Inductive Heating Coils With Coaxial Cables for Variable-Width Rolling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductive heating devices for rolling mills face challenges in efficiently heating workpieces of varying widths due to fixed coil positions and high electrical losses from long cable connections.
Innovation Solution
A device with a converter and capacitor bank housed in a protective compartment, using flexible coaxial cables for electrical connections, and allowing for transverse movement of coils to accommodate different workpiece widths, while active cooling reduces electrical resistance and heat development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If long cable connections are used to supply voltage from the capacitor bank to the coils, then the coils can be positioned fixedly, but electrical losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor bank is extracted from the fixed housing and mounted on the movable coil car, separating the power supply function from the structural support function. This eliminates the need for long cable connections between fixed capacitor bank and movable coils, thereby reducing electrical losses while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Conductor rails are introduced as an intermediary transmission medium between the capacitor bank and coils. These rails provide a low-resistance electrical connection path that accommodates the transverse movement of the coil car while minimizing electrical losses compared to flexible cables.
2Adaptability or versatility
If coils are fixedly mounted to maintain stable electrical connections, then connection reliability improves, but adaptability to different workpiece widths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coil car is designed to be movable along the transverse axis, enabling dynamic adjustment of coil positions to accommodate different workpiece widths. The capacitor bank moves with the coils, maintaining stable electrical connections through the movable mounting system rather than requiring fixed installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil car assembly serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the coils, enables transverse movement for positioning, and carries the capacitor bank for power supply. This multi-functional design allows the system to adapt to different workpiece dimensions while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
3Loss of energy
If capacitors are mounted on the coil car to minimize cable length, then electrical losses reduce, but the electrical components are exposed to hot air, dust, and radiant heat
Solution Approach 1:
A protective housing encloses the capacitor bank and converter on the coil car, creating a physical barrier against hot air, dust, and radiant heat. The housing allows the electrical components to be mounted on the movable coil car for minimal cable length while protecting them from the harsh rolling mill environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing acts as an intermediary between the electrical components and the harmful environmental factors. It shields the capacitors and converter from direct exposure to hot air, dust, and radiant heat while allowing the entire assembly to move with the coil car.
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
The solution enables efficient inductive heating of workpieces with varying widths by minimizing electrical losses and maintaining a clean, cooled environment for the electrical components, thus improving the overall efficiency and reliability of the heating process.
Implementation Method 1
a converter (3) for producing an alternating voltage... an upper coil (10) and a lower coil (11) are arranged, wherein the workpiece (2) can be moved through between the coils and the workpiece is thereby inductively heated by transverse-field heating
Implementation Method 2
the cables are cooled by a fluid, such as air or water
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) for inductive heating of a workpiece (2) in a rolling mill, the device (1) including: a converter (3) for creating an alternating voltage, a capacitor bank (6) electrically connected to the converter (3), and having a plurality of capacitors (7) connected in parallel, a working field (8), in which an upper coil (10) and a lower coil (11) are arranged. The workpiece (2) is able to be passed between the coils (10, 11) and is thereby inductively heated by cross-field heating. A housing (4) arranged next to, below or above the working field (8). The converter (3) and capacitor bank (6) are arranged in the housing (4). The coils (10, 11) are each electrically connected to the capacitor bank (6) by a flexible cable (12, 13). The cable (12, 13) is a coaxial cable (27), with one phase of the alternating voltage applied to an inner conductor (28) and the other phase of the alternating voltage applied to an outer conductor (29) of the coaxial cable (27). The cables (12, 13) are cooled by a fluid, such as air or water (21).