DE102016211321A1 - Induction heating device, device with at least one induction heating device and method for inductive heating of components or a component material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an induction heating device for use in a method for inductive heating of components or a component material, in particular for producing a component of a turbomachine, comprising at least two induction coils (12, 14) each having at least one turn (24, 26), wherein the turns (24, 26) of the induction coils (12, 14) are arranged side by side and movable relative to each other, such that they at least partially limit at least one working zone (16, 18) to be inductively heated. The invention further relates to a device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component and to a method for the inductive heating of components or a component material.

Description

The invention relates to an induction heating device for use in a method for inductive heating of components or a component material, in particular for producing a component of a turbomachine, in particular an aircraft engine, comprising at least two induction coils each having at least one turn. The invention further relates to a device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component and to a method for the inductive heating of components or a component material.

Methods and apparatus for making individual component areas or complete components are known in a wide variety. In particular, additive or additive manufacturing methods (so-called rapid manufacturing or rapid prototyping methods) are known in which the component, which may be, for example, a component of a turbomachine or an aircraft engine, is built up in layers. Predominantly metallic components can be produced, for example, by laser or electron beam melting methods. In this case, at least one powdered component material is initially applied in layers in the region of a buildup and joining zone, in order to form a powder layer. Subsequently, the component material is locally solidified by supplying energy to the component material in the region of the assembly and joining zone by means of at least one high-energy beam, whereby the component material melts and forms a component layer. The high-energy beam is controlled in dependence on a layer information of the component layer to be produced in each case. The layer information is usually generated from a 3D CAD body of the component and subdivided into individual component layers. After solidification of the molten component material, the construction platform is lowered in layers by a predefined layer thickness. Thereafter, the said steps are repeated until the final completion of the desired component area or the entire component. The component region or the component can in principle be produced on a construction platform or on an already produced part of the component or component region. The advantages of this additive manufacturing are, in particular, the possibility of being able to produce very complex component geometries with cavities, undercuts and the like within the scope of a single method.

Furthermore, methods and devices for joining components by means of low-frequency or high-frequency pressure welding are known. So revealed the DE 198 58 702 A1 a pressure welding method for joining blade parts of a gas turbine, wherein an airfoil portion and at least one further blade part are provided. In this case, corresponding connecting surfaces of these elements are positioned substantially flush with each other and then welded together by energizing an inductor with high-frequency current and by moving together touching their connecting surfaces. In this inductive high frequency pressure welding, the sufficiently large and homogeneous heating of the two welding partners for the quality of the joint is of crucial importance. Further inductive high frequency pressure welding processes are from EP 1 112 141 B1 and the EP 1 140 417 B1 known. In this case, these methods are used for repairing and producing an integrally bladed rotor for a turbomachine or generally for connecting blade parts of a gas turbine. In this case, an inductor is used, which is arranged in the region of a blade leading edge and blade trailing edge at a greater distance to the joining surface than in the middle region of the blade. In order for the induced, high-frequency electric current to heat the end face of the blade parts to be joined as evenly as possible and only let the front surface or near the surface areas become molten.

In principle, in the case of methods for inductive heating of metallic components or of a component material, the problem arises that uniform heating of the components to be machined and connected or of the component material and the components to be produced thereof is very difficult to achieve, regardless of their cross-section and / or geometry. Uniform heating is crucial for the quality of the finished component. Previous methods and apparatus adapt the geometry of the induction coil to the respective heating situation. However, a change or adaptation of the induction coils with each change in the geometry and / or the cross-section of the component to be produced is complicated and uneconomical.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a generic induction heating device, a generic device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component and a generic method for inductive heating of components or a component material, in which a uniform heating of metal components to be joined or a component material and the components to be produced therefrom, regardless of their cross-section and / or geometry is ensured in an economical manner. Another object of the invention is to provide a correspondingly manufactured component with improved quality.

The objects are achieved by an induction heating with the features of claim 1, by a device having the features of claim 9, a method with the features of claim 11 and by a component according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the respective subclaims, wherein advantageous embodiments of each invention aspect are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the respective other aspects of the invention.

A first aspect of the invention relates to an induction heating apparatus for use in a method for inductively heating components or a component material, in particular for producing a component of a turbomachine, comprising at least two induction coils each having at least one turn. In this case, the turns of the induction coils are arranged side by side and movable relative to one another, such that they at least partially limit at least one working zone to be heated inductively. As a result of the formation of the turns of the at least two induction coils next to one another and their movable arrangement relative to one another, the work zone to be inductively heated can be readily varied in its surface area and geometry. This applies both to the two-dimensional as well as a three-dimensional design of the heating field to be heated inductively or the work zone to be inductively heated. By varying the working zone and adapting it to the cross-section and / or the geometry of the components to be produced, it is possible to produce a homogeneous heat distribution in the working zone at least partially enclosed by the windings of the induction coil. As a result, a high quality of the finished component can be ensured. In addition, no change or adaptation of the induction coils in a change in the geometry and / or the cross-section of the component to be produced is necessary. The component can be produced easily and economically. The term "limiting" also means that the turns of the induction coils define or at least partially cover the working zone.

In further advantageous embodiments of the induction heating device according to the invention, the working zone is a construction and joining zone of a device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component. In the case of the additive production of metallic components, it is possible with the induction heating device according to the invention to achieve, in particular, homogeneous preheating of a variable working zone or assembly and joining zone over a corresponding construction platform. In particular, in additive manufacturing processes, such as, for example, selective laser melting (SLM), the surface or component layer to be welded is different from layer to layer. In this case, a respective change or a respective adaptation of the induction coils to the individual component layer would be cumbersome and uneconomical. This is advantageously avoided by the induction heating device according to the invention, since the assembly and joining zone can be easily adapted to the corresponding cross section and / or the corresponding geometry of the component to be produced in the individual component layers by the mobility or movability of the turns of the induction coils. In known induction heating devices in which, for example, two induction coils are arranged one above the other and in a crosswise manner, the working zone or the induction and assembly and joining zone to be heated inductively can not be varied. This is particularly disadvantageous because a laser beam must always be directed to the fixed region of the crossed induction coils in order to weld the corresponding material layers to component layers can. Due to the inventive possibility of varying the working zone can be welded regardless of the position of the induction heater within a space above the build platform. This results in a significantly improved collision avoidance with the laser beam.

Furthermore, there is the possibility that at least one turn of the induction coil in a plane approximately parallel to a construction platform of a device for the generative production of components and / or is designed to be approximately perpendicularly movable. Other directions of movement that lie between a horizontal and vertical methods are conceivable. Such an arrangement ensures a structurally relatively simple arrangement of the induction heating device within a construction space of the device for the additive production of components.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the induction heater according to the invention, the adjacent turns of the induction coils are arranged in a plane and / or in different planes to each other. Depending on the number of turns, either a two-dimensional configuration of the work zone to be heated inductively, or else the formation of a three-dimensional work zone or heating zone. Such a configuration of the induction coils, the working zone can be adapted not only to the cross-section and / or the geometry of the component to be produced. Rather, it is also possible to define the penetration depth of the heating individually for each step. Especially This results in a particularly homogeneous heat distribution within the two- or three-dimensional working zone.

The same applies to the formation of at least one induction coil as movable. With at least one movable designed induction coil, the work zone to be heated inductively can be varied both in its two- as well as its three-dimensional configuration. But there is also the possibility that both or all existing induction coils can be moved independently.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the induction heating device according to the invention, the induction heating device comprises at least one control unit for controlling the position of the induction coils relative to one another. In particular, the control unit is designed to adapt the position of the at least two induction coils to one another and thus the configuration of the working zone to a cross section and / or a geometry of the components to be heated or the cross section and / or the geometry of a component to be manufactured from the component material. The control unit is also designed to be programmable, so that even before the inductive heating of the components or the component material, the corresponding movements of the induction coils can be predetermined to each other according to the cross section and / or the geometry of the component to be produced. Advantageously, an automated process sequence is thus possible.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component, in particular of a component of a turbomachine, wherein the device comprises at least one induction heating device with at least two induction coils each having at least one turn. In this case, the turns of the induction coils are arranged side by side and movable relative to one another, such that they at least partially limit at least one working zone to be heated inductively. As a result, there is the possibility that the working zone, namely an assembly and joining zone above a construction platform, can be adapted to the cross section and / or the geometry of the component to be produced within each component layer without further ado. As a result, the assembly and joining zone can be heated homogeneously, resulting in particular in an improved quality of the component to be produced.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, this comprises at least one temperature measuring device for a continuous or non-continuous temperature measurement of the component material and / or the component layer at least in the region of the assembly and joining zone of the device. The temperature measuring device can advantageously control the temperature within the assembly and joining zone. In the case of deviations, for example, the intensity of the inductive heating field in the working zone can be varied and adjusted by moving the induction coils relative to each other. This advantageously results in a more homogeneous expression of the inductive temperature field during the entire additive production of the component.

Further features and advantages of the device according to the second aspect of the invention will become apparent from the description of the first aspect of the invention, wherein advantageous embodiments of the first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for inductively heating components or a component material, in particular for producing a component of a turbomachine, comprising at least the following steps: providing at least one induction heating device comprising at least two induction coils each having at least one turn, wherein the turns of the induction coils side by side and movable to each other, and at least one induction coil method for at least partially limiting and defining at least one inductively heated working zone. The method according to the invention makes it possible to vary the work zone to be inductively heated, in particular to adapt the cross section and / or the geometry of the component to be produced. This eliminates the previous need to change or adapt the induction coils to the cross-section and / or the geometry of the components to be produced. The method can thus be operated simply and economically. In addition, it is ensured that a homogeneous heat distribution can be carried out on variable surfaces. The induction coils can be moved independently of each other. There is also the possibility that only one of the induction coils is movable relative to the other induction coil. The method of the at least one induction coil can be designed such that an approximately homogeneous heat distribution results in at least a portion of the working zone. In this case, the heat distribution in at least the partial area of the working zone can be measured by means of at least one temperature measuring device. Due to the measured temperature data, the position of the induction coils can be changed at any time to each other, even at different cross-sections and / or Geometries of the components to be produced to achieve an approximately homogeneous heat distribution in at least the said portion of the working zone, in particular in almost the entire working zone.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the position of the at least two turns of the at least two induction coils to one another and their methods and thus the design of the working zone of a geometry and / or a cross section of the components to be heated or the geometry and / or the cross section of the component material to be produced component, controlled by at least one control device. The control device is adjustable or programmable in such a way that a necessary method of the induction coils can be predetermined and defined relative to each other even before the heating or production of the components. Thus, at any time a more homogeneous expression of the temperature field within the work zone as a function of the cross section and / or the geometry of the component to be produced and an automated procedure is possible.

Further features and their advantages of the method according to the third aspect of the invention will become apparent from the description of the first and second aspect of the invention, wherein advantageous embodiments of the first and second aspects of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the third aspect of the invention and vice versa.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a component for a turbomachine, in particular a compressor or turbine component, wherein a high surface quality of the component is ensured according to the invention that this at least partially or completely by means of an induction device according to the first aspect of the invention and / or by means of a device according to the second aspect of the invention and / or a method according to the third aspect of the invention is obtained. The compressor or turbine component belongs here in particular to an aircraft engine or a stationary gas turbine. The resulting features and their advantages will become apparent from the description of the first, second and third aspects of the invention, with advantageous embodiments of the first, second and third aspect of the invention to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations without the scope of the invention leave. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed, which thus do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Showing:

1 a schematic plan view of an induction heater according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

2 a schematic plan view of an induction heater according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

3a a schematic plan view of an induction heater according to the invention according to a third embodiment in a first working position; and

3b a schematic plan view of the induction heating according to the invention according to 3a in a second working position.

1 shows a schematic plan view of an induction heater 10 according to a first embodiment. The induction heater 10 serves in particular for use in a method for inductive heating of components or a component material, in particular for producing a component of a turbomachine. The induction heater 10 includes two induction coils 12 . 14 with one turn each 24 . 26 , You can see that the turns 24 . 26 are arranged side by side, such that they have an inductively heated working zone 16 in the space or distance between them at least partially limit. The term "limit" is also understood that the turns 24 . 26 the work zone 16 define or partially include. The work zone 16 serves in the illustrated embodiment as a construction and joining zone of a device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component (not shown).

The motion arrows 28 . 30 indicate that the turns 24 . 26 the induction coils 12 . 14 are movably arranged to each other. In addition to the two directions of movement shown 28 . 30 However, there are also other directions of movement, for example in the Z direction, that is one Direction of movement perpendicular to the image plane, possible. All conceivable intermediate directions are possible.

In the illustrated embodiment, the windings 24 . 26 arranged in a common plane. But there is also the possibility that the turns 24 . 26 are arranged in different planes to each other. Due to the mobility or movability of the induction coils 12 . 14 each other can be the work zone 16 be adapted to the cross section and / or the geometry of the component to be produced (not shown). This adaptation results for the different component geometries in each case a particularly homogeneously formed temperature field within the work zone.

Furthermore, one recognizes that the induction coils 12 . 14 respective connection devices 20 . 22 for connection to one or more induction generators.

2 shows a schematic plan view of an induction device 10 according to a second embodiment. You can see that the turns 24 . 26 the induction coils 12 . 14 are differently shaped compared to the induction heater according to the first embodiment. However limit the next to each other movable to each other arranged turns 24 . 26 again a working zone 18 , which is used for inductive heating of the component to be produced. The work zone 18 can serve as a construction and joining zone of a device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component or as a joining zone of a device for connecting metallic components by means of an inductive low- or high-frequency compression welding.

The 3a and 3b show a schematic plan view of an induction heater 10 according to a third embodiment in different working positions. It can be seen that in a first working position according to 3a the turns 24 . 26 the induction coils 12 . 14 are arranged relatively close to each other. This results in a work zone 16a , Through a process of turns 24 . 26 (compare motion arrow 32 ) and a corresponding spatial removal of the induction coils 12 . 14 each other results in a larger area and differently shaped work zone 16b , The two work zones 16a . 16b For example, different construction and joining zones in different component layers of a component to be produced can be reproduced. Also, the work zones can 16a . 16b represent different cross-sections or geometries of a to be connected by means of an inductive low-frequency or high-frequency compression welding metal component.

The parameter values given in the documents for defining process and measurement conditions for the characterization of specific properties of the subject matter of the invention are also to be considered within the scope of deviations - for example due to measurement errors, system errors, DIN tolerances and the like - as being within the scope of the invention ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

First induction coil

14

Second induction coil

16

work zone

16a

work zone

16b

work zone

18

work zone

20

connecting device

22

connecting device

24

convolution

26

convolution

28

movement arrow

30

movement arrow

32

movement arrow

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19858702A1 [0003]
• EP 1112141 B1 [0003]
• EP 1140417 B1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Induction heating device for use in a method for inductive heating of components or a component material, in particular for producing a component of a turbomachine, comprising at least two induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) each with at least one turn ( 24 . 26 ), characterized in that the turns ( 24 . 26 ) of the induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) are arranged side by side and movable relative to one another, such that they have at least one working zone to be inductively heated ( 16 . 18 ) at least partially limit. Induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the working zone ( 16 ) is a construction and joining zone of a device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component. Induction heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the working zone ( 18 ) is a joining zone of a device for connecting metallic components by means of an inductive low-frequency or high-frequency pressure welding. Induction heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the windings arranged side by side ( 24 . 26 ) of the induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) are arranged in a plane and / or in different planes to each other. Induction heating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one induction coil ( 12 . 14 ) is designed movable. Induction heating device according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one winding ( 24 . 26 ) of the induction coil ( 12 . 14 ) is formed in a plane approximately parallel to a construction platform of the device for the additive production of components and / or approximately perpendicular thereto movable. Induction heater according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the induction heating device ( 10 ) at least one control unit for controlling the position of the induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) to each other. Induction heater according to claim 7, characterized in that the control unit is adapted to the position of the at least two induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) To each other and thus the design of the working zone a cross-section and / or a geometry of the components to be heated or the cross-section and / or the geometry of a component to be manufactured from the component material to control. Device for the additive production of at least one component region of a component, in particular of a component of a turbomachine, comprising at least one induction heating device ( 10 ) for heating a component material and / or a component layer produced therefrom before and / or after the exposure by means of a high-energy beam, according to claims 1 to 8. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the device ( 10 ) comprises at least one temperature measuring device for a continuous or non-continuous temperature measurement of the component material and / or the component layer at least in the region of a building and joining zone of the device. Method for inductively heating components or a component material, in particular for producing a component of a turbomachine, comprising at least the following steps: - providing at least one induction heating device ( 10 ) comprising at least two induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) each with at least one turn ( 24 . 26 ), the turns ( 24 . 26 ) of the induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) are arranged side by side and movable to each other; and - method of at least one induction coil ( 12 . 14 ) for at least partially limiting and defining at least one working zone to be inductively heated ( 16 . 18 ). A method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method of at least one induction coil ( 12 . 14 ) is controlled such that an approximately homogeneous heat distribution in at least a portion of the working zone ( 16 . 18 ). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the heat distribution in at least the partial area of the working zone ( 16 . 18 ) is measured by means of at least one temperature measuring device. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the position of the at least two turns ( 24 . 26 ) of the at least two induction coils ( 12 . 14 ) and their methods and thus the design of the working zone ( 16 . 18 ) a cross-section and / or a geometry of the components to be heated or a cross-section and / or a geometry of a component to be produced from the component material, is controlled by means of at least one control device. Component for a turbomachine, in particular compressor or turbine component, characterized in that this at least partially or completely by a method according to one of claims 11 to 14 and / or using an induction heater according to one of claims 1 to 8 and / or by means of a device obtained according to one of claims 9 or 10.

Images