US5994682A — Induction heating device with a quick disconnect …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 87 words

An induction heating device comprising: a pair of hollow inductors connected to form a hollow loop conductor for insertion into a ferrous material to be heated, a source of alternating current connected by conductors to said inductors, a source of cooling fluid connected by conduits to said inductors, a quick disconnect terminal comprising connection points for said inductors, said conductors and said conduits, said inductors being connected to said terminal in a fashion which permits said inductors to be released from said conductors and from said conduits.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 87 words

An induction heating device comprising: a pair of hollow inductors connected to form a hollow loop conductor for insertion into a ferrous material to be heated, a source of alternating current connected by conductors to said inductors, a source of cooling fluid connected by conduits to said inductors, a quick disconnect terminal comprising connection points for said inductors, said conductors and said conduits, said inductors being connected to said terminal in a fashion which permits said inductors to be released from said conductors and from said conduits.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 62 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein said pair of hollow inductors each have a first end which is electrically isolated from the first end of the other conductor, and a second end which is electrically connected to the other conductor so as to form a horlow, single loop conductor for receiving said current and cooling fluid to flow therethrough.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 58 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein said quick disconnect terminal comprises a clamping arrangement for receiving and securing said pair of hollow inductors and includes terminal assemblies for connecting to said conductors and conduits such that alternating current and cooling fluid pass from said conductors and conduits, through said quick disconnect terminal into said inductors.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

An induction heating device according to claim 3, wherein said quick disconnect terminal includes fluid bypass conduits with fluid flow valves within said bypass conduits to permit termination of fluid flow at said quick disconnect terminal.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 51 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein two electrical current conductors extend from said source of alternating current to said quick disconnect terminal and two fluid conduits extend from said source of cooling fluid to said quick disconnect terminal, with said conductors and conduits combined into a single assembly.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 126 words

An induction heating device according to claim 5, wherein said single assembly comprises a first flexible and electrically non-conductive tubing and a second flexible electrically non-conductive tubing positioned side-by-side and held in close association by a surrounding wrap member, each of said tubings containing therein flexible electrical wire conductors which occupy less than the entirety of a cross sectional area of said flexible tubing so as to permit a flow of said cooling fluid through said tubing and around said wires, and terminal ends of each tubing configured so as to provide a coaxial flow of electrical current and cooling fluid therethrough, and connection means for attaching each of said tubings to said quick disconnect terminal and to said sources of alternating current and cooling fluid.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 55 words

An induction heating device according to claim 6, wherein said connection means is a compression fitting carried on an electrically conductive metal tube, which tube is electrically connected to said electrical wires and is secured within an end of said tubing to transmit a flow of fluid through said metal tube into said non-conductive tube.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 127 words

A method of heating a series of materials having bores therein by induction heating comprising the steps: inserting a first pair of inductors into a first bore in a first material, connecting a source of alternating current and cooling fluid to said first pair of conductors, inserting a second pair of inductors into a second bore in a second material, disconnecting said source of alternating current and cooling fluid from said first pair of inductors once said first material is heated, and connecting said source of alternating current and cooling fluid to said second pair of inductors before removing said first pair of inductors from said first bore, and moving said first pair of inductors from said first bore to a third bore in a third material.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 127 words

A method of heating a series of materials having bores therein by induction heating comprising the steps: inserting a first pair of inductors into a first bore in a first material, connecting a source of alternating current and cooling fluid to said first pair of conductors, inserting a second pair of inductors into a second bore in a second material, disconnecting said source of alternating current and cooling fluid from said first pair of inductors once said first material is heated, and connecting said source of alternating current and cooling fluid to said second pair of inductors before removing said first pair of inductors from said first bore, and moving said first pair of inductors from said first bore to a third bore in a third material.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 91 words

A method of heating a material having a bore therein by induction heating, comprising the steps: inserting a pair of inductors into the bore in the material; connecting a source of alternating electric current and a source of cooling fluid to said pair of inductors through a quick disconnect terminal; supplying alternating electrical current and a flow of cooling fluid through said quick disconnect terminal to said inductors to heat the material; terminating said alternating electrical current and flow of cooling fluid; and disconnecting said inductors from said quick disconnect terminal.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 91 words

A method of heating a material having a bore therein by induction heating, comprising the steps: inserting a pair of inductors into the bore in the material; connecting a source of alternating electric current and a source of cooling fluid to said pair of inductors through a quick disconnect terminal; supplying alternating electrical current and a flow of cooling fluid through said quick disconnect terminal to said inductors to heat the material; terminating said alternating electrical current and flow of cooling fluid; and disconnecting said inductors from said quick disconnect terminal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein said quick disconnect terminal comprises a member having separate attachment points for said pair of inductors, said conductors and said conduits.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein said quick disconnect terminal comprises a member having common attachment points for said conductors and said conduits.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 35 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein said quick disconnect terminal comprises a member having connection terminals to attachingly receive said inductors, to attachingly receive said conductors and to attachingly receive said conduits.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

An induction heating device according to claim 3, wherein said clamping arrangement comprises a plate member pressingly engageable with said inductors by means of a threaded handle.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 22 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein said connection points for said conduits comprise a compression fitting on a tube.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 24 words

An induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein said inductors are releasably connected to said connection points by means of a threaded member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 25 words

An induction heating device according to claim 15, wherein said threaded member comprises a threaded clamping member holding said inductors in said quick disconnect terminal.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method of heating a series of materials according to claim 8, wherein said step of disconnecting said source of alternating current and cooling fluid from said first pair of inductors comprises rotating a threaded member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method of heating a series of materials according to claim 8, wherein during said step of moving said first pair of inductors from said first bore to a third bore, said second pair of inductors remains in said second bore.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method of heating a material according to claim 9, wherein said step of disconnecting said inductors from said quick disconnect terminal comprises rotating a threaded member.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method of heating a material according to claim 18, wherein said threaded member comprises a threaded clamping member holding said inductors in said quick disconnect terminal.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-11-29	2003-05-31	2003-11-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-11-29	2007-05-31	2007-11-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-11-29	2011-05-31	2011-11-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Induction heating device with a quick disconnect terminal and method of use

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