of the inverter to the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit, which in turn can lead to an increased reactive power requirement, whereby the electrical efficiency can be reduced accordingly.

[0044] Accordingly, it may be advantageous if the selection of resonant circuits or inductors of the inductor system used for heating can be used at full load or close to full load.

[0045] It may also be advantageous to use as few inductors or oscillating circuits as possible to heat the metallic material, or to use only as many inductors or oscillating circuits as are actually necessary to heat the material to be heated.

[0046] The number of inductors to be used and / or the way in which the inductors are to be operated generally depends significantly on the inlet temperature of the material to be heated, which can vary, among other things, in the case of mixed use of hot and cold metallic materials, in particular slabs, in a production line comprising the inductor system, and / or on the optimum target temperature for further processing of the metallic material, in particular by rolling, which in turn can depend on the alloy composition. An expedient embodiment provides that the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit has a memory unit which is connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit for data communication.

[0047] In particular, the storage unit can be provided for storing data which in turn can preferably be used within the scope of the control and / or regulation of the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit, in particular by the algorithm for this purpose.

[0048] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the data exchange means is set up for data communication with a higher-level control and / or regulating device, in particular for the higher-level control and / or regulating of a production line for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic product, and can be electronically connected to the higher-level control and / or regulating unit.

[0049] The data exchange means proposed here additionally enables the data exchange of the control and / or regulating unit with a higher-level control and / or regulating device, in particular a higher-level control and / or regulating device of a production line.

[0050] Such a higher-level control and / or regulation device can be configured in different ways. For example, the higher-level control and / or regulation device comprises a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system of a production line or the like.

[0051] A suitable higher-level control and / or regulating device can, in the sense of the invention, hold a large number of production-specific data, such as data on the alloy of the metallic material to be heated and / or on the target temperature of the metallic material before a downstream treatment process and / or on the specific heat capacity of the metallic material and / or on the inlet temperature of the metallic material to be heated into the inductor system.

[0052] The higher-level control and / or regulating device can be an integral part of the existing control and / or regulating unit or can preferably be assigned to the inductor system as a separate, independent component.

[0053] If the data exchange means for data communication has a bus system, the use of the control and / or regulating unit can be advantageously standardized.

[0054] This allows for advantageous standardization for particularly simple use of the control and / or regulating unit with regard to an inductor system, whereby the cross-system compatibility and availability of the components used can be increased.

[0055] Furthermore, a corresponding bus system enables simplified handling of the control and / or regulation unit in question.

[0056] It is furthermore expedient if the data exchange means is set up for data communication with at least one temperature sensor and can be electronically connected to the at least one temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is set up to determine a temperature of the metallic material to be heated.

[0057] By means of such an advantageously configured data exchange means, particularly precise control or regulation of the inductor system and / or an individual inductor can be achieved particularly well, depending on the situation, as a function of a specific temperature. It is understood that the at least one temperature sensor can be implemented in various ways, in particular by a pyrometer.

[0058] Furthermore, it is understood that several temperature sensors can also be provided, for example at different positions on a production line or the like.

[0059] It is particularly expedient if the data exchange means is set up for data communication with at least one current sensor of at least one inductor, in particular with a Pearson probe and / or a Rogowski coil, and can be electronically connected to the at least one current sensor, wherein the at least one current sensor is in direct operative connection with an inverter and / or an oscillating circuit of the inductor.

[0060] By means of such an advantageously configured data exchange means, a particularly precise current measurement can be carried out, for example, on an inverter and / or on an oscillating circuit for the purpose of controlling or regulating, in particular, the inductor system and / or an individual inductor thereof.

[0061] Suitable data exchange means or current sensors thereof can be arranged on one inductor or alternatively on two or more, in particular on all, inductors of the inductor system.

[0062] It is understood that suitable current sensors within the meaning of the invention can be designed in various ways. For example, current sensors can advantageously comprise Pearson probes or Rogowski coils, since these can operate contactlessly and can also be easily retrofitted in a wide variety of locations. Pearson probes or Rogowski coils are already known from the prior art and, therefore, their construction and operation will not be explained further here.

[0063] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the data exchange means is set up for data communication with at least one voltage sensor of at least one inductor and can be electronically connected to the at least one voltage sensor, wherein the at least one voltage sensor is in direct operative connection with an inverter and / or an oscillating circuit of the inductor.

[0064] By means of such an advantageously configured data exchange means, an advantageous voltage measurement can be carried out cumulatively or alternatively on the inverter and / or on the resonant circuit for the purpose of controlling or regulating in particular the inductor system or on one inductor, alternatively also on two or more, in particular also on all, inductors thereof.

[0065] A further advantageous embodiment provides that the data exchange means is configured for data communication with a control and / or regulating device of at least one inductor and can be electronically connected to the at least one control and / or regulating device.

[0066] This advantageously enables, in particular, cascaded control and / or regulation.

[0067] By means of such an advantageously configured data exchange means, advantageous control and / or regulation of the individual inductor can also be achieved with a corresponding control and / or regulation device of the at least one inductor. Preferably, only a power adjustment can be performed by this comprehensive control and / or regulation device proposed here, whereby the control and / or regulation unit can be designed in a simplified manner.

[0068] It is understood that with the aid of appropriate data exchange means, a large number of control and / or regulating devices of inductors can also communicate with each other or with the respective control and / or regulating device.

[0069] If the control and / or regulating unit also has a housing, the control and / or regulating unit, or its components, can be particularly well protected from mechanical influences. This is particularly advantageous since inductors are obviously often used in harsh environmental conditions.

[0070] The object underlying the present invention is also achieved according to a second aspect of the invention by an inductor system having the features of claim 12.

[0071] In more detail, the object is achieved according to a second aspect of the invention by an inductor system for heating 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 at least one first inductor, at least one second inductor, wherein the inductor system is characterized by a control and / or regulating unit according to one of the described features.

[0072] If the inductor system comprises the present control and / or regulating unit, inductors of the inductor system can be controlled or regulated particularly advantageously. It is understood that the above-described advantages of a control and / or regulating unit according to the first aspect of the invention are directly transferable to an inductor system comprising a control and / or regulating unit according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0073] It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the second aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matter of the preceding aspect of the invention, both individually or cumulatively in any combination.

[0074] According to a third aspect of the invention, the problem underlying the present invention is also solved by a production line having the features of claim 13. An advantageous embodiment of the production line is described in the claim dependent on claim 13.

[0075] In more detail, the object is achieved according to a third aspect of the invention by a production line for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic good, 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, wherein the production line is distinguished on the one hand by a control and / or regulating unit according to one of the described features and / or on the other hand by an inductor system according to one of the described features.

[0076] If the production line has the present control and / or regulating unit or the present inductor system, the production line as a whole or individual stations of the production line and in particular a large number of inductors used on the production line can be controlled or regulated particularly advantageously. It is understood that the above-described advantages of a control and / or regulating unit according to the first aspect of the invention and / or of an inductor system according to the second aspect of the invention can be directly transferred to a production line having a control and / or regulating unit according to the first aspect of the invention and / or an inductor system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0077] It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the third aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matters of the preceding aspects of the invention, both individually or cumulatively in any combination.

[0078] In this context, it is advantageous if a first inductor and a second inductor, preferably a first inductor, a second inductor and a third inductor, are arranged directly adjacent to one another in the production line.

[0079] If inductors directly adjacent to one another are controlled or regulated by means of the control and / or regulating device in question, metallic goods treated by the inductors can be heat-treated with particular precision.

[0080] The object underlying the present invention is also achieved according to a fourth aspect of the invention by using a control and / or regulating unit with the features of claim 15.

[0081] More specifically, the object is achieved according to a fourth aspect of the invention by using a control and / or regulating unit according to one of the features described here and / or an inductor system according to one of the features described here and / or a production line according to one of the features described here. The use of the present control and / or regulating unit is particularly advantageous since it enables a significantly improved heat treatment 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, to be achieved, in particular through the possibility of data exchange between the inductors and / or a higher-level control and / or regulating device with the control and / or regulating unit proposed here.

[0082] Likewise, the use of the present inductor system is particularly advantageous since it enables a significantly improved heat treatment 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, to be achieved on an appropriately equipped inductor system.

[0083] The use of the present production line is also particularly advantageous since it enables a significantly improved heat treatment 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, to be achieved on an appropriately equipped production line.

[0084] It should be expressly pointed out that the subject matter of the fourth aspect can be advantageously combined with the subject matters of the preceding aspects of the invention, both individually or cumulatively in any combination. Further advantages, details and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiment explained in the single figure. In detail, the single figure shows

[0085] Figure : schematically shows a control and / or regulating unit for controlling and / or regulating an inductor system.

[0086] A first embodiment 1, illustrated merely by way of example in the single figure, shows a control and / or regulating unit 3 with a housing 3A for controlling and / or regulating an inductor system 5.

[0087] The control and / or regulating unit 3 or the inductor system 5 belong to a production line 7 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, in short of components 9 to be heated (numbered only as an example), which are conveyed along a conveyor line 11 with processing or treatment stations (not shown in more detail), for example the heating station 13 with its inductor system, of the production line 7.

[0088] In this first exemplary embodiment 1, the inductor system 5 comprises two corresponding inductors 15 and 17, which are arranged one behind the other along the conveyor line 11. It is understood that additional inductors 15, 17 can also be provided.

[0089] The control and / or regulating unit 3 has data exchange means 19 (numbered only as an example), which in this first embodiment comprise a bus system 19A.

[0090] Using the data exchange means shown here only schematically

[0091] 19, the control and / or regulating unit 3 is operatively connected, in particular electrically or electronically, to the essential functional components, such as the two inductors 15 and 17, or the like, of the inductor system 5.

[0092] Furthermore, the control and / or regulating unit 3 also has an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 21 with a storage unit 23.

[0093] The electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 21 is operatively connected to the data exchange means 19 and thus also to the essential functional components of the inductor system 5.

[0094] By means of the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 21, suitable algorithms for controlling and / or regulating the inductor system 5 can be executed in order to be able to modulate in particular the operation or the mode of operation, such as the power supply or power adjustment, etc., of the individual inductors 15, 17 or the like.

[0095] It is particularly advantageous that an optimization of the electrical efficiency of the inductor system 5 in general and of the inductors 15, 17 in particular can be achieved by means of suitable algorithms.

[0096] Furthermore, the control and / or regulating unit 3 or the data exchange means 19 thereof is configured for data communication with a higher-level control and / or regulating device 25 of the production line 7, so that more complex control or regulation of the inductor system 5 is also possible, for example depending on other processing stations of the production line 7 and / or data present only in the production line 7. For this purpose, the control and / or regulating device 25 also comprises a SCADA system (not additionally shown or numbered here).

[0097] Furthermore, the data exchange means 19 is configured for data communication with at least one temperature sensor 27 and the data exchange means 19 is electronically connected to the at least one temperature sensor 27, wherein the temperature sensor 27 is configured to determine a temperature of the metallic material 9 to be heated.

[0098] Furthermore, the data exchange means 19 is configured for data communication with at least one current sensor 15A or 17A of at least the inductor 15 or 17, and the data exchange means 19 can be electronically connected to the at least one current sensor 15A or 17A, wherein the at least one current sensor 15A or 17A is in direct operative connection with an inverter 15B or 17B and / or an oscillating circuit 15C or 17C of the inductor 15, 17.

[0099] The current sensor 15A or 17A can, for example, comprise a known Pearson probe and / or a Rogowski coil, which is also known per se.

[0100] Furthermore, the data exchange means 19 is configured for data communication with at least one voltage sensor 15D or 17D of at least one inductor, and the data exchange means 19 can be electronically connected to the at least one voltage sensor 15D or 17D, wherein the at least one voltage sensor 15D or 17D is in direct operative connection with an inverter 15B or 17B and / or an oscillating circuit 15C or 17C of the inductor 15, 17.

[0101] Likewise, the data exchange means 19 is configured for data communication with a control and / or regulating device 15E or 17E of at least one inductor 15 or 17, and the data exchange means 19 can be connected to the at least one control and / or

[0102] Control unit 3 can be connected electronically.

[0103] In this respect, in particular the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit 21 can communicate with the data exchange means 19 with all relevant functional components of the inductor system 5, so that in particular the inductors 15 and 17 of the inductor system 5 can be controlled or regulated in an optimized manner with the present control and / or regulating unit 3.

[0104] List of reference symbols

[0105] I a first example

[0106] 3 Control and / or regulation unit

[0107] 3A housing

[0108] 5 Inductor system

[0109] 7 Production line

[0110] 9 components or metallic goods to be heated

[0111] II Conveyor line

[0112] 13 Heating station

[0113] 15 first inductor

[0114] 15A current sensor

[0115] 15B inverter

[0116] 15C resonant circuit

[0117] 15D voltage sensor

[0118] 15E Control and / or regulating device

[0119] 17 second inductor

[0120] 17A additional current sensor

[0121] 17B additional inverter

[0122] 17C additional resonant circuit

[0123] 17D additional voltage sensor

[0124] 17E additional control and / or regulating device

[0125] 19 Data exchange means

[0126] 19A Data exchange means

[0127] 21 electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit

[0128] 23 Storage unit

[0129] 25 Control and / or regulating device

[0130] 27 Temperature sensor

Claims

Patent claims 1. Control and / or regulating unit (3) for controlling and / or regulating an inductor system (5) comprising at least a first inductor (15) and a second inductor (17) for heating a metallic material (9), 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, wherein the control and / or regulating unit (3) comprises: at least one data exchange means (19, 19A), wherein the data exchange means (19, 19A) is set up for data communication with at least the first inductor (15) and the second inductor (17) and can be electronically connected to at least the first inductor (13) and the second inductor (17); and an electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (21), wherein the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (21) is connected to the data exchange means (19, 19A) for data communication;and wherein the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (21) is configured to execute at least one algorithm for controlling and / or regulating the inductor system (5); 2. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the algorithm for adjusting the power of at least the first inductor (15) and / or the second inductor (17) is established.

3. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the algorithm is configured to optimize an electrical and / or thermal efficiency of the inductor system (5).

4. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (21) has a memory unit (23) which is connected to the electronic data processing and / or evaluation unit (21) for data communication.

5. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data exchange means (19, 19A) is set up for data communication with a higher-level control and / or regulating apparatus (25), in particular for the higher-level control and / or regulating of a production line (7) for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic product (9), and can be electronically connected to the control and / or regulating unit (3).

6. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data exchange means (19, 19A) has a bus system (19A) for data communication.

7. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data exchange means (19, 19A) is set up for data communication with at least one temperature sensor (27) and can be electronically connected to the at least one temperature sensor (27), wherein the temperature sensor (27) is set up to determine a temperature of the metallic material (9) to be heated.

8. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data exchange means (19, 19A) for data communication with at least one current sensor (15A, 17A) of at least one inductor (15, 17) is equipped, in particular with a Pearson probe and / or a Rogowski coil, and can be electronically connected to the at least one current sensor (15A, 17A), wherein the at least one current sensor (15A, 17A) is in direct operative connection with an inverter (15B, 17B) and / or an oscillating circuit (15C, 17C) of the inductor (15, 17).

9. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data exchange means (19, 19A) is set up for data communication with at least one voltage sensor (15D, 17D) of at least one inductor (15, 17) and can be electronically connected to the at least one voltage sensor (15D, 17D), wherein the at least one voltage sensor (15D, 17D) is in direct operative connection with an inverter (15B, 17B) and / or an oscillating circuit (15C, 17C) of the inductor (15, 17).

10. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data exchange means (19, 19A) is configured for data communication with at least one control and / or regulating device (15E, 17E) of at least one inductor (15, 17) and can be electronically connected to the at least one control and / or regulating device (15E, 17E).

11. Control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control and / or regulating unit (3) has a housing (3A).

12. Inductor system (5) for heating a metallic product (9), in particular a semi-finished product and / or a pre-product and / or an intermediate product and / or a product made of iron, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material, comprising at least one first inductor (15), at least one second inductor (17) and a control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Production line (7) for producing and / or processing a metallic product (9), 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 a control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of claims 1 to 11 and / or an inductor system (5) according to claim 12.

14. Production line (7) according to claim 13, characterized in that a first inductor (15) and a second inductor (17), preferably a first inductor (15), a second inductor (17) and a third inductor, are arranged directly adjacent to one another in the production line (7).

15. Use of a control and / or regulating unit (3) according to one of claims 1 to 11 and / or an inductor system (5) according to claim 12 and / or a production line (7) according to one of claims 13 or 14.

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