Novelis, Inc.

David Michael Custers

David Anthony Gaensbauer

Andrew James Hobbis

Michael R Kosmicki

Robert Bruce Wagstaff

Rajeev G Kamat

Rodger Brown

Michael Jackson Bull

Duane E Bendzinski

Antoine Jean Willy Pralong

Peter Knelsen

David Skingley Wright

Natasha Iyer

ChangOok Son

Alp Manavbasi

Christophe Besson

Michael Bommarito

Michael Kosmicki

Aude Celine Despois

Alok Kumar Gupta

Curtis Eddie

Michael Bull

Andrew Hobbis

Changook Son

A rotating magnet heater for metal products, such as aluminum strip, can include permanent magnet rotors arranged above and below a moving metal strip to induce moving or time varying magnetic fields through the metal strip. The changing magnetic fields can create currents (e.g., eddy currents) within the metal strip, thus heating the metal strip. A magnetic rotor set can include a pair of matched magnetic rotors on opposite sides of a metal strip that rotate at the same speed. Each magnetic rotor of a set can be positioned equidistance from the metal strip to avoid pulling the metal strip away from the passline. A downstream magnetic rotor set can be used in close proximity to an upstream magnetic rotor set to offset tension induced by the upstream magnetic rotor set.

Rotating magnet heat induction

Systems and methods of pre-ageing of a metal strip during metal processing include passing the metal strip adjacent a magnetic rotor of a reheater. The systems and methods also include heating the metal strip through the magnetic rotor by rotating the magnetic rotor. Rotating the magnetic rotor induces a magnetic field into the metal strip such that the metal strip is heated.

Pre-ageing systems and methods using magnetic heating

System and method for using fast response heaters to pre-heat metal before entering a metal treatment furnace, which may improve control over metal processing, especially in response to changes in material, mass flow rate, line speed, and/or desired treatment process. Fast response heaters may be used with control systems to adjust the output of the fast response heater based on operator inputs, direct or indirect sensing of process parameters, and/or the use of thermal models to quickly adjust fast response heater output while a metal treatment furnace remains at a constant temperature or slowly transitions into a new operating state. The resulting gains in process control result in higher quality products, reduced scrap, and increases in line speed and output.

Fast response heaters and associated control systems used in combination with metal treatment furnaces

A method of steering a moving metal strip by positioning one or more magnetic rotors near a metal strip. Each rotor includes one or more permanent magnets and rotates to impart a changing magnetic field on the metal strip passing nearby. The magnetic rotors can rotate around an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of travel of the metal strip. The magnetic rotors can be positioned to impart forces on the strip in any combination of laterally, vertically, or longitudinally. A control mechanism can control the rotor speed, rotor direction, vertical position of the rotors, vertical spacing between rotors, and/or lateral position of the rotors. In some cases, the control mechanism can be coupled to sensors, such as a light curtain and a laser distance sensor, in order to provide closed loop feedback control of a metal strip passing through the non-contact magnetic rotor steering device.

Non-contact magnetic steering

A compact heat treatment line can include a short heating zone capable of rapidly bringing a metal strip to a suitable solutionizing temperature through the use of magnetic rotors, such as permanent magnet magnetic rotors. A fast and efficient soaking zone can be achieved as well, such as through the use of magnetic rotors to levitate the metal strip within a gas-filled chamber. Magnetic rotors can further levitate the metal strip through a quenching zone, and can optionally reheat the metal strip prior to final coiling. Magnetic rotors used to heat and/or levitate the metal strip can also provide tension control, can facilitate initial threading of the metal strip, and can cure coatings and/or promote uniformity of coatings/lubricants applied to the metal strip without overheating. Such a heat treatment line can provide continuous annealing and solution heat treating in a much more compacted space than traditional processing lines.

Compact continuous annealing solution heat treatment

A non-contact steering device includes one or more magnetic rotors positioned near a metal strip. Each rotor includes one or more permanent magnets and rotates to impart a changing magnetic field on the metal strip passing nearby. The magnetic rotors can rotate around an axis of rotation that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of travel of the metal strip. The magnetic rotors can be positioned to impart forces on the strip in any combination of laterally, vertically, or longitudinally. A control mechanism can control the rotor speed, rotor direction, vertical position of the rotors, vertical spacing between rotors, and/or lateral position of the rotors. In some cases, the control mechanism can be coupled to sensors, such as a light curtain and a laser distance sensor, in order to provide closed loop feedback control of a metal strip passing through the non-contact magnetic rotor steering device.

Disclosed are novel processes to increase productivity on a continuous anneal and solution heat treatment line for heat-treatable automotive aluminum sheet products with high T4 and after-paint bake strengths and reduced roping. As a non-limiting example, the processes described herein can be used in the automotive industry. The disclosed heat treatable alloys and processes also may be applicable to the marine, aerospace, and transportation industries.

Highly formable automotive aluminum sheet with reduced or no surface roping and a method of preparation

Growing community of inventors

Inverary, Canada

David Michael Custers