Scan induction heat treatment of an elongated workpiece

摘要

Apparatus and method are provided for preventing deformation along the longitudinal axis of a workpiece passing through a scan inductor when the workpiece has at least one section with a cross section larger than the cross section of the remainder of the workpiece. An upper and lower pair of opposing jaws transition between opened and closed positions as the workpiece passes through the scan inductor so that deformation is minimized as the workpiece passes through the scan induction apparatus.

主权项

1. A workpiece support apparatus for retaining an elongated workpiece during an electric induction heat treatment longitudinal scan of the elongated workpiece, the elongated workpiece having at least one expanded cross sectional feature with an expanded cross section greater than a non-expanded cross section of the remainder of the elongated workpiece, the workpiece support apparatus comprising:
a first and second retaining element disposed on opposing sides of an at least one scan induction apparatus, each of the first and second retaining elements comprising a pair of opposing jaws, each of the pair of opposing jaws attached to an actuator for selectively moving the pair of opposing jaws between an opened and a closed position, the closed position forming a closed elongated workpiece longitudinal passage between the pair of opposing jaws, the center of the closed elongated workpiece longitudinal passage axially aligned with an interior passage formed by the at least one scan induction apparatus, the closed elongated workpiece longitudinal passage sized to the non-expanded cross section of the elongated workpiece, the opened position forming an opened elongated workpiece longitudinal passage between the pair of opposing jaws sized to allow free longitudinal passage of the at least one expanded cross sectional feature of the elongated workpiece through the opened elongated workpiece longitudinal passage; and a fixturing apparatus for retaining the opposing ends of the elongated workpiece and for moving the elongated workpiece through the first and second retaining elements and the at least one scan induction apparatus.