Annealing system for ammunition casings using induction heating

Abstract

A system for annealing brass ammunition casings uses induction heating. Casings are continuously fed in series through a rotating tube within a solenoid induction coil.

1 . An annealing system for ammunition casings comprising: 
 an induction coil;    a rotating tube extending within the induction coil; and    a feeder mechanism feeding a series of casings through the induction coil at a predetermined rate to result in a predetermined residence time within the induction coil and annealing temperature for the casings.    
   
   
       2 . The annealing system of  claim 1  wherein the rotating tube is comprised of quartz.  
   
   
       3 . The annealing system of  claim 1  wherein the rotating tube is comprised of ceramic.  
   
   
       4 . The annealing system of  claim 1  wherein the induction coil comprises a solenoid induction coil.  
   
   
       5 . The annealing system of  claim 1  further comprising a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature of the annealed casings exiting the rotating tube.  
   
   
       6 . The annealing system of  claim 5  wherein the temperature sensor is used to regulated the power output of the induction coil to thereby control the annealing temperature of the casings.  
   
   
       7 . The annealing system of  claim 1  wherein the induction coil further comprises a central axis, and wherein the rotating tube extends along the central axis of the induction coil.  
   
   
       8 . The annealing system of  claim 1  further comprising a series of insulating spacers inserted between casings entering the rotating tube.  
   
   
       9 . The annealing system of  claim 1  wherein the inside diameter of the rotating tube is slightly larger than the outside diameter of the casings.  
   
   
       10 . A method for annealing ammunition casings comprising: 
 providing an induction coil having a central axis;    providing a tube extending along the central axis of the induction coil;    rotating the tube; and    feeding a series of casings through the tube at a predetermined rate to result in a predetermined residence time within the induction coil and annealing temperature for the casings.    
   
   
       11 . The annealing system of  claim 10  wherein the induction coil is a solenoid induction coil.  
   
   
       12 . The annealing system of  claim 10  further comprising inserting insulating spacers between casings entering the rotating tube.  
   
   
       13 . The annealing system of  claim 10  further comprising monitoring the temperature of the annealed casings exiting the rotating tube.  
   
   
       14 . The annealing system of  claim 13  further comprising regulating the power output of the induction coil based on the measured temperature of the annealed casings exiting the rotating tube.  
   
   
       15 . An annealing system for ammunition casings comprising: 
 a solenoid induction coil having a central axis with a central passageway;    a rotating tube extending within the central passageway parallel to the central axis of the induction coil; and    a feeder mechanism feeding a series of casings through the induction coil at a predetermined rate to result in a predetermined residence time within the induction coil and annealing temperature for the casings.    
   
   
       16 . The annealing system of  claim 15  wherein the rotating tube comprises quartz.  
   
   
       17 . The annealing system of  claim 15  wherein the rotating tube comprises ceramic.  
   
   
       18 . The annealing system of  claim 15  wherein the rotating tube has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the casings.  
   
   
       19 . The annealing system of  claim 15  further comprising a series of insulating spacers inserted between casings entering the rotating tube.  
   
   
       20 . The annealing system of  claim 15  further comprising a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature of the annealed casings exiting the rotating tube.