Nested Induction Coil Layout for Smart Susceptor Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inductively heated smart susceptor systems have limitations in achieving uniform heating across larger areas and are restricted to specific part shapes, with prolonged heating/cooling cycles when processing multiple parts.
Innovation Solution
A heating apparatus featuring a thermally conductive table with a table inductive heating circuit comprising multiple induction coil circuits electrically coupled in parallel, including a unique nested coil configuration and a smart susceptor with a Curie temperature, to generate a processing temperature uniformly across the table surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single inductive heating circuit is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heating uniformity and area coverage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heating circuit is divided into multiple independent coil circuits (first induction coil circuit, second induction coil circuit, etc.) that can be independently controlled. Each coil circuit targets specific zones to achieve uniform heating across the entire table surface, resolving the contradiction between simple device structure and heating uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil circuits are arranged in a nested configuration where the second induction coil circuit is positioned within the area covered by the first induction coil circuit. This nested arrangement enables comprehensive area coverage with multiple heating zones while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heating area is increased to process larger parts, then the versatility is improved, but the heating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The table surface is divided into multiple heating zones, each covered by a separate induction coil circuit. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate larger parts by distributing heat across multiple zones while maintaining uniform temperature control in each zone, thus improving versatility without sacrificing heating uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating apparatus is designed with multiple coil circuits that can be independently controlled to heat different areas of the table surface. This multi-functional capability allows the same device to handle various part sizes and shapes uniformly, enhancing versatility while maintaining heating quality.
3Productivity
If multiple parts are processed sequentially, then the productivity is improved, but the heating/cooling cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The table surface is segmented into multiple independently controllable heating zones through separate coil circuits. This allows different parts placed at different zones to be heated simultaneously without interfering with each other, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining reasonable cycle times.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple coil circuits operate simultaneously and continuously to heat multiple parts at the same time. This parallel processing capability eliminates the need for sequential heating of individual parts, significantly reducing the overall heating/cooling cycle time while increasing the number of parts processed per cycle.
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 enables efficient and uniform heating of larger areas, accommodating various part shapes, and significantly reduces heating/cooling cycles, enhancing processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A table inductive heating circuit is thermally coupled to the table and configured to generate a processing temperature at the table surface. The table inductive heating circuit includes a plurality of table induction coil circuits
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature
Implementation Method 3
configured to generate a processing temperature at the table surface
Implementation Method 4
each of the plurality of table induction coil circuits includes a table electrical conductor and a table smart susceptor having a Curie temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
A heating apparatus (20) for thermally processing a part (21) includes a table (40) formed of a thermally conductive material and a table inductive heating circuit (52 or 121) thermally coupled to the table (40). The table inductive heating circuit (52 or 121) comprising a plurality of table induction coil circuits (62 or 122, 124) electrically coupled in parallel with each other. Each table induction coil circuit (62 or 122, 124) includes a table electrical conductor (70) and a table smart susceptor (72) having a Curie temperature. First and second table induction coil circuits have pairs of segments positioned adjacent each other that are configured to carry current in opposite directions. In some examples, the table induction coil circuits have partially nested, rectilinear hook shapes. In other examples, the table induction coil circuits overlap each other at rhombus-shaped turns.