초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for heating substances such as beverages, soups, chemicals, etc., with heat produced by circulating electrical eddy currents. In one form of the device, a magnetic flux generating base produces a varying magnetic field by using an electric motor to move a plurality of permanen

A method and apparatus for heating substances such as beverages, soups, chemicals, etc., with heat produced by circulating electrical eddy currents. In one form of the device, a magnetic flux generating base produces a varying magnetic field by using an electric motor to move a plurality of permanent magnets. The varying magnetic field induces the eddy currents to circulate in a ferromagnetic conductor that is sealed in the bottom of a container resting on the magnetic flux generating base. Losses due to the eddy current produce heat that is transferred into the substance within the container. In another embodiment, the motor moves one or more magnetic flux shunts to vary the magnetic field experienced by the ferromagnetic conductor. The presence of the container on the magnetic flux generating base can be detected and used to control the operation of the electrical motor. An indicator is provided in one embodiment to alert a user when the electrical motor is energized and the substance in the container is being heated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following:] [1.]1. Apparatus for heating a substance, comprising:(a) a container adapted to hold the substance, said container including:(i) a base portion;(ii) a ferromagnetic conductor disposed within the base portion; and(ii

[ The invention in which an exclusive right is claimed is defined by the following:] [1.]1. Apparatus for heating a substance, comprising:(a) a container adapted to hold the substance, said container including:(i) a base portion;(ii) a ferromagnetic conductor disposed within the base portion; and(ii) an upper portion connected to the base portion, said upper portion being adapted to receive the substance so that the substance is in thermal heat transfer relationship with the base portion of the container; and(b) a flux generator including:(i) a housing adapted to support the base portion of the container;(ii) a varying magnetic field generator that includes at least one permanent magnet and is disposed within the housing of the flux generator; and(iii) a prime mover drivingly coupled to an element of the magnetic field generator, causing said element of the magnetic field generator to move relative to the ferromagnetic conductor, movement of said element of the magnetic field generator producing a varying magnetic field that induces an electrical eddy current to circulate within the ferromagnetic conductor, thereby generating heat due to eddy current losses, so that the substance in the container is heated by the heat transferred through the base portion of the container.