Method and apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece

Claim 2

In a device for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece having a cylindrical portion with a longitudinal axis, a maximum diameter, and two spaced ends, said device comprising: an induction heating station; a quench hardening station; means for supporting said workpiece at said ends for rotation generally about said axis; and, means for conveying said workpiece from said heating station to said quenching station, the improvement comprising: said heating station including an elongated inductor having two, generally parallel conductors extending generally parallel to said workpiece axis and covering substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion, power supply means for energizing said inductor, and means for rotating said workpiece about said axis; and, said quenching station including quenching means extending substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion for spraying a quenching liquid against said portion, means for rotating said workpiece generally about said axis, a single workpiece stressing member adapted to contAct one side of said workpiece, two support means movable with the workpiece and on the opposite side of said workpiece from said stressing member, means for moving said stressing member against said workpiece between said end positioned support means in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis and to a position bending said rotating workpiece into a concave configuration in said direction and means for gradually withdrawing said member from said position and away from said workpiece while said workpiece is being rotated and quenched.

Claim 3

In a device for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece having a cylindrical portion with a longitudinal axis, a maximum diameter, and two spaced ends, said device comprising: an induction heating station; a quench hardening station; means for supporting said workpiece at said ends for rotation generally about said axis; and, means for conveying said workpiece from said heating station to said quenching station, the improvement comprising: said heating station including an elongated inductor having two, generally parallel conductors extending generally parallel to said workpiece axis and covering substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion, power supply means for energizing said inductor, and means for rotating said workpiece about said axis; and, said quenching station including quenching means extending substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion for spraying a quenching liquid against said portion, means for rotating said workpiece generally about said axis, a workpiece stressing member, means for moving said stressing member against said workpiece in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis and to a position bending said rotating workpiece into a concave configuration in said direction and means for gradually withdrawing said member from said position and away from said workpiece while said workpiece is being rotated and quenched, said quenching means includes an elongated C-shaped body having an elongated longitudinally extending opening with a width greater than said maximum diameter and means for moving said body in a direction transverse to said axis and between a first position remote to said workpiece and a second position with said body surrounding said workpiece.

Claim 4

In a device for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece having a cylindrical portion with a longitudinal axis, a maximum diameter, and two spaced ends, said device comprising: an induction heating station; a quench hardening station; means for supporting said workpiece at said ends for rotation generally about said axis; and, means for conveying said workpiece from said heating station to said quenching station, the improvement comprising: said heating station including an elongated inductor having two, generally parallel conductors extending generally parallel to said workpiece axis and covering substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion, power supply means for energizing said inductor, and means for rotating said workpiece about said axis; and, said quenching station including quenching means extending substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion for spraying a quenching liquid against said portion, means for rotating said workpiece generally about said axis, a workpiece stressing member, means for moving said stressing member against said workpiece in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis and to a position bending said rotating workpiece into a concave configuration in said direction and means for gradually withdrawing said member from said position and away from said workpiece while said workpiece is being rotated and quenched, said quenching means includes an elongated C-shaped body having an elongated longitudinally extending opening with a width greater than said maximum diameter and means for moving said body in a direction transverse to said axis and between a first position remote to said workpiece and a second position with said body surrounding said workpiece.

Claim 5

The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said quench means includes an opening through which said stressing member passes.

Claim 6

In a device for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece having a cylindrical portion with a longitudinal axis, a maximum diameter, and two speed ends, said device comprising: an induction heating station; a quench hardening station; means for supporting said workpiece at said ends for rotation generally about said axis; and, means for conveying said workpiece from said heating station to said quenching station, the improvement comprising: said heating station including an elongated inductor having two, generally parallel conductors extending generally parallel to said workpiece axis and covering substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion, power supply means for energizing said inductor, and means for rotating said workpiece about said axis; and, said quenching station including quenching means extending substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion for spraying a quenching liquid against said portion, means for rotating said workpiece generally about said axis, a workpiece stressing member, means for moving said stressing member against said workpiece in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis and to a position bending said rotating workpiece into a concave configuration in said direction and means for gradually withdrawing said member from said position and away from said workpiece while said workpiece is being rotated and quenched, said supporting means including a rotatable clamping mechanism at one end of said cylindrical portion and an abutment at the other end, and said heating station inCludes means for forcing said workpiece against said abutment while said workpiece is being heated and rotated.

Claim 7

In a device for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece having a cylindrical portion with a longitudinal axis, a maximum diameter, and two speed ends, said device comprising: an induction heating station; a quench hardening station; means for supporting said workpiece at said ends for rotation generally about said axis; and, means for conveying said workpiece from said heating station to said quenching station, the improvement comprising: said heating station including an elongated inductor having two, generally parallel conductors extending generally parallel to said workpiece axis and covering substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion, power supply means for energizing said inductor, and means for rotating said workpiece about said axis; and, said quenching station including quenching means extending substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion for spraying a quenching liquid against said portion, means for rotating said workpiece generally about said axis, a workpiece stressing member, means for moving said stressing member against said workpiece in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis and to a position bending said rotating workpiece into a concave configuration in said direction and means for gradually withdrawing said member from said position and away from said workpiece while said workpiece is being rotated and quenched, said supporting means including a rotatable clamping mechanism at one end of said cylindrical portion and an abutment at the other end, and said heating station inCludes means for forcing said workpiece against said abutment while said workpiece is being heated and rotated.

Claim 8

The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said stressing member contacts said workpiece on a side of said workpiece opposite to said abutment.

Claim 9

In a device for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece having a cylindrical portion with a longitudinal axis, a maximum diameter, and two spaced ends, said device comprising: an induction heating station; a quench hardening station; means for supporting said workpiece at said ends for rotation generally about said axis; and, means for conveying said workpiece from said heating station to said quenching station, the improvement comprising: said heating station including an elongated inductor having two, generally parallel conductors extending generally parallel to said workpiece axis and covering substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion, power supply means for energizing said inductor, and means for rotating said workpiece about said axis; and, said quenching station including quenching means extending substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion for spraying a quenching liquid against said portion, means for rotating said workpiece generally about said axis, a workpiece stressing member, means for moving said stressing member against said workpiece in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis and to a position bending said rotating workpiece into a concave configuration in said direction and means for gradually withdrawing said member from said position and away from said workpiece while said workpiece is being rotated and quenched, means for shifting said inductor between a first position remote from said workpiece and a second position adjacent said workpiece cylindrical body, said workpiece having a flange at one of said ends and said shifting means including means for guiding said inductor in an angular path with respect to said cylindrical portion with said first position being farther from said flange than said second position.

Claim 10

In a device for inductively heating and quench hardening an elongated workpiece having a cylindrical portion with a longitudinal axis, a maximum diameter, and two spaced ends, said device comprising: an induction heating station; a quench hardening station; means for supporting said workpiece at said ends for rotation generally about said axis; and, means for conveying said workpiece from said heating station to said quenching station, the improvement comprising: said heating station including an elongated inductor having two, generally parallel conductors extending generally parallel to said workpiece axis and covering substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion, power supply means for energizing said inductor, and means for rotating said workpiece about said axis; and, said quenching station including quenching means extending substantially the complete length of said cylindrical portion for spraying a quenching liquid against said portion, means for rotating said workpiece generally about said axis, a workpiece stressing member, means for moving said stressing member against said workpiece in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis and to a position bending said rotating workpiece into a concave configuration in said direction and means for gradually withdrawing said member from said position and away from said workpiece while said workpiece is being rotated and quenched, means for shifting said inductor between a first position remote from said workpiece and a second position adjacent said workpiece cylindrical body, said workpiece having a flange at one of said ends and said shifting means including means for guiding said inductor in an angular path with respect to said cylindrical portion with said first position being farther from said flange than said second position.