Integrated Induction Heating and Quenching Ring for Tubular Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heat treatment and quenching processes for tubular members require moving the object between heating and quenching stations, leading to overheating, complexity, and variability in mechanical properties due to thermal energy loss and transfer issues.

Innovation Solution

A heat treating device with a central axis featuring a heating ring and two axially spaced quenching rings, where the heating ring is fixably coupled to the quenching rings, and an induction coil heats an annular target zone while simultaneously delivering quenching fluids to both sides of the tubular member through circumferentially spaced outlets, maintaining the object's axial alignment throughout the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the tubular member is moved between heating and quenching stations, then the heating and quenching operations can be performed separately, but thermal energy loss occurs and mechanical property consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate heating and quenching operationsVSAvoidthermal energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating station and quenching station into a single integrated heat treating device. The induction heating coil and quenching rings are positioned coaxially around the tubular member, allowing heating and quenching to occur at the same location without moving the workpiece between stations, thereby eliminating thermal energy loss during transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous heating and quenching action by maintaining the tubular member in a fixed position while the induction coil heats the target zone and quenching fluid is continuously applied through the quenching rings. This eliminates interruptions and thermal losses associated with moving the workpiece between separate stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of manufacture

If the tubular member is moved between heating and quenching stations, then separate processing is possible, but mechanical property consistency deteriorates due to thermal energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate processing capabilityVSAvoidmechanical property consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating and quenching operations are merged into a single stationary device with coaxial arrangement of the induction coil and quenching rings. This eliminates the need to move the tubular member between stations, ensuring consistent thermal processing and improving mechanical property uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous heating and quenching process without interruption or movement ensures consistent thermal energy application and rapid cooling, leading to uniform mechanical properties throughout the heated zone of the tubular member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of manufacture

If the object is moved during heat treatment, then separate heating and quenching stations can be used, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparate heating and quenching stationsVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating and quenching stations into a single integrated device with coaxial components. This reduces process complexity by eliminating the need for separate stations and the associated transfer mechanisms, while maintaining effective heat treatment and quenching capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution eliminates the need for object movement during heat treatment and quenching, reducing process complexity and variability, achieving improved consistency in mechanical properties by maintaining the object's alignment and applying quenching fluids uniformly to both sides of the target zone.

Implementation Method 1

The heating ring comprises an induction coil configured to heat an annular target zone along the tubular member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

The first plurality of circumferentially-spaced fluid outlets are configured to deliver a first quenching fluid to the target zone and a first annular heat affected zone extending axially from the target zone along the tubular member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11473161B2Apparatus and methods for heating and quenching tubular members

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 GRANT PRIDECO LP

AI summary

A device for heating and quenching a tubular member has a central axis. The device includes a first quenching ring, a second quenching ring axially spaced from the first quenching ring, and a heating ring axially positioned between the first quenching ring and the second quenching ring. Each quenching ring and the heating ring is configured to receive the tubular member. The heating ring is fixably coupled to the first quenching ring and the second quenching ring. The heating ring includes an induction coil configured to heat an annular target zone along the tubular member. The first quenching ring is configured to deliver a first quenching fluid to the target zone and a first annular heat affected zone along the tubular member, and the second quenching ring is configured to deliver a second quenching fluid to the target zone and a second annular heat affected zone along the tubular member.