Low frequency inductive heating of a rigid track during track laying

The possibility of applying low frequency current to heat railway rails is discussed. The temperature distribution in the rail as a function of the parameters of the heating inductor and its location is described. The investigation considers only slowly varying magnetic fields below 300 Hz. A mathematical model has been developed to analyze the heat transfer in the rail during the inductive heating. Conclusions about practical design rules for the use of inductive heating for track laying are formulated.