An equivalent heat source model for inducted heating forming with single-circuit inductor

Abstract

ABSTRACT Induction line heating is a suitable method for plate bending in shipbuilding, and the rapid prediction of this forming process is required. However, the existing coupled magnetic-thermal prediction method is time-consuming and requires complicated modelling operation, which makes it difficult to rapidly estimate the thermal conduction of large-size ship hull plate bending. This paper proposes an equivalent heat source (EHS) model for a single-circuit inductor and establishes its quantitative relationship with heating parameters. First, based on a local yet accurate magnetic-thermal coupling model, an EHS model was constructed with three governing parameters. Second, the results with the EHS model were consistent with the experiments, while the thermal analysis was accelerated eight times over current magnetic-thermal coupling analysis. Finally, the effects of heating parameters - current, frequency, air gap and plate thickness on the three governing parameters were investigated, and the relationship between the heating parameters and the EHS model was identified with dimensional analysis.