Caterpillar Inc.

Timothy G Van Den Avond

Peter William Anderton

Fredric A Woldow

Dennis C Pond

A method of hardening a work piece having (i) an outer surface, (ii) an inner surface which defines a passageway extending through the work piece, and (iii) an end. The method includes the steps of (A) advancing the work piece through a first induction coil such that a first hardened area is formed on the work piece, (B) advancing a second induction coil into the passageway of the work piece such that a second hardened area is formed on the work piece, and (C) positioning a third induction coil adjacent to the end of the work piece such that a third hardened area is formed on the work piece. The positioning the third induction coil step is performed after (i) the advancing the work piece through the first induction coil step and (ii) the advancing a second induction coil into the passageway step.

Growing community of inventors

Dunlap, IL, United States of America

Timothy G Van Den Avond