Device and system for induction heating

摘要

An induction heating system comprises inductive rings, which in one example are concentrically wound about a center axis to form a coil array. The inductive rings are situated in the coil array to permit activation of the inductive rings independent of the other inductive rings in the coil array. In one embodiment, the induction heating system includes a control structure with a power supply and switches coupled to each of the inductive rings, wherein activation of the switches permits current from the power supply to flow to the corresponding inductive ring. The induction heating system is amenable to appliances such as ovens and ranges, as well as to cooktops such as free-standing cooktops for countertops.

主权项

1. A heating device comprising:
a heating zone; a plurality of inductive rings concentrically disposed across the heating zone and configured to receive a heating power; a power switching device coupled to the plurality of inductive rings and configured to produce the heating power; and a coil geometry switching device coupled separately to each inductive ring in the plurality of inductive rings, wherein the coil geometry switching device is configured to selectively energize a set of two or more inductive rings in the plurality of inductive rings, and to conduct the heating power serially through the inductive rings in the energized set of two or more inductive rings, and wherein the energized set of two or more inductive rings is selected to generate two or more concentric heating rings, wherein each heating ring is radially spaced apart from an adjacent heating ring.