ENERGY PARAMETERS OF THE INDUCTION HEATING EQUIPMENT FOR SYMMETRIC HEATING OF SPHERICAL METAL WARES

Abstract

Over last few years there have been a number of publications concerning symmetric induction heating for thermal treatment of spherical metal wares at a predetermined depth with high-frequency currents. We should note a high importance of the technology being developed for mass production of the grinding bodies for mining – concentrating plants and cement plants, balls of rolling bearings, valves in hydraulic systems, including high-wearproof balls in backpressure valves of deep pumps for oil production, etc. The new configuration of the inductor with spout guide (same as transporting profile) bent in a spatial spiral with a vertical axis of symmetry is specified in publications as idea of an engineering solution for symmetric induction heating of spherical metal wares. The kinematics of the ball movement along the spiral chute in the inductor (free rolling) has a two-dimensional, and in another case, at a variable curvature of spiral turns (or trajectory of the center of mass of the ball) - three-dimensional impulse to change the direction of its own axis of rotation from the inductor entrance to the output. This fact determines the possibility of creating induction heating equipment (IHE) of continuous action providing a uniform density across interaction of all the ball surface with the electromagnetic field in the inductor. Thus, it is possible to achieve required symmetric heating on the predetermined depth – direct, high-speed and therefore high-energy efficient, practically without oxidation and decarburization. Due to the particular relevance of the developed technology, there is a need for the analysis of energy parameters of IHE providing the qualities of heating declared above.