US 12,103,039 B2
Apparatus and method to heat metallic containers or workpieces
John D. Efner, Broomfield, CO (US); and Julian Stock, Denver, CO (US)
Assigned to Ball Corporation, Westminster, CO (US)
Filed by BALL CORPORATION, Westminster, CO (US)
Filed on May 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/329,776.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/139,226, filed on Jan. 19, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/030,168, filed on May 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0370347 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. B05D 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC B05D 3/0281 (2013.01) [B05D 3/0272 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
15. A method of heating a metallic workpiece, comprising:
positioning the metallic workpiece on a conveyor of a conveyor system;
moving the metallic workpiece on the conveyor into a hollow interior of an enclosure of an oven that includes:
a heating element within the enclosure that is positioned proximate to the conveyor;
a power source to provide electrical current to the heating element; and
a ventilation system to remove air from the enclosure;
providing electrical current from the power source to the heating element;
moving the metallic workpiece past the heating element at a predetermined velocity, wherein the heating element heats the metallic workpiece to a predetermined temperature; and sending a signal from a control system to the power source to alter the electric current provided to the heating element based on one or more of: a velocity of the conveyor relative to the heating element; a distance between an exterior surface of the metallic workpiece and the heating element; a thermal conductivity of a metallic material of the metallic workpiece; a predetermined rate of heating of the metallic workpiece; a temperature to which the metallic workpiece will be heated; and a type of coating or a type of fluid on the metallic workpiece.