In induction heating processes, knowledge of the charge material parameters, i.e., thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity, as well as resistivity and magnetic permeability, is important both at the stage of preparatory process simulations and during their implementation. The paper presents a measurement method for estimating the thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity, and resistivity of the charge material as a function of temperature on a single measuring setup, using a generator for induction heating as the source of signals. The method is based on the study (for forced temperature levels) of the temperature responses of cylindrical samples of the test materials and the voltage induced in the designed measuring coil after short- or long-term step excitation impulses. The presented approach enabled the dedicated computer-controlled system to obtain the initial values of the searched parameters with an accuracy of several percent. The procedure constitutes an introductory step in the simultaneous determination of a set of searched characteristics, and, by performing measurements, significantly narrows the range of variability in the decision variables of the optimization process.

The paper presents the results of computer simulation of the process of induction heating with series transistor inverter. In the simulation of induction heating system the coupled harmonic electromagnetic and transient thermal fields were combined with the simulated real energy source. As a source, the transistor bridge inverter with series resonant circuit was applied. The source parameters (inductor voltage and frequency) depend on the load parameters obtained by numerical calculations of the coupled fields. As the examples, the induction heating before hardening of stationary cylindrical workpiece and of the moving flat workpiece were considered. The simulation results were compared with these obtained in the simulation at constant inductor voltage and frequency.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of indirect determining of the thermal and electrical material characteristics of induction heated charges. Design/methodology/approach -In the paper, the indirect method based on comparing the experimental and simulation results of temperature distribution has been considered. An influence of the type of the optimization techniques and the objective function form on its effectiveness was analysed. The experimental stand used in the described method was presented too. Findings -The method of indirect determining of material characteristics can contribute to correcting the accuracy of the simulation of the induction heating systems. Its main problem is however the explicitness of determination of the material properties. It can be reduced by initial estimation of material characteristics, which can be made on the same experimental stand. Originality/value -The paper describes how the response surface methodology was tested in indirect method of determining the thermal and electrical material characteristics.

Purpose The purpose of the research was to develop a method for the determination of temperature characteristics of thermal diffusivity and specific heat on a single and the same stand, powered from an inverter for induction heating. Determination of the thermal diffusivity has been based on the idea of the pulse method. Searched solutions allowed to reduce inaccuracy of the pulse method when such an unusual source of pulse of energy is used. Design/methodology/approach Coupled electromagnetic and thermal calculations were carried out to verify proposed methods for estimating thermal properties of an induction heated charge. Presented methods were applied into a real laboratory stand and they were examined experimentally. Findings Achieved results of calculations allow to estimate thermal properties of the induction heated charge with 2 and 5 per cent of uncertainty, respectively, for heat capacity and thermal diffusivity. It gives possibility to use results as an input for further proceedings connected with estimation of electrical parameters in a more complex system. Practical implications Presented methods of estimating thermal properties of the induction heated charge were verified experimentally on a dedicated laboratory stand. It gives a practical possibility to implement previously established assumptions and examine them. This is a significant step toward the construction of an easy-to-use device for a comprehensive determination of material parameters of metals directly in the heat treatment plant. Originality/value This study presents a trial of implementation of induction heating as a source of energy in the impulse method for estimation of thermal properties of the material. Additionally, it presents a process of improving results achieved with the flash methods which were presented in previous papers. The method of estimation of specific heat which uses induction heating as the heat source was presented too.