Method for Annealing a Core Blank Used in Electric Machinery and Devices

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between the power input and the list distance of the core sections.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a vertical-type induction-heating coil.

FIG. 3 shows an induction-annealing plant.

FIG. 1 shows the results of the experiment carried out by the present inventors. In order to produce the core blank 1, an electrical steel sheet was blanked into core sections. Several of the core sections were caulked simultaneously with the blanking, and the other core sections were welded after the caulking. Caulked core blanks and welded core blanks were thus produced, each having a height of 50 mm. They were subjected to induction-heating while varying the power input and then the list distance (.DELTA.) at both sides of the core blanks was measured.

A list distance (.DELTA.) of 0.2 mm or less is usually acceptable.

As is apparent from FIG. 1, power inputs of 2 kW/kg or less and 3 kW/kg or less make the list distance (.DELTA.) acceptable with regard to the caulked core blank and welded core blank, respectively.

In addition to the list distance (.DELTA.), the heating efficiency, the temperature-elevating rate, and the magnetic properties of the core blanks were measured. It was discovered that a power input of from 0.5 to 3 kW/kg of the core blank is preferable in the light of the list distance, the heating efficiency, the magnetic properties, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, a core blank 1 is placed within an induction-heating coil 11 provided with an inner tube 12 made of quartz or ceramics for sealing the protective gas within the induction-heating coil. Although only one core blank 1 is shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of core blanks are placed upon one another vertically in the induction-heating coil 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, a primary induction-heating coil 21 and a secondary induction-heating coil 22 are disposed vertically within a vertical casing 20. An inner tube 23 is positioned concentrically within the vertical casing 20 and seals the protective atmosphere.

The core blanks 1 are transferred by a conveyor 27 to a bottom portion of the vertical casing 20, where a lifting device 24 is located to receive the core blank 1, one by one, from the conveyor 27. A positioning means 24' of the lifting device 24 adjusts the horizontal position of a core blank 1, thereby concentrically positioning the core blank 1 relative to the vertical axis of the primary induction coil 21. The lifting device 24 then pushes the core blank 1 vertically upward until it is brought into contact with the core blank 1 stationarily held by the stopper device 25, this contact being detected by a limit switch or sensor (not shown). The stopper device 25 is then released to make the core blank 1 held thereby liftable, and the lifting device 24 is again operated to lift the core blank 1 held by it. The lifting device 24 is stopped when it arrives at the position of the stopper device 25, which position is detected by the limit switch or sensor. The so-lifted core blank 1 is stationarily held by the stopper device 25, and the lifting device 24 is lowered, before the lifting, to a position when it is ready for receiving a core blank 1 from the conveyor 27.

The primary induction-heating coil 21 and the secondary induction-heating coil 22 are vertically arranged so that an appropriate holding time is attained during the transfer of the core blanks 1 therethrough. At the outlet side of the secondary induction-heating coil 22, a displacing device 26 is located to displace the core blank 1, which is positioned at the top of the core blank column, onto a conveyor 28. The core blanks 1 on the conveyor 28 are conveyed through the soaking furnace 30 and the cooling furnace.

The present invention is now explained with reference to an example.

Caulked and welded core blanks were induction-heated to 750.degree. C. at the frequency, the power input, and the temperature-elevating rate given in the following table.

The power consumption was approximately 0.2 kWH/kg and achieved a considerable saving of electricity as compared with a conventional electric-resistance heating furnace, in which approximately 0.40 kWH/kg of power was consumed.

In test No. 1 and test No. 2 (in the case of the welded core blank), excellent magnetic properties, a small list distance (.DELTA.), a small temperature difference, and a short temperature elevating-time were attained.